Doug Murray Tells "The True Story of Box Hill" at Summer JASNA Lecture and Picnic

Despite "steamy" weather, JASNA members enjoy a delightful picnic in the Presidential Courtyard at Belmont U.

Dr. Douglas Murray, professor of English at Belmont University and noted Austen lecturer, delivered a lively and substantive talk about Jane Austen's novel, Emma, on Sunday, June 23 in the Massey Board Room at Belmont.   "The True Story of Box Hill, or What's a Nice Girl Like Emma doing in a Place Like That?" was the provocative title Dr. Murray gave to his talk which proved to be a little provocative itself!   Twenty six JASNA members enjoyed Dr. Murray's presentation which was liberally illustrated with his own photos of Box Hill as well as other slides to illustrate points about the setting, characters, etc. in Emma.   Following the presentation, JASNA members walked to Belmont's Presidential Garden, an intimate courtyard shaded by trees and various plantings to enjoy a potluck picnic lunch.  Besides fruits, salads and desserts, Jo Ann Staples shared special delicacies mentioned in Emma  (Stilton cheese, butter, celery and beets).
Caroline Davis's tasty mini-cupcakes and Yvonne Boyer's cream-filled dates were also desserts which would have gotten "rave reviews" from Miss Bates had she been fortunate to attend.

Dr. Douglas Murray entertains as well as instructs JASNA

members about Box Hill.

Debbie Carroll and her daughter are all smiles as they wait for the 

lecture to begin.

Summer Event in Springfield, TN: "Dressing Mr. Darcy"

"What Jane Saw" Provides a Virtual Time Travel Experience for Janeites

To get inside the "What Jane Saw" virtual exhibit, click here.

When my JASNA friends Caroline Davis and Paula Covington both recently e-mailed me about a Jane Austen-related Internet exhibit, I knew that it must be something special...and it was!  If you have any interest in what paintings Jane Austen may have seen at a London exhibit on May 24, 1813, you don't have to go any farther than clicking on the link just below the watercolor image of the art gallery (see above).  From that point, you will enter into an ambitious online exhibit called "What Jane Saw."  This website, produced by Janine Barchas, an associate professor of English at the University of Texas at Austin, allows modern day viewers to wander through a reconstruction of paintings by Sir Joshua Reynolds that were on display for Austen and her contemporaries to see in 1813.  Besides Austen, Lord Byron and the Prince Regent were part of the crowd who viewed these paintings at this early "blockbuster" exhibit.

6th Annual Jane Austen Festival in Louisville is Coming Soon!