Austen letters 125A -127, 16, 23-24 Nov 1815, from Stanier Clarke, to Murray & Cassandra

S&S, P&P, MP — all published

Tomorrow Mr Haden is to dine with us. — There’s Happiness! — We really grow so fond of Mr Haden that I do not know what to expect — Austen to Cassandra

Dear friends and readers,

Three letters from the series Austen wrote when in London with Fanny Austen Knight in 1815, nursing Henry, negotiating a deal and overseeing proofs of Emma, meeting with Stanier Clarke, delighted with the apothecary, Charles-Thomas Haden.

Stanier Clarke shows himself to be a manipulative courtier and while he genuinely likes MP and may have been the moving spirit in the invitation (though Scott was invited 6 months earlier and to dinner with HRH), he does not seem to understand its mood if his analogies are anything to go by. For those interested in Stanier Clarke, Chris Viveash also wrote a short biographical sketch, “The Divine and the Donkey,” Persuasions 16 (1994):16-20.

In her letter Austen is on the side of someone waiting on someone else, feeling she has precious little to offer to get Murray or the printer who have have promised to do work for her to get her project moving, which is the publication of Emma before she leaves London, which is looming. Henry’s business is still sliding away, and though he’s better he is not well (who would be, considering, she asks in her next letter). Her own feeble weapon is to ask if the supposed displeasure of HRH because the book is dedicated to him will hasten things. And if not incompatible with Murray’s stock needs, Henry would dearly like another book by Scott.

But then comfort comes, showing Murray perhaps the better person than Stanier, or at least brighter, and a wise businessman, since courtesy and attention cost so little (and yet more people are like Stanier Clarke than Murray in these exchanges), for very quickly at least a few proofs arrive and two books! The third letter to Cassandra is far cheerier, indeed suddenly her cup runneth over for our Jane is taken with yet another man, Charles-Thomas Haden: she senses a fellow spirit, though apparently her age and his lack of rank make it out of the question. She fills Cassandra (and us) in on the gaieties such as they are of Henry’s house (the Fowles have sent a brace of pheasants) and does little acts of verbal kindness towards those in Chawton: Frank is remembered through his long-suffering endlessly pregnant wife whom Janes “hopes” will “continue to get well fast.” Keppel street and servant Richard not forgotten nor the cold. She concludes asking (demands) in return that Cassandra tell in her next what Martha’s plans are and that she be remembered to Miss Benn.

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125 (A), from James Stanier Clarke, Thurs, 16 Nov 1815, Carlton House, to JA at Hans Place

Austen’s letter 125D, 15 Nov, was a sincere request for real information: she wanted to know what is the unwritten or socially inarticulate meaning of of her being told she was “at liberty to dedicate any future work to HRH the PR without the necessity of any Solicitation.” The rub clearly is that the phrase is precisely what she might not be: she might not be “at liberty” to not dedicate the work.

And like so many people I’ve met all my life this man does not explain to her what is meant, oh no, he simply repeats the code in different words; what is particularly grating is he understands that she is worried that she is not at liberty. Sometimes when you ask for the subtext of some statement the person genuinely can’t or won’t tell you (so deeply ingrained in the person are such kinds of meanings that for anyone not to be sure makes them uncomfortable). On top of this aggressive obtuseness, he gives himself power here by saying “I am happy to send you that permission which need not require any more trouble or solicitation on your Part.” What’s implied here now is that she has asked to dedicate the book, which (as he very well knows) she has not done. I don’t find such behavior ridiculous but all too often the way of the worldly seeking to dominate however pettily.

Stanier Clarke (Jason Watkins) greeting Jane Austen (Olivia Williams) (from Miss Austen Regrets, 2008)

Here is the whole document:

12S(A). From James Stanier Clarke, Thursday 16 November 1815, Carlton House

Dear Madam, It is certainly not incumbent on you to dedicate your work now in the Press to His Royal Highness: but if you wish to do the Regent that honour either now or at any future period, I am happy to send you that permission which need not require any more trouble or solicitation on your Part.

