* *

The funeral is to be on Saturday at Walcot
Church.[141] The serenity of the corpse is most
delightful. It preserves the sweet benevolent
smile which always distinguished him. They kindly
press my mother to remove to Steventon as soon as
it is all over, but I do not believe she will
leave Bath at present. We must have this house for
three months longer, and here we shall probably
stay till the end of that time. We all unite in
love, and I am

Affectionately yours,
J. A.

The companion letter, sent to a different address, gives a similar
account, and contains also these words[142]:--

Heavy as is the blow, we can already feel that a
thousand comforts remain to us to soften it. Next
to that of the consciousness of his worth and
constant preparation for another world, is the
remembrance of his having suffered, comparatively
speaking, nothing. Being quite insensible of his
own state, he was spared all pain of separation,
and he went off almost in his sleep. My mother
bears the shock as well as possible; she was quite
prepared for it and feels all the blessing of his
being spared a long illness. My uncle and aunt
have been with us and show us every imaginable
kindness.

* * * * *

Adieu, my dearest Frank. The loss of such a parent
must be felt, or we should be brutes. I wish I
could give you a better preparation, but it has
been impossible.

Yours ever affectionately,
J. A.

Mr. Austen's death placed his widow and daughters in straitened
circumstances; for most of his income had been derived from the livings
of Steventon and Deane. In fact the income of Mrs. Austen, together with
that of Cassandra (who had inherited one thousand pounds from her
intended husband, Thomas Fowle), was no more than two hundred and ten
pounds. Fortunately, she had sons who were only too glad to be able to
help her, and her income was raised to four hundred and sixty pounds a
year by contributions of one hundred pounds from Edward, and fifty
poun