Have You Met Jane?

Have You Met Jane?

 “Know your own happiness. You want nothing but patience – or give it a more fascinating name, call it hope.” — Sense and Sensibility

            My pulse quickened as we approached Winchester Cathedral. We stood on the path that lead to it massive doors, and I paused. I imagined it’s what the entrance to heaven would look like; veiled by trees, with a grand edifice beyond that long walk.

            “You can’t see the cathedral through the trees.” I joked.

            It was a nervous joke, but also true. I could see old headstones in the churchyard, but not the cathedral itself. I took a photo, and thought, “This must be what it looks like to pass beyond the veil.”

 

            My friend, who served as tour guide, is a fellow Lindsey Stirling fan, so she will have got the reference.

            We continued our walk, and I thought to myself, “I’m going to meet Jane.”

            I dressed up for the occasion; navy blue trousers, and my “map shirt.” It depicts antique maps of the British and French coastlines, respectively. I once had a set of pens that matched it, now lost. I also wore the most paisley of ties, though it may have been a bit too loud for the occasion. Still, I wanted to look my best.

            We talked for a bit, and then became silent. I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I’d be. It was more a sense of honor that I felt, rather than jitters. Still, I grew a bit excited as the cathedral loomed over us.

            It is massive.

            Much larger than I expected.

            The photo you see here shows the imposing stature of Winchester Cathedral. I couldn’t believe I was finally seeing it after all these years.

            We entered, and I immediately saw a display commemorating Jane Austen. There were banners all over Bath and Winchester; as this was the 200^th anniversary of her passing. But our exploration did not begin with her grave. I wanted to save that for last. We started with various tombs of bishops, and even a crusading knight. The shrine of St. Swithin, patron saint of weather (and former bishop of Winchester) was on display. I took photos of that as well, and remarked, “The first time I’d heard of St. Swithin was in an episode of The Simpsons.” It’s the same one where Bart spoof’s the Hitchcock classic Rear Window. But, I came to associate St. Swithin with Winchester when I discovered Jane Austen. I’m thankful for that association as well.

            The legend that it will rain for forty nights if it rains on his feast day was recounted on his shrine. The first I’d heard of it was in Jane’s juvenile writings. Oddly enough his feast day is July 15^th, just three days before Jane’s passing. She wrote a satirical poem about it; one in which the revered saint gets his revenge on the less pious residents, by making it rain during a horse race.

            “Shift your races as you will. it shall never be dry! The curse upon Venta is July in showers!”—When Winchester Races. Written on July 15^th, 1817.     

    

Just a side note, King Canute and Queen Emma of Normandy were laid to rest here as well. Their bones lie in ossuaries which were placed on railings above a side chapel; the former site of Old Minster in Winchester. I knew what they boxes were without reading the signs. I’d seen photos of ossuaries before, but hadn’t seen one in person until now. Canute was the king that challenged the sea, and lost. He couldn’t stop the tide, no king can. William II was also laid to rest here. But it’s Emma of Normandy who I think garners the most interest. She was married to two kings of England; Aethelred the Unready, as well as Canute. She was also the mother of Edward the Confessor; whose tomb I visited in Westminster Abbey. He was crowned at Winchester over a thousand years ago.

This was also where Bloody Mary Tudor married Philip of Spain. But, her sister Elizabeth was much more charismatic, so, history doesn’t care much for the former. That, and Bess was much better looking. Her forehead wasn’t all high and boney like Mary. 

              After a sojourn to the crypt, we made our way to the tomb of someone very special to me, and millions of others. I felt it fitting that she should be laid to rest among kings, queens, and saints.

            “There’s where Jane Austen is buried.” My friend and guide Justine had said, as she pointed ahead. 

            I paused for a moment, and then approached her grave. There were some tourists nearby, and some docent at the cathedral was talking to them, but they didn’t tarry for long. I stepped up to her grave, and instantly had a flashback.

            I remembered the first time I’d read her epitaph. It was in a special Oxford edition of Persuasion, which I still have. Seeing her tombstone was very different from that. As a friend later remarked, “This made her real to you.”

            It did.

            I saw myself as a teenager again, reading her work for the first time. Emma was the first of her novels I’d read. I studied the annotations in the back of that book, and made a thorough reading of it, before I moved onto Pride and Prejudice. It was watching the adaptation starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth that first introduced me to her work. I looked her up on the then high-tech Encarta encyclopedia, and had printed out that famous portrait of her we’ve all seen, and kept it in my bedroom on my dresser.

