Array The griffin classics - The Complete Works of Jane Austen

Cassandra was next accosted by her freind the Widow, who squeezing out her little Head thro' her less window, asked her how she did? Cassandra curtseyed & went on.

A quarter of a mile brought her to her paternal roof in Bond Street, from which she had now been absent nearly 7 hours.

She entered it & was pressed to her Mother's bosom by that worthy Woman. Cassandra smiled & whispered to herself, "This is a day well spent."

Finis

Amelia Webster

An interesting & well written Tale is dedicated by Permission to Mrs Austen by Her humble Servant.

The Author

To Miss Webster

My Dear Amelia,

You will rejoice to hear of the return of my amiable Brother from abroad. He arrived on thursday, & never did I see a finer form, save that of your sincere freind.

Matilda Hervey

To H. Beverley Esqre.

Dear Beverley,

I arrived here last thursday & met with a hearty reception from my Father, Mother, & Sisters. The latter are both fine Girls—particularly Maud, who I think would suit you as a Wife well enough. What say you to this? She will have two thousand Pounds & as much more as you can get. If you don't marry her you will mortally offend

George Hervey

To Miss Hervey

Dear Maud,

Beleive me, I'm happy to hear of your Brother's arrival. I have a thousand things to tell you, but my paper will only permit me to add that I am yr. affect. Freind

Amelia Webster

To Miss S. Hervey

Dear Sally,

I have found a very convenient old hollow oak to put our Letters in; for you know we have long maintained a private Correspondence. It is about a mile from my House & seven from yours. You may perhaps imagine that I might have made choice of a tree which would have divided the Distance more equally. I was sensible of this at the time, but as I considered that the walk would be of benefit to you in your weak & uncertain state of Health, I preferred it to one nearer your House, & am yr. faithfull

Benjamin Bar

To Miss Hervey

Dear Maud,

I write now to inform you that I did not stop at your house in my way to Bath last Monday. I have many things to inform you of besides; but my Paper reminds me of concluding; & beleive me yrs. ever &c.

Amelia Webster

To Miss Webster

Saturday

Madam,

An humble Admirer now addresses you. I saw you, lovely Fair one, as you passed on Monday last, before our House in your way to Bath. I saw you thro' a telescope, & was so struck by your Charms that from that time to this I have not tasted human food.

George Hervey

To Jack

As I was this morning at Breakfast the Newspaper was brought me, & in the list of Marriages I read the following.

"George Hervey Esqre. to Miss Amelia Webster"

"Henry Beverley Esqre. to Miss Hervey"

&

"Benjamin Bar Esqre. to Miss Sarah Hervey".

yours,

Tom

Finis

The Visit

A Comedy in 2 Acts

To the Revd. James Austen

Sir,

The following Drama, which I humbly recommend to your Protection & Patronage, tho' inferior to those celebrated Comedies called "The School for Jealousy" & "The Travelled Man", will I hope afford some amusement to so respectable a Curate as yourself; which was the end in veiw when it was first composed by your Humble Servant.

The Author

Location: The scenes are laid in Lord Fitzgerald's House.

Scene the first

a Parlour

enter LORD FITZGERALD and STANLY

StanlyCousin, your servant. FitzgeraldStanly, good morning to you. I hope you slept well last night. StanlyRemarkably well, I thank you. FitzgeraldI am afraid you found your Bed too short. It was bought in my Grandmother's time, who was herself a very short woman & made a point of suiting all her Beds to her own length, as she never wished to have any company in the House, on account of an unfortunate impediment in her speech, which she was sensible of being very disagreable to her inmates. StanlyMake no more excuses, dear Fitzgerald. FitzgeraldI will not distress you by too much civility — I only beg you will consider yourself as much at home as in your Father's house. Remember, "The more free, the more Wellcome."

exit FITZGERALD

StanlyAmiable Youth! "Your virtues, could he imitate How happy would be Stanly's fate!"

exit STANLY

Scene the 2d.

STANLY and MISS FITZGERALD, discovered.

StanlyWhat Company is it you expect to dine with you to Day, Cousin? Miss F.Sir Arthur & Lady Hampton; their Daughter, Nephew & Neice. StanlyMiss Hampton & her Cousin are both Handsome, are they not? Miss F.Miss Willoughby is extreamly so. Miss Hampton is a fine Girl, but not equal to her. StanlyIs not your Brother attached to the Latter? Miss F.He admires her, I know, but I beleive nothing more. Indeed I have heard him say that she was the most beautifull, pleasing, & amiable Girl in the world, & that of all others he should prefer her for his Wife. But it never went any farther, I'm certain. StanlyAnd yet my Cousin never says a thing he does not mean. Miss F.Never. From his Cradle he has always been a strict adherent to Truth.

Exeunt Severally

End of the First Act.

Scene the first

The Drawing Room

Chairs set round in a row. LORD FITZGERALD, MISS FITZGERALD & STANLY seated.

Enter a Servant.

ServantSir Arthur & Lady Hampton. Miss Hampton, Mr. & Miss Willoughby.

Exit SERVANT

Enter the Company.

Miss F.I hope I have the pleasure of seeing your Ladyship well. Sir Arthur, your servant. Yrs., Mr. Willoughby. Dear Sophy, Dear Cloe, —

They pay their Compliments alternately.

Miss F.Pray be seated.

They sit

Miss F.Bless me! there ought to be 8 Chairs & there are but 6. However, if your Ladyship will but take Sir Arthur in your Lap, & Sophy my Brother in hers, I beleive we shall do pretty well. Lady H.Oh! with pleasure… . SophyI beg his Lordship would be seated. Miss F.I am really shocked at crouding you in such a manner, but my Grandmother (who bought all the furniture of this room) as she had never a very large Party, did not think it necessary to buy more Chairs than were sufficient for her own family and two of her particular freinds. SophyI beg you will make no apologies. Your Brother is very light. Stanly(aside)What a cherub is Cloe! Cloe(aside)What a seraph is Stanly!