MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD n //>(>i/r# 10039 PREFACE THE early letters of MARIA JOSEPHA HOLBOYD were considered by her contemporaries to be of unusual merit and worthy of careful preservation. Pier acquaintance with many of the actors in the stirring scenes amid which her youth was spent furnished her with subjects of more than passing interest. 'Were you to keep a journal/ Gibbon writes to her, ' of all the authentic facts which the French exiles relate, it would be an agree- able exercise at present, and a future source of interest and instruction.' What Gibbon thought too of her style the following extracts from his letters to her father, Lord Sheffield, show : ' I must have from the very excel- lent pen of the Maria the tragedy of the Archbishop of Aries, and the longer the better ; ' and again, ' The five incomparable letters of Maria.' For more, however, than style or energy of descrip- tion were they valued. Serena Holroyd writes to her niece, 'Your remarks on the present state of literature are so strikingly just on all sides that I should almost like to publish them. As I think it is likely some of your younger children may be poor, if your letters are collected they might make one of them rich ! ' Now viii GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. that this suggestion, after the lapse of a hundred years, is being in part fulfilled, it may not be too much to hope that the letters, which then gave so much pleasure, will not have lost their charm, but will interest others besides the grand-daughter to whose care they were entrusted, and to whom the arrangement and editing of them has been so great a delight. J. H. A. October 11, 1896. The Centenary of Maria Josepha's wedding-day. CONTENTS CHAPTER I. EAELY DAYS. 1777-1787. PAGE Letter from Serena Going to the play The Polish dwarf An 61oge First mention of Gibbon Original story Serena's advice as to deportment Mrs. Siddons Lord Sheffield an author Varied reading Daily occupations Duchess of Portland's museums Improvements at Sheffield Place First Sunday School at Bath Industrial Schools Gibbon's expected visit Sir Joseph Banks . 1 CHAPTER II. FIRST FLIGHTS. JANUABY, 1788 JUNE, 1791. Invitation from Gibbon to Serena Portrait of Lord Sheffield by Sir Joshua Reynolds Trial of Warren Hastings Study of Botany- Sir G. and Lady Webster The Sloop ' Maria 'Dress Perform- ance of the ' Messiah ' Lord Sheffield's Reception at Bristol Lady Sheffield's Pets Exeter Change Lady Bristol's Assembly The Drawing Room and Ball Projected Visit to Gibbon at Lau- sanne Preparations for the Journey Serena's Fears ... 20 CHAPTER III. CRAZY PARIS. JUNE TO AUGUST, 1791. Departure from Sheffield Place Flight of Louis XVI. and Marie Antoinette Arrival at Dieppe Rouen Chateau de Navarre Paris in 1791 Debate on King and Constitution Royal Prisoners at the .Tuileries Dinner at Roberts' Apotheosis of Voltaire Visit to the National Assembly Noailles Palmerston Extracts from Maria's Diary Fontainebleau Discomfort Dijon The Hospital Letter from Serena 35 X GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA IIOLROY1). CHAPTER IV. WITH GIBBON AT LAUSANNE. AUGUST TO OCTOBER, 1791. PAGK Arrival at Lausanne Gibbon's Home The Severy Family M. and Madame Necker Madame de Stael Excursion to Chamounix Lady Webster Geneva Marriage of the Duke of York Society at Lausanne Comte de Lally Tollendal Scenery Sufferings of the Exiles Letters from England 62 CHAPTER V. ACROSS PERTURBED EUROPE. OCTOBER TO DECEMBER 1791 Homeward journey Berne Basle Strasburg Arrest of officers The new National Assembly Adventures on the road Mannheim Embarkation on board the Rhine boat Disasters The Aristo- crats Through Belgium Departure from Calais Trials en voyage Joyful home-coming Lady Webster's letter from Nice Gibbon to Maria Josepha ' Old Nick's' letter Lady Craven The Orleans Princesses Madame de Genlis Pamela Lavater's re- marks on Lord Sheffield's picture His nose * Caroline de Lich- field' 88 CHAPTER VI. THE TRAVELLERS AT HOME. JANUARY TO MAY, 1792. First visit of Comte de Lally Tollendal to Sheffield Place French enigma Foreign politics Pamela introduces a Red Cap Louisa Holroyd sent to live with ' Aunt Serena ' Letters to her sister Lady Webster corresponds with Maria Josepha Miss Moss at Geneva Her adventures at Gray 118 CHAPTER VII. COMTE DE LALLY'S TIDINGS. MAY TO JULY, 1792. Letter, from France Tragic end of Theobald Dillon Vicomte de Noailles transmits news of June 20th Mob at the Tuileries Insults to the King and Queen Ten hours of agony Fainting of CONTENTS. xi PAGE Louis XVI. The National Assembly opens with a ballet-panto- mime Dinner to 500 Sans-culottes Stormy deliberations The Procession The Tables of the Law Assault on the Tuileries Courage of the King and Madame Elisabeth ' Les tigres adoucis ' The Dauphin plays with the Bonnet rouge The Queen's dignity inspires respect At last the day ends The decrees Pe"tion ' Go to bed ' . 13G CHAPTER VIII. EVIL DAYS. THE PITY OF IT. 1792. Scene in the Champ de Mars and the Ecole Militaire Fidelity of the Grenadiers Fortitude of the Eoyal Family C/a ira Seditious cries Temporary revulsion in favour of the Koyal Family Princesse d'Henin reports the manifesto of the Duke of Brunswick Paris the week previous to the Massacre of August 10th, 1792 Letter from Berne Charges against the Swiss Guards refuted Arraignment of the King His dignified Demeanour . . . 156 CHAPTER IX. THE PBIESTS* TALE AUGUST TO DECEMBER, 1792. Louisa's letters Miss Moss's flight Her journey home from Geneva Lady Webster on Venice and Vienna The Comte de Lally again at Sheffield Place His Imprisonment at L'Abbaye His release Arrival of eight shipwrecked priests Their joy at finding Lally alive Their tale More Emigres are received Sub- scriptions for the sufferers Letter from Gibbon Anxiety about Lally Lady Webster at Naples Louisa's opinion of Mr. Fox. . 180 CHAPTER X. DEATH OF ABIGAIL, LADY SHEFFIELD. 1793. Lady Webster's son Death of Louis XVI. English politics House- keeping Gibbon mourns over changes at Lausanne Lady Web- ster at Naples The Emigres Their destitution Lady Sheffield's exertions on their behalf Disquieting foreign rumours Lady Sheffield's illness Her death Miss Burney Evelina. . . 209 xii GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. CHAPTER XI. MARIA JOSEPHA AS CHATELAINE. 1793. PAGE The Camp at Ashdown Forest A lull in France Lady Webster's visit Gibbon grumpy News of Dunkirk Tunbridge Wells Society there Death of Marie Antoinette Brighton Home life. 234 CHAPTER XII. THE HISTORIAN'S LAST PAGE. JANUARY TO JULY, 1794. Guests at Sheffield Place Gibbon Hayley Mr. Jekyll Gibbon's failing health Gloomy political prospects Narrow escape Gibbon's serious illness His death Grief at his loss His funeral His manuscripts Quiet days Inoculation Canning's first speech Talk of invasion Ireland prosperous The Gibbon Memoirs Raising a Yeomanry Corps Fashions Politics The wry-necked Secretary Gibbon's first love His library . . 256 CHAPTER XIII. OLD FRIENDS AND NEW TIES. JULY TO DECEMBER, 1794. Ministerial changes Highland uniform Papers and picture from Lausanne Alarming adventure Neighbours The camp at Brighton The review Interesting Swiss and German guests Revising the Gibbon Memoirs Marriage of the Prince of Wales Ingenuity of Fletching Ringers Loss of Friends Lord Sheffield's second marriage Invitation to the wedding Letter from Hayley A friendly hermit's advice . 292 CHAPTER XIV. LUCY, LADY SHEFFIELD, * THE DEAR LADY.' 1795. Lady Sheffield's influence The Birthday dance Reception atCarlton House East India Company entertain Warren Hastings Louisa leaves Bath Serena's regrets Wheat and flour Mr. Jekyll CONTENTS. xiii PAGE Effervescence of witsMadame d'Arblay Edridge's portraits Lady Sheffield to Maria The Brighton ball Attempt on the King's life ' Vie de Madame Koland ' An old friend's wedding 313 CHAPTER XV. 'THAT SOMETHING MAY COME OF SOMETHING.' JANUARY TO APRIL, 1796. Duke and Duchess of York Brown bread and pottage French guests Anxious times Narrow escape of George III. Publication of Gibbon's Memoirs London life Mr. Stanley .... 358 CHAPTER XVI. THE WORD ' OBEY ' IS SAID. MAY TO OCTOBER, 1796. Eclaircissement Universal sunshine Serena's home truths Wed- ding cloaths Tiresome lawyers ' Sheffield for Ever ' Count Bumford on chimneys Obstacles overcome The ' Dear Lady's ' illness The marriage The bride 375 INDEX , 401 Errata. Page 29, line 5, for ' polisettes ' read ' jolisettes.' 239, lines 3 and 4 from bottom, for Castaux read Carteaux. 336, line 10, for Puiraye read Puisaye. Pages 351, 352, 354,/yr Bremerton read Bemerton. LIST OF PLATES. MAKIA JOSEPHA AND LOUISA HOLEOYD (DAUGHTEES OF JOHN, LORD SHEFFIELD) . . . Frontispiece SAKAH MAETHA HOLEOYD ('SERENA') . . to face p. 35 JOHN BAKEE HOLEOYD (LORD SHEFFIELD) . 112 ABIGAIL (FIRST LADY SHEFFIELD) . . . 209 MAEIA JOSEPHA HOLEOYD . . . . ,,234 JOHN THOMAS STANLEY (FIRST LORD STANLEY OF ALDERLEY) . . 375 The figures of Gibbon and Lord Sheffield, on the cover, are reproductions of silhouettes taken in 1791, and preserved by Maria Josepha Holroyd, among her souvenirs of the visit to Lausanne. INTEODUCTION. MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD was born January 3, 1771. Her father, John Baker Holroyd, was created Baron Sheffield of Dunamore, Co. Meath, in 1781, given an English peerage in 1802, and advanced to the Earldom of Sheffield, in the Peerage of Ireland, in 1816. Lord Sheffield was a man of cultivated literary taste, an authority on questions of Finance, Commerce, and Agriculture, and an industrious Member of Parliament, He was a weighty speaker ; a writer on Political Economy, and an energetic and enlightened County Magistrate. He represented Coventry and Bristol in the House of Commons; was a Lord of Trade, and later, President of the Board of Agriculture, and a member of the Privy Council. He especially interested himself in the Government of Ireland, and in the commercial relations between England and America. Lord Sheffield's first wife was Abigail, daughter of Lewis Way, of Old Court, Eichmond, by his third wife, Abigail, daughter and heiress of Edward Lockey, of Den- ham Place, Bucks, which became their home in 1730, and was the birthplace of their daughter. Abigail, Lady Sheffield, was a refined and beautiful woman, whose grace and charm of manner endeared her to her husband's friends. Xvi GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. Gibbon's appreciation of her was shown by his ex- pressions when writing of his intended visit to England, * Lord Sheffield and yourself will be the loadstone that attracts me,' and again to Lord Sheffield, 'Insinuate to your silent Consort that separate letters require separate answers.' The fatigue and hardships of their foreign tour in 1791 seem to have been too much for Lady Sheffield's fragile health and nervous temperament, and from that time many of her duties devolved on her bright and capable daughter Maria Josepha. It is a pathetic fact and worthy of record that Lady Sheffield died from a chill caught on Good Friday 1793, while ministering to the comfort of French refugees lying ill at Guy's Hospital, of which Institution her father and brother were Presidents in succession. At his house in Downing Street and in the ' hos- pitable retreat ' as Gibbon found it, of Sheffield Place, in Sussex, Lord Sheffield entertained the leading spirits of his day. Men of mark in politics, science, literature, and art met at his home and shone in its congenial atmosphere. Lord Sheffield's lifelong friendship with Gibbon dated from the time they were together at Lausanne in 1764, when the historian wrote of him as 1 a friend whose activity in the ardour of youth was always prompted by a benevolent heart and directed by a strong understanding.' During the social upheaval in France, distinguished Emigres such as Comte de Lally Tollendal, Prince de Poix, M. Malouet, fugitive princesses, exiled savants, and shipwrecked priests, found under Lord Sheffield's roof the kindest welcome and the most efficient aid. In such INTRODUCTION. Xvii varied society Maria Josepha and her sister Louisa spent their girlhood. Maria's keen intellect was early stimulated by the conversation around her ; and she entered eagerly, while yet a child, into all her father's interests. She had de- cided views of people and things, and formed her own opinions on every sort of subject, social, political, and religious, and was accustomed to read and criticise the best books, English and foreign. She early acquired a love of botany from Sir Joseph Banks, and delighted in gardening and country pursuits. Nor were domestic concerns beneath her notice. A new stitch in needle- work, a good pattern for her father's shirt, or a house- hold recipe (even for feeding nightingales), were equally welcome to her. At seven years old Maria Josepha was already con- sidered a delightful companion by her grandfather, Mr. Isaac Holroyd, and by his daughter Sarah Martha, better known as ' Serena,' a name perhaps suggested by a sweet- ness of disposition as great as that of Hayley's ' Serena ' in his once popular poem of ' The Triumphs of Temper.' At the age of twelve she was writing on easy terms of equality to her older relations ; indeed, when her father was too busy, and her mother too tired to write, they depended entirely on Maria to transmit tidings of the family, which she never failed to do. To her Aunt ' Serena ' most of Maria's letters are addressed. Another correspondent was Miss Ann Firth, long a member of the household circle at Sheffield Place, and tenderly cared for by successive generations up to her hundredth year. This family correspondence, interspersed with occa- XVlll GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. sional letters from friends, foreign and English, gives pictures of Society in London and in Bath ; of a journey across France in the early days of the French Revolu- tion, of the state of Paris, and of one of the most fantastic incidents of that strange time, the Apotheosis of Voltaire. A visit to Mr. Gibbon's home at Lausanne is also described, together with the return journey of the travellers through Germany, when all Europe was beginning to arm. Later, there are allusions to the threatened invasion of England by the French, the life of the French Emigres, the trial of Warren Hastings, and the serious condition of the agricultural classes in England. The home life of Maria Josepha is brought vividly before us, her mother's sudden death, her father's second marriage, and the growth of that friendship with Mr. Stanley which determined the whole course of her after life. These letters cover the period of twenty years of Maria Josepha's eventful youth ending in 1796. The first letter was written to her when she was a child of six by Serena Holroyd. The last letter is written by herself as a bride to her old friend Miss Firth, dated from her new home, in the first happy days of her marriage to Mr. Stanley, afterwards first Lord Stanley of Alderley. THE GIRLHOOD OF MAEIA JOSEPHA HOLEOYD CHAPTEE I. EABLY DAYS. 1777-1787. Letter from Serena Going to the play The Polish dwarf An e*loge First mention of Gibbon Original story Serena's advice as to deport- ment Mrs. Siddons Lord Sheffield an author Varied reading - Daily occupations Duchess of Portland's museums Improvements at Sheffield Place First Sunday School at Bath Industrial Schools- Gibbon's expected visit Sir Joseph Banks. Serena to her Niece Maria Josepha. Bath : January, 1777. THOUGH I have been prevented from answering my dearest Maria's letter sooner, I thought it a very pretty one, and it gave great pleasure both to Grandpapa and me. We are very happy whenever we hear that our dear little Maria is well and deserves to be loved. We remembered your Birthday 1 and drank your health, and wished you many happy years, and longed to give you sweet kisses. We hoped you would live to be the joy of Papa and Mama, and by your affection and goodness make them a return for their care and tenderness, and then you will be as happy as we wish. You are now, I daresay, entertain- ing dear Grandmama and comforting her for their absence. 1 January 3, Maria's birthday, an anniversary always observed in the family. B A 2 GIRLHOOD OF JVIARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. You are her little nurse and companion, and she loves you for it and so do we. . . . We wish to see Dr. Foster, who is coming to Bath, because he will give us a particular account of you, and I hope will tell us that you grow every day more pleasing, and that you are gentle, good and obliging to everybody. Girls that are not so always pass for vulgar, ill-bred children, and are despised and unhappy. You will remember this I am sure, and will try to gain hearts by the sweetness of your temper. Your Grandpapa sends love to you, and if he was able, would go two hundred miles to see you. ... I hope, some time, we shall have this pleasure. Remember us, as kindly as possible, to dear Gran, who we hope is better than usual. Say everything kind for us to Miss Firth, whom we all love. Mrs. Gibbon l never forgets you, but presents com- pliments. I should write more, but that I have written a long letter to mama, and don't know anything that would entertain you. Think of us often, my dear little Maria, and believe that I love you with my whole heart, and shall be ever, your sincerely affectionate Aunt, S. HOLEOYD. Maria Josepha to Serena. Sheffield Place : Sunday, July ye 7, 1782. Your letter quite delighted me ; they are always so entertaining that (except papa and mama) I had rather have one letter from my dear Serena, than ten from any- body else. ... As I have not wrote to you for some time, I must tell you a few things about London, tho' we have been in the country a month next Wednesday. About three weeks or a month before we went out of town, we went to Sadler's Wells ; Louisa 2 went for the first time of 1 Stepmother to the historian. 2 Her younger sister, afterwards Lady Louisa Clinton. EARLY DAYS. 3 her going into those sort of places ; it was very well bestowed upon her, for she was as delighted as ever she could be. Have you ever been there ? and how do you like it ? For my part I liked it very much, but not to come up to a Play. Then we went to see the Polish Dwarf and the Irish Giant, I do not know whether you may have heard talk of them ; the first is exactly three foot high, and the last eight foot, two Inches. What a difference ! I beg you will never make what you call an apology for not writing ; you write when you please, and I write when I please without any set time. ... I will allow you to moralise as much as you please, for the more you do, the more agreeable are your letters. The Lessons you mention as having received from my dear Grandfather are excellent ; and, pray God ! I may profit by them as you have. You showed me when you was in Downing Street an eloge on him, I think in French, made by your- self, may I beg a copy of it from you. I will keep it as the virtues of one who is now no more, and as a proof of my dearest Serena's talents. You say you felt like a young woman again when you was drinking tea out of doors at Miss Cooper's. Pray how long is it since you was an old one ? I could have romped with you very well just as I do at home. You think I do not regret London. I should not if the year was equally divided ; but we are only five months in town, and seven in the country. I do not give you any settled time to write in, but be assured that my Serena's letters will always be acceptable to her most affectionate, MAEIA JOSEPHA HOLBOYD. [The following copy of the ' Eloge ' shows that Serena complied with the request. It was found carefully pre- served among Maria's treasures.] B 2 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. Cinq mois apres la mort de monPere. October. 1778. C'etait 1'ame la plus sensible qui fut jamais ; 1'exacte verite, 1'equite delicate, 1'inviolable fidelity, la tendre et bienfaisante humanite residoient dans son coeur. Elles y 6toient nees et s'y maintenoient sans effort. Cette chaleur vivifiante qui donne de la grace a tout, (meme aux defauts) ornoit ses vertus et le rendoit aussi aimable qu'il etoit estimable. Mais ce que plus que tout le reste lui attachoit ses amis, c'est qu'on trouvoit en lui la vraie et parfaite amitie, si souvent soupgonnee de n'etre qu'une vaine Idee. La confiance qu'il savoit inspirer, c'etoit celle qu'on a pour soi-meme, et volontiers on lui eut dit ce qu'on auroit eu peine a s'avouer. Le tendre interet dont on le voyoit pen^tre et sa vive attention a ce qu'on lui disoit, alloit jusqu'au fond du coeur et en developpoit les replis les plus caches. "Voila le vrai Portrait du cher Pere que j'ai perdu. Est-ce qu'il me faut le pleurer? Peut-on 1'oublier? II est mort Mai lime, 1778. S. HOLROYD. Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : August 8, 1782. How happy my dearest Maria makes me in telling me that our correspondence is a pleasure to her ! I could scarce flatter myself it would be so, though I did not doubt that you would comply with the request to oblige me. ... If I told you all that I think of your letters it would seem like flattery, and might prevent the liberty and ease of your stile, which is the very thing I like best, and what I have scarce met in a young EARLY DAYS. 5 beginner. I can hardly persuade myself that a dear girl between eleven and twelve, writes to an Aunt past 40, as if it were to her friend of her own age ; and yet it is doubly pleasant, because it is a sure proof of affection, and that you don't think that same Aunt a formal, cross creature. Believe me, my dear Maria, she will ever love you most sincerely and hopes to be ever dear to you. ... I fear these heavy rains must be bad for the corn. I wonder how ' Farmer Sheffield ' escapes. . . . Adieu now, my dearest Maria. I may tire you as well as myself; though we shall not be tired of loving one another, we may be tired of too long writing. I am r most sincerely and affectionately yours, S. HOLROYD. Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : November 30, 1782. .... I drank tea with the Duchess of Ancaster, and Lady Mary Bertie asked very obligingly for you, and said she liked you so much she wished you were better acquainted. She said you were very sprightly and polite. ... I hope you will see the little Polish Count, who had a sister only 17 inches high ; a perfectly pro- portioned beautiful creature, eighteen years old, who died of the small pox. I enclose the real measure of the Count's sole of his shoe. My shoemaker made him a pair. I have not seen him and you will think me very dull ; but to say truth I have no pleasure in those sort of objects, though everybody says he is so lively and entertaining, that he is a very pleasing companion. Mr. Gibbon liked him so much that he will give you the best account, and had I been here, when Mr. Gibbon was at Bath, I should have seen the Count to great advantage in his company, as he entertained him particularly well. GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. Maria Josepha to Serena. London : Monday, February 16, 1783. If I knew not how fully your time is employed, I should be indignant at your long silence ; but the Length and Agreeableness of your Letters when you do write, take from me all possibility of complaining. You desire to have a Journal of my London life. You forget who you are writing to. I am no Kake. However, for me, I have been one. Last Thursday Papa, Mama, my Aunt Way, Mrs. Foster and myself went to the Opera. I was very much entertained ; but what is an Opera compared with Mrs. Siddons and a Play ? Have you got ' Les Annales de la Vertu,' or have you only heard of it ? I have not got it. Did I not tell you some time ago I had seen the little Baron ? If not, I do now. I saw him last year. You have lost a very curious sight by not seeing him. I likewise saw the Irish Giant : since I saw them, the little Baron has been prevailed upon to visit the Giant. They measured : and the Baron came up to the second knee Button ! I did not see them together, but had this account from Mr. Gibbon, (who is now laid up with a fit of the Gout). I am writing on the Duchess of C - though slowly ; but my time is so taken up with different affairs such as Dancing, Music, Geography, Work, &c., &c., that I have scarce any time to write, but on a Sunday. I am very much afraid you have forgot the beginning of the story ; however, this I dare say you will remember, 1 that 1 This is a sarcastic allusion to The Dwhesse de C., an original story by Maria, in which the heroine meets with a tragic fate at the hands of her jealous husband. EARLY DAYS. 7 the Duke is a Good-tempered, Agreeable, Affectionate, kind husband. If ever you marry, I hope you will meet with full as good a one. . . . I am, my dear Serena's most affectionate MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. Maria Josepha to Serena. Sheffield Place : September 12, 1783. Indeed, my dearest Serena, I think it a great con- descension on my part to write to you, since you have not wrote to me from April 12. But as the last sheet of the Duchess of C left her in the Dungeon, I thought you would be glad to know how she liked her situation, and I thought likewise that I might as well write, if it was only for the pleasure of finding fault with you. I have got ' Les Annales de la Vertu.' I like them very much. ... I think all Madame de Genlis' works that I have seen very pretty; but I prefer 'Adele and Theodore ' as yet, for I have but begun ' Les Annales.' . . . I expect a letter very soon, or I shall be no longer my dearest Serena's affectionate MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. Serena to Maria Josepha. Brighton : Sunday, September 15, 1783. Last night I received the dear Maria's letter, and, to make amends for past omissions, don't delay a post send- ing a thousand thanks. You know I delight in your letters. . . . However, I allow it to be condescending in you not to drop such a correspondent as this same Serena, and if she is not very ungrateful, I think your manner of correcting her for her faults must have a good effect upon her. 8 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLHOYD. I am very much obliged to you for introducing me again to the poor Duchesse de C . I began to think it cruel to make no inquiry about her in such a situation and for such a time, Her misfortunes so interest me, and still more as a certain little pen that writes them will be so dear to me, that I shall keep the whole when finished to look at in future days, and perhaps show you some twenty years hence. When your husband treats you as the Duchesse de C , which is probable, I flatter myself you will have the same patience, fortitude, and resignation ! . . . I saw Lady Eothes yesterday, and asked her the question mama desired of the year in which the same sort of meteor, as we Jiave lately seen, made its appear- ance, and she says it was in 1716. Lady Eothes heard that Mr. Gibbon was nominated to succeed Mr. Maddison, as Secretary to the Embassy ; but I want faith, and don't think he would accept it. I want to hear more of him. I hope Mrs. Porten 1 arrived safe and well at Sheffield Place. Ever, dear Maria's affectionate S. H. Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : January 19, 1784. I have been so much taken up with my Bath friends after a long absence from them, that I have never had time to write to my dearest Maria, though I have often sent my love to her. I have never, however, had you out 1 Gibbon's favourite aunt, of whom he writes to Lord Sheffield, You have obliged me beyond expression by your kindness to Aunt Kitty. . . . Apropos, I think Aunt Kitty has a secret wish to sleep in my room ; if it is not occupied, she might be indulged.' EARLY DAYS. 9 of my thoughts, nor ever forgot the pleasure I had when at Sheffield Place, in observing not only the prettiest, kindest attention to myself, and many sweet marks of your affection, but also in your whole stile and manner to everybody. . . . Beauty in a woman is of no conse- quence, but a good carriage, a strait shape, and genteel person, mark the well-educated, and seem to me as necessary for a woman of any fashion as to know how to spell. We have got an Air-Balloon in Bath, but I don't go to see it, as I saw it in London ; nor have I gone to a Play or a Ball. I am quite the Dowager, but my beauty, embonpoint, and bloom are much admired in a quiet way. I hear that you don't allow me to be a * cat ' ! Mama was so good to tell me so, and I was delighted with your clearing me from such vile aspersions. . . . Maria Josepha to Serena. Downing Street : March, 1784. I have seen Mrs. Siddons ; she was not ill this time. My Aunt Gregory Way had the two front Rows of a Front Box, and offered Mama two places. The Play was ' Isabella,' which, on Mama's account, I was sorry for, as she had seen it twice. I myself had no objection to it. Mrs. S fully answered my expectations. She left out that dreadful Shriek I have heard she gave on seeing Biron. Her dress was very pretty, particularly the white. Her voice was so low that in many parts I could scarce hear her. I think her very pretty. . . . As for the Duchess de C , you must not expect to hear anything of her till I go into the Country ; but I think we left her very properly ; for, as she was uncertain of her fate for nine years, is it not fair that you should be so for at least as many weeks ? We have got a Seat in Duke Street Chapel. I should have preferred a Church 10 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. with an Organ in it. Mr. Catton has given [Louisa] an Air-Balloon work bag; it is made of pink silk. Everything now is Air-Balloons : there are Balloon Hats, Balloon Cakes, Work Bags, and even Balloon Noses. . . . Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : May 2, 1784. ... I am not reconciled to the loss of franks. 1 I love the liberty of enclosing letters and of scribbling as much as I please, but I shall not allow it to deprive me of my dear Girl's letters. It would be a bad compliment to say I only valued them at fourpence, therefore I flatter myself it will never stop you from writing, when you have time and inclination. Maria Josepha to Serena. Sheffield Place: December 22, 1784. . . . Papa returned on Sunday ; he is writing hard about Ireland ; he has abundance of papers on the sub- ject. He thinks Mr. Pitt knows very little about it ; he is trying to learn it, but has nobody about him that knows anything of the matter better than he ; however, Papa's opinions are not concealed. Ireland is pretty quiet just now, but it is thought the Patriots will be troublesome in the House. M. Caplin 2 is come, and says Mr. Gibbon was never better in health, not having had the gout since he was at Lausanne, and, we are sorry to hear, never happier. Mr. Corry, an active member of the Irish Parliament, and Mr. Tarleton, the very warm admirer of the Author (my Papa), are to be here on Friday next. We have no hopes that he will now ever be better than 1 Lord Sheffield had just lost his seat for Coventry. 2 Mr. Gibbon's English valet. EARLY DAYS. 11 an Author. If he must be one I wish he was a Poet ; it would be pleasanter to me when I speak to him that he should utter some sublime verses, than let it appear he was attending only to the Herring Fishery or the Woolen Manufacture. I am occasionally employed to read some horrid and almost illegible Manuscripts on these Subjects ; dear Mama does not doat upon these pursuits more than Louisa or I ; Louisa calls it ' nasty commerce,' but Miss Firth has more reason to complain, as she has the tre- mendous business of making out Tables of Figures. A Scotch Author called on Papa last week in London, and told him he might come in for any place in Scotland if there was a vacancy, and Mr. Tarleton says that some great Frenchman, talking of Papa's work, said, 'If he should live to see a French Nobleman write thus on Commerce, he should be quite content and satisfied.' . . . I am, my dear Serena's most affectionate MAEIA J. HOLEOYD. Maria Josepha to Serena. Downing Street : February 13, 1786. You wish to know my Studies. In the first place I am reading ' Les (Euvres de Dieu,' for which I cannot thank you enough. I never read anything of the sort that was at the same time so amusing and instructive, and where everything is turned to a Religious Purpose. ' Sully's Memoirs ' and ' Plutarch's Lives ' I am also reading. I like very much separate lives of Great Men ; these, you know, are ancient, but I have read, too, John- son's ' Lives of the Poets,' which entertained me very much. . . . Did you ever read Destouche's ' Plays ' in French ? Ten very small Duodecimos, and are, I think, very good plays ; but my favourite plays are Le Mercier.'s, 12 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. who wrote the ' Tableau de Paris.' His are mostly serious, and the ' Deserter ' is one from which that charming Dance was taken, performed for two Seasons at the Opera House. . . . You have heard, I daresay, of Mrs. Jordan, who is all the fashion here. I hope to see her soon, and I will then give you my opinion of her. I do not wish to see Miss Brunton, for I am so delighted with Mrs. Siddons that I would not be put out of conceit with her. Papa has put me this year upon my allowance, and gives me forty pounds a year for everything. ... I think Sheffield Place is much preferable to this place, at least at present ; for putting together my rides, my dining and supping down stairs, I feel myself more of a Woman there ; but however, that is to come even in Town some time or other, and then, perhaps, I may change my opinion. Maria Josepha to Serena. Sheffield Place : March 1, 1786. I used formerly to be a greater Friend to London than Sheffield ; but since I have begun to ride upon Pearl, she and my riding habit, add great charms to the country. I look forward with pleasure to July, when I hope to renew my farming rides with the Author, for Mama does not take as much pleasure as I do, in Ploughed Fields and Dirty Lanes. I hope you will come to Sheffield this summer to ride with me. I do not know whether you are fond of what we call Expeditions, but if I can persuade you to come I will give them up to ride Serene-ly and Sober-ly. I went last Thursday to my first Play at the Hay- market Theatre with Mama, Mrs. Porten, and Mr. Las- celles. Papa was too busy Importing and Exporting to think of such a thing. EAELY DAYS. 13 Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : March 5, 1786. ... I am glad your hair is turned up, because I think you will look neater and better for it. Neatness is ele- gance, and in that your Mama sets you the very best example. Might I advise, if she does not disapprove of it, that you should learn to dress your hair a little your- self ? I do not mean that you should not have a hair- dresser as often as you please; but I mean that you should know how to do it when occasion may require, for you cannot imagine how inconvenient it is to be totally helpless sometimes. ... I know girls of the very first fashion who are taught to dress themselves entirely to pack up even, and take care of all their cloaths. I dwell upon these subjects, my dear Maria, because this is your only time. It will be too late when you are in the world. . . . Maria Josepha to Serena. Sheffield Place : April, 1786. May I entreat you, my dear Serena, to intercede for me with my Aunt ; it is true I do not deserve forgiveness and my reasons for not writing are pretty near the same as Madame de Sevigne's. 