Flat Jane Austen in Providence, Rhode Island

 Flat Jane Austen in 

Providence, Rhode Island:

June, 18__

My dear friends,

This letter may not reach you until I am home once again. I am preparing to leave this place. My hosts say I can not leave without a visit to the college.

On a sunny day I stroll the grounds of the Allins' home and watch Susanna and her friends run about and play. I explore the gardens and look for hummingbirds. 

Illustration by Becca Stadtlander from Like a Diamond in the Sky:

Jane Taylor's Beloved Poem of Wonder and the Stars by Elizabeth Brown

.

The artist Esther Solondz made this sculpture titled
The Hummingbird Palace, to evolve over time.

Flowering vines will grow through the structure while simultaneously
attracting hummingbirds. Visit www.thehummingbirdpalace.com

Then I climb the hill from Benefit Street up to the college. THIS is what passes for an institution of higher learning in America? 

Jane views University Hall, the original building at Brown University

This is the college edifice and they believe it will be enough for all the students for all time and never will they need to expand! It was built in 1770 and possibly designed by Mr. Joseph Brown. Mr. Nicholas Brown's family donated the land. The building was done by a number of men of the lower classes including Indians, formerly enslaved men and currently enslaved men. It serves as classroom, office, dining hall, chapel, library and dormitory. The college trains Baptist ministers and educates the sons of local gentlemen. The Frenchies used this building during the War for American Independence and it is rumored the fallen have never left.

In Jane's day the roof held a wooden balustrade

Shortly after my time, in 1823, the building will be renamed University Hall, following the contruction of a second building.

On the way home, I stop at a park and look out over the city. [Prospect Terrace Park, founded 1869]. I can scarce credit this view. It looks so unusual - so different from what I have seen of the city so far! What is this?

[Jane catches up on the history of the city since the 19th-century. ]

This hill, remember the hills Providence was built on?, was a strategic location for the early city. A beacon was placed here to communicate with the towns along the Narragansett Bay. A taller beacon was erected during that war for independence as part of a system of defense and fortifications for the area. In 1775, a fort was built around the beacon at the brow of the hill.

Long afterwards, to the 1850s, earthenwork remains could be seen here. In 1863 a group of citizens donated the land as a public park. A wall was built, creating a terrace overlook. Benches, a carriageway, a tall flagpole made this an impressive place to visit. A spot in the center of the terrace, overlooking the city was chosen for a grand monument to Mr. Roger Williams.

The NINETEEN Thirtys? How extradordinary! In the 1930s, in honor of the city's tricentennial, a memorial statue to state founder Mr. Roger Williams (remember him?) was erected on this spot. The architect had big plans for a memorial, reflecting pool and steps up to the park. Alas, it was not meant to be and all that was built is a sculpture of Mr. Williams looking out over the city.

The remains of Mr. Roger Williams were uncovered and it was found that some of his bones had grown into the root of an apple tree next to his grave. The root took on the shape of a human form. This root and the remainder of his bones were removed and the bones placed under the statue. The root was preserved by historians of this town. 

The modern skyline of Providence! It's changed a lot since 1815!

Moving along, the scenery begins to change and I am quite perplexed by what I am seeing. I believe I am viewing the future!

Rhode Island gifts at Rhody Craft on Hope Street in Providence

Rhode Island is now the smallest state. It is a weird, wonderful place known as the Ocean State. 

A sample of Rhode Island geography and gifts at Rhody Craft

Jane learns more about RI at Frog & Toad gift shop on Hope Street in Providence

The state symbol is an anchor and the motto is "Hope."

They seem to love unusual foods here such as pork and veal sausages on bread topped with mustard, chopped onion, celery salt, and a spicy ground meat mixture; frozen lemonade, and seafood like lobsters and large clams. 

I bid you adieu from Providence! I shall be with you soon, God willing.

Yours affectionately,

JA

Flat Jane Austen in Providence, Rhode Island

 Flat Jane Austen in Providence, Rhode Island:

A Visit to the Circulating Library 

(and a peek into the future)

Back upstairs [1914 addition] I spy a map showing the English origins of the first settlers in Providence. I am pleased to see Hampshire represented, altho' rather surprised as Hampshire is not noted for dissenters. Nicholas Easton. Who was he? 

