June 6 1811 from Chawton to Cassandra at Godmersham

Cassandra is preparing to come home from Godmersham and Jane seems quite anxious. The letter begins with a discussion about how this is to be accomplished.

The suggestion that Miss Sharpe come to Chawton directly means directly from Leicestershire and not through London as previously discussed.

The Cowes family is, as noted in letter 74, Francis Austen's family.

Mrs. B is Mrs. Bridges and Harriot is Harriet Moore.
The Common is Selbourne Common, the site of George III's birthday celebration on June 4

Here is a paper on Jane Austen and Wedgwood

This is a photo of the dining room at Chawton college with a table setting of Wedgwood. However, this is not Mrs. Austen's Wedgwood, but a set that belonged to Edward Austen Knight and was purchased later than 1811.

Here is a photo of the full set:

Le Faye suggests that the reference to The Lady of the Lake is either to

Canto II, Stanza XVII, lines 7-12

Then bursting bolder on the ear
The clan s shrill Gathering they could hear
Those thrilling sounds that call the might
Of old Clan Alpine to the fight
Thick beat the rapid notes as when
The mustering hundreds shake the glen
And hurrying at the signal dread

Or all of Canto II Stanza XXIV

Not faster o er thy heathery braes
Balquider speeds the midnight blaze
Rushing in conflagration strong
Thy deep ravines and dells along
Wrapping thy cliffs in purple glow
And reddening the dark lakes below
Nor faster speeds it nor so far
As o er thy heaths the voice of war
The signal roused to martial coil
The sullen margin of Loch Voil
Waked still Loch Ooine and to the source
Alarmed Balvaig thy swampy course
Thence southward turned its rapid road
Adown Strath Gartney's valley broad
Till rose in arms each man might claim
A portion in Clan Alpine's name
From the grey sire whose trembling hand
Could hardly buckle on his brand
To the raw boy whose shaft and bow
Were yet scarce terror to the crow
Each valley each sequestered glen
Mustered its little horde of men
That met as torrents from the height In
Highland dale their streams unite
Still gathering as they pour along
A voice more loud a tide more strong
Till at the rendezvous they stood
By hundreds prompt for blows and blood
Each trained to arms since life began
Owning no tie but to his clan
No oath but by his Chieftain's hand
No law but Roderick Dhu's command

Mourning against the King's Death: George III was seriously ill in May of 1811 although he did not die until 1820

Harry is Edward Austen Knight's Third Son.