Amid a 1796 heat wave, Jane Austen wrote to her sister, “What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance.” This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “Jane Austen’s Continual State of Inelegance in a 1796 Heat Wave”
In seventeen ninety-six, Jane Austen wrote a letter to her sister talking about a heat wave that had come through their town, and she wrote, What dreadful hot weather we have.
It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance.
I just love that, you know, I’m sure she didn’t sweat.
And then she glowed.
Then she fainted.
It’s just too much for her womanliness.
But I wonder, given that she was British, what hot temperatures were to her, because I I laugh when I hear British announcers on on sporting tournaments talk about the heat wave and it’s like 80 degrees.
What are you talking about?
That’s normal.
I know, I know, but the last time I was there it was in the Yeah, I’ll give you that.
That’s a heat wave.
But eighty no, thanks.
That’s not a heat wave.
It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance.
I just love that.
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