Miss Eden's Letters. Eden Emily
gave me firmness to resist, and I declared I could not. All this was to be kept smooth to Sir Guy, for Aunt chose to be sulky with him. In short I have found the kindness of the house the cruellest thing on earth. I have not had a quiet moment, the neighbourhood have poured upon me… Lucy is gone mad, for she is preparing to go to the Coronation.158 Your affectionate and own
…I am settled in Town since Saturday evening, and if Eastcombe has had reminiscences of me for you, Grosvenor Square has reminisced you to me, our evening walks, and Lady Petre, and Penniwinkle. Every valuable Bore I possess has by instinct discovered me in Town, and I have been surrounded with Clements,159 Cootes, and Strutts.160 However I had a visit from Bob161 as a palliative which supported me under the rest.
It is quite impossible to give an idea of the hurry and scurry of the people in every direction, and as if the rain only increased their ardour. Women with drooping black bonnets and draggled thin cotton gowns, and the men looking wet and radical to the skin. I catch myself twaddling and moralising to myself just as I went on about poor Buonaparte. They say fools are the only people who wonder, and I believe there is something in it, for I go on wondering till I feel quite imbecile.
However I own I am shocked (not surprised in this instance) that not a single public office or government concern should be shut. No churches at this end of the town either open, and no bells tolling.162
Your small parcel delighted me and is the smartest I had. I have given every direction as to that being the first article worn, for I should not love my child unless it had your things on.
MY DEAR THERESA, There never was a house in which writing flourished so little as it does here, partly that I have been drawing a great deal, and also because they dine at half-past six instead of the rational hour of seven, and in that lost half-hour I know I could do more than in the other twenty-three and a half. After all, I like this visit. It was clever of me to expect the Duchess163 would be cross, because of course, that insures her being more good-natured than anybody ever was. I am only oppressed at being made so much of. Such a magnificent room, because she was determined I should have the first of the new furniture and the advantage of her society in the mornings, though in general she makes it a rule to stay in her own room. In short, you may all be very, very good friends, but the only person who really values my merits is – the Duchess of Bedford, and once safe with her the house is pleasant enough.
We have had the Duncannons.164 I like her; she is so unlike Lady Jersey. Miss P. is something of a failure in every way, except in intrinsic goodness; but she was terrified here, and at all times dull, and as nearly ugly as is lawful. They have been the only ladies. Then, there are dear little Landseer, Mr. Shelley, so like his mama in look, and a great rattle; Lord Chichester, Lord Charles Russell, etc.; and a tribe of names unknown to fame, headed by a Mr. Garrett, who is a rich shooting clergyman with the most suave complacent manners! – one of those appurtenances to a great house I cannot abide.
Eliza165 is in the greatest beauty, and is a very nice person altogether. I think Lord Chichester succeeds here, and there is no denying that he is a creditable specimen of a young gentleman of the reign of George IV.166 We have been on the point of acting, but the Providence that guards les fous et les ivrognes evidently keeps an eye on Amateur actors and preserves them from actually treading the boards. Your most affectionate
MY DEAREST EMILY, I have been robbed and pillaged and bored and worried, and hate France as much as ever I did, and so does Guy. Mama167 has made us a comfortable visit, but alas I cannot stay any longer, and conceive my joy! we let our house here, and return to England for my Couche. It almost makes up to me for the business. I shall be in London in August, there to remain six months. To show you how entirely and utterly false it is that you have not always and always had that very large den in my heart, let me beg and entreat that, if you can, you will be in or near Town, if you can manage it, during my confinement.
It would be existence to me. Oh Emmy, I have so much to unburthen and talk over with you – and you only. I am much pleased with what I have seen of Mama, and Guy likes her…
Conceive the fuss we have had! My Lansdowne recommended Bridget as my maid; Bridget turned out a thief and has robbed me to the amount of 70 Pounds, and acknowledged the fact before the Police, which is no consolation, her candour not replacing the articles. We declined the other consolation of pursuing her, whipping and branding, and five years detention; but only – mind you! – never trust Jane Kingston, Lady Bath’s laundress, for Bridget declares upon oath having sent the things to her – my best lace among the rest.
On searching her things, a fine brodée handkerchief appeared, with Harriet embroidered in the corner, and as she lived with Lady H. Drummond168 perhaps the House of Drummond might wish to make reclamation… Your own
MY OWN EMILY, Here have I been settling myself to my infinite satisfaction, after having endured the ordeal of France which I went through. Where are you? What are you doing? Remember I have bespoke you, October I expect to lay my egg.169 If you are within reach – oh, it will be such a comfort to me, I positively thirst to have a talk with you. I am so happy to be in England. Better to live on a crust or a crumb, which is not half so good in England, than upon penny rolls in France.
I understand Lord Worcester170 is already so bored with his bargain that he is to be pitied according to the good-nature of the world for anything that is passing wrong. It is sad that for the morality of the world, people will not be convinced that illegality and sin are not free from bore and ennui…
Tell me you are at hand or coming, for I downright long to see you, and in my position you should not let me long, though it would be no great punishment to have a child like you. Sir Guy sends his particular love to you. Your own affectionate
Emily, these trembling lines, guided by a hand weakened by confinement, must speak daggers and penknives to you, for never having taken any written notice of me since you chucked me my child in at the window and went your way. As you come on Monday, I refer all to our meeting.
I want you shockingly… Come to me soon, dear. Your affectionate
Thank you for your two letters which I would have answered sooner, but we shoot all day and are lazy all the evening.
I am not sure that you knew that Wall171 had been ill and near losing the sight from one of his eyes. He is considerably better, and shoots as usual, and has no doubt of perfectly recovering.
My trip to Fonthill172 was an amusing way of passing a spare day, and has left a strong impression of the immeasurable folly with which money may be spent. The house is too absurd, but the grounds are beautiful. Lansdowne has bought some pictures there which he was anxious for, as they belonged
The Coronation of George IV., July 19, 1821.
Lord Leitrim’s daughters.
Daughters of Joseph Strutt of Terling.
Robert Eden, Miss Eden’s brother.
For the death of Queen Caroline on August 7, 1821.
Georgiana, daughter of 4th Duke of Gordon, married in 1803 John, 6th Duke of Bedford.
Lady Maria Fane married Lord Duncannon, 1805, sister to Lady Jersey.
Daughter of Lord W. Russell.
He was then sixty-five.
Pamela, Lady Edward FitzGerald.
Daughter of 9th Earl of Kinnoull, married Henry Drummond of Albury Park.
Lady Campbell’s son Edward was born October 25, 1822.
Lady Worcester died May 11, 1821. Lord Worcester married, secondly, June 29, 1822, Emily, daughter of Charles Culling Smith.
He was the son of Charles Wall, who had married Miss Harriet Baring in 1790.
Fonthill Abbey in Wiltshire, built by William Beckford.