little miss austin

His Royal Highness George didn't like Princess Caroline, thinking she was not beautiful enough and dull. Not long after marriage, Princess Caroline became pregnant, so His Royal Highness George left and never returned, only to be with her daughter Charlotte Ogu Princess Star came to visit the newborn after the birth.Princess Charlotte was born on January 1796, 1 and is now just three years old.

Princess Charlotte was immediately confirmed as the second in line to the throne after her birth. She lived with her mother in the royal villa outside London and hardly saw her father.

Henry said he didn't actually meet the Prince of Wales, but only the Prince's secretary.The secretary said that His Royal Highness was very interested in such novel and fashionable things as typewriters, and asked him to send the reserved 10 typewriters to Kensington Palace as soon as possible, and paid the full payment for the goods—all in gold coins.So Henry came here with more than 2000 guineas.

A guinea is worth a little more than 1 pound, and more than 1 guineas are enough to fill a small wooden box, which is heavy.

Alice was about to stare when she saw the open box, "His Royal Highness George is really out of the ordinary, can't he give a money order?" However, it's no wonder the prince likes to pay with gold coins, heavy boxes, golden gold coins, indeed There is a kind of comfort of "my uncle is full of courage".

Both the guinea and the British pound contain gold of real value. The British currency has been converted from the silver standard to the gold standard. As the first country to start the industrial revolution, the current national strength of the United Kingdom ranks first among European countries, and the British pound is a hard currency.

Alice had a big head, "How did you come here?" You must know that the law and order in some neighborhoods in London is still very bad, and Kensington Palace is relatively remote. It is true that Henry has not been robbed halfway with such a huge sum of money. Luckily - £3000 is enough to make a desperate move.

"Take a carriage. Although there is no royal emblem in the carriage, there are royal guards behind."

That's not bad, the secretary also knows to send bodyguards to see him off.

"Just leave the box with me first. Next time you bring a few people, and then deposit it in the bank." If it's a money order, it's just a piece of paper, and it's so troublesome to put it in your pocket after stacking it.

"Okay. If you need money, keep a few with you."

"No, I seldom need a whole coin. Next time you go to the bank, give me some shillings."

"Understood." Henry quickly left without staying for dinner.

Although she said no, the shiny gold coins were still very attractive. Alice counted out 10 guineas and put them in her purse.Another lock was found to lock the box, and a piece of linen was found to cover the box.She has a personal maid, and the maid who cleans the room can also enter her room. She doesn't want to test others' greed with a box of gold coins.

Before coming to London, Henry took her to the House of Daylesford. The siblings negotiated an investment with Mr. Hastings. Mr. Hastings gave Henry a money order of 4000 pounds. The Indian company gave him this year's living expenses.

Mr. Hastings inspected Alice's studies again, and asked her when she would come to Daylesford House.Alice said she would have to live at home for half a year and come in the autumn of 1800, when she would be ten and a half years old.Mr. Hastings roughly gave her a four-year timetable, which is about the same as it would take to go to university.Since universities in this era still only recruit boys, Alice has no chance to receive formal college-style higher education. Apart from the limited education for ladies, it is difficult for men to receive comprehensive and systematic education in politics, economy and culture like men.

Alice cherishes the opportunity to learn from Mr. Hastings. He is generous, has a high vision, a wide range of knowledge, and does not stick to gender distinctions. He is really a good old man.

By the time she finishes her studies, she will be almost 15 years old.At that time, she would no longer be seen as a child, and with some money in hand - £1, if nothing else happened - she could have some small demands and ideas of her own.

Mrs. Baker began to teach Alice how to sing.

She didn't accept any new students. Currently, Alice is the only student. It can be seen that she doesn't actually live on this tuition fee, but just wants to find something for herself to do.

Her lack of knowledge in economics and politics is also because she is not interested in men's careers.She was one of those old-fashioned ladies who knew what it was like to be a girl of status.

Singing is just an embellishment on top of status and money, it's fine if you know it, you don't need to be proficient.After a few lessons and a little basic teaching of vocalization, Mrs. Baker found a female singer from the West End of London for Alice to teach.

Alice's piano is pretty good now, she can play it quite artistically, she has a quick mind, and she can practice a piece of music very quickly.Singing, I learned very quickly, because I haven't reached puberty yet, and my voice hasn't started to change. It's just a little girl's sweet voice, and any song can be sung with a cute and sweet voice.Alice occasionally went to lead the hymns at her father's church when she was in Steventon.

After all the parts of the foundry factory were shipped back to the factory in the suburbs, Alice took a few days off and went to the factory to watch the workers assemble the typewriter. I made a paper box with a wooden bottom, and asked a craftsman to cover the paper box with silk, and it was immediately upgraded and full of style. It definitely looks like a fashionable thing worth 001 pounds.

