I delight in seeing little instances of what were probably common place situations in JA’s life which made their way into her heroine’s experiences also. I think her ability to take her own experiences and observations and weave them together with so much clarity and truthfulness that they easily pop out to me as real two hundred years later, absorbing me into the world of her novels so easily. Here are some examples from this letter and some corresponding novels. Although this particular letter may have been written after the initial drafts of the novels were penned, I think the situations are so common place that surely the mentions in this letter are not the first time she experienced like situations.

Children…

I wore my green shoes last night, & took my white fan with me; I am very glad he never threw it in the river. (Letter 17)

I assume George is small because of the face making and perhaps one of her nephews?—I hope that is correct! Since this line appears connected to the comments about sweet little George I guess it is him that JA is glad did not throw her gloves into the river and it reminds me of when little John Middleton throws Miss Steele’s pocket handkerchief out the window in S&S:

"John is in such spirits to-day!" said she, on his taking Miss Steele's pocket handkerchief, and throwing it out of the window -- "He is full of monkey tricks." (S&S, Chapter 21)

Would a grown George even have threatened to thow JA's fan overboard? I guess they might but I am not sure it would have been appreciated! ;D

Dancing partners…

One of my gayest actions was sitting down two Dances in preference to having Lord Bolton’s eldest son for my Partner, who danced too ill to be endured. (Letter 17)

It is fun for me to see instances of JA’s experiences showing through in the novels—since First Impressions is mentioned in this letter as a story which Cassandra has read many times before I guess Lord Bolton’s eldest son was probably not the specific model for Mr. Collins terrible dancing in P&P at the Netherfield ball but I assume that this is not the first Partner JA avoided for this reason. ;D

The two first dances, however, brought a return of distress; they were dances of mortification. Mr. Collins, awkward and solemn, apologising instead of attending, and often moving wrong without being aware of it, gave her all the shame and misery which a disagreeable partner for a couple of dances can give. The moment of her release from him was exstacy. (P&P, Chapter 18)

I also like the way JA tells Cassandra about all of her partners and even a potential one, the officer who neglected her by not procuring an introduction despite the rumor(?) that he wanted one—LoL--Lizzy and Darcy! This reminded me a bit of Mrs. Bennet relating all of Mr. Bingley’s partners in Chapter 3 of P&P to the frustration of Mr. Bennet. I am sure that Cassandra was not frustrated by the relation since JA’s is amusing without the foolishness of Mrs. Bennet’s explanations. ;D

Sensibility for Cassandra…

Miss Debary has replaced you two sheets of Drawing paper, with two of superior size & quality; so I do not grudge her having them at all now. (Letter 17)