Women's Health Issues in Jane Austen's Time

"Ah! my poor dear child, the truth is, that in London it is always a sickly season. Nobody is healthy in London, nobody can be. Emma I:XII


JASNY-NY is hosting a JA birthday celebration meeting on Dec 5 at 2pm at the Midtown Executive Club 40 West 45th Street, NYC.

Dr. Cheryl Kinney will explore the treatment of women's illnesses in Regency England, including childbirth, infectious disease, and venereal disease. We will learn who provided health care in the early 1800s in England and the treatments available. Dr. Kinney will also discuss sickness and health in Austen's novels.

For more information and to register, please visit the JASNA-NY website in the links to the left.

Support One of Our Own!

Show some support for Janeite Susan at a Grand Opening Reception of the Shore Women's Abstract Gallery (SWAG) on Nov. 7 from 5-9pm.

The reception will be held at #6 in the Shoppes at the Arcade, located at 658 Cookman Avenue in Asbury Park.

Janeite Susan will be featured with seven other artists-and judging from the pics I've seen on the web-all very talented like our dear Susan.

Hold the date! Dec 5 at 2pm

Please hold the date-a very special date indeed. The Central New Jersey Chapter of JASNA is planning a Celebratory Meeting in honor of our dear Jane. More details will follow shortly, but save the date!

Dec 5 at 2pm somewhere in historic NJ!

ANOTHER “AUSTEN” FOR CONSIDERATION

Alice Austen (1866-1952) was a pioneering photographer whose subject matter and techniques predate many others in the field. In 1876 at the age of 10, she was given a camera by her uncle and was immediately mesmerized by the new invention. She spent the next 40 years photographing some 8,000 images. She was often seen riding her bicycle around Staten Island and Manhattan, carrying 50 pounds of photography equipment. Her pictures have a realistic and natural quality, rather than the blurry, romantic qualities favored by magazines of her time. Austen tended to photograph people during the course of their normal activities, rather than in conventional studio poses. She is best known for her street photography of immigrants just arrived at Ellis Island, street sweepers, bootblacks, and fishmongers. Her family home, Clear Comfort, is a National Historic Landmark in Staten Island. The Staten Island Historical Society continues to conserve, preserve, and restore the Alice Austen Collection at Historic Richmond. See http://www.aliceausten.org/ for more information.

BBC One's Emma "Behind the Scenes"

Book recommendation: Jane Austen Collection

Amazon.com recently featured the Jane Austen Collection as a wonderful text for every Janeite.

Here is a synopsis of their review: Jane Austen’s novels have proved to be enduring favorites in every medium in which they appear, whether books or movies, comic books or TV mini-series. Works like Emma, Persuasion, and Pride and Prejudice present incomparable portraits of marriageable but discriminating young women, the scoundrels and gentlemen who entrance and confound them, their scheming mothers and hapless fathers — all set in the well-mannered world of early 19th-century British country life. With this collection, fans can enjoy the books anew in audio format. Joanna Lumley, whose Patsy made Absolutely Fabulous a cult hit, aptly showcases the mordant wit of Pride and Prejudice. Anna Massey brings character and vigor to her dramatizations of Persuasion, Sense and Sensibility, and Northanger Abbey. Belinda Lang offers a stylish interpretation of Emma, while Harriet Walter evokes Austen in a different mode in her reading of the little-known novella, The Watsons. Musical backgrounds enhance the listener's experience.

Thanks to Janeite Geri for the find!

Follies of Europe: Architectural Extravaganzas

During the Regency time, many of JA's peers would take turns in the gardens as a form of recreation and refreshment. Gardens were an extension of indoor living and thus became more and more extravagent, this came to include faux ruins and intricate gazebos and structures known as follies. We hear of a sample of this in JA's novel Sanditon.

