tures in the world we should not deserve it.
We go on in the most comfortable way, very
frequently dining together, and always meeting in
some part of every day. Edward is very well, and
enjoys himself as thoroughly as any Hampshire-born
Austen can desire. Chawton is not thrown away upon
him.

* * * * *

He will soon have all his children about him.
Edward, George and Charles are collected already,
and another week brings Henry and William.

* * * * *

We are in hopes of another visit from our true
lawful Henry very soon; he is to be our guest this
time. He is quite well, I am happy to say, and
does not leave it to my pen, I am sure, to
communicate to you the joyful news of his being
Deputy Receiver no longer. It is a promotion which
he thoroughly enjoys, as well he may; the work of
his own mind. He sends you all his own plans of
course. The scheme for Scotland we think an
excellent one both for himself and his
nephew.[255] Upon the whole his spirits are very
much recovered. If I may so express myself his
mind is not a mind for affliction; he is too busy,
too active, too sanguine. Sincerely as he was
attached to poor Eliza moreover, and excellently
as he behaved to her, he was always so used to be
away from her at times, that her loss is not felt
as that of many a beloved wife might be,
especially when all the circumstances of her long
and dreadful illness are taken into the account.
He very long knew that she must die, and it was
indeed a release at last. Our mourning for her is
not over, or we should be putting it on again for
Mr. Thomas Leigh, who has just closed a good life
at the age of seventy-nine.

* * * * *

Poor Mrs. L. P. [Leigh Perrot] would now have been
mistress of Stoneleigh had there been none of the
vile compromise, which in good truth has never
been allowed to be of much use to them. It will be
a hard trial.

* * * * *

You will be glad to hear that every copy of _S.