Thursday, October 21, 1830 Travel Journal

1830

October

Thursday 21

9 10/..

3 10/..

At my desk at 10 – From then to three and a half, wrote two more pages to Lady Stuart and three pages and the ends, long ones, to Miss MacLean –

At 3 50/.., sent off under cover to ‘Son Excellence l’ambassadeur d’Angleterre etc. etc. etc. Faubourg Saint Honoré, Paris’ my letter to ‘The Honourable Lady Stuart, Whitehall, London’ in the same envelope one to ‘Miss Maclean’ – To the former, 4 pages common letter paper, small and close, and to the latter 3 pages and long ends – Giving each a brief summary of my travels since writing to them both last on the 14th ultimo – Copied from each letter the praises of Lady Stuart de Rothesay.

Very kind letter to Miss MacLean that all the world might see – love to Vere in Lady Stuart’s letter, saying I had not time to write her even a little note –

Had just sat down to calculate what I had to pay Jean when Lady Stuart arrived at 5 – Dinner at 6 – Expecting the maids in the Berlin –

Lady Stuart wrote to the Commandant and got permission to have the gates opened for them – All in vain – Not arrived at 2 5/.. When I came to my room –

The children went to bed at 8 3/4 – I furnished them with night shifts and my two ladies caps and Lady Stuart with a night ditto and a cotton cap, all which she accepted after some difficulty.  I really believe she is rather shy than nobility like in so constantly refusing things.  I think, however, she is gradually coming to treat me with less form. 

We sat cozing tonight about Miss Hirriott, and her being rather out of temper.  Governesses the class oftenest going deranged and putting themselves away.  The Duchess de Duras’s cook, not Ourika but the second or Olivier, a very odd story.  Then on my keeping an apartment in Paris with my cooks, she offhand advised me not, more than she would have done some time ago.

Said I should certainly take my aunt home. this led to my father and Marian.  Said both were odd.  She had, by her folly in taking up people and opinions nobody liked cut herself out of the property.  Mentioned my father’s queerness about building a farmhouse at the Cunnery, about taking up the thorn bushes, turning the brook and footpath, and not allowing stoves for my aunt. Put me to expense in not consenting to Cunnery Wood being taken down at first.

Then said how he had left the army and spent his money.  I should have liked him to volunteer for Portugal, but he went into the militia and left us all, me too.  Difficult to be managed by my mother.  Drunk half bottle wine and then brandy and water at a time.

Here Lady Stuart got up at one and a half to go bed, so my story was cut short.  She was taking all very well.  We then dawdled about her going to bed etc. etc. Got her my cotton night cap and chemise.  She took it all as if we were better acquainted.  Perhaps we shall end in being good friends.

No chance of Lord Stuart’s coming to meet us –

Daly, the banker in Paris and Tourneau, ruined and stopping payment –

Fine day – Fahrenheit 63° now at 3 3/4 tonight –

WYAS Finding Numbers SH:7/ML/TR/8/0031 and SH:7/ML/TR/8/0032