Lesley Castle: An Unfinished Novel in Letters

By Jane Austen

Jane Austen (16 December 1775 - 18 July 1817) was an English novelist known primarily for her six major novels, which interpret, critique and comment upon the British landed gentry at the end of the 18th century. Austen's plots often explore the dependence of women on marriage in the pursuit of favourable social standing and economic security. Her works critique the novels of sensibility of the second half of the 18th century and are part of the transition to 19th-century literary realism. Her use of biting irony, along with her realism and social commentary, have earned her acclaim among critics and scholars.

With the publications of "Sense and Sensibility" (1811), "Pride and Prejudice" (1813), "Mansfield Park" (1814) and "Emma" (1816), she achieved success as a published writer. She wrote two additional novels, "Northanger Abbey" and "Persuasion", both published posthumously in 1818, and began another, eventually titled "Sanditon", but died before its completion. She also left behind three volumes of juvenile writings in manuscript and another unfinished novel, "The Watsons". Her six full-length novels have rarely been out of print, although they were published anonymously and brought her moderate success and little fame during her lifetime.

A significant transition in her posthumous reputation occurred in 1833, when her novels were republished in Richard Bentley's Standard Novels series, illustrated by Ferdinand Pickering, and sold as a set. They gradually gained wider acclaim and popular readership. In 1869, fifty-two years after her death, her nephew's publication of "A Memoir of Jane Austen" introduced a compelling version of her writing career and supposedly uneventful life to an eager audience.

Austen has inspired a large number of critical essays and literary anthologies. Her novels have inspired many films, from 1940's "Pride and Prejudice" to more recent productions like "Sense and Sensibility" (1995) and "Love & Friendship" (2016).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Books on Demand
• Release date: Feb 14, 2018
• ISBN: 9783746031965

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.

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Lesley Castle

Dedication

Letter the First Is from Miss Margaret Lesley to Miss Charlotte Lutterell.

Letter the Second. From Miss C. Lutterell to Miss M. Lesley in Answer.

Letter the Third. From Miss Margaret Lesley to Miss C. Lutterell

Letter the Fourth. From Miss C. Lutterell to Miss M. Lesley

Letter the Fifth. Miss Margaret Lesley to Miss Charlotte Lutterell

Letter the Sixth. Lady Lesley to Miss Charlotte Lutterell

Letter the Seventh. From Miss C. Lutterell to Miss M. Lesley

Letter the Eighth. Miss Lutterell to Mrs Marlowe

Letter the Ninth. Mrs Marlowe to Miss Lutterell

Letter the Tenth. From Miss Margaret Lesley to Miss Charlotte Lutterell

Copyright

Dedication

To Henry Thomas Austen

Esqre.

Sir

I AM now availing myself of the Liberty you have frequently honoured me with of dedicating one of my Novels to you. That it is unfinished, I greive; yet fear that from me, it will always remain so; that as far as it is carried, it should be so trifling and so unworthy of you, is another concern to your obliged humble

Servant

The Author

Messrs Demand and Co—please to pay Jane Austen Spinster the sum of one hundred guineas on account of your Humble Servant.

H. T. Austen

£105. 0. 0

Letter the First Is from Miss Margaret Lesley to Miss Charlotte Lutterell.

Lesley Castle Janry 3rd—1792.

My Brother has just left us. Matilda (said he at parting) you and Margaret will I am certain take all the care of my dear little one, that she might have received from an indulgent, and affectionate and amiable Mother. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he spoke these words—the remembrance of her, who had so wantonly disgraced the Maternal character and so openly violated the conjugal Duties, prevented his adding anything farther; he embraced his sweet Child and after saluting Matilda and Me hastily broke from us and seating himself in his Chaise, pursued the road to Aberdeen. 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.¹ Never was there a sweeter face, a finer form, or a less amiable Heart than Louisa owned! Her Child already possesses the personal Charms of her unhappy Mother! May she inherit from her Father all his mental ones! Lesley is at present but five and twenty, and has already given himself up to melancholy and Despair; what a difference between him and his Father! Sir George is 57 and still remains the Beau, the flighty stripling, the gay Lad, and sprightly Youngster, that his Son was really about five years back, and that he has affected to appear since my remembrance. While our father is fluttering about the streets of London, gay, dissipated, and Thoughtless at