Upon My Word! The Regency 'Zineby Linore Rose Burkard
October 2006 Volume One Issue 10
********************************************************************** Contents ********************************************************************** "Yes, Mary Ann I Freely Grant" A poem for your enjoyment by Regency author Amelia Opie (a "song")
Jane And the Family Wit In which we examine the sometimes piercing wit of the author and reach a startling conclusion!
Links: to Entertain, Educate or Amuse. How to make a Regency Bonnet Home Interior Design (ad*space) Reading Jane And the Winners Are...! Five of the six prizes have already been claimed. Are you on the list? This Month's Download (f.r.e.e): (Did it really happen? You decide!) "A Relation of the Apparition of Mrs. Veal" by Daniel Defoe.
More Regency Resources http://r.vresp.com/?LinoreRoseBurkard.co/f30f8dc46c/727954/TEST/TEST
********************************************************************** Yes, Mary Ann I Freely Grant ********************************************************************** by Amelia Opie (1769-1853), English author during the Regency
Yes, Mary Ann, I freely grant, The charms of Henry's eyes I see; But while I gaze, I something want, I want those eyes -- to gaze on me.
And I allow, in Henry's heart Not Envy's self a fault can see: Yet still I must one wish impart, I wish that heart -- to sigh for me.
Amelia Opie showed early talent, writing "The Dangers of Coquetry" when only 18. She went on to write more books, most of which explored relationships between the self and the family, and in particular that of women to those around them. She published a volume of "graceful verse" in 1802 followed by more of her novels. An outgoing person, she was socially active and friendly with some notables of the day, including Mary Wollstonecraft (P.B. Shelly's wife, and author of, Frankenstein.)Later in life, Mrs. Opie joined The Society of Friends and grew quite active in charity work. She left off writing at that point (for the most part) feeling that it was not the best use of her time. She is remembered for her vivacious nature and her writings, and I think perfectly refutes the fallacious idea that women only develop professionally by espousing feminism. Mrs. Opie was a happy wife and mother--and a talent that shone even back in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.
I'd like more of Amelia Opie's Poetry! (if reading this online, please cut and paste the link into your browser) http://r.vresp.com/?LinoreRoseBurkard.co/cda32f8d1d/727954/TEST/TEST
********************************************************************** Main Article: The Austen Family Wit ********************************************************************** There are times when I think Jane Austen and her character Lizzie Bennet (Pride and Prejudice) are more similar than one might at first think. Reading some of Jane's letters to her beloved sister Cassandra, one finds instances of observations that are reminiscent of Elizabeth, and almost downright mean in their treatment of others. Jane was not only a family wit, however, but subscribed to THE " family wit"--the justification behind the tongue-in-cheek observations that we all so love in JA. This justification, I believe, found its expression in Mr. Bennet and Lizzie--but I get ahead of myself.
It is not surprising that Jane disliked some of her acquaintance-- But the degree to which she is unsympathetic--probably to garner a laugh from her sister--is surprising in one who showed great depth of understanding of human frailty in her novels. Let me share a few of the little pokes she takes at others in some of her letters to Cassandra. (Despite the aforesaid meanness, they usually do make one laugh. Jane, ever the wit, is fabulous with understatements.)
"Lizzie Bond is just apprenticed to Miss Small, so we may hope to see her able to spoil gowns in a few years." JA 1 Dec, 1798 to Cassandra
"Mrs. Hall, of Sherborne, was brought to bed yesterday of a dead child, some weeks before she expected, owing to a fright. I suppose she happened unawares to look at her husband."
"I believe I never told you that Mrs. Coulthard and Anne, late of Manydown, are both dead, and both died in childbed. We have not regaled Mary with this news." [Mary was Jane's sister-in-law, who was expecting at the time. Not to tell her was a kindness.]
Note that she doesn't say, "sad news", or "poor Mrs. Coulthard and Anne." This is the real Jane, speaking unguardedly to her sister and making no effort to "sound nice" for anyone else. She would probably have told the news quite differently to other ears. But this is the point: that within Jane's family, one was quite expected to be a bit, well, cynical. Would the word, 'jaded' be going too far? Perhaps.
Jane wanted to amuse her sister in her letters, and no doubt Cassandra is shaking her head with us, a knowing smile on her lips as she reads, but there is a very real streak of unrepentant glee in JA's treatment of some people.
Here's another snippet: "Charles Powlett gave a dance on Thursday, to the great disturbance of all his neighbours, of course, who, you know, take a most lively interest in the state of his finances, and live in hopes of his being soon ruined."