            Most teenage guys had photos of pinups, or rock stars on their walls. I had Jane Austen. I guess my tastes were more refined, even back then. All joking aside, she was, and still is a different kind of celebrity crush. Intelligence, wit, talent, and charm go much further than glam. I firmly believe that smart is sexy. Nothing enchants me more than brilliance and sweetness combined. I think it’s for all these reasons that all Janeites love her so much. 200 years later, and she hasn’t lost any of her charm. That says something beyond words.

            I used to imagine what her voice sound like as I read her novels. I pictured her reading them aloud. I studied her words, and even made a glossary of them. It was then that I learned to study the language, as well as use it. If it wasn’t for her, I probably wouldn’t know how to write at all, as she was the one that I turned to for English comp. Douglas Adams inspired me to become a writer. But it was Jane Austen that taught me how to write.

            The flashback ended, and I was in the present again.

            I couldn’t believe that after all this time I finally stood next to her. I imagined what she must look like, based on the portraits we have of her (more about that later). I then imagined what she must have looked like in her coffin, but not morbidly. I just pictured her asleep, not dead. I turned my thoughts away from that, because I wanted to picture her alive. I had read her works, and read so much about her. This was the closest I’d ever get to meeting her in this life. I felt I might cry a little, but held it in. Still, my eyes watered a little bit, and not just because I’d worn my contacts.

            Some German tourists formed a circle around her grave, and were given a brief presentation of Jane’s life. I took some photos, and then looked at the various items on display. I took a few snaps of the brass memorial plaque, which was installed by her family. I then noticed the ledge where one could lay flowers. I chastised myself a little bit over that. I’d wanted to lay flowers on her grave, but knew I couldn’t cover the tombstone. Still, one could (and did) lay a floral arrangement under the brass plaque. Next time, I will leave the brilliantly colored Jane Austen roses near her tomb.

            I saw first editions of Emma and Northanger Abbey. I then saw a poem Jane had written, mourning the loss of Mrs. Lefroy. It was an actual manuscript written by her! I could read her handwriting! It was the most beautiful script I’d ever seen. I also saw the burial registry for Winchester, with her name and age written in it. Though the date of her death was incorrect, as the description in the case made note. It also noted that burials in the cathedral ceased in the late 19^th century. Well, there go my plans to get bricked up near her. That being said, her tombstone looked almost knew. It even sparkled. Not even the tombs in Westminster Abbey looked this good. I also noticed that no one stepped on her tomb, save for one person who wasn’t looking. I resisted the urge to say, “Show some respect!” It was as if everyone went out of their way to be respectful. I was thankful for that.

    

             Finally, after the tourists had walked away, I returned to her tomb. My friend stepped away for a little bit as well. I got to spend a few moments alone at the grave. I stood in quiet contemplation, and just let my emotions run through me. I couldn’t think of anything to say. I noticed there was a condolence/memory book nearby. In the words of Jane herself, “Sometimes it is better to write than to talk.” So, I found the words, and wrote them down. I won’t say what I wrote in that book, that’s for Jane to know. But what I did write was brief, yet profound. How do you encapsulate so many feelings into a few sentences? Jane Austen knew how to do that. Her, “little bits of ivory,” as she called them served as inspiration.

            Before we left, there was a moment of silence for the victims of the Manchester and London attacks. The Lord’s Prayer was recited, and I recited along with it. You don’t forget that sort of thing, but I wanted to make sure I got it right in the presence of a parson’s daughter. I’m sure she would have approved.

A first edition of Emma. Above; the mourning poem for Mrs. Lefroy. First editions of Persuasion, and Northanger Abbey. Emma was the first Jane Austen novel I'd read. 

            Justine then said to me, “I can show you a house Jane Austen lived in. But we can’t go inside. People live there.”

            Only the house in Chawton, where Jane completed her novels, is open to the public. That is the home of the Jane Austen museum. Several artifacts from her life, including her writing table are on display Though there is also a residence in Bath (I believe the one at Sydney Place) which is available as a holiday let.

            As for the yellow house on College Street…

            “There used to be a sign in front that said, ‘This is not a museum!’” Justine remarked.

            I read the blue plaque outside, which you can see in the photo below, which I snapped quickly. 

            It was the house where Jane died.

            I looked at the window (the bay one, on the left) where she saw her final sunrise.

