BC_1760_EMONTAGU_SS_3

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<Q A 1760? FN SS EMONTAGU>
<X ELIZABETH MONTAGU>
 [}ELIZABETH MONTAGU TO SARAH SCOTT. MO 5779. 1760 JUNE? 22}]
<P1>
y=e= 22=d=
   I think it an age since I have heard from my Dear Sister & am the more uneasy as I fear her own illness or Lady Babs may have occasion_d her silence. My Brother William told me he gave you an account of his happy proceeding with ye Lady of his affections. She dined here one day & I met her at my Fathers at dinner, & I was to have dined at her house, but I was not able being much indisposed & feverish. I think she seems sensible, & good natured, she has not y=e= Cestus for a girdle nor have the Graces
<P2>
Fashion'd her. Her Brother seems a sensible misanthrope, & I believe is a freethinker; he has read a good deal & is a little pedantick I could almost wish by way of amusement y=e= family had less merit & more (\agrémens\) one has such a vile habit of loving what is agreable. I design however to esteem & respect my new allies to y=e= highest degree. Lady Sandwich was with me last night I think she has look_d better since she came to Chelsea than I had seen her of a long time, & I hope her spirits are pretty good. My Brother Morris & his family are going to Sandleford, which I am very glad of, for I think it is a
<P3>
Good air for ye sweet little man. William threatens us with a world of nephews & Neices & Mother Church is very prolifick to say y=e= truth I think Grace will be necessary to assist human endeavours in this case. My Brother Robinson has sent a most cordial, civil, friendly, Brotherly, fatherly invitation to y=e= Lovers to come to Norton, for my part I do not perceive an absolute necessity to love ones Sisters in law at first sight, but M=r= Matt: Robinson does every thing by system, & it is in his system to shew regards to kindred in a supreme degree. As M=r= William & I did not visit before this treaty of marriage I shall go on (\doucement\) . I waited on y=e= dame y=e= day after he
<P4>
Acquainted me with ye affair & invited her to dinner. I have not askd them to visit me at Tunbridge because Lovers love solitude shady Groves & parting streams. William was in high spirits at first, I think he seems now not unreasonably in love, but on ye whole satisfied & easy, & if she can keep y=e= thermometer of his affections at temperate heat she will be well off. The Missy gave me twenty metaphysical reasons for her marrying my Brother; I am not one of Bishop Berkeleys disciples, & do not (especially in love affairs) annihilate matter & make room for spirit, & in this match I am a materialist, certain atoms arranged into a particular form of countenance seem to me to have done ye business & much good may his
<P5>
His sweet [\BLOT\] [\countenance\] do her. She hangs over him with looks of cordial love enamourd. M=r= Montagu is so angry at y=e= poor youth for marrying a Woman with so little beauty I believe if he was his son he w=d= disinherit him. You w=d= dye with laughing if you was to hear [\him DELETED\] [\M=r= Montagu/] express his astonishment & disdain, & when I laugh at what he says he concludes, I wish it may end well. I endeavour in vain to convince him that a handsome wife is not one of y=e= necessities of life, & when I have mollified him as to y=e= face he begins on y=e= shape. Charles seems to be glad it is not his affair. My Father has utter_d at least a hundred (\bon mots\) on y=e= occasion, & Morris looks as amazed
<P6>
As if he had seen a ghost. I could wish Miss Richardson did not dress with so much fancy, th' adorning [\her/] with so much art is but a barbarous skill
   She has as many beads in her dress as a Nabobs wife, pink coppets & all y=e= prettiness of a beauty in her teens. I wish she had more ye air of a Gentlewoman. or if not that, a decent kind of a grogram figure fit for a parsons wife. but one should rather take her for ye wife of a ribbon weaver. I believe I was such a brute as not to mention in my last how glad I sh=d= be if y=e= asses at Sandleford c=d= be of y=e= least use, if they were not any of them in proper order when you sent pray let them come as soon as they are. I desire to
<P7>
Know whether Miss Crosby has received her things. I have got her Brother appointed Carpenter to y=e= Blest Sloop which please to let her know & also be so good as to pay her for ye carriage of her things for me. & I sh=d= be glad to hear she has got them. Here I was interrupted by y=e= ignoble distress of ye Kitchen chimneys taking fire but it is extinguish'd & all is well. You will soon receive Rapins history. I beg my best respects to Lady Bab & love to Miss Arnold.
   I am
   My Dearest Sister
   Ever most affect=ly= y=rs=
   EM