The delivery also needs to be a bit particular. How can I send them all in one batch? Of course, they will be divided into batches. The first batch will send 3 units first, and a user manual will be attached. Write a letter in advance to inform the secretary of Kensington Palace, and the secretary will send it the next day. The carriage went to fetch Henry Austin.Still haven't seen His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, but the secretary said that His Royal Highness is very satisfied.

So we made an appointment to deliver the second batch at the end of April, or 4 units.

When he was leaving, Henry skillfully asked if he could make a small publicity about the typewriter that His Royal Highness ordered?The secretary smiled and said nothing.

In fact, there was no need for Henry to promote it. Soon, the princes and nobles in London began to send people to ask, can the typewriter still be ordered?

The Austin Typewriter Company hired two beautiful civilian girls as front desk clerks to answer such inquiries: Sorry, the first batch of numbered "Dr. Pepper" has been fully booked, and the second batch of reservations will begin in June.

The manservant, who knows how to handle affairs, was not satisfied with the answer of "open for reservations in June". Relying on the noble status of the owner, he said arrogantly that my house is now making reservations, and the deposit will be paid immediately!Give now!Make arrangements, make arrangements!

A few days later, another "Dr. Pepper" pre-order advertisement appeared in several newspapers, saying that because the product was so popular with buyers that the supply was in short supply, the company decided that after the first batch of "Dr. Pepper" had been shipped out, , the opening of the second batch of reservations is scheduled for the first Monday in May. There are still only 5 units, but these 100 units are not numbered, and they are still first-come-first-served.

Henry Austin was so happy: I didn't expect the effect of this advertisement to be surprisingly good!

Although, many nobles don't think highly of the Prince of Wales, but it doesn't prevent the Prince from being the fashion vane of the whole of England. You have to play what he plays, and you must keep up with the fashion, otherwise, you will not be able to keep up with the court. The new trend!

But he thought that Alice would agree to accept the reservation immediately.

Alice said: "No, absolutely not! A 299-pound household machine, the first batch of customers need to enjoy their special, give them time to fully satisfy their vanity, wait for their interest to fade a little bit, Then you can roll out the second batch."

But in fact, the second batch of orders has already been sent to the foundry.They are not short of money now, and the performance of typewriters does not need continuous development now, only the upgrading of consumables, such as the improvement of ink ribbon technology, such as keyboards, and the development of keyboards made of other materials suitable for women's consumer psychology.The button itself is a copper-tin alloy. Now it can be plated with a layer of silver or simply gold-plated, and then an upgraded version will be launched.

The leaflet was reprinted and is going to be distributed to the servants who come to order. With a little more money, you can have a more beautiful keyboard, which will definitely show your status.

Henry asked again: "What should I do if the first batch of customers ask why my typewriter doesn't have a new keyboard?"

Alice waved her hand: "It's easy! Ask them to send it back, add money, and get a new keyboard! If someone provides the materials, we can replace him with a full diamond keyboard!"

Henry was taken aback: "Diamonds!"

"It's easy to do, put silver keycaps on individual keys, and then inlay small diamonds on the keycaps. As long as you have money, we can make any keyboard you want!" There is nothing new about this inlay technology , the novelty is only that it is inlaid on the typewriter keyboard.This is also a kind of "conspicuous consumption".

Henry was dumbfounded.

Alice was triumphant.

As far as this kind of conspicuous consumption and marketing methods are concerned, later generations have tried their best to use them to the limit known to mankind.Splurge has always been human nature. People with money and leisure always want to have things that others don't have. Only by being different can you be radiant, no, and you can show your extraordinaryness.

Then Alice said: "It is also possible to develop keyboards made of different materials - I'm not talking about metals and alloys, crystal is a better material, I heard that many countries in Europe produce very special ores, such as crystal mines, think about it , a set of amethyst buttons!"

"Crystals are easy to break, aren't they?"

Alice disagreed, "The typewriter is so heavy that ordinary girls can't move it at all. Besides, if it breaks, you can buy a new keyboard. People who can buy a typewriter for 299 pounds don't care about spending an extra 50 pounds for a keyboard. "

Henry pondered that a typewriter with a crystal keyboard was actually more like an ornament.He quickly drew inferences and thought that other materials could be used to make buttons, but the problem was that he needed to find another craftsman to polish the ore, and the cost soared.This depends on the specific calculation of cost and pricing, and the cost and delivery time must be calculated first.You have to be careful, maybe there will be knockoffs appearing on the market soon.

