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.

The opinions of another gentleman about ‘Emma’ were so bad that they could not be reported to the author.

‘Quot homines, tot sententiae.’

Thirty-five years after her death there came also a voice of praise from across the Atlantic.  In 1852 the following letter was received by her brother Sir Francis Austen:—­

   ’Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

   6th Jan. 1852.

’Since high critical authority has pronounced the delineations of character in the works of Jane Austen second only to those of Shakspeare, transatlantic admiration appears superfluous; yet it may not be uninteresting to her family to receive an assurance that the influence of her genius is extensively recognised in the American Republic, even by the highest judicial authorities.  The late Mr. Chief Justice Marshall, of the supreme Court of the United States, and his associate Mr. Justice Story, highly estimated and admired Miss Austen, and to them we owe our introduction to her society.  For many years her talents have brightened our daily path, and her name and those of her characters are familiar to us as “household words.”  We have long wished to express to some of her family the sentiments of gratitude and affection she has inspired, and request more information relative to her life than is given in the brief memoir prefixed to her works.

’Having accidentally heard that a brother of Jane Austen held a high rank in the British Navy, we have obtained his address from our friend Admiral Wormley, now resident in Boston, and we trust this expression of our feeling will be received by her relations with the kindness and urbanity characteristic of Admirals of her creation.  Sir Francis Austen, or one of his family, would confer a great favour by complying with our request.  The autograph of his sister, or a few lines in her handwriting, would be placed among our chief treasures.

’The family who delight in the companionship of Jane Austen, and who present this petition, are of English origin.  Their ancestor held a high rank among the first emigrants to New England, and his name and character have been ably represented by his descendants in various public stations of trust and responsibility to the present time in the colony and state of Massachusetts.  A letter addressed to Miss Quincey, care of the Honble Josiah Quincey, Boston, Massachusetts, would reach its destination.’

Sir Francis Austen returned a suitable reply to this application; and sent a long letter of his sister’s, which, no doubt, still occupies the place of honour promised by the Quincey family.