Your late Works, Madam, and in particular Mansfield Park reflect the highest honour on your Genius & your Principles; in every new work your mind seems to increase its energy and powers of discrimination. The Regent has read & admired all your
publications. Accept my sincere thanks for the pleasure your Volumes have given me: in the perusal of them I felt a great inclination to write & say so. And I also dear Madam wished to be allowed to ask you, to delineate in some future Work the Habits of Life and Character and enthusiasm of a Clergyman-who should pass his time between the metropolis & the Country-who should be something like Beattie’s “Minstrel:”

Silent when glad, affectionate tho’ shy
And now his look was most demurely sad
& now he laughed aloud yet none knew why

Neither Goldsmith — nor La Fontaine in his Tableau de Famille — have in my mind quite delineated an English Clergyman, at least of the present day — Fond of, & entirely engaged in Literature — no man’s Enemy but his own. Pray dear Madam think of these things.
P.S.
I am going for about three weeks to Mr Henry Streatfeilds, Chiddingstone Sevenoaks — but hope on my return to have the honour of seeing you again. Miss Austen

Then a second paragraph that reads sincerely: Stanier Clarke’s favorite among Austen’s novels thus far is MP: he speaks of it in a way that shows he thinks it is matured version of her earlier, more developed, things coming out that were latent: it “reflects the highest honour on your Genius and Principles: in every new work your mind seems to increase its energy and powers of discrimination, but the next paragraph makes us wonder if he has been reading Austen aright.

What is commonly discussed is Clarke’s vanity asking Austen to put a version of himself into her next novel (showing by the way that the use of real people in novels as parts of portraits has been well understood since novels began). More telling from a literary standpoint, his mind leaps to romantic sentimentality unlike anything in Austen: Beattie’s “Minstrel”. Goldsmith’s Vicar of Wakefield is read by Frances Burney d’Arblay in her journals as somewhat radical, questioning social arrangements of the day, the church. Stanier Clarke may be innocent of this but the association with La Fontaine is suggestive: “La Tableau de Famille” is satiric. I’d always linked VofW with parables like Rasselas (or, a stretch but of the same period and when showing war quite similar, Voltaire’s Candide) — or Prevost’s Le Doyen de Killerine, Killerine, histoire morale composée sur les mémoires d’une illustre famille d’Irlande (sceptical work of fideism).

He returns to himself, “no man’s enemy but his own” — and others may disagree but I feel the lengthy salutation in a man as learned in the manipulation of subtexts as this man is signalling to Jane Austen he has the highest respect and regard for her (despite her being a woman, not aristocrat &&c). He hobnobs with high sheriffs of Kent and stays in their country houses. He seeks a degree of intimate friendship (the word intimate had different connotations then what it has now and I mean the 21st century ones) and really would like to meet again. One has to wonder who was the mover in this? I suspect not HRH at all, but Mr Stanier-Clarke who even if he partly misread MP, really liked it.

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126: Thurs, 23 Nov 1816, to Murray, from Hans Place

A full month and two days after Henry attempted to negotiate more favorable terms for the publication of Emma (letter 122A & D, Fri/Sat, 20/21 Oct 1815), and nearly 3 weeks after Jane wrote Murray that her brother’s illness (which began around October 18th) still prevents Henry from replying (letter (124, Fri, 3 Nov 1815) but she is anxious to have the terms settled. Her first version more openly shows her to be the less powerful between herself and Murray (“I must beg the favour ..”), but both are to the same effect. For those who might like to speculate how Austen might have reacted (in her time of course as she would not be the Jane Austen we read had she been born in say 1946) to the Internet. In both versions of her letter, she declines to write any negotiation or offer in the Letter: “A short conversation may perhaps do more than much Writing.”

Also signing contracts.

Had the next letter (written the next day!) not immediately shown the reader that the printer’s sheets were in the house before Henry’s note to him and that Murray responded with replete reassurances (“He is so very polite, that it is quite overcoming”) before Jane’s to Murray got out of the house, Letter 126 might seem more pathetic.

Thursday 23 November 1815, 126. To John Murray

Sir,
My Brother’s note last Monday has been so fruitless, that I am afraid there can be little chance of my writing to any good effect; but yet I am so very much disappointed & vexed by the delays of the Printers that I cannot help begging to know whether there is no hope of their being quickened. — Instead of the Work being ready by the end of the present month, it will hardly, at the rate we now proceed, be finished by the end of the next, and as I expect to leave London early in Deer, it is of consequence that no more time should be lost. — Is it likely that the Printers will be influenced to greater Dispatch &Punctuality by knowing that the Work is to be dedicated, by Permission, to the Prince Regent? — If you can make that circumstance operate, I shall be very glad. — My Brother returns Waterloo, with many thanks for the Loan of it. — We have heard much of Scott’s account of Paris — if it be not incompatible with other arrangements, would you favour us with it — supposing you have any set already opened? — You may depend upon its being in careful hands.

