Jane Austen Reads Her Letter to James Stanier Clark

The Prince Regent was a great admirer of Jane Austen's novels, and she (reluctantly, for she did not like Prinny) dedicated Emma to him. The Prince's librarian, James Stanier Clark, corresponded with Jane and made suggestions for the plot of her next novel. Her reply is contained herein and in this odd YouTube video:



Letter from Jane Austen 1st April 1816.......

You are very, very kind in your hints as to the sort of Composition which might recommend me at present, & I am fully sensible than an Historical Romance, founded on the House of Saxe Coburg might be much more to the purpose of Profit or Popularity, than such pictures of domestic Life in Country Villages as I deal in--but I could no more write a Romance than an Epic Poem.--I could not sit seriously down to write a serious Romance under any other motive than to save my Life, & if it were indispensable for me to keep it up & never relax into laughing at myself or other people, I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first Chapter.--No--I must keep to my own style & go on in my own Way ...