            I’ll let her sister, Cassandra, tell the story.

            “I cannot say how soon afterwards she was seized again with the same faintness, which was followed by the sufferings she could not describe; but Mr. Lyford had been sent for, had applied something to give her ease, and she was in a state of quiet insensibility by seven o'clock at the latest. From that time till half-past four, when she ceased to breathe, she scarcely moved a limb, so that we have every reason to think, with gratitude to the Almighty, that her sufferings were over. A slight motion of the head with every breath remained till almost the last. I sat close to her with a pillow in my lap to assist in supporting her head, which was almost off the bed, for six hours; fatigue made me then resign my place to Mrs. J. A. for two hours and a-half, when I took it again, and in about an hour more she breathed her last.

I was able to close her eyes myself, and it was a great gratification to me to render her those last services. There was nothing convulsed which gave the idea of pain in her look; on the contrary, but for the continual motion of the head she gave one the idea of a beautiful statue, and even now, in her coffin, there is such a sweet, serene air over her countenance as is quite pleasant to contemplate.”—A letter to Frances Knight, Jane Austen’s niece. Dated July 18, 1817.

            While watching Lucy Worsley’s excellent Jane Austen: Behind Closed Doors documentary, I learned that Jane’s funeral procession headed down the same path we’d walked. It would make sense, as this would be the quickest way to arrive at Winchester cathedral. We’d walked the same stones that Jane herself had traversed in life, and in death.

            I had difficulty speaking afterwards, but managed to do something I’m normally not good at; making small talk. We then headed to Portsmouth, and the wreck of the Mary Rose.

            “Did you know Winchester was once the capitol of England, before London?” Justine remarked.

            “No,” I said. “I did not. Do you know the Latin for Winchester?”

            “No,” Justine replied.

            “Venta.” I said. “I learned that from verses that Jane Austen wrote.”      

    The burial registry with Jane's name and burial listed. 

           

So, you think the story ends here…

            It doesn’t.

            That’s how Jane was laid to rest. But what about how she lived?

            I booked my holiday in Bath specifically for that reason.

            When Jane’s father retired as rector of Steventon the Austen family moved to Bath. It was a fashionable resort town, even back then. Many traveled long distances to bath for its waters. Or, to attend the regular dances that were held in the Assembly Rooms. I’m happy to say that not much has changed since 1801. The town looks almost exactly as it did in Jane Austen’s time. She lived there for five years, and it’s easy to see why she loved it so much. I fell in love the second I exited the train. Those sand-colored Georgian buildings make one feel that they have stepped back in time. Sure, it’s a museum town, but people still live there! Even in the Royal Crescent there’s people living! Bath itself feels alive. I love that feeling.

            It’s believed that the good Reverend Austen, and his wife Cassandra, felt Bath would do their daughters good. They were both in their mid-twenties at the time, and still unmarried. Back then a woman was a considered a spinster if she’d not wed by age twenty-five. The Austen sisters found life in Bath enjoyable, but somewhat difficult. Though by modern standards they’d both be considered young, and about right for marriage, the local men may have thought differently.

Things became even more difficult for the two sisters after their father died. From that point on, they needed support from Jane’s older, and successful brothers. Her writing career hadn’t taken off yet, and so Jane wasn’t in the position yet to support herself, or her family. It was a time when there were few opportunities for women, and so monetary relief was scarce. There was a handsome pension that Rev. Austen drew. But his death meant that no further pension would be drawn.

           Of interest to fellow Austen fans is that her father is buried at St. Swithin’s Walcott. It was also the church where Jane’s parents were married. Unfortunately, I did not make it to the church on time. I secretly chided myself for this. However, it gives me a good excuse to return to Bath. There’s always much more to see.

            The Austen ladies moved from Sydney Street, to lodgings at No. 25 Gay Street (just a few doors down from the Jane Austen Centre at No. 40 Gay Street).

So that brings me to the Jane Austen Centre. It should also bring you to the Centre, as it’s absolutely charming.

Outside is a statue of a woman in Regency dress. She looks contemplative, and stares off into the distance. As I traveled uphill to Gay Street, I counted the door numbers, in search of No. 40. When I saw the women and men in Regency costume, I then realized that finding it wouldn’t be a problem.

