Letters of Jane Austen -- Brabourne Edition
Appendix II.
Bridges family Clothing inventories, Account books, Engagement announcements.


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[Appendix] II. [Bridges family Clothing inventories, Account books, Engagement announcements.]

COPIED FROM AN OLD ACCOUNT-BOOK IN THE HAND-WRITING OF LADY BRIDGES (FANNY FOWLER).

The Account of the Expences for Cloaths, Linen, &c. for my 3 Daughters Weddings in Decr 1791, and subsequent Acct of Child Bed Linen given to Mrs. Cage and purchased for Mrs. Austen, 1792.

RECD.

  1791.                                                   £   s.  d.
July 27, Recd of Sir Brook for several Bills  .   .   .   29  13   6
Dec. 25. Recd of the Extrs 1/4 interest on the Fortunes
    of Fanny, Sophia and Elizabeth C  .   .   .   .   .   52  10   0
  1792.
June 2. Recd of the Extrs for wedding cloaths and
    other expences    .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .  400   0   0
June 19. Advanced by me on the above account by
    desire of Lady Waltham    .   .   .   .   .   .   .  300   0   0
Recd of Mrs. Fielding at different times  .   .   .   .   36   0   0
August 16. Advanced by me to make up deficiencies,
    and to clear the whole account    .   .   .   .   .   49  12   6

PER CONTRA.

  1791.                                                    £  s.  d.
July  16. Shaw, Linen Draper, Bath    .   .   .   .   .    7   7   0
      22. Pd. Faulding, do. Coventry St.  .   .   .   .    3  12   6
      23. do.    do.    do.    do.    .   .   .   .   .    1  14   0
      26. do. Comerford do. Bond St.  .   .   .   .   .   12   0   0
      27. do. Winter for black Taffeta    .   .   .   .    5   0   0
Sept. 19. Pd. Percival for a black chintz .   .   .   .    1  11   6
      24. "   Faulding    .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .    7  10   0
Oct.  31. Mrs. Lilly for plain work   .   .   .   .   .    2  12   6
          Mrs. Mercer    do.  .   .   .   .   .   .   .    2  14   0  
               Smallwood for threads, &c. .   .   .   .    0   8   6
               Emery for Body Lining  .   .   .   .   .    1  13   4

Dec.  14 and 27. Presents to Jeffrey and the servants .   19  19   0
                 Gave to each of the dear girls for
                     Pocket money £21 .   .   .   .   .   63   0   0
  1792.
April 24. Pd. Ratcliffe for plain work    .   .   .   .    8   2  11
              Briggs for Minionet .   .   .   .   .   .    6   6   0   
              Calloway's bill for ribbons .   .   .   .    1  18   2
April 30. Lilly for plain work. Hookham for Bills, &c.     7  13   6
June  19. Pd. Warriner as per bill.   .   .   .   .   .  199  12  11
           " Jacquin       do.    .   .   .   .   .   .   13   1   0
           " M. Lachrie    do.    .   .   .   .   .   .   15   5   0
           " Cooper        do.    .   .   .   .   .   .   20  16   6
           " Hatsell       do.    .   .   .   .   .   .   14   8   0
           " Fletcher      do.    .   .   .   .   .   .   16   4   0
           " Schneider     do.    .   .   .   .   .   .   20  14   6
      20.  " Nours & Co.          .   .   .   .   .   .   65  17   0
               ditto              .   .   .   .   .   .   83   2   0
           " Falconer             .   .   .   .   .   .   14   2   0
           " Webb                 .   .   .   .   .   .   31   8   0
           " Ludlam               .   .   .   .   .   .   13  11   0
           " Cierlars & Co.       .   .   .   .   .   .   24   3   4
           " Coup                 .   .   .   .   .   .    5   9   0
           " Toussaint            .   .   .   .   .   .    7   7   0
           " Winter for edgings, &c.  .   .   .   .   .   18  18   0
           " Weindley for fans    .   .   .   .   .   .    2   7   6
           " Seniors as per bill  .   .   .   .   .   .    1  18   0
           " Jones       do.      .   .   .   .   .   .    5   3   6
           " Collins     do.      .   .   .   .   .   .    6   4   0

Aug. 15. Pd. Percival & Condell   .   .   .   .   .   .  130   3   4
                                                        -------------
                                                  Total £867  16   0

Inventory of Linen and clothes made up for Fanny, when she married and went to Combe, Dec. 14th, 1791. N.B. Sophia and Elizabeth had the same Dec. 27.

