I do not think that it
would at all have impaired the modest simplicity of her character; or
that we should have lost our own dear 'Aunt Jane' in the blaze of
literary fame.
It may be amusing to contrast with these testimonies from the great, the
opinions expressed by other readers of more ordinary intellect. The
author herself has left a list of criticisms which it had been her
amusement to collect, through means of her friends. This list contains
much of warm-hearted sympathising praise, interspersed with some opinions
which may be considered surprising.
One lady could say nothing better of 'Mansfield Park,' than that it was
'a mere novel.'
Another owned that she thought 'Sense and Sensibility' and 'Pride and
Prejudice' downright nonsense; but expected to like 'Mansfield Park'
better, and having finished the first volume, hoped that she had got
through the worst.
Another did not like 'Mansfield Park.' Nothing interesting in the
characters. Language poor.
One gentleman read the first and last chapters of 'Emma,' but did not
look at the rest because he had been told that it was not interesting.
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