A visit to M- House

In the afternoon I take myself to N- House. I convey the message to Lady N- for Lord N- that Roberts is entire at his disposal to talk flowers with; Lady N- smiles and says, is one’s husband to be taken up with something sure botany and horticulture are a deal less troublesome than some manly pastimes. And 'tis a matter she may aid him with, by keeping up his hortus siccus; 'tis something one may occupy oneself with lying upon a sofa – She sighs a little.

Lady Anna and Lady Emily come quite tumbling into the room. O, Lady B-! sure we are sadly behind that we were not here to greet you.

I am, says I, somewhat beforehand as I had a little matter to convey to Lady N- for your father.

I look at the two of them, that I see have heard that the Duchess of M- is ever most exceeding well-turn’d out, now she is out of mourning is like to become quite a leader of fashion, and have dresst themselves in finery perhaps not best suit’d to a daytime call.

I see Lady N- take this consideration also, and then see her decide that 'twould make them nervous and self-conscious did she remark upon the matter. Why, my dears, I see you are array’d to do honour to Her Grace.

You do not think she will suppose us utter dowds? asks Lady Emily.

Indeed not, says I, but come along, my dears, and we will drive to M- House, where she expects you.

They follow me out, and remark upon my carriage, complaining that they are oblig’d to be driven about in coaches that are quite antique - may have been all the crack in their great grandmother’s day, but are tedious unfashionable uncomfortable things. But Papa will not hear of having a fine new carriage like this.

(As I cannot suppose that the Earl of N- is too poor to afford new carriages, I suppose there is some respect for tradition in his mind. Also there are those that suppose is some old thing still perfectly serviceable, they will not go replace it until it falls to pieces.)

O, Em, is't not most excellent comfortable? Sure I daresay one might drive thus to Scotland and not come out all aches at the end.

Indeed, says I, there have been fine improvements in coach-making to match the improvement in the roads, 'tis given out that the use of springs makes the riding a deal more pleasant.

O, says Lady Emily, you would think he might do it for poor Mama, that one can see suffers most particular.

Then they look at one another and say sure they should not talking about their family business, how do you, Lady B-? Do you hear any news from the antipodes? – we have been reading that fine book by Mr T- that is dedicat’d to you.

I say that 'tis a very long way for letters to come and I do not anticipate hearing anything from the T-s until, perchance, the New Year. But, says I, I purpose to hold a drawing-room meeting in aid of their work in a month or so, after this one I go have for the benefit of the optickal dispensary.

We arrive at M- House, where we are at once shown into Viola’s parlour. 'Tis very much in its old state with books and papers about, but the addition of little Lady Cathy lying upon the rug, with Viola kneeling by her.

O! she cries, rising to her feet – sure Tibby has turn’d her out most extreme well, but the finest gown will show a little rumpl’d has one been playing with a baby – I entire forgot the time. I will go ring for Betty to come take her.

Oh, cries Lady Anna, may we see her, the darling? Is she not extreme pretty, Em? Look at her little hands! And her smile.

Should you like to hold her? asks Viola, picking her up.

So Lady Anna holds little Cathy for a while, and then so does Lady Emily, and so as not to look particular, so do I. (Indeed she is a very pretty baby, tho’ not as pretty as Flora was.)

At length we restore her to Viola, who goes ring for Betty, and also for a footman to fetch us some tea.

I say that I have a matter to open to Lady J-, is she at home?

Indeed, says Viola, she purposes to go into Hampshire tomorrow, so she is about taking care of a deal of business in her office. But I confide she is ever willing to see you.

Why, says I, 'tis but a small matter, but I should be glad to see her about it.

When Thomas comes with tea, Viola desires him to take me to Lady J-.

How now, Thomas, says I, how do you? as we go up the stair.

He says he goes lesson himself about a butler’s duties. And altho’ he will never forget Mrs Euphemia, that exceeding fine woman, he is walking out with one of the sewing maids.

I am pleas’d to hear it, says I, conveying him a compliment.

Lady J- is indeed extreme busy, but she looks up to see me and smiles. My dear Lady B-! She waves me to a chair.

Lady J-. 'Tis but a small matter, but I hop’d to disclose it to you before you went into Hampshire. I was at a house-party at Lord P-'s some little while ago, and he mention’d to me that he was most eager to convoke with you upon matters to with cows and dairying - has quite the highest apprehension of your understanding in these things.

Why, she says, 'tis gratifying that one that is such a connoisseur of cattle as Lord P- would consider my opinions of worth. I should indeed like to convoke with him, and will write at once.

While I think on’t, I continue, is a matter that Mr S- mention’d to me, that there is work need’d upon the gardens of the Admiral’s fine estate, and he wonder’d whether one might conclave with Roberts, that is Lord G- R-'s gardener and account’d quite the finest of horticulturalists, about what might be done. I have took the liberty of mentioning the matter to His Lordship and he has entire no objection in the matter.

That is the fellow marry’d your former cook that now rules His Lordship’s kitchen? Indeed one hears as fine report of him in matters of gardens as of her in matters of cooking.

'Tis so, says I.

'Twould answer exceedingly, says she. I have notions of my own concerning herb-gardens - how does young Miss F-'s endeavour in the matter? – but I have never given a deal of thought to horticulture more generally.

I say I daresay Bess’s herb-garden is somewhat neglect’d, for they have been out of Town all summer; and add that Mrs U- - the U-s are the tenants of my fine property in Surrey, that are some connection of Mr S-'s family - has most excellent notions upon gardens.

Lady J- frowns a little and says she confides that the U-s must be Jews?

Indeed, says I, fine people of a most charitable disposition and great cultivation.

She continues to look somewhat doubtfull - I do not go persuade her further but leave her to contemplate the matter, saying I should go back to Her Grace and her company.

I return to Viola’s parlour, and standing outside hear a merry chatter of voices, including one that I confide to be that of Agnes S-, that has, when she speaks without nervousness, a very fine speaking tone even tho’ there is also somewhat of a provincial accent.

I go in.

Viola looks up, with a very merry expression, and says that she was just telling 'em that she confid’d she could be a usefull preceptress for young ladies that make their debut in Society by telling 'em to do the opposite of her behaviour in her first season. Sure 'tis a wonder she did not entire wreck her chances by her vulgar conduct.

I am most heartily glad that she can now laugh over it and see that 'tis possible to profit from mistakes.

'Twas only, she adds, after I had reform’d under the fine example of older ladies that knew more of the world, that I came about to marry His Grace. (There is great happyness on her face as she thinks of Biffle.)

Sure, says Agnes S-, perchance you should write a novel that would convey that to foolish young women.

Viola laughs a little immoderate, and says, o no, she does not have any talents in that direction. But when she considers the fine telling stories that Lady B- puts into her philanthropick pamphlets, she wonders that she does not turn her pen to fiction.

She looks at me with a mirthfull expression. Hah, says I, Your Grace is pleas’d to go teaze me.

I sit down and Viola rings for fresh tea.

She says that Lady Anna and Lady Emily say that they are going in for amateur theatrickals -

O, Miss S-, cries Lady Anna, will you not come join our troupe of players? We have persuad’d Miss A- herself to come instruct us.

Agnes S- looks most extreme longing, and then says, she is not sure Lord D- would approve.

Surely, says Viola, he could have no objection to private theatrickals, even does he dislike the theatre.

She says she will go consider upon it.

(I confide that 'twould be an excellent thing for her: might give her a little confidence and address. And Lord D- has such an objection to novels that I confide he will not have read Mansfield Park, which might give him some concerns over the business.)