Intelligence to wonder at

I hear back very expeditious from Jacob S-, that says he has encounter’d the present Marquess of O- at various scientifick meetings when he was merely Lord Anthony A-. An intelligent fellow that led a most daring life in search of rare specimens. He did not know him well enough to say much on his character, but he is somewhat predispos’d in his favour as he was ever, unlike some even among those of learning, extreme courteous to himself. Which at least perchance argues that he is not given to vulgar prejudices.

The V-s say similarly that because Lord Anthony was so much away about his travels, they did not know him well, but was ever entire civil, and also quite apprehend’d that Mrs V- was entire a partner in their botanickal enterprizes and one that had very fine understandings. They confide that he would be an entire ornament to my soirées.

Why, says I to myself, at least he is not so bad as that weasel Mr E-, but sure I would hope for something a little more encouraging to offer a prospective wife.

Comes Mrs N- and says, have I heard? Lord and Lady D- and Miss S- were of the party that Sir B- W- got up to go to Ranelagh lately, along with that military fellow that is their guest. Sure, my dear, instead of making a penitent magdalene of you, Lord D- has been turn’d into a positively agreeable fellow that does not frown upon harmless amuzements.

Really? says I, I am quite behindhand on that intelligence. (I wonder is there some consideration that Miss S- might be a possible bride for Captain C-?) But, my dear – do help yourself to these turnovers, they are quite fresh from the oven, Euphemia will be most offend’d do I send them back – 'twas not any matter of Lord and Lady D- about which I wisht to talk to you.

She sips her coffee and nibbles on a turnover and composes herself to listen.

Do you know aught, I ask, of the new Marquess of O- - sure not so very new, but has been observing very proper mourning for his brother and only just coming about into Society. Indeed there may not be a deal to know, he having been out of the country so much about his plant-hunting.

She looks thoughtfull. Indeed, he is not a fellow of a reputation that precedes him, except for going into wild and dangerous places and coming back with flowers. I daresay he must have spent enough time in Town in between his expeditions that had there been anything particular remarkable in his conduct, 'twould be talkt of. But I will go about and see what there is to learn, tho’ I confide that one might hear more from those that frequent masculine society and in the clubs rather than over tea-cups.

But, she goes on, that may merely mean that did he go womanize, 'twas not among Society ladies, or, indeed, crack demimondaines such as yourself or Miss G- - do you ever hear from her in her wintery fastness?

Alas, says I, I confide that the posts from Russia are exceeding uncertain, and have the greatest fears that she finds herself in Siberia. But my dear Mrs N-, how do you and Mr N-? I have not seen you quite this age.

Oh, says she, they get on very comfortable. Mr N- has a notion for them to go to the Contessa’s ridotto as a Roman Emperor and Empress –

I give a somewhat vulgar snort of laughter: is there not some saying concerning Caesar’s wife?

Perchance there is! But, indeed, she puts down her cup, sure I should be off to the theatre. My dear Mr J- seems somewhat put about on some matter, but has not yet disclos’d the full business to me.

Perchance Miss A- goes be somewhat distract’d while Lady J- convalesces?

No, dear Miss A- seems quite remarkable calm and diligent at present: sure there is a change! Mayhap Mr W- goes disport himself indiscreet again.

We take a very warm farewell of one another and she departs for, I confide, adulterous f-----g in a dressing-room.

Well, thinks I, 'twould be a prudent thought to see does Dolly Mutton or any of her connexion in Covent Garden have any knowledge of the Marquess of O-. And on the matter of manly company, 'tis an entire age since I was at Sir Z- R-'s studio and he has a very wide acquaintance.

I know not when I might find time to go to Dolly Mutton’s, but I send for Dorcas, that I daresay will be visiting there no very distant time hence, and ask her to convey to Dolly Mutton my most exceeding regards, and to ask does she have any intelligence concerning Lord Anthony A- that is now become Marquess of O-.

And how, says I, goes your sitting to Mr van H-?

