henrietta st., wednesday (march 2, 1814).

we had altogether a very good journey, and everything at cobham was comfortable. i could not pay mr. harrington! that was the only alas! of the business. i shall therefore return his bill, and my mother's 2l., that you may try your luck. we did not begin reading till bentley green. henry's approbation is hitherto even equal to my wishes. he says it is different from the other two, but does not appear to think it at all inferior. he has only married mrs. r.[28] i am afraid he has gone through the most entertaining part. he took to lady b. and mrs. n.[29] most[247] kindly, and gives great praise to the drawing of the characters. he understands them all, likes fanny, and, i think, foresees how it will all be. i finished the "heroine" last night, and was very much amused by it. i wonder james did not like it better. it diverted me exceedingly. we went to bed at ten. i was very tired, but slept to a miracle, and am lovely to-day, and at present henry seems to have no complaint. we left cobham at half-past eight, stopped to bait and breakfast at kingston, and were in this house considerably before two. nice smiling mr. barlowe met us at the door, and, in reply to inquiries after news, said that peace was generally expected. i have taken possession of my bedroom, unpacked my bandbox, sent miss p.'s two letters to the twopenny post, been visited by md. b., and am now writing by myself at the new table in the front room. it is snowing. we had some snowstorms yesterday, and a smart frost at night, which gave us a hard road from cobham to kingston; but as it was then getting dirty and heavy, henry had a pair of leaders put on to the bottom of sloane st. his own horses, therefore, cannot have had hard work. i watched for veils as we drove through the streets, and had the pleasure of seeing several upon vulgar heads. and now, how do you all do?—you in particular, after the worry of yesterday and the day before. i hope martha[248] had a pleasant visit again, and that you and my mother could eat your beef-pudding. depend upon my thinking of the chimney-sweeper as soon as i wake to-morrow. places are secured at drury lane for saturday, but so great is the rage for seeing kean that only a third and fourth row could be got; as it is in a front box, however, i hope we shall do pretty well—shylock, a good play for fanny—she cannot be much affected, i think. mrs. perigord has just been here. she tells me that we owe her master for the silk-dyeing. my poor old muslin has never been dyed yet. it has been promised to be done several times. what wicked people dyers are! they begin with dipping their own souls in scarlet sin. it is evening. we have drank tea, and i have torn through the third vol. of the "heroine." i do not think it falls off. it is a delightful burlesque, particularly on the radcliffe style. henry is going on with "mansfield park." he admires h. crawford: i mean properly, as a clever, pleasant man. i tell you all the good i can, as i know how much you will enjoy it. we hear that mr. kean is more admired than ever. there are no good places to be got in drury lane for the next fortnight, but henry means to secure some for saturday fortnight, when you are reckoned upon. give my love to little cass. i hope she found my bed comfortable last night. i have[249] seen nobody in london yet with such a long chin as dr. syntax, nor anybody quite so large as gogmagolicus.

yours affly, j. austen.