'La raison pourquoi je n'ai pas ecrit, c'est que j'ai eu le terns de vous ecrire, j'aime beaucoup a vous ecrire, et je sais bien qu'il y a long- temps que je devois vous ecrire.' Some such words she says to M. de Coulanges ; but I forget where. This is exactly my case. As I hear from her through Mama every week, she cannot accuse me of indifference towards her for my part, I shall not dare to write to her till I hear from you. ... As I flatter myself you, (through my Aunt,) have some little regard for me, I will give an 14 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. account of one day and then you will see every day. I get up at 8, I walk from 9 to 10 ; we then breakfast ; about 11, I play on the Harpsichord or I draw. 1, I translate, and, 2, walk out again, 3, I generally read, and, 4, we go to dine, after Dinner we play at Backgammon ; we drink Tea at 7, and I work or play on the Piano till 10, when we have our little bit of Supper and, 11, we go to Bed. ... I am to have Miss Firth's room nicely done up for me, and I think I have very near carried another point, which is to breakfast down stairs. Pray give my kindest love to my Aunt and believe me, dear Serena's Most affectionate MAKIA HOLBOYD. Maria Josepha to Serena. Downing Street : April 25, 1786. I am reading the Peruvian Letters, which I like very much ; there is so much Nature in them. Zilia's thoughts in the Ship and on first coming to France entertained me very much. Do you remember her de- scribing the French as ' escaped out of their Maker's Hand when they were only composed of Fire and Air ! ' Since I last wrote I have been to the Duchess of Portland's Museums ; the time of Exhibition was only 9 Days ; but there was such variety and numbers that a Month's looking would not have been enough to see them entirely, especially the Shells, of which there were some beautiful ones. The famous Vase of Alexander Severus did not please me so much as some of the other curiosities. Queen Elizabeth's Prayer Book, composed and written, as they say, by herself, .with the pictures of the Duke D'Alencon and herself ; the Miniature Portraits of Madame de Sevigne, Madame de la Valliere, and EAELY DAYS. 15 Milton and his Mother, I think are much more agreeable to see, because as they lived in later Times, I know more about them. I have learnt the Fillagree work this winter, and have done a Box in purple, green and gold for Mama. It is dirty work, the dye of the paper comes off when wet with Gum. Maria Josepha to Serena. Sheffield Place : September 1, 1786. ... I trust you will not spend another Summer without coming to give a look at Sheffield Place and its Inhabitants ; how many new things there will be to amuse you ! Fletching alone will take up a great deal of your attention ; the Lodge, in which will reside a Serjeant of Papa's Kegiment, 1 sent for on purpose out of Scotland, who is to open the Gate for you in his Helmet and Regimentals ; his broad. Sword and Musquet to hang over the Chimney ; the Mausoleum in which we shall one day reside ourselves, and last, though not least, an Oven, (now building at the Griffin,) large enough to bake for the whole county of Sussex. To come nearer the House, there are four young Swans, upon the Pond before the Windows, now entirely grey, which sup- posing they neither die, or fly away, will be very pretty objects from your Eoom ; then the Deer are new since you was here. ... I have just begun to work myself a Gown in Spots, which is a very great undertaking ; but I do not despair of finishing it in a year or two, and I hope the Fashions will have the complaisance to wait for me ; and that Spotted Muslin will not go out. Pray are you as tired of Margaret Nicholson as we 1 Lord Sheffield commanded a regiment of light dragoons, which he raised himself, and which was disbanded in 1783. 16 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. are? our Papers have not done with her yet, but I suppose now the King of Prussia will take her place. My family desires compliments to your family, especially the Bullfinch, who is now singing, which I interpret to be fine speeches to you and yours. I am, dear Aunt, Yr most affectionate and dutiful MAEIA J. HOLKOYD. Maria Josepha to Serena. Sheffield Place : December 31, 1786. As it is necessary, I suppose, to mention something on the subject of the New Year at the end of the old one, if I do not say as much as I ought, I hope you will understand it as meant. However, this I think, is the usual form : I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and good health to enjoy many of them ; and in addition to this, entirely out of my own head, I assure you, I hope and trust 1787 will not pass over 'till you have paid us a visit at Sheffield Place, and likewise a promise not to be gone 'till we are tired of you, par- ticularly if we do not go to Town as Papa threatens us. You gave us some hopes of your coming when you was last in Town ; I hope you have not forgot it entirely. Maria Josepka to Serena. Sheffield Place : July ye 21, 1787. Pray give my love to Cousin Brunette and tell her when she comes to Sheffield, she will find a new Cousin and a very pretty one too in Tuft, 1 who begs his love also. To give you an Account of my Family, I have got a young Bullfinch, so tame that it will sit upon my shoulder and hand while I work, and pick the Thread out of my Needle, and is the dearest little Creature. 1 Lady Sheffield's lapdog. EARLY DAYS. 17 Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : August 4, 1787. I won't allow, my dearest Maria, that your letter was dull. . . . One affectionate line from you gives me more pleasure than all the entertainment you could possibly send me, were you even a Madame de Sevigny. . . . Papa and Mama both tell me how much you are im- proved. I only hear of a certain bad carriage and walk, with a little too fast speaking, which I intend should be quite got rid of before Winter, as you will now in a Manner begin the world, and make your first appearance as being no longer a child. Lord Chesterfield, you will find, reckons speaking fast as totally inconsistent with grace or dignity even in the female, who is allowed the privilege of being less solemn than a man ; but it is like a pert chambermaid rather than a woman of fashion, to chatter fast, and it is a common observation that few sensible women do so. ... You can hardly imagine how often I think of you. I never see anything I like but I wish you to enjoy it. Last Sunday, for example, I par- ticularly wished to have had you witness to a scene that struck me beyond description. It was at our Cathedral, which we call the Abbey. I daresay you have heard of Sunday Schools. It is but lately we have had that institution here, and at first it went on slowly ; but by joining it to a School of Industry, they now all crowd to the other, which is a necessary step to that of industry. There is a clergyman employed for this Sunday evening service for the children alone, after the other common service is over, and it is in the great Isle where you must suppose nine hundred children in perfect order, placed on benches in long rows, so quiet that you could hardly have heard a pin drop while the Clergyman was reading. Eeflect how very extraordinary c 18 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. this circumstance alone ! when you recollect that most of them were taken out of the streets, untaught and actually almost savage, cursing, swearing, and fighting in the streets all day, and many without a home at night. Two girls, I myself know, slept in the street. Most of them not only ragged and starving, but without a chance of being put in the way to earn their bread. Yet here I saw them, not only in such order, but so well instructed as to have most of the service by heart ; for though they had books, I observed they scarce looked at them, and yet repeated the responses perfectly, aloud. At one instant also, without direction to do so, the nine hundred dropped on their knees and rose again, which showed they knew what they were about ; their little hands lifted up and joined together, looking with such innocent devotion. They sang the Psalms, all in time with the organ by heart, and notwithstanding the number, the sound was neither too loud nor too harsh, but, on the contrary, soft and affecting beyond measure, I confess, though I am no enthusiast, it drew tears from me. ... I will only remark how much this order and decency must civilise these children, and what a great step this is towards reformation of Morals. But go with me also into the School of Industry. There see the poor little creatures who had been starving and without a home, many of them Orphans without a chance of earning their living. They are taken in here, and according to their age and capacity, taught to work, and in a few mnths have completely clothed themselves. They spun the woollen coats they wear, as well as their linnen, which they also made up ; and they knit their stockings and sell besides. In one room you see thirty girls spinning. In another room so many boys and girls with reels to wind. In another, a loom where a man weaves the children's work. In another, thirty or forty little things knitting. They begin to knit garters EARLY DAYS. 19 at three years old. In another room, girls making their chemises, &c. Here I often go with great pleasure, and would have carried you. I am, dear Brattikins, affectionately, SERENA. Maria Josepha to Serena. Sheffield Place : August 12, 1787. A Thousand and a thousand thanks to my dear Serena for her kind and long letter. ... I am better pleased when there is a little of your kind advice in your letters ; for you have such a pleasant way of mentioning faults that it can never fail of having its effect. . , . Papa is going to Town this morning to meet Mr. Gibbon, who we expect here the end of this week, after an absence of four years. He will find us much altered, for the better, I hope ; be that as it may, I shall be very glad to see him. Having thanked you for your letter altogether, I must in particular mention your account of the Sunday Schools, &c., which pleased me very much ; but your manner of describing would make every, the most trifling thing, entertaining. I hope the Sunday Schools will be more generally adopted, as I think they may be of great use. I wish Papa would set up one here, but we Sussex people are so obstinate and fond of what we have been used to, that I don't know if they would approve of it if ever so much use. . . . We are all turned Botanists since Sir Joseph Banks came here ; as for Louisa, I believe she was born a Botanist, for she has been fond of gathering and examining flowers ever since she could distinguish one from another. I am very fond of it, but have only been wild about it since Sir J. was here. , c2 20 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. CHAPTEK II. FIEST FLIGHTS. JANUARY, 1788 JUNE, 1791. Invitation from Gibbon to Serena Portrait of Lord Sheffield by Sir Joshua Eeynolds Trial of Warren Hastings Study of Botany Sir G. and Lady Webster The Sloop * Maria ' Dress Performance of the Messiah ' Lord Sheffield's Eeoeption at Bristol Lady Sheffield's Pets Exeter Change Lady Bristol's Assembly The Drawing Boom and Ball Projected Visit to Gibbon at Lausanne Preparations for the Journey Serena's Fears. Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : January 3, 1788. My Own Dear Precious Child, Can I let this day pass without sending you the thousand blessings my heart wishes you ? Since you are not here to receive them, you shall at least know that I am thinking of you. That all the family, even 'Mrs. Tompot,' shall get tipsy drinking your health. Indeed, I can hardly tell you how this little visit has endeared you to me. ... I do not think you and my dear Sheff have been a moment out of my thoughts since we parted, nor shall I ever forget this happy fort- night. I wander about the house and it looks empty, as if all the furniture was gone. I miss the dear mad Girl's happy spirits. I even wish for the riot upstairs at night, and want Brunette to bark. I do assure you she goes to the door and wags her tail and looks for you when I call ' Maria.' I distributed ShefPs bounty to the servants, and had one of William's lowest bows. As for Betty, -cook, she directly bought a gown with her half-guinea FIKST FLIGHTS. 21 and called it her Sheffield gown. ... I had a note yester- day from Mr. Gibbon as follows : ' Would it not be civil and kind and decorous if you were to drink tea this evening with Mrs. G. and the gouty historian to deplore our common losses ? Should you be restrained by the iron fetters of pre-engagement, I should like in the room of this evening to propose next Friday.' I wrote a gracious note and chose next Friday. He gains ground every day, and walks about his room. The papers come daily, and I sent them to him to keep for Sheff. . . . Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : January 6, 1788. Tho' it will be but a bit of a letter, yet as I can save the half-way postage by means of the Historian conveying it to Town, I will write three words to say how delightful it was to get the precious Maria's sweet scrib from Lon- don. ... I had your letter just as I was going to dine at Mrs. Gibbon's ; she having converted my evening visit into a dining one, en trio. Mr. Gib.'s first dinner abroad. I staid till nine, and nothing could be pleasanter than the said Gib., tho' he had been two hours in the morn at the feet of his Adorable. She being his deity, he did but right to pay her homage the first moment of emerging. I only think how he could be afterwards so agreeable to us poor souls ! . . . Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : March 6, 1788. ... I hope Sir Joshua will make a good likeness as well as a fine picture of our dear Sheff. Pray tell Mr. Gibbon, that, contrary to my nature, I do very seriously envy him for obtaining what I have been for years wish- ing and begging. Tell him, however, that I will forgive, 22 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. and thank him also, if he will leave it to me as a legacy, in case I should survive him, and that I will promise to leave it you at my death. In the meantime you may assure Mr. Gibbon that I am so fond of precedence, that much as I wish for the picture, I do most certainly wish much more to go to Heaven, and therefore do not insist on his going before me, particularly as he may like this world as well. You quite astonish me in your account of Mrs. Siddons' voice and figure ; but all agree in the incomparable dulness of Mrs. Cowley's Play. Maria Josepha to Serena. Downing Street : May 28, 1788. My Dearest Aunt . . . The Summer is now advancing and I do not see any chance of having you at Sheffield ; you cannot think what pleasure it would give me, if it had been possible for you to come to Town to the Trial. 1 I think you ought to have done it. We are waiting to hear Sheridan, or we should have gone out of Town next Sunday. There is such wonderful expectation of this famous speech, that I think it impossible he can answer it ; it must be, in my opinion, a disagreeable situation for him to speak in, as he must in a degree feel awkward, and in wishing to surpass all expectation, it is not unlikely but he may fail, for everybody of every sort is looking forward to that day, as superior to- anything that has been for a long time past. I have not been there yet, being ill at the time Mr. Fox spoke. Maria Josepha to Serena. Sheffield Place : August 24, 1788. My Dearest Aunt, . . . We have been quite alone for some time, so that I really have no events to com- 1 That of Warren Hastings. FIRST FLIGHTS. 23 municate. We have not had a single creature here to stay since we lost Mr. Gibbon. Mama would say with Mark Anthony, ' Oh, what a loss was there, my country- men ! ' I am reconciled to my fate. How I wish it had been possible to have had you this summer ! I would have made a Botanist of you. Sir Joseph Banks' Com- pany was the greatest Treat that I could possibly have in that way, and with his assistance I have made a tolerable proficiency in the Study. My collection is a pretty con- siderable one ; I have above 250 plants all gathered by my own hands, within five miles of this place. I have another collection on hand, viz., Seals, which I must beg your assistance in ; I shall be so obliged if you will save for me all the seals that come to you, and if they are Arms, to write the name of the owner on the back. . . . I am, my dearest Aunt's most affectionate M. J. HOLEOYD. Here is a very good Charade in return for one I cannot find out, and which suits the end of a letter very well. * Mon premier est le premier de son espece. Mon second est sans second. Mais, helas ! comment vous dire mon tout? A-dieu.' Maria Josepha to Serena. Sheffield Place : 1788. Behold ! my dear Aunt, a Haunch of Venison, and, what is a greater wonder, my handwriting ! I am now writing in the Library just before Supper, surrounded with divers Tongues, and a great deal of use made of them, and I own my Ideas are not very clear. Sir G. Webster is here, and has brought a Fidler (who attends upon his lady 1 ), which is very agreeable, as he accompanies one on the Pianoforte every evening. I have 1 Afterwards Lady Holland. 24 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. no doubt but that in former Letters Mama has mentioned Lady W in no very favourable light. If so, it is but justice to say, three years never made a greater alteration for the better in anybody as they have made in her. If it must be as long before we meet, I wish you may find as great a one in me. Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : November 27, 1789. ... I had a letter from Mrs. Carter yesterday, in which she mentions the ' Lord Sheffield ' being launched at Ipswich on the Wednesday before, a remarkable fine and beautiful Ship. The General, Sir Henry Clinton, K.B., sent a Haunch of Venison and a brace of Hares to the captain. I reckon this a real honour to our Papa, because it is the consequence of his Commercial Merits, I suppose. I shall mark it down in my book of Events, that in the year 1789, not only the ' Lord Sheffield,' but also his dear little Sloop ' Maria ' was launched upon the uncertain Ocean of the world, 1 where she escaped the ' Bocks of Folly,' and gently steered aright to the ' Har- bour of Peace,' without loss or damage, in full enjoyment of all her best tackle. May her Voyage through Life be equally happy ! Lady Sheffield to Maria Josepha. London : January 25, 1790. Mem. Spotted Muslin Dress. The Body of the spotted Muslin to be lined with white Persian, and white silk Sleeves with Circassian Sleeves of the Muslin, if either long or short, (long ones most fashion- able) ; lace or plaited ribbon down the sides ; the fore- body much sloped off to meet at top, and worn with two 1 Letter from Gibbon, Lausanne, May 1790. 'How has Maria, since her launch, supported a quiet winter in Sussex ? ' FIRST FLIGHTS. 25 large Buckles, no Sash to go round, to be tied up and fixed under the Buckle of the left side ; the Stomacher silk, colour of the Sleeves ; the bottom strap the colour of the Sash ; the Petticoat, with a narrow flounce and deep head, which gives the appearance of a double flounce, might be worn without Trimming. No capes or frill of any kind worn. Mem. Silver-sprigged Muslin. The Body to be lined with white ; white Lute-string Petticoat with a Tiffany over it, the flounce edged with silver coxcomb or lace, as likewise the Circassian Sleeve and down the sides. As to the Crape Dress, till it is washed and the best selected, it cannot be settled in what form to remake it, but it shall be done in the smartest manner and at the least expense. The above is the cream of a very lengthy confab this morning with Mrs. Jones ; she thinks the spangled body so soiled and cockled, that it will make the silver muslin look like an old thing. I agree with her. I forget whether you have a spotted petticoat, or only my quon- dam apron ; but, if wanted, I should propose borrowing Louisa's spotted breadth, and assisting her to work another. ... I think each of the above will look very elegant. The ' Messiah ' never was more incomparably per- formed by all the performers, vocal and instrumental, than it was yesterday. I could, with the greatest pleasure, have heard a repetition of the whole at one sitting. My Sister l and Bella were equally charmed ; we sat in the second row of the Director's Box, a very superior place for hearing and for commanding the glorious Orchestra ; there were one thousand and thirty-six Performers. We got in and away from the Abbey without the smallest 1 Mrs. Way. 26 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. trouble. Lord S and I dined in Chandos Street. It would have given me great delight to have had you with me yesterday to examine the odious heads of all sorts. The Fashions are f earfull indeed, and disguise ninety-nine out of a hundred. Lord S left me in Chandos Street at nine ; went to Lord North's ; never said he should not return, though he knew I had no conveyance home, and that Thomas was not ordered. When the Clock struck twelve I thought it full time to go my way, and set off as soon as a Hack could be procured, solo with my brother's footman. Lord S had walked home at twelve from Lord North's, and totally forgot I was in being! . . . His lordship was snug in Bed ! Miss Grove . . . looked very pretty, on her way just now to dinner, in as tiny a bonnet as you could wish white, with a pretty painted border. I sent Maynard this morn, to examine Mrs. Coxe's Kegiment of Caps, but they are all so fashionable they were totally useless to me ; but I have picked up a decent Cap at one of Mrs. Coxe's millinery friends, that must do ; it is the most fashionable sort of undress Cap, but I shall look a scare-crow ! Lord Sheffield to Maria Josepha. Chandos Street : Wed., May 26, 1790. My Dear Girl . . . tell Fletcher if the Weather should prove too Wet for ploughing that he should take the opportunity, while the roads are cool, to send the oxen every second day from Stone to Forest Bow ; but that he should forward the cabbages and Turnips as much as possible. I hope he is now planting cabbages with as many hands as can be employed. The Weather is very favourable for it. Tell him also to take care the Masons do not make use of any improper stone. . . . The Duke of Cumberland, instead of dying, attended the Abbey FIRST FLIGHTS. 27 this morning. It is true that the Duchess of Devon has produced a Marquess of Hartington. ... I have the honour to be yours and Loll, and Dear Nancy, and Tuft's, and all the Family's S. Maria Josepha to Serena. Sheffield Place : Sunday, June 20, 1790. . . . Papa says he wrote to you on Monday. Nothing remarkable or new has occurred, except his public Entry on Tuesday [into Bristol], met by the Whigs in Cavalcade two miles from the City, placed in a Phaeton and four (I wish I could have seen him) ; horses dismissed from the Carriages, and dragged to the Council Chamber, where he was received by Personages in their Canonicals. Went to the Exchange to make a Speech, which he says, thank God ! could not be heard. Dined with a large party at the Bush Tavern, and finally, in my opinion the pleasantest part of the ceremony, conducted by Mr. Ames to his house at Clifton, where he found a very pleasing and genteel wife and family. I imagine Papa informed you of his extravagance at Reading, notwithstanding that he had the fear of Miss Firth before his eyes. His Bill came to 75. 6d., and he left a whole Guinea with the Waiters. ... It seems likely to be a very stupid General Election. One hears of no disturbance anywhere. Even Westminster is quiet, and Home Tooke continues to stand the Poll, though he never can exhibit more than two figures against Fox and Hood's three. . -. . Lewes has turned out as expected Mr. Pelham 154, Mr. Kemp 145. The poll finished in one day. I am selfish enough to wish you was here, though you are in the midst of so many pleasant friends and pleasant things, for we are in high Beauty. Our Oaks are uneat by Insects, and their Foliage is more beautiful than I have seen it for some 28 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. years past. Mama and Louisa desire a million (you see how diminutive a figure your 10,000 make) of loves to you. . . . Mama has. got an addition to her family in a large green Parrot, because her Birds, Beasts, and Children did not make noise enough. I daresay, if I should ever marry or any other accident befall me, Mama would get a Monkey. Till then, she thinks she has no need of one. Your ever most affectionate, M. J. H. Lady Sheffield to Maria Josepha. Tuesday Evening The Day of Days April 26, 1791. Ben and William Way came from the Powis Ball at two o'clock ; about Eighty People a very nice Ball and Supper ; but William says he did not like it one half so well as our Ball, though there were a great many beautiful powdered ladies. The only unpowdered Miss, was Miss Neville, and only two unpowdered beaux. I have been charmed with the Birds and Beasts at Exeter Change, 1 (where Lewis and William accompanied us,) and also the Spectres ; but my heart failed me, and I did not look at the Dagger. I felt fagged with standing and talking at Exeter Change first, and I thought I would look at terrifick objects when I felt quite stout. Louisa was quite stout and not in the least frightened. The Pictures I did see were surprising indeed. Lady Sheffield to Maria Josepha. Downing Street : Saturday Morning, April 30, 1791. Most welcome our daily food from S. P. ; it gives us a relish to our breakfast, and does us more good than ten 1 Exeter Change was in the Strand, and used partly as a museum and partly as a menagerie. It was built in 1620, and demolished in 1829, to make room for the Strand improvements. The birds and beasts were removed first to the King's Mews, and afterwards to the Surrey Zoological Gardens. FIRST FLIGHTS. 29 breakfasts. . . . Last night to Lady Bristol's ... by Eleven o'clock. There seemed everything of fashion, from the Prince of Wales to all and every body, English and foreign, that one ever sees or hears of at Assemblies. I arrived at half -past nine. After ' polisettes,' most tender ones, from Lady Bristol, she ushered me in the inward Koom, composed of Lady Mary Cooke (the odd Cap lady), Duchess of Bedford, Lady Payne, Lord Stormont, and a few more such-like. I should have felt a few unJced l (ask Papa to explain that word) had not Mr. Hervey flown to me as soon as he discovered me, and sat by me a con- siderable time. . . . Lady K. Douglas sat by me an hour and a half, and told me who all and everybody were, and I could not have had a jbetter Historian. Lord Sackville talked a great deal to her, and all the other young men of Ton. Mr. Douglas and Lady K. and Miss Mercer were going to sup at Lady Malmesbury's at one o'clock. Lady K. Douglas asked Lord Sackville if he was going. He said ' No, he hated French and the French People ; she might say he was sick ; he did not like such company, as all the great foreigners were to be there.' (N.B. A very large importation just arrived.) We had the Queen of the French's Musick Master, three Miss Chitteres, Lady Louisa Hervey, and Lady Caroline Creighton, and three or four other Lady and Gentlemen Performers. Lady Charlotte Bruce has been sitting here an hour, enter- taining me much with an account of the Eardley Ball and of her party at Buckingham House last Thursday the three younger Princesses, Miss Goldworthy, and the Duke of Clarence ; he came at seven to his sisters and staid till Eleven. They play eighteen-penny ' Commerce.' He said he never played higher, he could not afford it ; the Princesses made Lady Charlotte play Country Dances to them ; the Duke of Clarence sung and seemed all 1 Sussex dialect. 30 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. delight with his company, and said he did not know how to leave them at eleven, their hour for retiring. An invi- tation from the Duchess of Portland to us all for Cards, the 20th of May. Love and kisses to all. Your most affectionate, A. SHEFFIELD. Maria Josepha to Serena. Downing Street : June 6, 1791. I think, except you have a great deal of time upon your hands, I should have deferred writing till you should have fewer Letters from other People ; but as I do not know when that is likely to happen, I had better run the risk of fatiguing than of disappointing you. Mama is gone to sit for her Picture to Plimer l for the Angel. She had a letter from her this morning, which Tom, 2 in a fit of Absence, or Love, dated the 6th, tho' it was written and put in the Post the 5th. Great Souls overlook such Trifles ! Now for the Drawing-Koom. It was exceedingly crowded, and we were an hour and a half hunting the King before we could catch him. I never felt the heat equalled by anything except the Ball-room at Night, which was much hotter. Mr. Bernard conducted the Lady Mayoress and us thro' Byeways to his House at five o'clock, and gave us an excellent dinner a little after six. Sir James Wright, Mr. Smith, and Col. Boyd dined there, and, unfortunately, Sir J. Wright is a famous Gardener and has a famous Garden, consequently the one subject of Conversation was, as may be supposed, Gardening. ' The only observations worthy of communicating that I heard during Dinner and an hour after were, that when the King could not afford to buy Peaches from the Scarcity and Dearness of them, Sir J. Wright sent him sixty that 1 Miniature painter. 2 Thomas, eldest son of second Lord Pelham. FIRST FLIGHTS. 31 weighed half a Pound a piece, and some, ' I assure you, ma'am, half a pound and half an ounce ; ' that Lady Wright had cured him of an Ague for which he had taken innumerable infallible Eemedies, that the Lady Mayoress eat her dinner in white Gloves, and took up Peas with a knife. We went to the Ball-room a little after Eight, as the Queen had ordered the Ball to begin at half past eight on account of Saturday night. We got a very comfortable Seat opposite the King and Queen, Lady Dumfries and her Daughter just behind us, Lady Fludyer and Mrs. Beadon before us. Princess Mary made her first appear- ance at Court, and is really very handsome. I believe you saw her at the Abbey. Prince William of Gloucester, who the Newspapers are so obliging as to compliment with the appellation of a 'Modest Youth,' danced his first Minuet at Court. . . The Duke of Clarence was so lively that he would certainly have danced as steady a Minuet on Quarter Deck in a storm, and when he turned his Back to the King he put out his Tongue quite to the Bottom of his Chin, to the great Dismay and astonishment of the Princess Mary, his Partner. I must say in excuse, that he, with his Papa, had been drinking the healths of all the family, and he said he never saw the King so good humoured and agreeable in his life. The Prince of Wales danced the most graceful Minuet possible, and was most magnificently dressed. The Duke of Bedford had the most superb Carriage and Coat at Court, so much so that when he arrived the Guard stood to arms, taking him for the Prince of Wales. The Lady Colyears both danced Minuets, and were very handsomely dressed in Silver Crapes and silver Fringes. The Miss Coutts, of whom one has heard so much, wore very remarkable Dresses ; Purple Gauze Trains and Petticoats, Caps and everything the same, spangled in stars, so that they would have 32 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPIIA HOLROYD. represented a fine Starlight night extremely well, and have made up a Country Dance with the Sun and Moon. We left the Ball-room after one Country Dance at half past eleven, got a comfortable supper at Mr. Bernard's, and came home a little before one, most happy to find ourselves there. . . . Yours ever and ever, M. J. HOLEOYD. [1791. In June of this year, Lord and Lady Sheffield and their two daughters, Maria Josepha and Louisa, yielded to Mr. Gibbon's pressing entreaties that they would visit him at Lausanne. Maria's letters to Serena and some extracts from her diary tell the story of their travels, while an occasional reply from Serena and other friends in England keeps her in touch with events occurring at home.] Maria Josepha to Serena. Sheffield Place : June, 1791. There has hardly been time enough since the receipt of your Letter to hear what Papa's intentions are ; but I believe, at all events, to go as we intended; but whether to travel as fast as he can to Lausanne, which is my wish, or whether to aim at Paris, I cannot tell. It is a great satisfaction to me that there is no Post to-morrow, that is, no letters come from London, because People are so troublesomely kind that they would frighten us out of our Wits, and perhaps put an end to our Journey, which, as it has proceeded so far, I should be very sorry for. I only hope you will not be in a fidget, as I am sure Papa will not run any risks with his whole family about him, and, indeed, it would be unkind to you, as, if we were all exterminated you must marry immediately. . . . May I beg you will insist on your husband's changing his name to Holroyd? for if you change your's, marrying will FIRST FLIGHTS. 33 answer no purpose. How glad I shall be to write to you from the Lake of Geneva ! for I am afraid your mind will not be quite at rest till then ; but if you do not pro- mise to be as quiet as you can, and make yourself agree- able to Mrs. Garrick, or anybody else who may have the misfortune of your company, till we are safely lodged at Lausanne, I will not promise to write to you as often as it is in my power. However, hoping you will behave well, I will venture to say before I have your promise, that without any regard for your purse I will write every other day if possible during our journey. But then, another thing, you must not amuse yourself with being frightened if you do not hear from me, because you must remember that you depend upon the Winds and the Waves to bring my letters over, who perhaps will not be sensible of the precious Cargo they are intrusted with. I would write of something else if I could, but I can think of nothing else, and I always write my thoughts to you. Adieu. Now don't make, yourself uneasy, and depend on hearing from me whenever I can ; and when you don't hear take it for granted we are safe and well. Your ever affectionate M. J. H. Papa is quite undecided. He talks of staying a week longer, but I pin my faith on Mr. Pelham, who encourages us to go on and prosper. Once more, do not be disagree- able. Mama is as eager to go as possible, and has not a fear belonging to her. Miss Firth thinks she already sees us all adorning the Lanthorns if I may judge by the effroi painted in her countenance. The Neaves were in and about Paris during all the troublesome time of the destruction of the Bastille, etc., and were never the least incommoded. Lady C. Bruce the same. Adieu. D 34 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. Serena to Maria Josepha. Windsor : June 8, 1791. ... It is very ridiculous to say that your going abroad makes some difference with me, and that I felt a weight I cannot describe when the door shut you all out, and when, lastly, my Sheff disappeared. In the meantime, I do assure you, I sincerely rejoice in the scheme as being good for you all ; and I shall delight in the three pounds worth of Letters I am to have. . . . This evening we go to Herschel's to walk into his Telescope. . . . ob.l&2O. CRAZY PARIS. 35 CHAPTEE III. CBAZY PARIS. 1791. Departure from Sheffield Place Flight of Louis XVI. and Marie Antoi- nette Arrival at Dieppe Rouen Chateau de Navarre Paris in 1791 Debate on King and Constitution Eoyal Prisoners at the Tuileries Dinner at Roberts' Apotheosis of Voltaire Visit to the National Assembly Noailles Palmerston Extracts from Maria's Diary Fon- tainebleau Discomfort Dijon The Hospital Letter from Serena. Extract from Maria Josepha's Diary. June 27, 1791. LEFT Sheffield Place and in three hours got to the Castle at Brighthelmstone. Slept there. On Sunday (26th), Mr. Pelham wrote word of the escape of the King and Queen of France. They went from Paris the night of the 21st. It was not discovered till the morning, when curiosity brought everybody into the streets, and the whole City was much alarmed, but quiet. The 22nd they returned to their different occupations, as if nothing had happened. The King and Queen, the Dauphin, Monsieur and Madame, Madame Elizabeth and the young Princess went in two coaches and six. They were discovered at Varennes by the Post-Master, who stopped them, and the National Assembly sent guards to bring them back. The three Couriers who went with them were brought in Chains on the top of the King's carriage ; the Queen fainted twice when brought to the Tuilleries. A Guard is now constantly in her room Day and Night. June 28. Dined at Sir B. Heron's ; went into the boat to go to 36 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. the Packet at half-past eight. Sailed at nine in the 1 Princess Royal,' Captain Chapman ; wind S.E. and calm, storm of thunder and lightning from eleven to one at night. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. 