Love and Friendship

By Jane Austen

"Begun when she was just eleven years old, Love and Friendship is one of Jane Austen's stories that very few readers may have encountered before.

Austen experts feel that this story was written, like many others, only for the pleasure of her family and friends. It is scribbled across three notebooks, in childish handwriting, and the complete work is thought to have been written over a period of six or seven years. It is dedicated to one of her cousins, whom she was very close to, Eliza de Feuillide. Eliza herself was an extremely colorful figure and is thought to have been the illegitimate daughter of the first Governor General of India, Warren Hastings. She was also a witness to the French Revolution where her husband, the self styled Comte de Feuillide was guillotined.

For the young Jane, these events must have been sheer inspiration to a writer's imagination. Love and Friendship takes the shape of an expostulatory novel. Written as a series of letters from Laura to a much younger Marianne who is her friend Isabel's daughter, it is meant to apprise the young and flighty Marianne about the dangers of infatuation and falling headlong into romantic love. The book offers an early and crucial insight into Jane Austen's style, her wonderful sense of humor and her take on contemporary society.

At times, she portrays events almost in parody form, at others, she is sharp and critical, but as always, the typical Jane Austen brand of gentle, sparkling wit is highly evident. She describes the concept of “sensibility” or what we would today call “sensitivity” or “sentimentality” and how it can be taken to ridiculous extremes. The deliberately twisted and complicated plot is replete with fainting fits, deaths due to a variety of causes, including “galloping consumption,” plenty of drama, elopements galore, unbelievable coincidences and wicked philanderers—all the elements that a typical potboiler of the era would contain.

Love and Friendship was written primarily for the amusement of her large and gregarious family, and young Jane was probably called upon to read her writings aloud. The reader can only imagine the sheer hilarity that the novel must have evoked. As part of a collection of Jane Austen Juvenilia, this is indeed a treasure trove for Jane Austen enthusiasts as it offers early glimpses of that brilliant talent which was to shine forth a few years later and delight readers of all ages."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anna Ruggieri
• Release date: Oct 2, 2017
• ISBN: 9788826090283

Jane Austen

Born in 1775, Jane Austen published four of her six novels anonymously. Her work was not widely read until the late nineteenth century, and her fame grew from then on. Known for her wit and sharp insight into social conventions, her novels about love, relationships, and society are more popular year after year. She has earned a place in history as one of the most cherished writers of English literature.

Book preview

Isabel

LETTER 2nd LAURA to ISABEL

Altho’ I cannot agree with you in supposing that I shallnever again be exposed to Misfortunes as unmerited as those I havealready experienced, yet to avoid the imputation of Obstinacy orill-nature, I will gratify the curiosity of your daughter; and maythe fortitude with which I have suffered the many afflictions of mypast Life, prove to her a useful lesson for the support of thosewhich may befall her in her own. Laura

LETTER 3rd LAURA to MARIANNE

As the Daughter of my most intimate freind I think you entitledto that knowledge of my unhappy story, which your Mother has sooften solicited me to give you.

My Father was a native ofIreland and an inhabitant of Wales; myMother was the natural Daughter of a Scotch Peer by an italianOpera-girl—I was born in Spain and received my Education at aConvent in France.

When I had reached my eighteenth Year I was recalled by myParents to mypaternal roof in Wales. Our mansion was situated inone of the most romantic parts of the Vale of Uske. Tho’ myCharms are now considerably softened and somewhat impaired by theMisfortunes I have undergone, I was once beautiful. But lovely as Iwas the Graces of my Person were the least of my Perfections. Ofevery accomplishment accustomary to my sex, I was Mistress. When inthe Convent, my progress had always exceeded my instructions, myAcquirements had been wonderfull for my age, and I had shortlysurpassed my Masters.

In my Mind, every Virtue that could adorn it was centered; itwas the Rendez-vous of every good Quality and of every noblesentiment.

A sensibility too tremblingly alive to every affliction of myFreinds, my Acquaintance and particularly to every affliction of myown, was my only fault, if a fault it could be called. Alas! howaltered now! Tho’ indeed my own Misfortunes do not make lessimpression on me than they ever did, yet now I never feel for thoseof an other. My accomplishments too,begin to fade—I canneither sing so well nor Dance so gracefully as I oncedid—and I have entirely forgot the MINUET DELA COUR. Adeiu.Laura.

LETTER 4th Laura to MARIANNE

Our neighbourhood was small, for it consisted only of yourMother. She may probably have already told you that being left byher Parents in indigent Circumstances she had retired into Wales oneoconomical motives. There it was our freindship first commenced.Isobel was then one and twenty. Tho’ pleasing both in herPerson and Manners (between ourselves) she never possessed thehundredth part of my Beauty or Accomplishments. Isabel had seen theWorld. She had passed 2 Years at one of the first Boarding-schoolsin London; had spent a fortnight in Bath and had supped one nightin Southampton.

Beware my Laura (she would often say) Beware of theinsipid Vanities and idle Dissipations of the Metropolis ofEngland; Beware of the unmeaning Luxuries of Bath and of thestinking fish of Southampton.

Alas! (exclaimed I) how am I to avoid those evils I shallnever be exposed to? What probability is there of my ever tastingthe Dissipations of London, the Luxuries of Bath, or the stinkingFish of Southampton? I who am doomed to waste my Days of Youth andBeauty in an humble Cottage in the Vale of Uske.

