I shall probably have to unsay all I have said of Newton, for George has discovered he thinks him pleasant, which is an unexpected blow. Do not twit me with inconstancy if I say so too. Your most affectionate
E. EDEN.
[Lady Sarah Robinson was the daughter of Robert, 4th Earl of Buckinghamshire. Her mother died in 1796. Three years later her father married Eleanor Eden, who proved to be a good, hard-working stepmother; Lady Sarah gave her constant employment in that capacity even after her marriage to Mr. Robinson in 1814.
Lady Bucks saw that her stepdaughter was comfortably provided with clothes. Amongst other items in her trousseau, were “five beautiful sattin gowns all covered with lace, and twelve high gowns all covered with lace, and nineteen more low gowns all covered with lace—thirty-six in all.”
Lady Sarah had one daughter Elinor, who, seeing the discomfort her mother underwent before the birth of one of her children, said she was “determined to have all her children before she married, and enjoy herself afterwards.” Elinor died, aged eleven, in 1826. A year later her only son was born, George Frederick Samuel, who succeeded his father as Earl of Ripon in 1859, and was created Marquess of Ripon in 1871.
Lady Sarah was highly nervous and hysterical, and a constant source of amusement and irritation to her relations and friends. Her husband resigned after he had been Premier for five months, stating that his wife’s health would no longer allow him to remain in office.]
Miss Eden to Miss Villiers.
EASTCOMBE,
Sunday, 1 o’clock, October 30, 1826.
DEAR THERESA, I am sorry you had the trouble of sending for me yesterday, for Mary Drummond settled when I arrived that my remaining here would allow her to go home to her children, so she went home after dinner last night and I sent up to London for my things and all here was in such confusion, and there was so much to write that I could not write to you. The poor child[231] is still alive, and yesterday afternoon we had all talked ourselves into spirits about her, though Warren and West[232] continue to repeat that they cannot allow the slightest expectation of her recovery to be entertained. Since that, my sister’s maid writes me word this morning that she has had a most wretched night, constantly screaming and groaning without one moment’s quiet, and that the attendants all thought her very much worse, but that Warren did not think her materially so, as they did.
Think what it must be to witness. Sister has not been out of the room since seven yesterday morning, and with the exception of Tuesday night has sat up seven nights. She sees no one, but I had a composed letter from her last night. Sarah sat up on Friday, and from fatigue and anxiety gave way yesterday morning entirely, and had several fainting fits. Nobody can tell what he goes through, and he is, I think, as nearly angelic in his feelings and conduct as it is possible for man to be. The doctors speak of him with tears in their eyes. Fanny and I are going to walk there now and may perhaps see him, but at all events some of the doctors. You have no idea what it is the waiting here, expecting every hour to have directions to have this house prepared to receive them. They will all come here as soon as it is over. Yours affectionately