In ‘Amelia Webster’, Austen makes fun of the novel-in-letters, a fashionable form in the eighteenth century. Novels-in-letters were long, allowing all the characters to address one another in rambling epistles—a way of exploring psychology and motive. The great master of the novel-in-letters was Samuel Richardson whose works stretched to seven (or more) volumes. In ‘Amelia Webster’, however, the letter writers find their paper (and so their thoughts) are used up after only a sentence. How short and empty might a tale be and still make a kind of sense?
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English
Letter the first
To Miss Webster
My dear Amelia
You will rejoice to hear of the return of my amiable Brother from abroad. He arrived on thursday, & never did I see a finer form, save that of your sincere freind
Matilda Hervey
Letter the 2d
To H. Beverley Esqre
Dear Beverley
I arrived here last thursday & met with a hearty reception from my Father, Mother & Sisters. The latter are both fine Girls—particularly Maud, who I think would suit you as a Wife well enough. What say you to this? She will have two thousand Pounds & as much more as you can get. If you dont marry her you will mortally offend
George Hervey
Letter the 3d
To Miss Hervey
Dear Maud
Beleive me I’m happy to hear of your Brother’s arrival. I have a thousand things to tell you, but my paper will only permit me to add that I am yr affect Freind
Amelia Webster
Letter the 4th
To Miss S. Hervey
Dear Sally
I have found a very convenient old hollow oak to put our Letters in; for you know we have long maintained a private Correspondence. It is about a mile from my House & seven from yours. You may perhaps imagine that I might have made choice of a tree which would have divided the Distance more equally—I was sensible of this at the time, but as I considered that the walk would be of benefit to you in your weak & uncertain state of Health, I preferred it to one nearer your House, & am yr faithfull
Benjamin Bar
Letter the 5th
To Miss Hervey
Dear Maud
I write now to inform you that I did not stop at your house in my way to Bath last Monday.—I have many things to inform you of besides; but my Paper, reminds me of concluding; & beleive me yrs ever &c &c
Amelia Webster
Letter the 6th
To Miss Webster
Madam
Saturday
An humble Admirer now addresses you.—I saw you lovely Fair one as you passed on Monday last, before our House in your way to Bath. I saw you thro’ a telescope, & was so struck by your Charms that from that time to this I have not tasted human food.
George Hervey
Letter the 7th
To Jack
As I was this morning at Breakfast the Newspaper was brought me, & in the list of Marriages I read the following.
‘George Hervey Esqre to Miss Amelia Webster’
‘Henry Beverley Esqre to Miss Hervey’
&
‘Benjamin Bar Esqre to Miss Sarah Hervey’.
yours, Tom
Finis –
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