Soon I'll be heading to England for a visit to London, which includes a too-brief pilgrimage to places associated with Jane Austen, including the Jane Austen House Museum, where I'll be taking a writing class after I tour the house. The JAHM has a blog that you can follow and in catching up on the posts, I read one from April that talks about how much making a pilgrimage to Jane's house means to most people who visit (myself included; I can't wait!). One very special surprise, is that some visitors leave a gift or message for Jane that the staff finds later.
"It seems that for many people being in her home is part of an ongoing relationship that they develop with her as not only an author of their favourite books but also as a woman. Recently Isabel and I have found a few gifts and offerings to Jane and the house. I found a carefully made fan of hearts hung on a door handle in The Austen Family room. Each heart has a name of a character from Sense and Sensibility and they rotate to align with different people."
I am definitely going to leave her a note while I'm there. The idea is just too wonderful not to join in.
I have paper - made by hand by me during the 18C Festival at Johns Hopkins I attended this past March:
Isn't it pretty? The best part was jumping up and down on it (wrapped in newspaper) to help dry it out.
My plan is to write a grateful letter to Jane from either Lizzy or Elinor - for the adventure of being in her book, the lessons learned, and the great guy at the end!
Which do you think it should be from?
And what would you leave for Jane if you were visiting her house? Leave a comment; I'm eager to hear.
To read a letter from a visitor left in Jane's bedroom, visit the Jane Austen House Museum blog.
how nice it is!
my first idea of what to left was the idea of a little handwritten book with poems from my favourite poet (Rainer Maria Rilke), covered with an elegant dark fabric, with a dried blossom of a forget-me-not between the pages...
Posted by: maren | 07/05/2011 at 08:31 AM
Maren, that is an absolutely delicious idea. I love the pressed flower.
Posted by: Chris | 07/05/2011 at 11:05 AM
Beautiful paper - your letter will be cherished, I'm sure!
I would embroider a small token - a pen-wipe case, perhaps with the initials JA, to sit on Jane's writing table, or a small needle book for her work bag. I love to make the small tokens of friendship that were common among ladies in the Regency era.
Julie
Posted by: Julie | 07/05/2011 at 11:54 AM
I'd leave her the most beautiful small notebook bound with dusty rose leather, and with a small pencil attached, so she could use it to write new pieces of brilliance in. On the front in exquisite gold letters her name would be stamped. On the inside cover I would write: "To Jane, whose literary genius has delighted readers and writers alike, the world over. With sincere thanks, Elizabeth.
Posted by: Elizabeth Young | 07/05/2011 at 01:14 PM
Fun idea! How about a book of little poetic riddles and conundrums like the one Emma Woodhouse and Harriet Smith made? Decorated with sketches and watercolors. The riddles could be addressed to Jane Austen or be related to her books.
Posted by: Rachel | 07/06/2011 at 06:29 PM
These are so brilliant, everyone! I wish I'd read of this practice sooner, I would have put out a call, then taken all these with me & had a marvelous time hiding them all over the house.
Posted by: Chris | 07/06/2011 at 07:31 PM
How I envy you - in a nice way - for travelling to London and walking in Jane's footsteps. I have yet to embark on such a trip. But happening it will. I am thoroughly researching and off I shall go on my pilgrimage. Have you seen any other of her place yet?
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Posted by: Diana Shand | 08/20/2011 at 04:49 PM