The god Apollo does not whisper in my ear

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

As I go about my correspondence at my pretty desk, I can hear the sounds above of a rehearsal taking place – Mr G- D- and Miss L- have most exceeding kindly come rehearse Meg and Mrs O- B- for my drawing-room meeting, and advize upon musick &C. I do not attend upon the business myself, for I have so much to do, and could not be any great help in the matter.

I am taking a little concern that I have not yet heard from my dear T-s on their perilous voyage, when in comes Sandy, that says he hears there is excellent news come from the Cape: Miss N- is showing quite ecstatick at having receiv’d a letter from her sister therefrom.

O, says I, then I daresay I may anticipate some communication from the T-s very shortly. Sure 'tis a reassurance to know they are safe got as far as the Cape, yet that must have been some months since. I sigh. But I shall be most exceeding pleas’d to hear from them.

Comes in Celeste with coffee and some scones.

Sandy says, having consum’d two cups of coffee and several scones, that 'tis a most exceeding curious thing, but he has receiv’d some several invitations to house-parties while Society is out of Town, entirely upon his own account, and knows not what to make of it. So he comes call upon the sibyl of our set, which sure is a more suitable appellation than silly creature.

O, says I, I see you go about to flatter me, Mr MacD-, sure I must go fetch my fan that I may smack you for it. Indeed the god Apollo does not come whisper in my ear, but I go about to glean intelligence. And I hear there is an on-dit goes about, that there are those that greatly envy Milord such a fine secretary, that sure must be one of these ambitious Scotsmen that looks out for preference and advancement, and might thus be persuad’d to a new place and to give his fine services to a new master -

Why, says Sandy, I have notic’d that there are those that might indeed make me an offer, but I am a little astonisht that they invite me to their houses to sit at their tables.

My dear, you show yourself most presentable and in good ton –

Sandy gives a sudden smile and says, one can hardly spend as much time as he does in the company of one that is so fam’d for his fine ton without it rubs off somewhat –

- I daresay! But also, I hear from my invaluable intelligencer Mrs N-, that there are those that look upon your talents and wish to bind them closely to their own interest, and have daughters that hang upon their hands –

- indeed, my dear Sandy, I think you must go around remarking more wholesale in Society that very telling comment of yours about fellows of spirit and their dislike to the notion of marriage for wealth and advancement –

Sandy snorts and says, did one have inclinations of that sort, at least Miss K- that is now Her Grace of M- was a young woman of intelligence and understanding that set herself to sound courses of study: indeed, he considers her quite an admirable example of womanhood.

She is indeed an excellent creature, say I. And indeed I do confide that the daughters in question are ones that for one reason or another they are having some trouble in getting marry’d off, and are, as it were, the remnants left upon the market-stall at the end of the day.

The poor creatures, says Sandy. But I have no intention towards marriage - even were I not so very happy where I am, I cannot like the way of going on that one sees with Sir H- Z- and his lady. Deception sure is no basis for a sound union. And yet one may see that does one go about to marry some young woman that knows little of the world, one might hesitate to disclose the inwardness of the matter.

Quite so, says I, 'tis entirely a different case from persons that are older and have some understanding of the intricacies of the human heart.

I apprehend Lady J- is in contemplation of going out to the Mediterranean? We lately had some converse about the fine classickal sites that I visit’d when we were at the Marquess’s villa.

Indeed she has mention’d the matter, tho’ very vague. I apprehend that Mr J- proposes to take the company touring this summer, so I daresay 'twould answer exceeding well. She has also wonder’d whether, once the child is born, Mr S- might take Mrs S- with him to the Hampshire estate, which would be far more sanitive for a new mother and a child than remaining in Town.

That is most remarkable thoughtfull of her. But there is an example of sound mutual understanding and friendship in her match with the Admiral. Marrying some young woman with an eye to advancement rather than mutual feelings is sure like to lead to disaster –

Tho’, says I, one sees the like even among fellows that are not of your disposition, and indeed, what may women, in particular in that station of society, expect of marriage? They must be consider’d happy is their husband not cruel or stingy and does not drink to excess.

'Tis a bleak picture you paint of matrimony!

Sure do we not have evidence within our circle that it need not be so? That 'tis not just a matter of avoiding fornication and procreating children but aid and comfort?

