MA 1226, p. 21

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Jane Austen
1775–1817

Lady Susan

Autograph manuscript, fair copy, of a novel

Undated

Purchased, 1947

MA 1226
Transcription: 

21
especially as every visit is so many hours deducted
from the grand affair of Education, which I really
wish to be attended to while she remains with
Miss Summers's. — I want her to play & sing with
some portion of Taste & a good deal of assurance,
as she has my hand & arm & a tolerable voice.
I was so much indulged in my infant years that
I was never obliged to attend to anything, & conse:
:quently am without those accomplishments which
are now necessary to finish a pretty woman. Not
that I am an advocate for the prevailing fashion
of acquiring a perfect knowledge in all Languages
Arts & Sciences;— it is throwing time away;— to
be mistress of French, Italian, German, Music,
Singing, Drawing &c., will gain a Woman some
applause, but will not add one Lover to her list.
Grace & Manner after all are of the greatest im:
:portance. I do not mean therefore that Frederica's

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Images provided by DIAMM on behalf of Jane Austen’s Holograph Fiction MSS: A Digital and Print Edition.

Recording of Lady Susan courtesy of Naxos AudioBooks.

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