10 o'clock, morning. Dieppe : June 30, 1791. Hotel de Londres. So far we are safe, and everybody says we shall be so to the end of our Journey tho' I hope the rest will not be o tedious. We have been thirty-seven hours from set- ting our foot into the boat at Brighton, to setting it on shore at Dieppe. But that we might not be fatigued by sameness, we have been treated with great vicissitudes in this life. Calms, contrary winds, Thunders, Lightning, Bain, by turns, have contributed to our Amusement. Upon the whole, we have come off better than I expected. Mama has been very sick at times, but not constantly as poor Mrs. Maynard * has. I have been quite pert, except for about five minutes. Papa quite well, and Louisa very tolerable. There were several Passengers, most of them French. One Englishman, a Governor Morris, 2 was a very pleasant, sensible man, and helped to pass the time better than a mere family party. At least, Papa, I believe, got some conversation with him. Here we are in 1 Lady Sheffield's maid. 2 Gouverneur Morris, in his Diary and Letters, thus speaks of this meeting with Lord Sheffield : ' The King and Queen of France have made their escape, but we do not yet know whether they are out of the kingdom. This event makes me very anxious to get back to Paris, for I think the confusion will work favourably for the sale of American lands. Eleven at night : Intelligence is received that the royal fugitives are intercepted near Metz.' On receipt of this news, Morris set off at once for Paris. Crossing the Channel, he says : ' I find Lord Sheffield with his family are my fellow passengers, with whom I make acquaintance. His Lordship, who supposes me to be an Englishman, gives free scope to his sentiment respecting America, as all other countries. I promised to see them at Paris.' CKAZY PARIS, 37 a very clean room, and much amused by the odd figures passing before the windows. All the French in the Packet assured us we should be as safe as possible. I believe we shall go on to Rouen to-day, where we shall get a letter from Mr. Pelham with further particulars. The King and Queen were brought back to Paris last Saturday, and it is not true that Montmarin is murdered. . . . The woman of the House, a beautiful little Brunette, has just brought us some National Cockades, and assures us of the necessity of buying them, because the People have leave to whip all the ladies who have not one. We perfectly agree with her, that it is very necessary. She talks English nicely. Maria Josepha to Serena. Chateau de Navarre. I have left the Descendant of the great Turenne l in order to tell you my history, as in the hurry of our journey delays are dangerous, and I fear, if I get to Paris without beginning a letter, I shall not have it in my power to say as much as I should like. Whenever I think of it, I am vexed to the last degree at the length of time that must have elapsed before you could hear of our safety ; but the first Packet that sailed was the one we went in, and that did not sail till Saturday ; so that a week must have passed before it reached you. ... I will go back to Rouen and trace our adventures since ; a full account I must leave for our meeting. The day I wrote to you we went to the Abbaye of St. Ouen, a Benedictine monastery. The Monks were turned out into the wide world only last Easter ; at present the Regiment de Bour- gogne is lodged there ; the officers have taken possession of the Cells, three Monks only remaining. The Horses are 1 Due de Bouillon. 38 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. put up in the Cloisters ; the foot of the Staircase serves- the Officers of the Regiment for a Coach-house. The Church is the finest Gothic architecture you can imagine ; and the lofty Arches and painted windows strike one amazingly, particularly if Mass is performing, which does not prevent Gapers in the least. I cannot say their devotion was warm enough to prevent their gaping in return ; we had the pleasure of attracting universal admi- ration of some kind or other. The Arms upon the carriage caused much speculation, but have not been any incon- venience, as they all see immediately it is an English Carriage ; indeed, it is impossible they can mistake, for I never could have figured anything so awkward as their Carriages of all kinds are, so heavy, dirty and low. In the Church of St. Ouen there are two Flags hung up, one dedicated ' Au Manes de Mirabeau,' the other, a National Flag, with the words ' Force, Union, Liberte,' and the inscription ' Fait et donne par les Dames Blanchisseuses et Lavandieres de Rouen. 1791.' We visited the Cathedral, which I did not like so well as the Church of St. Ouen. The Monuments are mostly of English ; the heart of Richard I., the bodies of Henry 2nd, John, Duke of Bedford and many others ; there is a monument of Louis de Brun, Sieur de Maulevrier, Seneschal of Normandy, with the Virgin on one side, and the famous Diane de Poitiers on the other, a curious contrast. The painted glass in the windows is beautiful. There is a National Flag in memory of the Confederation in the Cathedral, and I understand there is one in every Church in the Kingdom. We did not go up to the great Bell ; the number of steps being 164, we thought it would tire us more than the sight would pay us for. We then went to the Hill of St. Catherine, walked over the Camp of Henri 4th, which commands a view of the town, and two villages,, CRAZY PARIS. 39 Darnebul and Subville, which appear to join. From the latter, Louis 14th always had his cream and butter ; consequently you may suppose it is famous for being remarkably good. The Seine winds beautifully through the Valley, covered with considerable islands well wooded. It is the most winding river I ever saw. The road from Rouen to Louviers runs close by the side of it, and the country is most romantic ; there are no large Trees, but much small, which at a distance does as well. They cut up their Trees just as they do about London, which dis- figures the woods very much in short, Nature seems quite in disgrace in the part of France I have yet seen. We left Rouen yesterday morning ; dined at Louviers and went to the Woollen Manufactory, which is reckoned the best in France, and Decretot's is the best at Louviers. I wished Miss Firth had been there ; she would have been so well amused, and would have understood it so well. He has three thousand people constantly at work, so you may imagine, though I did not understand what I saw, the extent of the place, and the number of people employed was a great amusement. Decretot was gone to the National Assembly; but his Partner, Monsr. Pieton, was there, and did the honours very graciously. We were told at Rouen that the Chateau de Navarre was the most magnificent place in France, and that the Prince de Bouillon was remarkably fond of the English, and would be very ready to let us see it. We thought it a desirable thing to see a French Country House in- habited ; but did not know to what a degree Hospitality was carried in his Chateau. We arrived here at 8 o'clock last night, and sent in to know if it was permis to see the. House. We were announced to the Duke, and he came out to us, and insisted on our coming in, though we would have made our retreat, on finding he was in his Salon with a great deal of company. Figure to yourself 40 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. the dismay we were in, at being shewn into the room, introduced to Madame de Bouillon, and obliged to figure across with every body standing up, and in our travelling dresses. The Duke is a fine, venerable, old man, who for his sins has been married two years to a very pretty young Woman, who is now only 16. It is January and May to the life. Her Mother lives in the house and takes the lead. The Duke insisted on our staying all night ; he lives in a princely stile indeed he is a Prince ; but that is not always the rule. The Foret d'Evreux, close to his house, belongs to him, and contains 80,000 acres, and is the finest wood I have seen yet : we drove about in it to-day for three hours. There was, before the Kevolution, great plenty of game of all kinds, which, since the Nation has become free, have been all destroyed by the common People. Even the swans upon the water before the house have been killed ; much wood in the forest cut down, and a great many trees have the bark cut round, out of pure malice, and are entirely dead. Evreux belongs to the Duke ; it was given in exchange for Sedan. He has but one son, and he is an Imbecile, so he has adopted one of a distant branch of his family, le Comte D'Auvergne. He is a compleat Englishman, and is in the English Service. It is impossible to be more hospitable than the Duke is, and he is universally beloved all round the country. I have not time to enter into the detail of their manner of living, the only very striking difference from English Manners is the Breakfast ; roast Fowls, Beef- steaks, Spinage and Soup. This was our Breakfast, and though we poor English were allowed Tea, the smell of the hot victuals was intolerable. We dined at 4 o'clock 23 people at dinner, 24 footmen and 10 men cooks. Servants take veils and have no wages. CRAZY PARIS. 41 Maria Josepha to Serena. Paris : July 5, 1791. I brought this letter with me, meaning to tell you of our safe arrival, and send it to the Post; but am much disappointed to find no Post goes to England till Thursday, so if I am not as good as my promise, my ignorance and not my indolence is in fault. I have some hopes of sending it by the messenger if he goes to England tomorrow. . . . We left the Chateau de Navarre yesterday morning, much pleased with our reception. The Duke's manners are quite of the Vieille Cour and very engaging. We were taken out on Sunday morning to the Forest, which has Bides cut in it of several leagues in length, in two Carriages that they call ' Une Caleche,' open all round, covered at top, and drawn by six of the most beautiful Black Horses I ever saw, one Set with long tails, the other without. We left Navarre at 9 o'clock, dined at Mantes, drank Tea at St. Germains, and arrived at Paris at 9. The road is chiefly on the banks of the Seine, which, from its winding so much, we frequently crossed ; it is not very broad, but the number of Islands in it, and from Mantes to Paris, the hills on the opposite side, covered with the most beautiful villas, trees and Vineyards, form the most pleasing scene I could have imagined. We walked round the Palace of St. Germain and went to the Terrace ; but as we wished to enter Paris by daylight, we did not go into the Palace ; it is a fine old building. We met Mr. Pelham in the street, just come from the Play, and we are magnificently lodged in the Hotel de 1'Universite, Faubourg St. Germain. They are not the rooms Lady Webster had. I believe Prince Hamilton has them on the ground floor. Ours are up one pair of stairs ; we have a suite of eight rooms, 42 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. furnished very elegantly and perfectly clean, which is the first instance of the kind I have seen since I entered this Land of Liberty. My Bed chamber, from which I am writing to you, is furnished with yellow damask, Bed, chairs and window curtains. Mr. Dundas, a son of Sir F. Dundas, is with Mr. Pelham ; they supped with us last night. They saw the King enter Paris ; it was a perfect Triumph. The two men who stopped him, were drawn into the town in a Caleche hung with Laurels, 30,000 National Guards preceding the Carriage. You never saw any thing like the joy, that all the common People we have spoke to, express at the King's being taken. Papa asked one of the Girls at the Inn where we dined yesterday, where the King was? and what they had done to him ? by way of seeing what she would say she said ' Oh ! Mon Dieu, on 1'a bien enferme, il n'echappera plus ! ' with such pleasure you cannot think. He is indeed ' bien enferme ' a Garde is constantly in his room and the Queen's, night and day. Nobody is permitted to enter the Tuilleries Gardens, and we shall not be able to see them while we stay. The Apotheosis of Voltaire is put off to the beginning of next week. We do not say how long we mean to stay, but I believe certainly above a week. We have had very little trouble on our journey as to Passports ; Papa got one at Dieppe, which had some additions made to it at Rouen and Louviers, to say we passed such a day. We did not know it was necessary to have anything done at Louviers, and were stopped in the street for twenty minutes, till the right ceremony was gone through, at the Hotel de Ville. We have had excellent horses, and, in short, we have reason to be quite disappointed that we have met with no adventures on the road. Mr. Anderson, for whom Mr. Colquhoun gave us a letter, tells us Paris is divided into four parties ' L'Aristocrate enrage/ for CRAZY PARIS. 43 Passive Obedience to a despotic Monarch ; ' L'Aristocrate," for a King with limited Authority ; ' Le Democrate,' for the present Constitution ; and l Le Democrate enrage,' for a Kepublic. Tuesday evening. We have been taken by that jewel of a man, Tom, all over Paris in a Carosse de Kemise, which Papa takes by the day. We have walked over the ruins of the Bastille, seen the Lanterne upon which poor Foulon was hung, paid our respects to Henri IV. upon the Pont Neuf, and walked in the gardens of the Palais Royal. It is the prettiest scene in the World, very like the Pantiles at Tunbridge Wells, only that the shops are very handsome, that the view from the open side is a garden, and that the walk is a great length. I think all the French women look alike ; the great objection I have to make against the beauty of the ladies is, that they have no ' shape/ as they never wear stays ; they are an immense size, and a little French woman is quite as broad as she is long. We are going to-night to the Comedie Frangoise, * Athalie,' the last night of its being represented. By* this account you will guess I have not much time on my hands, and I hope you will excuse me if I have, as I suspect, repeated the same thing, or made a great many mistakes. I hope you will be able to read this criss-cross writing, but the paper is not half large enough for all I have to say. Sir Godfrey left Paris in a violent hurry at last, though he had intended to stay some time longer. He and Mr. Wyndham had been compleat Husbands all the time in English, very perverse ; what cause they had I cannot pretend to say, but Mr. Pelham says they were perfectly disagreeable the whole time. Adieu. I will write by Monday's post ; it only goes Mondays and Thursdays. Yours ever, MARIA J. HOLROYD; 44 GIKLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. Maria Josepha to Serena. H6tel de I'UniversitS, Paris : July 11, 1791. It is quite melancholy to write, and not to hear whether you have received the letters, whether you think we are murdered, etc., etc. A line from you when we are settled in Mr. Gibbon's ' Mansion of Peace ' will be a real delight to me. It is very pleasant and curious to be here just now in the midst, or at least, at the eve of an important crisis for this Country ; and though I think, from what I hear, that the minds of the common People are in that state, that a trifle would blow them into a flame, yet the Chiefs are desirous of taking reasonable measures, but are afraid of declaring themselves openly, on account of the lower order. It was agreed, at a meet- ing of the Chiefs, on Wednesday night, that the person of the King is inviolable, and that 'he must be restored to his former functions. Lazowski, a very sensible pleasing man, who lives with the Due de Liancourt, Son to the Due de Eochefoucault, and for whom Arthur Young gave Papa a letter, told us that they were compleating the Charter of the Constitution as fast as possible, till when, the King was to be confined ; but when it was finished, it was to be carried to him. He was to be allowed his own counsellors, and some time to consider of it, and if he pointed out anything he wished altered, they would correct it ; but when finally compleated, he must swear to observe it, or leave the Kingdom. The Dauphin to be left, with a Eegency appointed by the National Assembly, and the Queen, to intimidate the Emperor. In the meantime, they are compleat Prisoners. Only yesterday I saw the three doors of the Tuilleries, looking towards the river, bricking up, because it was thought possible the King might escape that way. Lazowski told us he was amazed Bouille did CEAZY PARIS. 45 not re-take the King, for that four determined men might have carried him out of France, even after he had been taken a great way back towards Paris. Every sign on which are the words ' Eoi,' ' Keine,' or ' Koyal,' have been painted over or effaced ; for instance, ' L' Hotel Boyal ' is now ' 1'Hotel ' of nothing ; ' La Loterie Koyale,' the same. In short, the people are neither more nor less than mad. Nothing can pass pleasanter than our time does, under the direction of Mr. Pelham. He lays out a plan for our mornings, goes to the Play and sups with us. He is so pleasant that I hardly remember the Mr. Pelham that was. Tom is quite a different man, and the most agree- able I ever saw. . . . He goes with us to Besan9on ; from thence he goes to Les Eaux de Bourbon, to see his brother, and then to Lausanne. How odd it is that the Post should only go to England twice a week ! I begin writing two days before it can go. Last Thursday, we went to the National Assembly. It was expected to be a great day, but nothing of consequence was debated. We sat in a very good place, just behind the President with his dust bell, and opposite the speakers. No place can exceed the noise, except the ' Societe de Jacobins,' where we were last night. You will now understand I am writing in the greatest of all possible hurries. Monday morning, 9 o'clock. I can only give you the heads of our adventures. After the National Assembly, we went to see the Hotel des Invalides, the finest church I have seen, and in the Council Chamber are all the pictures of my old Friends, Louis XIV.'s ministers. After dinner we walked in the Champs Elysees, the Kensington Gardens of Paris, where Mr. P. met us and took us to Les Italiens, like an Opera in English, pretty, lively musick, and good acting. Friday, Dr. Anderson and 46 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. Broussonet breakfasted with us. The first, is Provost of something in Scotland, and a very sensible, prosy, deaf, good-humoured Scotchman. The second, tired me very much, as he is a manufacturer, and instead of attending upon or to the ladies, carried off Papa and Mr. P. to some Mills and Farms, &c., &c., and kept Mama and us waiting in the Carriage at the King's Garden, (where they had appointed to meet us) an hour and a half. We walked over the Gardens and Hothouses much inferior to the Gardens at Kew, and indeed not to be named in the same line. The Cabinet d'Histoire Naturelle is very curious, and everything is classed and arranged exceedingly well ; but we had not time to examine it thoroughly. Went to the Church de St. Gene- vieve, now building, where Mirabeau is buried, and where Voltaire, who some years ago was privately stole into a Churchyard by night, as hardly deserving of Christian burial, is to-day to be deposited with every possible mark of respect and veneration. In the Front, in large gold letters, is this inscription, put there since Mirabeau was buried : * Aux grands hommes ! la patrie reconnoissante ! ' We dined with Mr. Pelham at a Tavern, the most famous one in Paris, and in the Palais Eoyal, which, if you understood the humours of this place, you would be surprised at. We sat as long as the gentlemen, and then went to the Opera. I have stated it thus to oblige Mr. Pelham, who desired me when I wrote to the gravest of my Friends, to elevate and surprise them with this account ; but I am afraid you will not be sufficiently surprised. The explanation is, that Mr. Pelham was desirous we should see an entirely French dinner, dressed in the best style, and for that reason gave us a dinner at 'CRAZY PARIS. 47 Koberts', the best Traiteur here. You may perceive I am under the hands of the Hairdresser, and by my writing that I receive a good many Concussions. As to sitting as long as the Gentlemen, they never stay a moment after the dessert is over, during which the servants always wait ; but to make up for that, the dinner is eternal. Entremets after entremets without end, and never more than a dish at a time. 1 Colonel Tarleton surprised us by walking into the room just after the opera. He is come to see what mischief is going on. Saturday, we went to St. Cloud, Sevres, Versailles, and Trianon, and returned by moonlight at eleven o'clock. We were much amused ; but it was a melancholy sight to see at St. Cloud, in the Queen's private apartments, her Pianoforte, the Dauphin's little chair, and many other things of the same kind ; the apartments fitted up in the most superb, yet comfortable, style ; and to think she might probably never see them again. To add to the insults she receives, La Fayette has placed three Tents in the garden just under her windows, merely, one would think, to remind her at every moment of the day that she is a Prisoner, or else could they suppose she would jump out 1 Bill of Fare at Eoberts' in the Palais Royal, July 8, 1791 : Potage au Cresie. Turbeau. Petits Pates a la Bechamele. Eis de Veau glac6 a la Chicor6e. Filets de Lapreau au Pois. Filets de Poulets au Supreme. Petits Pigeons en Macedoine. Cotelettes d'Agneau a PEpigramme. Buisson d'Ecrevisse. Dindonneau. Caille. Artichaux. Haricots Verts. Choufleurs. Salade a la Piedmontoise. Patisserie. Crme. 48 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. of a two-pair-of -stairs window? or, if she would, how could she, when a guard is constantly in her own Bed- chamber ? All the reasonable people are much shocked with it. The Vicomte de Noailles, a great friend of Mr. P 's, and a very sensible man, though a Democrat, is very indignant. He has been very civil to us, which is a great favour, since his time is so much taken up that he never hardly goes into women's company. You must distinguish between a * Democrate ' and a 'Democrate enrage.' The last are for a Republic ; the first are only for a King with a good constitution ; though both agree in one thing, that there is no dependance on the present King, and that he is a * meprisable ' Being. Sunday morning, Mama, Dr. Anderson, and us went to Notre Dame, and saw the Archbishop of Paris in his Pontifical robes, say Mass ; went up all the steps to the Tower of Notre Dame, near 400 steps. The view of Paris from the top is very fine. (Papa and Broussonet were gone to see a farm in the neighbourhood.) Afterwards we walked in the Palais Royal, and came home to dress, to dine at the English Ambassador's. Lady Sutherland charmed me ; her manner is the most engaging I ever saw. I shall be too late for the post. Adieu. Pray write to Sheffield and say what we are about. I have not time. It rains very hard, and Voltaire's bury- ing is put off to-morrow. We were at the Jacobins last night. Diary, July 6. Lazowski came after breakfast. Mr. Young gave a letter for him. He said if the Queen had spoken to the Housards in German and given them any encouragement, they would all have followed her any- where ; that the Great Majority of the National Assembly would, at the time the King went away, have agreed to CRAZY PAE1S. 49 any terms. The Viscomte de Noailles had promised to take us to the Jacobins, but a warm debate about the King, being expected, which took place, he declined going, as he wished not to be under the necessity of speaking, as he must have done had he been present. The Koyal Family 'are allowed to dine together, but a Guard con- stantly stands behind their chairs. Maria Josepha to Serena. Paris : Monday, July 11, 9 o'clock, 1791. My Morning and Evening song will contradict one another a little, but it is not my fault ; it is the fault of the Aristocrats, it is the fault of the weather. The Aristo- crats put up papers in different parts of the Town this morning, saying the Fete of Voltaire was put off. As it rained very hard, this was easily credited, and Decretot, who was to have taken us, sent us word at nine o'clock, just as we had dressed ourselves for the occasion. So here we were upon the wide world, without a plan for the Morning. Papa was going out manufacture-hunting, Mr. P - was engaged somewhere else, and we were in great tribulation. We had hardly made up our minds to the disappointment, and taken off our dresses that we might be fit to see sights, instead of being shown for a sight, and just setting off upon an expedition with Our Jewel of a Guide, who put off his engagement to go with us, when we were informed that the ' Convoi etoit en Marche.' Frightened out of our wits, for fear we should be too late, we hurried away to dress, and went to our destination at one o'clock. And now, being for the first evening since I arrived here, quietly seated at my writing desk, you shall have a full and true account, as far as I can recollect, of the Events of the Day. Madame de "Villette, Voltaire's niece, who he used to E 50 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. call ' Belle et Bonne,' lives on the Quai de Voltaire, nearly opposite the Pont Boyal, .and ' a deux pas de nous.' Le tres aimable Monsieur Decretot nous a procure 1'entree de sa maison. La Maison de Paris la plus a desirer, pre- mierement, parce que c'est la Maison ou Voltaire mourut ; secondement, parce que le Convoi s'arretoit and chantoit des Hymnes a Fhonneur du Saint Voltaire, devant cette Maison ; troisiemement, parce que la Maison etoit plein d'Enrages et d'Enragees tres curieux a voir ; et 4 eme , parce que Madame de Villette devoit joindre le Convoi avec une suite de 18 femmes.' Our dress, as we were instructed beforehand, was white, with a blue sash, 1 beautifully engraved with Voltaire on a Car, Fame crowning him with Laurel, and the Church of St. Genevieve, where he was to be deposited ; a wreath of roses in the hair ; Mama wore hers in a Cap, which was not correct. From one to four, every National Guard, every lady was supposed to be Voltaire, or part of his train, at which hour we were told that the Procession set out so late, owing to the rain, that it would be three hours before it would arrive. Our alarm and hunger, which had been pretty considerable for some time, now increased to an alarming degree, and, after a little consultation, it was agreed that we should return home to dinner and come again at six o'clock, which we did, and at a quarter before seven the Procession passed the house. Never did I see, and I could never have imagined, -such a piece of folly as the whole ceremony was. They set off from the ruins of the Bastille, on 1 The following memorandum in the original, and the blue sash itself, have been preserved to this day : 1 Costumes de femmes : Ceinture bleue a la Voltaire, gravee Chez Arthur. Sur le Boulevard, vis a vis Le pavilion D'hanovre, Eobe blanche, Couronne de Hoses dans les cheveux.' CRAZY PAE1S. 51 which they sang a hymn to Liberty. The Procession began by some Dragoons, which were followed by part of a Regiment of Boys, none above sixteen years of age, which has been lately raised, that ' Demon-crates ' may never be wanting in this mad nation. These were followed by Deputations from the Aca- demies, &c. ; then came a bust of Mirabeau, carved out of a stone of the Bastille, between four Banners, on which were the heads of Voltaire, Eousseau, Mirabeau, and another friend of Liberty, whose name I have forgot. I forgot to mention two or three flags with the cap of Liberty ; La Fayette, bare headed, on a beautiful white horse, after the infantine regiment. Garlands of Roses, oak leaves, &c., were thrown on the figure of Mirabeau as it passed, and women, as well as men, clapped and bravoed enough to deafen anybody who had not the spirit of Democracy as perfect as themselves. Then a plan and model of the Bastille ; pieces of the Bastille, cut into the form of, and painted to look, like Books, and old pieces of armour and cannon balls, which were found in the Bastille when it was taken and destroyed ; flags were carried with sentences out of Voltaire's works in favour of Liberty ; after these, a gilt figure of Voltaire, seated on a Chair, was brought and placed before the House. A Man placed a crown of roses on his head and kissed him. Madame de Villette took off the crown and placed one of Bay leaves in the place of it, prostrated herself at his feet, seemed to weep, kissed him, and returned to her place, in a temporary erection before the House where we were. Her child, a girl about five years old, was raised up to go through the same ceremony, and the Statue moved on. Then followed a Case with Voltaire's Works, very richly -bound; National Guards ; Deputies from the Municipality, Theatres, and Academies de Musique et de Danse. Some of the Poissardes who distinguished them- E 2 52 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. selves most in the famous Revolution, marched in the Procession in a most ludicrous dress, perfectly amphibious, for they were neither man nor woman. They had a petti- coat on, which gave one reason to suppose they were females, while the Coat and Epaulette appeared as much the contrary ; but the best information I could get, said they were Women. I really supposed they had been men in Women's clothes. After these and some other sets of worthy Patriots, came a magnificent Car drawn by twelve beautiful grey Horses, some belonging to the Queen, some to Madame, and some to Beaumarchais ; they had each a blue mantle with gold stars thrown over their back ; were four abreast, and led by people from the Theatres, dressed like Eastern slaves. Several Actresses, in fancy dresses, preceded the car, upon which was a gilt Statue of Voltaire, which was crowned and halted before the house, while a Hymn or two in honour of the Hero of the day was sung, accom- panied by the Band from the Opera House, inferior to the most indifferent Band of the most indifferent regiment in England. The Opera band is good because of the number of violins, but, as they were omitted, the remainder was very moderate. Madame de Villette, with about eighteen ladies, (among whom were the widow and two daughters of Galas *), followed the Car. Madame de Villette is a very pretty woman, and an elegant figure. She was dressed in a Crape chemise, with the sash of the day, only in black and white, a Coronet of roses on her head, and the ribbon that Voltaire was crowned with, by the People of Paris twelve years ago, which she had preserved. At the back of her head was a long veil of black Tiffany, put on with a great deal of taste, and altogether she had a very graceful 1 Jean Galas. Protestant accused at Toulouse of having murdered his son, and executed 1762. Voltaire established his innocence, 1768. CRAZY PARIS. 53 appearance. Her followers were all dressed alike in white, with wreaths of roses on their heads, except the Galas, who were in mourning. The Procession was closed by twenty-four of the Deputies and a regiment of Veterans, who wear the dress of Henri Quatre, the Scarf and Hat turned up on one side with white feathers. What is extraordinary in them is, that tho' they are the old race, who might be supposed to be attached to their former principles, they are more violent for the Revolution than any body. There was a great deal of rain in the course of the day, but it luckily was fair just while the Procession passed, but the Streets were excessively dirty. You cannot imagine anything like the eagerness with which the ladies flung garlands of Oak leaves and flowers upon La Fayette, the statues of Voltaire, Mirabeau, etc. It was a very curious sight, and what I could hardly have believed if I had not seen it ; there was so much childishness in the whole, and, if I was not afraid you might think I was giving myself airs of Wisdom and Goodness, I would say it was more than childishness ; for 'while they were singing Hymns, and crowning such a man as Voltaire, it appeared to me as little less than an insult to Heaven. It is very extraordinary to see how the Clergy, who have hitherto had the lead in this country, are sunk into nothing ; even more, they hardly dare walk the streets ; those who do, are obliged to wear the National Cockades and tie their hair behind. At the beginning of the Revo- lution, the people put on National cockades upon the Virgins and Jesuses at the corners of the streets. All the statues of Henri IV., Louis XIV., etc., have cockades. Women do not wear them at all. It was no bad idea of somebody, when the King and Queen were brought into Paris, who tied a handkerchief over the eyes of Louis XV. in the Place Louis XV. while the King passed, and, when he was gone, took it off and 54 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. wiped his eyes with it, as if he had wept at the disgrace his Grandchild suffered. Maria Josepha to Serena. Paris : July, 1791. Wednesday morning. Here I am again. Tuesday morning we went to the National Assembly in the Presi- dent's Box, but were very unlucky. Once a year all the Deputies are called over, and this was the day ; an hour and a half we waited with infinite patience, to hear names called over and letters of excuse read, but at last human nature could hold out no longer and we decamped. We should not have stayed so long, but that Decretot had got the Box for us, which is the best in the Assembly, and as we have an awkward trick of shaking him off when we can get a better Beau, we stayed, not to appear to slight his offer ; but were much better amused the rest of the morning, sight-seeing with our Elegant, which I have learnt is the French word for a lady's Beau. We went to the Sorbonne, where we saw the famous Monument of the Cardinal de Richelieu, and to the Carmelites, to see the Picture of Madame de la Valliere. It is the most lovely thing I ever saw, and no print or copy can give an idea of it. She has flung her Casket of jewels on the ground, and is tearing off her robes, while her eyes, swelled with weeping, are cast up to Heaven ; the expression of them is delightful it needs no explana- tion to tell one she is a Magdalen. They now say it is not Madame de la Valliere's picture, but that as it was painted at the time of her conversion, the Painter gave it her name. We then went to 1'Eglise de St. Sulpice, walked through the gardens of the Luxembourg belong- ing to Monsieur, and to the Gobelin Manufactory, where we saw the Weavers at work, and some pieces of Tapestry finished, but none so well done as three copies of Pictures CRAZY PARIS. 55 we saw at Versailles, Louis XV., Joseph, the Queen's Brother and his Mama ; they were in the Queen's apart- ments and were quite equal to fine Paintings ; they were of the Gobelin Manufacture. We wound up our Expedi- tion by visiting the H6tel de Bouillon. The good old Duke wrote to his Steward to show us the House, and I suppose told him not to take anything, for he refused two crowns which Papa offered him, over and over again. The Duke has not been in Paris for several years, but part of his family sometimes comes there. He has several fine pictures, and some very rare : Agnes Sorel, the only original picture of her, painted after her death. She would not suffer herself to be painted during her lifetime. An original of the great Turenne, which the Duke will not allow to be moved, two fine Claude Lorraines, and some Teniers. They showed us the cup that Henri IV. used to drink the health of ' La belle Gabrielle ' out of, a set of breakfast china belonging to Madame de Pompadour, and two China cups set in silver, given to Louis XIV. by the Senate of Venice, and that Madame de Pompadour begged of him. After her death, Bouillon's Father bought them of her heirs. We went to the Italian Opera in the evening. ' L'ltaliana in Londra,' the Theatre de Monsieur. The principal Woman Singer has a charming voice. I longed to propose to her to come and try her Fortune in London. This Morning we went to the National Assembly at 8 o'clock. The question of whether the King might or ought to be tried was to be debated, and a crowd was expected. Noailles, the pleasantest, most animated man, if I may use the expression, I ever saw, got an order for us to go to the best places just opposite the President, but when we went, every part of the House was full. However, by having several friends at Court, we got placed, or rather squeezed, into a Corner, where we remained till 4 o'clock, .56 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. of which time more than two-thirds was spent in reading a Report, of which I could not hear a syllable, but which is to be printed and will be very curious. An account of the King's escape, how and what it was, and stating all his Crimes and Misdemeanours. It is not determined whether he is to be tried or not, the question is to be de- cided to-morrow. The greatest part of the National Assembly are in favour of him, but the People violently against. It is thought the National Assembly will soon be unpopular. Bouille, and the officers who assisted him in his Flight, are all to be tried for High Treason. We are not decided whether we go to the National Assembly or to the Con- federation to-morrow ; the latter will not be so considerable a thing as last year's Ceremony, but as we did not see that, this little one will be better than nothing. Friday, I believe, we shall certainly remove ourselves from this mad city. I had not time in my last letter, to tell you any particulars of the proceedings at the Jacobins. I heard a famous Speech, which I daresay will soon reach England ; the question was the same as at the National Assembly to-day, and Brissot spoke most furiously against the King, ending with a motion that whoever mentioned any fear of foreign Countries, (something of that sort having been said) , should be voted ' Indigne du nom de FranQois, indigne de cette Soci6te, et que le roi peut et doit etre juge.' The extravagant applause at this speech is beyond all imagination. The men clapped, and threw their hats in the air, and the women their pocket-handkerchiefs, for above ten minutes, and a more compleat set of Bedlamites could not be seen. All the reasonable Democrats are much displeased with the Speech ; but there were not many at the Societe de Jacobins. It was voted and carried, that the Speech should be printed, and Copies CRAZY PARIS. 