LETTERS OF JANE AUSTEN
tioned to the Board of Admiralty his wish to he
in a frigate, and when a proper opportunity offers
and it is judged that he has taken his turn
in a small ship, I hope he will be removed. With
regard to your son now in the ‘London’ I am
glad I can give you the assurance that his promotion
is likely to take place very soon, as Lord
Spencer has been so good as to say he would include
him in an arrangement that he proposes
making in a short time relative to some promotions
in that quarter.”
There! I may now finish my letter and go and hang myself, for I am sure I can neither write nor do anything which will not appear insipid to you after this. Now I really think he will soon be made, and only wish we could communicate our foreknowledge of the event to him whom it principally concerns. My father has written to Daysh to desire that he will inform us, if he can, when the commission is sent. Your chief wish is now ready to be accomplished; and could Lord Spencer give happiness to Martha at the same time, what a joyful heart he would make of yours!
I have sent the same extract of the sweets of Gambier to Charles, who, poor fellow, though he sinks into nothing but an humble attendant on the hero of the piece, will, I hope, be contented
with the prospect held out to him. By
