(From Jane Austen's letters to her sister Cassandra)
"I will not say your mulberry-trees are dead, but I am afraid they are not alive."
"At the bottom of Kingdown Hill we met a gentleman in a buggy, who, on minute examination, turned out to be Dr Hill - and Dr Hill in in such very deep mourning that either his mother, his wife, or himself must be dead."
It's also Ludwig van Beethoven's 243rd birthday. 12/16 (or 16/12, if you prefer) is obviously an auspicious day.
ReplyDeleteAnd Happy Birthday, Ludwig van Beethoven!
DeleteI will not say your mulberry-trees are dead, but I am afraid they are not alive.
ReplyDelete"This parrot has ceased to be!"
So now it can be revealed: Monty Python was cribbing from JoanA. ;-/
Almost. That would be JaneA. Thank you for this, JCF.
DeleteOff-topic: Mimi, didja hear? Cardinal Burke removed from powerful Vatican committee! (Take your man-lace and sashay away! ;-D) Replaced by "moderate" Wuerl of WashDC. Let Francis's house-cleaning commence!!!
ReplyDeleteJCF, I'll try to post on the changes in Cardinal Burke's job description.
DeleteThanks, Mimi.
DeleteThen there's this: http://www.joemygod.blogspot.com/2013/12/minnesota-archbishop-john-nienstadt.html [Blergh.]
We've been having a Jane Austen moviefest here since my Mum arrived from England - first Emma (2009 with Romola Garai), then Sense and Sensibility (2008 with Hattie Morahan and Charity Wakefield). Mum's not particularly a fan, but I think we're slowly converting her! Happy birthday Jane and thanks for the wonderful stories wonderfully and humorously told.
ReplyDeleteTim, I'm pleased to hear your Mum is coming around. Jane Austen's wit and clarity in writing are unmatched. Her books are sheer delight for me, over and over. How amazing that some people think her books are bland, romantic fluff.
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