A word from the right person may be a most material thing

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

I am at my desk about a deal of matters and can hear from my fine reception room where Mr G- D- and Miss L- go about rehearsing Mrs O- B- and her three fine buxom daughters, that also have exceeding fine voices, with a view to their performing at my drawing-room meeting for the optickal dispensary.

Mr H-, that is now return’d to Town, has communicat’d to me concerning a surgeon-apothecary for a dispensary for the lead-miners and their neighbours. Has supply’d to me the names of three fellows he thinks sound solid practitioners that are entirely suit’d to provincial practice; but was it up to him, would give the preference to one Mr R-, that takes an interest in the diseases of trades, of which there are known some several peculiar to lead-miners. Has a commendable expedition when operating, and has gone about to advance his skills by training in midwifery. Of his abilities in compounding, he knows not: but confides that he is a fellow of such abilities that he would be entirely what is want’d.

I have therefore desir’d Mr R- to send me his testimonials, that are indeed most prepossessing, and now go write to him to ask him to come see me, for I do not want to buy a pig in a poke without I have some observation of the fellow and his character.

Comes in Dorcas about some matters of household business, and when we have conclud’d these, pauses a moment, and says, about that matter of Mr van H-, she has gone meditate upon the proposal and spoke to Roberts. She is not sure in her mind whether 'tis a true guidance or a matter of superstition to go open a Bible with eyes clos’d and see on what verse her finger lands, but when she try’d this experiment ‘twas bless’d are the mercyfull, that seems to her a leading. (Well, thinks I, 'tis not the prohibition upon graven images or the shocking deaths of idolators, 'tis very well.)

I say that I will let Mr van H- know that she is mind’d to the matter, and does she wish to take one with her – for I know nothing adverse concerning Mr van H-, but 'tis better to be upon the side of caution - I daresay does Prue have her work for the day well under hand, she may accompany her.

Dorcas makes me a dip and leaves the room.

I seal my letter to Mr R- (sure I shall have extreme soon to go ask my Parliamentary friends to provide me with more frankt covers), and indite a little note to Mr van H-.

I mind me that I did not mention Lord P-'s desire to convoke with her when I late saw Lady J-, the matter having been quite entire driven from my mind by her own news. But this afternoon I go take Lady Anna and Emily to M- House to meet Viola, and I may have opportunity then to convey the matter to Lady J- (unless she is already set off for Hampshire).

I turn to various matters of the philanthropick set, and considering how uncharitable ladies that are not’d for charity may show to one another, when comes in Hector to say that there is a clergyman at the door, desires to see my Ladyship.

'Tis not the Reverend Mr A-, comes sneaking around again in hopes of alms now I am no longer a scarlet woman?

No, says Hector, is some youngish fellow, have not seen him around this neighbourhood.

Perchance 'tis a matter of some philanthropick enterprize, thinks I, and desire Hector to show him in, tho’ I do not bespeak any refreshment until I find out what be toward.

'Tis indeed a youngish fellow, a little chubby, and already going somewhat bald at the front.

I rise to greet him, and he reveals himself to me as the Reverend Mr L-, that is now incumbent in place of the Mad Marquess that was formerly Mr G-.

He says he learns from those excellent people the U-s that he has the Dowager Lady B- to thank for his preferment -

O, says I, 'twas nothing but a word to the present Lady B-, that took the matter in hand.

Even so, he says, he is a fellow with no interest that might have anticipat’d to live out his life as a curate: a word from the right person may be a most material thing.

I wave him into a chair and ring for Hector to go fetch some refreshment.

I ask what brings him to Town, for I confide that he did not come up from Surrey simply about a matter of gratitude.

He says, with the air of a man who finds himself in Paradise, that he goes visit booksellers, for now he has enough that he feels he may quite legitimate disburse a little upon books, of which he has quite sorely felt the lack. (Indeed, I daresay Mr G- did not have anything in the way of a fine clerical library.) Also, Mr U- has most exceeding kindly put him in the way of meeting some very fine Jewish scholars of Hebrew, 'twill be a most exceeding treat.