24 Day shifts.
14 night do.
36 Pocket Hfs.
24 Napkins.
3 Powdering Gowns.
8 pr of Pockets.
12 pr of Drawers.
4 Bedgowns.
12 night caps.
12 under caps.
14 pr silk stockings.
14 pr cotton do.
6 pr gauze worsted.
6 Flannel Petticoats.
8 under Dimity do.
4 Callico upper do.
2 Corded Dimity do.
2 India Dimity do.
7 Muslin Petticoats.
1 white Sattin do
3 Dimity Muslin Pierrots.
2 Plain muslin do.
3 Round gowns flounced.
1 ditto scollop'd.
1 Black chintz night gown.
1 Black silk ditto & petticoat.
2 Color'd chintz gowns.
3 muslin cloaks.
1 Lawn do.
1 Black silk do
1 White satin do.
3 Habits.
2 striped and 2 plain white waistcoats.
15 pr of shoes.
3 riding-Hats.
2 Bonnets.
3 caps.
1 Muff and Tippet, sable.
2 great coats.
4 dozen of gloves.
2 pr of stays.

Muslin, &c., &c.

4 chemise Handerchiefs.
6 worked ditto.
24 striped Border'd do.
6 plain muslin do.
12 worked cravats.
4 plain do.
12 pr white laced ruffles.
6 pr black ditto.
6 pr plain muslin do.
8 plain Tuckers.
4 worked do.
1 worked Lawn Pierrot.
1 Japan flowered Musn do.
1 fine worked Musn do.

Immediately after the preceding inventory there appears in the same book three separate accounts, headed "Childbed Linen given to Mrs. Cage, May 23, 1792," "Child Bed Linen given by Mrs. Deedes to Sophia," with sundry articles "Bought in addition," and "Child-bed Linen Bought for Mrs. Austen, Sept. 14th, 1792," together with a separate list headed "Things for the Child." As these lists are pretty much the same, and would probably not be interesting to the general public, I should not have alluded to them but for the fact that a fourth list informs those who care to compare present with past prices, with the cost of many articles a hundred years ago, and this information may, perhaps, interest those upon whom a similar expense has already fallen, or may possibly fall in the future. This list is headed: --

The Quality and Price of each of the Articles preceding, bought for Mrs. Austen.

                                                     £   s.  d.
30 yrds of Diaper for 2 shirts at 22d	.   .	.    2  15   0
"   do for 4 single at do   .   .   .   .   .   .    2  15   0
4 yrds 8/8 Irish -- for 4 Dble Binders }
                                       } .  .   .    0  16   0
2 yrds do for 2 single at 2/8          }
18 yrds fine Irish 7/8 for 6 short shifts at 3/6     3   3   0
18 yrds India Dimity for 6 waistcoats 3/6   .	.    5   5   0
13 yrds Callico for lining 2 shirts at 15d  .   .       16   3
8 yrds 3/4 Dimity for a wrapping-gown 3/3   .   .    1   8   5 1/4
3 yrds fine checked muslin for Limming /5   .   .    0  15   0
2 yrds 1/2 long cloth for a Mantle 5/6  .   .   .    0  13   9
3 yrds coarse flannel 16d/  .   .   .   .   .   .    0   4   0
3 yrds fine do 2s/  .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .    0   6   0
5 yrds Green Persian Cover for the Horse 22d/   .    0   9   2
7 3/4 yrds fine India Dimity for 2 cloaks   .   .    1  12   1 1/2
5 1/2 yrds Callico to line Ellwide do 2/2   .   .    0  11  11
4 yrds corded Dimity for 2 linings for the Basket
  at 3s .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .    0   6   0
10 yrds 3/4 do for 6 child's Bed gowns 3/3  .   .    0  15   0
12 yrds check'd muslin for 6 robes 3s/  .   .   .    1  16   0
2 Pr of clouting at 25s .   .   .   .   .   .   .    2  10   0
1         do         23 .   .   .   .   .   .   .    1   8   0
1         do         36 .   .   .   .   .   .   .    1  16   0
1         do         25 .   .   .   .   .   .   .    1   5   0
10 yrds fine Diaper 3/6 .   .   .   .   .   .   .    3   3   0
                                                 -----------------
                       Carried forward  .   .   .   32   7   7 3/4

The Quality and Price of each of the Articles preceding, bought for Mrs. Austen -- cont.

                                                     £   s.  d.
                       Brought forward  .   .   .   32   7   7 3/4

10 yrds fine Diaper .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .    1  11   6
1 pr Damask 35s .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .    1  15   0
3/4 of a yd wide Irish for under stays  .   .   .    0   3   0
Buckles, Tape, Leather Bones for do .   .   .   .    0   5   0
A Basket for the child's things .   .   .   .   .    0   3   6
1 doz Damask clouts 38/ .   .   .   .   .   .   .    1  18   0
1 do                34/ .   .   .   .   .   .   .    1  14   0
1 cotton swaith     .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .        1   0
4 Best Blankets 3/9.    .   .   .   .   .   .   .       15   0
                                                   -----------------
                                 Total  .   .   .  £40  13   7 3/4

I do not think it necessary to give in detail the "things for the child," especially as no prices are mentioned, but in order that my great-grandmother may not be suspected of having robbed an infant of its due, I would respectfully mention that six shirts, six robes, six bedgowns of "corded dimity," &c. &c., were supplemented by "3 cockades of Lace," "a suit of Xtning Linen consisting of a muslin Robe, fine cambrick cap and shirt," and sundry other articles of quality and quantity sufficient to make any nurse proud and to secure the comfort and happiness of any reasonable infant.

