own would have been something. I do not think, however, that any
theft of that sort would be really very useful to me. What should I
do with your strong, manly, vigorous sketches, full of variety and
glow? How could I possibly join them on to the little bit (two inches
wide) of ivory on which I work with so fine a brush, as produces
little effect after much labour?

'You will hear from uncle Henry how well Anna is. She seems perfectly
recovered. Ben was here on Saturday, to ask uncle Charles and me to
dine with them, as to-morrow, but I was forced to decline it, the walk
is beyond my strength (though I am otherwise very well), and this is
not a season for donkey-carriages; and as we do not like to spare
uncle Charles, he has declined it too.

_Tuesday_. Ah, ah! Mr. E. I doubt your seeing uncle Henry at
Steventon to-day. The weather will prevent your expecting him, I
think. Tell your father, with aunt Cass's love and mine, that the
pickled cucumbers are extremely good, and tell him also--"tell him
what you will." No, don't tell him what you will, but tell him that
grandmamma begs him to make Joseph Hall pay his rent, if he can.

'You must not be tired of reading the word _uncle_, for I have not
done with it. Uncle Charles thanks your mother for her letter; it was
a great pleasure to him to know that the parcel was received and gave
so much satisfaction, and he begs her to be so good as to give three
shillings for him to Dame Staples, which shall be allowed for in the
payment of her debt here.

'Adieu, Amiable! I hope Caroline behaves well to you.

Yours affecly,
'J. AUSTEN.'

I cannot tell how soon she was aware of the serious nature of her malady.
By God's mercy it was not attended with much suffering; so that she was
able to tell her friends as in the foregoing letter, and perhaps
sometimes to persuade herself that, excepting want of strength, she was
'otherwise very well;' but the progress of the disease became more and
more manifest as the year advanced. The usual walk was at first
shortened, and then discontinued; and air was sought in a
donkey-carriage. Gradually, too, her habits of activity within the house
ceased, and she was obliged to lie down much. The sitting-room contained
only one sofa, which was frequently occupied by her mother, who was more
than seventy years old. Jane would never use it, even in her