Old acquaintance rediscover'd

I am sitting at my desk looking over my household books – sure this is no longer a task I undertake in fear that some great trouble will spring out at me, but entirely to ensure that I am still mistress in my own household and know where each penny goes. (Tho’ 'tis perhaps an exaggeration that I know exactly where each penny goes, for there are little pots of coin at the front and back door for rewarding those that carry messages &C, and to give to poor beggars along with the food that I daresay Euphemia provides, and these are not account’d for in minute detail).

There is a nice sum I may put aside for Dolly Mutton’s charitable purposes.

Hector shows in dear Abby T-, that I was not expecting, but am ever glad to see. I close my account-books and go kiss her.

O, dear C-, she says, what very fine soirées you give. Such excellent company and conversation, it quite refreshes one. For as you know, we have been on something of a Grand Tour about the country, talking about the plight of the poor convicts, and also much desir’d to discourse upon our scientifick findings by philosophickal societies. ‘Tis excellent good work and I am glad we could do it, but sure some conviviality as only dear C- can provide was most extreme gratefull.

Comes in Celeste with coffee and curd tartlets.

I hear, she goes on, that we must make all effort to go see this play The Fatefull Philtre, 'tis said most exceeding finely dramatick with moments of great comedy.

O, says I, I daresay it was my dear F-s who told you that, I do not think they bring impartial judgement to the matter.

Oh no, 'twas a recurrent burden of the conversation, that we were exhort’d to make sure to go see it before we return to New South Wales.

What a very fine woman is Lady W-, she goes on, and has most certainly pull’d round Sir B- W-, sure I hardly recognize that fribble I us’d to know. But I was oblig’d to mind my tongue, for I was in great fear that I would blurt out some question about how she contriv’d to manage the dreadfull crocodile or some other matter disclosing particular knowledge.

She is become a dear friend of mine, says I. She is quite the finest influence upon Sir B- W-, that esteems her greatly: but Mrs F- supposes that perchance he was ready to give up his idle frivolous ways, and that she caught him at the right time.

There may be something to that, muses Abby. And talking of right times, why do you not make a match of it with Admiral K-, that has admir’d you so long? O, do not pull that face, my dear, I know your situation, but one must suppose that he would be away for very long periods.

I sigh. Sure I am very exceeding fond of the dear creature – is it not entirely delightfull to have one that will ever declare that one is the finest woman in existence? – but somehow I cannot feel myself inclin’d to marriage. Also, I am not at all persuad’d that I am capable of managing this fine property he inherits – I know nothing of land and farming &C.

That is some consideration, tho’ I confide that you could pick it up quite amazing –

Oh no, my dear, I have ever been able to pick up matters so that I sound inform’d, and could ask gentlemen the right sorts of question, but indeed tho’ I could, perchance, draw a neat map demonstrating the Battle of the Nile I could by no means contrive to command a flagship. 'Tis a superficial quickness that has serv’d me well.

Abby laughs. Sure I have seen you do that! And indeed, I cannot see you as a country lady -

'Tis in Hampshire, says I, no far journey from Town – one might attain to manage the place thro’ occasional visits – but sure I am Town-born and Town-bred and while visits elsewhere are very fine, 'tis the place I wish to be.

Sure I cannot imagine you anywhere else.

She adds that she has invit’d Mrs F- to come to their lodging in Islington Green for a nursery tea and is in great hopes that she will bring my beautiful Flora.

I sigh and say I daresay I should suppose her the loveliest of children whatever her looks.

At length she goes, saying that they do not yet go about to depart once more, there is so much extreme usefull work they can do here. But still she yearns for wattle-trees and wombatts. I shall greatly miss her.

In the afternoon I am to a meeting to discuss the possibility that the work providing spectacles for the deserving weak-sight’d poor would be more effectively perform’d did we go about to establish a dispensary for the business. There is much debate upon the matter, but it is eventual agreed to go find out what equipment would be requir’d and how large an establishment need’d.

I confide that we shall next time be having much discussion as to the location best suit’d to the enterprize.

I see Lady J-, and also that certain of the company seem to hang back from her a little. Well, sure she was very good to me when I was first entering Society, so I go and greet her, ask how matters are at M- House &C.

She remarks how pleasant 'twas to meet Admiral K-. Many years ago, when she was being dragg’d about on the Season and its marriage-market, which was a most tiresome thing for her, she happen’d to encounter a young man that had just been advanc’d to lieutenant in the Navy, that was a far more agreeable companion than the aspirants who aim’d at her hand, and caus’d a slight ripple of scandal by sitting out with him during the course of one evening’s ball. But then he return’d to his duties, and she is most entire delight’d to see that he has now attain’d to Admiral.

She quite enters in to his position at present, and gives thought to any in her circles that might make a suitable wife. She also ponders over whether she knows any that have interest with the Admiralty, for 'tis entirely clear that he quite yearns to put his skills in the service of the Anti-Slavery Patrol, which is very estimable in him.

He is a most excellent fellow, says I.

And he has quite the highest praise for you, Lady B-.

I blush somewhat.

Indeed, he dines with me this same e’en, the dear creature.

What an excellent soirée that was, he remarks, and sure it gave him great pleasure to meet Lady J- again. He had been took along to a fine Society ball when he was barely more than a middy – 'twas in fact his cousin that was the next heir to the Hampshire place took him, was delight’d to show off one in fine lieutenant’s uniform – and met her there. An excellent sensible creature, none of your vapourish misses, he has often wonder’d what became of her. He would have expect’d her to make some great match.

I daresay she has had her chances, but she has never inclin’d that way, says I.

He gives me a fierce look and says there is some filthy coarse gossip about her he overheard in one of the clubs, he will not repeat it to me, 'tis quite unfit for my ears –

Oh, says I, indeed I have heard something of that, 'tis quite a wick’d calumny.

Even if she does have a particular fondness for the little actress, there is no harm in that, none in the least.

I have, I say, my suspicions as to what lies at the root –

He quite begs me to communicate the matter, and after some show of reluctance I do. He is most entirely shockt.

Sure that is a most shamefull thing, he says. Indeed I should like to be able to give her some succour in this strait. (I daresay his mind runs on horsewhips.)

I say idly that perchance this scandal will lead her to withdraw out of Society and go live again at N-, where she spent many years looking after the estate, tho’ I daresay she will find it hard living away from Town. She was report’d as being a most excellent manager, with a particular fine understanding of dairying.

Why, says the dear Admiral, that is the principal occupation in this new place of mine, I must go about to ask her does she have any good advice on the matter, for I have no apprehension concerning cows. Indeed, can she spare me the time, I should like to take her a little run down there, for I am sure her advice would be most valuable generally.

I am sure she would be entirely delight’d, I reply, tho’ indeed she is a very busy woman, engag’d in a deal of good works and good causes, gets up private musicales and subscription concerts, is of the greatest assistance to Her Grace her sister-in-law, that is still very young, and also most not’d for her classickal learning. But I fancy she would quite relish a little jaunt out of Town as things are at the moment.

The dear Admiral, with that fine decisive Nelson touch that has serv’d him so well, says that he will write to her most immediate with the offer. He observes my own esteem for Lady J-, which speaks entirely well of her.

I say that perchance at first there was some misunderstanding 'twixt the two of us, but indeed she was most unusual kind and helpful in promoting my interest within Society after my very brief marriage to the dear late Marquess. She is quite the kindest and best-intention’d of women.

He remarks that he has ever consider’d it extreme pretty in me that I will praise other women, tho, indeed, as quite the finest woman in the realm sure I need fear no rivals.

The dear creature.