I remain, Sir, yr ob. HumServ
J. Austen, 23 Hans Place

From the opening of letter 127 — written the very next day to Cassandra:

I have the pleasure of sending you a much better account of my affairs, which I know will be a great delight to you. I wrote to Mr Murray yesterday myself, & Henry wrote at the same time to Roworth [the printer]. Before the notes were out of the House I received three sheets, & an apology from R. We sent — the notes however, & I had a most civil one in reply from Mr Murray. He is so very polite indeed, that it is quite overcoming. — The Printers have been waiting for Paper-the blame is thrown upon the Stationer — but he gives his word that I shall have no farther cause for dissatisfaction. — He has lent us Miss Williams & Scott, & says that any book of his will always be at my service. — In short, I am soothed & complimented into tolerable comfort. —

Murray: none of it his fault, the printers have been waiting for paper, so you see no blame on anyone Henry or Jane is in contact with, but rather the Stationer. Which ploy Jane quite sees through. He also sends two books not just precisely the one Henry requested, but a book by a woman journalist (Helen Maria Williams, A narrative of the events that have lately taken place in France) on what’s happening in France, which Murray might suppose would please his authoress.

Henry’s business is failing; that’s why they are leaving London. He has been made seriously ill by the pace he kept up and his worries. Apparently he wrote that Monday and had no answer. They are on pins and needles waiting for the proofs. Is there no hope they will be read by the end of November? She leaves early in December. In fact though these first proofs were sent Emma was first advertised 21, 22,23 December. Jane is so desperate she’s even willing to imagine that a dedication to the prince will expedite it. Can he nag the printers, frighten them with that? (Doubtful, to expedite something you need to pressure people directly about their own concerns, e.g., their jobs.)

It’s interesting to see how readers at the time kept up with Scott. Remember Scott still did not sign his works so the Austens are among those in the know — while many many still not everyone. Is there a set already opened? she would not want to disturb packing arrangements. She promises to take care of the book.

I believe her and believe she was the sort of person who valued books and would return them. Many people really do not – value a book and not think it’s important to return them. (Consider the swift popularity of kindle).

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Austen’s letter 127: Fri, 24 Nov 1815, to Cassandra, Chawton, from Hans Place

Jane (Olivia Williams and Charles-Thomas Haden, apothecary (Jack Huston) in the park walking and talking (from Miss Austen Regrets, 2008)

The full text (longish)

It is a cheerful letter and there are small acts of kindness in it – to the niece at Chawton, remembering the servant, Miss Benn, the hope that Mary recovers faster is a reference to this perpetually pregnant woman (who would die of exhaustion and probably complications over time). Everything seems to be going well. Jane is filling out the London life going on for Cassandra while Jane is doing proofs, negotiating, having her first chances at wider social life due to her books and the early slow growth of recognition that had begun.

Murray is clearly doing all he can no longer to appear to be procrastinating, but we should probably see this incident from his standpoint. He has numerous books to publish, to distribute, to have edited, keep his accounts, other authors to soothe and to add to his list or discard and I would imagine in his mind finds the Austens more than a little self-involved. Nonetheless he values the book and any future books that means enough to “soothe and compliment” his author into “tolerable comfort.”

Except and it’s a big except Henry’s business; the importance of that she does not discount.

I must have misunderstood Henry, when I told you that you were to hear from him today. He read me what he wrote to Edward; — part of it must have amused him I am sure; — one part alas! cannot be very amusing to anybody. — I wonder that with such Business to worry him,
he can be getting better …

His health is better but Austen does not think the climate (temperature? Air?) of London is doing him much good; she will not deceive Cassandra whatever she tells others. He has after all been ailing now for 2 months and for a period gave them a fright. Mrs Tilson by the way is one of these endlessly pregnant giving birth and miscarrying women:

but he certainly does gain strength, & if you & Edward were to see him now I feel sure that you wd think him improved since Monday. He was out yesterday, it was a fine sunshine-y day here (in the Country perhaps you might have Clouds & fogs — Dare I say so — I shall not deceive you, if I do, as to my estimation of the Climate of London) — & he ventured, first on the Balcony, & then as far as the Greenhouse. He caught no cold, & therefore has done more today with great delight, & self-persuasion of Improvement; he has been to see Mr Tilson & the Malings. — By the bye, you may talk to M’ T. of his wife’s being better, I saw her yesterday & was sensible of her having gained ground in the last two days. —

Another little Disappointment. Mr Haden advises Henry’s not venturing with us in the Carriage tomorrow;-if it were Spring, he says, it would be a different thing. One would rather this had not been. He seems to think. His going out today rather imprudent, though acknowledging at the same time that he is better than he was in the Morng.-

I’m glad to see that Austen has concern for servants once again. This note also re-emphasizes this is November weather which in England can be raw and chilling through your bones

Supposing the weather should be very bad on Sunday Evens I shall not like to send Richard out you know-& in that case, my Dirty Linen must wait a day

She does seem more exhilarated over Mr Haden’s presence than the publication of Emma.