In this case it is poor Mr. Powlett's neighbors that Jane takes a stab at, but it must be noted that she does so with such sarcasm as to underscore her exaggeration. She is having fun while she writes, and one can only imagine all the little such gems and observations the two sisters shared when together in society, that are not written down.
Many of Jane's letters were destroyed after her death by well-meaning relatives, leaving us bereft of perhaps hundreds of juicy quotes that should have both appalled and delighted us. This is an unmitigated shame. But here are more:
"I expect a very stupid Ball, there will be nobody worth dancing with, & nobody worth talking to but Catherine; for I believe Mrs. Lefroy will not be there; Lucy is to go..."
" I do not want people to be very agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them a great deal."
On another occasion Jane is writing some very welcome news regarding the future promotions of her and Cassandra's two brothers who are serving in the Navy: She starts with: "I have got some pleasant news for you which I am eager to communicate,...." and then shares the news. Her next sentence is just so, well--Jane. She says, " There! I may now finish my letter and go and hang myself, for I am sure I can neither write nor do anything which will not appear insipid to you after this."
It was important to her to be amusing, informative or entertaining, besides merely keeping in touch with her much-loved sibling. The Austen family were intelligent people, and goodness was not emphasized, one begins to think, as much as wit. To some degree, this was a reflection of the time, as letter writing was considered an art. But Jane is not trying to form the perfect letter; she is writing to her sister with whom she was intimate and honest.
Intimations of the familial influence of attitudes are seen in the Bennet family when Lizzie is in her father's study, and Mr. Bennet is vastly amused by a letter which purports that Mr. Darcy is planning to offer for Elizabeth. "Are you not amused?" he asks, expecting his daughter to join in his appreciation of what he believes to be ignorant misinformation. "Is that not what we live for?" he asks, completely in earnest. "To laugh at others and in our turn, be laughed at as well?" Lizzie nods weakly in agreement--she has always agreed with this in the past--but she is not at all in the state of mind to either laugh or be laughed at, anymore.
This penchant for garnering a laugh at other's expense is so ingrained that when Mr. Darcy visits Lizzie (after the scandal involving Lydia and Wickham is famous), she guesses that he has come "to triumph over her." No other motivation seems possible to her, when in fact, Mr.Darcy is there to do anything but.
Back to our author. At the end of a letter to her sister which she has written on Christmas Day, 1798, Jane says, "You deserve a longer letter than this; but it is my unhappy fate seldom to treat people so well as they deserve.... God bless you!"
And yet, Jane, we love you anyway.
copyright 2006 Linore Rose Burkard
Get Jane's letters to read yourself! http://r.vresp.com/?LinoreRoseBurkard.co/ec36160859/727954/TEST/TEST
********************************************************************** How to Make a Regency Era Bonnet (From, Simplicity) ********************************************************************** I often see queries on Regency lists asking for info on ways to purchase Regency era costume, and in particular, bonnets. Someone recently shared the following link to a page with photos and instructions on how to make your own. (Cut and paste or, copy the link into your browser.) http://www.simplicity.com/index.cfm?page=section/classroom/ sewprojects/EraBonnet/eraBonnet.cfm&CFID=178521
If you're like me (read: not a seamstress) then you'll also want to know about Laura Boyle's site, Austentation.com Laura will do the sewing for you.
Show me Laura's site! http://r.vresp.com/?LinoreRoseBurkard.co/fc12c524f4/727954/TEST/TEST
********************************************************************** ***Ad Space***Ad Space***Ad Space***Ad Space***Ad Space*** ********************************************************************** Find out how to makeover your home for happiness with interior design psychology. Expert Jeanette Fisher from JoytotheHome.com offers no cost teleseminars and great Home Interior Design ideas you can use!
Read why YOU can and should be your own designer:
Cut and paste the following address into your browser. http://www.joytothehome.com/interior_decorators_designer.html
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Want your ad here? Contact: admin@linroseburkard.com
********************************************************************** Another Jane Link ********************************************************************** Not read Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility yet? What about Pride and Prejudice? Access them--and more of her works--at Pemberley.com for f.r.ee.
You can read online or print out one chapter at a time, whatever you like. Click the link below to start.
