Mary C. M. Phillips

One cannot have too large a party. A large party secures its own amusement.   — Emma, Jane Austen

That being said, if you’re in the Long Island area on Friday, March 16th, drop by the Malverne Public Library at 3:00 P.M. as we discuss one of the world’s most widely read writers in English literature.   Joining me will be musician and fellow thespian, Kelly Tanza.

It should be a delightful afternoon, indeed.

RSVP thither:

“The Life & Writings of Jane Austen”

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“If I can stop one heart from breaking…”
— Emily Dickinson

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

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I decided to participate in Mary Robinette Kowal’s Month of Letters Challenge which begins in February.

For one month, I will write at least one letter per day.  

Challenging, yes, but I’m looking forward to turning back the clock, if only for a month.

Although I revel in modern methods of correspondence; blogs, twitter, and facebook, I still love the more antiquated form of letter writing.  I appreciate good paper and heavy parchment (hence my obsession with chapbooks) and am particularly fond of Sabon 10 font.

I love listening to the music of Robert Schumann, the charm of lace, old amplifiers (Fender), large dial radios, and vintage guitars; and gravitate towards more classical material particularly books and movies.  (I still, however, love modern medicine and toilet paper).

Today I’m wearing my new (old-fashioned) lace up boots; with long laces,  in “Victorian steam-punk” style (thank you Erin, for the accurate term) and lovely tapestry lining!  

Tapestry lining?  Who’s ever gonna see that?! said my practical husband.  (See photo on right).

I’m also currently re-reading Jane Austen’s Emma along with The Dark Jane Austen Book Club bringing to mind pretty parasols, gowns, and of course good manners.

So old-fashioned letter-writing will be a breeze.

A pleasant and friendly breeze.

*     *     *     *

*    *    *

“You should wear half boots.” After another pause: “Nothing sets off a neat ankle more than a half boot; nankeen galoshed with black looks very well. Do not you like half boots?”

“Yes; but unless they are so stout as to injure their beauty, they are not fit for country walking.”

– Jane Austen, The Watsons

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I find that most of my exceptionally talented friends are gifted in more than one area.

I’ve discussed this with several of them and they agree that their expression in art is more than one dimensional.

A talented musician is also a brilliant writer; a gifted dancer is also a skillful painter; a powerful poet, a proficient sculptor.

The same could be said for Jane Austen.  Although she downplayed her musical ability, many think she was in fact much better than she ever admitted.  Even her impromptu poems (this one, written for her niece, Anna) shows the sharpness in her gift of writing poetry:

Her wit descends on foes and friends

Like famed Niagara’s Fall

And travellers gaze in wild amaze,

And listen, one and all

Her judgment sound, thick, black, profound

Like transatlantic groves,

Dispenses aid, and friendly shade

To all that in it roves. 

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