BC_1783_EMONTAGU_EC
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<Q A 1783? TC EC EMONTAGU> <X ELIZABETH MONTAGU> [}ELIZABETH MONTAGU TO ELIZABETH CARTER. JULY 13 1783? bMS ENG 1351 (18-19)}] <P1> July 13=th= [\IN PENCIL 1783\] My dear Friend I w=d= fain flatter my self that y=e= agitation of the Sea brings to you much brisker air, & freshes breezes, than we enjoy here; but still I am not quite void of apprehension that the close hot weather may [\WORD DELETED\] be bad for your present state of health. Heat is bad for bilious Constitutions, & your finding a greater reluctance to talking than usual, is a symptom of languor which the present character of the air must encrease. I intended answering your kind letter by y=e= first post, but the heat of ye weather made too indolent for any kind of exertion, & as the post did not go out yesterday, I was thrown two days behind. On thursday night we had a violent storm of thunder, lightening, & rain, a branch of <P2> a Tree very near the House was struck by the lightening, but thank God no farther mischief was done. On friday evening we had a fine airing in our whiskey, which made us some amends for ye heat of the morning. At Supper we had the most beautiful lightening [\unaccompan ENDS IN MARGIN\] with thunder; for an hour after Supper we banishd the Candles that we might ye better enjoy the august Spectacle; but at eleven o'clock it grew most terribly sublime indeed; the thunder became so loud that ye whole House seemd tumbling about our ears, & the flashes of lightening were horrible, but this state did not last long: with great thankfulness to Providence we [\[\say\] INTO saw\] it subside without having made any fatal impressions. Saturday morning the weather was very suffocating & hot, in the evening there were a few claps of thunder but ye storm seemd to be at a distance My nephew went to Oxford last wednesday to make <P3> a visit to M=r= Lyttelton Lord [\Westcotes\] Son, & at my desire brought him to Sandleford. He is a young Man of excellent character, has a fine understanding, & most pleasing manners. I rejoyce that the Heir of Hagley promises to be worthy to enjoy the Seat of the Muses & the Virtues. M=r= Lyttelton & Montagu were schoolfellows at Harrow, & I hope the friendship they began there will continue through Life. M=r= Lyttelton has not so strong a state of health as I c=d= wish, but as he is very temperate I hope he grows stronger. He seems to have ye gentleness & benevolence of our Friend the good Lord Lyttelton. He is to return to Oxford tomorrow. I am very glad to hear our dear Sylph & M=r= Vesey are going to Margate. D=r= Warren forbids his [\taking\] a long journey during ye hot weather, & I sh=d= flatter myself that when the <P4> Summer is over he will not wish to go to Lucan for ye Winter I hope our dear Sylph will be able to come over to Deal to visit you sometimes. The Bishop of Salisbury has given very laudable attentions to ye affairs of his Diocese, & has written to all ye Clergy, making strict enquiries into the manner in which they perform their Parochial duties. I am afraid [\my Brother William DELETED\] will not receive much praise from his Lordship. I hear my Brother & his family are coming to Burfield this week. I cannot ask the honour of their company here, for we are so straiten'd for room, that I am Obliged to quarter two Servants in ye Neighbour [\hood/] even to make room for M=r= Lyttelton. It is great pity that an unwillingness to talk sh=d= befal a Person who is capable of conveying instruction & giving pleasure by every sentence they utter. If you c=d= change this niggardliness of speech for ye loquacious disposition of some of the Gossips in y=r= Neighborhood, <P5> the Publick w=d= receive much advantage by that exchange, but in this respect as well as in another the Rich are Misers, & the poor are prodigal. I am very sorry for the accident of M=r= Clayton, his death w=d= in any manner have been a great affliction, to Lady Louisa & all his Friends, but the shock they must have received on this occasion must be very terrible. Lady Louisa is an excellent Woman & Providence will support her, I make no doubt Pray make my best comp=ts= to M=r= Carter & M=rs= Underdown, & give my love to my dear Godson if he is with you. I hope you will often take a trip to visit M=rs= Pennington. Let me intreat you to consult D=r= Douglas on ye affair of y=r= speech, the Organs must be debilitated if they cannot perform the easy days work you impose on them. Weight of Sense is a meer metaphorical expression, & a sentence of yours is not heavier in ye tongue than ye levities of Miss Beddy Belair. Miss Gregory <P6> my Nephew, & M=r= Gilbank, desire their respects. We are all in perfect health, & our mode of life, as I told you, does not aim at any other perfection. With ye most affectionate respect & attachment I am my dear Friend Ever yours EMontagu