Yes, I want to read Jane! http://r.vresp.com/?LinoreRoseBurkard.co/cc1143d384/727954/TEST/TEST
********************************************************************** ***Ad Space***Ad Space***Ad Space***Ad Space***Ad Space*** ********************************************************************** This is something a new subscriber sent to a Regency List she is on. (How could I not include this??) :D
"Found an Inspirational Regency I thought I would try. It is called 'Inspirational' but it is a bit more than that; Evangelical I believe is the word. The heroine speaks frankly of having a prayerful relationship with Jesus Christ. The book is, Before the Season Ends by Linore Rose Burkard. An excerpt is on her web page." (Posted by N.Mayer)
Thank you for the mention, Nancy! If you haven't yet read my book, do check out the excerpt Nancy mentions. Just click the link below to get there. I know you'll enjoy it!
I'd like to read the excerpt! http://r.vresp.com/?LinoreRoseBurkard.co/492c04b0c5/727954/TEST/TEST
********************************************************************** And the Winners Are.....! ********************************************************************** I want to thank all of you who participated in last month's drawings for prizes. In a moment, I'll announce the winners but first I want to let you know that it's not too late to "win" this month--How? By pre-ordering your own copy of Regency House Christmas: The Definitive Guide to A Remarkably Regency Yuletide. You see, there's a new special offer this month, and new complimentary ebooks for EVERYONE who places their order during the month of October. Click the link below to read all about it.
Yes, I want to see what I'll get if I order now! http://r.vresp.com/?LinoreRoseBurkard.co/34b847aa25/727954/TEST/TEST
********************************************************************** And now, for the winners. Prize #1 and #2: A 100% refund of the price of the book. (two were awarded) Sam and Ellen Shapiro, of Long Island, New York. and, Melanie Siemen (no address given.)
Prize #3 and #4: A copy of The Illustrated Companion to Pride and Prejudice in hardcover by Dover Books. Viola Evans, of Colorado and, Amanda Chamberlain of Somerville, Ohio
Prize #5: A book from my own collection, Think Christmas Mr. Henk Kelly-Kobes, of Australia
Prize #6: A pair of beautiful new books donated by Stacey Kannenberg of CedarValleyPublishing.com. (Let's Get Ready for Kindergarten! and, Let's Get Ready for First Grade! This prize went to Kelli Glesige, another fellow Ohioan!
Congratulations to all of you! And again, thank you to all who participated!
********************************************************************** Did You Know? ********************************************************************** REGENCY HOUSE CHRISTMAS is not just for history buffs is not just for fans of Jane Austen is not just for historical romance fans is not just for admirers of the Romantic Poets is not just for people who like new cuisine is not just for those who love Christmas is not just for the young-at-heart is not just for the literary types is not just for authors and writers and researchers is not just for people who like to "play" and enjoy themselves is not just for the curious is not just for re-enactors is not just for anglophiles is not just for your mother, sister, brother or friend is not just for art lovers is not just for those who love to read is not just for anyone who appreciates olde English charm is not just for admirers of elegance and refinement is not just for your Aunt Martha who loves puddings and roast goose is not just for somebody else. It's for YOU!
How do I know this? Because the book is a vastly readable blend of Christmas history, Regency customs, English traditions, church notes, hymns, prayers and poems, beautiful illustrations and pictures, authentic recipes, real old-English games (that you can still play, today!), excerpts, instructions, and not least--my wonderful take on it all!
In addition, there'll be links, appendices, fun facts, opinions, shopping hints, and so much Yuletide atmosphere that you'll swear your computer is starting to smell of evergreen! (Okay, maybe not. But you never know...:D )
Don't wait another minute! Pick up your copy and read, use, enjoy, eat and discover...
Yes! Take me to the Christmas Book info page! http://r.vresp.com/?LinoreRoseBurkard.co/428282fe77/727954/TEST/TEST
********************************************************************** This Month's Download ********************************************************************** "A Relation of the Apparition of Mrs. Veal". This little story was actually written well before the Regency, but the eighteenth century language and atmosphere are equally fun. It's a little-known piece of work by the author of Robinson Crusoe and will keep you entertained to the end. (less than five pages). Take a short break from your busy life to enjoy this mysterious window into the past.
Download story here! http://r.vresp.com/?LinoreRoseBurkard.co/099d072687/727954/TEST/TEST
********************************************************************** Mystery Link ********************************************************************** This link is for---well, it wouldn't be a mystery if I told you what it was for, would it? :D teehee. I am friends with the owner of this site, which is all I will say!
********************************************************************** Got a friend who would enjoy this newsletter? Pass it along! **********************************************************************
********************************************************************** That's all for now. Have a marvelous October! Blessings,
Linore
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