57 sent to every Deputy, all the Regiments, and all the Municipalities. Will you send this letter to Sheffield ? they may like to see some account of our proceedings, and I really have not time to write to them. I intended to finish this and write to them last night, after the Play, which is the only time I have ; but Noailles and Pelham came, and if the welfare of the whole Kingdom of France had depended on my writing, I must have gone to listen to them. My best love to the amiable Trio, and if they knew how pleasant these People are, they would forgive me. My last I wrote to you while my hair was dressing. Lord Palmerston, Lazowski and Pelham are now in the next room ; but as Noailles is not there, I have been able to get through my letter. Mama tells me I have missed a very entertaining account by Lazowski of the K. and Q. I don't say this to make a merit of writing, but as an excuse to the Sheffieldites. Every moment is so precious. [A few extracts from Maria's Diary during her stay in Paris give some incidents not mentioned in her letters.] ' July 13. Went to the National Assembly, at eight o'clock in the morning ; had tickets for the Bar, but found every place full, so sat in a Box opposite that of the Redacteurs de la "Moniteur." Report read of the state of the Frontiers of the escape of the King. Question whether the King should be tried or not. Robespierre, d' Andre, and Petion spoke. Returned home at four. ' July 14. The Confederation went as far as the gate of the Champ de Mars. Saw the National Guards march in. Papa went afterwards to the National Assembly. Mob very riotous. Women tried to force their way into the Assembly. Deputies insulted coming out. M. Decretot has given Papa a medal struck in commemoration of 58 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA I10LROYD. the 14th July, 1790, one of which was given to each Deputy. 'July 15. Papa went to the National Assembly. Decree in favour of the King that he cannot be tried. De Salle made very fine speeches in favour of the King. 1 Decrets de 1'Assemblee Nationale : ' l er . Un roi qui quitte son poste, pour se mettre a la tete d'une armee ennemie contre la nation, est cense d'abdiquer le trone. 1 2 me . Un roi qui, apres avoir prete le serment, se re- tractera, sera dechu de la couronne. ' 3 me . Un roi qui aura abdique reviendra simple citoyen, et pourra etre accuse pour les actes subsequens a son abdication. Twenty thousand persons assembled in the Champ de Mars, but dispersed at night very quietly. . . Due de Liancourt took Papa to introduce him to La Fayette. Maria Josepha to Serena. Dijon : July 19, 1791. I hope you have received the letter I wrote last Thursday, giving an account of Voltaire's Fte. Not- withstanding all I said, I wrote a long letter to Sheffield, owing to a delay in sending which gave me more time ; but I did not say a word the same as in your letter ; I do not mean that I contradicted in one what I said in the other, but that I treated of different matters. We left Paris on Saturday morning at eleven, and got to Fon- tainebleau at five. We waited dinner for Mr. Pelham till seven, and in the meantime explored the Country. The Queen's apartments at the Palace were all new fitted up in the year 1786, and are most elegant. Her Boudoir is a Chef d'oeuvre of taste and elegance ; the ground is gold ; the compartments painted in the style of the CRAZY PARIS. 59 Loggia del Vaticano, upon a silver ground. All the ornaments are in the lightest style possible. Most of the old Pictures are removed. The Carp in the Pond are the largest I ever saw, and some are quite white. The story is that they grow grey from age ; but that cannot be true, as there are a great number of little white ones. We left Fontainebleau the next morning. Papa went with Mr. Pelham in his Cabriolet, which reduced us to the number four, which is rather more agreeable in the month of July than the number five ; but this good for- tune did not last long, for Mr. Pelham in the most barbarous manner left us at Sens. He had unfortunately been very busy looking at the maps, and had discovered that if he went on to Besan9on with us, it would be three days' journey out of his way, as Bourbonne les Bains is on the borders of Champagne and Franche Comte. We got to Auxerre at nine, where we slept, in comparison of the night before, in Paradise, for since the Eevolution, there is so little company comes to Fontainebleau, that the Bugs were very sharp set, and were so delighted to meet with me, that, as the least evil of the two, I slept in a chair all night not in the most comfortable manner. Yesterday morning at seven o'clock, we left Auxerre, and did not arrive at Dijon till twelve at night, with only a rest of one hour at Vitteaux to eat a little bit. You may imagine how tired we were on one of the hottest days possible, and Louisa and Tuft very fidgetty. The Carriage has met with an accident, which I am afraid will keep us here another day, or else we were to go on to Besan9on tomorrow, and get to Lausanne on Friday ; but I thought you would not like to wait till then, to hear that we were safe out of Paris. Pray write to Sheffield and tell them, in spite of my terrific accounts, everything went on very quietly in the Champ de Mars. I suppose you have heard that the Decree in the National Assembly 60 GIRLHOOD OF MAEIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. passed in favour of the King ; but he must mind his behaviour another time, or he will not escape so well. The People are violent against him ; 20,000 assembled in the Champ de Mars the day the decree passed, (on Friday), vowing they would have no King; but spent themselves in going round to all the Theatres and ordering them to shut up, which they very quietly did. Adieu. Yours ever, M. J. H. Extract from Maria Josepha's Diary. 'July 19, 1791. Went to the Monastery of the Chartreuse on the road from Dijon to Paris, about half a mile from Dijon. The Monks all left it about two months ago. Went into one of the Cells. Every Monk had three small rooms, a garden, a little court, a well and a cellar. There were twenty-two. Could not go into the Church where the Dukes ' of Burgundy are buried, because "La Nation " had put their Seal on the Door ; there being some Pictures not yet disposed of. The Entrance to this Town from Paris is through a long handsome Gateway. It was begun before the Revolution, but not finished till lately. Over the gate "A la Liberte " on each side are tablets with " Les Droits de Fhomme " upon them. Above, figures holding shields, upon which is inscribed :' " La Nation, la Loi et le Koy." * 20&. Went to the Hospital and into one of the rooms. Beds white and very clean. Ladies of the Town attend the sick. Before the Revolution, Nuns attended them, but their Priests refused to take the Oath, and as they did not choose to have other Priests, they left the Hospital. Beds for five hundred. Left Dijon at a quarter before two.' CRAZY PARIS. 61 Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : August 1, 1791. It is utterly impossible to fill such a Patagonian Paper ; but it will show my disposition to make the only return in my power, to the dear precious Maria, for her delightful attention to me, and her folios of interesting history. ... I have received one from Dijon and Dole. I must particularly, however, thank you for not waiting till you got to Lausanne ; for I may confess that I should have been very uneasy if you had not kindly written on the road, as I heard of fresh disturbances, and as I sup- pose dear Sheff full as likely to be led by curiosity to see the Manoeuvres of the Mob, as to see a Farm, a Manu- factory, or a Regiment, without the least idea of his being concerned in Riots, and to say truth, I know no Monster I so much dread as a savage Mob. Thank God ! I may now suppose you, according to your Phrase, in Mr. Gibbon's ' Mansion of Peace,' where I hope you found him well, and also that you received a letter addressed to * Myladi ' Maria. And now that my pannicks are at an end, I am really glad you have been at Paris, at a Period so very extraordinary, which must always be curious to you to recollect, though I must confess it was at some hazard and required courage. ... I hope my Sister will soon recover her fatigues and be able to enjoy being in Mr. Gibbon's charming House. . . . 62 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. CHAPTEK IV. 1791. WITH GIBBON AT LAUSANNE. Arrival at Lausanne Gibbon's Home The Severy Family M. and Madame Necker Madame de Stael Excursion to Chamounix Lady Webster Geneva Marriage of the Duke of York Society at Lausanne Comte de Lally Tollendal Scenery Sufferings of the Exiles Letters from England. Maria Josepha to Serena. [THIS letter is dated on the outside in Serena's hand, ' First from Lausanne.'] July 23. Arrived at Lausanne at nine. . . . Nothing can exceed Mr. Gibbon's attentions and wishes to make our residence here pleasant and comfortable to us. Mama has a Bed-chamber, Dressing-room and Boudoir ; we have two Booms and two Beds, and the rooms below stairs are entirely at Mama's service to receive her com- pany in. We breakfast in a room he has lately built at the end of his Terrace, which commands a delightful view of the Lake and Mountains. Much as I have heard of the beauty of this Country, it far exceeds my expectations. As to the Severy family, they have also. Our Severy is quite a different creature to what he was in England ; so much pleasanter ; the Father is a very friendly, good kind of man ; but a little ennuyeux ; Madame very pleasing and elegant in her appearance and manner, and Mdlle. very handsome, sensible and lively. If one met upon more equal terms, that is, understood one another's language WITH GIBBON AT LAUSANNE. 63 better, I think we should like each other very much. She does not understand a word of English. I own my surprise is very great, that Mr. Gibbon should chuse to spend his days here in preference to England, for there does not appear to me anybody with whom he can converse on equal terms, or who is worthy to hear him ; but it is a proof how much pleasure Flattery gives the most sensible people. This is the only advan- tage this place can have over England for him. How- ever, he is so much attached to the Place and the People, that he cannot bear the slightest joke about them. He has given me a ' scouting ' several times. There is a very pleasant set of French here, with whom Lady Webster is very intimate ; but we live en- tirely with the Severys and Mr. G.'s set, which is certainly not equally pleasant. The French and Swiss do not take to one another at all. There are here : the Princesse de Bouillon, daughter-in-law to our friend of Navarre ; Madame de Biron, Madame de Guiche, daughter to Madame de Polignac ; Madame de Caylus, Madame de Guigne, La Marechale de Castres, La Duchesse de Castres, Le Due de Guignes, Le Prince de Salms, and Madame de Grammont. Mr. Pelham arrived yesterday. Mr. Trevor is here, Lord Molineux, Mr. and Mrs. Harrison and some others, whose names I do not recollect. The Balfours 1 are expected here soon, and Madame Cerjat told us that George Coxe was going to travel with Mr. Balfour. Is it true ? We went to Coppet on Thursday to see M. Necker, and slept there. I never saw anything so broken-hearted as he appears to be. He speaks very little. Papa got a little conversation upon Politicks with him, while we were walking ; but he does not join at all in general conversa- tion. Madame Necker is very learned, as you know, and 1 Of Townley Hall, co. Louth. 64 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. talked a great deal with Mr. Gibbon upon subjects of literature. She is rather a fine woman ; much painted, and, when she is not painted, very yellow, but upon the whole better looking than I expected. Necker is a very vulgar-looking man, very like the Print of him in ' The Importance of Keligious Opinions.' Madame de Stael was there ; she is uglier than Lady K. Douglas ; but so lively and entertaining, that you would totally forget in five minutes whether she was handsome or ugly. They seem to be very fond of one another. Madame de Stael is perfectly wild, and must keep up her Papa and Mama's spirits very much. She is soon to leave them, and then Coppet will be a very dull lamentable place. The House is a very good one, and the Garden pleasant. On Monday, we set out for Chamouny and the Glaciers. It will be a true Party of Pleasure ; in other words, the most unpleasant thing in the world. The Party consists of Sir G. and Lady Webster, Severy, and us. Sir G. is more cross than you can imagine ; in short, he has just discovered that he is married, and that Mr. P. has a great regard for his Lady. I really believe that he need not have the least fear about him, and that he had much better let her quietly like a Man of Honour, than one who might be less scrupulous ; and like Somebody, she must. She lives entirely with the French ; the Swiss do not like her much, and she returns the compliment very thoroughly. We are to be about a week on our Expedition. What innumerable misfortunes Mama will discover during that time ! You are not likely to hear from her, for she has not been able to persuade herself to write a single line since She left England. Such as I am you must take me, for better for worse in the Epistolary way ; I promise to be more agreeable next time I write. Don't think twice about what I have said. WITH GIBBON AT LAUSANNE. 65 Maria Josepha to Serena. Valley of Chamouny : August 11, 1791. I write to you from this place for an infinity of reasons. In the first place it rains, and then I think it is the first and probably the last time that you will receive a letter dated from this place, and if I do not give an account of what I see and do, a mesure of what I see and do, I shall probably forget half. Monday morning, after more delays than would have been necessary for the National Assembly to have decided the most consequential article in their constitution, we left Lausanne at eight o'clock. And if anybody ever offends you so grievously that you do not recollect any punishment bad enough for them, only wish them on a Party of Pleasure with Lady Webster! The ceremony began with irresolution in the extreme whether they should go or not ! How and which way they should go ? and everything that was proposed she decidedly deter- mined on a contrary scheme, and as regularly altered her mind in a few hours. However, Monday morning saw us on our route with the French Cook ; the first, I daresay, who has been brought to the peaceful Valley of Chamouny. The party consisted of Sir G. and Lady Webster, and the French Cook, Lord and Lady Sheffield and Misses, Mrs. Maynard and the two servants. Eecollect the evening when you enjoyed the amusing Society of Tom and Betty 1 in Downing Street, and you have a lively image of our fine Lady, and a per- fect idea of the pleasure we must derive from her company I I think I have given words enough to this subject and will dismiss her Ladyship from my thoughts, when I have told you that the day we stayed at Geneva she passed in 1 Mr. Pelham and Lady Webster. 66 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. her Bed, a la Frangaise, surrounded by her Beaux, the cause, Fatigue, in consequence of a Thunder Storm at Lausanne the day before. I always expected the only amusement in our party that would fall to my share would proceed from Severy, who Mr. Gibbon had always promised should accompany us, prophesying that Betty would employ every Beau she could in her service, so particularly recommended Severy to me, as he does not admire her as much as he ought, owing to her chief Passe-temps being abuse of the Swiss, or at best Sovereign Contempt for them and their manners. The day before we departed, Severy gave for his reasons to decline accompanying us on our Tour, his Mother's ill- health and some business he had to do in the course of the week. These were the ostensible reasons ; but I believe there were some hidden causes which had some weight with him, viz., a sneaking kindness for Madame de * * * . who soon leaves Lausanne ; secondly, a shrewd guess at the irresolution attending our movements ; and thirdly, a due portion of Swiss Tranquillity in his Composition, which has the effect of keeping him in one place, without any roving ideas in his head. In his place, Mr. Gibbon provided us with the Person who arranged his Library, to arrange our Expedition. M. Levade is a very sensible man, and has made the same Tour with several people. He went with Henry Dawkins, of whom he speaks with great regard. If I had written to you from Geneva I should not have done him justice, my indignation being at its height from the loss of Severy. I certainly possess greatness of mind beyond what I had any idea of, because I acknowledge candidly when I change my mind, and here I declare that this aforesaid Swiss Gentleman, Severy, is now a great Favourite, whereas in England I took rather a dislike to him ; but this I must say in my justification, that the Severy of Uckfield was as different from the WITH GIBBON AT LAUSANNE. 67 Lausanne Severy, as the Paris Pelham from the Pelham in the Glaciers ; I retract I will have nothing to say to him, at least during Lady W.'s lifetime ! for his heart seems incapable of receiving two at a time, and his tongue of speaking to two at a time, for he has scarce spoken to the inferior race of Beings in our Caravan since we set off. I am very angry with myself ; here I am scribbling all the nonsense that comes into my head without coming to the point, viz., an account of our adventures, and without reflecting that a Letter from the Valley of Chamouny, should contain things of greater importance than have employed a page and a half of this letter. Well I suppose you looking at the Leman Lake in a map the first place we reached was Merges, a very pretty little Town on the banks of the Lake ; then Kolle, where we stopped a little while to rest the horses ; dined at Nyon ; passed through a little bit of the Land of Liberty at Var ; passed through Coppet, where Necker lives in the Chateau which the Duke of Gloucester had ; and finally alighted at Secheron, an Inn about half a mile without the Town of Geneva, close to the Lake. We found here, on their passage to or from the Glaciers, Lord and Lady Somers and Miss Cocks, Sir F., Lady, Mr., and Miss Sykes, and Sir J. Macpherson. The Due de Guignes came to flirt with the Lady W. Lord and Miss Cravens were in the house to stay ; Lord C. is in a bad state of health. Tuesday morning, Sir John Shelley came to breakfast. He is much grown and very thin. He likes Geneva very much, which is a very good thing for him. Young Cam- pion l dined with us. There is quite a Colony of English at Geneva. In the evening we went to a Country House near, the Terrace of which commands a beautiful view of the conflux of the Arve and the Rhone and the Town 1 Of Danny, Sussex. 68 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. of Geneva, which is a very handsome one, built of Stone, the whole bounded by the magnificent Mountains of Savoy. This House belongs to Count Apraxin, a great Russian nobleman. He was upon his Terrace when we went, and was very civil, inviting us to drink Tea with him. He asked Papa if he knew the Lord Sheffield who had written the ' Voyage en A intrigue.' Another ridiculous mistake was a Prince, at Lausanne, asking if he was the Lord Chesterfield ' qui a fait pendre son Precepteur ' ? We went to the Town of Geneva, and saw the rapid Bhone in great beauty. I never saw water of such a beautiful colour or so transparent. Just under the Bridge it is very deep, above twenty feet, and yet we saw the Stones at the bottom as clear as if it had been a foot deep. When I saw the amazing rapidity with which it rushes along, Madame de S6vigne's alarms for Madame de Grignan came into my thoughts. If it is as furious all the way, I think her fears were not without foundation. On Wednesday morning we were on the road a little after five, the disposition of our troops as follows : the Websters, Tom, and Mama in one carriage, Papa, the young ladies, Levade, and Mrs. Maynard in another. We breakfasted at Bonneville and dined at Salenches, from which place .the road is impassable for Coaches. The Carriage that is made use of in this Country is called a Char-a-banc. The name is very descriptive. It is a very low four-wheeled Carriage, with a Bench that holds three people, without sides, and with a board to support our feet. The road from Salenches to Chamouny is beautiful ; many torrents to pass, some so rapid that we were carried over and the Char-a-bancs were held up by six or seven people. The ' Torrent Noir ' is very terrific. For Lady Webster's amusement there came a Thunder- storm, attended with violent rain ; which last was the most inconvenient part of the story, as the only covering WITH GIBBON AT LAUSANNE. 69 to the Char-a-bancs is an Awning of Sail-cloth, which is soon penetrated by the rain. At Servoz we stopped to see a bas-relief of Mont Blanc, which was very well executed, and the worst part of the Storm was while we were there, but it continued raining all the evening. One of the Torrents we arrived at after it was dark, and the rain had increased it so much that the people told us it was not safe to pass it. It was a tremendous scene ; the darkness relieved by frequent flashes of lightning, the roaring of the Torrent, and nearly fifty of the country people assembled round us, all talking at once, some magnifying the danger, others assuring us there was none at all. You cannot think how well Mama bore it. Lady W. thought hysterics becoming. We and our Char-a-bancs were carried safely over in the space of three-quarters of an hour, and we arrived at Chamouny at half-past nine, wet through. A dram of Brandy was administered to us, and we none of us found any bad effects from our adventures. Thursday we went to the Glacier des Bois and the Source of the Arviron. Rode upon mules. Friday, after many different opinions and resolutions on the subject, Mama, Lady W., and Louisa agreed to let us go to the top of Montanvert without them, as everybody said the fatigue was very great. Sir John Macpherson and Mr. Hawkins, the Son of an Irish Bishop, are at Chamouny, and went with us. They are very pleasant, lively men, and made the expedition much pleasanter. We were four hours ascending the Mountain, through Woods of Fir trees, with frequent views through the Trees of the beau- tiful valley and the mountains on the opposite side. Most of the way was so steep we were obliged to walk. From the top of the Montanvert we went upon the Glacier des Bois, from its size called the ' Mer de Glace.' It is a beautiful scene, and such as no description can 70 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. give an idea of. The Glacier takes a fine turn among the Mountains, and has exactly the appearance of a very rough Sea. We carried a cold dinner and Champagne with us, and drank the Prince of Wales's health in Blair's Cabbin, built by an Englishman of that name. The descent was very steep, and rendered worse by heavy showers of rain, which made it very slippery. We did not go back the same way, as we wished to see the source of the Arviron again, which bursts out of a beautiful Cave of blue Ice at the foot of the ' Mer de Glace.' We arrived at the Inn at six o'clock like drowned Rats, with some reason to be fatigued, as we had walked the whole time, an hour and a half excepted, when we rode upon Mules. Saturday morning it was agreed that Sir G. and Lady Webster and Mama and Mr. Pelham should return by Geneva, and that we should pursue our journey over the ' Col de Balme,' attended by Sir J. Macpherson, Mr. Hawkins and Levade. The whole day's journey, having to be performed on Mules or on foot, the married Ladies thought would be too much fatigue for them. This and the next day I enjoyed the Scenes and myself thoroughly ; the country was beautiful beyond all ex- pression ; every body was in good humour, and we knew from one five minutes to another what we meant to do a state of happiness we had not arrived at since leaving Lausanne. We left Chamouny at half past six, and from that time to half past six at night were either walking or riding, a la Fran9oise, upon mules, up and down almost perpen- dicular Mountains, with the most delightful view all round us. We dined in a compleat rural style seated upon our Portmanteaux, with our cold dinner spread on the ground before us. At Martigny in the Vallais we found our Carriage and WITH GIBBON AT LAUSANNE 71 good Eoads again and arrived at Bex where we slept, at half past nine. The next day, Sunday, we arrived at Lausanne, seeing on our Way the Salt works at Aigle, and the Castle of Chillon, and passing by Clarens, the scene of Bousseau's ' Eloise,' which would interest anybody who had read the work. As I have not, 1 did not feel the raptures that those would who have. The road from Vevay, where we dined, to Lausanne is close to the Lake. The evening was uncommonly fine, and the setting Sun, followed by the full Moon, made it the pleasantest Evening and the most delightful Scene I ever saw. Papa went to wait upon P. Augustus, who resides at Vevay. He told Papa of the Duke of York's marriage with the Princess Boyal of Prussia. Mama returned last night as much pleased with what she had seen as we were ; but a little cooled in her violent affection for Lady W. We met Mr. Giffard at Vevay. He was going to Milan ; in coming through France the carriage was overturned and he and his Servant broke their Shoulders. One of the people sitting on the top of the Coach was killed, and likewise an Abbe. They were in one of the French Diligences, which are loaded beyond anything you have any Idea of. I have written -such a long letter to Sheffield that I am quite tired. I am a little disappointed at not hearing again from you ; pray don't spare my money ; a letter from you is my greatest pleasure here. I should have told you that we are none of us in the least fatigued by the difficulties and dangers in our Tour. Louisa is quite well. Mama is still the same as to her spirits, but bore the journey very well. Papa continues not to have a moment to spare to write to any body. The weather is intolerably hot. Adieu. Your ever and ever affec. M. J. H. 72 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. Miss Moss l to Maria Josepha (Chez M. Gibbon a Lausanne). August 25, 1791. . . . Although you are much nearer the Court of Prussia than we are, you may not hear of its Motions so soon as do the English : therefore I inform you that the King does not chuse his Daughter should marry, till there is a proper settlement made for her ; and as that cannot be till the Parliament meets, His Highness of York must remain a Bachelor some months longer. This he does not altogether like, and therefore it has been resolved to trust to the Honour of the British Senate, rely- ing on their Generosity in order to enable them to marry immediately. The Princess is to have the sum of Three Hundred Thousand Pounds for her Fortune ; Cumberland House is to be the Residence of their Royal Highnesses and is in future to -be called York House. The Queen is to assist her son of Clarence in the purchase of the Duke of York's House at Whitehall, which is to be the Residence of the Royal Sailor. . . . The only Country news I can offer is, that ' Lord Sheffield is taken up as a Spy, that he is put into Prison, that Lady S. and Miss Louisa are coming home in a violent hurry, and that Miss Holroyd remains to console her father during his imprisonment ; ' it has gained great credit with the Work People, for Mr. Poole went on Tuesday to examine the Navigation at Sheffield Bridge, and on asking some of the Men if they had heard anything of his Lordship ? was answer'd, ' Lord ! Sir, his Lordship is clapped up.' 1 Miss C. Moss, a friend and frequent visitor at Sheffield Place. WITH GIBBON AT LAUSANNE. 73 Maria Josepha to Serena (incomplete). Lausanne : Sept. 3rd, 1791. Madame and Madme. de Silva, a Portuguese lady, were to have given two balls this week, but the Bailiff would not give leave. This is what they call ' la Semaine Sainte ; ' there is a Communion four times a year, two Sundays together, and the week between no dancing is allowed, which is quite ridiculous, as Card Parties go on just the same and the Bailiff never refuses leave to dance on Sundays. We go to a Party generally every evening ; they begin at half past six and break up at nine or half past nine. Some are very pleasant, some very dull. It is a continual scene of eating. At their Gouter, which is the first ceremony in the Evening parties, they eat very heartily of hot puddings and pies, fruit, etc., and continue eating Ice and drinking Lemonade during the whole time the party lasts. Mr. Gibbon dislikes the French very much, which is nothing but Swiss prejudice, of which he has imbibed a large quantity. The French and Swiss do not agree in the least. They mix very little. Most of them are going very soon. The Websters live much with the French and like them very much. She has not ingratiated herself with Mr. Gibbon or the Natives, and is considerably out of favour even with Mama. That is saying a great deal. I believe I told you Lord Craven and his daughters were at Secheron when we were there. Miss Cravens have been on a Tour round the Lake with Lord Molineux and Mr. Nott by themselves. Some gentlemen who were on the same tour found them all fast asleep on the top of the Col de Balme. They say Lord Molyneux is to marry one of them : but it appears rather odd they should go without any Woman as a chaperon on such a party. We are going with Sir J. Legard in his Boat across 74 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. the Lake to Meilleraie on Monday. If the weather is fine, it will be a very pleasant party ; another Excursion is talked of to the Lac de Joux, but not settled. We went yesterday morning to a beautiful Place belonging to Mr. Weston, about two miles from Lausanne. There is a very fine Wood with walks cut in it, and Seats placed wherever there are any beautiful Views. The greatest part of the Trees are Firs on the sides of two hills, with a beautiful Valley between, and Cascades. There is a rustic Building commanding a fine view of the Lake where a large party dined, Lady W, the Duchesse de Guiche, their Lords and Masters, Mr. Pelham, Sir J. Shelley, etc. We did not belong to them, to my great satisfaction. I hope you will have fine weather for your Tour. I am sorry your Dog does not satisfy you ; the sooner you get quit of him the better, or you will grow fond of him whether you will or no. Tuft is in very good health, but I cannot say in high preservation, as great part of his Coat was rubbed off in the journey, and he does not enjoy this Country as much as he ought, as he does not get much exercise. We regretted Sheffield and the dance in the Laundry on Thursday very much. We had the honour and pleasure of dining and spend- ing the evening at Mons. de Severy's. Madame de Severy is called Mont Blanc, and I cannot give you a better Idea of her. I feel more inclination to admire and respect that family than to love them. There is a great deal of dignity and frigidity in their composition, which is much increased by Mr. Gibbon's attentions. He dotes upon them. They are called 'Gibbon's adopted.' Adieu. Pray, Pray write often, it is such a pleasure to me. Your ever affectionate M. J. H. WITH GIBBON AT LAUSANNE. 75 Maria Josepha to Serena. Lausanne: September 9, 1791. Do not start ! I dare say I shall not fill every side ; but as I have often found at the end of my Letters that I have still much to say, I have determined to take a sheet of Paper that shall make that an Impossibility, and when you have read one side you may lay by the rest till the next Post day, and imagine it a new Letter. My dis- appointment this morning was very great at not receiving a Letter from you ; but, on enquiry, I found the Post was not yet come in, so that I have still hopes which I trust will not be disappointed. This week has been a very pleasant one. On Tuesday we crossed the Lake to Meilleraie. Sir John Legard lives at a Country house close to the Lake, about a mile from Lausanne. He is a great Navigator, and has the best Vessel on the Lake. Lady Legard is sister to the famous Mrs. Hodges and the no less, famous Harvey Aston, and a pleasing sensible woman. Sir John is Guardian to the Miss Grimstones, who, with their Mother, live with him and make a very agreeable party. Our Water party was Sir John and Lady Legard, Mrs. and three Miss Grim- stones, Sir J. Macpherson, a Swiss Gentleman Monsieur Seigneux, and ourselves. We set off at half past eight, and as they rowed all the way, were three hours and a half crossing over. We landed while dinner was preparing, and had a delightful walk in a grove of Walnut Trees we dined just opposite to les Eochers de Meilleraie, which Rousseau has made classic ground. The Coast is beautiful, much more so than this side of the Lake. Steep hills, covered with fine Walnut Trees, sometimes varied by Pines, seem to rise immediately out of the Lake. Picturesque old Towers and Steeples peep out above the Trees, so happily, that it 76 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. is doubtful whether they would be equally well placed if much Art and Taste had been employed to beautify the spot, supposing it a Pleasure ground. The Pays de Vaud had a very shabby appearance from the Coast of Savoy, as it has neither Mountain or Woods to compare with those about Meilleraie. The day was uniformly beautiful, and we returned home at eight o'clock, better pleased and satisfied than I ever knew so many people with a party of pleasure, particularly a water party, the amuse- ment of which depends upon wind and weather, as well as Tempers. Mr. Gibbon had some thoughts of going with us, but his heart failed him. Luckily, Lady Webster is so much afraid of the water that we had not even the alarm of her Company. She is going with Sir G., Pelham and Mr. Trevor, who is just arrived here, to Turin the end of this month, and she is to pass the Winter at Nice by herself ; the two Gentlemen return to England this is the present plan, but perhaps before the end of the week she will have determined upon going to Constanti- nople ! I wonder that idea never struck her, as she is fond of doing uncommon things. The Comte Lally Tollendal came with Mr. Trevor last Monday. He is lately married to a Scotch lady and is going to England to reconcile her to her Friends she having committed a little indiscretion, viz : of having a little Girl of six years old although she has not been married above six weeks ; but that is Lally's affair and nobody has a right to object if he does not. He acknow- ledges the young lady as his daughter. It is very rare that anything, and particularly any Person, of whom one has heard much answers one's expectations but Lally surpasses mine. He is a Favourite of Mrs. Trevor's and we were invited on Thursday to her house to hear him read his Tragedy, and I was never more entertained at any Tragedy though Mrs. Siddons were the Heroine. It was WITH GIBBON AT LAUSANNE. 77 'Le Comte de Strafford.' In general, when a Foreigner attempts an English story, they make many Blunders ; but he has been perfectly correct. The characters are very well supported ; but he has been too good to Charles, who, instead of tamely giving up Strafford to the Parlia- ment, supports him to the last as his firm Friend. He has made a very interesting Scene by bringing Charles into his Prison, and Strafford being torn from his arms by the Chiefs of the Parliament. There are many very fine passages and interesting scenes in the Tragedy. He read it remarkably well ; and as he chooses to make poor Charles go mad, the exertion was very great. Mr. Gibbon had a large dinner yesterday, where Lally was the principal Actor, and, contrary to the Swiss custom, the company stayed all the evening, and I never passed one more pleasantly. Sir G. and Lady Webster, Mr. and Mrs. Trevor, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Wallace, the late Attorney- General's son, Mr. Ellis, Sir J. Macpherson and Lally dined here. Monsieur and Madame de Silva, her ' Cava- liere Servente,' and Schomberg came in the evening, and did not go till ten o'clock ; a late hour in this good sort of country. Lally is always in very high spirits or very low ones : we were very lucky yesterday ; he amused us without ceasing, introducing a great many Stories and productions of his own, and did not seem in the least alarmed at engrossing the whole Conversation; indeed we all listened to him as we would to an Actor on the Stage, and thought as little of interrupting him. He is a Companion that would not suit Mr. Gibbon constantly, as he does not much like playing a second part. Vive les Suisses for that ! who, when the ' King of the Place,' as he is called, opens his mouth, (which you know he generally does sometime before he- has arranged his sentence), all wait in awful and respectful silence for what shall follow, and look up to it as an Oracle ! 