Rose at five, and off at seven for Penzance; a day of incessant wind and rain! looked for the mount and its bay to the right, but happening to turn to the left window, I just did so in time to see it in all its glory, and quite near me, the billows lashing its rocky sides! Kind Lord de D. has procured me the means of sleeping there at the next full moon! * * My lodgings pleasant; a good drawing-room, a decent bed-room, and a fine sea view, are my possessions here, and leisure. May I employ it well! Dear S. and A. Fox! they were so kind, that I was very loth to quit them! but here I am.
A touching mention follows of the tidings she received of the death of a sweet child of some of the friends she had left.
(11th.) Walked on the shore after dinner—the Mount very dark when we first saw it, then it was sunlit, then dark and misty, then light again, and green as an emerald was the flood swelling against it, and edged with snow-white feathers. Beautiful Mount, I long to be better acquainted with thee!
(18th.) The day lovely; walked to find the tombs of my cousins. Such a walk! the air balmy, the bay blue and gold, the Mount darkly grand! saw it almost all the way. The churchyard pretty; the tomb simple; in its railing is another like it, over a mother and son, friends of Philothea.[[35]] On our return the Mount was bright—saw the granite rocks: and the sea was first green and then a bright blue! so lovely! not at all tired. Enjoyed my walk and my dinner. Wrote in the evening to General Lafayette and E. M.
TO SARAH ROSE, BRACONDALE, NORWICH.
Regent’s Terrace, Penzance,
1st mo., 14th, 1833.
It is long since the receipt of any letter has given me so much pleasure as the one I received to-day from thee, my beloved friend. * * * I intend to write to my friend, Judith Beecroft, but I defer writing till I have visited St. Michael’s Mount. She and Laura, who have passed a night with the monks, at the convent of Great St. Bernard, will still look down on poor me, who shall, when I write, have passed a night in that rocky wonder. But I am to enjoy the great pleasure of visiting the rock and ramparts by moonlight, and I am to sleep there;—par conséquent, I shall also see the sun rise and set there—a great privilege; whether I may have the bells set a ringing or not, I can’t tell, but I should like to judge of all the effects possible in that unique spot.
I have lately been staying at Lord de Dunstanville’s, and he it was who wrote to Sir John St. Aubyn’s housekeeper, desiring a bed to be prepared for me, whenever I chose to go; and that is at the next full moon, (a suspicious circumstance, n’est ce pas?) But, dear me! how should there be any moon where there is no sun? only once have I seen the latter since I came hither, last fifth day, the 10th. Wind, rain, and no fish! and I usually live on fish; but then in two minutes I can be on the beach, and see the Mount. * * * Oh! what a blessing is leisure, and its promoter, solitude! I can say, with deep thankfulness, that I have been only too happy with my dear Cornish friends; too happy, because, I have been idle and useless; but, much as I have enjoyed this very precious society, I cannot express my delight at feeling that I have fourteen hours before me when I rise, or more, to do what I will in, and write and read as I choose.
* * * At Paris the glass is many many degrees below freezing point; here, there is rain and wind, but no frost. I fear, indeed know, that you have frost, but I hope thou feelest it not. I will add that my health is perfect, and I need the sorrows of my friends to sober my spirits. My drawing-room commands the bay, and on one side the town and hills of N., washed by the sea.