Lord H., I am afraid of everything; there wants but little of my being afraid of the small-pox for you; so unreasonable are my fears, which however proceed from an unlimited love. If I lose you-I cannot bear that if;which I bless God is without probability; but since the loss of my poor unhappy brother I dread every evil. Saturday. I have been to-day at Acton to see my poor brother's1 melancholy family. I cannot describe how much it has sunk my spirits. My eyes are too sore to admit of a long letter. TO MR. WORTLEY MONTagu. [Walling Wells. Indorsed "25 July," 1713.] I AM at this minute told I have an opportunity of writing a short letter to you, which will be all reproaches. You know where I am, and I have not once heard from you. I am tired of this place because I do not; and if you persist in your silence, I will return to Wharncliffe." I had rather be quite alone and hear sometimes from you, than in any company and not have that satisfaction. Your silence makes me more melancholy than any solitude, and I can think on nothing so dismal as that you forget me. I heard from your little boy' yesterday, who is in good health. I will return and keep him company. The good people of this family present you their services and good wishes, never failing to drink your health twice a day. I am importuned to make haste; but I have much more to say, which may be however comprehended in these words, I am yours. Say something of our meeting. 1 He died on the 1st July.-T. 2 Near Sheffield, the residence of Mr. Wortley Montagu's father.—T. 3 Edward Wortley, their first child. He was born in May or June, 1713.-T. Το [York, about Nov., 1713.] I RETURN you a thousand thanks, my dear, for so agreeable an entertainment as your letter. "In this cold climate where the sun appears wit is as wonderfully pleasing as a sun-shiny day; and, to speak poetically, Phoebus very sparing of all his favours. I fancied your letter an emblem of yourself: in some parts I found there the softness of your voice, and in others the vivacity of your eyes: you are to expect no return but humble and hearty thanks, yet I can't forbear entertaining you with our York lovers. (Strange monsters you'll think, love being as much forced up here as melons.) In the first form of these creatures, is even Mr. Vanbrugh. Heaven, no doubt, compassionating our dullness, has inspired him. with a passion that makes us all ready to die with laughing: 'tis credibly reported that he is endeavouring at the honourable state of matrimony, and vows to lead a sinful life no more. Whether pure holiness inspires his mind, or dotage turns his brain, is hard to find. 'Tis certain he keeps Mondays and Thursdays market (assembly day) constant; and for those that don't regard worldly muck, there's extraordinary good choice indeed. I believe last This letter has neither address nor signature. As it is indorsed by Mr. Wortley Montagu, it was most likely addressed to his sister Katherine, Anne being then dead.-T. 2 The architect and dramatic writer, afterwards Sir John Vanbrugh. He built Castle Howard, the seat of Lord Carlisle, whose daughters, Lady Mary's early friends, are often mentioned in her letters. Castle Howard was finished in 1712. Being much patronised by that nobleman, Vanbrugh was frequently a visitor there. Among the manuscript collections of the late Archdeacon Coxe is a copy of a letter from Vanbrugh, dated "Castle Howard, October 29, 1713," in which he says: "I am but lately got to Lord Carlisle's, which is now so agreeable a being [sic] from the nature of the place, the works he has done, and the manner of his living, that I shall have much ado to leave it till I am forced to come to town to take care of several uncomfortable things which I fear will long be alloys to the pleasures I could else have some taste of."-Add. MSS. in Brit. Mus., No. 9123,-T. Monday there were two hundred pieces of woman's flesh (fat and lean): but you know Van's taste was always odd; his inclination to ruins has given him a fancy for Mrs. Yarborough; he sighs and ogles that it would do your heart good to see him; and she is not a little pleased, in so small a proportion of men amongst such a number of women, a whole man should fall to her share. My dear, adieu. My service to Mr. Congreve.2 TO MR. WORTLEY MONTAGU. [Middlethorpe, near York. Indorsed "26 July, 1714."] I SHOULD have writ to you the last post, but I slept till it was too late to send my letter. I found our poor boy not so well as I expected. He is very lively, but so weak that my heart aches about him very often. I hope you are well; I should be glad to hear so, and what success you have in your business. I suppose my sister is married by this time. I hope you intend to stay some days at Lord Pierrepont's; 4 I am sure he'll be very much pleased with it. The house is in great disorder, and I want maids so much that I know not what to do till I have some. I have not one bit of paper in the house but this little sheet, or you would have been troubled with a longer scribble. I have not yet had any visitors. Mrs. Elcock has writ me word that she has not found any cook. My first enquiries shall be after a country-house, never forgetting any of my promises to you. I am concerned that I have not heard from you; you might have writ while I was on the road, and the letter would have met me here. 1 Henrietta Maria, daughter of Colonel Yarborough, of Haslington, near York. She became afterwards the wife of Vanbrugh. Vanbrugh was at this time upwards of forty.