Page:A memoir of Jane Austen (Fourth Edition).pdf/119

 'Chawton, Thursday, February 4 (1813). 'MY DEAR CASSANDRA,-Your letter was truly welcome, and I am much obliged to you for all your praise; it came at a right time, for I had had some fits of disgust. Our second evening's reading to Miss B. had not pleased me so well, but I believe something must be attributed to my mother's too rapid way of getting on though she perfectly understands the characters herself, she cannot speak as they ought. Upon the whole, however, I am quite vain enough and well satisfied enough. The work is rather too light, and bright, and sparkling; it wants shade; it wants to be stretched out here and there with a long chapter of sense, if it could be had; if not, of solemn specious nonsense, about something unconnected with the story; an essay on writing, a critique on Walter Scott, or the history of Buonaparté, or something that would form a contrast, and bring the reader with increased delight to the playfulness and epigrammatism of the general style. ... The greatest blunder in the printing that I have met with is in page 220, v. 3, where two speeches are made into one. There might as well be no sup- pers at Longbourn; but I suppose it was the remains of Mrs. Bennett's old Meryton habits.'

The following letter scems to have been written soon after the last two: in February 1813- 'This will be a quick return for yours, my dear Cassandra; I doubt its having much else to recommend it; but there is no saying; it may turn out to be a very long and delightful letter. I am exceedingly