An antient favourite is come to Town

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

Lord D- I think has not taken against me as I fear’d he might do: sure I confide that it commend’d me to him that I went to church with the company on Sunday and show’d myself entire absorb’d in my devotions - for indeed I consider it exceeding poor ton to go fidget and whisper and gossip and look about one in church – and then go listen most attentive while he expounds to me upon the unsound theology of the sermon.

Being Sunday, he does not go fishing, tho’ I think he regrets this a little, for Mr L- J- has remarkt, with a very great sigh, that 'tis quite a perfect day to be after trout, before going promenade with Mrs L- J- about the gardens. Instead he walks up and down the terrace with me and with Lady D-, talking about politicks and reforms and good causes.

He also opens his concerns about shooting - sure, it is not mere idle pleasure, because the pheasants &C will go be eaten, but he is not at all sure about the harmlessness of taking pleasure in slaughter.

Indeed, says I, 'tis not like badger-baiting or dog-fighting, but, I continue (for indeed I have heard Milord discourse upon this many a time), does not the preservation of game lead to much suffering in the interests of providing sport for gentlemen?

He stands still and says, Sure, that is something one should think about. Of course his father has never been much concern’d over preserving game and he confides that the keepers on the estate are an idle lot as a result, and are there poachers he dares say they operate quite with impunity, which is somewhat deleterious as showing disregard for law. But, indeed, Lady B-, you give me somewhat to consider.

O, says I, 'tis merely that I hear what the gentlemen of my set talk of: I daresay you will know that Lord G- R- turn’d off one of his keepers for setting man-traps.

Lady D- says that sure setting dogs to fight one another is most exceeding cruel. And did I hear about that gang of rogues that went about stealing dogs and demanding ransom with threats of cutting off their tails &C? What a terrible thing to be sure.

Lord D- looks upon her very indulgent and says that his dear Theodora has the softest heart, her sensibility is quite immense. Lady D- blushes.

Do you have a dog, Lady D-?

She sighs a little and says no. I think she would like one. Perchance pets are another of the matters to which Lord D- has objections.

Sure I think I have made some agreeable acquaintance among my fellow-guests at Lord T-'s: I grow yet fonder of Agnes S- and take thought to promote her interest among a good set in Society. I am on most amiable terms with Lady G- and Mrs L- J- in particular among the other guests, and will of a certain go call when all are back in Town, send 'em cards for my drawing-room meeting, &C. There are some several others that are of the philanthropick set that are now better known to me.

Lady T- continues to demonstrate great favour towards me – we have had a fine conclave about her work on the lace of the ladies of the T- family, during which she praises my apprehension of matters to do with publishing, as when I remark that one would desire a volume of a good large size, none of your quartos or octavos, but a fine folio, tool’d leather binding with some gold-leaf upon it, fine plates &C. I also go about to advize her a little on the organization of her most interesting account.

She commends my exquisite taste and presents me with some very fine lace of her own making (I think I shall go see can it be made up into a fan), and when we are saying our farewells, surprizes me and I think the rest of the company by kissing me most exceeding amiable.

Mr Miles O’N- has remarkt to me that Lady B- needs no St George, for she is clearly a fine hand at taming dragons to come eat out of her hand. He has been making exceeding civil to me throughout these days but has a general flirtatious manner in talking to ladies so I make very little of it; does he show any inclination to grow warmer I start speaking of Mrs O’C- and how much she will like hearing about old acquaintance from happyer days.

Altho’ I had had a deal of admiring glances from the other gentlemen of the party, and have never want’d for partners when there is dancing of an e’en, there have been no troublesome attentions. But indeed, if gentlemen are out all day shooting birds, they are not so bor’d that they will go engage in idle flirtation to pass the time as will occur in other house-parties where they are not so occupy’d.

But indeed I am glad when 'tis time to return home, for I have not been able to behave with the ease that I might among old friends, but had to comport myself exceeding carefull.

Tho’ sure I am quite Dido in the ruins of Carthage when I return to Town and find that all of my usual set are away, on their estates or about making visits, 'tis quite lowering to the spirits.

Since I remain so short a while in Town before going away once more, I thought it best to leave my dear Jezzie-girl still kicking up her heels in Northamptonshire, but I somewhat regret this, for I should greatly like to take a ride in the Park.

