Chawton. Wednesday March 13.

My dear Caroline

I am very glad to have an opportunity of answering your agreeable little Letter. You seem to be quite my own Neice in your feelings towards Mde de Genlis. I do not think I could even now, at my sedate time of Life, read Olimpe et Theophile without being in a Rage. It really is too bad! — Not allowing them to be happy together, when they are married. — Don't talk of it, pray. I have just lent your Aunt Frank the 1st vol. of les Veillees du Chateau, for Mary Jane to read. It will be some time before she comes to the horror of Olimpe. — We have had sad weather lately, I hope you have liked it. Our Pond is brimfull & our roads are dirty & our walls are damp, & we sit wishing every bad day may be the last. It is not cold however. Another week perhaps may see us shrinking & shivering under a dry East Wind.

I had a very nice Letter from your Brother not long ago, & I am quite happy to see how much his Hand is improving. I am convinced that it will end in a very gentlemanlike Hand, much above Par. —

We have had a great deal of fun lately with Postchaises stopping at the door; three times within a few days, we had a couple of agreeable Visitors turn in unexpectedly — Your Uncle Henry & Mr Tilson, Mrs Heathcote & Miss Bigg, your Uncle Henry & Mr Seymour. Take notice, that it was the same Uncle Henry each time.

I remain my dear Caroline

Your affectionate Aunt,

J. Austen

Chawton: Monday, July 15.

My dear Caroline,—I have followed your directions and find your handwriting admirable. If you continue to improve as much as you have done, perhaps I may not be obliged to shut my eyes at all half a year hence. I have been very much entertained by your story of Carolina and her aged father; it made me laugh heartily, and I am particularly glad to find you so much alive upon any topic of such absurdity, as the usual description of a heroine's father. You have done it full justice, or, if anything be wanting, it is the information of the venerable old man's having married when only twenty-one, and being a father at twenty-two.

I had an early opportunity of conveying your letter to Mary Jane, having only to throw it out of window at her as she was romping with your brother in the Back Court. She thanks you for it, and answers your questions through me. I am to tell you that she has passed her time at Chawton very pleasantly indeed, that she does not miss Cassy so much as she expected, and that as to Diana Temple, she is ashamed to say it has never been worked at since you went away. . . .

Edward's visit has been a great pleasure to us. He has not lost one good quality or good look, and is only altered in being improved by being some months older than when we saw him last. He is getting very near our own age, for we do not grow older of course.

Yours affectionately, J. Austen.