This beautiful coffee-table book features follies from the magical, ambitious charm of Portmeirion in North-West Wales, to the marvellous eccentricity of La Scarzuola of Montegabbione, Umbria, with its Staircase of Knowledge and Crystal pyramid. This book explores follies, extravagant structures erected for the amusement or diversion - and occasionally for the residence - of inspired patrons and artists throughout Europe.

Sticky Toffee Pudding

A favored sweet in Great Britain, Sticky Toffee Pudding is fantastically rich but relatively easy to prepare. A buttery drizzle of toffee sauce and a sprinkle of toasted pecans adds an over-the-top note of flavor to an already decadent dessert that is perfect for teatime or anytime at all.
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Makes 6 servings
1 cup boiling water1 cup finely chopped dates1 cup butter, softened and divided1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar, divided1 egg1 cup cake flour1 teaspoon baking powder1/4 teaspoon salt, divided1 teaspoon vanilla extract1/4 cup heavy creamGarnish: whipped cream, chopped toasted pecans
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish; set aside.
2. In a small bowl, pour the boiling water over the dates; set aside. In a large bowl and using an electric mixer at medium speed, cream 1/2 cup butter and 1/4 cup brown sugar for 4 minutes, until pale in color. Beat in the egg, then scrape down the sides.
3. Gradually add the flour, baking powder, and 1/8 teaspoon salt, and mix until well combined. Add the vanilla extract and the dates with the water, and stir until well combined.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until firm.
5. In a small saucepan over medium heat, cook the remaining 1/2 cup butter, remaining 3/4 cup brown sugar, cream, and remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt for 6 minutes.
6. Using a 2 1/4 -inch round cutter, cut 12 rounds. On each serving plate, stack two rounds, and top with toffee sauce. Garnish with whipped cream and pecans, if desired. Serve immediately.

From Teatime magazine

Book recommendation: Bound by Sally Gunning

Bound by Sally Gunning
Set in the years preceding the American Revolution, Bound is an extraordinary novel about courage and independence as readers follow the story of a little girl who arrives in the American Colonies an orphan. Quickly indentured into servitude, she grows up in a caring home until she is sixteen when she is thrust into a world of unwelcome sexual turmoil from her new master, the husband of the young woman she has grown up with as practically a sister. She seeks sanctuary from a sympathetic widow in a nearby village and feels freedom for the first time, but all is not as it seems as her life and newfound independence are challenged by her past.

The Book of Ebenezer Le Page by G.B. Edwards

Since we loved the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society so much, this remarkable work of fiction might interest you as well. Each of the main English Channel Islands—Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Herm, and Sark—has a definite character of its own. The book marvelously conveys the atmosphere and speech patterns of Guernsey. Ebenezer was born on Guernsey in about 1880 and lived there until the 1960s; his “book” introduces us to his family, his friends, his neighbors, and to Liza Queripel, the love of his life. He paints a vivid picture of their lives, introducing the period of German occupation during WWII.

The Morgan Library in NYC is having an exhibit.

The Morgan Library in NYC is having an exhibit. Follow this link for more information: http://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions/exhibition.asp?id=22

A Woman's Wit: Jane Austen's Life and Legacy

November 6, 2009, through March 14, 2010

This exhibition explores the life, work, and legacy of Jane Austen (1775–1817), regarded as one of the greatest English novelists. Over the past two decades, numerous successful motion picture and television adaptations of Austen's novels have led to a resurgence of interest in her life and work. Providing a close-up portrait of Austen, this show achieves tangible intimacy with the author through the presentation of her manuscripts and personal letters, which the Morgan has not exhibited in a generation. The Morgan's collection of Austen's manuscripts and letters is the largest of any institution in the world and includes the darkly satiric Lady Susan, the only surviving complete manuscript of any of Austen's novels. The exhibition also includes first and early illustrated editions of Austen's novels as well as contemporary drawings and prints depicting people, places, and events of biographical significance. In addition to the literary influences that inspired and informed Austen's works are responses by later writers as diverse as Auden, Kipling, Nabokov, Scott, Woolf, and Yeats. A highlight of the exhibition is a specially commissioned film of contemporary authors and artists, including Fran Lebowitz, Colm Tóbín, and Cornel West, commenting on Austen's work.A Woman's Wit: Jane Austen's Life and Legacy is generously supported by the Laurence Levine Charitable Fund, Inc. and Sir Thomas R. Moore.

