Jane Austen Society of Australia
Writing competition 2006 winners
Topic: Jane Austen’s Characters Look for Work - Use your imagination to help one of
Jane Austen’s characters find a job.
Write a job application letter for ONE of the following:
- Mrs Norris, no longer financially supported by Sir Thomas Bertram, writes to Lady Catherine de Bourgh to apply for the position of housekeeper at
Rosings; OR
- Anne Steele, neglected by her sister Lucy Ferrars, needs work and writes to Mrs John Knightley to apply for the position of governess to the Knightley children in London;
OR
- James Morland, rejected by Isabella Thorpe, writes to Captain Wentworth to apply for the position of naval chaplain on board Captain Wentworth’s ship.
1st prize
Miss Anne Steele writes to Mrs John Knightley seeking the position of
governess in her household
by Shirley Byrne
My Dear Mrs Knightley,
It has been bought to my notice that you will shortly
be requiring a new Governess to care for your Dear Children and it so
happens that I am most desirous of securing such Position. My Uncle, Mr
Pratt, who is a Tutor, is an acquaintance of Mrs Goddard who runs a School
in Highbury and she told Mr Pratt that there would soon be a position in
your London House.
I must say that I am distractedly fond of children; I
doat on them and would happily spend every minute attending to their needs
and instruction. Mrs Goddard tells my uncle that your Family is excessive
Smart and Well Behaved and indeed they seem to be just the sort of
children I would like to reside with of all things.
As young orphan girls, my sister Lucy Steele and me,
was very fortunate to be taken in and looked after by our Uncle who was
tutor to several young gentlemen and even though we did not attend his
classes (which was of course only for Fee-Paying Pupils) we was able to
pick up many useful lessons that will be of vast help when instructing
children.
If you would like any references to my Nature and
Character I am sure Mrs Jennings and her daughter, Lady Middleton would be
most happy to oblige in this respect as I have had vast dealings with Lady
Middleton’s lively Delightful Children in fact they was left in me and
my sister’s care on many occasions and we had many jolly rough and
tumbles with them.
A vast unexpected change in my life has come about, as
previous to now I resided with my Sister who has lately become Mrs Robert
Ferrars. This has resulted in her being much risen in her Personal
Affairs. I had hoped to be residing with Mr and Mrs Ferrars, but it seems
that my sister has too many calls on her time to be able to have me with
her so I must look for other means of support for my self. Although my
sister is now a very Wealthy Woman she has never gave me any sign that she
would help me. I was badly let down when my sister Eloped with Mr Ferrars.
She took all my money with her and I was left with But a few Shillings in
the world. Luckily Mrs Jennings stood by me and give me Five Guineas to
get me to Exeter where I have been for a few weeks with Mrs Burgess, but I
cannot remain here permanently.
I must confess Dear Mrs Knightley, that at one time I
had cherished a Secret Hope that a certain Dr Davis, who was a Beau of
mine, would make me an Offer of Marriage, but in the end it all came to
nothing.
It would be a vast pleasure to me to look after Your
Children and live in your London Household. I hope to hear your reply very
soon.
Yours respectfully,
Anne Steele
2nd prize
Mrs Norris writes to Lady Catherine de Bourgh
by Nadia Cameron
To: Lady de Bourgh
Rosings Park
Kent
The 5th September ’15
To the most honourable Lady Catherine de Bourgh,
I find myself impelled to call on your ladyship’s
magnanimous nature to consider me for the position of housekeeper in your
greatest and most palatial of estates, Rosings.
I am confident you will sympathise with my decision to
leave Mansfield Park after the incorrigible way my niece, Fanny Price, has
abused the charity bestowed upon her by myself. She has usurped her most
beloved and renowned cousin, Mrs Maria Rushworth, from her rightful place
in the family unit. Fanny proved herself ungrateful to a fault. All
because she fancied that Henry Crawford, a man many tiers above her in
society, liked her.
My unwavering sense of duty to society’s revered
class structure, and my devotion to Mrs Rushworth, convinced me I must
give up my own comforts to make a stand for the correct way of things. As
Mrs Rushworth has now regained her rightful place in society, I must
consider my future.
I insist on maintaining the highest levels of decorum
and distinction between the classes – an invaluable trait for the
housekeeper at Rosings. Aristocracy is a privilege which should be
honoured. As my own actions at Mansfield demonstrate.
I single-handedly brought about the placement of one of
my unfortunate sister’s minions into the home of Sir Thomas and Lady
Bertram as a devout act of charity. Far be it for anyone to accuse me of
being uncharitable. While doing my utmost to raise Fanny with
unimpeachable morals, economy and education, I also strove to make sure
she was fully aware of her lower station in life and her mother’s folly
in marrying beneath her. It was imperative that the distinction between
Fanny and her more clever cousins was stressed and that she recognise her
uncommonly good fortune. As I said to Fanny that day she was honoured with
an invitation to Mrs Grant’s dinner, ‘Remember you should be the
lowest and the last’.
Do not let it be said that I am not aware of the true
worth of class hierarchy. Please be assured I shall see your ladyship’s
rank and rule are preserved and noted with the respect and awe due to you
from all of those in your employ.
Another talent which I pride myself on is my prudence
and superior management of household finances. I have a keen eye for
detail and exercise the most watchful attentions to all aspects of the
home.