No. 40 is a charming townhouse, similar to No.25, where Jane, Cassandra, and Mrs. Austen had once lived. Since No. 25 is a private residence, it’s off limits. However, the staff at the Jane Austen Centre chose their location well. It’s exactly to the same specifications as the former residence. Could you imagine living in any one of the houses where Jane and her family had lived? Every moment would feel as if you’d walked into a world gone by, and never left.

The charming young ladies that work at the Centre all wore Regency dresses. Each wore a name tag with a character name on it from Jane’s novels; for example, the young woman that guided my tour was dressed as Georgiana Darcy (sister of Mr. Darcy). I found this to be a brilliant idea, as it helped to bring Jane Austen’s world to life.

The talk she gave was in an upstairs room, decorated to mimic a school room. Myself, and the others in my group, sat on a bench in front (similar to a church pew), and listened to Miss Darcy’s presentation. Portraits of Jane and her family decorated the classroom wall, and we were taught a brief presentation on the life of Jane Austen. I found our presenter to be both personable, and knowledgeable. As you’ll see in a moment, there were things she knew that I hadn’t heard before.

After the biographical presentation, came a visit to the portrait gallery. It was here that we were shown the new ten pound note, featuring Jane’s likeness. I can’t tell you how excited I am to see that (it begins circulation in September. The release date is July 18^th). The image on that note is based on the best-known portrait we have of Jane. As Miss Darcy had mentioned, this black and white portrait was painted fifty years after Jane’s passing. It was based on the sketch painted by Cassandra, which remained unfinished.

As our guide had said, “The original is about the size of a postcard. It’s in the National Portrait Gallery in London. Though it’s currently on display in Winchester Cathedral.”

How did I miss that?

“The sketch was unfinished.” She said. “Because her family saw it, and said, ‘This looks nothing like Jane!’ So, Cassandra became discouraged, and never finished it. I have to accept that these two portraits are the closest we’ll ever get to knowing what Jane Austen looked like. Though, we do have a realistic wax figure in the next room, which is based on descriptions of Jane, and these two portraits.”

We were encouraged to ask questions, and so I did. I stayed on after the rest of the group departed, and talked with Miss Darcy.

“I was wondering about this portrait. I’ve heard much about it in recent years.” I said.

I pointed to the portrait of an adorable young woman, possibly in her early teens. She’s clad in a white dress, and holding an umbrella. She’s smiling sweetly, and has a wind-swept and adventurous look about her.

“Oh, this is called The Rice Portrait.” She said. “It’s named for the family that owns the portrait. It’s believed to be Jane Austen as a child. Oh, forgive me. I should ask first, ‘What do you know about this portrait?’”

I then replied, “Well, all I know is that some Jane Austen fans believe it to be authentic, while others are not so sure. There’s a lot of controversy about it.”

“Yes, there are historians that say it may not be Jane; but that it may be one of her nieces, as she does resemble her. Historians say that because of the style of dress, it was current with the clothing Jane would have worn. The dress has the ‘empire’ line. The material appears to be muslin.” Miss Darcy said. “Have you heard of the actress Anna Chancellor?”

“Yes, I was just about to say…”

Anna Chancellor is a great-grand niece of Jane; being a descendant of her brother, Edward Austen-Knight. She’s also the daughter of famed broadcaster John Chancellor. Coincidentally, Ms. Chancellor is also related to the late Lord Asquith, and by extension Helena Bonham Carter. Imagine that family tree! A well-known character actress in her own right, Chancellor played Caroline Bingley in the best-known adaptation of Pride and Prejudice (the one with Jennifer Ehle as Lizzie Bennett, and Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy.  Footnote: He became THE Mr. Darcy as a result of this. Portraits of him are prevalent at the Centre)

 “She looks like Francis, Jane’s brother.” Miss Darcy remarked.

“It’s like a mirror image. The first time I saw her, and then compared her to the portrait. She looks exactly like Jane; the dark eye-brows, the high cheekbones. The dark eyes.”

“She looks like people in her family.” She then added, “In the next room, we have the wax figure, have you seen it?”

“Not yet,” I said. “I’m eager to.”

I then told her about my visit to The Mary Rose, and the similar reconstructions of the sailors there.

“They are built like rugby players.” I said.

“They would be short, and squat.” She said. “Probably from being below decks.”

“Most of them had scurvy or rickets as well.” I said.

I then asked, “How tall was Jane Austen?”

“She was quite tall, especially for her era.” Miss Darcy said. “I’m 5’7,” Jane was about 5-foot-ten.” 

