158
JANE AUSTEN.
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; and if it were indispensable for me to keep it up and never relax into laughing at myself or at other people, I am sure I should be hung before I had finished the first chapter. No, I must keep to my own style, and go on in my own way; and though I may never succeed again in that, I am convinced that I should totally fail in any other.
"I remain, my dear Sir,
"Your very much obliged and sincere friend,
"J. Austen.
"Chawton, near Alton,
"April 1, 1816."
"April 1, 1816."
