A LETTER from Jane Austen to her brother Francis ‘Frank’ has gone on display at Jane Austen’s House Museum.

The verse letter was sent by Jane Austen to her brother Francis William Austen on the occasion of the birth of his second child and first son, also named Francis William.

Referring to her brother as “dearest Frank”, Jane writes joyfully on how she hopes that the baby boy will grow to resemble her brother; “may he inherit, Thy warmth, nay insolence of spirit”.

Jane was writing from her new home at Chawton on July 26, 1809, and tells Frank of her happiness in having settled there. Along with her mother, sister and close friend, Jane had moved back to Hampshire just a few weeks prior to writing.

Thanks to the help of Jane’s brother Edward Knight, they were to reside in this cottage permanently after a period spent in insecure and temporary lodgings.

The manuscript on display is Jane Austen’s personal copy which she kept as a record of the verses. It is written in her hand. The letter that was sent to Francis in China is held at the British Library.

Also on display at the Museum is Francis’s first edition copy of Emma which was published at the beginning of 1816. This is one of 12 presentation copies given by Jane to her family.