Celeste comes with coffee and some fine macaroons fresh from the oven that I daresay Euphemia goes impress Mrs O- B- and her brood with.

And, I say, I understood from the U-s that you were in hope of marrying?

He blushes a little and says, altho’ he does indeed hope for a helpmeet, and matrimony is entirely ordain’d within the English church, while he was a mere poor curate he felt it entire wrong to set his hopes upon any and 'twould be quite the cruellest thing to enter upon any understanding with a young woman when any prospect of being in a position to offer marriage was most exceeding distant. But indeed, he is no Romish priest that scorns the licit pleasures of wife and family.

He then looks up to the ceiling and says, is that singing?

Indeed, says I, 'tis Mrs O- B- and her daughters, that are very fine amateur singers, that go rehearse with an intention of performing at a drawing-room meeting I go hold for the benefit of the optickal dispensary.

He remarks that music is another pleasure that he has not enjoy’d this while, but now he is in charge of the parish, hopes to go about making something of the choir.

Do you care for music, says I, and have nothing else to occupy you this e’en, I have here a ticket for a subscription concert that I am unable to attend myself and I should be entire delight’d did I find one that might have the benefit of it.

O, he says, that is altogether too kind of you, Lady B-.

No, indeed, I feel some chagrin at having a place I may not use.

Why, he says, indeed it must be a disappointment to the performers to see empty seats, and sure 'twould be a most entire pleasure to me.

When he takes his leave, calling down blessings upon me (sure 'tis embarrassing), I also give him somewhat for charitable purposes in the parish.

I then go see how the rehearsal comes on.

I arrive as the musicians go refresh themselves with the very fine collation that Euphemia has spread for them (indeed I see there are macaroons along with oyster patties &C).

Mrs O- B- springs up, scattering crumbs, and tells her girls to make their curtesies to Lady B-. She then goes introduce them to me – for I had only glimps’d them at a distance thro’ the door beforehand: this is Charlotte, Cecilia, and Dorothy – Charley, Cissie, and Dodo.

They make most acceptable curtesies, 'tis entire a proof of the benefit of dancing lessons, and altho’ they blush a little behave quite proper, with no tittering or giggling or wriggling. Mrs O- B- looks at them very proud.

Excellent fine singers, all of them, says Mr G- D-. We come on most remarkable.

Excellent, says I, I can now go about arranging the drawing-room meeting. Miss L-, I confide that Meg F- will be entire ready to perform –

Miss L-, that is reaching for the last oyster patty, says, yes, indeed, has kept up her practice very conscientious all summer –

- 'tis therefore largely a matter of finding some time when Miss A- will not be taken up with rehearsal or other readings.

Miss A-? squeeks Cissie B-. Her sister Charley nudges her in the ribs.

Oh, that will be a treat, says Mrs O- B-, tho’ I cannot suppose that she is Lady B-'s superior in the matter of reading Shakspeare.

I sigh and say that I confide that 'twill demonstrate the gulph that exists 'twixt a competent amateur and a true professional.

But, says I, enough of that. You are happy about what you will sing, and this room, &C? Miss L-, you will be able to accompany? I should not like to put the matter upon young Meg, that is like to fret quite enough about her own performance.

’Twill be entire agreeable, says Miss L-. Accompaniment is a skill in itself.

I turn to Mr G- D- and say sure I think I have quite enough entertainment for one drawing-room meeting, but I am given to apprehend that Titus has expresst himself agreeable to a performance –

Mr G- D- nods – shows a very nice appreciation of his benefactress.

O, pooh, says I – and I confide that there will be other such occasions.

I see that Mrs O- B-'s girls look somewhat dreamy-ey’d at the mention of Titus. 'Tis probable just as well that they do not perform on the same occasion.