            “Really?” I remarked.

“Yes, the people in her family were known to be tall.”

“You’re the same height as me.” I remarked. “Napoleon was actually the same height. So, he really wasn’t short—just average height.”

Then I reminisced about Shakespeare’s birthplace, and the height of the ceiling. (see entry on Stratford-Upon-Avon for details of this).

“One could not build out back then. So, they built up to show their wealth. The higher the ceiling, the more money you had.”

“Ah!” She remarked. “I did not know that.”

She then asked, “Where are you from?”

“Pennsylvania, USA” I said.

“Oh, there’s a Pennsylvania here. It’s just outside of Bath.”

“Really?” I asked.

“Yes,” Miss Darcy said. “All I know about Pennsylvania is the song Pennsylvania 6500.”

I briefly told her about the history of Pennsylvania; how William Penn’s father was owned money by King Charles II, but his majesty could not pay up. So, he was given land in America. Then Penn set sail to found a Quaker utopia. I did it all in less than two minutes! 

We made introductions, and talked for a bit. It turned out that her birthday was just three days before my own. She needed to return to work, and so I pressed on.

I saw the copies of shooting scripts for various adaptations of Jane Austen’s work; including one for Sense and Sensibility; which was accompanied by a nice tribute to the late Alan Rickman.

The next room I entered was made to look like Jane’s sitting room where she wrote. A writing desk similar to her own was on display. It sat on a recreation of the writing table Jane used. The actual one is at the house in Chawton.

Next to it was a rather tall, attractive woman. I nodded, and then smiled. I assumed it an actress in costume, and that she was about to deliver a reading of Jane’s work.

I thought to myself, “She really looks like Jane Austen.”

Yes, I was born yesterday. 38 years ago yesterday, to be exact. I realized I was looking at the wax figure. As you can see, it’s so lifelike, that you can easily mistake it for her the real Miss Austen.

  I admired the skill with which it was created. From her brunette hair, to the light freckles on her collarbones, I was astounded by the detail. I’d say more, but I’ll let the photos do the talking.

Just as Miss Darcy said, she is rather tall. To see Jane in real life, would have left quite an impression; both intellectually, and visually. 
The waxwork you see here was made by a forensic artist that has worked with the F.B.I. 

I mulled about the room, and examined curious pieces from the Regency period. Items such as daily utensils, and the like. Then I came to a writing desk, were one is allowed to use a quill and ink. It was a fun experience, one that I’d like to recreate. I’d even give it a go with Jane’s recipe for ink.

Yes, she made her own ink!

I met up again with Miss Darcy, who was kind enough to help me with the finer points of Regency men’s wardrobe.

As I put on the men’s shirt, I remarked, “It’s billowy!”

“It’s supposed to be.” She said.

It was surprisingly comfortable, and fit quite nicely. I had inquired what it would have been made of; the answer, linen.

“What else should you wear?” Miss Darcy pondered. “Ah, here we are.”

She then handed me a neckerchief, and instructed me on how to tie it. It’s not to be worn the way a modern tie is worn. Instead, it’s simply knotted. She helped me into a long coat, which was slightly large for me, but also comfortable. She then handed me a top hat, which I must admit, fit perfectly.

She scrutinized my look, and then added, “You need something else. Ah! A cane perhaps?”

She handed it to me, and then said, “Look at you! Perfect! You even wore the right color trousers! It's as if you knew you'd be here today.”

We had a bit of an impromptu fashion shoot, as she took my picture with my camera. She took three in all, and I struck different poses. This may sound weird, but I can’t tell you how appropriate it felt to wear that costume. As soon as I returned to my polo shirt and windbreaker I felt under-dressed. I don’t believe in reincarnation, but it felt like I was meant to wear that costume. It just felt right.

We chatted for a bit afterwards, then I departed.

But, before then, Miss Darcy had wished me a happy birthday. I did likewise for her, as her birthday had only been three days before my own.

I followed the map in the pamphlet I was given at the Centre. I used this to find my way to the Circus, and the Royal Crescent. Photos do it no justice. The Crescent is so large, that I could not fit it in a single frame of my camera. What astonished me even more is that people still live there! Yes, there is a museum attached to it, which I visited. But, The Crescent itself is still occupied. I was happy to see that. I was also happy to see that the Circus is still occupied by people. I marveled at the majestic Georgian structures, and thought to myself, “I can’t believe this place really exists. It does look like something from a novel, or a painting. But it’s all real.”