"Then let Tom come to England and be our exclusive patent attorney, looking for someone to litigate all day long." Alice has already thought about it, "Imitations will definitely appear, it's just a matter of time, we have to make money in this blank market first The first pot of gold. We have patent rights, and anyone who wants to use our patents has to pay. At that time, we will reduce costs, lower prices, ship in large quantities, and occupy the middle market first, so that they have no money to earn .”

Henry took it all down.

After talking about work, Alice asked: "Isn't Tom coming to see Jane? Why didn't Jane write to me?"

"That's because he hasn't come yet."

Alice was dissatisfied, "He promised to come in March, and it's the end of March! How disappointed Jane is!"

"Then I don't know." Henry was also very troubled.

"Did he know some lady in Dublin?"

"—never heard. He's not that kind of guy."

"What kind of man is he? When he was in London, he used to go--well!"

Henry covered her mouth, "Shut up! How do you know everything?!" He stared at her angrily.

"Of course I have to know a little bit about everything. Mrs. Baker told me where a lady should never go, even pass by."

Henry lowered his head and smiled a little embarrassedly: she was right.There are some things she really needs to know, otherwise, if she doesn't know where the danger zone is and runs into it—by mistake—that would be bad.Although it is impossible for her to go to that kind of place or pass by, she will definitely be picked up by a carriage when she goes out, or with Mrs. Becker, or with a personal maid, or with her brother, cousin, and cousin, and she will never go out alone. Case.

Alice pulled her brother's hand down, "If Tom wants to divorce, you have to break his dog's legs!"

Henry sneered, "He won't."

Alice thought silently in her heart, "If he comes to discuss marriage, you tell him that my family can give Jane an annuity of 200 pounds a year, and you ask him how much he can earn a year. no."

"Where did you get the 200 pounds?"

"My money can be lent to Jane first, and she will pay me back when she has money. I don't need my dividend now."

In fact, because a woman has no property rights, all her money must be stored in the name of Henry or Reverend George. British men pay attention to gentlemanly demeanor, and Reverend George's family education is strict and noble. Fathers and brothers will not covet their daughters or sisters Just like Henry, he will not use Cousin Eliza's money easily, and must make money to support his family.Eliza's money was deposited with her godfather, Mr. Hastings, and she had only her jewels and the rent for the little field.

"Dr. Pepper" has not yet started delivering goods, that is, the final payment has not yet been made, and the calculation of profits and dividends have not yet begun. Alice told Henry that her dividends will be handed over to her father for management. After all, her father is still alive, so there is no reason to hand over elder brother.Of course Henry had no problem.Roughly calculated, Alice's first dividend will be as huge as 2000 pounds!

This is the income of the Austin family for several years!And that's not all the bonuses for this year!

It is estimated that Pastor George will be terrified.

Thinking of how frightened her normally amiable and dutiful father was, Alice secretly laughed.

"What did you think of?" Henry asked curiously.

"Thinking that Dad might freak out if he saw my money."

Henry smiled and pinched her little nose, "Maybe he will praise you severely."

Alice was happy: Jane has an annuity of 200 pounds, plus a dowry of 400 pounds from her father, she can get married.

2000 pounds is enough to pay an annuity for 10 years, and she doesn't believe that she won't be able to help Jane publish a novel in 10 years.That's impossible!In fact, Jane only needs to persist for two years at most, and she is definitely more willing to spend the money she earns.

Think about it, the future is bright!

Tom Lefroy only arrived in England in the second week of April.

Still staying at Ash's uncle's house, he rested for one night, and went to see Pastor George with the Lefroys the next day.

Neither Henry nor Alice knew the specific content of the conversation, nor did Jane.All they knew was that Tom had indeed come to discuss a wedding date.

But the problem is that Tom wants to take Jane back to Dublin, and Pastor George and mother Cassandra are reluctant to marry their daughter away, and want Tom to stay in Steventon or go to London.

Tom's parents, siblings are all in Limerick, Ireland, and the whole family has to rely on Tom's income to support them.Alice thinks that Tom is smart, motivated, and has strong communication skills, but the burden of the family is too great. If he does not have a windfall, this big family will drag him down——the economy.

Alice felt that it was okay for Jian Jian to support Tom for a short period of time, but she had to be a rich saint to support her husband's family for many years.Moreover, Alice did not agree with Jane going to Ireland.The family connection in this era is still very close. The young Lefroy couple lived in the big city of Dublin. If every now and then, the old Lefroy couple came to Dublin with their underage children. It would be fine if the younger siblings were well-educated. For one thing, Jane can't bear to be ill-bred.

——No matter how you look at it, Tom is like the kind of "Phoenix man" who is dragged by a big family.

