_Observations on the Novels_
Chapter XI. _Declining health of Jane Austen--Elasticity of her
spirits--Her resignation and humility--Her death_
Chapter XII. _The cancelled Chapter of 'Persuasion_'
Chapter XIII. _The last work_
Chapter XIV. _Postscript_
'He knew of no one but himself who was inclined to the work. This is
no uncommon motive. A man sees something to be done, knows of no one
who will do it but himself, and so is driven to the enterprise.'
HELPS' _Life of Columbus_, ch. i.
CHAPTER I.
_Introductory Remarks--Birth of Jane Austen--Her Family Connections--Their
Influence on her Writings_.
More than half a century has passed away since I, the youngest of the
mourners, {1} attended the funeral of my dear aunt Jane in Winchester
Cathedral; and now, in my old age, I am asked whether my memory will
serve to rescue from oblivion any events of her life or any traits of her
character to satisfy the enquiries of a generation of readers who have
been born since she died. Of events her life was singularly barren: few
changes and no great crisis ever broke the smooth current of its course.
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