Jane Austen was successful in everything that she attempted with her
fingers. None of us could throw spilikins in so perfect a circle, or
take them off with so steady a hand. Her performances with cup and ball
were marvellous. The one used at Chawton was an easy one, and she has
been known to catch it on the point above an hundred times in succession,
till her hand was weary. She sometimes found a resource in that simple
game, when unable, from weakness in her eyes, to read or write long
together. A specimen of her clear strong handwriting is here given.
Happy would the compositors for the press be if they had always so
legible a manuscript to work from. But the writing was not the only part
of her letters which showed superior handiwork. In those days there was
an art in folding and sealing. No adhesive envelopes made all easy. Some
people's letters always looked loose and untidy; but her paper was sure
to take the right folds, and her sealing-wax to drop into the right
place. Her needlework both plain and ornamental was excellent, and might
almost have put a sewing machine to shame. She was considered especially
great in satin stitch. She spent much time in these occupations, and
some of her merriest talk was over clothes which she and her companions
were making, sometimes for themselves, and sometimes for the poor. There
still remains a curious specimen of her needlework made for a sister-in-
law, my mother. In a very small bag is deposited a little rolled up
housewife, furnished with minikin needles and fine thread. In the
housewife is a tiny pocket, and in the pocket is enclosed a slip of
paper, on which, written as with a crow quill, are these lines:--

This little bag, I hope, will prove
To be not vainly made;
For should you thread and needles want,
It will afford you aid.