That night, I attended a play at the Theatre Royal. A lovely Georgian structure itself, it was built in 1805, a year before Jane left bath. It was rebuilt in 1863, and has been in use ever since.

The play that night was an adaptation of Emma. I was massively impressed with it. It made great use of a minimal set, with a circular platform around the center of the stage. The performance combined modern theater, with acting techniques that would have been familiar in Jane’s time. What impressed me most of the way in which dialogue from the novel was woven seamlessly into the dialogue the actors spoke. At some point, I need to write a complete review of it. It deserves its own entry. It only ran for a week, and I was lucky to get good seats on the spur of the moment.

That night, I returned to the B&B which I stayed at. I walked up the steps of the classic, Georgian building and to room number #11.

A simple Perspex plaque on the door read, Jane Austen.

I had no idea that was the room I’d be staying in while I visited Bath. I was grateful for it. While I had breakfast on the morning of my birthday, a familiar face greeted me, as her picture was placed on my table.

 “You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope...I have loved none but you.”

―Persuasion

I visited her grave on my birthday. Not out of some morbid curiosity, but out of love and admiration.

“In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”

―Pride And Prejudice

    I spent my birth in the company of two fine ladies. A friend that I’d met through my fandom of Lindsey Stirling. And one who I know in spirit.

         From the moment I first read her work, I knew I had to see her England. I needed to see the places where she lived, and where she died. Granted, I haven’t seen the house at Chawton yet, and there’s still a few more places I need to visit. Bath, Winchester, and Portsmouth are a fine beginning.

Most of all, I needed to pay homage to a woman I admire, and adore. We all love Jane Austen for various reasons; her wit, her talent, her skills as a novelist. Mostly, we love her because we can relate to her. Men and women can relate to her intelligence, and her humor. She is just as much a part of Britain’s past, as she is a part of its present. She was a modern career woman, one who forged her own path. Yes, she wanted love and marriage. While the latter didn’t happen for her, in a weird way, it didn’t need to. She could never belong to just one person, because we all love her. We see ourselves in her characters, and come to know ourselves through her words. I dreamed of giving back to her in some way, and perhaps I have. Though next time, I’ll bring flowers.

Like all Janeites, our love and admiration for her has kept her alive. 200 years after her death, and we are still reading her words. Her voice is alive, and always will be.

Her body lies in Winchester, yes. But she is very much alive. All one needs to do is pick up any one of her books, and you will hear the voice of Jane. 

I’ll let a famous Janeite have the last word. I should point out that I also saw this person’s final resting place when I visited Westminster Abbey last year. He is an author that needs little introduction.

Mr. Kipling, lately of the colony of India, has the floor.

Jane lies in Winchester — blessed be her shade!

Praise the Lord for making her, and her for all she made!

And while the stones of Winchester, or Milsom Street, remain,

Glory, love, and honour unto England’s Jane!

--Rudyard Kipling. Epigraph to “The Janeites.”

Text Copyright Riley Joyce 2017

Photos taken by Riley Joyce in Bath, and in Winchester, England. 2017

Sources

Sense and Sensibility 

Persuasion 

Pride and Prejudice 

The Collected Letters of Jane Austen, edited by Deidre LeFaye. 

Sites of Interest

The Jane Austen Centre in Bath

Bath Tourism Board (Official)

The Rice Portrait (Official Site)

Author's Note: I have since learned that Jane Austen's height would have been about five-foot-six-inches. The waxwork is built to such specifications as her approximate height, and body measurements. This is taller than the average woman at the time, who would normally be about 5-foot-two-inches. I do recall that the wax figure was almost at eye level with me. 
The comment about Jane's statuesque height may have been my misunderstanding, rather than misinformation. The people at the Centre are incredibly well-versed in Jane's life and times. I take responsibility if this is was misinterpreted by me.  
A Fellow Janeite has informed me that Jane would have had a graceful frame (such as the waxwork) and would have been slightly thinner than supermodel Kate Moss. The wax figure was based on both the portraits, and detailed accounts we have of Jane's appearance. The waxwork is the closest we have to a realistic depiction of Jane's looks. 
I learned at the Mary Rose site, that forensic artists have a high degree of accuracy in their work. Often, people who may have known a victim of violent crime, for example, are able to identify the person based on forensic recreations. 
Updated July 2nd 2017