Ladies may find much enjoyment in developing their minds

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

I ensure that my carriage is well-supply’d both with cushions and with several metal boxes of coals, for has of a sudden become exceeding chill, and desire Ajax to take me to N- House.

I am in a little doubt whether Lady N- will be inclin’d to this excursion, but I find her well-wrappt up waiting for me, with a stout footman ready to lift her in.

O, say she, 'tis such a refreshment to my spirit that I should not wish to cry off.

I should not, says I, wish to be the means by which you became entire done-up.

She gives a little snort and says she is a poor feeble creature, but there are matters for which 'tis worth paying that price.

Sure there is a little colour in her pale cheeks.

She leans forward to look out of the window. She sighs, and says sure she misses the bustle of Town life, living so quiet as she is oblig’d. She could quite envy her girls, with their theatre-parties and this ridotto and the lively way they go on. 'Tis a dull life living in two rooms.

O, she goes on, they are dear good creatures and come visit their mama daily or more, tell me of their adventures, but I could wish to be able to go about with 'em.

We drive through the Park and a little more generally about Town before I think she goes look a little weary, and we turn back to N- House. She quite beseeches me to come in and take tea, saying she sees so little company. (Sure I must go prevail upon my connexion to come call upon her.) So I concede.

She is carry’d to her sopha, where Selina quite immediate jumps up to her to complain of neglect. Lady N- rings for tea, and then goes assure Selina that indeed she is not scorn’d.

Lady N- is most curious to hear from me the true tale concerning Lord D-'s most improper behaviour and his coming to a better frame of mind; sure Geoff came home quite wild about the matter but suppos’d that there was no use in offering to challenge a canting hypockrite like that? but had heard a story of some German fellow that offer’d insult to Lady B-, and was soundly horsewhippt by her friends for his presumption.

O dear, says I. 'Twas not only myself that the fellow insult’d: had been coarse to a great number of entirely decent women, such as musicians that were oblig’d to put up with him out of professional considerations; and also grossly slander’d Lady J-.

I give a little smile and say, sure 'tis not known who the fellows were that took such vengeance: but I have known Admiral K- this long while – if not so long as Lady J-! – and he would ever propose horse-whips did he hear of some low fellow acting vulgar towards women.

O, cries Lady N-, is that not a most romantick tale about Lady J- and the Admiral?

I smile at her. Do your girls, I ask, take lessons from Fraulein H-? most excellent young woman, brother a fine flautist, supports the family by giving lessons and undertaking correspondence for those that deal with merchants in those parts, does a little translation &C. Was engag’d to that Bavarian wretch but threw him over when this business came out.

Lady N- looks down and says that Lord N- considers that girls need enough learning to read and write and compose civil letters, and a little knowledge of arithmetic, but does not hold with these modern notions of teaching 'em languages and the higher mathematicks and astronomy - Miss Herschel may be an entire excellent woman but what does a girl need with knowledge of constellations and comets?

But then, she continues, my little Lou comes in and tells me of all the matters Bess F- goes study, and Dodo B-'s singing lessons, and I fear that my girls are growing up uninstruct’d and lacking in accomplishments.

(I do not say that that perchance 'tis assum’d that their high birth – and indeed, they also have very pleasing looks – will help them to husbands.)

I remark that sure I am a sad uneducat’d creature: learnt my letters by copying parts for actors, and my numbers out of matters of theatre receipts. But seems to me that among my circle there are a deal of ladies that find much enjoyment in study and the development of their minds: there is Lady J- that will regard reading a little Greek quite in the light of recreation, and Her Grace that is most passionately fond of studying languages - even learnt a little Turkish from His Grace; and Lady T- that not only makes exceeding fine lace but studies its history; and Sir B- W- will ever be boasting of his clever wife.

Indeed, she sighs, I try to enter into Lord N-'s interests, by helping with his hortus siccus and such, but sure I never had any fine education.

I look about the room and come to an apprehension of something missing.

I am surpriz’d, says I, Lord N- being such an enthusiast of flowers, that you have none in the room. Perchance you are one of those that will sneeze, and find her eyes stream, if you come too close to flowers?

Indeed, she says, looking about her, 'twould greatly relieve the tedium of living as mew’d up as I do, did I have a fine show of flowers to look upon, that were not dessicat’d specimens. Tho', sure, she adds, scratching Selina behind her ear, I daresay this naughty puss would be about knocking 'em to the floor and fighting with 'em.

