[Jane Austen] Mini-Bio; #1

There were twenty dances, and I danced
them all, and without fatigue. I was glad
to find myself capable of dancing so much
and with so much satisfaction as I did;
from my slender enjoyment of the Ashford
balls, I had not thought myself equal to
it, but in cold weather and with few
couples I fancy I could just as well dance
for a week together as for half an hour.
--Jane Austen, 1799, To her Sister, Dec.
24; Letters, ed. Brabourne.

In person she was very attractive; her
figure was rather tall and slender, her step
light and firm, and her whole appearance
expressive of health and animation. In
complexion she was a clear brunette with
a rich color; she had full round cheeks,
with mouth and nose small and well
formed, bright hazel eyes, and brown hair
forming natural curls close round her face.
If not so regularly handsome as her sister,
yet her countenance had a peculiar charm
of its own to the eyes of most beholders.
. . . . She was not highly accomplished
according to the present standard, . . .
was fond of music, and had a sweet voice,
both in singing and in conversation; in
her youth she had received some instruc-
tion of the pianoforte; and at Chawton she
practiced daily, chiefly before breakfast.
. . . .She read French with facility,
and knew something of Italian. In those
days German was no more thought of than
Hindostanee, as part of a Lady's educa-
tion. . . . She was well acquainted
with the old periodicals from the "Spec-
tator" downwards. Her knowledge of
Richardson's works was such as no one is
likely again to acquire, now that the multi-
tude and the merits of our light literature
have called off the attention of readers
from that great master.
--J.E. Leigh, Austen, 1870, A Memoir
of Jane Austen, by her Nephew, pp. 82-84.