to the memory of George
Austen. It is in the crypt below the church, and runs as follows: 'Under
this stone rest the remains of the Rev. George Austen, Rector of
Steventon and Dean in Hampshire, who departed this life the 21st of
January 1805, aged 73 years.'

[142] _Sailor Brothers_, p. 125.

[143] A gentleman and lady lately engaged to be married.

[144] _Memoir_, p. 74.

[145] It seems that Charles Austen, then first lieutenant of the
_Endymion_, had had an opportunity of showing attention and kindness to
some of Lord Leven's family.

CHAPTER XII

FROM BATH TO SOUTHAMPTON

1805-1808

The addition of Martha to the family party made it easy for the two
sisters to leave their mother in August and pay a visit to Godmersham;
and owing to the fact that they, each in turn, varied their stay at
Godmersham by paying a short visit to Lady Bridges at Goodnestone Farm,
we have three brief letters from Jane at this date. She was spending her
time in the usual way, seeing a good deal of her sister-in-law's
neighbours and connexions, and playing with her nephews and nieces.

Godmersham Park: Saturday [August 24, 1805].

MY DEAR CASSANDRA,-- . . . George[146] is a fine
boy, and well behaved, but Daniel chiefly
delighted me; the good humour of his countenance
is quite bewitching. After tea we had a
cribbage-table, and he and I won two rubbers of
his brother and Mrs. Mary. Mr. Brett was the only
person there, besides our two families.

* * * * *

Yesterday was a very quiet day with us; my
noisiest efforts were writing to Frank, and
playing battledore and shuttlecock with William;
he and I have practised together two mornings, and
improve a little; we have frequently kept it up
_three_ times, and once or twice _six_.

The two Edwards went to Canterbury in the chaise,
and found Mrs. Knight as you found her, I suppose,
the day before, cheerful but weak.

* * * * *

I have been used very ill this morning: I have
received a letter from Frank which I ought to have
had when Elizabeth and Henry had theirs, and which
in its way from Albany[147] to Godmersham has been
to Dover and Steventon. It was finished on the
16th