78 GIELHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. To-day we are to go to the Cerjats first, and then sup at Madame de Severy's, where Lally is to be. At a Party that Mr. Gibbon had last week, I saw the fellow- fugitive of Lally, Mounier; if I had not heard the one speak, and heard of the other, I should have set them both down as very stupid men ; so little skill have I in Physiognomy, and Lally has a very heavy Countenance till it is animated by Conversation, and Mounier looks insignificant, if you can form an Idea of that look. The time of our Departure is not fixed ; but as many Plans are talked of as to our Boute, I suppose it will take place early in the next Month. I believe and hope that we shall go through Germany, down the Rhine, to Brussels, and sail from Calais. We shall go to Berne and Basle and see that part of Switzerland, and also go to Coblentz, where are the Princes and their Army. It will be a satis- faction in a few months when we hear of one Prince being beheaded, another hanged, and a third torn in pieces by the Monarchs of Paris, etc. that we saw them first. Most of the Aristocrats here are gone to join them. The Due de Guiche has been here and is now gone to Coblentz, the Duchess to Vienna, where her Mother is. The Due de Guiche and his Brother the Comte de Grammont are very pleasing young men ; the former was Captain of the Garde du Corps, and behaved with great Courage on the famous 6th of October. The Constitution has been offered to the King. I am very impatient to know what answer he will give, but I suppose he will accept anything. He is so far restored to Liberty that the Gardens of the Tuileries are open, and to amuse him the amiable ' Parisians ' come in and cry 1 Vive la Nation ! ' under his Windows, but in reality he is no more at Liberty to accept or refuse than before. The uncertain State of the finances of the Aristocrats is quite melancholy to think of, and nothing but the fear of WITH GIBBON AT LAUSANNE. 79 not having Bread to eat by the end of next Year would reconcile them to their present condition. Madame de Guiche, who might be called the second Woman in France three years ago, the Queen's favourite, caressed by everybody, was in a very shabby Lodging here, without a Femme de Chambre, and obliged to her Mother-in-law, Madame de Grammont, for her dinner every day. Mon- sieur de Schomberg was a Lieut. -Colonel and of rank sufficient to be Field Marshal. He lives at Ouchy, and all weathers is obliged to walk to Lausanne, and some- times beyond it, to pay Visits, as he cannot afford to keep a Carriage, and he is between sixty and seventy. All the Bishops, but four, refused to take the Oath, and there are two or three here reduced from 5,000 a year to 500, and that 500 very precarious. I should have been much surprised and rather incre- dulous if anybody had told me last Winter that in six months I should be in Company with ' La petite Blot,' so celebrated in Lord Chesterfield's Letter, and yet I have, frequently. She has no remains of Beauty, but the manners of a Woman of fashion. I do not wonder that the Swiss are not partial to the French, for they certainly cannot stand the comparison. It is not a fair one with- out doubt, as the French we have here are the flower of the French Court, and very elegant and pleasing they are. Of the Swiss there seems to be but one opinion ; they certainly do not possess * Les Graces.' I wish I could transport their country, at least this part of it, the Lake and its environs, to England ; they are not worthy of it, for they are satisfied with vegetating in the Place where they are born, without any curiosity about those Beauties that lay at the distance of a day's journey from them. Very few that I have met with have seen the beautiful Valley of Chamouny. There is nothing like seeing with one's own eyes, for when I had seen that delightful 80 GIRLHOOD OF MAEIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. valley, the Glaciers, etc., I had not patience with Mr. Coxe. His descriptions were so cold and imperfect. It did not seem possible to me to speak or write about them without raptures, and yet he merely says he ' passed over the Col de Balme ' on such a day, in such a year. I see, large or small Paper, it is just the same thing. I do not tire as soon as I am afraid my Header will. Yours ever and ever, M. J. H. Maria Josepha to Serena. Lausanne : September 17, 1791. . . . When we came into this Country from France, we imagined we were amongst a happy People who had just sense enough to be satisfied and to have nothing to wish for; but I find we were mistaken, and that the Spirit of Freedom is dispersed over more countries than one. Things are beginning to wear a very serious aspect in this Town. I told you in my last that two Gentlemen of this place were taken up and confined in the Castle of Chillon. Several have removed themselves for fear of the same habitation being provided for them, and one of them has been summoned to appear before the Commission from Berne, under penalty of Confiscation and outlawry. The Army, consisting of 2,500 men, which was first encamped at Berne and afterwards at Payerne and Moudon, arrived here last Friday with a Train of Artillery, and has spread terror in the Town ; as, except the Cerjats, Severys, and two or three more of the principal Families, everybody here is more or less inclined to Democracy. The Com- mission of Bolle, consisting of some of the Members of the ' Deux cents,' are to arrive here on Monday, and it is expected more ' criminals ' will be taken up and tried ; but very little is known except what is seen, for the WITH GIBBON AT LAUSANNE. 81 crimes of the two Gentlemen in the Castle of Chillon are not well known. A Correspondence with the Club of the Jacobins is talked of. By-the-bye, the arrival of the Commission has been very inconvenient to the Balfours, and therefore, out of compliment to them, it is necessary you should be a Democrate. They had taken a house in a very pleasant situation in Lausanne, and the Bailiff sent his compli- ments and informed them they must give it up it was wanted for the Gentlemen of the Commission. They are still at Merges ; we have not seen them yet. They called, but we were not at home. The Troops are quartered in the churches, in the Manege, and in all the private Houses; particular notice is taken of the Democratic Inhabitants by favouring them with a double portion of visitors, whose whiskers make them look a little tremen- dous, and, according to the idea of a Soldier I have been brought up with, they have not the least appearance of that animal. An army of Sussex smugglers, provided they were not afraid of holding a gun, would make as respectable an appearance. Nobody knows how long they will stay or what they are to do, but it is supposed to support some vigorous measure. An order was given out this morning to forbid the singing of ' Qa ira ' in the streets. You know that is a Democratical song, very much the fashion, every verse ending with ' Qa ira ! Q& ira ! les Aristocrates a la Lanterne ! ' It was sung to us at every great Town through France, and at our arrival here, the arms upon the Coach giving some cause for it. It has done much mischief here by inflaming the minds of the people. Prince Augustus came on Thursday, and Papa and Mr. G. dined with him at M. Cerjat's house. Sir J\ Macpherson gave him a Breakfast yesterday morning, and we danced till two o'clock. There was a large Party a 82 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. of English ; the number here is amazing. The Cravens, Harrisons, Grimstones, Mrs. Trevor, Miss Crawfurd, Lord Montacute, Mr. Sawbridge, Mr. Wallace and Mr. Ellis, two pleasant young men who brought a letter of recom- mendation to Mr. G. from Sir R. Payne, and several others were at the Breakfast. Sir G. and Lady Webster set off the day before yesterday on a Tour through Switzerland. An Express was sent after them entreating their return to the Break- fast, but it either did not reach them in time, or it had no effect, for they did not come. Mr. Gibbon is desperately in love with Madame de Silva, a pretty Portuguese, who has been some time in England. He courts her at a great rate, and pays her great attention. We begin to talk of returning, but no time has been mentioned. However, I suppose the first week in October we shall move, and our present intention is to join the army at Coblentz. Everybody agrees that it is very dis- agreeable going through France at present ; the Soldiers are following their own inventions. We hear the King has accepted the Constitution, but we do not know whether there is any foundation for the report. I won't be unreasonable and expect long letters, but I hope there are some on the road, be they ever so short, We have been here two months, and I have only three letters, but I will be honest and say that if it had been three dozen, I should have thought them too few. Pray give our united good wishes to the Foster Family, and Believe me, yours ever and ever, M. J. HOLBOYD. Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : September 19, 1791. ... I so much like the accounts you give of the Lausanne stile of life and Society, that I think you had WITH GIBBON AT LAUSANNE. 83 better look out for a little Villa for me there, that, when I you, you will, from the many obligations you have to her, know how to treat her as a Second Mother, and the only Substitute Nature can give for my Ines- timable Friend. I never can express how I feel her Loss ; but I will say no more ; but once again beg you to take in good part all I have said. God Bless you ! and may you be Happy and make your dear Father so is the sincere wish of your Affectionate Friend, E. W. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheff. Place: July 2, 1793. Papa desires me to write as he has not time, to say he has agreed to let Government have his House (in Downing Street). They allow him 6001. for his repairs, and to keep all the Cellars and Stables and a Garret I believe. I wish I had known this for certain before we left Town, DEATH OF ABIGAIL, LADY SHEFFIELD. 225 for I dare say they will break all our valuable China and Glasses in moving them. Edward Hamilton came on Sunday, and I suppose will stay till Milord and the Great Gibbon go to London next Monday. I was very glad at his appearance ; for I think both the Peer and the Historian began to grow tired of a Tete a Tete after Dinner which always lasted a con- siderable time, as Gib. is a mortal enemy to any persons taking a walk; I suppose upon the same principle as Satan disliked the situation of Mr. and Mrs. Adam. Moreover he is so frigid that he makes us sit by a good roasting Christmas fire every evening, which is rather too much, though we should like a warmer summer if the Fates had decreed it. The said Historian and Neddy l both desire their Loves to you. . . . Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place : July 11, 1793. Mrs. Sarah Holroyd calls you by very unseemly names, which still having some regard for you, I will not shock your Ears with. But I am perfectly satisfied that no appellation is too bad for you, you villainous Grimalkin ! I am all Impatience to hear what you think of your House, and in this hot weather Impatience is a bad thing ! . . . Papa is very busy settling the Things in the Garret. The Chairs that were in the best Drawing room are to come down here for the Winter Drawing room. . . . What a D - of a Cat you are ! When I send you so many interesting particulars about House etc. that you should not express gratitude. Unless indeed it is too great to find utterance. I do begin to be convinced you are gone 1 Edward Hamilton. 226 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. to Shades below. I hope your Executors will not be surprized at my Style of writing ! It is too hot to swear any more. Ever sincerely yrs. M. J. H. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheff. Place : July 28, 1793. . . . The week after this a portion of the Camp will be our Guests. Notwithstanding Mr. Gibbon's remon- strances at his folly and weakness, the * Inn keeper ' has pressed all (or very near it) of the General officers to accept Beds here. But I am in hopes the Commander in Chief will be too strict to allow them to sleep out of their Tents. . . . Are you not delighted at the Murder of Marat ? But though I am glad he is removed from the power of doing further Mischief, I am sorry he fell by the hand of an Amazon. What horrid wretches the French of both Sexes are become ! To what an extraordinary length the Siege of Valenciennes is protracted, and when one looks back, how little has been done this Summer, and the War as unlikely to be near a Conclusion as at the first Stroke. I hope you treat yourself with a Newspaper. The Bene- dictions of Mrs. Sarah and Miss Louise and mine also, to the Grimalkin, Yrs much and ever, M. J. H. Write, you old Cat ! and don't puzzle your stupid Brains about what you shall say in answer to my last. For if I ever thought twice about anything, I should not have flung away my Ink on that subject to such a tiresome old Maid of a Duenna. I pity you all for being DEATH OF ABIGAIL, LADY SHEFFIELD. 227 so silly. Don't return the Compliment. I should be too much flattered. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place : July 31st. I have forwarded your packet for Walpole to Papa. All our Birds are flown but Nick who amuses our solitude during the absence of My lord and the historian. Today the Ferrers and Woodwards dine with us. I thought it was much better to enjoy the company of Mr. F. in the absence of ' le grand Gibbon ' who would be apt to make round eyes at him. I suppose you are rejoicing over the capitulation of Mayence. I shall be impatient to hear what great thing, the descendant of Frederic the Great undertakes next, and whether success will be as speedy as in this Siege. I heard yesterday from Mrs. Hadden who is at Tunbridge with her Brattery, and had the agreeable Intelligence that the Duchess and Miss Le Clerc do not attend the Duke to Ashdown Forest. I do not care how many Generals we invite, because probably they will only dine here and go back to their tents in the Evening. Adieu. Loves from all. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. August 2, 1793. I do not think I have much to say to the Old Cat, except that ' le Grand Gibbon ' arrived yesterday from Mr. Hayley's, 1 a day sooner than he had intended, which threw him and Mr. F. (Ferrers) in each other's way, contrary to my wishes. You would have been amused 1 William Hayley, poet. Q. 2 228 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. at the scene between them. Did Aunt tell you yesterday of the strange Mania that a certain Lord has been seized with to put it in the power of Chance to bring the P. of Wales, D. of Richmond, Ld. Chancellor, Ld. Guildford and Heaven knows who besides at the same time to Sheff. Place? Mr. G.'s remark is only that he fears the New Wing will not be ready aired for their accom- modation. I wish we were well at the end of next week. Maria Josepka to Miss Ann Firth. S. P. : August 8, 1793. There never was so large a Mountain that brought forth such a little Mouse, as the Expectations of the Crowd at S. P. this Week and the Reality. . . . Behold ! after all this alarm . . . the Duke sleeps every night in Camp, 'the Prince, Thank my Stars ! does not visit Ashdown Forest neither the Ld. Chancellor nor Ld. G-uilford come, and instead of additional In- habitants, this House never was so compleatly emptied, a considerable Detachment going every day to the Camp. We went ourselves yesterday, all except the Great Gib : who thought himself better at home, in which I perfectly agreed with him. I was very much pleased with the Views of the Incampment, which I might have been had it had less effect, never having seen one before. But every body agrees this is uncommonly picturesque and beautiful. It is in a woody part of Ashdown Forest, about a mile and a half from Netley, between that place and Tunbridge. Some of the Tents are pitched among the trees and the Camp itself, being on uneven ground, does not look formal in the least. There were great numbers of country people, and all the neighbouring Coaches and Post Chaises, which, mixed with the DEATH OF ABIGAIL, LADY SHEFFIELD. 229 Soldiers and among the Trees, had an uncommon pretty and lively Effect. The Day was very fine, and a fresh Breeze prevented our being burnt by the Sun. The Army was all out, but did not perform many manoeuvres. . . . The Duke and Miss Le Clerc took us under their protection for the greater part of the story. His Grace more gracious than usual, nobody could be more civil. His Tents are very comfortable and elegant without un- necessary finery. . . . The sight I liked best was the return into Camp, which they did with Musick ; the first part of the day they had None. Lord Fortescue . . . and several others one knows by name were there, and that Miss Burney (the Evelina and Cecilia Miss Burney) who is to be married to a Mons. D'Arblay, a French Emigrant. What is Sense good for ? Nothing at all I am convinced to Women, for it is the sensible Women who do the Most foolish things. Adieu. Aunt sends love. Yrs. affly., M. J. H. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. August, 1793. Dear Mistress Firth, .... I must desire you to wonder at Miss Burney's marriage if I have not men- tioned it before. She met with Monsieur D'Arblay at Mr. Locke's, therefore probably Madame de Stael was in the secret. . . . Mr. Locke has behaved handsomely in giving them a piece of ground, and building a Cottage for them where they must live on Love, or starve. He is even worse off than many other Emigrants, who have at least a futurity of Order in France to look forward to. But this man is disinherited by his father for the part he took in politics, having followed La Fayette and been on his Etat Major. Miss Burney has nothing but the 100Z. 230 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. from the Queen. Should you not have formed a better opinion of the author of ' Cecilia ' ? I hope we shall benefit by her Folly, for I think if she has many Pro- ductions of Nature, those of Art must keep pace with them, to find them in Meat, Drink, and Clothing. . . . To-morrow the Duke says he shall only bring eight people with him to sleep here, and to-day arrives Mr. Bowdler l and Mr. N. to stay that Identical Night and no longer. The Sheffield Inn has not lost its reputation you see. Sir G. and Lady Webster are just arrived in England. She came at the desire of her father, who is dying, and left her Children at Florence with Lady Shelley. So she will return there I suppose. If she stays the Winter in London I shall have another Beason for rejoicing at being in the Country. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place : August 14, 1793. On Monday morning between nine arid ten the whole Army, between six and seven thousand men, passed by the Lodge. We were placed under Lady Cecilia's Fir Tree with the Duke and his suite, and saw them march by to great advantage. . . . The Line of March was a mile and three-quarters in length .... and though there were so many men, and they had been three hours on their march, there was no Tail, alias, no strag- glers. You may imagine what a beautiful sight it was to see the whole Eoad from the Common to the Lodge covered entirely with Soldiers, and the Bands of Musick playing. . . . When they had all passed, we rode in a jolly Party ; Duke, Aides-de-Camps, Secretary, Lewis and William Way, Louisa and I, through the Park to see them take their ground at Chailey Common, and there again we had a most lively scene. It is astonishing how 1 The Expurgator of Shakespeare. DEATH OF ABIGAIL, LADY SHEFFIELD" 231 quick the Tents were pitched, and the whole Common, covered with white Tents and red coats, had the most chearful effect I ever saw or could have imagined. . . . We had a pretty considerable Party both to dine and sleep. The House probably never was so full ; we sat down seven- teen to dinner. . . . They were all so tired, not having been in Bed the night before, that they retired before ten, and were off next morning by half-past three. . . . We were alarmed with the account of the Queen of France being murdered; but find she is only tried. However I fear that is a sure forerunner of death with those wretches. Young Arthur Young came on Sunday evening, only stayed one Night. He is in the Church ; but travelling about to pick up farming Intelligence for the ' Society of Agriculture.' Adieu ! Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. S. P. : August 18, 1793. Papa returned from the Eternal Exchequer Bills on Friday .... you will be glad to hear that they have completely answered the desired Purpose, and that public Credit is quite restored. Everybody who deserves it has credit now. This is my Lord's account of the matter. . . . Lally, the Prince de Poix, Malouet and Madame d'Henin are at their Villa at Twickenham. Papa has invited the three men any time between this and September 3. We have a great loss in Lally's letters, the newspapers are our only Intelligence. Poor Queen ! there is little chance of her Life being of much longer continuance. But I cannot imagine why they put her in the Conciergerie, they might have spared her that additional cruelty. . . . Canning is in Parliament. . . . Expectation is raised high in his favour. . . . Yours ever, M. J. H. 232 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. Rev. N. Nichols to Maria Josepha. Blundeston : August 25, 1793. I am neither ' too happy, too vain, nor too miserable ; ' and yet very proud of your approbation ; very sensible of your kindness ; and very desirous of deserving and pre- serving your favourable opinion and friendship. ... I saw nothing too sublime in the beginning of your letter, there is more danger of your finding mine too grand. . . . Yarmouth and Lowestoft are both full of Bathers. At the former I have been twice to dine with General Johnstone, the Commander of our Military Defences on this Coast, whose Camp I have not yet visited, though I pass within a hundred yards of it going to Yarmouth. It consists only of two Kegiments of Militia the Middlesex and the Leicestershire. The East Yorkshire have a Camp to themselves two miles North of Yarmouth. Their Officers are very respect- able Gentlemen. I was obliged to go to one Ball at Yarmouth, at which I lost a few shillings at Casino, and my evening, which could not have been less profitably or pleasantly employed. At Lowestoft which is only three miles distant, there are of my acquaintance Dr. and Mrs. De Salis, the Bishop of Norwich and Mrs. Manners Button, and Major and Mrs. Robinson, Lord Clive's sister. They and the General, some Officers, and some Neighbours have dined here, divided into two large parties, besides which I dined last Thursday with the Bishop and Twenty Clergymen at Dr. Cooper's, the Minister of Yarmouth ; having assisted at the Bishop's Confirmation in the morning. The Bishop is a gentlemanlike, sensible and pleasing man. ... I am glad for your sake that the Mountain produced a Mouse, for in spite of the partiality DEATH OF ABIGAIL, LADY SHEFFIELD. 233 for Red Coats which you confess so ingenuously, I think you might have had a surfeit of them if the house had been filled with them for a week. Mr. Bowdler is such an Achilles in the field of Chess that it is more honourable to be permitted to play with him, than disgraceful to have suffered a Defeat. That string however round the neck of one Victorious Invulner- able and fatal Pawn, is (I remember it well from painful experience) an insupportable Humiliation, which (I return you a thousand thanks) you revenge on me by attributing my masterly moves and deep laid schemes to accident. . . . Now as to my conclusion, I have not the least difficulty in assuring you that I am with very sincere regard, Faithfully yours, N. N. Do me the favour to remember me in the kindest manner ' a tutti quanti.' I think of Mr. Gibbon when I look at my Greek books, and when I do not ; often of that best and wisest of Aunts ; and of you, sometimes. 234 GLRLHOOl) OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. CHAPTEK XI. 1793. MAKIA JOSEPHA AS CHATELAINE. The Camp at Ashdown Forest A lull in France Lady Webster's visit Gibbon grumpy News of Dunkirk Tunbridge Wells Society there Death of Marie Antoinette Brighton Home life. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place : August 25, 17* . WE have been doing various great things since I wrote last. ... I do not expect to be soon again as well amused as I was last Thursday. The Stanmerites l invited us to dine there on Wednesday, and we accepted their invitation ; also to sleep there, that we might be nearer the Camp on Thursday morning, when there was the most considerable Field Day and Battle that they have had, or perhaps will have. Nothing could be more pleasant than the whole family was, and I was surprized at not meeting any form. Except the Prayers, there was nothing different to any other House. On Thursday morning we set out for the Camp at eight o'clock. The heavy Baggage two Coaches and a Phaeton went across the Downs to the Devil's Dyke, which was to be the scene of action. Papa, Mr. Pelham, and I went in Mr. Gibbon's Post Chaise to the Camp, where Wonder of Wonders ! Papa let me mount Mr. Hadden's Horse and I rode the whole morning, about six hours, with the Army. ... I was amazingly happy to be allowed to ride ; but I had very little hopes that I should 1 Lord and Lady Pelham. MARIA JOSEPH A AS CHATELAINE. 235 have leave. It was a very good Horse and so accustomed to such things as Field Days, that all the firing of Cannon did not make him prick up a single ear. Papa took Silver Tail out of the Carriage to ride, and Lord Pelham lent him a Cart Horse to help to draw the Coach containing Mrs. Aunt, Miss Louisa, and Mr. Gibbon, who, I believe, had they not been ashamed, would have thought them- selves too happy to be permitted to retire in a much shorter time than the Chorus above mentioned. I was so much entertained and pleased with my lot, that I did not suppose we had been three Hours. . . . The Prince was happier than any Being ever was before. I never saw anything so busy and alive, and I fancy he commanded very well. Once I thought him a little childish in send- ing after one of the Duke's Aides de Camps, who was coming towards him, to take him Prisoner, and he was hunted down such a steep hill that it was a Hundred to One that he broke his neck. However, the young Gentle- man was in high good humour at this Event, and his capture of six Pieces of Cannon, which he took from Sir W. Howe. There is something unfortunate in the name of Howe, whether in real or mock engagements I am afraid. ... At three o'clock, when the Army went to dinner, we retired from the Field of Battle and went home ; that is, to Stanmer to dinner, and came to S. P. in the evening, attended by a most lovely Moon, and the Day after to be sure I was a little stiff or so, but not in the least tired, or the three Dowagers in the Coach either, tho' they did not enter into the Spirit of the Entertainment as well as I did, who was almost one of the Council of War. ... I am not sure if you will be amused at my long History, or think it very tantalizing ; for I am sure you would have been very much amused if you had been there. But it is right you should have some little Idea of our Manoeuvres in this Country. 236 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. If the Coast should be attacked in good earnest, the Prince will, I hope, be able to defend it properly. I sup- pose he would not be sorry to have an opportunity of dis- tinguishing himself, for it is said, he is very jealous of the D. of York's military fame, and does not receive the Congratulations that are made him on his account, in his usual gracious manner. Mr. Pelham was aware of this, and maliciously complimented him ten times as much as he would otherwise have done on the Duke's good con- duct. The Prince did not answer a word. We did not go into his Tent ; but I understood the magnificence of its Furniture is very much exaggerated in the Papers. You may well suppose that we were a little inconvenienced to find room for the whole Cargo that came here from the Chailey Camp ... as to the Servants, I believe, they slept two or three in a Bed, but the Gentlefolks had one each to themselves. . . . Mayence and Valenciennes are in a dreadful ruined condition. I am quite grieved for some of my favourite Buildings at Mayence, that are quite destroyed ; the Prevote, which if you recollect, I sent you an account of, as a very elegant Palace and that the Rooms received light from the top, is entirely pulled down ; the Elector's country house the same, and part of the beautiful Cathedral. Have you observed in the accounts of the Convention, that they have decreed the Public Worship of the Sun ? I more than ever rejoice at being in an Island, for I think, if we joined to them, I should be in great fear of being swallowed up with them, for surely they must meet with their Punishment in one way or other. The poor unfortunate Queen seems to have a respite ; at least it is an advantage that her Cause has been taken out of the hands of those who first had the trying of her, and referred to the Com- mittee of Public Safety. But, whether Life is any MARIA JOSEPHA AS CHATELAINE. 237 favour in the state of Dread she must live in, is a matter of doubt I think. Lally is, I believe, coming next week. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. S. P. : August 28, 1793. . . . Lally has been prevented coming this week. Pauline is likewise expected every day, and the day after she comes she is to be married to the Gentleman I men- tioned, ' Un gros Hollandais ; ' but who has realized 10,000 Pounds in this country, and Lally adds in a Parenthesis, 'ilnous nourrira tous.' I think it is quite possible the Dutchman may not come into this way of thinking. Louisa has just come into my room, says you deserve to be hanged for not writing oftener. I only say Guillotined. . . . Adieu, little Miss Huff. Yours ever, M. J. H. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place: September 12, 1793. . . . Not many events have occurred since I wrote last, tho' it is a great while. The tiresome Chancellor and his Party still impend over our heads, and may or may not come as it suits their Inclinations, Whims, or Caprices, while Papa will make no engagement or let anybody else into his House in case the Great People should come. I am almost inclined to be a Democrat and wish we were all equal, and then Lord Loughborough would make as little commotion in the family as if he was still Mr. Wedderburne. . . . Lady Webster (or the * Diavo- lady'), will be at Stanmer this week, and (hang her!) next week she will probably do us the honour of a Visit 238 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. and I believe Tom (Mr. Pelham) with her. I had rather see old Beelzebub a thousand times ! Tom Fool was here the day before yesterday. I believe we shall go first to Tunbridge Wells. . . . But I am afraid there is not com- pany enough there to give a chance of making you happy in selling either of us. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. S. P. : September 22, 1793. ... On Tuesday last Papa was engaged to dine at Mr. Sneyd's a large Party was invited to meet him, and the Carriage was coming to the Door when a letter arrived from Tom Fool to say Lady Webster meant to come from Battle to S. P., and that she might arrive in better trim, begged our horses might meet her at Uckfield. The Dismay of the Family may be more easily imagined than described. Mr. Gibbon vowed if Papa went to Jevington he would immediately set off for Brighton. I was aghast, for as Aunt can claim the Privelege of Invalidism, and Louisa never chuses to talk more than is necessary, I should have all the Weight of her Ladyship on my Shoulders. However, after much pro and con . . . Papa stayed; the Coachman went to Uckfield, and the dear Creature, with an Irish Maid- servant and two Italian men, arrived about five o'clock. She chose to be very amiable, affectionate and tender, and for her, as little nonsensical as one could reasonably ex- pect. She was unfortunately obliged to go away next morning, and during the short time she was here amused us very much with her account of the Camp, near Dun- kirk and other Foreign Sights, which, tho' we took all for granted, were rather Poetical than Historical. She went to see General Dalton before he was buried, and talked of the dead bodies on the field of Battle she passed MARIA JOSEPHA AS CHATELAINE. 239 over, with as much Kapture as any Vulture might be supposed to do. I do not give her credit for half the unfeelingness she pretends to, or I should begin to question if she were not really an Infernal. She seems to have gone to the Camp for no other purpose than to make a Bustle, and to be as troublesome as possible from her own account. Her Ladyship has entirely adopted Foreign Manners and Customs, and our Family will, I suppose, never recover from the astonishment they were thrown into when they discovered Andre, the Italian, washed his Lady's feet, when she went to Bed, which upon my word is a matter of fact, if one may believe that one hears. I was present at her Toilette before Dinner, and both of the men walked tame in and out of the Bedroom while she was undressing, and one dressed her hair, who was as frowsy as possible, just come off a long ride. But enough and too much of such a woman ; she says she means to go abroad in ten days, and Heaven grant she may keep her Eesolution ! . . . Friday, Fred. North and Mr. Douglas came. I am glad nothing happened to prevent Mr. D. coming. The Gib. would have been furious, and he was rather grumpy that Papa made him stay a fortnight longer then he intended. You know he is Clockwork, and to keep him a day after he had deter- mined to go, is to derange one of the Springs or Wheels. However, Mr Douglas with his Greek and Latin, and Fred. North with his Islands of Ithaca and Corfu, have put him quite in good Humour, and they are much more entertaining, having him to draw them out. . . . I do not know what to say as to news, because I cannot tell what you may have already heard ; however the news this morning of the defeat of Castaux, near Toulon, is very recent, and Ld. Hood says twenty Cas- tauxs cannot now do him any harm. ... I have not been able to digest the very precipitate retreat of our Troops 240 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. from Dunkirk. Col. D'Oyley is come to England till his Wounds are healed. His account of affairs on the other side of the water is very uncomfortable, that is in respect of the D. of Y., and I rejoice most heartily that he is again under the direction of Cobourg. . . . When the Army took that terrible Pannick, the French were cer- tainly in a numerous Body, 55,000 we knew of, and some Reports made them 80. The Duke's common method of stating that any number of Soldiers have fallen in an Action is that so many have ' gone to Hell.' Numbers are daily falling sick. Col. D'Oyley saw St. Leger at Ostend when he was coming over, and he told him that since the 16th August when the former left the Army we had lost 6,000 men from it, killed, wounded, sick and missing. Col. D'Oyley's Company in the Action, when he was wounded, went in forty-nine strong, and only came out seventeen. It was the Company that suffered most. As to the War it seems as far from a conclusion as when it began, and further, for then everybody was sanguine and was of opinion one Campaign would finish it. ... There is now no one Event to make one suppose an End possible, without acknowledging the Republic, for the Wretches, if they have not Discipline, at least have numbers, and at present a hearty good disposition among the Troops to murder all that come in their way. The Dismission or Resignation of the Duke of Richmond was much talked of this week from the Ordnance ; but it certainly has not yet taken place. He says he has been very ill-used by the Ministry, and by the D. of Y., who has written very severely against him because the Gun Boats did not arrive in proper time before Dunkirk. The D. says in answer to this charge that the Guns were ready twenty-four hours before the Vessells were arrived at Woolwich to take them on board. It was always MARIA JOSEPHA AS CHATELAINE. 