Letters from Fanny Fowler, Lady Bridges, announcing the engagement of her three daughters, Elizabeth, Fanny, and Sophia.

[i.]

Goodnestone: (March 2, 1791).

MY DEAR MRS. FIELDING,

I cannot leave to my Daurs the pleasure of informing you of an Event that gives us the greatest satisfaction. We had for some time observed a great attachment between Mr. Austin (Mr. Knight's Relation) and our dear Elizth; and Mr. Knight has, in the handsomest manner, declared his entire approbation of it; but as they are both very young, he wish'd it not to take place immediately, and as it will not suit him to give up much at present, their Income will be small, and they must be contented to live in the Country, which I think will be no hardship to either party, as they have no high Ideas, and it is a greater satisfaction to us than if she was to be thrown upon the world in a higher sphere, young and inexperienced as she is. He is a very sensible, amiable young man, and I trust and hope there is every prospect of Happiness to all parties in their union. This Affair has very much agitated Sir B., and he has not been quite so well for some days past as he had been for a month before; but now it is decided he will, I make no doubt, be better again in a few days, but I have long observed that when his mind has been agitated he has had a return of cough and oppression. He has sent his case to Bath, and if he is encouraged to go there, we shall set out according to the time pointed out from thence, as he has desired to know when the Waters have most efficacy.[1] Fatty is so good (as) to stay with my Girls during our absence, or I should be much distress'd at leaving them so long. She has been pretty well, upon the whole, ever since she has been here, and in remarkable good Looks and Spirits.

Adieu, my dearest Mrs. Fielding. All here unite with me in kindest love and compts: as due. My Daurs desire their duty to you. Believe me ever yours affectionately,

F. B.

To Mrs. Fielding, St. James' Palace, London.

[1] Sir Brook died before his daughters were married. "Fatty" was Isabella, sister of Mrs. C. Fielding's husband, and daughter of "Anne Palmer," by her second husband Col. Fielding. She seems to have been a popular person, known all her life as Fatty Fielding," and often at Goodnestone and Godmersham. She was godmother to one of Mr. E. Knight's children (Marianne), and died unmarried in 1812.

[ii.]

Goodnestone: (March 28, 1791).

MY DEAR MRS. FIELDING,

I flatter myself you are so truly interested in the welfare of my dearest children, that I am not afraid of being troublesome in writing again so soon, but must inform you that my dearest Fanny has received an offer of Marriage from Mr. Lewis Cage, a Gentleman of this County of an unexceptionable good character. His proposal has our entire approbation. As you was so kind to express a wish to be acquainted with Mr. Austin, I inform'd him of it, in consequence of which he call'd at St. James's, and was very much disappointed he was not so fortunate to find you at home, as his Time would not permit him to make a Second Attempt; indeed, I should be quite happy that your two future Nephews should be known to you, and I hope it will not be long before they have an opportunity of being introduced. My Daughters are going to-morrow to Godmersham for a Week; I do not accompany them, as Mr. Bridges is here. Sir Brook continues charmingly well, and is in very good spirits. I hope we shall get a glimpse of you as we pass through town to Bath the middle of next month, tho' our stay will be very short. How is Miss Finch?[1] I hope much recovered since she left Margate. I am quite delighted to hear such good accounts of Augusta,[2] and hope she feels no remains of her severe Illness, but that she and all the rest of your Family are well. All here unite with me in kindest Love to you all.

Believe me, ever yours affectionately
F. B.

[1] "Miss Finch" must mean one of Mrs. C. Fielding's three sisters, who all died unmarried.

[2] "Augusta Sophia" was the youngest daughter of Mrs. C. Fielding; she married Mr. Geo. Hicks in 1813, and lived to a good old age.

[iii.]

Brock St., Bath: (July 10, 1791).

MY DEAR MRS. FIELDING,

After having wrote to you so lately you will be no doubt surprized at hearing again so soon, and not less so to find that the Cause of my addressing myself to you is to inform you that we have received proposals of Marriage from Mr. William Deedes for your God-daughter, our dear Sophia. He is a young Man of a very Amiable Disposition and universally beloved, and his Father has been so kind to approve his Choice. I hope it will meet with your approbation, and think she bids as fair to be happy with her Connection as her sisters with theirs. It is certainly a very singular instance of good fortune in One Family, that 3 Girls, almost unknown, should have attach'd to themselves three Young Men of such unexceptionable Characters, and I pray to God that their future conduct will ever do Credit to their Choice. Mr. William Deedes is gone with Mr. Knight on the Scotch Tour; he had been long engaged to accompany them, but did not choose to set out on so long an excursion till he had explain'd himself. As I have many letters to write I will not obtain you longer than to beg our best Love and good wishes to you and all your dear Family, and kind Compliments to Lady Charlotte and Miss Finch.

Believe me, ever affectionately yours,
F. B.



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