'Tis exceeding pleasant to be among such good friends

O, 'tis quite entire delightfull to have my darlings with me in my pretty house, sure it quite exceeds.

Josiah tells me that Mr D- took the opportunity afforded by the works being clos’d for Wakes Week to go make a visit to my lead-mine, and took Harry with him – 'twas quite the treat for him, would far rather go see a mine and steam-pumps and smelting mill than almost anything.

Why, says I, I am glad of that, for I am in some concern that it may seem as if the others get treats that he does not.

Why, says Eliza, I daresay he would not dislike being at Captain P-'s fine place, but he would not delight in it the way that Josh does. Us’d ever to be begging his Papa to take him to the works.

Josiah smiles fondly and says that the boy ever had a great feeling for machinery. He confides that 'tis not the like with Josh and that 'twould be something of an unkindness to suppose he would go into the works in due course.

I daresay, says I, that at present he has a mind to becoming a veterinarian.

Well, 'tis ever usefull for a young man to have some trade or profession in his hands, and one would not want one’s sons to be trifling idlers - and sure one cannot tell at Josh’s age what he will want when he comes of years to choose some course – but they will not be in such case that they will need to take up any uncongenial occupation.

Eliza sighs and says Josh will sometimes express a desire to go Africa or the antipodes or the Indies, to see the curious strange animals there are there. Mayhap 'tis some childish whim, and yet, are there not fellows that are renown’d zoologists?

Why, says I, indeed there are, and they will be known to Mr S- from the Royal Society, I hazard. You might go ask him when we are in Somerset – Susannah W- says they have invit’d the S-s and the de C-s.

They are so hospitable! says Eliza. Have staying with them at present a Captain C-, that is a friend, or perchance a comrade-in-arms, of his cousin the Major, that the physicians will not yet guarantee fit to return to his regiment in Nova Scotia.

Sure that is an excellent thing! says I. I was introduc’d to the fellow by Major W-, that had been given furlough on account of the death of his elder brother and having matters of the estate to deal with, but I confide is now return’d to Upper Canada, or on the way there. Seem’d a very agreeable fellow.

They both give me a thoughtfull look and say, they do not recollect that the loveliest of C-s. mention’d that she had seen Major W-.

My darlings, says I, sure he is an old friend that sent me that excellent fine bearskin, and took me driving in the Park &C. Indeed I would not go cut him just because I am become a Marchioness.

They laugh, tho’ perchance a little uneasy, and say that they would not like their dearest of C-s to be uncivil.

O my loves! I cry, surely you do not become jealous over some antient admirer that is already upon his way to the frozen wastes?

Do you put it thus, says Josiah, 'tis indeed foolish. Yet, I am like to recall that Major W- was an exceptional well-set-up fellow.

O, I daresay, says I, but altho’ an agreeable enough fellow, he is not the most fascinating of conversationalists. But, my very dearest darlings, you do know that you have entirely the first place in my heart?

Eliza sighs and says indeed, they are being entire foolish, and yet, when they go into company, and hear Lady B- so much admir’d and talkt upon, they will sometimes think that 'twas quite entire a dream that they could be in triangle with such a one.

Really, my darlings, says I. Sure I am a vain creature that loves to be admir’d, and 'tis most gratifying to hear that I am, but I could be quite entire happy with my dear F-s and their family, was this a matter we could contrive.

We all sigh.

Sure, says Eliza, we are become somewhat dolefull, but I think I have a remedy for that.

Josiah and I sigh that we are quite helpless to resist the wiles of a certain wild girl.

'Tis the most entirely agreeablest thing, but that we do not also have my treasur’d Flora and the other dear children with us, and alas it can be only a temporary pleasure.

But, indeed, 'tis entire a more pleasing anticipation that we go to Sir B- W-'s estate for a house-party, where 'twill be as 'twere our inner set of good friends, than the many visits we have been oblig’d to make.

My darlings go in one of the R- House carriages, for it might look somewhat particular did they come in mine.

So I go in my own fine carriage, with Docket and Sophy, and because of my concern for Docket’s health, we take the journey at a prudent pace and pass a night at an inn.

'Tis late in the afternoon when we arrive at the place. I am told that the company takes tea upon the lawn, so I go out there.

'Tis an excellent fine lawn surround’d by flowerbeds, and with a little stream runs purling to one side. Bobbie W- and Lord S- are on the bank very intent upon making mud pies.

I go greet my dear friends.

Viola says that she suppos’d Essie was a little lonely and desolate without the fine company he was us’d to in the R- House nursery set, and Susannah thought 'twould be most agreeable for Bobbie to have one of his accustom’d playmates, for Sukey is not yet of an age to join in his plays. So here he is, and having an excellent fine time.

Sir B- W- is giving Sukey a ride upon his back, 'tis extreme delightfull to see.

I look about the company.

Susannah says that Mr S- cannot be kept away from the quarry, for he is in hopes of finding some fine fossils; Martha goes with him with her sketchbook. O, and she must warn me, there is a fly in the ointment of this most agreeable gathering: the dreadfull crocodile, finding out that the matter was toward, has return’d most premature from Bath; greatly upset the business of having various matters in the Dower House put to rights.

Mrs D- K-? I ask.

Very quiet, says Susannah, behaves civil tho’ I think she was somewhat taken aback that Phoebe is of our company. O, here comes Captain C-, that I confide you have already met.

Captain C- has a gun with him and a dog at his heels and carries several dead birds, and begs to be excus’d shaking hands for that reason. A few pigeons, he says, perchance enough for a pie, he will go hang them in the game-larder.

As he goes upon his way, Susannah remarks that he is the most agreeable guest, will as they say find his own entertainment. She confides he is somewhat lower’d in spirits at the verdict of the quacks that he is not yet fit for active service, and they shake their heads greatly does he mention any desire to return to Nova Scotia before next spring, but he does not go moping about, tries to keep chearfull.

I remark that I daresay they will not have heard yet from Major W-, that can hardly yet be at Upper Canada?

Alas, no, but remarkt considerable when he was here how very well Lady B- lookt, sure time has quite stood still with her, &C.

O, the wretch, I cry, I confide he was in hopes you would repeat that to me.

Well, she replies with her charming crook’d smile, he also talkt of whether he might sell out and go settle in those parts, and marry –

I laugh somewhat immoderate. Sure I do not think I should be suit’d to a pioneering life, says I.

Susannah looks at me and endeavours without success not to reflect my mirth.

The R- carriages arrive with my darlings and Lord G- R- and Sandy.

When they come to join the company Eliza goes at once to where little Lady Cathy and Deborah are lying upon a rug and waving their little hands in the air, picks 'em up and talks nonsense to 'em: sure I think that she is of a mind with Bess and Meg that 'twould indeed be agreeable to have another baby in the family: but alas, 'tis by no means a prudent course. Perchance one might seek fresh medical opinions, but sure I doubt the profession would have chang’d their views in the matter since she near lost her life with Quintus.

But, I say to Susannah, where is Phoebe?

O, says she, now Phillips is arriv’d with the M- party, she goes exchange family news and gossip with her.

Indeed, says I, I daresay Sophy is also of the party. I hope Docket does not go overtire herself over the unpacking.

The agreeable buzz of friendly conversation is of a sudden shatter’d as Bobbie and Essie come to some dissension over their mudpies and start throwing mud at one another.

Come, come, says Biffle, picking up his heir, that is showing signs of crying with temper, let us not behave as tho’ we were in Parliament -

O, very good! says Sir B- W-.

I daresay, says Viola, 'tis high time for nursery tea - why, here comes Betty now.

I look about my friends and think upon how exceeding pleasant 'tis to be among them.