Jane Austen's Juvenilia (or maybe a surprise)

Rice Portrait
Said to be of Jane Austen when she was 15
However, This is highly debatable

“Never did I see such an affecting Scene as was the meeting of Edward and Augustus.

"My Life! my Soul!" (exclaimed the former) "My adorable angel!" (replied the latter) as they flew into each other's arms. It was too pathetic for the feelings of Sophia and myself--We fainted alternately on a sofa.” Love and Freindship, Letter the Eighth

Event:    JASNA CWNY February Meeting

Topic:    A Discussion of Jane Austen's Juvenilia

When:   Saturday, February 15, 2020 at 1 pm

Where:   Pittsford Barnes and Noble, Community Room

Note:      We are working on the possibility of a guest speaker. It may happen or it may not. Watch this space for the later updates.

In her teens, Jane Austen wrote a series of stories that have since become known as her Juvenilia. The works are full of murder, drunkenness and ladies who have nothing better to do that faint. The stories brim with humor and exuberance and, at times, show echoes of Jane Austen's later works.  Here is a selection from Lesley Castle:

“My Brother has just left us….Never was there a better young Man! Ah! how little did he deserve the misfortunes he has experienced in the Marriage state. So good a Husband to so bad a Wife! for you know my dear Charlotte that the Worthless Louisa left him, her Child and reputation a few weeks ago in company with Danvers and dishonour. …Lesley is at present but five and twenty, and has already given himself up to melancholy and Despair…. While our father is fluttering about the streets of London, gay, dissipated, and Thoughtless at the age of 57, Matilda and I continue secluded from Mankind in our old and Mouldering Castle, which is situated two miles from Perth on a bold projecting Rock, and commands an extensive veiw of the Town and its delightful Environs. But tho' retired from almost all the World, (for we visit no one but the M'Leods, The M'Kenzies, the M'Phersons, the M'Cartneys, the M'Donalds, The M'kinnons, the M'lellans, the M'kays, the Macbeths and the Macduffs) we are neither dull nor unhappy…”

Poor Lesley shows all the sensibility of Marianne Dashwood. Danvers and Louisa have run off like Henry Crawford and Maria Bertram. Northanger Abbey may have arisen from the ruins of mouldering Lesley Castle. Finally, with all those Scottish clans, I'm sure Matilda dined with at least four and twenty families.

As mentioned above, we may have the opportunity for an out of town guest speaker at this meeting, or we may not. I'll post something here as soon as we know. Meanwhile, pick your favorite bit from the Juvenilia and join us to talk about why it is your favorite.