BC_1742_EMONTAGU_MB_2
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<Q A 1742? TC MB EMONTAGU> <X ELIZABETH MONTAGU> [}ELIZABETH MONTAGU TO THE DUCHESS OF PORTLAND. MO 323. AUGUST 19? 1742? ALLERTHORPE, YORKSHIRE. EMENDATIONS BY A LATER HAND}] <P1> To the Duchess of Portland Allerthorpe Thursday y=e= 21 Aug:=st 1742 [\DATE AND PLACE ADDED?\] Madam I do verily believe your Grace half condemns me for not having wrote before to you; but I will give your curiosity ample satisfaction, & your indignation as entire pacification, before I have finish'd my letter. That I did not write upon the Road is very accountable, first I was lazy, which is sometimes the case; secondly, I was stupid, which I will not take upon me to say is not always the case; but the truth is, I was dull without a zest of the pert as impertinent, & so thirdly & lastly, I said nothing because I had nothing to say. On Tuesday I arrived at this place, not tired of my journey, but satisfied therewith. As far as Nottingham you will travel very soon, & then as far as Doncaster, therefore it will be but impertinent to give you an account of the Road, or any thing concerning it; I will only tell your Grace I saw Nottingham Castle, where there is beauty & magnificence worthy the wisedom & the Riches of [\y=r= INTO your BY ANOTHER HAND?\] Ancestors. As we came nearer to <P2> this Place the Country grew more wild, but not less beautifull; we came thro' Some Rivers that charm'd me beyond all things: whether they were once melting Maids or weeping Lovers, I don't know, but since the World is grown Laborious those idle Tales are forgotten which once were sung to the happy Shepards' Oaten Reed. I am surprized you do not fix a time for going into the Country. I Imagine you will spend your Christmas there; but did ever any one go into the Country above a hundred miles to gather snowdrops, or take a Winters [\blast\], we have at present very fine weather, the Sun gilds every object, & I assure you it is the only fine thing we have here, for the House is old & not handsome: it is very convenient, & the situation extreamly pleasant. We found the finest peaches nectarines & apricots that I have ever eat: your Grace will think I mean turnips, Carrots, & parsnips; but really & truly they are apricots, peaches, & nectarines. Tomorrow, I believe will be one of the happiest days I ever spent, I am to go to fetch my Brothers from School; how delightfull will be such a meeting after so many years separation. I am glad [\Dup? DELETED\] remembers no more <P3> His Labour & Sorrow for joy that a Male child is born into the World: I think no Man better deserves a Child; the End justifies the means, else what should one say for his [\extream INTO extreme? BY ANOTHER HAND?\], surprizing, amazing, fondness for the Lady, it is very indelicate to be so fond of all that composition of julep, jalep, pill, & bolus, her breath [\must/] [\smells INTO smell\] like a gallipot of physick, & a box of salve, endearing charms to an Apothecary but (\un peu degôutant\) to a Man of Quality. to bring such a Slovenly Corse betwixt the Wind & his Nobility! I am glad there was a child but pray was there not a little Souterkin for the joy of the Ladys Relations? Pray, is the Dupplinnetto so like his Father as to talk [\to/] the first ear he meets? I imagine my Lady will never suffer it to learn to walk, because that is too rude an exercise I [\undoubtedly? DELETED\] [\imagine/] when it [\is/] eight years old, instead of going to Westminster school, it will be sent to Apothecaries Hall, & there have its stomach improved till it is able to digest Album Græcum. I am glad L=d= Dupp enjoys his Liberty & Leisure, the [\rest DELETED\] [\ (\rèpose\) /] a Gentleman takes <P4> after the honours of sending a Son into the World may be call'd Ease with dignity. [\16 LINES DELETED BY ANOTHER HAND I had a letter from Lady Andover the night I came here; y=r= Graces too was here before me & I assure you this is the first post since I came that I could write, for it [\goes\] out only thrice a week & on tuesday I came too late to set down to write. We perform'd our journey in Six days with very easy Stages. I am sorry for Lady Bell[\lope?\], I wish her grief may not have any bad consequences. Your Grace [\was/] very good in sending me news of the India Ships. I have heard nothing yet of my Brother but he does not know where I am. the Post is going but, company, business & many letters of necessity have taken up so much of my time that I have not had enough to write a longer letter but in a very few days you shall have a longer letter.\] M=r= Montagu begs his complim=ts= to y=r= Grace & my L=d= Duke; my Sister desires the same [\Same? DELETED\] [\I am/] his Grace's most obedient, & ever my Dear Lady Dutchess's Most obliged, Faithfull & affectionate E Montagu [\DELETED BY ANOTHER HAND? I am very well\]