Sandy looks at me and smiles and says, there are those that provide aid and comfort without going to church to say vows to forsake all others.

Sure that has always been my sticking place!

We smile at one another very amiable. Sandy remarks that G- frets somewhat that he may not make a settlement upon him, which is very pretty in him, but really, he cares not. He is not going to leave. There are those among his other sets that hint that he is seduc’d by luxury, but he will reply by making strong arguments about the importance of having one of good sound radickal views in the Lords, that has interest, and being able to provide advice to him. Indeed one hopes for a better state of society, but as things are –

I smile at him very fondly.

After he goes I go up to the reception room where I find the musicians sitting about a table laid with a very elegant collation and drinking lemonade; in Mr G- D-'s case, ale.

Alas, says Miss L-, that oysters are not in season and therefore there are no oyster patties but sure Euphemia does us excellent well.

How do they? I ask.

Meg and Mrs O- B- commence to groan, but Mr G- D- says that we are coming along very nicely, have been working exceeding hard, and quite deserve this refreshment.

Mrs B- says that this is a very fine room for singing in. She is greatly honour’d to be askt to sing here for such a deserving cause. And what a fine pianist is Miss Margaret.

Meg blushes, but Miss L- says, indeed, quite a prodigy, and a delight to teach, at which Meg blushes even more.

We enter into some discussion of the musick they will present.

I go show Mrs B- to the door, where her carriage has come collect her, and remark how quite infinitely oblig’d I am to her for conceding to sing at this meeting, which I confide gratifyes her considerable.

I send Meg home in my own carriage, after she has pout’d somewhat and complain’d that I never come visit any more.

When Ajax returns he conveys me to a meeting of the society for the setting up of the optickal dispensary, where matters are getting on more expeditious than I had hop’d.

I encounter Lady J- and invite her back for tea.

I hear, says I as we sit over the best china teacups, that you purpose a little trip to the Mediterranean?

Why, says she, as things are at present I hesitate to make any definite plan – Beaufoyle has decid’d to take Viola down to Q- for her lying-in, and indeed 'tis probably better to be out of Town –

We look at one another and do not have to mention the name of Duchess Kitty, that dy’d so tragick in M- House so soon after little Essie’s birth.

- but, is all well, I think I may venture this excursion. Dear Miss A- goes on tour with the company, and I do not see why the S-s could not stay upon the estate to have Mr S-'s hand upon the improvements –

And, says I, summer in Town is not’d very unhealthfull for infants – but indeed, do you go, you are most welcome to spend a little time at my villa near Naples; Marcello, that is the young fellow that looks after the place, is most knowledgeable about the antiquities of the region, was as it were a protégé of my late husband and can act the cicerone. And I daresay the Contessa can provide you with many introductions. But this must, I confide, depend much upon what orders the Admiral has.

She sighs and says sure the Admiralty are a tiresome set of fellows, she can make no headway with 'em about finding some more congenial posting for the Admiral.

I say that one can hardly go stir up war at sea to suit his inclinations; but I collect that I heard him speak well of the Hydrographickal Survey as requiring very pretty sailing.

Or indeed, says Lady J-, 'twould give him the utmost delight to undertake the anti-slavery patrol. But Beaufoyle tells me that there are certain diplomatick matters that affect that business –

We look at one another and I think both concur that the dear Admiral is not not’d for diplomacy.

But sure, she goes on, I have often long’d to go see the sites renown’d in classickal antiquity. My dearest Miss B- and I spoke of it many times, and I am sure the climate would have been healthfull for her, but of course 'twould have been quite entirely imprudent to go while Buonaparte was at large.

Comments

[rymenhild]

It's such a pleasure to hear the news of Lady B- and her circle.

[kore]

'Tis a bleak picture you paint of matrimony!

Sure do we not have evidence within our circle that it need not be so? That 'tis not just a matter of avoiding fornication and procreating children but aid and comfort?

Sandy looks at me and smiles and says, there are those that provide aid and comfort without going to church to say vows to forsake all others.

Sure that has always been my sticking place!

We smile at one another very amiable.


//CLUTCHES HEART-- (Sure I am the Miss A- type lol)

[violsva]

During the brief hiatus I seem to have forgot quite how enamour'd I am of Sandy!