Persuasions #2, 1980                                                                                                                                            Pages 29-31

 

OUR MEMBERS WRITE

I am convinced since there are so few Janeites in this section a convention will never be held any nearer than Chicago.

M. J., Akron, Ohio


I am looking forward to hearing from you, and hope that there will be enough members in this part of the country to have a regional meeting nearby.

K. P., Houston, Texas


I wish I lived in the East and could attend your meetings. I would probably be able to get to a meeting in Minneapolis or St. Louis, but even if I can’t come I’ll enjoy reading the newsletter and hearing what other Janeites have to say.

D. H., Waverly, Iowa


… though probably not until you designate a western location for your meetings shall I be able to attend. I wonder what percentage of your membership falls west of the Rockies.

D. B., San Jose, California

Ed. note: 10%


I do enclose my cheque for $50.00 for Life Membership. Having joined the English society in 1967 with a £5.00 Life membership, feel that the JASNA is just as good value.

E. H., Bernardsville, New Jersey


I should love to see a production of Lovers’ Vows, though California is too far from Goucher for it to be practicable, but I wish you very well and trust Sir Thomas will not arrive this time until after the performance is safely over.

R. S., Oakland, California


I notice in your last communication that H. C. D. of Ottawa has been “a devoted reader for more than 45 years.” I can go H. C. D. one better. I was 28 when I first met Jane Austen and have been a devoted reader for 50 years. She gets better all the time.

R. S., San Mateo, California


There’s something about Fanny as I age, and as I think about her, I like her more every year, ‘though she will never replace Emma or Eliza Bennet in my heart.

S. F., University Park, Pennsylvania


I wish I could come up with a quotation from Jane to suit the occasion, but that would delay my trip to the mail box. It seems to me that Miss Jane Fairfax was similarly solicitous about mail.

J. C., Davis, California


I found it most reassuring that in less than half a year so many people had become members of the Society. That there is that much sanity still abroad in America, if not the world.

K. O., Iowa City, Iowa

Since last October we have doubled our membership to 800.


I consider it most forgiving of my daughter to present me with a membership in the Jane Austen Society of North America, since she had to compete with Jane for my attention during all her growing-up years at home. Persuasion is a splendid beginning for the newsletter: interesting, informative and enjoyable. I enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope for copies of the constitution, the minutes of the meeting, etc.

M. L., Miami Beach, Florida


I feel very guilty about having not sent my change of address before this, but much, much guiltier at not having sent the enclosed cheque as a small contribution towards the J. Austen Society’s costs. Would that it were larger. If what dear, delightful Jane has meant in my life could be rewarded in money, and if I had that money, your Society would be richer by millions.

I. B., Wanaque, New Jersey


The event sounds spectacular, stupendous, unique, sensational, and unforgettable. I do wish I could attend but I am not equal to the preparations, the travelling, and the various other aspects involving two good legs.

B. S., New York, New York


I do hope the Quality Inn will be free from draughts, and will have a proper card room, unless cards are conveniently voted unnecessary.

A. G., New York, New York


I note in Persuasion that it is possible to become a Life Member, which I hereby (and herewith) apply for. What a relief not to wonder when and if the yearly subscription is or has been due!

H. S., Wellesley, Massachusetts


I don’t know just what my contribution to the Society might be, but I will certainly look forward to the learning experience.

B. H. S., New York, New York

How about a contribution to Persuasions?


Before I went to sea at an early age I had seen the film Pride and Prejudice eleven times and loved every minute of it … I then went on to read the novels which I re-read from time to time as the years go by and each time I see a little more in them than I saw upon the last reading. I believe minds like Jane’s are rare in this world at any historical time.

L. K., Califon, New Jersey


How can anyone resist the opportunity to enjoy so much for so little?

L. S., New York, New York


I approached the library to find out how one might join. The librarians were also keen, but after making enquiries, told me they had not been able to learn anything!

E. M., Toronto, Ontario


My own enjoyment of Jane Austen’s books has always been personal and private – shared, perhaps, by only a few friends and family. It seems so right to think that after two centuries people are still coming together to share this interest and devotion.

H. O’R Kogarah, New South Wales

A few months later this same lady wrote:

Thank you for your delightful letter. I will write to [contact provided by JASNA] in Queensland. My interest remained “personal and private” mainly because there was no one to whom to communicate it to any extent. As with all writers there are levels of appreciation and by temperament I do like to share.


I have not heeded the policy against gift memberships because I find the reasons for it specious, and because the recipient in this case is fully informed about the Society, and will greet a membership with the favour which the continuing efforts of the founders so well deserve.

F. E. S., Jr., Washington, D.C.

Our apologies! Due to a change in “office” procedure, we have reversed our policy. Gift Memberships are now heartily welcome.



Wood engraving by Joan Hassall
By kind permission of The Folio Society

Meeting

To a meeting and Buffet Supper of the Jane Austen Society Northwest Region on Saturday, May 3rd, 1980 at the home of Joan Austen-Leigh the great, great great niece of Jane herself. It was a most proper kind of meeting being held in the studio where to be viewed were interesting memorabilia pertaining to Miss Austen, all in the careful custody of her devoted descendant. Dear Jane might indeed have found our meeting amusing but the signal honour of having found myself suddenly the Secretary for the occasion and equally suddenly to be writing at her desk is a pleasure I cannot keep to myself. Was I not a very fortunate person to have shared this desk with such a one as Jane?

Nancy Tyrwhitt-Drake,

Victoria, B.C.

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