My sense of economy while living with my late husband,
Mr Norris, the parson at Mansfield Park, kept us from needless expense and
waste of our narrow income. Even when I removed to the White house after
his unfortunate death, my money management was such that I could still
afford to keep a spare room for my friends. It’s strict economy which
makes a home efficient and that is what I bring to you in my humblest of
manners. Your ladyship’s reputation for excessive attentiveness to every
detail strikes a chord in my own heart. I am confident my skills would be
truly valued at Rosings.
My motto is moderation in all things. I trust that this
outlook on household proceedings will meet with your ladyship’s
satisfaction and condescension.
I eagerly await your reply.
Your most faithful of servants,
Mrs Norris
~
Resume
Name: Mrs Norris (formerly Miss Ward of
Huntingdon)
Situation: A poor, helpless, forlorn widow, with
spirits quite broken down
Career history
Mansfield Park: assistant to members of the
family in all manner of household management. Also overseeing tutelage of
beloved nieces with governess, Miss Lee
Sotherton: Consultant to Mr and Mrs Rushworth
for domestic matters
The Parsonage: Running the home and charitable
works on a narrow income of just under £1000 per annum
Personal achievements
Many charitable deeds, most notably orchestrating the
placement of Fanny Price at Mansfield Park
Saving a full three-quarters of a yard of green baize
during set construction for Mansfield’s production of Lovers’ Vows
Organising the Mansfield Park ball
Skills
Micro-management / attention to detail
Strict sense of economy
Well-versed in societal laws
Events co-ordination
Interests
Everybody’s business
References
Upon request
Mrs Norris writes to Lady Catherine de Bourgh
by Marjorie Jones
Mansfield Cottage
Mansfield
21st February, 1812
My dear Lady Catherine,
My friend the Rev William Collins has told me that you
are in want of a housekeeper for your country seat of Rosings, in the
county of Kent. May I make so bold as to offer myself in this capacity? Mr
Collins has explained that with your acute sense of delicacy you shrink
from advertisement in the vulgar press and prefer to rely on personal
recommendation. I have had the pleasure of knowing Mr Collins for many
years, having first met him soon after he and my late husband took orders
together. I am confident that he can give you all the assurances you need
as to my honesty, reliability and competence.
My late esteemed husband, the Rev Septimus Norris, was
appointed to the living of Mansfield, which is in the gift of Sir Thomas
Bertram of Mansfield Park, in the county of Northampton. His wife is my
sister, so you will appreciate that I am happy in my family connections
and am used to moving in the best circles. I am sure that your Ladyship
would prefer to appoint a person who is a gentlewoman and well-connected.
My sister, Lady Bertram, is in delicate health and Sir Thomas has
welcomed my assistance in the day to day ordering of his household. I have
no children of my own so it has been my special care to watch over my 2
nephews and 2 nieces, to act as friend and chaperone to the girls and
guide and mentor to the boys. Following the loss of my dear husband I
removed from the parsonage to a more modest abode, very close to Mansfield
Park, and I found that I was needed there on most days. My sad position as
a widow meant that I had to live much more economically, but good Sir
Thomas, in appreciation for the help I gave him, was happy to augment my
small income. I accepted his help with a good conscience because I knew
how much he appreciated my good offices, especially when he was obliged to
be absent for several months on business connected with his West India
properties.
I regret to say that it has been a problem with these
same properties which has resulted in a marked reduction of Sir Thomas’
income. He has told me, most reluctantly, that he is no longer in a
position to add anything to my widow’s mite and he thoroughly approves
of my decision to seek a post which will offer me a secure home and be
compatible with my status as a gentlewoman. Mr Collins has spoken to both
Sir Thomas and me and cannot praise too highly your affability,
intelligence and good breeding. He is convinced that the person accepted
into your household will be blessed indeed.
I think I have much to offer. I am stout and healthy,
of an active, busy nature, well able to supervise a large household. As
far as servants are concerned, in my dealings with my own and those at
Mansfield Park, I have always insisted on punctuality, cleanliness and a
proper respect for their betters. Regular churchgoing is enforced and in
the case of young women levity has been frowned upon, no followers have
been allowed and I have personally turned away two housemaids for wearing
white.
I am economical by nature and have in the past made
considerable savings on Sir Thomas’ behalf. For instance, our young
people were involved in getting up private theatricals and I was in charge
of making the costumes. In one instance I was able to return several yards
of satin as I found that with clever needlework I was able to make do with
much less than was first considered to be needed. A considerable quantity
of green baize was needed for the curtain and with care I was able to make
do with fewer curtain rings than I had first thought would be needed. At
the time Sir Thomas’ carpenter was put to work building scenery and I
caught his young son bringing a piece of wood to his father just as the
servants were sitting to their dinner, with the obvious object of getting
himself a free meal. I hate this sort of insolent encroachment and if
accepted into your Ladyship’s household I would not tolerate such
behaviour.
When I was mistress of the Parsonage I kept a good
table, although eschewing extravagance. A good deal was expected of me in
the way of entertaining while my husband was alive but once I was alone I
could not continue in the same liberal style. However, I have been used to
a very good table at Mansfield Park and I assure your Ladyship that I am
fit for anything in the housekeeping line which might be needed at Rosings.
I look forward to hearing from you and I hope that your
response is favourable.
I remain, Madam
Your humble and obedient servant
Julia Charity Norris.
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20 January 2008
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