Related Programs: Gallery Talk A Woman's Wit: Jane Austen's Life and Legacy

Friday, November 20, 7 p.m.

Family Program Winter Family Day Celebration Sunday, December 6, 2–5 p.m.

The drawing to the left: Scene from Pride and Prejudice: "The examination of all the letters which Jane had written to her." Isabel Bishop (1902–1988) 20th century Pen and black ink, gray wash, over pencil Gift of Mrs. Robert E. Blum in honor of Charles Ryskamp on his 10th anniversary as director, 1979; 1979.32:15

"The Ten Essential Penguin Classics"

The Penguin Classics Screening Room Special, "The Ten Essential Penguin Classics." click here for link.

"The Ten Essential Penguin Classics" was written, produced, performed, and directed by Penguin personnel. It features a dozen Penguin staffers speaking about their favorite classics and why they think the books are essential. Pride and Prejudice is one of their "Ten Essentials."

Each title in the countdown features a skit written, acted and directed by Penguin employees. Two Penguin employees play Laura, a well-read Classics fan, and David, a young man well-versed in bad pickup lines. After each skit an "expert" from the Penguin office mentions the specific classic referenced and briefly describes the work's significance in terms of plot, characters, overarching themes, and what makes the classic essential.

Also on the site is a consumer sweepstakes where you can write in and vote for your favorite classic from the list or share another classic you think is essential; the winner wins all ten Essential titles and a Penguin tote bag. The winner of the contest will be posted on December 1st. If you like what you see, stay tuned because each Tuesday there will be a new page to the Essential minisite featuring an in depth look at the books on the list as they countdown to the number one classic.

Seventh Annual Regency Assembly

JASNA-NY has sent us the following:

The Elegant Arts Society is holding their Seventh Annual Regency Assembly

When: October 17 & 18, 2009

Where: New Haven, CT

There will be live music by the Spare Parts group and dance instruction by Susan de Gardiola.

For more information, please email info@elegantarts.org

Jane Austen Jigsaw puzzle

Revel in the wit and wisdom of Jane Austen with a Regency era–worthy parlor pastime: assembling this challenging 500-piece puzzle! When complete, this 18"x14" puzzle features a pretty pastel montage of illustrations from the late 1800s peppered with quotations from the author’s best-loved novels. With its clever book-shaped box, Bas Bleu's Jane Austen Jigsaw Puzzle fits right next to the Austen collection on your bookshelf!

October Wallpaper

Looking back at Ackermann's Repository. The original Ackermann's Repository of Arts, Literature, Fashions, Manufactures, &c. was published monthly from 1809-1829 and featured a pair of fashion plates in addition to other illustrations and articles covering a variety of topics. These delicate aquatint illustrations and lovely fashions continue to delight and inspire us two hundred years later.

Throughout 2009, new desktop wallpapers will be posted each month showcasing two fashion plates: one from 1809 and the other from a different year during Jane Austen's lifetime. Enjoy a year-long tour through this popular late Georgian-Regency publication!

http://www.solitary-elegance.com/

Preparing for the AGM: one week left

For many, a meeting of "all Jane all the time" is more than enough to do. Workshops, tours, breakout sessions, and plenary speeches will add to the pleasure of all who attend. Then there is the city itself: a "Greene Country Towne," planned by William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, that invites "very good walkers" to take in the sights.

There is so very much to see near the hotel, situated in the country's most historic square mile, that even good walkers may not be able to venture far from such appealing museums, shops, and restaurants.

Please revisit all the AGM pages to learn about the schedule and other helpful tidbits. http://www.jasna.org/agms/philadelphia/index.html