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JANE AUSTEN |
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At
Houghton we most especially welcome anyone who is exploring
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| Born and brought up at Steventon,
not far from here, Jane may well have known this house, built in the latest
fashion for the picturesque when cottage architecture was all the rage.
It so exactly matches the description of such a house in "Sense and
Sensibility" which she wrote in 1797: Robert Ferrars extols the virtues of life in a Cottage. "I protest," he says "that if I had any money to spare, I should buy a little land and build one myself............and collect a few friends about me and be happy". "There is so much comfort, so much elegance about them" he continues and he assures Lady Elliott that there would be plenty of room in her cottage for her to have a dance. "The Dining -Parlour will admit eighteen people with ease, card tables may be placed in the drawing-room, the Library may be open for tea and other refreshments, and let the supper be set out in the saloon". "So that in fact every comfort may be as well enjoyed in a cottage as in the most spacious dwelling". In "Persuasion" we read that "On his marriage the young squire's house had been elevated into a cottage for his residence. Uppercross Cottage with its veranda, French windows and other prettinesses was as likely to catch the traveller's eye........as the Great House about a quarter of a mile further on..." We hope that we may "catch your eye" and share with you the many associations we have here with our most well loved Hampshire novelist.
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In 2008 a Regency Picnic was held by the River, following a tour around the
House by our son Daniel. Some of the photographs
are below, including a charming letter.
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 Photo Kate Davis |
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