A Sheet come in this moment. 1st & 3d vol. are now at 144. — 2d at 48. — I am sure you will like Particulars. — We are not to have the trouble of returning the Sheets to Mr Murray any longer, the Printers boys bring & carry

We must add Charles-Thomas Haden to the men she was drawn to as a marriageable man. What made it impossible and just a flirtation: his rank, he is beneath her; shades of Emma. And he is equally attracted to the younger woman, Fanny Austen Knight. Austen goes so far as to regret having specific individuals over as getting in the way of open tete-a-tetes. I am not sure that she recognizes that for Haden the patient comes first: she suggests that Captain Blake must be in a bad way to take Haden from them. No it’s that Captain Blake will pay Haden a fee. Edward is her brother Edward’s son and heir and she has shown affection for him all along – remember the incident of the skirts when he was three.

Fanny (Imogen Poots) playing, Mr Haden (Jack Huston) listening (from Miss Austen Regrets, 2008)

Tomorrow Mr Haden is to dine with us. — There’s Happiness! — We really grow so fond of Mr Haden that I do not know what to expect. — He, & Mr Tilson & Mr Philips made up our circle of Wits last night; Fanny played, & he sat & listened & suggested improvements, till Richard came in to tell him that “the Doctor was waiting for him at Capt Blake’s — and then he was off with a speed that you can imagine. He never does appear in the least above his Profession, or out of humour with it, or I should think poor Capt Blake, whoever he is, in a very bad way. —

Evening. — We have had no Edward. — Our circle is formed; only Mr Tilson & Mr Haden. — We are not so happy as we were. A message came this afternoon from MrsLatouche & Miss East, offering themselves to drink tea with us tomorrow — & as it was accepted, here is an end of our extreme felicity in our Dinner-Guest. –I am heartily sorry they are coming! It will be an Evens spoilt to Fanny & me. —

She can still be amused of his jokes:

I have been listening to dreadful Insanity. — It is Mr Haden’s firm beleif that a person not musical is fit for every sort of Wickedness. — I ventured to assert a little on the other side, but wished the cause in abler hands. –[ Continued upside down at top p 1J)

An interesting aspect of this letter: how to look at it in this subset is that it gives a sense of the daily and evening life of Henry’s household at the same time as Austen is reading her proofs and general life going on which impinges on them. This includes the usual shopping, her love of what luxuries they have in London; she does not forget to thank Lizzy – a kindness – and she has in mind Martha, reminding Cassandra who has left Martha out:

Jane wants to know her plans and Cassandra will not forget them in the next letter (so Cassandra did at times try to dampen that relationship)

Fanny has had a Letter full of Commissions from Goodnestone; we shall be busy about them & her own matters I dare say from 12 till 4. — Nothing I trust will keep us from Keppel Street. — This day has brought a most friendly Letter from Mr Fowle, with a brace of Pheasants. I did not know before that Henry had written to him a few days ago, to ask for them. We shall live upon Pheasants; no bad Life! — I send you five one pound notes, for fear you should be distressed for little Money.-Lizzy’s work is charmingly done. Shall you put it to your Chintz? … I hope Mary continues to get well fast-& I send my Love to little Herbert.t–You will tell me more of Martha’s plans of course when you write again . — Remember me most kindly to everybody; & Miss Benn besides.-Yours very affec’t.

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Her cup runneth over in London. Haden a soul-mate whom however she must soon leave. I can’t resist adding though we will have a little more of Mr Haden i these letters that the man died young (1824, so he was 38, having been born 1786) of TB at Malta where he went to practise -– everyone knew that to go out to such a colony was dangerous: Cassandra lost her one suitor we know about; to look at fiction in Vanity it’s assumed Rawdon Crawley’s appointment by Lord Steyne is a death sentence and it is. Haden had married by that time and left a son.

Ellen