It’s not that Alice despises the Lefroy family in Ireland, it’s just that—his family doesn’t match up with the Austin family, the family style is not good, and Tom once lured Jane to elope. Will rest assured that Jane will go to Ireland.So Alice became more determined, and wrote to Henry, saying that you have to let Tom stay in England. As long as he is willing to stay, Jane can send a sum of money to Limerick every year to support his life.

Henry is also reluctant to let Jane stay away from home. Of course, his younger sister cannot leave his parents. Tom is a man, so it is not a big problem for him to make a little sacrifice.As for his desire to become a member of parliament, it is the same in London, and the plan may be realized faster. After all, he has his mentor in London, and the mentor likes him very much. A smart, beautiful, flexible, and communicative young man is of course likable.

So Henry ran home and had a good talk with Tom a few times.

At the end of April, Nos. 4 to 004 of "Dr Pepper" were sent to Kensington Palace.

Tom Lefroy has also finally agreed to stay in England.

He quickly went back to Dublin, explained his work, and said that he would work under his tutor in London; he went back to Limerick again, and told his parents about his decision, saying that he would live with Jane in London. Life, old Lefroy was furious, and beat up the eldest son.

Originally, he was engaged to Jane, but old Lefroy only reluctantly agreed. For this reason, the father and son had quarreled several times over the past year.Old Lefroy thought that the Austen family had no money, and that Jane was a fairy girl, and she couldn't marry his son, which was a waste of time for her bright and promising son.Old Lefroy always wanted Tom to meet other annuity ladies, but Tom still missed Jane and ignored his father.

After Tom returned to Ireland, his sister Cathy returned to Steventon from Goldmusham.

After staying at Edward's brother's house for a year, Cathy's mental outlook has improved a lot, and she seems to have woken up from the nightmare of her fiancé's death.It is said that she mainly takes care of her little nieces and nephews in the manor. The children love Aunt Cathy and Aunt Jane very much.As for Aunt Alice, they saw her so little that they had little memory of her.

Alice took a week off and returned home, and the three sisters reunited again.

Cathy hasn't seen her little sister for a year and is surprised that she has grown taller again.

"I'm 1 year older. It's not normal to grow taller." She is almost 9 and a half years old now, and she is a delicately dressed little lady.

"Oh! I always feel that you are still a child, but you have grown up without knowing it." Cathy sighed, "I have only cared about myself for more than a year, and I didn't care about you a little bit. You lived in London Are you okay? You have grown taller and gained weight again, so you must be doing well."

"It's okay, the food is good." At home, it's called "eat well", but in Becker's house, it's called "eat well". After all, it's different.After eating delicious food, she is not satisfied with eating ordinary food. When she got home, she didn't eat much, and she didn't eat much at each meal. As a result, her mother thought she was sick and had a bad appetite.

Cathy smiled, "I'll make you your favorite crispy cinnamon rolls tomorrow, with plenty of cream on them."

Alice was very happy and nodded repeatedly, "Okay! No one can make crispy cinnamon rolls without you at home."

"Then I have to check, is there any cinnamon powder at home?"

"Yes, yes, Henry just sent home a lot of spices!" Of course, this was brought back from the Daylesford House.

A lot of spices were sold last time, so now the family has a little more savings.Part of the family's savings is for the living expenses of George's brother after his parents pass away in the future, and the rest is the dowry for the three daughters.Brother George doesn't go out, so the expenses are clothing, food and the nursing expenses of the peasant women. It is relatively cheap, but it costs 20 pounds a year. If it is prepared for 20 years, it will cost 400 pounds.Brother George is relatively capable of taking care of himself. It is not difficult to take care of him, and his life cannot be said to be painful. However, because of his lack of intelligence, he will feel that he is very happy if he has food, drink and clothes.

The author has something to say:

*Now let's talk about what Jane looks like.Unfortunately, there were no cameras at that time, and portraits depended entirely on painting. The level of the painter directly determines the level of portraits. The existing portrait of Jane Austen is a watercolor painting painted by her sister Cassandra around 1810 (the existing London National Portrait Gallery), when Jane was about 35 years old.But according to relatives, some people think it looks like it, while others don't.

James Jr., the son of the older brother James, published a biography of Jane in 1870, which said that Jane was not as beautiful as her sister Cathy.

"Her appearance is very attractive, tall and slender, with light and steady steps, and she exudes health and vitality. She has a dark complexion, round cheeks, a small mouth and nose, light brown eyes, and brown hair that is naturally curled. Around the cheeks. Even though Jane is not as dignified and well-built as her sister, her face is still attractive to most people."

*As for what Tom Lefroy looks like, I posted on Weibo a portrait of Tom's young, middle-aged and elderly people. I think Tom can be regarded as a handsome man even in terms of modern aesthetics.He must have been a pretty young man back then.

*The marketing methods of technical issues are all nonsense, don't take it seriously.