1811 (April) - Jane Austen at a musical party
Jane was visiting her brother and sister-in-law, Henry and Eliza, who were then in their new house here at 64, Sloane Street when Eliza, who was reportedly a very active hostess, held this entertainment to which some 80 were invited. Jane wrote to her sister Cassandra: 'At half past seven, arrived the musicians in two Hackney coaches, and by eight the lordly company began to appear....Including everybody we were 66....quite enough to fill the back drawing room and leave a few to be scattered about in the other, and in the passage.' Jane listened in the ante-room and considered the music was 'extremely good....The harp player was Wiepart, whose name seems famous, tho' new to me. There was one female singer, a short Miss Davis all in blue....whose voice was said to be very fine indeed; and all the performers gave satisfaction by doing what they were paid for, and giving themselves no airs....The house was not clear till after 12.'
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