Friday, March 5, 1830

1830

March

Friday 5

7 1/4

12 5/..

Wrote all but the 1st 7 lines of yesterday – from 8 10/.. to 8 40/.. – Fahrenheit 40° at 7 1/2 a.m. and frosty again –

Breakfast at 10 50/.. in 25 minutes – Before and after (dressed before 12), wrote small sized sheet quite full to Miss MacLean – The following is all the answer I made to all the long rigmarole about Mr. Long in her letter received this day week –

‘By the way, I sent your letter to Mrs. Maclachlan to the petite poste (because sure it would be the safest that way), not caring to brave the awkwardness of calling upon a perfect stranger whom even ‘you know nothing about’ – You can do as you like when you come –

You know quite well that I am always happy to do as you wish; and you will soon see that, as to being ‘angry’ on any subject, my pen must be strangely treacherous indeed, when it ‘shews a little of the spirit of it’ – Only do not believe this –

And, as to all the rest, if my answers, as you observe, shew a ‘defeat,’ so much the better – I should be too happy to find the victory in your hands’ –

Ask her to bring me ‘2 or 3 good common penknives, and 4 good (Brockman is the man’s name?) pencils to write with, and a case of surgical instruments containing scalpels, saw, everything, but I do not wish to give more than four ‘or five pounds for it.  You must shew it at the customhouse and pay what duty is demanded – If you do not like this commission, do not do it – I can do without it’

Then on the crossing 1st page –

‘Nevermind the case of surgical instruments – Perhaps I shall be in England myself one of these days – But will you inquire the price for me of a complete set?’ –

The rest chit chat – nothings – Expression of my great pleasure to see her etc. etc.  Very kind letter –

Then wrote 2 half sheets full, all but 1 1/2 pages to Lady Stuart – Chit chat – Last 1/2 sheet

‘I am much struck by some of your observations about Vere, which shall not, of course, escape me to anyone, but which, if I understand them rightly, do not surprise me at all – I daresay, she not only seemed, but was in reality very happy; and if she sees things very different from what she did a few years back, it is not I who am at all astonished to hear it – a young lady’s heart is not always the same today and tomorrow; and neither you nor I would say to everyone, you must despair for ever because you have been refused once –

Entre nous, I think you will not be puzzled long – your next step will be to acknowledge your regret that the means are so small – To tell you the honest truth, I have fancied no lasting obstacle but this, ever since we 1st talked upon the subject, and I really regret it very sincerely – but, family interest considered, I should hope all things – avec le temps tout d’arrange – May all things work together for good! Surely, surely, the crown has still a few livings to give; and it is very unlikely they should all be better bestowed then as we wish –

Believe me, dear Lady Stuart, very truly and affectionately yours,

A Lister’ –

Then wrote a 1/2 sheet full to Miss Hobart – stupid enough – 

Said tho’ I had recovered from my bilious attack, had not got rid of the stupidity and heaviness attending it – 

Asked if she had yet got Withering’s botany – 

‘I daresay Madame Marcet’s Conversations on Botany would amuse you – 

Goodbye!

Ever affectionately yours, 

AL’ –

Then wrote note, and order for books to Sowerby – all which and reading all over took me till 3 1/2 – Then till 4 writing the above of today – Then sealed and directed till 4 20/.. and went out at 4 35/..

Drove to the Poores’ and sent George up with my card after the ball last night – 

Then sent my packet directed to the ‘Honorable Lady Stuart, Whitehall’ containing letter in envelope to Miss Hobart, and ditto in ditto to ‘Miss Maclean, 12 New Street, Dorset Square,’ which envelope to Miss MacLean contained also letter of order for books to ‘Mr. G. B. Sowerby, 156 Regent Street.’

Then drove to Daldring’s – Settled the carriage to go on Monday to have the new wheels put on – then drove to the Champs Elysées – Got out, walked to the barriere and thence round to the barriere de Louchamps, and there all thro’ Chaillot back to the Champs Elysées, got into the carriage again and home at 5 50/60 –

Dressed – Had a little nap in my chair – Dinner at 6 20/.. Came to my room at 8 40/.. –

Letter this morning about 10 from the Embassy (enclosed, no doubt, to Mr. Charles Stuart and sent by him that I got them so early) from Lady Stuart, Whitehall – 1 half sheet full and 2 1/3 pages of another 1/2 sheet – very nice, kind letter – to which mine of today was in answer –

Sorry I had been ill with a bilious attack – ‘I shall not feel at ease about you, until I hear further of you’ –

Not very good account of herself – they attribute the violent pain in her shoulder and side to ‘bile and liver’ – Have given her much medicine.  She is better now ‘but so weak and trembling I am good for nothing’ –

Lady Hardwicke’s old complaint, ‘loss of voice to that degree that to me ‘tis dumbness’ had returned upon her the last day or 2 of the visit –

Vere seemed very happy, and if kindness and admiration will make anyone so, I am sure she had sufficient from every branch.  This I tell you, dear Miss Lister, only for your ear, not even to Lady Stuart, but I confess I am puzzled, as I think she sees things very different from what she did a few years back.  The excellence of the person and attachment to her I do not doubt but the means, I fear, are so small at present I can hardly wish it.  But you may imagine I am rather in an anxious state  The case is clear. Poor Miss MacLean knows not much of Vere if she thinks to persuade her in favour of Aubrey Beauverie.  She is in love at present as far as her capability of passion can overcome her cold heartedness  vide line 23 last page et seq –

Hopes I have got acquainted with young Charles if my illness has not prevented it ‘Do you think he is liked, tell me I beg.’  Referred to my last letter, said I did not think it possible for him not to be liked.

Letter too, along with Lady Stuart’s, from Miss MacLean – 3 pages and one end, and outside, offering a magnificent India Shawl (belonging to someone she knows) at 90 guineas which I declined –

She thinks Lady Stuart much gone off in looks – The spot on her ankle increases – Will soon be a sore – Miss MacLean fears bad consequences –

Hopes not to be in London after the 20th – Will steam it from London to Boulogne – Say I had forgotten all about giving her till the 3rd April.  Beg she will take till the 15th if she likes –

I said nothing of Vere but to beg Miss MacLean to pay her for the album –

No scolding in this letter – Good humoured enough – Still in high glee about Mr. Long’s success – ‘Lord Darnley is daily with Mr. Long as a patient, he told him yesterday, that his manner, his mode of argument, was as forcible as Brougham’s and much in the same style.  Keep this to yourself as it you and others may at present laugh at it’ !!!

What a noodle Lord Darnley must be !

From 8 40/.. to 9 25/.., wrote all but the 1st 6 lines last page and so far of this – Coffee at 9 1/2 – Came back to my room at 10 3/4, at which hour Fahrenheit 46° – Very fine day – Sat reading Dr. Thomas’s Practice of Physic from 12 to 12 35/.. – Croup, etc.

WYAS Finding Numbers SH:7/ML/E/13/0007 and SH:7/ML/E/13/0008