241 the intention of the Cabinet to besiege Dunkirk. They wished it to have been the first operation of the Cam- paign, then why was not everything ready for the Siege? ... I hear the King is too much inclined to trust to the D. of York, and to be governed by his opinions, and that when the D. fails, he lays all the Blame at the Door of the Ministers. . . . There was a long letter from Lally to-day, but dated the 10th, what it had been about so long nobody can guess. There was not any news in it, as you may imagine, except an Anecdote concerning the Court of Ham, giving one a perfect Idea of those Princes, and almost a fear of their Cause triumphing. You know Monsieur the Comte d'Artois and all the Princes, except Conde, who is behaving very well in the Army on the Rhine, are living at the Blue Boar, at Ham. Mounier offered his services to them, which offer, as they have nobody of any abilities with them, one should have sup- posed they would gladly have accepted. The Answer was, that as M. Mounier did not think in all points like the Princes, (as to the Ancien Regime,) they could not accept his services, lest it might be supposed they had any in- tention of listening to an ' Accommodement.' Are they not delightful Fools? and if they only were concerned, would any one care what became of Monarchy and Nobility in France ? After such a Diplomatic Letter, I can hardly tell how to descend to write of the little interesting events you enquire after, which might have furnished a letter, if I had been in want of subjects. Next time I will send you a Pattern of a Gown I have begun to work for Mrs. Woodward, in the Tambour, by way of Winter Employ- ment. Yours ever, M. J. H. 242 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. S. P. : October 1, 1793. Fred North and Mr. Douglas left us on Sunday, after having enlivened us much by their very pleasant conversa- tion. . . . With the addition of Mr. Gib, it was impossible to have selected three Beaux who could have been more agreeable, whether their Conversation was serious or trifling. Mr. Douglas improves as he grows more acquainted, and Fred North is charming, though a won- derful oddity. He desired so many tender and handsome things to be said for him to you, as would have made you quite vain to hear. Indeed, all the Gentlemen do per- secute me dreadfully, to say kind things for them. Mr. D. desired his best compliments likewise, but the other spoke a finer Eulogium as a Preface to his message. . . . Mr. Gibbon left us yesterday morning. . . . The Chancellor and his Party, after keeping Papa in hourly expectation of the delight of seeing him, has at last determined not to come at present. . . . Would you think that if he can get it (and both Mr. Gib and Mr. Douglas think it not impossible), Papa would be pleased and satisfied with an English Peerage ? What advantage can such a thing be to him in comparison of a Place ? at least, in my opinion. Money would be of more use at present. He seems much disgusted about Politics now, and vows he will not once go to London during the Sitting of Parliament. Who believes that ? Not me. ... I have just got a Jewel of a Horse. ... It is an excellent size, quiet and gentle, tho' he has a great deal of spirit. He is quite a Beauty ; since my Memory, Papa has not had such a pretty Horse. Lord Auckland has made us a present of two little black Ponies, not so young as they have been, but I hope they will contrive to draw the Tib, better than MARIA JOSEPHA AS CHATELAINE. 243 poor Jacky Grey, who grows Stupider than ever. At present, we may sport a Tandem in a greater Stile than you did, while we were abroad, with your Party-coloured Equipage, and Papa says he will have a Pole put to the Tib, that it may be drawn by the two horses, like a Curricle. However, it is rather too late this year for any open Carriages. Don't you grieve for poor Cowdry, Lord Montacute's House in this County, which was quite burnt to the Ground last week, and nothing saved ; there were many Pictures, &c., that can never be replaced, and will be a great loss. Do you remember Mdme. de Brissac, at the dear Bishop d'Avranches's, the younger of the two Ladies, who came with the Gentleman ' sans Perruque ' ? She has been this Summer on a visit to Mrs. G. Newham at Newtimber, and lately died there. M. de Chambords came down to see her, only the day before she died. They say her Illness was entirely brought on by the state of her mind, so that she may be said to have died of a broken heart. I cannot help rejoicing when I hear a poor Emigrant is at rest in the Grave, for I think they have little chance for happiness on this side of it. Pauline is arrived and in a few days is to be sacrificed for the nourishment of the Colony at Twickenham. The Dutchman, we all think, will soon be tired of the Number of Relations he will have gained by his Marriage. Pauline brought a Letter in her Shoe, from Paris to Mdme. d'Henin, from some of her friends there, saying that the poor little King is very well treated, even spoilt that the separation of him from his Mother was a dreadful thing to both the poor little fellow will never walk any- where but in the places his Mother used to frequent but he never mentions her Name. I think the excursion to Tunbridge Wells will be a good thing for Papa because he will be more engaged, B 2 244 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. and he will not write, or use his Eyes, which he will do even by Candle light at home sometimes, tho' we write for him all the morning almost. The Nasty ' Star ' of this Morning tells us of an Action in which the British have been beat and no more. It is very wrong to put in such reports till they have the Details and know them to be true. Adieu. I have written a fearful long letter, but it is a great while since my last. All the folks send love. Ever yours truly, M. J. H. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Tunbridge Wells, October 13 : 1793. My dear Miss Firth, As the three Gentlemen in the Parlour, viz., His Lordship and the Doctor, and Judge Downes have tired me to Death, with forming Triangles and all sorts of Mathematical Figures in the Parlour, in plain English, that they are all three walking backwards and forwards to the great shock of my delicate nerves, I am trying to amuse myself as well as I can with talking to you. . . . On our return from Mrs. Leighton's, we found the Honble. Mr. Justice Downes had arrived in the Interim, very fat and well-liking. When they both accompany us to the Pantiles, it must be acknowledged if we have not the smartest Beaux in the World, we have enough stuff in them to make half a dozen. The Doctor is cheerful and pleasant. . . . The Judge is an amiable cypher. This morning we went to Church and heard a most excellent Sermon. . . . The Clergyman's name is Benson and he preaches here constantly, all the season. I have seldom heard a better Discourse, or delivered in a pleasanter or more forcible manner. . . . To-morrow, we go to a Card Party at Lady Peachey's, and on Tuesday to Mrs. Leighton's and Lady Heron's, so you see, such as they are, there are still some souls and bodies in this MARIA JOSEPH A AS CHATELAINE. 245 desolate Place. Louisa pleads with great satisfaction, her fear of the night air, and stays quietly at home as she does not like cards. ... I, who am a professed Gambler, you know, like these parties very well. I get a game at Casino which is a treat, but I am afraid you will be shocked when I tell you we play half-crowns ; how- ever, I have not been a Loser, tho' not much of a winner yet. I cannot help playing tho', unless I took the Alternative of falling Asleep, as everybody plays either Whist or Casino, and I should be left like Q. in the corner. ... I most heartily wish that he (Papa) was engaged with some political work, because I am sure he never can be contented without being in an active scene, such as the House of Commons. . . . The Waters have been of very great use to Louisa, she is in much better spirits and has a better appetite than she has had for a great while. I hope Papa sees this, and that he will not be in a hurry to move, tho' he still talks of Brighton. . . . Princess Sophia has also found great benefit and is wonderfully recovered. She walks upon the Pantiles in the morning early with Lady Cathcart and Lady C. Bruce who is come. She cannot leave her Koyal Friend, even if she had a mind, but she seemed very glad to see us when we met. Adieu. Ever yours truly, M. J. H. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Tunbridge Wells : October 20, 1793. As I told you such terrible stories of Invasions etc. you will be pleased to hear we are still under the Government of George III. and not under that of the ' sans culottes.' The Camp continues a fortnight longer at Brighton ; but I hope will have no employment. . . Papa dined with 246 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A IIOLROYD. Lord Cremorne upon Turtle. . . . What an unfortunate Man Mr. Gibbon has been ! He has raved about Turtle ; all the Summer has been desirous that Papa should send for one from London, and behold ! as soon as he has gone, our Bristol friends send one to S. P., which Papa sent off to the ' pert prim prater ' of the Northern Eace, and if he had come here with us, he might have had a second at Lord Cremorne's. . . . Parliament does not meet before Christmas ; this is Lord Auckland's news. . . . Mr. Pelham has entirely thrown up his Commission in the Sussex Militia, owing to some misunderstanding with the D. of Eichmond. It is surely a great pity that he should throw himself out of everything Active in a public Line as he is doing ; I suppose to have nothing in England that can pre- vent his going abroad for his health. I do not know if the Divinity is gone. . . . Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Tunbridge Wells : October 25, 1793. . . . We are in hourly expectation of the D. of Eich- mond. Mr. Hadden has wrote us word that he would be here for a night yesterday, to-day, to-morrow or Sunday on his way to Brighton. I wish he was come and gone, because Papa talks of going to S. P. for a day or two, and then going to Brighton and not returning here any more. I wish him gone anywhere where he will find amusement. . : I grieve sincerely that Mr. Gibbon is absent just at this moment. He might have been of great service to him, for I think he is the only person whose counsel he would follow and who would give him the best and most unprejudiced advice. Have you not been shocked at the Death of the Poor Queen ? tho' you must have expected it. How nobly she behaved ! and how clear and concise her answers ! . MAKIA JOSEPHA AS CHATELAINE. 247 Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Tunbridge Wells : November 1, 1793. . . . We have had a Profusion of Creatures this Week. I will not profane the word ' Beau ' by applying it to them all indiscriminately. Part of the Sussex Militia marched thro' this place on their way to their winter quarters, Canterbury, and of course Papa did the honours by asking them to dine here. Next day we had the Surgeon, who took an opportunity of telling us he had been to Paris, and found a striking resemblance between the Pantiles and the Palais Royal. To be sure the Devil and the Jack Daw, that old Resemblance, have as near an affinity ! However, there was a real Star of the first Magnitude of Beaux. ... It is a great pity that he should be one of the ' sans culottes ' of England, for he has a great fortune, very lively, handsome, of good figure, and those who know him say very good-tempered. This would do, would it not ? But alas ! it only appeared for a day or two to shew such things are, and was snatched away again, before I had time to set my Cap in more than one Attitude. If you like an Officer, there will be plenty at Brighton, for the Prince's Regt. stays there all the winter. For the Coast is to be well guarded. I hope we shall not be too fond of the P., and then the Residence will not be unplea- sant, if we find any body we know. . . . We have been to two or three Card Parties this week, and if the Play was lower, they would be very pleasant as the Company is on the whole agreeable. The People desire their Loves and what not. Ever yours sincerely M. J. H. 248 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place : November 8, 1793. I suppose you know we returned home on Sunday, but to give everybody their due, I must say, it was not intended that we should move before Monday, if Tom Fool had not offered to meet us here on Sunday. The said Tom Fool's Witch is still in England but still talking of going out of it. I think she will continue to talk of it, all the Winter. I have so often regretted, you fixed your departure for this year. For if you could have stayed with us another twelvemonth, it would not have appeared to Papa such a thorough change of people as it has now done, and he would have had somebody to grumble at, who like the Eels was used to it and knew his ways. In- deed, as we are to pass this Winter in the Country, it was particularly disagreeable of you. But what signifies regretting what cannot be helped now, and at the time I would not propose it, because I looked upon it as an Im- possibility, your House being got and your Sister wishing to be settled. I wish she would take to herself a husband and I declare we would have you back again Neck and Heels. But do not tell her my good wishes. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Brighton : November 13, 1793. Papa took a comfortable Lodging, tho' very minute, just opposite the Pavillion and we came on Monday, since when it has rained and Blown incessantly. The House is well-furnished, and including Linnen and Plate, found us for two guineas per week. But it is very provoking to have left Home which is after all the best place in Novem- ber. Yesterday Papa received a Letter from poor Mr. MARIA JOSEPHA AS CHATELAINE. 249 Gibbon which obliged him to go to Town immediately and it is of course uncertain when he returns. Mr. G. says he is obliged to consult Physicians on his case. ... an operation is necessary and he wished Papa to be with him at the time, so I am afraid there is some risk. ... I hope Papa's letter to-morrow will say that he is out of danger. . . . Poor Lally cannot accept the Invitation to come here, which I should not be sorry for, if his Absence was not caused by such Calamities. Madame D'Henin has been very much disturbed and agitated by the Queen's Death, and she had hardly recovered that shock, when she heard that Mdme. de Biron was arrested and put in Prison at Paris. Mdme. de Poix who has lost the use of her Limbs and is incapable of moving without assistance, was brought before the Revolutionary Tribunal and underwent a strict Examination ; but some remaining Sparks of Humanity prompted the Wretches to suffer her to return to her own House, guarded however, Day and Night by two Grena- diers. M. Tour du Pin has been seized and they have done all in their power to force him to declare where his son is. The Society at Twickenham know all this, and yet are ignorant when they can hear more of these and many other dear Friends. What a dreadful State of Suspense and Uneasiness ! You have seen, I suppose, in the Papers, the Tryal and Death of the twenty-one Deputies who, less than a twelvemonth ago, led the whole Nation and are now fallen by Men still more sanguinary than themselves. I have some hope that, if Papa should be obliged to stay any time in Town, he may send us back to S. P. In the two days he was here before we came, he discovered that there is but one set, Mrs. Fitz's ; he is fortunately not desirous we should get into that. The Hours are very late and the Bate of Card Playing very high. . . I much prefer a snug evening at home to the company there is here ; yet S. P. would be still more comfortable. In the 250 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. meantime I have got a good Pianoforte ; we have sub- scribed to the Library ; I have plenty of Work, and a Pack of Cards ; therefore you may imagine with all these amusements and the help of a little Writing, the time is filled up ; whether well or ill I do not determine. Adieu ! it is late and I have not time for more. Much yours M. J. H. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Brighton : November 17, 1793. I have a great mind to swear at not having heard from you an Age but I think I will save myself the trouble in hopes of a Letter next Post. . . . Mr. Gibbon has been much relieved by the operation. . . . Papa says, he hopes he will be better now than he has been for a long while. ... I hope we shall be at Sheff. Place before long, as I flatter myself there is not much Society here that Papa will like even for himself. The Howes and Pitts left last week. . . . We have not seen a Soul except Mrs. and Miss Scott ; the latter has left School, and is grown a fine young Lady with powdered Locks, short waist, long Petticoats, and all the etc.'s that denote she has not forsworn the Vanities of this Wicked World. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place : December 1, 1793. Though we returned on Wednesday, I have not re- covered from my Ecstacy of Joy to find myself in my own Eoom and by my own Fireside again, and should have written to tell you so before, but that I have been in a State of Disorganisation since Sunday, from cold I MARIA JOSEPIIA AS CHiTELAINE. 251 took coming out of that uncomfortable, exposed Church at Brighton. Mr. Barr boiled me as soon as I came home in the Great Shoe, and I am quite pert again. . . . I shall indeed rejoice to see old Madam Poole, 1 and hear all about you and your Mansion. I expect my Plants with Impatience. I dare say there will be some Novel- ties. ... I wish Lord Moira was fairly off. It is such a pity to lose this good weather and wait for a Storm, and it would be worse if any accident happened from the Elements than from an Action, as they would perish without doing much good. It is very odd we hear nothing positive of Lord Howe. It has been now three days strongly reported, that he had had an Advantage, and yet there are no official Accts. Adieu ! Ever yours, M. J. H. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. S. P. : December 5, 1793. ... I am sorry Mr. Gibbon is not here this week. He does not come till Sunday. If you were to pop in by surprize one Evening, I think you would stare, at seeing his Lordship regularly set down to Cribbage, at a Card Table, like any Dowager. I am glad to see how he interests himself in the Game. His Luck is amazing. As we only play 3d., however, we shall not be ruined. He is not well or in spirits, I think. . . . Mr. Pel- ham writes word to-day that Ld. Howe has certainly taken 5 Sail of the Line, and his Authority is Sir L. Pepys, who heard the D. of Clarence wish the Queen joy of the news. Parliament meets the 21st January. Adieu ! Ever yours, M. J. H. 1 Miss Poole, a frequent guest at Sheffield Place. 252 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheff. Place : December 8, 1793. The Historian has put off coming here till Tuesday. The Chancellor is grown so fond of him that he insisted upon his returning to him at Hampstead to-day, and then they both go together to Lord Auckland's to-morrow. This looks like a negociation, and Mr. Gibbon is the best person in the world to manage such a thing. ... I am very sorry my Uncle will depart before the arrival of our Thucydides. He is very entertaining as it is, but if Mr. G. were here to draw him out, he would be still pleasanter. Was there ever anything so extraordinary as the length of time we have been without hearing of Lord Howe's Fleet in an official manner ? Private accounts seem to put the Good News out of doubt. . . . If you can hire a reasonable Air Balloon, do fly over to us in it. How I should like to pop you down in a Chair in the Corner of the Library. Ever yours, M. J. HOLROYD. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. December 13, 1793. I cannot send a letter without a word of French politics, or you would hardly believe it came from me. I hope all the horrid things I have heard of the treatment of the poor Madame Elisabeth is not true, and yet I think nothing is impossible for those Wretches. I likewise heard that the young Princess had not found better treat- ment. As to the Dauphin, he is kept in a constant state of Drunkenness, and brought into every scene of vice that MAEIA JOSEPHA AS CHATELAINE. 253 can possibly be thought of, and this is afterwards to be brought against him as a proof of the badness of his dis- position. . . . Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. S. P. : December 20, 1793. We rode yesterday to Mr. Poole's, and found the young Travellers in excellent condition. They delivered up their Charge viz. the Thimbles and Plants. Many thanks for both, and for the first I send the Thanks of the Trio. Louisa has got the white and gold one ; I have that with the Purple edge, and Aunt the other. We met Lady Cope and Mr. Jekyll at Hook. The latter comes here to-morrow for a night. He is a great favourite of Mr. G., which is rather surprizing, as the latter does not, in general, shew a predilection for Those who are less qualified for Hearers than Orators. ... I have worked with my Thimble and like it extremely, independent of its coming from the old Cat. Aunt says, she shall begin to work again for the sake of using hers ; Louisa's is put up in Cotton. Only one word for French affairs What a Dreadful List of Daily Massacres ! If Madame de Barry's Fortune had been told in the days of her Power, how it would have been laughed at ! Adieu. Every good wish of this season and every other attend you and the younger Grim : from all, including Mrs. Woodward and family. Eev. N. Nichol to Maria Josepha. ' Blundeston : Dec. 24, 1793. . . . Because you all seemed to take in good part the Turkey I sent to S. P. last year, I have a project of sending another for the good of the family in general, of 254 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. which I think Lord Sheffield ought not to partake, because his Lordship, whilst he supports, like Atlas, the credit of the Nation, and circulates the produce of Sussex through Canals, which cost him sleepless nights and anxious days, forgets absent friends, and their minute business, thinks no more of me and the poor Twenty Sheep I requested him to procure for me from the South Down, than I do of the Mayor and Corporation of Bristol. . . . Mr. Coke has been so good as to promise me what I want, from a large importation he made last year from Sussex. So, here is an end of the Sheep. Not so of the Turkey. What I propose to do is to send it by the Mail Coach to London, directed to S. P. I have passed three weeks lately as follows one part at the Palace, (the Bp.'s, at Norwich) who unites the elegance and liberality of a well bred Gentleman to all the proper Decorum of the Episcopal Character, and is be- sides, a Man of Sense, of amiable disposition and of sufficient information. Thence I went to Cossey, by particular invitation of the Lady of the House (Lady Jerningham). . . . Thence to Eaynham, where, except Colonels Barre and Loftus, we had only (there never was an only more out of its place) the charming family, the Mistress of which would make any house delightful. Lady Ann is very agreeable, reasonable, and accom- plished. Lady Charlotte, handsome, and if report says true, to be married to Lord Brome, Lord Cornwallis's Eldest Son. So, to Holkham, where we had Twenty- three in family, and the most magnificent, elegant, and at the same time, agreeable style of living. Mrs. Coke does from good nature and an ardent desire of pleasing, what others do from vanity or politeness. Lord and Lady Melbourne and three daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Coke, and Mr. Anson made part of the society. The last named gentleman is the husband elect and declared of MARIA JOSEPHA AS CHATELAINE. 255 Miss Ann Coke, at present fifteen. She is to wait there- fore a year to attain the age of sixteen, before she assumes the Dignity and functions of a matron and Mistress of a Family. Mr. Anson is said to have an Income of 22,OOOZ. per annum, and certainly not less than 14 or 15,000. You flatter me (and the more because it is not a failing to which you are much addicted) by wishing me added to such a party as you describe at S. P. It is certain that I, for my part, should have been supremely happy. 256 GIRLHOOD OF MAEIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD CHAPTEE XII. 1794. THE HISTORIAN'S LAST PAGE. JANUARY TO JULY 3. Guests at Sheffield Place Gibbon Hay ley Mr. Jekyll Gibbon's failing health Gloomy political prospects Narrow escape Gibbon's serious illness His death Grief at his loss His funeral His manuscripts Quiet days Inoculation Canning's first speech Talk of invasion Ireland prosperous The Gibbon Memoirs Eaising a Yeomanry Corps Fashions Politics The wry-necked Secretary Gibbon's first love His library. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place : Jan. 1, 1794. MANY, many happy New Years are wished you by all here in the double capacity of this being New Year's and your Birthday. The two or three last Days have pro- duced Events I did not dream of. Mr. Douglas is going as Secretary to Ireland, and Sir H. Clinton in the room of O'Hara to Toulon. The news of the appointment we had from Lord Auckland, and not from himself. Fran9illon has just returned from Switz. Came here last Thursday and like all the rest of our Inmates en- quired a good deal after you by description, though he was not up to your name. He brought me a beautiful Cup and Saucer from Mdlle. de S. 1 of the Manufacture of the Pays de Vaud, with my Cypher on it and two Figures, representing the Costumes of the Peasants of the Canton de Berne. M. Levade sent Papa two views of 1 Severy. THE HISTOKIAN'S LAST PAGE. 257 Mr. Gib's House and Pavillion. Poor Historian ! He has been very indifferent since yesterday se'en night. It is a great effort to him, going up and down stairs. He fears he shall be obliged to go to Town. I hope not before the French people go, or Mr. Hayley comes. Lally and the Princess came on Monday. They contrived to lose their way and came by Eyegate to Cuckfield, and from thence here quite in the dark. As they said they would set out at 8 in the morning, we depended on their arriving in time ; but waited Dinner in consequence of this ' petit detour ' till 6 o'clock, and they did not arrive till after 7. Lally does not shine in Presence of his Divinity. I wish it had pleased her to remain at Twick- enham, for he does not venture on anything like a Joke. . . . The Prince de Poix we expect today. . . . Mr. Jekyll comes to dinner. . . . Miss Poole has had a strong invitation to accompany Mr. Hayley ; but she was afraid, having only just recovered from a Bad Cold. I really believe she would have liked much to have accepted the Invitation, as she Idolizes the Conversation and Talents of the Poet and Historian so much, as to find a Great Treat in seeing them together. Mr. Hayley comes on Sunday or Tuesday, if Mr. Gibbon can stay so long ; I wish he may, and yet at the same time, I am very anxious to know he is in London, and within reach of able Physicians and Surgeons. In his case, I am afraid they are very necessary, and with all their Skill I am doubtful of his recovery from what I hear. In Face, he is as well as ever; but in other respects looks much worse. We have a Bride just arrived in this neighbourhood Mrs. Kivet at Maresfield. He has the Living, and she is a daughter of Cullen Smith, and sister to the Man who married Miss Eardley. We have not paid our respects there yet. Papa will possibly go to Town sooner than he s 258 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. intended ; but I am not quite * au fait,' only that he had some Idea of going this week, but put it off at Mr. Gibbon's request, who thought it rather rude to leave his Guests to Fate without necessity. I am sure you will be glad to hear M. Fazy's Brother has escaped and arrived safe at Geneva ; that will be some comfort to the Father in his affliction. Mdme. D'Henin gives melancholy accounts of France and of the numbers of young Men of Fashion and Family who are obliged to enlist against their wills in the ' Sans Culottes' Army, and are afraid to desert lest their Relatives should suffer by it. Ever yrs. M. J. H. H. Way is going to St. Domingo. By the bye, you see one of our Acquisitions in St. D. is retaken by the Eepublicans. May '94 produce more fortunate Events ihan '93 but I fear more than I hope. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place : Jan. 3, 1794. I despatched an Epistle so lately that I have not much to say ; unless it is to lament the Evacuation of Toulon, which has put the finishing stroke to the misfortunes of this Campaign. Lord H. Clinton's Government is some- thing of the same kind as Sancho Panza's in the Island of Barataria begun and ended in one Day. Lally, but particularly the Princess, spluttered most violently when the news arrived, and I should have pitied them if they had been tolerably reasonable, but Mdme. D'Henin abused this Nation so vehemently for going to War, as well as for the Conduct of it, that I was quite out of Patience with her. How can they suppose all Nations are to take up the Quarrel and be at an immense expence merely to THE HISTORIAN'S LAST PAGE: 259 restore the Emigrants to their Estates, and Louis XVII. to his Throne ! Yet, such is their Idea, and Mr. Gib. and Papa both informed them that we did not go to War for the sake of their ' beaux yeux.' Le Prince de Poix did not come. ... I believe the Truth is that he had no taste for the Country in the month of January. Mr. Jekyll dined here the day before yesterday. Mr. G. made an Effort and came down ; but it is quite painful to see with what difficulty he moves, and I wish he was in London. He seems too now to be sensible of the pecu- liarity of his appearance. I believe he will go to town early next week, and perhaps Papa with him. Milord is all in Bags. I want to know what price the Cloth that makes his Shirts is? and what Linnendraper you have dealt with last ? The 8 Shirts you cut out are all he has in a tolerable State. His others are woful bad. You see I must apply to you for a time, or I should be at a loss about these important matters. Lally reads a Play to us every evening, which is very pleasant. Last night he read ' Alzire,' one of Voltaire's Tragedies. I think he reads it much better than Comedy. The Banting Manner he has is more suitable to Tragedy. It is entertaining to see the Interest the Princess takes in his Performance. Adieu. Much yrs. M. J. H. Lord Sheffield to Maria Josepha. Hotel Pall Mall : January 10, 1794. The Gibbon is better, although he had but a bad night. He took a remedy, therefore I did not see him till near twelve, since which time I have not left him, except to pay a visit to a French Emigrant in Bond Street, who assures me that the Boyalists are marched to the coast of Brittany, and are very powerfull. I learn also that Lord Moira is certainly going thither again, s 2 260 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. probably to La Hogue. I dined yesterday with the Royal Philosopher, and this day I have invitations to the Chancellor and Sir Joseph, and I am to go to the former. . . . Nobody believes in the Duke of Brunswick's Victory of the 29th December. Tell Fletcher to avail himself of the Frost by carrying as much of the wood and faggots out of Sheffield wood as possible. D r Brat, yrs. S. Maria Josepka to Miss Ann Firth. S. P. : January 11, 1794. . . . Poor Mr. Gibbon left us on Tuesday, and I wished him to go long before he did, he seemed so very indifferent. Papa had so much inquietude about him that he followed him on Thursday, and from his Acct. yesterday I suppose if -Mr. G. had delayed setting out one day longer, he might have been too ill to recover. Papa says, the Surgeons ordered Bark every 6 Hours and 5 Glasses of Madeira at Dinner. His letter to-day says he is much better and has less Inflammation. Papa will return in a few days if Mr. Gibbon goes on tolerably well ; but he intends to go to Town again when Parlia- ment meets. He reed, a Letter from Mr. Pitt to desire his attendance on the 21st at the House, as particular Business was expected to come on that Day, and this Letter tho' a circular one undoubtedly, yet as it ranks him among the List of the Friends of the Government, is a good sign. It at least proves that Mr. Pitt wishes to suppose him friendly. I should not like to be Minister just at this Moment, and but that there is no other person to put in his place, I should think Mr. Pitt might totter and fall this Session. How very gloomy the Prospect is at present ! I hate to think on the subject, for who can pretend to guess what the year '94 may produce ? and I cannot help, as I believe I have said before, feeling that THE HISTORIAN'S LAST PAGE. 261 these wretches must be suffered to succeed for some end we cannot understand, or else that with all Europe united against them in some place or other, they must receive a check. . . . The bad success on the Ehine is terrible news. We have been trying to flatter ourselves with a victory of the D. of Brunswick's since the Defeat of Wurmser ; but I am afraid there is no foundation for the report. The History of Genl. Hoche, the Conqueror of Wurmser in this late Affair is a strong Proof of the Impolicy of the Prussian Conduct in regard to La Fayette. Lally was mentioning it here. Hoche's father was Postillion to Louis XVI., and when a Boy the General himself acted in the same Capacity. He afterwards enlisted as a Common Soldier, and Marshal Biron, finding him adroit, made him a Drill Serjeant. He got raised to the Hank of an Officer, which seems to suppose him a Man of some Merit. At the beginning of the Revolution he was a Constitutionalist, and much attached to the Eoyal Family, to whom he was of considerable service on the 5th October. He was in the Regt. of Picardy and very much attached to La Fayette, and when the General went off, he had by various Intrigues and Management persuaded a large Body of Soldiers and Officers to follow him ; but upon hearing La Fayette's Treatment, he vowed ven- geance against the Prussians, and has been a thorough * Sans Culotte ' ever since. I do not think Lally has furnished us with much news or anecdote. Indeed they have so little communication with Paris, they know very little more than we do from the Public Prints. Mdlle. de Poix is still confined, and the wife of Charles de Noailles is likewise at Paris ; but at present safe. I hope poor Lally l will succeed in getting his Pension thro' the Interest of Mr. Douglas in Ireland. 1 Comte de Lally Tollendale's father was of Irish extraction. 262 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. I fancy Pauline's Dutchman has proved a true Dutch- man, from the Manner in which the Princess speaks of him. She says, ' qu'il est bien avare.' I have been lately reading over again Swift's ' Voyage to the Houynhnms,' and if it were not for some rare instances, I should feel as morose and as great a Misan- thrope as Gulliver. ... I must tell you of a little Frolick of mine this Week which did not amuse and delight the Family as much as might have been expected. Belcombe is kept in the Stable to make him. look handsome, he eats Oats and does not use much violent exercise so finding himself very frolicksome on Monday last, he thought, as I liked novelties, I should have no Objection to an Expedition a la Johnny Gilpin. And when Louisa and I were riding out upon Chailey Com- mon, after various Capers, Bounds and Frisks, he began running like the wind. I stuck on for a considerable time very well ; but the North Wind meeting me full in the face assisted the Velocity of the Motion to take away my Breath ; my Hands were so cold that I could hardly feel the Reins, and we were on the point of going dash down hill; all which circumstances combined to spill me, and I fell prostrate on my Nose, which at first I verily thought was broke ; but it bled a good deal and that was all the harm I received. Poor Louisa's fright you may easily imagine. I am afraid I exemplified Papa's Maxim, that Ladies fling themselves off for fear of falling ; but I think I did right. . . . The Horse did not stop directly, but soon trotted back to the others. He has been stinted of his Oats ever since and is very peaceable. My Head ached in the evening, and so there was a Conspiracy in the Family to bleed me, which Mr. Barr performed to my great Horror. I did not like the Idea at all, and as it made me Faint, the Keality did not please me a bit better. However, I THE HISTORIAN'S LAST PAGE. 263 am now perfectly well, whether Thanks to the Bleeding or not I cannot say. . . . Long as this letter is, (mercy on you !) I shall not close it till the Post arrives to- morrow that I may give you Papa's account of our poor Historian. Yours affectionately, M. J. H. