“Strawberry Hill, June 11, 1780.”
Mrs. Abington to Mrs. Jordan.
“No. 19, Eton Street, Grosvenor Place,
“January 6th, 1807.
“I beg leave, dear Madam, to make my grateful acknowledgments for the favour of your kind remembrance. Your ticket with those of dear Miss Betsworth, and the Miss Jordans, was sent to my present habitation on New Year’s day.
“I have not slept in London since I came from the Wealds of Kent, where I passed my summer upon a visit to Sir Walter and Lady Jane James, and their lovely family.[355] It is near a grand scene of Gothic magnificence, called Bayham Abbey, a seat of Lord Camden’s, the brother of Lady Jane. In their peaceful retreat and accomplished society, I have very much recovered my health and spirits, and hope to have the happiness of seeing you soon, as I am now looking for something to inhabit in London. In the meantime, if you, dear Madam, or the Miss Jordans, will do me the honour of calling at my present abode, which are two rooms, where I keep my clothes and trumpery, I shall be much flattered; and beg you to accept the compliments of the season, and a sincere wish that you may see many, many returns, with every happiness you are so well entitled to expect. Adieu, my dearest Madam. Be pleased to make my compliments to the ladies, and believe me your most obliged, etc.,
“F. Abington.”[356]
MRS. JORDAN
“The very sound of the little familiar word bud from her lips … was a whole concentrated world of the power of loving.”—Leigh Hunt