BC_1768_EMONTAGU_EC_2

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<Q A 1768 TC EC EMONTAGU>
<X ELIZABETH MONTAGU>
 [}ELIZABETH MONTAGU TO ELIZABETH CARTER. SEPT 29 1768. SANDLEFORD. MO 3227}]
<P1>
ye 29 Sept 1768 My Dear Friend
   I fear_d you would find bad effect from the excessive wet weather, & my fears are too well confirm'd. I have felt the influence of this humid atmosphere pretty severely in the continual uneasiness in my jaws & face. You may be assured that round faced Mary & Israel, now Bride & Bridegroom, will do every thing in their power to accommodate you; & there is always a well aired bed, so tho my own bed is taken down to be cleaned, I w=d= still recommend my House preferably to M=rs= Dunbars, for if they do not leave a man Servant in Town I think it not so safe to be in a House at this time of year, when so many families are out of Town, & I flatter myself you will like to sit in my dressing room, & generously send me a reverie at leisure moments. I had
<P2>
a charming [\letter/] from the Sylph last post, & the most charming of many charming things it contain'd, was an assurance of her coming to us this Winter. M=r= Vesey w=d= have her precede [\him/] but like a true good Wife, she will wait for his accompanying her, by which she will retard the welcome her Friends w=d= give her [\here/] & embarass his (\Adieux\) to the Belles he is to leave behind. Sweet Sylph! the Rooks that fly over her head seem to her to be Orators Poets & (\beaux esprits\) , & thro the grate of a ruin'd Nunnery she fancies she hears the whispers of Athenian maids, such sweet forebodings has she of L=d= Lyttelton, M=r= Burke, M=rs= Carter & [\all/] ye Worthies of the society of her round room. I care not how soon the winter winds compell us to take shelter in the Walled City. Never did the Summer scatter so few pleasures in its flight, it shook down deluges of rain, & if there was any glowing sky it seem'd forging thunder bolts
<P3>
for a stormy evening succeeded every fine day. The Barley harvest is very unfortunate there will be a great deal of bad wheat, the quantity will lower the price, especialy in the early part of the Winter, for the bad wheat will not be fit for reserving in the granary. M=r= Montagu is surprizingly mended within these few days. I am endeavouring to perswade him to go to London before the winter attacks him, but I cannot yet perceive that my eloquence, great as it is, has made much impression. I am very solicitous to hear of M=rs= Underdowns perfect health. It is vexatious that M=rs= Talbots [\House/] sh=d= be so long getting ready for their reception. I think our Nobility have nobly entertaind the Royal Dane but does not your antient [\BLOT\] [\Go...st?\] for [\ye/] Gothick [\ceremonie/] make you wish for Tilts & Turnaments? I w=d= have the two Monarchs only break a Lance, but it w=d= be pretty to see the Ministry & y=e= Opposition tilting a (\toute [\Outrance INTO Oultrance\] \). The late (^great Commoner^) &
<P4>
and a certain (^popular Gentleman^) for one match w=d= do admirably well. All Arthurs & the Newmarket Heroes should be making betts ye while. I hope the King of Denmark will spend his merry Christmass with us. I want to see some of these gallantee shews that are made for his amusement. I have a great loss in Lady Hervey. In her society one tasted ye rare pleasure of general conversation polite & ingenious herself she communicated these qualities to her company, every one appeard better there than in any other place. They were pleasing because they seemd pleased, & that reserve which makes ye most sensible Nation in the World perhaps the least agreable in society was laid aside. No person at her table, at by her fireside had the arrogant vanity of shining alone, nor the pitifull pride of being afraid to speak least they should not shine; they forgot whether they were or were not accounted witts & genius's & rememberd only they were her Guests, & as such to endeavour to be agreable to her & the company.
[\REST MISSING\]