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. S. P. : January 17, 1794. I am rather disappointed at not hearing from you. Papa returned to us on Wednesday evening, leaving Mr. G. much better ; but yesterday an Express arrived between 5 and 6 in the evening from Farquhar, to say he was so dangerously ill, that Papa and Aunt set off directly for London, where I much fear they will not find the poor Man alive. It is a terrible state of Expectation we are in. I wished much to have gone with them ; but they would not let me ; because I have been unwell this week past with an Erysipelas in my Foot, that has pre- vented my moving till the day before yesterday, and they thought I might catch cold. I will write again on Sunday. Adieu. Ever yours, M. J. H. Serena to Maria Josepha. Eoyal Hotel, Pall Mall : Friday Morn. January 17, 1794. I hope you received the Note I sent by the Coach, though it was but the melancholy confirmation of our worst fears. It was between 12 and one when sent ; but Davey paid a watchman sixpence to give it when the people were up. We could do no more. I certainly had prepared to expect what happened, and yet when poor 264 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. Dussot came to the door the picture of despair to tell me "he was no more, I felt as if it was new to me. Indeed I had somehow hoped it was possible he might be alive and even like to see me. An hour after the express was sent off, he died. It is supposed some gathering of matter within, or else Gout in the Stomach, was the immediate cause of his death. They are different (causes) but they cannot say more. He was not sensible of his danger. He suffered a good deal for a short time and was speechless, making attempts to speak which shewed he was not insensible. . . . He was in the shell of his coffin Alive but a few hours before! These things add to one's horror, though in fact nothing. Fran9illon, expecting my Brother, stayed till ten at poor Mr. Gibbon's lodging and then gave him up. He called again this Morn before nine. Elmsley had put seals on everything. The Darells are looking for my Brother, and they are going to meet there. I felt it was worth my coming, for my Brother as we came soothed himself with now and then talking, and indeed the gloom, not to say horror of coming to this Hotel last night required somebody to share it, and by mutually thinking of one another it diverted some of it. There was not a spark of fire in the whole house ; nor a maid up. A man opened the door and, looking frightened, said no body was up, but we might have beds. We were not in a humour to care much about anything. We went to my Brother's bed chamber, and Bull lighted the fire, and in about an hour we got some tea, which was all we de- sired. We sat up talking and writing till after two. We sent a letter by an early coach to Mrs. Gould l to tell poor Mrs. Gibbon and to ask her permission to convey poor Mr. Gibbon to the vault at Sheffield Place. ... At nine yesterday Morn he cried out ' ! my God ! ' 1 Mrs. Gibbon's companion. THE HISTORIAN'S LAST PAGE. 265 several times, in great pain and spoke no more ; but lived till a quarter before one at Noon. When the Will has been read I am to write for my Brother to the poor Severys. FranQillon offered it ; but it seems kinder, and there may be some things for my Brother to say more properly himself. Severy has indeed lost a second Father too soon after the first. I shall not go home tomorrow. My Brother wants me a good deal ; but I think a day more will be enough. Mrs. Mellish invites us to dinner. I am really perfectly well and, thanks to your care, was not I assure you the least cold in coming to town. We did not stop a Moment on the road and was at the door at 12. The Night was light as day. The beauty of it was solemn and almost melancholy with our train of ideas ; but it seemed to calm our minds. I am now alone without even any more paper or a book ; I cannot go out if I wished it, for the moment he returns from the Miserable scene of the Will, I shall have to write for him. You will like to hear all we do. I will Keep this open till he returns. Send all letters to this House. The Will my Brother had, and which was made a few days before you left Lausanne, is the only one that can be found. It leaves my Brother, Mr. L. Darell and Batt, Executors. I have not time to write his own words to account for leaving them nothing, though it is expressed well, and we cannot doubt his regard for my Brother. He has left 3000 pounds, and all his plate, furniture, and carriages to De Severy. All the rest to the Portens, except fifty guineas to you, to Louisa, to Madame and Mdlle. de Severy, the Chanoinesse de Polier and M. le Ministre Levade, all named. His not naming Mrs. Gibbon I impute to his little Idea of her surviving him, for in a former Will he left her 200 a year. Your Uncle is here. We are to be at his house to sleep tonight, so you may direct your letters there. He is all kindness. He 266 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. is going to Denham and leaves us possession. I am going to write for my Brother. God Bless you all. Kind compts. to Mrs. Poole. S. H. Serena to Maria Josepha. London : January 20, 1794. ... I have written for my brother a letter to poor Mrs. Gibbon which will soothe her as much as possible ; but I have little idea she will long survive. We had, by the coach yesterday, a letter from Mrs. Gould to say she bore it with as much fortitude as could be ; but that her frame was such she could not answer for the effect. She is gratified with my brother's wish to have poor Mr. Gibbon buried at Eletching, and I suppose he will be carried there by Friday. . . . Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth (enclosing the one from Serena). S. P. : Jan. 19, 1794. The enclosed Letter will save me a painful Repeti- tion. We have lost a true and sincere friend indeed, and just now he is a particular loss to Papa . . . there is no other Person who has half the Influence that poor Man had. The best Sense was always guided by the best Judgement. All my comfort is, that there was no hope of a cure without suffering much pain through terrible operations, and that he is saved many months of suffering perhaps. Aunt comes back tomorrow. I am glad Par- liament will employ Papa, it will prevent his thinking. Did ever anything so unfortunate happen as that the sad event should take place in the very short time Papa meant to be absent ? You will excuse a longer Letter at present. THE HISTORIAN'S LAST PAGE. 267 Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. S. P. : Jan. 26, 1794. Many thanks for both your Letters. I was sure you would feel for our irreparable loss as you do. I comfort myself with thinking however that if he had lived and returned to Switz : he would have been nearly as much lost to us as now. For in his state of Health and Body it was not probable that he should again visit England ; and as for himself I hope he has been spared much pain. Do you not pity his poor Friends at Lausanne, who could not form an Idea that he was in any Danger, as Papa wrote at the poor Man's Desire the Day before he left Town, only two Days before his Death, that he was much better, and had borne the last Operation very well. The Funeral was conducted with the greatest Simplicity at his desire, only his own Servants attending the Hearse, and 8 Men with Fletcher and John to carry the Coffin* Poor Mrs. Gibbon has borne the shock with her usual Firmness of mind. The first Day she desired to be left alone; but afterwards she was anxious to know every particular and to converse on the subject ; and her health seems to have received less hurt than might have been expected. Who could have supposed it possible that she would have been the Survivor ? Mr. Gibbon has left some Manuscripts that are very curious and interesting, with leave to publish them, if they are thought sufficiently finished. They are Memoirs- of his own Life, but entirely of his private affairs. Maria Josepha to Miss Ami Firth. Sheffield Place : Feb. 2, 1794. If you wish to form an exact Idea of our amusements, you may suppose Mrs. Poole finishing the Sopha for 268 GIRLHOOD OF MAKIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. Aunt, at which she sets with unceasing Industry from Breakfast till it is too dark to see the Stitches. Aunt and I read Tom Jones by turns ; but I am afraid Aunt's turn comes oftenest and lasts longest. This is varied by a little writing and a little Inspection of the Newspapers and a little Walking or riding, and in the Evening when we are so happy as to have Mr. Barr we play at . If not Mrs. Poole and Louisa play at Backgammon, and Aunt and I at Cribbage. . . . Poor Mrs. Gibbon is pretty well. Papa talks of coming down to us and bringing the Papers which we should much like to see, I mean Mr. G.'s Manuscripts ; but he is engaged for some time to come and probably other engagements will detain him. I have been surprised there has been so little uproar in the House, or business done. Lord Stanhope should certainly be sent as a handsome present to the Convention. His speech, how- ever, has been the only wild one there has been. I do not approve of Mr. Pitt's manner of telling Mr. Sheridan what he could not have said anywhere else, that ' nobody in the House would believe his opinions.' Have you had That in your Paper ? or Mr. Fox's attack on the conduct of the War by Sea, on which Mr. Pitt makes a very poor Defence indeed. . . . Adieu. Yrs. Ever. M. J. H. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place : February 16, 1794. ... I have amused myself with making acquaintance with all the Cottages in the Neighbourhood to keep myself out of mischief and find myself employment ; and if I had but the means I need not lose my labour, as the Misery is on all sides, and were it to be properly assisted, would THE HISTORIAN'S LAST PAGE. 269 thoroughly engage any person's Time and thought ; and the little I have been able to do in the way of assisting some of the poorest, has been the greatest amusement I have found for some time. Papa is very pretty behaved and writes every day; though but a few words in general, it is very pleasant to receive them ; he says he has not had time to be indis- posed, which sounds well, as consequently he has been amused. This is a natural conclusion, at least, knowing as we do he is never amused but when head and ears in business, or something that he is interested about. . . . The loss of that invaluable, sincere and well-judging friend Mr. Gibbon, is most sincerely felt by us for Papa, and I doubt not by Papa himself. Of what unspeakable consequence would his cool and unprejudiced advice have been to him at this critical time but though I must frequently think on this subject, there is no use in dwell- ing on a loss that can never be repaired. I am sure you think as I do, even he could not entirely prevent Papa from taking some steps that he thought imprudent ; but he had power to restrain him in some of his impetuosi- ties ; but this friend gone, who is there who has. the least influence over him ? Great part of our family are under Inoculation. It was so general all round us, and everybody was in such danger of catching it, that upon representing the case to Mylord he gave leave for the Virgo children, Dick and the other Stable Boy, Will Virgo and Nanny the Kitchen maid, to be inoculated, at the Farm House. Mr. Barr performed last Monday, but none of them have failed yet. The Gardener's Baby, just turned the month, was inocu- lated at the same time. Everybody who has not had it, are frightened out of their Senses. At Lewes 2,500 have been inoc. Mr. Lupton's little Girl has been in great danger, and frightened them both out of their wits, but 270 GIELHOOD OF MAEIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. she is now recovered. Mr. L. quite adores her, Mrs. Woodward says, and is the prettiest Nurse in the world. Mary Fleming has been very 111 with it, but is now out of danger. She has had it so bad that she will not be able to leave the Pest House so soon as the others. Things have gone on in the House of Commons quieter than I expected. I had an Idea much more would be said about the Continuance of the War. Mr. Canning, you see, made his First Speech. Papa says it is one of the best First Speeches he ever heard. My Correspondence with Mrs. Howard is not very vigorous, as she is very lazy, but I had a long Letter lately. How her Keligious Principles stand, I know not, but her Political ones, are sadly perverted. Her Letter was chiefly against the War, and in the complete style of a Follower of Fox's. I have heard nothing of Lady Webster, since her departure, and am quite satisfied with the state of igno- rance in which I am, as to her manoeuvres. I suppose she has given me up as a Correspondent, and I am resigned. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place : February 18, 1794. Papa says Invasion is much talked of in London, and that People are much alarmed by an Order issued from Council, concerning driving the Cattle from the Coast. This is not however new, the same order having been issued in former Wars. In the same paper I see all the Militia men out upon Furlough, are ordered immediately to join their Kegiments at Canterbury. I do not feel much alarmed, for I cannot think our Navy is reduced so very low as to suffer the French to land in any number so as to do much damage. It is well there is some sub- ject to amuse the London Campaigners this year, for THE HISTORIAN'S LAST PAGE. 271 there does not appear to be anything very lively or gay in the way of Public Amusements. I hear the Operas are very indifferent, and the Ballets worse. Everything in Dress is, I find, ' a la Turque,' in compliment to Yussuf Effendi. If People are so determined to gain his favour, I suppose it will be the fashion to be fat or he will never give them a place in his Seraglio. . . . Papa had a letter from Mr. Smith sending him a part of his Rents that he had at last got from Nicholls, which gave a very favourable account of the State of Ireland. The discontented and turbulent are much alarmed and quieted by one or two vigorous measures of Government, and particularly by the active Behaviour and Conduct of the Speaker. Mr. Smith's acct. of Papa's affairs is as pleasant as that of the Public, for he says Land is daily rising in Value and that if the present Tenants quit their Farms, they may easily be let at a higher Rent. I think Mr. Smith would not think of raising the Bents unless he were certain the Tenants could afford to pay them at an encreased rate ; but I did not think, considering the state things have been in lately, that it was likely the Value of anything in that Country would rise. I wish I could give as good an account of the Premiums given for Shares in the Ouse Navigation ; but I fear your Great Nieces only will be the gainers by your Gambling in Canals. Coals are carried as far as Sheff. Bridge, and other things, but I believe not in sufficient quantity for the Tolls even to pay the Interest on the money bor- rowed. We now burn Coals in all the Bedchambers. Papa has had Stoves put up in all the rooms. My Fire Place looks quite smart. I wish you was at this Moment chusing your Pattern, and saving me all this trouble by chattering as fast as we could instead, at the other corner of my new Grate. Papa talks of coming to us as soon as the Slave Business is decided. Wilberforce has put off 272 GIRLHOOD OF MAKIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. a Motion on that Subject that was to have been made some days ago till Friday next, and perhaps it may not be decided even then. . . . Adieu, yrs ever, M. J. HOLEOYD. Mrs. Maynard has agreed to come to us (as House- keeper), and Marina the Sea Nymph will be at the Lodge with Vine and his wife, who have returned to their old habitation. Maria Josepka to Miss Ann Firth. S. P. : February 25, 1794. I do not think it necessary to inflict you with a long letter, neither have I time, since I have written to his Lordship and one or two others to-day, but I enclose Pap's Letter of to-day, which will show you how the young Gentleman is going to begin the world again as a Military Man. ... In one way I rejoice. He will have employment ; and as he has little chance of any in the Political Line, I am glad the Military offers itself as an Alternative. Papa has had a long letter from Lausanne ; they felt the Stroke, as you may imagine. Poor Mdlle. S. was very low, and the poor Fellow says ' she did not want no more sorrows.' Think how painful it must have been, the news only just received, and therefore his sorrow so fresh, to be obliged to enter into a long Detail about what was to be done with poor Mr. Gibbon's affairs at Lausanne. For he did not know, everything except the Library was his, as the Council refused to open Mr. G.'s Will unless they had an ' Extrait Mortuaire ' to prove his Death. It is the custom of the country for all Wills to be opened by the Council. Adieu. Ever yours truly, M. J. H. THE HISTORIAN'S LAST PAGE. 273 Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place : March 2, 1794. On Wed. I walked to Hettdown, eat Beef Pudding with Mrs. Woodward, and walked home with her in the evening without feeling the least tired. Our two Beaux make an agreeable Variety in our Style of Living. Papa has read us several parts of Mr. Gibbon's Memoirs, written so exactly in the Style of his Conversation that, while we felt delighted at the Beauty of the Thoughts and Elegance of the Language, we could not help feeling a severe Pang at the Idea we should never hear his instructive and amusing Conversation any more. Adieu. Yours ever, M. J. H. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place : March 9, 1794. . . . Our inoculated Folks at the Farm House are quite recovered, and have had it very slightly. The little Porters are likewise got well. Mr. Barr has had upwards of 70 Patients, and I believe every one of them have done exceedingly well. He will have made quite a For- tune this Winter. His Terms are half a Guinea apiece. Several people have died at Lewes, but I believe very much from the Ignorance and Carelessness of the Doctors there. What do you think I have done? An amazing Feat indeed ! Nothing less than cut out a set of Shirts for Papa, and I am going to make one Shirt myself. I have got a new kind of thing for them, that Mrs. Maynard recommends, called Suffolk Hemp. It looks very strong, and she says it will wear well. The Weather begins to be delightful. We have had T 274 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. three most delicious Days, as Arthur Young calls them I have ejaculated your Name very frequently, and wished you had been here to walk with me. I should have been perfectly of Adam's opinion, and could not have enjoyed Paradise without somebody to enjoy it with me. ... I believe I told you in my last scrap that we had read all the Memoirs, and that they were, as you may imagine, in the highest Degree interesting. There are many Passages that would be very unfit to Publish. Of Mrs. Gibbon he speaks in the highest and most flattering Terms, notwithstanding he says himself that he returned from abroad with the greatest prejudice against her, in the light of a Stepmother. His relation of his Conversion to Popery is very curious, and goes a great way towards excusing his subsequent disbelief, from having at one time believed too much. I wish you could see them, as I am sure they would amuse and interest you most extremely. The Acct. he gives of the Idleness and In- capability of the Professors and Tutors at Oxford in his very sarcastic way, has I am afraid a great deal too much truth in it ; but would exasperate the University still more against him, and if published would produce many Scribblers and much abuse, now that his ready Pen is no more there to answer them. Papa and Mr. Darrell agree the Memoirs are in much too unfinished a State for Publication ; but they both think, with the help of his Letters to Papa, a very curious Book might be made out of them. The manner in which he mentions his First Love, Mdme. Necker, is very flattering ; but even there he cannot help introducing a little Sarcasm. At least it is in one of the Lives, for he has left Four ; the last coming down no later than his leaving Oxford, and that which finishes at 1791 is only Heads and Notes, but infinitely curious. He mentions first the Aimiable Qualities, good Sense THE HISTOKIAN'S LAST PAGE. 275 and improved Understanding of Mdlle. Curchod ; his Love for her which she seemed to share ; that on his return to England the stern commands of a rigid Father prevented his entertaining any hopes of calling her his. He says : ' I obeyed as a Son, I sighed as a Lover. Time and Reason effected my Cure, which was likewise accele- rated by a faithfull Account of the Tranquillity of the Lady.' He says in another Place, 'that His Heart was defended against subsequent serious Attacks of the Passion of Love, by his recollection of that amiable Woman.' But I should never have done if I were to give you a full account of every part that pleased and amused me. No part is more interesting than the account he gives of his youthfull Studies and those of his Maturer age. Of Mrs. Porten he speaks with the highest Veneration, as the Preserver of his Existence and the Former of his Mind. Indeed he speaks in a higher style of her im- proved understanding than I thought it had deserved. However, it appears very plainly that if he had not been banished to Switzerland on account of his turning Roman Catholick, and if he had slumbered away the usual time at Magdalen College in the way he began, ' The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire ' could never have been written by him. I wish I could annihilate about one hundred and fifty miles between Doncaster and Shelf. Place. But if ' Wishes were Horses,' etc. . . . Lally has got a Pension of 300Z. per Annum, so he will be able to repay some of his obligations to the Princess. I have some hopes of seeing Bell and my Uncle 1 at Easter. Henry, (Captain Way,) represented us as such sober, well-behaved young Ladies, and me in particular so altered, that my Uncle thinks he may venture the Experiment. As Harriet 1 Benjamin Way. T 2 276 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. Clinton will be here I am afraid I shall find it difficult to support my new acquired character. The Captain sailed a few days ago from Bristol. I do not love croak- ing ; but upon my word, we seem in a perilous position, if the Wretches on the other side of the Water make any desperate attempt. I cannot find out from Papa that any steps are taken or taking to oppose them if they attempt a Landing. That shabby creature, the K. of Prussia you see is sneaking off. If he is not base enough to join or assist the French, I think it may be a good riddance and that the Austrians will go on better by themselves. This is a letter of odds and ends just as they came into my head. . I live almost in the Garden. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheff. Place : March 23, 1794. ... As you have not tender nerves on those occasions, you will not moan over the poor Wood which is very much dislocated. Great part was cut down last year and more has followed this Spring. I believe it was very necessary but for the present the nakedness of the Land is very shocking. It is some comfort that the said Trees will produce a little Cash. I hope the ' Sans Culottes ' will not come to finish cutting down what Papa has spared ; but I declare I cannot help thinking of them now and then, tho' I cannot persuade myself to be much afraid of them. Since Old England will deserve a little punishment if her Navy is so contemptible as to suffer French folks to land here, and I cannot think she is quite so bad as that. But Papa says they are collecting in great numbers on the Coast of Brittany and Normandy. It is supposed the Threat against Jersey is only a Feint, and that a landing here or in Ireland is intended. Large Detachments are marching from the Army of the North, THE HISTORIAN'S LAST PAGE. 277 and the Troops are to assemble along the Coast about the 14th or 15th of next month for the purpose of embarking. Surely if we have such accurate Information of their Proceedings and Intentions, some Steps will be taken to interrupt them in the Execution of their Designs. Papa has been interesting himself about La Fayette, and in that Debate joined the 46, and furnished Fitz- patrick, the Mover, with information concerning La Fayette given him by Lally, who has written a long Dis- sertation, not only exculpating him from all blame ; but attributing very praiseworthy motives to him. There are some circumstances which Lally mentions, relating to the poor King and La Fayette curious, and if I have patience to copy the Eulogium I will send it to you. Lally's Style is always animated, therefore tho' I do not think his Hero quite as blameless as he represents him, I am interested in the little Treatise. I never can get out of my Head that Insurrection is a Sacred Duty. But yet, I do not think he in any way deserved the cruel treatment he has met with. M. Fazy is in hopes his Father's House at Lyons will be opened again. . . . The sale of the Timber is to-day, and it is valued at 1,OOOZ. ; it is to be sold by Auction in three Lots at the Inn. Adieu. Ever yours, M. J. H. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheff. Place : April 1, 1794. Poor dear Pap left us on Saturday ; he says he feels low, but I never saw him so quietly cheerful and good humoured ; perhaps he is more irritable when in better health, and yet that is odd. ... In a fortnight he will return to us again, and if nothing happens at present un- foreseen, I shall be as happy as I don't know what for 278 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. the old Simile of a Queen will not hold good in these Times. Have you by chance got a receipt for the Dry Rot ? I should perhaps say against instead of for. Papa wants it for Lord Lansdowne and desires me to look for it. I cannot find it anywhere, and it occurred to me you might possibly have it. If you have, pray send it to him directly. How lucky you are not still at S. P. I suppose you will open your eyes at this. But could you have breathed freely in the atmosphere of Sir Elijah Impey ? He has hired Bewick Park and means to live there all the summer and autumn. I hear there is a large family of young Imp s. . . . While Papa was here, he and I were out all day planting and such things. I have got Harry Mitchell to mend and paint all the seats, and I have got a man of my own in the wood, to spread the lumps of earth left in various parts, and to make a new walk across the second Pond Bay to Sylph Place. You really can hardly tell the pleasure there was in having Papa with us last week in the good humour he was in. I have got poor Mr. Gibbon's Seal with which I am sealing this letter. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. S. P. : May 3, 1794. Aunt and Louisa set off for Windsor yesterday morn- ing. Papa and I depart to-morrow. Papa went to Lewes on Thursday to attend the County Meeting for raising Yeomanry Corps, and yesterday was the Quarter Sessions ; therefore he did not return till Evening. The Meeting was well attended and a much greater subscription than I expected 4,OOOZ. upon the spot. The D. of Eichmond, Lord Egremont, and Lord Ashburnham, 500Z. each, Lord Pelham 300. Papa 100, and several other Gentlemen 200, THE HISTORIAN'S LAST PAGE. 279 100, and 50. . . . What will be done next does not appear very clearly, or that when the Corps are raised they will be of any service. However, as I have not the least apprehension of Invasion at present, now the French have so much work on their hands nearer home, I think it is a very harmless amusement for the Country Gentlemen. Henry Clinton is more improved than anything I ever saw, and I think he is one of the finest looking and most pleasing-mannered young men in England. I was wonderfully pleased with his manner of relating the Action which brought him over map in hand and the rest of the Party were as much so. There was Clearness and Spirit in the Narrative without the slightest mixture of Conceit or Vanity. He was chased and very near taken by a French Privateer coming over. I am very glad he was out of the way of the last Action, which seems to have been a bloody one, tho' the final success was great and complete. The loss of 57 pieces of cannon must be a very serious one to the French army, tho' their Train of Artillery is so great. . . . On Monday Uncle has asked us to dinner. ... I have a Ball to attend in the Evening at Lady Langham's, upon the recommendation of Harriet Clinton, so I emerge quickly into the Gulph. I suppose I shall be a Fright in a short time, as I depend upon some charming Banelaghs and Balls, but I shall return to refit in the country by the beginning of June. You threaten me with finding it all Vanity and Vexation of Spirit ; but I think not this time, as my greatest pleasure will be Harriet's Company, and I mean to take the rest as it may happen ; at all events I shall be more at Liberty than ever. It does require some Resolution to leave the Country at present. I never saw it in greater Beauty. . . . The Fruit Trees promise very well, and the Grapes are in abundance. Aunt has taken a lodging at Bath for three weeks ; she has taken with her the Memoirs to show Mrs. 280 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. Gibbon. She is one of those who has a pleasure in talk- ing over lost friends, and I daresay will enjoy much seeing Aunt. The said good old woman (not Mrs. Gibbon, but Mrs. Holroyd) was a great deal better for the little Eouta- tion we had in the Family. I hear the Legards and Miss Grimstons are coming home immediately. Sir John is to bring over the papers of Mr. Gibbon's that were at Lausanne. Severy talked of sending the picture by him, but I should think that is too cumbersome, for a family already probably much loaded, as they are on their return to England after an absence of some years. He asks for a copy of Papa's and another of Mr. G.'s picture, which Papa has promised him. Adieu. Kemember me kindly to the younger Puss, and believe me ever yours affectionately, M. J. H. Poor little Marina has been very ill with Whooping cough, but is getting better. Mrs. Maynard returns with us into the Country. Once more adieu to you and Pro- lixity, for you will not set Eyes on such a fine Epistle for one while. Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : Wednesday, May 7, 1794. Tell Sheff that I have seen poor Mrs. Gibbon ; carried her the watch and papers ; and said all the kind things he desired, with which she seemed sincerely pleased. . . . I am sorry to find she is grieved at not being named in the Will, and does not take it as I hoped she would ; but no notice must be taken to her of this confession. She is not angry, but affectionately grieved. I hope to make her change her idea before we part. She is very happy in my Brother being her Trustee, etc. etc., and totally depends on him. . . . THE HISTORIAN'S LAST PAGE. 281 Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Portland Place : Wednesday, May 14, 1794. When this Letter will be finished depends on so many fortuitous circumstances, that I can make no calculation as to its probable termination ; but I am determined to begin, which is a great step towards a conclusion. We arrived here on Sunday se'ennight to dinner, and found all the Family well. On Monday I made a good Begin- ning as we were at three Balls Lady Elcho's, Mrs. Bawlins', ci devant Miss le Maitre, Baroness Nolcken's Daughter, and Lady Langham's. To the first however we went so early, the Musick had not arrived ; at the second we did not dance, as we were prudent and did not like to heat ourselves ; therefore in fact we had but one Ball though it sounds well to talk of three. Lady Lang- ham's was a very good Ball that is, there was a great deal of Company, handsome rooms, and a very elegant Supper. I met there several acquaintances ; I danced eight Dances ; I did not fatigue them (my Partners) however with much dancing ; for after my long Kustica- tion, I found I could not get on at all, and preferred sitting still to skipping about. We came home between four and five. . . . Thursday, Papa and I dined at Lord Aucklands, and Lady A. took me in the Evening to Mr. Weddell's. Nobody dined at the Aucklands but ourselves all the family was everything kind, and I should never be tired of seeing them 'en famille.' It is a lovely sight and the most pleasing Picture of Domestic Happiness one can conceive. . . . Friday we went to Lady Elcho's and Lady Bassett's Assemblies. . . . Saturday we went to the Play and saw the New Theatre. The first Effect is beautiful ; but in my opinion it is rather too much in the French Style, and looks very like Confectionery. . . . The Play 282 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. was a new one of Cumberland's, called 'The Jew.' It did not please me much, because at a Comedy I expect to laugh, and there was so much sentiment throughout, that with a very little Pains one might have cried. Bannister and Miss Farren performed their parts as well as possible ; but I have seen them both appear to greater advantage. We went afterwards to a Child's Ball at Mrs. Neave's, but Aunt was tired after her Play, and we soon left them, otherwise it was a pretty sight to see the chil- dren dance. Sunday, we went to Portland Chapel to bear Mr. Nicholls preach. His Sermon was a good one ; but I am afraid he had not time to write it out fair ; for he made a fearfull number of Blunders. ... I will just frighten you with a List of our Engagements for a Week to come, and then I think even if I should not have time for any more scribbling, this will be a very decent letter : TO-NIGHT. We go to an Assembly and a Ball. TO-MORROW. Ball at Mrs. Bruce. FRIDAY. Dine at Lord Pelham's, and in the Evening Mrs. Clive's Assembly. SATURDAY. Probably the Opera. SUNDAY. Concert and Supper at Lady Sykes. MONDAY. Concert at Mrs. Lockhart's, and Lady Hudson's Ball, which I expect to be very pleasant. TUESDAY. Unless we go to the Opera again I do not know what will become of us. WEDNESDAY. Eanelagh. THURSDAY. Mrs. Boone's Assembly. FRIDAY. Kanelagh again, and I know nothing farther. However, if we should be doomed to rest a day or two I think one might be able to bear it. The Reports of these last two days have been, though THE HISTORIAN'S LAST PAGE. 283 favourable, very unpleasant ; as no official accounts have arrived and no particulars are known. All the reports however say that the French are driven back to the Gates of Lille with considerable loss. The Packet which was bringing over Lady A. Fitzroy and her Brother from Lisbon, where she lately left her Husband, is either taken or lost, but the former is thought probable. I forgot to mention we were at the Shakespeare Gallery and Exhibi- tion last Week. There are some good Paintings of Beechy's and Hoppner's. Lawrence is very much gone off, I think, in his Style of Colouring. There is a Portrait of Lord Auckland by him, very like, though I do not admire the Painting. ... As to Fashions, I have not seen any Pink Breeches, though I heard of them before I came to town. The Dress at present worn is very elegant and becoming in moderation. I do not think it is at all the Fashion to Pad this year. Many people look as if they had no Petticoats on, and as the Gowns are mostly Turkish and seem to set loose from the Body, I expect if a foot is set upon a Train, to see the Ladies disrobed. 5 o'clock. News is at last arrived, good for the Publick ; but poor Henry Clinton having received a slight wound we have not been able to thoroughly enjoy the goodness of it. . . . Dear Harriet was terribly agitated. ... I do not know any particulars of the Action. Ever yours, M. J. H. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Portland Place : May 27, 1794. Your friends are quite well and safe at present ; but how long they may remain so, is so uncertain that there is hardly any comfort in knowing they are so now. 284 GIELHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. Henry's wound kept him out of the Action on the 18th, in which he would have run great risks. The Duke of York and P. Wm. very narrowly escaped being taken, and of course Henry would have been with them, and perhaps sent on to reconnoitre, and he might have fallen into the Enemy's hands. Poor P. Wm. tumbled into a Ditch in getting away, and Wm. 1 extricated him out of his difficulty. I am glad to find the D. of York was not to blame at all in that Business so far from it, that if he had obeyed the peremptory orders that were sent to him to march on to Linselles, the whole Body of Troops under his Command must have been cut off. By the young Men's letters and Sir H.'s comments upon them, it appears that the Plan of Attack that Day was very good; but the Execution very bad indeed. The D. of York's Division and Genl. Otto's were the only two out of five that succeeded in their attacks, and unless the others had accomplished what they were sent upon, it was impossible that the Duke and Otto could advance. The General gives the Duke great Credit for his conduct that day, which I am glad to find. I wonder the King will persist however in the Duke's commanding the Army in Person, for one trembles to think of the Conse- quences if he were taken Prisoner, and I should never be surprized if I heard he was, as it seems that the French make an object of taking him. Mr. Pitt, the Duke of Kichmond and all the Cabinet, were very much against his going this Campaign, and opposed it all they could ; but George was obstinate, as I believe he can be when he has taken a thing into his head. Of Home Plots and Conspiracies I have not heard much lately. I cannot find out the reason of passing the Bill for the Suspension of the Habeas Corpus in such a violent hurry, as no immediate measures have been taken in consequence. 