The appeal and fascination with author still endures

This year we celebrate 250 years since the birth of Jane Austen, with exhibitions and events in many parts of the country. Eugene Byrne, desperate to mention the anniversary, but equally desperate to write something about her local connections that's not already been in BT, offers Jane an idea for a story.

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THIS year it'll be Jane Austen's 250th birthday and a few places, Bath especially, are looking to boost tourism on the fascination that the author of such classics as Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Mansfield Park and more continues to exert.

Many people, especially women, still love these stories about young females living in a genteel world of refined etiquette and glamorous balls.

But it's also a world of limited choices, where all money and power is in the hands of men and making a suitable marriage is the principal focus of their lives.

There are many reasons for Austen's enduring appeal she was a shrewd observer of manners and character, she was funny, and modern sensibilities can easily read a feminist subtext into all her stories. For many, perhaps it's just escapism to a simpler and more romantic world.

There's one story from the periphery of Austen's life which offers us an intriguing might-have been. Perhaps if things had worked out differently, it might have made it into one of her novels or short stories.

Her uncle, James Leigh Perrot and aunt Jane Leigh Perrot lived at no. 1 Paragon in Bath, and she probably stayed with them on at least one of her visits to the city.

In 1799, Mrs Leigh Perrot was accused of "shop-lifting". Yes, the term was in use even then!

She had bought and paid for some black lace at a shop on the corner of Bath Street owned by a Miss Gregory.

Later that morning, she and her husband were passing the shop when Miss Gregory came out and accused her of stealing some white lace. Mrs Leigh Perrot was still carrying the package, and she now opened it for Miss Gregory to inspect.

A card of white lace was in it, along with the legally-purchased black lace.