BC_1777_EMONTAGU_MA_2
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<Q A 1777 FN MA EMONTAGU> <X ELIZABETH MONTAGU> [}ELIZABETH MONTAGU TO MARY ROBINSON. 1777. BL ADD. 40663. F. 65}] <P1> Sandleford ye 26=th= 1777 [Sept=r= LATER ADDITION] Dear Madam My Brother the Recorder would probably inform you, that he left me in London nursing Montagu in the Measles. I went to London on y=e= 19=th= of july, in order to make my (\adieux\) to the Primate of Ireland & my Friend M=rs= Vesey, who were in the point of leaving [\in DELETED\] England. Three days after I got to Hillstreet my little Man was brought home in a very drooping condition, & continued so for a good while, at last the measles appeared, & I thank God were not accompanied with any dangerous symptoms, but he sufferd a good deal, & I believe his Aunt not less. The voice I had been used to hear sing a merry song, or whistle a jolly tune, utterd nothing but groans. On Saturday fortnight he was so recoverd that I brought him with me to Sandleford, & with riding on horseback, jumping on the Hay Rick <P2> playing at Trap, & whatever suited the character of Valetudinarian or Boy, he perfectly recoverd his health & strength; but to confirm these good things, I was orderd by S=r= J: Pringle & M=r= Farquaha[{r{] [\COVERED\] to send him to bathe in the Sea. I thought Deal not being a publick place preferable to any bathing Town in that stile. Coffee houses, Balls, & Assemblies are not good for boys. At Deal his Tutor will keep him to his studies, & my Godson who was in France with us is now with M=rs= Carter, so there he will have a safe & proper playfellow. Montagu & Mr [\Gelbank\] set out on monday, he will be at Deal on thursday. I orderd him to wait on the Recorder his Aunt & Cousin, but as we are confined to time he must make ye best of his way to Deal, else he should have paid his duty to you & my Brother at Denton. I was order'd to have him physicked & cleard of any remains of the Measles before I sent him to bathe. We <P3> are therefore obliged to encroach on ye holydays which I never love to do, but I hope M=r= Heath will not blame us. He is orderd to bathe three weeks. Montagus measles deranged all my schemes. I could not carry him to Mount Edgecumbe to take his physick, regular exercise, &c & when that affair was over, the time for going to school left but bare three weeks for the bathing. I propose to go to Lord Harcourts on friday. I have had repeated invitations all this Summer, & had intended going [\in/] about three weeks, but Lady Nuneham earnestly intreats me to meet the French Ambassador & his Lady there this week, which I shall do with great pleasure. Nuneham is a very fine place, & the owners of it are so amiable & agreable that one passes ones time very pleasantly. It sometimes resembles a Congress of all the Ambassadors in Europe, for L=d= Harcourt having been in a publick <P4> character all the Ambassadors, & indeed all foreigners of distinction come thither. I remember passing three days there once without hearing a syllable of english spoken, had every one of the company spoken his Mother Town it w=d= have resembled Babel. Monsieur & Mad=me= de Noailles are most agreable Persons, & I wish we may not have any other Foreigners while they stay. Our Measles prevented my paying my respects to M=dme= de Noailles when I was in Town, as her little Son has not had the distemper, & he is a Person of great importance being Heir apparent to the greatest House in France in point of connexions, & in rank & fortune equal to any. The Primate & S=r= William Robinson were much pleased with my Brothers kind reception of them. Indeed I do not know any one who makes his House so agreable to his Friends. His parts & knowledge make him an excellent <P5> companion, & his apparent benevolence integrity & virtues endear his talents. I am much rejoyced to find riding has been of so much service to my Neice, & I flatter myself she will soon get an establish'd state of health. I dare say Miss Mary wishes herself old enough to be of the riding party with her Brother & Sister. I expect every day to hear of the arrival of our Friends at Armagh. I was a little uneasy about my Brothers health when he set out on his journey, but as the exercise did not bring any return of his jaundice, I have no doubt but change of air will be of service to him. I agree entirely with the Primate that your Reverend Consort w=d= grace a Stall, but he is of so unambitious a spirit I believe he will not take any pains to get into one. Dean of Canterbury would suit him very well. A Dean is not obliged to fast or pray, nor has ye troublesome care of any Soul but his own. We are now very busy in the Harvest <P6> We had a great deal of Hay & fortunately very little of it was spoiled. We have a prodigious crop of Wheat this year, & I dare say our Neighbours have the same, & yet old Wheat sold [\76\]=d= a bushel last week, & some new wheat for 8=s=. I hope tho I am a Farmer the price will soon fall, for the poor Labourers cannot earn a subsistence for their families when bread bears such a price. I have about 40 Reapers at work at present, to take advantage of the fine weather. I brew'd seven hogsheads of small beer for them, & fear it will not last to ye end of harvest. The poor Reapers & Haymakers bring nothing but water into ye field, which with bad cheese & fine bread is their general fare. I think our Northern people are much more notable, their meals are more plentiful & less delicate, they eat coarse bread & drink a great deal of milk, & have often salf beef. I must not congratulate you on the taking Ticonderago as I imagine all the prophecies in your House foretold it w=d= not be taken, & I observe in general if people have predicted a misfortune they had rather it should happen than have their prediction fall into discredit <P7> I beg the favour of you to present my most affectionate compliments to your Divine & best love to my Nephew & Neices. I presume my Nephew now keeps happy holydays. With very sincere esteem I am Dear Madam Your most affectionate sister & Faithfull Friend & H=ble= Serv=t= Eliz Montagu