I sigh, take a sip of the fine cooling sherbert that Euphemia has brought to me, and start looking at the pile of letters and cards that lyes upon my pretty desk.

I am not got far into the pile when I discover a note from Major W-, that writes that he is very late come to Town, having return’d on furlough from Upper Canada about some family matters – his elder brother lately dy’d, leaving a minor heir, and naming Major W- one of the trustees. Tho’, he writes, his widow’d sister-in-law is a fine prudent creature that only occasional requires any masculine guidance, so he does not suppose that he will have to sell out and leave the Army in order to act the guardian.

But he is oblig’d to come to Town about some business of his late brother’s estate, wishfull to spare the widow the trial of the journey from Northumberland and the unhealthfullness of Town at this season: so, while he quite appreciates that the lovely C- is now in a quite different position, 'twould give him quite immense pleasure to take me driving, exchange news, &C. He hears a little from his cousin about matters go in their circle, and purposes to go visit them for a little before he returns to the frozen realms.

Why, thinks I, 'twould be most agreeable to see him once more, and thank him in person for the very fine bear-skin he sent me. So I indite a little note and dispatch it with Timothy to leave at his club.

Thus, the next day, I go drive out with Major W- as I have not this long while and we exchange our news. Sure Canada may be exceeding cold in the winter, but 'tis a bracing cold, he confides. And most excellent hunting. Perchance he will go settle there in due course.

He goes on to say how chang’d is his cousin: the devot’d husband and father, quite a coming man in Parliament – do I ever hear from the former Miss G-? He hears she marry’d most exceeding well in Russia and goes around clad in fine sables.

So 'tis give out, says I, but I have some concern – for I hear only indirect news of her – that her husband is in great disfavour with the Tsar for his views on reform and I am in quite extreme fear that he will be sent to Siberia.

Shocking thing, says Major W-. But she was always one that favour’d risque. Lord, I remember her at the gaming tables, casting down her bracelet when all else was lost.

Indeed, says I, she was never one for a quiet life. (Which is quite entire true of my dearest Abby.)

He goes on to remark upon Biffle’s most sudden second marriage – hears she is an excellent fine-looking young woman – and is’t really true that his sister has gone and marry’d Admiral K-?

Sure, says I, 'twas quite the romance, and tell him the story.

Sure there is something quite agreeable in being with a fellow that does not most immediate imagine that I must be most distresst by this turn of events, and wearing the willow, and suppose he needs to console me.

Indeed, Major W- is a very amiable fellow and most exceeding well-set-up, but he is not not’d for his wit or apprehension.

After we have driven in the Park, and remarkt upon the lack of any Society we know, I invite him in to take a little port or brandy such as Mr H-'s Sussex friends continue to supply. This extends to his joining me for a nice little supper.

And, sure, 'tis a while since I have paid Aphrodite her dues, and Major W- is an old favourite who was ever an agreeable partner in such endeavours, and moreover will not be lingering in Town but returning to Upper Canada once he has paid his duty visit to Sir B- W-, and so matters fall out as they were ever wont.

Comments

[kore]

Do you have a dog, Lady D-?
She sighs a little and says no. I think she would like one. Perchance pets are another of the matters to which Lord D- has objections.

Man, someone needs to push Lord D- in the lake next time he goes fishing or something. He has all the makings of a petty tyrant.

Mr Miles O’N- has remarkt to me that Lady B- needs no St George, for she is clearly a fine hand at taming dragons to come eat out of her hand.

TRUE STORY

while he quite appreciates that the lovely C- is now in a quite different position, 'twould give him quite immense pleasure to take me driving, exchange news, &C.

Aww!

I have some concern – for I hear only indirect news of her – that her husband is in great disfavour with the Tsar for his views on reform and I am in quite extreme fear that he will be sent to Siberia.

OMG

Lord, I remember her at the gaming tables, casting down her bracelet when all else was lost.

ME TOO

[davidgillon]

It seems there's a good man struggling to find his way out from Lord D's moral conservative, but Lord the man would have made Puritans feel decadent.

Paying Aphrodite her dues? Makes a change from being ever Venus' votaress ;)

ETA: Also reassuring to see Major W has not been eaten by a bear!