BC_1778_EMONTAGU_MA_3

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<Q A 1778? FN MA EMONTAGU>
<X ELIZABETH MONTAGU>
 [}ELIZABETH MONTAGU TO MARY ROBINSON. APR 11 1778? BL ADD. 40663. F. 77}]
<P1>
April y=e= 11=th= Dear Madam
   I have the pleasure of assuring you My Neice was in perfect health on Sunday. I brought her home to dinner & kept her with me till monday morning when I returnd safe back to her school. I never saw her look in better health; & she stoops much less than when she went to school. Her behaviour is always very proper & obliging. I carried her in the evening to M=rs= Walsinghams where I was engaged, as she is my particular friend, I c=d= take the liberty to do so, tho in Town young Ladies of my Neices age are not carried abroad. I am sure you will be desirious to hear a true account of Lord Chathams accident in ye House of Lords & of his present condition of
health.
   The news papers are in but little credit in general but their account of that affair has been very exact. His Lordship had been long confined
<P2>
by a fit of the Gout so was debilitated by illness & want of exercise, the House was crouded by numbers who went to hear him on so critical a state of affairs. The thunder of his eloquence was abated, & the lightening of his eyes was dimmed to a certain degree when he rose to speak, but the Glory of his former administration threw a mellow lustre around him, & his experience of publick affairs gave the forces of an Oracle to what he said, & a reverential silence reignd through the Senate. He spoke in answer to y=e= D: of Richmond the D: of Richmond replied, then his Lordship rose up to speak again the genius & spirit of Brittain seem'd to heave in his bosom, & he sunk down speechless, he continued half an hour in a fit, his eldest & second & Lord Mahon were in great agony waiting the doubtfull event at last he happily recoverd & tho he is very weak still I am afraid by his family that he looks better than he did before this accident. The next day L=d= Shelburne & the D: of Richmond carried in ye same debate
<P3>
& Lord Shelburnes speech was much admired.
   It is said my Friend M=r= Pulteney has been [\now\] at Paris negotiating with D=r= Franklin but the result is not known. M=rs= Pulteney was here last night but I was too discreet even to mention ye affair. Montagu came home to day The school in a manner broke up yesterday but as ye weather is hot, y=e= Town sickly, & I was to have an assembly I w=d= not bring him home. He goes to Sandleford on tuesday & I am to follow him on wednesday. The weather is inviting, & I hate this Season of y=e= year in London, if I am here I am obliged often to have company, & my eating room is not large enough & high enough for large dinners & numerous Guests. I shall come to London again in my way to Northumberland. D=r= Robertson who calld on me this morning told me a Gentleman he met in Berkely Square just before assured him the french [\had/] taken two of our armed ships, the Doctor is an Historian of great veracity but in an affair of this kind he
<P4>
could not examine the evidence.
   M=rs= Scott & Miss Arnold were here last night. I was glad to see Miss A: appear in better spirits than she has done of late. There is no doubt but my Sister will take care of her. She is a very good young Woman but she has not only her merits to plead for her, but it w=d= be a wanton act of cruelty to take a Person out of their situation & then leave them unprovided for, & of such [\cruelty/] my Sister could never be guilty. I met my Father taking the air yesterday, this fine weather agrees with him as well as with the tender vegetables. He seems in good health but his memory decays daily. You know that M=rs= Robinson has sold her House but the money is not yet paid in. L=d= Kerrys fine furniture sold very dear these bad times. I bought a large glass at ye french Ambassadors sale, & some other things for my new House pretty cheap. I suppose so great a sale just before made y=e= second sale more reasonable. I beg my love to your Consort & my Neice & Nephew & best respects to my Bro=r= Robinson when you see him. I believe y=e= Recorder is in London but have not seen him of some days. I hope you will come into Berkshire while I am at Sandleford