Jane Austen's Birthday

That's right, on December 16th, it will be the 235 anniversary of the birth of the woman that gave us Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett.! Did she somehow know that Collin Firth would play him in a totally awesome BBC mini series? Did she ever imagine that he would be bathing for all the world to see? What about coming out of the pond? Maybe.......she obviously had a fabulous imagination!





This past Sunday, the Sacramento Library concluded its 6 month long tribute to Jane Austen with a tea.
As you can see, there are quite a few "Janites" out there. there was only room for about 250 of us and a waiting list almost as long.

 As you can see, we had lots of yummy things to choose from. Scones and tea cakes and little watercress sammies. Four kinds of tea too. I forgot to bring a pretty tea cup so I had to use the plain white one, but the tea still tasted fab.

Three of us at my table dressed. The lady in the middle took a sewing class and this dress was her first project. Pretty dang good, eh? 

That's me, the silver haired matron. LOL  

I opted to be hatless, but I had it with me.

 

Group shot of several of us that came in Regency attire. I wish I knew all their names. I did show my corset off a little when I needed help undoing my buttons. The wooden busk was starting to get to me becasue my sister took great joy in lacing me far too tightly. Little sisters, what can you do, right?

We got to leave with a few goodies as well as our stuffed bellies. A girl can never have too many bags.....except under her eyes. hahahahaha

All in all a great way to celebrate. To see everything that the library did, please visit the Sacramento Public Library's website and the How Austentatious! link. Oops! Looks like they have moved the content already.

Over the course of 6 months, each of her books was read and discussed. At each meeting, there was a guest speaker that talked about the regency era. Medicine, entertainment, fashion, life in general. There was a fashion show (yes, I participated), an opera singer...just loads of fun. 

I can't wait for the next series of events....several of us are hoping they go Steampunk with Jules Verne and other writers of the late Victorian era! Maybe some Bronte sisters.

I shall leave you with a charade of the time:

Mr. Elton's Mystery Charade
My first displays the wealth and pomp of kings,
Lords of the earth! their luxury and ease.
Another view of man, my second brings,
Behold him there, the monarch of the seas!

But ah! united, what reverse we have!
Man's boasted power and freedom, all are flown;
Lord of the earth and sea, he bends a slave,
And woman, lovely woman, reigns alone.

Thy ready wit the word will soon supply,
May its approval beam in that soft eye!
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.the answer is:
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My first displays the wealth and pomp of kings,
Lords of the earth! their luxury and ease. ------------------------- court

Another view of man, my second brings,
Behold him there, the monarch of the seas!-------------------------------ship


But ah! united, what reverse we have!
Man's boasted power and freedom, all are flown;
Lord of the earth and sea, he bends a slave,
And woman, lovely woman, reigns alone.----------------------------courtship

I know, right! LOL

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