ly, Mr. Cooke's remark (quoted in the
first) shows that _Mansfield Park_ was already published. We must not
forget, however, that its author had been, since January 1814, deep in
the composition of _Emma_, and she would be sure to use a visit to the
neighbourhood of Leatherhead and Box Hill to verify geographical and
other details for her new work. Since her fame was fully established,
there have been many attempts to identify the locality of Highbury.
'There is a school of serious students who place it at Esher; another
band of enthusiasts support Dorking'; but Mr. E. V. Lucas, in his
introduction to a recent edition of the novel, prefers the claim of
Leatherhead, which, he says, is rightly placed as regards London and
Kingston, and not far wrong as regards Box Hill.[291] Near Leatherhead
is a house called 'Randalls'; and in 1761 the vestry of the parish paid
their thanks 'in the most respectful manner to Mr. Knightley,' who had
remodelled the pulpit and reading-desk of the church.[292]

Cobham should be mentioned as another possible alternative, as the
distances from London, Richmond, Kingston, and Box Hill suit well.[293]
But the most probable supposition of all is that the author purposely
avoided identifying it with any one village, while sufficiently defining
its position in the county of Surrey.

Chawton: Tuesday [June 14, 1814].

MY DEAREST CASSANDRA,--Fanny takes my mother to
Alton this morning, which gives me an opportunity
of sending you a few lines without any other
trouble than that of writing them.

This is a delightful day in the country, and I
hope not much too hot for town. Well, you had a
good journey, I trust, and all that, and not rain
enough to spoil your bonnet. It appeared so likely
to be a wet evening that I went up to the Gt.
House between three and four, and dawdled away an
hour very comfortably, though Edwd. was not very
brisk. The air was clearer in the evening and he
was better. We all five walked together into the
kitchen garden and along the Gosport road, and
they drank tea with us.

The only letter to-day is from Mrs. Cooke to me.
They do not leave home till July, and want me to
come to them, according to my promise. And, after
considering everything, I have resolved