Dorcas replies that he ever shows civil and well-behav’d, but she minds of Phoebe saying aforetimes that 'twas a tiring matter sitting to an artist, and she is quite in agreement.

She goes on to say that she has some suspicion that Prue may require new spectacles; goes screw up her eyes somewhat, and complains of the headache.

Well, says I, I have the directions of a deal of oculists, and she may go see one as soon as maybe.

In the afternoon I go visit Sir Z- R-'s studio. He declares that I am quite the stranger - has not seen me since that soirée - hears I have entire forgiven Lord D- for his abrupt departure – do I hear about how Lady J- does, &C&C.

I look about the company. There are a deal of familiar faces.

And how does the wombatt? I ask.

Becomes somewhat torpid now the weather becomes colder, but in fine stout state. He wonders whether it becomes inclin’d once more to amorous sport.

I remark 'tis the very prettyest thing to see Josh playing with the infant wombatt.

Speaking of R- House, says Sir Z- R-, there was one here just now, would most greatly desire to convoke with Roberts, that is known most skill’d in all hortickultural matters. He looks about him. Indeed, he is still here. He waves, and a fellow I do not know comes over.

Lady B-, may I present the Marquess of O-?

I curtesy, and he makes me a leg.

Lady B-, Sir Z- R-, says to the Marquess, has a deal of interest at R- House: Roberts marry’d her former cook, that is quite as celebrat’d in her sphere as he in his, the renown’d Seraphine, that goddess of the kitchen.

I observe the Marquess. He is somewhat younger than I suppos’d: tho’ I confide he will not see thirty again, I do not think he is yet nigh to forty. He has a brown weather’d complexion that I suppose is from his daring travels. Is dresst in entire good ton but very plain: does not, I think, aspire to be consider’d in the dandy-set.

I smile and say I should be happy to prefer his interest at R- House. His Lordship and I have long been on the most affectionate terms, for the late Marquess was quite his dearest friend, and as Sir Z- R- has said, I have a considerable interest in Roberts and his family.

That is most exceeding kind of you, Lady B-: 'tis a matter of some seeds I have, that I have been unable to coax to germinate, and I was like to think that this is somewhat that Roberts may be able to advize concerning.

Why, says I, he is sure exceeding not’d for the very out of the common things he is able to grow –

Sir Z- R- interjects that he has given the most valuable advice on his own antipodean garden.

He then sights one he must speak to and leaves us.

I should also, goes on the Marquess, be extreme gratefull for an introduction to Lord G- R-. I apprehend that he is in a very good thoughtfull politickal set; and since I shall be taking up my place in the Lords, now that I have settl’d a deal of matters about the estate and am out of mourning, I should like to talk to him on the matters that go forward there.

I am sure, says I, His Lordship would be entire delight’d to talk on such matters with you.

The Marquess sighs and says he has been much out of Society, as he looks about the studio. I came see Sir Z- R- about a portrait - for 'tis the tradition in the family to have one paint’d as soon as maybe after accession – and he most kindly invit’d me to stay and make some acquaintance in the company. Sure he knows a deal of people.

Why, says I, I hear that you are known among the cognoscenti in the sciences.

He sighs again and says he is a deal happyer in their company.

Sir Z- R- comes over and desires introduce some others to the Marquess. I drift away, and see Mr J- standing brooding in his best Hamlet manner at the wombatt. But as I tap him upon the arm with my fan, looks at me with that little smile of old acquaintance and the knowledge that I once gave him that thing that is suppos’d to be a maiden’s carefully-guard’d treasure, that I was exceeding anxious to dispose of.

He sighs, and says sure he thinks the theatres of the Bard’s day had the right of it by having boys instead of actresses to play the women.

I raise my eyebrows.

Here, he says, is Miss A- suddenly takes a freak to go play for a season in Harrogate; and there is Miss R-, looking pale and shaky of a morning, and interrupting rehearsals to rush to her dressing-room and there, he confides, puke.

I say that boys, unless serv’d as the Italians do to make castrati, presumably grew beards and had their voices break.

I pat him upon the arm, but this intelligence gives me much to wonder at.