“I called yesterday morning-(ought it not in strict propriety be termed Yester-Morning?) on Miss Armstrong, & was introduced to her father & Mother. Like other young Ladies she is considerably genteeler then her Parents . . . We afterwards walked together for an hour on the Cobb; she is very conversable in a common way; I do not perceive Wit or Genius-but she has Sense & some degree of Taste, & her manners are very engaging. She seems to like people rather too easily . . .”
letter to Cassandra
September 14, 1804 [39]
The Jane Austen Guide to Life: Thoughtful Lessons for the Modern Woman (May, 2012)
Ah, our Jane is restrained. I would immediately take to Miss Armstrong for her candor and enthusiasm.