It's been said before I think that Jane had her sense of humour from her mother. Yes Mrs Austen can be funny, and sometimes her
verses are as good as Jane's if not better. Here's a comparison.

Martha Lloyd's mother had died and the mourning-wear had been delayed from the dressmaker a Miss Green. Jane and her mother tried to chear her up a little by writing verses to her.

Jane offered 'Lines supposed to have
been sent to an uncivil Dressmaker':

'Miss Lloyd has now sent to Miss Green,
As on opening the box, may be seen,
Some yards of a Black Ploughman's Gauze,
To be made up directly, because
Miss Lloyd must in mourning appear
For the death of a Relative dear -
Miss Lloyd must expect to receive
This license to mourn & to grieve,
Complete, ere the end of the week -
It is better to write than to speak.'

And Mrs. Austen provided 'Miss Green's reply':

'I've often made clothes
For those who write prose,
But 'tis the first time
I've had orders in rhyme.
Depend on't, fair Maid,
You shall be obeyed;
Your garment of black
will sit close to your back,
And in every part
I'll exert all my art;
It shall be the neatest
And eke the completest
That ever was seen -
Or my name is not Green!'

Mrs Austen I feel was one generation too early. If not she could have been a writer too.

Leif G-n