Ah! little did I then think I was ordained so soon to quit thathumble Cottage for the Deceitfull Pleasures of the World. AdeiuLaura.

LETTER 5th LAURA to MARIANNE

One Evening in December as my Father, my Mother and myself, werearrangedin social converse round our Fireside, we were on a suddengreatly astonished, by hearing a violent knocking on the outwarddoor of our rustic Cot.

My Father started—What noise is that, (saidhe.) It sounds like a loud rapping at thedoor—(replied my Mother.) it doesindeed. (cried I.) I am of your opinion; (said myFather) it certainly does appear to proceed from some uncommonviolence exerted against our unoffending door. Yes(exclaimed I) I cannot help thinking it must be somebody who knocksforadmittance.

That is another point (replied he;) We must not pretendto determine on what motive the person may knock—tho’that someone DOES rap at the door, I am partlyconvinced.

Here, a 2d tremendous rap interrupted my Father in his speech,and somewhat alarmed my Mother and me.

Had we better not go and see who it is? (said she) theservants are out. I think we had. (replied I.)Certainly, (added my Father) by all means.Shall we go now? (said my Mother,) The soonerthe better. (answered he.) Oh! let no time belost (cried I.)

A third more violent Rap than ever again assaulted our ears.I am certain there is somebody knocking at the Door.(said my Mother.) I think there must, (replied myFather) I fancy the servants are returned; (saidI) I think Ihear Mary going to the Door. I’m glad of it(cried my Father) for I long to know who it is.

I was right in my conjecture; for Mary instantly entering theRoom, informed us that a young Gentleman and his Servant were atthe door, who had lossed their way, were very cold and begged leaveto warm themselves by our fire.

Won’t you admit them? (said I.) Youhave no objection, my Dear? (said my Father.) None inthe World. (replied my Mother.)

Mary, without waiting for any further commands immediately leftthe room and quickly returned introducing the most beauteous andamiable Youth, I had ever beheld. The servant she kept toherself.

My natural sensibility had already been greatly affected by thesufferings of the unfortunate stranger and no sooner did I firstbehold him, than I felt that on him the happiness or Misery of myfuture Life must depend. Adeiu Laura.

LETTER 6th LAURA to MARIANNE

The noble Youth informed us that his name was Lindsay—forparticular reasons however I shall conceal it under that of Talbot.He told us that he was the son of an English Baronet, that hisMother had been for many years no more and that he had a Sister ofthe middle size. My Father (he continued) is a mean andmercenary wretch—it is only to such particular freinds asthis Dear Party that I would thus betray his failings. Your Virtuesmy amiable Polydore (addressing himself to my father) yours DearClaudia and yours my Charming Laura call on me to repose in you, myconfidence. We bowed. My Fatherseduced by the falseglare of Fortune and the Deluding Pomp of Title, insisted on mygiving my hand to Lady Dorothea. No never exclaimed I. LadyDorothea is lovely and Engaging; I prefer no woman to her; but knowSir, that I scorn to marry her in compliance with your Wishes. No!Never shall it be said that I obliged my Father.

We all admired the noble Manliness of his reply. Hecontinued.

Sir Edward was surprised; he had perhaps little expectedto meet with so spirited an opposition to his will.Where,Edward in the name of wonder (said he) did you pick upthis unmeaning gibberish? You have been studying Novels Isuspect. I scorned to answer: it would have been beneath mydignity. I mounted my Horse and followed by my faithful William setforth for my Aunts.

My Father’s house is situated in Bedfordshire, myAunt’s in Middlesex, and tho’ I flatter myself withbeing a tolerable proficient in Geography, I know not how ithappened, but I found myself entering this beautifull Vale which Ifind is in South Wales, when I had expected to have reached myAunts.

After having wandered some time on the Banks of the Uskewithout knowing which way to go, I began to lament my cruel Destinyin the bitterest and most pathetic Manner. It was now perfectlydark, not a single star was there to direct my steps, and I knownot what might have befallen me had I not at length discernedthro’ the solemn Gloom that surrounded me a distant light,which as I approached it, I discovered to be the chearfull Blaze ofyour fire. Impelled by the combination of Misfortunes under which Ilaboured, namely Fear, Cold and Hunger I hesitated not to askadmittance which at length I have gained; and now my Adorable Laura(continued he taking my Hand) when may I hope to receive thatreward of all the painfull sufferings I have undergone during thecourse of my attachment to you, to which I have ever aspired. Oh!when will you reward me with Yourself?

This instant, Dear and Amiable Edward. (repliedI.). We were immediately united by my Father,who tho’ he hadnever taken orders had been bred to the Church. Adeiu Laura

LETTER 7th LAURA to MARIANNE

We remained but a few days after our Marriage, in the Vale ofUske. After taking an affecting Farewell of my Father, my Motherand my Isabel,I accompanied Edward to his Aunt’s inMiddlesex. Philippa received us both with every expression ofaffectionate Love. My arrival was indeed a most agreable surpriseto her as she had not only been totally ignorant of my Marriagewith her Nephew, but had never even had the slightest idea of therebeing such a person in the World.

Augusta, the sister of Edward was on a visit to her when wearrived. I found her exactly what her Brother had described her tobe—of the middle size. She received me with equal surprisethough not with equal Cordiality, as Philippa. There was adisagreable coldness and Forbidding Reserve in her reception of mewhich was equally distressing and Unexpected. None of thatinteresting Sensibility or amiable simpathy in her