-T. 2 The dramatist.-T. The 3 Lady Frances Pierrepont, married to the Earl of Mar. marriage was announced in the "Post-Boy" of Thursday, July 22, 1714, as having taken place on "Tuesday last."-T. * Lady Mary had been recently on a visit at her great-uncle Lord Pierrepont's seat at Hanslop, near Newport Pagnel. Lord Pierrepont had desired her to invite her husband to come there.-T. I am in abundance of pain about our dear child: though I am convinced in my reason 'tis both silly and wicked to set one's heart too fondly on anything in this world, yet I cannot overcome myself so far as to think of parting with him, with the resignation that I ought to do. I hope and I beg of God he may live to be a comfort to us both. They tell me there is nothing extraordinary in want of teeth at his age, but his weakness makes me very appre hensive; he is almost never out of my sight. Mrs. Behn says that the cold bath is the best medicine for weak children, but I am very fearful and unwilling to try any hazardous remedies. He is very cheerful and full of play. Adieu, my love; my paper is out. TO MR. WORTLEY MONTagu. [Middlethorpe. Postmark, “ 4 Au.,” 1714.] I AM very much surprised that you do not tell me in your last letter that you have spoke to my F. [father]. I hope after staying in the town on purpose, you do not intend to omit it. I beg you would not leave any sort of business unfinished, remembering those two necessary maxims, Whatever you intend to do as long as you live to do as soon as you can; and, to leave nothing to be done by another that 'tis possible for you to do yourself. I have not yet sent the horses. I intended to do it yesterday, but John is very arbitrary, and will not be persuaded to hire a horse from York to carry the child. [Illegible.] He says there is none that can go, and they will spoil ours, and a great many other things that may be all excuses, but I know not what answer to make him, and 'tis absolutely necessary, now the child has begun his bathing he should continue it; therefore I'll send the saddle-horse to-morrow according to your order, to Matthew Northall,' and he may hire another to send with it to you. I thank God this cold well agrees very much with the child; and 1 Matthew Northall and his wife were servants of Mr. Wortley Montagu. The latter, as a nurse to their child, accompanied them to Constantinople.-T. he seems stronger and better every day. But I should be very glad, if you saw Dr. Garth, if you asked his opinion concerning the use of cold baths for young children. hope you love the child as well as I do; but if you love me at all, you'll desire the preservation of his health, for I should certainly break my heart for him. I I writ in my last all I thought necessary concerning my Lord Pierrepont. TO MR. WORTLEY MONTagu. 2 [Middlethorpe. Postmark, "Au. 9," 1714.] I CANNOT forbear taking it something unkindly that you do not write to me, when you may be assured I am in a great fright, and know not certainly what to expect upon this sudden change. The Archbishop of York has been come to Bishopthorpe but three days. I went with my cousin to-day to see the King proclaimed, which was done; the archbishop walking next the lord mayor, all the country gentry following, with greater crowds of people than I believed to be in York, vast acclamations, and the appearance of a general satisfaction. The Pretender afterwards dragged about the streets and burned. Ringing of bells, bonfires, and illuminations, the mob crying Liberty and Property! and Long live King George! This morning all the principal men of any figure took post for London, and we are alarmed with the fear of attempts from Scotland, though all Protestants here seem unanimous for the 3 Hanover succession. The poor young ladies at Castle Howard are as much afraid as I am, being left all alone, without any hopes of seeing their father again (though things should prove well) this eight or nine months.* 1 Sir William Dawes, Baronet. He succeeded Archbishop Sharp, and was inthroned by proxy the 24th March, 1714.—T. 2 George I. Queen Anne died 1st of August.-T. The daughters of the Earl of Carlisle.-D. He had three daughters, two of whom are afterwards alluded to in Lady Mary's letters as Lady Irwin, and Lady Lechmere.-T. 4 The Earl of Carlisle was chosen one of the Lords Justices for the government of the kingdom till the King's arrival from Hanover. He was afterwards First Commissioner of the Treasury.-T. |