This leads me into an account of Dandy and Pounce, with a few anecdotes of Mittens; and thence to Josh’s menagerie.

She exclaims that sure the F-s are quite originals.

And then there is a little tap on the door and comes in Lord Geoffrey, that makes most unconvincing claims of surprize at finding me with his mama, as he makes an exceeding polisht leg.

Says that he is glad to hear that that little scrub came up to scratch and did the proper thing: one could observe that Miss S- was most extreme upset over the matter.

How go your theatrickals? I ask.

Why, he says, they come to an apprehension of how much they have to learn now they have the advantage of Miss A-'s instruction, and confide that they should not trouble an audience, however indulgent, just yet.

His mother smiles. Alas, she says, I daresay then we shall not welcome your brothers back with a fine performance.

Sure, he says, I think they would go mock us quite extreme did we do so. 'Tis a pity, he goes on, that there is no prospect that they will back in time for the Contessa’s ridotto. I suppose you will be going, Lady B-?

Indeed, says I, the Contessa and I became the fastest of friends when I visit’d Naples, and was long a dear friend to the late Marquess.

MacD- says he was a great loss to the study of antiquity, tho’ at least his fine collections are now in the British Museum?

'Tis so, says I, tho’ of course I was unable to enter into his activities in that direction. (I mind me that 'tis some time since I had word from Marcello: pray he has not been taken up for revolutionary activities.)

Lady N- says she collects that His Lordship once visit’d the Marquess when he was making a botanickal expedition in those parts.

O, says I, I should dearly like to hear his tales of that time: we had so sadly short a marriage.

Lady N- leans over and pats my hand. And no children, I apprehend?

Alas, no, says I, but indeed it came to my having to be examin’d by surgeons and midwives to prove I was not with child – but you will have heard, no doubt, about the present Marquess, that is an entire lunatick? essay’d a bigamous marriage and was denounc’d at the altar by his living wife. Made a deal of trouble over the succession.

Sure, says Lord Geoffrey, 'tis like unto a novel. And is’t true that MacD- writes novels?

'Tis much speculat’d upon, says I, whether 'tis so, for if he does, is extreme close upon the matter. Hardly accords with being a philosopher.

But, cries Lord Geoffrey, has he not expresst the opinion that fiction and even poetry can convey ideas in ways more telling than a dull treatise?

Why, says I, indeed he has. But nonetheless, does he write novels or poetry, conceals the matter very carefull.

I glance at Lady N- and perceive that she is looking a little pale.

Indeed, says I, I should not linger, for I daresay you are somewhat tir’d after our excursion.

Perchance a little, says Lady D- with a smile, stroking Selina, but has been most extreme agreeable.

It has so, says I, and sure we must repeat this experience.

Lord Geoffrey goes very ceremonious to show me out.

Before we come to the door, he clears his throat and says he confides that his sister Nan is troubl’d about somewhat, but will not open the matter to him: he confides 'tis some womanly business that perchance she does not want to bother their Mama with. Miss S- has said things to suggest that she has had most valuable counsel from you, Lady B-, and I would entire suppose that you could provide the like to Nan.

Why, says I, am I able to provide that advice that an older lady may give to a younger, I should be delight’d to perform that service for Lady Anna. Does she come call upon me one forenoon I am like to be at home to her.

Lord Geoffrey takes my hand very respectfull and says he will tell her that. (I wonder what the matter can be, for I confide the matter of ridotto costumes has been settl’d by Miss A-'s kind device.)

Comments

[annotated_em]

I am beginning to find Lord N just a little bit obnoxious. I look forward to Lady B's contrivances for him.

[nineveh_uk]

I was thinking exactly the same thing! As we learn more about his family life we get an increasingly clear picture of how he's not simply a bit thoughtless, he's actively selfish and oppressive. Not in an obviously brutal way, but in a way that is really harming his family. Lord D- was a young fool, but he meant well by his wife and sister-in-law even though he was too restrictive. Lord N- is a tyrant of his own sort.

[rymenhild]

Lord N- would benefit from an encounter with a hatpin.

[eeyorerin]

You rang?

[davidgillon]

Oh, wonderful icon!

[eeyorerin]

The lovely violsva made it!

[kore]

I have a nasty sick headache and that icon made me fall out laughing.

[eeyorerin]

The lovely violsva made it!

[violsva]

How lovely to see Madame making sure that Lady N- gets fresh air and company (even if her husband does not).

(Is Lady D- there as well, or are there some transcription errors?)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

Ooops: corrected.