Chapter III. _Early Compositions--Friends at Ashe--A very Old
Letter--Lines on the Death of Mrs. Lefroy--Observations on Jane Austen's
Letter-writing--Letters_

Chapter IV. _Removal from Steventon--Residence at Bath and at
Southampton--Settling at Chawton_

Chapter V. _Description of Jane Austen's person, character, and
tastes_

Chapter VI. _Habits of Composition resumed after a long interval--First
publication--The interest taken by the Author in the success of her
Works_

Chapter VII. _Seclusion from the literary world--Notice from the Prince
Regent--Correspondence with Mr. Clarke--Suggestions to alter her style of
writing_

Chapter VIII. _Slow growth of her fame--Ill success of first attempts at
publication--Two Reviews of her works contrasted_

Chapter IX. _Opinions expressed by eminent persons--Opinions of others
of less eminence--Opinion of American readers_

Chapter X. _Observations on the Novels_

Chapter XI. _Declining health of Jane Austen--Elasticity of her
spirits--Her resignation and humility--Her death_

Chapter XII. _The cancelled Chapter of 'Persuasion_'

Chapter XIII. _The last work_

Chapter XIV. _Postscript_

'He knew of no one but himself who was inclined to the work. This is
no uncommon motive. A man sees something to be done, knows of no one
who will do it but himself, and so is driven to the enterprise.'

HELPS' _Life of Columbus_, ch. i.

CHAPTER I.

_Introductory Remarks--Birth of Jane Austen--Her Family Connections--Their
Influence on her Writings_.

More than half a century has passed away since I, the youngest of the
mourners, {1} attended the funeral of my dear aunt Jane in Winchester
Cathedral; and now, in my old age, I am asked whether my memory will
serve to rescue from oblivion any events of her life or any traits of her
character to satisfy the enquiries of a generation of readers who have
been born since she died. Of events her life was singularly barren: few
changes and no great crisis ever broke the smooth current of its course.
Even her fame may be said to have been posthumous: it did not attain to
any vigorous life till she had ceased to exist. Her talents did not
introduce her to the notice of other writers, or connect her with the
literary world, or in any degree pierce through the obscurity of her
domestic retirement. I have therefore scarcely any materials for a
detailed life of my aunt; but I have a distinct recol