I peruse the shelves to learn more about the history of Rhode Island. Goodness this will take forever! Who knew there were so many books on this place? I certainly had never heard of it til now. Nicholas Easton  (1593-1675) was assistant to the governor and president of the four towns of the colony in Newport; a minister and Quaker! 

I find a quiet spot to sit and read on the mezzanine level I find myself gazing out the window.

I decided to leave off reading about history and look for a good novel. Should I choose an old favorite? Or something new?

We know Jane read Oliver Goldsmith

and even Tom Jones! 

She was a big fan of Sir Walter Scott but was slightly jealous of his success as a novelist

"Walter Scott has no business to write novels, especially good ones. —It is not fair. —He has Fame and Profit enough as a Poet, and should not be taking the bread out of other people's mouths."

Hmm Something else perhaps?

Turn to page 49 of the self-guided brochure!

Do my eyes deceive me?  No, I see my name of these books. How peculiar! My books have not been published in America, nor have they been published under my own name. 

Why are there books about me? Books about my books? How odd.

Austen biographies

Am I the most famous writer in America? How about of he century? Or in Rhode Island?

No?! Who is? 

This fellow? Edgar Allen Poe... a poet and short story writer. What type of story does he write? Horror? Is that like gothic? "The Telltale Heart", "The Cask of Amontillado", "The Fall of the House of Usher". Is this man deranged? These are all about death! Is his poetry as awful? "Once upon a midnight dreary..." I guess so. 

Who is the lady? His betrothed? Poetess Sarah Helen Whitman? Is she famous? No? This Poe person seems to have come to an untimely end and was lamented by no one aside from Miss Whitman. 

Editor's note: The Ath has reportedly been haunted by Edgar Allen Poe who courted Providence widow and poet Sarah Helen Whitman here in the Athenaeum reading room. They became engaged but her family forced her to break it off with him as he was unable to quit drinking. Poe left Providence and a short time later turned up in Baltimore, dead in the river wearing someone else's clothes. Sarah Helen Whitman sacrificed her own reputation to save his and make him famous. Read their story at the Athenaeum website.

The Athenaeum also boasts a lithograph of Poe's Raven from a painting by the French painter Edouard Manet.

"quoth the raven, 'Nevermore'", 

The "Raven Bookplate" inscribed lithographic print from by French author Stephane Mallarmé to Sarah Helen Whitman, from a French translation of Poe's works illustrated by Edouard Manet

Actually, the most famous writer of all would shock Jane even more- H.P. Lovecraft, writer of weird science fiction, lived in Providence and loved it here. His gravestone is inscribed "I am Providence." 

I must leave off now. I shall try to write again before I leave here. Until then, I am, as always,

Yours,
Jane

Flat Jane Austen in Providence, Rhode Island

  Flat Jane Austen Visits Providence, Rhode Island:
In which she pays calls on the elite

Editor's Note: All photos taken inside the Rhode Island School of Design Museum's Pendelton House.

Not all these objects belonged to one family or were displayed at the same time. This room is set up to resemble the donor's library c. 1900. The Rococo furniture is period but window cornices, chandelier, overmantel mirror and settee date to 1900.

"Mr. Allin's library is furnished in the older Rococo style. The solid color walls and Oriental carpet mark this room as older in style, from the last century. 

 I see much furniture but no books! Most of the furniture is American made from the last century. The desk and bookcase was made in Newport, a city in the southern end of the state on the ocean. Mr. John Goddard built the case from mahogany, cedar, yellow poplar and pine. 

The bureau table and tall clock come from Newport as well. Some of the other furniture comes from Philadelphia. Newport and Philadelphia seem to have been centers of Chippendale style furniture making.

ignore the 1850s valances and look at the portrait of Sarah Prince Gill 
1764 by John Singleton Copley

Somehow Mr. Allin has managed to acquire some American portraits as well. Some are by John Singleton Copley. I have heard of him! He lived in London, near Henry and died but a year or so ago.

John Singleton Copley, Governor Moses Gill, 1764

This room also features some Chinese export porcelain! 

The barometer comes from Holland. What a peculiar mix of styles!

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