We received two wonderful quotations about Jane Austen’s work from Alert Janeites this week.

Alert Janeite James sent us this, from David Traxel’s 1898: The Birth of the American Century, “a history of the year the Spanish-American War began,” wrote James. “On page 75, when the author is trying to establish what people were reading and doing in that turbulent year, he notes:”

An English writer of genius did enjoy a revival in 1898. There is, announced a writer in the New York Times, “a veritable Jane Austen renaissance.” At least part of that renewed interest came through a general longing for a society as stable as the one she depicted so well, and admiration of the model Austen provided of how proper young women should behave.

James added, “I though it was interesting how the Times first noticed that Jane was having a renaissance 110 years ago!!!”

And journalists are still finding Jane Austen’s popularity amazing! But how did they do it in 1898 without a wet-shirt shot?

Alert Janeite Paola sent us a bit of dating advice from the February issue of Glamour magazine’s UK edition’s Dos and Don’ts section:

“Recent research reveals that two-thirds of British people perceive readers of celebrity autobiographies to be physically unattractive. So if you plan to pull on your train journey home, leave Jade Goody and Kerry Katona’s life stories at home. Our tome of choice? Pride and Prejudice - nothing says, “I’m a classy lady, but I’m looking for love”, like a bit of Jane Austen.”

What were we just saying about using Jane as a litmus test for potential lovers? Faux Janeites never prosper!

Alert Janeite Amo spotted a photo of Gemma Arterton in costume as Elizabeth Bennet in Lost in Austen. They’re still saying it will be broadcast in spring…hmm.

There, that oughta raise some eyebrows.

Alert Cub Reporter Heather L. sent us a link to some new cross stitch designs at Heritage Crafts…”Charles” looks awfully familiar. And come to think of it, so does “Thomas,” in a way.

Spring is upon us, and many groups are planning Jane Austen festivals and special events. Check these out–one may be in your own neighborhood. And do remember to send in your local Jane Austen events!

The Jane Austen Festival starts today, April 17, in Canberra, and goes through Sunday, April 20. The event includes reticule and bonnet workshops, dance workshops, brunch and dinners, and a ball!

The Franklin Regional High School Thespians in Murrysville, PA (near Pittsburgh) will stage the Jon Jory adaptation of Pride and Prejudice this weekend, April 18 through 20. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the high school auditorium.

The Germantown Country Dancers will hold two “Dance With Jane Austen” English country dancing workshops in Merion Station, PA (near Philadelphia). The workshops are designed for those new to English country dancing and new dancers get free admission. The first workshop will be held on April 30, and the second on May 21.

JASNA’s Rochester and Syracuse regions are hosting a Super-Regional Conference called “iJane: Jane Austen in the Information Age” on May 3, 2008, at the Gleason Auditorium in the Central Library in downtown Rochester, NY. Tickets are $27 for JASNA members and $32 for non-members, which includes lunch. Full disclosure: the Editrix will have her share in the conversation. The following day, the second annual Jane Austen Ball will be held at the Cutler Union Ballroom of the Memorial Art Gallery on University Avenue in Rochester. Dance workshops will be held from 10 a.m. to noon, and the ball itself from 2 to 5:30 p.m.

JASNA’s Southern Arizona Region will host their fourth annual Jane Austen Day on June 7 with the theme of Emma.

(And don’t forget to check out JASNA’s Regional Events page for information about upcoming regional events.)

Claire Harman will speak about her forthcoming book, Jane’s Fame: How Jane Austen Conquered the World, for Friends of Farnham Museum, South Farnham School, Farnham, Surrey. Tickets are £8.

As always, if you attend any of these events, we would love a report. Thanks to Alert Janeite Vicki for several of these links.