Why Emma and Mary???

June 1, 2008 at 10:53 pm (introduction) (goslings of roehampton, Jane Austen, Smith of Suttons)

Emma Smith and Mary Gosling were two ordinary English girls. They attended the opera and the theatre when their families resided in London for ‘the season’. They were present at court functions, and even witnessed the coronation of George IV. They travelled with family across the country and across to the Continent. They lived among servants in large houses on substantial estates; and when in town were next-door neighbours (No. 5 and 6 Portland-place) on a street south of Regent’s Park. See, just two ordinary girls.

Luckily, they kept diaries, and wrote lots and lots of letters. Some of which still exist.

In coming posts I will tell a bit of what I’ve found out about these girls – and just how Jane Austen played a role in their lives.