'Tis a great difference going into Surrey in my present state

Having expresst my interest in calling upon the U-s, and Jacob S- so kindly going about as intermediary in the business, I am concern’d that it would be in very poor ton not to go, and might be consider’d to manifest vulgar prejudice.

I ponder over the matter, and it comes to me that 'twould somewhat disarm any suspicions did I quite openly, in my own fine carriage, go down into Surrey to call upon 'em, for sure was there any clandestine matter a-going on, I would be a deal more discreet about the thing.

So I mention quite general when I go about in Society that I shall be unable to accept any invitations for the particular day, and warn the orphanage ladies that I shall be oblig’d to cut their meeting (tho’ conveying them a substantial donation for the good work they do), while adding that I go to call upon my tenants in Surrey.

There is entire no reason why I should communicate to the generality how comes it that I own a very pretty property in Surrey. It may be suppos’d that I had it from the dear Marquess, and while 'tis indeed a pity that General Y-'s fine generosity should not be more widely known, yet I confide 'tis best not to have it too much understood as having been in some sense the wages of sin. Among friends I will admit my gratitude towards the dear old fellow.

Sure 'tis a very great difference, bowling along the roads in my own fine coach, a Dowager Marchioness that has been present’d at Court, is most extensive receiv’d in good Society, &C&C, from when I came along the self-same roads in the worrisome state of a lady of the town that finds herself with child outside the bounds of wedlock and fears for her future quite beyond the ordeal of childbed. I see how very glad my dear friends are when they find themselves in this state in the proper place and time, and consider how distraught I was.

Yet out of that terror came our dear loving triangle and my sweet treasur’d Flora.

'Tis a fine day and once we are out of Town, there is a pleasing freshness in the air. I feel a little concern that I may be recogniz’d in the parish, but I daresay any that do mark me will be like to suppose that Mrs C-, that was marry’d to a sea-captain that dy’d most horrible in the Indies subsequent made a most excellent second match.

I see that all is in pleasing good order as we drive up to the door.

Mr U- shows me considerable civility by being outside the front door with his wife, rather than waiting for me to be announc’d. He is a very fine-looking fellow that wears a skull-cap, and his wife is of a full figure that suggests that theirs has been a most fruitfull union - sure one can still see that she must have been extreme well-looking in younger days.

I make them my fine court curtesy, we exchange greetings and introductions, and Mrs U- desires me to come and take some refreshment after my journey.

O, says I, that is most kind, as we go into the fine pretty parlour that looks out onto the garden. I observe that whoever takes care of their gardens is nigh on as fine a horticulturist as Roberts, for there is a quite blazing display in the flower-beds. I comment upon this and Mr U- says when I am refresht a little after my journey he is sure Mrs U- would delight to show me the gardens.

They both make remarks about what a fine house it is, what excellent modern contrivances, &C, so extreme convenient for the City does one need to go about business, but well out of Town and in healthfull air. They bring their own people with them for most matters – which I apprehend from Jacob S- to be a matter of the observances of their faith – but they find the local people do not object to supplying one or another who may undertake necessary works upon their Sabbath (sure I confide was Mr G- still parson he would be preaching against this).

I ask if there is anything needs doing that I should have attend’d to, for they are most excellent tenants.

Oh, they say, all is in excellent repair. They have made a few alterations that pertain to certain matters of religious observance, for example in the kitchen (Jacob S- has told me somewhat of this).

(Thus far I do not perceive any sign of the radickal philosopher Herr P-. But sure he look’d a sickly fellow and may be bed-rid.)

Why, says I, I do not purpose to come live here myself at any time soon, and sure 'tis better for a house to be liv’d in by those that care for it. I go on to mention somewhat of the parlous state of B- House.

Your mention of the present Marquess of B-, says Mr U-, brings it to my mind that I wisht to ask did you know anything concerning the living of the parish. At present 'tis undertaken by a curate, but even did the Marquess recover from his sad affliction, I know not how these matters go on in the Church of England, but I should suppose that the responsibilities of his rank would mean he could no longer care for his parish.

He goes on to remark that the curate, one Mr L-, is a very fine fellow – a most learn’d gentleman that has study’d Hebrew and does excellent good works in the place, tho’ is by no means well-off, and has no interest to speak of. Tho’ given out somewhat high and dry in his practices, has won back several that went over to the Methodists 'tis said. 'Twould be an excellent thing could he be present’d to the living.

Of course, he says, they would by no means wish to meddle in parish affairs, but L- is an excellent fellow that at present cannot even afford to wed as he would wish, and they have very fine conversations together, he is such a scholar as one would hardly expect to encounter in a country parish.

Sure, says I, I have no notion how these things are manag’d: tho’ there was a most excellent clergyman, the Reverend Mr T-, that frequent’d my circle, alas he is return’d to New South Wales -

Oh, cries Mrs U-, is the Mr T- that writ that very fine book about the place?

Indeed, says I, with the aid of his wife, that is a woman most extreme distinguisht for learning. They are quite the dearest friends of mine, and do the most excellent work among the poor convicts.

We are took a little from the point of our conversation by my being desir’d to say more about my dear T-s and their fine work and I promise to send pamphlets.

- but I suppose, says I at length, that one speaks to the bishop? I will go about and seek advice upon the matter, for indeed Mr L- sounds a most considerable improvement over the quondam Mr G- - of whom, I say, I have had very adverse report from when he was in his previous station here.

I take my little memorandum book from my reticule and make a note: sure I have so much on hand these days that I am oblig’d to keep notes. I confide that Sandy will contrive somehow to find out how the business is conduct’d, and I will have to listen to much animadversion upon the Establisht Church when he does.

Mrs U- asks would I like to walk a little in the gardens? they show exceeding fine at present. That would be entire charming, says I, and so we go out into the garden, where the fountain still plays most effective.

O, says I, what exceeding fine roses, what a scent they have.

Mrs U- smiles a little shyly and says that the garden is her great delight. She then looks at my gown with great interest and asks about what is in style in Town.

As we stroll about and she shows me the flower-beds and explains what is plant’d and the effects she aims at, I say, as if idly, that lately calling at the S-s – Mrs S- is a great friend of mine, 'tis most extreme delightfull that her desire for motherhood is at last gratify’d, an entirely adorable babe – I encounter’d a Herr P-, that Mr S- said was coming visit you? The poor young fellow look’d somewhat ill, I hope that the country air does him good.

She pauses in her account of how exceeding well the azaleas show this year, and says, indeed she did not like his looks, poor fellow, would have lik’d to make him rest and feed him up, but he stoppt a very short while indeed before proceeding to Bristol, where he purposes to take ship for the Americas.

O, says I – well, 'tis give out that sea-air is very sanitive, perchance the voyage will do him good.

I hope so, she says, he has great anticipation that things will be different in the New World.

(I am most greatly reassur’d that he is no longer under a roof that may be consider’d mine.)

Why, says I, I am given to suppose that there are great opportunities, and that indeed, there are some several fine cities where one runs no risque in the least of being scalpt by wild Indians.

He has been quite urgently desir’d to go to America, says Mrs U- in somewhat dubious tones, by those that have read a certain book of his on the ideal society, and wish to found a settlement upon those lines he has laid out.

Sure 'tis most enterprizing, says I in similar dubious tones.

We enjoy a most agreeable promenade in the gardens, I am solicit’d to join them for an early dinner, and in due course we part with excellent good feeling on all sides.