of language indeed every word of
them might be printed without correction. The style is always clear, and
generally animated, while a vein of humour continually gleams through the
whole; but the materials may be thought inferior to the execution, for
they treat only of the details of domestic life. There is in them no
notice of politics or public events; scarcely any discussions on
literature, or other subjects of general interest. They may be said to
resemble the nest which some little bird builds of the materials nearest
at hand, of the twigs and mosses supplied by the tree in which it is
placed; curiously constructed out of the simplest matters.

Her letters have very seldom the date of the year, or the signature of
her christian name at full length; but it has been easy to ascertain
their dates, either from the post-mark, or from their contents.

* * * * *

The two following letters are the earliest that I have seen. They were
both written in November 1800; before the family removed from Steventon.
Some of the same circumstances are referred to in both.

The first is to her sister Cassandra, who was then staying with their
brother Edward at Godmersham Park, Kent:--

'Steventon, Saturday evening, Nov. 8th.

'MY DEAR CASSANDRA,

'I thank you for so speedy a return to my two last, and particularly
thank you for your anecdote of Charlotte Graham and her cousin,
Harriet Bailey, which has very much amused both my mother and myself.
If you can learn anything farther of that interesting affair, I hope
you will mention it. I have two messages; let me get rid of them, and
then my paper will be my own. Mary fully intended writing to you by
Mr. Chute's frank, and only happened entirely to forget it, but will
write soon; and my father wishes Edward to send him a memorandum of
the price of the hops. The tables are come, and give general
contentment. I had not expected that they would so perfectly suit the
fancy of us all three, or that we should so well agree in the
disposition of them; but nothing except their own surface can have
been smoother. The two ends put together form one constant table for
everything, and the centre piece stands exceedingly well under the
glass, and holds a great deal most commodiously, without looking
awkwardly. They are both covered with green baize, and send their
best love. The Pembroke has got its destination by the sideboar