from
my having never noticed the proper place for a dedication. I thank
you for putting me right. Any deviation from what is usually done in
such cases is the last thing I should wish for. I feel happy in
having a friend to save me from the ill effect of my own blunder.

'Yours, dear Sir, &c.
'J. AUSTEN.'

'Chawton, April 1, 1816.

'DEAR SIR,--I return you the "Quarterly Review" with many thanks. The
Authoress of "Emma" has no reason, I think, to complain of her
treatment in it, except in the total omission of "Mansfield Park." I
cannot but be sorry that so clever a man as the Reviewer of "Emma"
should consider it as unworthy of being noticed. You will be pleased
to hear that I have received the Prince's thanks for the _handsome_
copy I sent him of "Emma." Whatever he may think of _my_ share of the
work, yours seems to have been quite right.

'In consequence of the late event in Henrietta Street, I must request
that if you should at any time have anything to communicate by letter,
you will be so good as to write by the post, directing to me (Miss J.
Austen), Chawton, near Alton; and that for anything of a larger bulk,
you will add to the same direction, by _Collier's Southampton coach_.

'I remain, dear Sir,

'Yours very faithfully,
'J. AUSTEN.'

About the same time the following letters passed between the Countess of
Morley and the writer of 'Emma.' I do not know whether they were
personally acquainted with each other, nor in what this interchange of
civilities originated:--

_The Countess of Morley to Miss J. Austen_.

'Saltram, December 27 (1815).

'MADAM,--I have been most anxiously waiting for an introduction to
"Emma," and am infinitely obliged to you for your kind recollection of
me, which will procure me the pleasure of her acquaintance some days
sooner than I should otherwise have had it. I am already become
intimate with the Woodhouse family, and feel that they will not amuse
and interest me less than the Bennetts, Bertrams, Norrises, and all
their admirable predecessors. I can give them no higher praise.

'I am, Madam, your much obliged
'F. MORLEY.'

_Miss J. Austen to the Countess of Morley_.

'MADAM,--Accept my thanks for the honour of your note, and for your
kind disposition in favour of "Emma." In my present state of doubt as
to her reception in the world, it is p