We have been doing nothing particular to-day except going in a large party after some woodcocks.
I am as pleased as Punch with the American peace.[29] We shall get rid of the property tax, and the 3 per cents will be up in the skies. We have nothing yet to succeed Whishaw.[30] Sir George Paul[31] is near seventy, but he is a fine old beau, and has one of the prettiest places in England, so that if the Dowager Lady Ilchester[32] does not snap him up, something may yet be done.
To console us for not having you, we have an Emily here who has something of the fooley in her, but she unluckily is a dullfooley.
I have in leisure hours been looking over a good many old letters which are here, written by the Fox’s and Pelhams and Sir Charles Hanbury Williams,[33] etc., etc., in the reign of George II., some of which are very entertaining. I send you a copy of verses written by Sir C. H. Williams to one of Ilchester’s aunts, Lady Susan O’Brien.[34]
Sweeter than the sweetest Manna,
Lovely, lively, dear Susannah,
You’re the girl that I must muse on,
Pretty little smiling Susan.
Oh! if verses could amuse ye,
Fairest, gentlest, laughing Susey,
I’ll write to you, but ne’er rebuke ye,
Handsome and good-natured Sukey.
Every rhyme should flatter you
Trifling, dimpling, tender Sue.
I’ve sung my song and so adieu! adieu!
Susannah, Susan, Susey, Sukey, Sue!
Mary is quite reviving to-night, and is making a deuce of a noise, and be hanged to her. My love to my Mother and all. Yours very affectionately,
AUCKLAND.
Miss Eden to Lady Buckinghamshire.
Monday, January 1815.
MY DEAR SISTER, I have not a guess how far Mary’s journal[35] has been continued to you. She says, “The great amusement here seems to be eating, which goes on from morning till night. There is an immense breakfast for people to go in and out to, a large luncheon which stands two hours on the table, a very long dinner, and a regular supper, which altogether takes up half the day. To-day, by way of amusement, and keeping up an old custom, we have all been baking, that is, spoiling an enormous quantity of good things in the housekeeper’s room, making some uneatable gingerbread and cakes, and ourselves very dirty. There are a quantity of children here, and all very nice ones seemingly. Lady Theresa Strangways[36] would be really a dear little thing, if Lady G. Murray[37] would not talk and teaze one so about her stomach and teeth.