1 William Clinton. THE HISTORIAN'S LAST PAGE. 285 The Report of the Secret Committee in my opinion contains nothing that was not known long ago, and has been published in many of the newspapers. I fear, how- ever, there are but too many designing persons in this Town, and a few more such bad pieces of Intelligence as we have lately had might make them shew themselves. I will hope better things, however. The last Action ended in our favour, as the French were obliged to fall back, though the loss on the side of the Austrians was considerable ; and it is no comfort to hear of three times the number of Devils killed, as it is what the Convention rather wishes, and numbers more are ready to rise up in their places. But a truce to Politics. Lady Hudson's Ball was very pleasant. There were plenty of Beaux, as many more as Ladies almost. . . . We were at the Opera on Tuesday ; but I was not much amused. ... I do not know whether I return with Papa or stay a day or two longer. ... I am not very anxious about staying here any longer, as I am in great hopes Mrs. Carter and Harriet will soon come down to us at S. P. and pass the summer there. . . . I have not time for more. Yours Ever Truly, M. J. H. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheff. Place : June 7, 1794. Once more quietly seated in my own room, I write with a degree of tranquillity I have not experienced for some time : for my letters to you have been moments snatched from the Wreck of Time in London ; which expression, tho' not usually made use of in that Sense, may I think be applied to poor Time in that Vile 286 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. Metropolis. Mrs. Adair had a Ball on Monday which I was at till 5 in the morning. . . . We were at the Opera the Thursday before and the Play on Friday. At the first I heard the famous Banti who is indeed a delightful Singer and I was very much entertained. . . . The Pit was crowded beyond anything I ever saw. The Play was the 'Pirate,' a musical Thing, and uncommonly pretty. Horace Bannister, Snett, and Mrs. Crouch, all perform in it and are all charming. . . . Papa had a letter from Lausanne to-day which mentions Madame Necker's Death. The Papers and Papa's Picture are coming over with Sir J. Legard, who is to be in England the latter end of this month. It was very obliging in him to take charge of such a ponderous Thing as the Picture. 1 Nothing is yet done about disposing of the Library. It is moved out of Mr. Gibbon's House, as M. de Montagny would not suffer it to remain there any longer. I think he has shown a great deal of haste to take possession. . . . The wry-necked Secretary is an acquisition lately made, and intended for Country use. Papa has not had him in Town. It is a very agreeable circumstance, and will save Aunt and I a great deal of trouble. He will be particularly usefull, as Papa intends to undertake the Arrangement of Mr. Gibbon's Memoirs and letters for the Public Eye. The young Man was recommended by Mr. Hayley, who had him from Mr. Cowper, the Author of the ' Task.' His name is Socket ; he is about 16 ; has had a good education ; can read Latin and French ; and is to have 20 a year and to live with the Servants. It would have been very unpleasant to have a Person in that Situation one of us ; and yet there might have been a doubt about the disposal of a Secretary if he were older. 1 Of Lord Sheffield, painted for Mr. Gibbon by Sir Joshua Reynolds. THE HISTORIAN'S LAST PAGE. 287 I hope no unpleasant reports from abroad will happen during the summer to disturb our Pleasure in the Country. Harriet is to bring her own Horse, and we shall have some very pleasant Bides, I hope. Papa was yesterday at Lewes to attend a Meeting upon the Subject of the Troops to be raised in this Country a Troop of Dragoons and some Artillery Cavalry are to be added to the Militia ; but the Offers from People to command Companies of Infantry come in very slow. Young Campion is to have one ; but I do not know of any other Hero who steps forth in defence of his King and Country. (Papa) talks of going the Tour of the Camps, and it would be a very agreeable expedition. There is one at Brighton ; one at Bexhill ; one at Hastings, and I believe another some- where upon the Coast in this county. The Country looks everything that is pleasant, but feels Winter. It is quite cold enough for a considerable Fire. Adieu ; Love to young Mrs. Grim. Yours Ever Truly, M. J. H. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place : June 17, 1794. I would Give a good deal that you could be transported from Doncaster and safely deposited in your own Eoom. I am sure you could not guess where you had got to. I enclose a Pattern of the Bed. It makes up very hand- some, and is but 20d. the yard. Mrs. Maynard has made it up with full Valences, and has raised the feet, to give it a more modern appearance ; and with the assistance of a new Feather Bed it looks almost as smart as any Bed in the House. Your old Cabinet, Louisa has taken into her room as a great Treasure. We have put a Toilette Table and a neat Pembroke Table, and a Scotch carpet 288 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. round the Bed. We have another Coachman and a young Person in the Still Room Maid's place. But what do you think her name is ? Winifred Gap ! ! ! George Coxe came yesterday to stay three weeks- he is a very pleasant Man when in good spirits. He is just come from Lady Rivers, who is at the Isle of Wight, and he was at Portsmouth when Lord Howe arrived there with his Prizes, and he says, as I can easily imagine, it was a most glorious sight to see him enter the Port amidst the acclamations of hundreds, and the roaring of Cannon. By the bye, what a fortu- nate and well-timed Victory this has been ! Perhaps, take all the circumstances together into consideration, it is the greatest victory this Country ever gained at Sea ; something was so much wanted to raise the spirits of one party, and quiet those of the other ; and a Naval Victory is what John Bull comprehends perfectly well. I am afraid we want something to counterbalance the state of Affairs in Flanders, which is not just now very promising. I thought I had told you that Madame Necker had the satisfaction of going out of the World with the know- ledge of being Mr. Gibbon's First and Only Love. Papa sent Extracts of the Passages where he mentioned her and the Severy Family to Severy ; and she had the pleasure of reading them before her death. She must be a dreadfull loss to poor Necker, who, I cannot help think- ing, meant well, tho' I fear he was the cause of all that has happened ; at least the second cause ; for the Events of the last three or four years are of such a wonderful Nature, that it appears to me as if something uncommon either in the way of punishment or warning was intended. Can anything be more shocking than that Eobespierre should make a pretence of his intended Assassination by a young Woman, to propose and carry a Decree for giving THE HISTORIAN'S LAST PAGE. 289 no quarter to the English and Hanoverians ? Did you read the Duke of York's General Orders to the Army in consequence ? They are very well written, and with much judgement and humanity, and if anything is capable of making an impression on the French Army I think this Manifesto will. What a dreadfull savage War it is likely to become, if the Decree is really carried into execution ; for it will be impossible to restrain our Troops from retaliation even if it is attempted. Thursday 19th. We expect Fred. North to-morrow and a young Greek, who is his Ward and who he is going to place at Eastbourne, with a clergyman there. Adieu. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheff. Place : June 27, 1794. . . . How very bad affairs appear on the Continent ! Ypres gone, and the French Army within seven miles of Ostend. We no sooner gain an advantage in one part, than it is made of no avail to us by some superior Advan- tage gained by the Enemy in another. I shall croak if I write Politicks, so I say no more. Papa is making great alterations in his room, putting up Bookcases to contain the Law Books and Tracts, which will make room for the New Books in the Library. The French Memoires are a Library in themselves, between 60 and 70 volumes. I do not hear any more of the Yeomanry Cavalry, and do not suppose it will come to much in this country. To-morrow we expect Sir J. Sinclair and two of his Daughters, school girls, about 12 years old. I wish he was to come without them, as it is very difficult to know how to entertain girls of that age. The Aunts go out in the Tib, which just suits them. The Phaeton lost three wheels on three different TT 290 GIRLHOOD OF MAEIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. expeditions, and at last the Body of it broke down ! The Ponies are Dears, and I wish they had a better carriage. Adieu. Ever yours, M. J. H. I hope you will be able to decipher the beginning of this Letter, but I have such pale Ink, ' a la Firth,' that I fear you will find some difficulty. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheff. Place : July 3, 1794. I purposely avoided saying anything of public affairs, till I had told you all the chit chat trifles of what com- pany we had, etc., because I thought, like My lord, I could not mention them after the others. Everybody croaks, and worse than croaks ; they seem almost in despair of keeping anything in Flanders. The Duke and his Army will, I hope, find they can make a safe Retreat by way of Holland, and so will end this Glorious Cam- paign probably, if it ends no worse. . . . Harriet had a joint Letter from her Brothers yesterday ; Wm. was just setting off to join the Prince of Coburg's Army. I hope he would be in no danger where he was sent. Several of the papers have informed us that Sir H. Clinton is appointed Govr. of Gibraltar; but this is all we know about it. ... I think indeed he will be ill-used if he has not something given him to make up for the Sancho Panza's Government at Toulon. That Government was something like the play of Bob Cherry. Lord Auckland writes very much out of spirits about foreign affairs, and says he quite gives up any hopes of our Allies performing their Engagements properly. The cause of this War seems more the cause of the Austrians than of any other THE HISTOKIAN'S LAST PAGE. 291 Nation, and as much that of the Prussians as ours, and yet they behave in the most shameful way possible. Lord A. has just lost his second son, which such an affectionate father must feel very deeply. . . . Aunt is very nervous ; the daily bad news she hears is not likely to make her better. . . . H. desires her Love to the ' Old Cat of Miss Holroyd ! ' I assure you, my dear Miss Firth, I am quite shocked at the Impertinence ! u 2 292 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. CHAPTEE XIII. 1794. OLD FRIENDS AND NEW TIES. JULY TO DECEMBER. Ministerial changes Highland uniform Papers and picture from Lau- sanne Alarming adventure Neighbours The camp at Brighton The review Interesting Swiss and German guests Revising the Gibbon Memoirs Marriage of the Prince of Wales Ingenuity of Fletching Ringers Loss of Friends Lord Sheffield's second marriage Invitation to the wedding Letter from Hayley A friendly hermit's advice. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place : July 8, 1794. WE are enjoying the cool Breezes in the North Hall, the only place in the house tolerably cool. We have been in a state of anxious Suspense to know if the General [Sir H. Clinton] was a Governor or not. At last, this day has brought us a Confirmation of the news. . . . The Government is 3,000?. in time of Peace, which is a pretty little addition. Papa goes to Town next week to assist at the close of the Exchequer Bill Business, which has fully answered the end designed in every particular. I wonder what changes are going to take place in the Ministry. I understand the D. of Portland wishes to have a place under Government, and that the Foxites are enraged at his desertion. Lord Spencer is talked of for Ireland. Lord Fitzwilliam, it is said, told Mr. Pitt he thought he could be of more use if he supported Govern- direct OLD FBIENDS AND NEW TIES. 293 ment without taking any place. If so, he has behaved very handsomely. I am afraid we shall be entirely over- looked in these new arrangements, and if so we shall be very sour I am afraid. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place : July 24, 1794. Mr. Godley, who came on Saturday leaves us to-day. He has more than once desired me to send his best compliments to you. Our Coz. has left off his Wig and wears his own Grey Locks, which give him a very venerable appearance. Sir J. Sinclair, who has paid us three flying visits within a fortnight, was to have returned to-day ; but is detained in Town. One day he treated us with a sight of him in the Uniform of his Eothesay and Caithness Eegiment, and a more curious figure I never saw. The Coat was the only part of his Dress not perfectly outlandish. Scarlet turned up with yellow, a large silk Plaid, partaking of the Nature of a Spanish Cloak crossed before and was flung over one shoulder. Trowsers of the same Silk half way down the Leg and checked Bed and White Stockings. He was not quite compleat, as he had not his Scotch bonnet, which would have added a foot or so to his Stature. . . . All the Papers and the Picture are arrived safe from Lausanne. The Journal Mr. Gibbon kept while at Lausanne the second time, is very curious and entertain- ing. The other Papers were mostly letters from different People, and it astonished me to find what sort of Letters he kept. There are several Love Letters of Madame Necker's among them. If the Papers had fallen into the hands of a Boswell, what fun the World would have had ! All the papers left at Lausanne were sealed, and directed to Papa; but I am surprized he did not leave some directions in his Will that they should all be given only 294 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. to him or some be destroyed. Alas ! I am afraid in a few days I shall lose Harriet. . . . Adieu, yours very Sincerely M. J. H. Maria Josepka to Serena. July 30, 1794. The Clintons will go down to 0. P. soon after the Races. I am glad I have Harriet to go with me, but wish she was in better Spirits to enjoy it. ... You have had a very narrow escape of hearing from Louisa, as the only survivor of the noble family of Holroyd. We were within an Inch of being drowned last night in the Iron gate Lock, by the oddest Accident that perhaps ever happened in Navigation. The Water was rising very fast, and by inattention, the end of the Boat got hitched under the Bar or Beam that goes across the Gate of the Lock, and Papa could not push it off, con- sequently as the Water rose, it raised the other end of the Boat, and filled the lower part. Papa very quietly in- formed us we were going to sink, which was not a very pleasant Idea with ten feet of Water beneath us. I was at the upper part of the Boat, which was within two or three feet of the side, and I skipped out, and Jessy Sinclair, the youngest, after me, by the assistance of my hand. The rest, Aunt, Harriet, and Miss S. instead of following me, clung to Papa who called them to stand upon the Bar of the Lock (that, which is half way) and Aunt and Miss S. were dragged up to the Side by Vine. Poor Harriet while she was upon the Gate of the Lock went into strong Hysterics, and when she was pulled up, fainted away completely ; for, added to the degree of alarm we all felt, the Cord that tows the Boat entangled round her Leg, and if it had sunk, she must have been pulled down with it, and perhaps Papa with her, who had fast hold of her. In short, it was not at all amusing at the OLD FKIENDS AND NEW TIES. 295 time. Jessy and I got out quite dry, but Harriet and Miss S. who were longer on the Gate than Aunt, were wet up to their knees almost. It was astonishing how fast the Boat filled, but when we were out, it floated tho' brimful of Water. It was a great blessing neither Mrs. C. nor Louisa were with us ; the latter took a quiet Hide by herself another way, but if she had happened to come along with us, and rode by the side, as she did, in our last Navigating excursion, in her 1 nervous state, she would have been almost frightened to death. The Coachman, who was with us, was so terrified he was of no manner of use, which he acknowledged to the Servants when he came home, saying that he never was so frightened in his Life ; he expected to see all the family ' knocked up, at once,' was his expression. Last week we paid our first visit to the Impeys. If I could forget Nunocomar, (perhaps I have not spelt it right) I should have liked Sir Elijah l very well as a good sort of old man. Lady I. has the ' beaux restes ' of a very fine Woman. They have several Children, but I only saw one pretty, fair girl, and a Captain West, who is one of the family ; what the name of his employment is, I do not know ; but his business seems to be, to ring the Bell ; open the Door ; remove the Parrot when she squalls too loud ; laugh at the good Jokes sported in Company ; supply a Chasm by some excellent one of his own, and hand the Visitors into their Carriage. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place : July 30, 1794. . . . Papa's Picture 2 looks very well in the Library between the Windows. ... I cannot write Politicks unless 1 Bajah Nuncomar, aged 70, and head of the Brahmins of Bengal, was hanged 1775, sentence pronounced by Sir Elijah Impey. 2 That painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds for Gibbon. 296 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. I heard something pleasant to relate. Henry Clinton's letter yesterday from Antwerp, of the 23rd, says the Armies are still retreating further. The P. of Cobourg's behaviour is unaccountable. In the moment when he had proposed a General Attack to the Duke of York, he gave orders to his Troops to retire to Maestricht. If Lord Spencer and Mr. Grenville who are gone to Vienna cannot spur up the Austrian Court to make some further exertions, the case is indeed desperate. Landieu has surrendered ; everything that we have gained with loss of men, and in a length of time, is gone or going. Harriet will not let me write any more. So Adieu, yours ever, M. J. H. That plague of all plagues is in Town and wants to fidget them up to him because he finds he is expected to go to Gibraltar in September, but I had set my mind on having Harriet at the Races, and it will be a great dis- appointment to me if she does not stay for them next week. I have a shadow of Hope that the General may come here instead. How very bad affairs are going on, on the Continent ! What will become of poor England ? Adieu, Yours ever Sincerely M. J. H. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place : August 5, 1794. I have been all impatience to tell you our Lewes history. I should have enjoyed the Olympic Games more than I ever did before if poor Harriet had been quite well ; but she did not recover the effects of her fright in the Boat all the time we were at Lewes, and had frequent returns of Hysterics and faintings ; however, she was OLD FRIENDS AND NEW TIES. 297 fortunately better at the Balls than I expected, and was well amused, as she had the good fortune to meet a London Acquaintance, a pleasing Man, Mr. Chester, 1 one of General Bruce's Aide-de-Camps, which was much more agreeable than dancing with ' Introductions.' I was obliged to write a long Letter yesterday to Bell, to congratulate her on Lewis Way having obtained the Fellowship in Merton College, of which he was so desirous, and when I have an excuse for scribbling to Denham I generally take the advantage of sending a Volume, as frequent Correspondence is interdicted. To relate all in order; we left S. P. on Thursday morning and went immediately to the Race Ground. . . . Lady Pelham took charge of us at the Ball, Papa acting as second in command. Tuesday will be a very black day, for Mrs. C. and Har. positively go away to 0. P. Yours ever truly M. J. H. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place : August 12, 1794. Mrs. C. and Har. are just gone. We have been together, with only very short intervals, since the middle of April, and it appears to me as if I had lost one of the family. We have been uneasy about Louisa these three days past. ... As soon as she is better, Aunt and she go to Tunbridge, so that instead of anything particular pleasant to comfort me for the loss of Har., I shall be particularly lonely and dull ; but Mrs. Eussell will be here till the 19th. Mr. Sneyd comes to-morrow ; the Judges some time this week ; Lord Thurlow and the Paynes talk of coming here, and Hayley, Elmsley and Eose will be here the 26th, for a fortnight I suppose at least. 1 Harriet Clinton afterwards married Captain Chester. 298 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. I must tell you of our Expedition to the Camp last Friday. ... It is two miles and a half from Brighton, and about half a mile from the Sea above Hove. The ground is unequal, and the Sussex Militia has the best position in the Camp, being on the highest part, and commanding a beautiful View of the Sea and the rest of the Encampment. There are six Kegiments of Militia ; Lancashire, Warwickshire, Dorsetshire, Suffolk and Sus- sex, the Prince's Regiment of Cavalry and the Horse Artillery, and though only half the size of last year's Camp, had, I think, a much more beautiful effect. The Men are now in Tents, as large as the Subaltern Officers' Tents ; ten in each, which look much better than the small pointed things they used to have and gave a much more grand appearance to the scene. I should have liked to have had a Resurrection of Caesar, Alexander, or even Frederick of Prussia, to see what observations they would have made on the Glass Doors, paved Entrances, and neat Parterres of Flowers round the Tents of some of the officers, and whether they would not have given up the Country for lost where such Effeminacy prevailed. We went to see the Prince's Tent, which is very handsomely furnished ; but not a bit too much so for his Rank ; the Bed, which I had heard was too sumptuous for a Camp, was removed, and quite a Common Tent Bed in its Place. There is a Dining Room in the Centre, with the Bed Chamber and Drawing- room on each side, forming the Wings and communicating with the Dining-room. All hung with different Chintz Patterns. The Drawing-room, particularly beautiful, with a highly glazed chintz which gives it the appearance of a Silk ; two Sophas covered with the same, and Camp chairs and Stools. After we had walked about for some time, we went to Mr. Pelham's Tent, which is a very OLD FRIENDS AND NEW TIES. 299 comfortable one. We stayed there till Dinner was ready in the Mess Tent. . . . On our entrance into the Dinner Tent we were alarmed at first by the numbers of Red Coats awaiting our arrival. I do not think Harriet got the better of her fright during the whole Dinner. For my part I was excessively amused with the Novelty of the Scene, both at dinner and before. We were in all twenty-six at Table, and had a very good dinner, with good Wines and in Ice. The Band played to us, and in a reasonable time we adjourned to Mr. P.'s Tent ; but not before we had been called upon for our Toasts, which alarmed Harriet and me most amazingly. For my part, I had the assurance to give Major Clinton. Harriet, after mature deliberation, gave Lord Moira, and we departed from the Scene of Action before it came to the turn of the Old Ladies to be called on. . . . We drank tea with Mr. Pelham, and sorry we all were to be obliged to leave the Camp at eight. I never was more amused by a Party of that kind and never so little tired. Wednesday 13th. Louisa is much better this morning. They will go to Tunbridge to-morrow. . . . Henry writes in good spirits about affairs in Holland and Flanders, and says he has no doubt but that they may once more enter Austrian Flanders. Count Mercy D' Argent on who is coming to England in his way here, "* declared that it was the Emperor's intention to defend Holland, and that he had himself given the necessary instructions to P. Cobourg, who was otherwise about to retreat. The Imperial Army to the number of 60,000 men, cover the Meuse from Liege to Venlo. At Antwerp alone, the French have levyed contributions to the amount of twenty millions of Florins, and the people there and at Ghent begin to be disgusted with their new masters, and will be ready to receive us when we advance. 300 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. . . . Adieu, my dear Miss Huff, I am infinitely more agreeable than I was at the beginning of my letter. But at all times sincerely and affectionately yours M. J. HOLEOYD. Serena to Maria Josepha. Sion Hill, Tunbridge Wells : Wednesday, August 20, 1794. . . . . I think Louisa much better. . . therefore we shall, I trust, find it worth coming. . . . She will probably tell you of our intimacy with Lord Stanhope and Lady Hester, his daughter. It was unlucky we were not well enough to go to Mrs. Tyson's Ball with the Duchess of Cumber- land. ... I want to know what you think of the Con- vention. I cannot be sorry for Eobespierre ; but I fear it is only another party of Demons, I dread all these Guada- loupe evils. We are going to visit Lady Hester, and I write in a hurry. . . . Yours Ever S. H. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place : August 24, 1794. We paid a Visit yesterday to the dear Invalids at Tunbridge. It is impossible to doubt the good effect of the waters when one sees Louisa, for she has some colour ; she complains of being hungry. They have a delightful airy House at the top of Mount Sion, looking directly toward Crowborough, so they have even the advantage of Sheffield air. . . . Papa and I dine at Hook to meet the Pelhams, and bring Miss Poole home with us. At all times she is a very great favourite of mine ; but now her society is doubly welcome. . . . Elmsley is alarmed at the Riots in London, and does not like to quit the pro- tection of his house and property. The Riots have been very alarming I believe, and in these times any dis- OLD FRIENDS AND NEW TIES. 301 turbances are unpleasant ; but particularly when they are on something like just grounds. The practice of kid- napping is certainly a very shocking one, and should not be allowed if it is possible to get Soldiers without. . . . We went with the Pelhams on Monday to a Ball at Brighton given to the Prince by a Club of Gentlemen in honour of his Birthday. There was a great deal of Com- pany a mixture of course; but much very good. Lord and Lady Euston, Lord Albemarle, two Lord Spencers, Lady K. and Mr. Douglas, Lady A. North, Lady C. Herbert, the Thrales, &c., besides all the County people. The D. of Clarence was there and danced all the evening. I nominally danced with Mr. Campion, Mr. Courthorpe, and Captain Chester, (for Harriet's sake I suppose he asked me). We supped at the Prince's Table and his Band played all the time. We did not get home till 4 o'clock, for Lady Pelham stayed two dances after supper, contrary to her usual practice. Lady Holderness and Lady Mostyn were of our party. The latter is un- commonly pleasant. Tho' we were so late, Miss Pelham, Mrs. Kussell and Papa and I got up at nine to attend a Review of the whole Line near Brighton. The Day was very fine, the View from the Downs beautiful ; the Sea covered with Shipping; and a great deal of Company from Brighton attending upon the Soldiers, made the Scene very lively and pleasant. We were out with them till near three, when the Review finished. The whole family of Pelhams were very pleasant and gracious to us. Once more adieu. Ever truly yours M. J. H. I gave Louisa a good scouting for indulging her moralizing turn to such an extreme degree when she wrote to friends a hundred miles off, and I hope she is ashamed of herself. 302 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place : August 28, 1794. Tunbridge News continues to be good, and the house is full again, therefore all these good things make me feel quite alive. We dined at Hook on Monday, and brought Miss Poole home with us. Her company could never have been more acceptable than at this moment, as besides her being a pleasing Companion at all times, just now when there was nothing but Gentlemen and so many of them, I should have wished very much for a female companion ; besides this, her Intimacy with Mr. Hayley makes the house pleasanter to him, and brought us acquainted more easily with him. He and Mr. More arrived here on Tuesday, and Mr. Bowdler to dinner ; the same day brought us two unexpected Visitors a Swiss Gentleman, M. de Zeerleder, who brought an Introduction from Severy, and a Baron de Stein who travels with him ; but I do not suppose the former is Bear Leader to the latter as I at first supposed. They are both remark- able Personages. The Swiss is a Grandson of Haller's, his Mother being his daughter, and the Baron is Son to Werther 's Charlotte, which was a true Story, all but the Catastrophe, as Werther is still alive. Perhaps you may remember in Lavater, a Silhouette of a Man and a Boy of about ten or eleven years old, and another of a Woman with the Bust of a Boy in her hand. The Bust, and the whole length of the Boy, is the Baron de Stein now here; the Man, the Author of Werther, and the Woman his Mother, Charlotte. They are both pleasing, well informed young men, but the Swiss is much the most pleasing. I speak seriously, without prejudice, because at first, I supposed them both Swiss, and gave the preference to the real Swiss, without knowing the other was a German. They are making the Tour of OLD FRIENDS AND NEW TIES. 303 England. You will expect to hear what I think of Mr. Hayley. I like him exceedingly, and can easily imagine, when he takes pains to please, he must be very enchanting. Mr. More was announced by him, as a very sensible young man ; what he says is certainly sensible and clear, but he has the pertness and conceit natural to all young lawyers, which makes his first appearance not so pleasing. Mr. Hayley, Mr. More, and Miss Poole are closeted reading Mr. Gibbon's Memoirs, etc., and Mr. Hayley thinks a great deal must be omitted in publication. I hope his advice will be taken, for I have a great opinion of his judgement. I suppose we shall all have returned from Tunbridge about the middle of October, therefore it will be delightful if you can come to us about that time. I cannot tell you how much pleasure it will give us all to see you here. Adieu, My dearest Miss Huff, Ever yours affectionately, M. J. H. I am going soon to drive Miss Poole in the little Phaeton, which is a jewel of a Carriage, and I drive like an Angel ! Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place : September 10, 1794. I cannot say half enough of the impression the Poet has made upon Papa and me. I was quite happy that Papa and he agreed in every material point relative to the Memoirs, etc. They found much to lop off ; but much, very much, of a most interesting nature will remain, and by Mr. Hay ley's assistance, I think such a work will appear next Spring as the Publick have not been treated with for many years, and that all candid Persons will approve and admire. Mr. More was an excellent person 304 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. to attend the Committee. He was as good a Judge as the two others in point of sense and feeling ; at the same time that being unprejudicial to Mr. Gibbon as a Friend, he gave the opinion of an impartial person, which fre- quently furnished the other members of the Committee with useful hints. Ten years of common intercourse would not have brought Papa and Mr. Hayley so well acquainted, or made them like and love each other as the cause and subject of this visit of only ten days has done. They were each and almost equally very warmly interested about the fame and character of a common friend who was very dear to both. As to Mr. Hayley, I never figured to myself, much less saw, any person possessing such an animated mind, such Enthusiasm of friendship, and a heart so wholly and entirely divested of every selfish principle. Grace au Ciel ! he has a Wife and is not twenty years younger ! Or else, my poor heart would be in danger. As it is, I think I shall not like the conversa- tion and manner of any man I meet with for six months to come, as well as I should have done were this dear Poet unseen. Mr. Douglas came on Thursday and slept here that night. He made himself very agreeable, and three hours from tea to supper passed like three minutes, being employed in Conversation of a literary kind, between Mr. Douglas, Mr. Hayley and More. The two former took immediately and much to each other, and Mr. Douglas asked the Bard and his friend to dine with him the next day at Brighton. What do you think of this house being once more in brick and mortar ? The Job now about, however, is I believe a necessary evil, but I hope I have helped to stop another that was certainly not so. They are now pulling down the partition between Papa's bed-chamber and the dressing-room, which, being built of brick and without support, promised OLD FRIENDS AND NEW TIES. 305 to descend speedily into the inferior regions. The superfluous dilapidation is a Project of a Mr. Latrobe's, an architect employed by Mr. Fuller in the house he is building upon the Forest, and brought here by him. It is to open a great window into the Dressing-room, and the Lord knows what vagaries besides. Eeverend Norton Nichol to Maria Josepha. St. Gluvia's : September 26, 1794. I read and trembled yesterday and to-day I write and tremble, least no effort of mine should have power to appease the indignation I so much deserve. To Indolence I plead Guilty to Indifference Not. ... I thank you for what you tell me with respect to the publication of Gibbon's Posthumous Works, in which no one can feel a warmer interest than I do. I should have been delighted, (unworthy as I am,) to have assisted at the Consultation and to have enjoyed the Society you mention. I was at College with Hayley, and thought him amiable though I knew little of him, but he has taken great strides towards literary fame since that time. The extract from Gibbon's Journal is not flung away upon me, and bears a just and honourable testimony to the Character of Lord Sheffield. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Tunbridge Wells : September 27, 1794. Is it possible you Doncaster people can be so behind hand in the affairs of the World as not to know the Prince of Wales is really and truly going to espouse his Coz. ? Indeed I thought I had mentioned it in one of my Letters. I hear a very high character of her for Beauty as well as amiable qualities. Lord Southampton, it is said, is to bring her over, and I have heard the Duchess of Devon- x 306 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. shire mentioned as one of the Ladies who are to go for her ; but the truth of the report I do not know. I shall be more comfortable after Monday, when Lady Albinia Cumberland leaves the other half of this house. At present, I am obliged to trot home at night with a Candle and a Lanthorn to guide my Steps whether it pours Torrents, or whether Jupiter, Venus and the Great Bear display all their charms to assist me on my way. My nightly Habitation is not a great way off, but far enough to chill the end of my poor Nose these cold frosty nights. We rode to Hettdown the day before we came here and saw Mr. Woodward. I believe though I told you so in my last. But what I was going to tell you is an instance of the Ingenuity of the Fletching People which almost exceeds Belief. Papa left a Guinea for the Ringers, to ring a rejoicing Peal at their good Vicar's recovery. I heard him tell Beezly, of the Church Farm, apparently a very intelligent Man, what it was for, and he seemed to understand him. Poor Mrs. Page happened to die the Day the Bells were put in activity, and would you suppose, it was reported and believed in Fletching, that Papa had ordered the Bells to ring for Joy at her death, because he wished so much to' have her house ! ! I thought I had told you that Papa had a letter lately from that D. of a woman, Lady Webster, from Florence. She talks of coming over here as a great proof of condescension ; but makes an agreement she is not to be taken to Battle. The account of Battle Abbey falling, has been much exaggerated in the papers. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Tunbridge Wells : October 7, 1794. I have nothing very lively to write about to-day, in- deed Subjects of a quite different nature engage our OLD FRIENDS AND NEW TIES. 307 Thoughts, and must engage my Pen. Sunday, we received an account of the death of poor Henry Way, from Mr. Adair, who very kindly wrote to tell Papa of it, that he might communicate the melancholy news to the family, and prevent their having the shock of seeing it first in the Newspapers. He died at St. Nicolas Mole, the 9th of August, of the Yellow Fever that has swept away such numbers. By the same Post, I had a letter from poor Bell, expressing great anxiety about him, and saying they were trying to prepare their minds to hear the worst, as they had had no Letters from him since his departure from Cork Harbour, 6 months ago. It is pleasant to recollect that he spent a very happy week with us before he went, and that thro' Papa's introductions he was much noticed at Bristol, and many civilities shown him there, with which he seemed much pleased. It is likewise a comfort to think he liked his Profession very much and went abroad in great spirits. I think I have no more private misfortunes for your amusement ; but what do you think of the D. of York's retreat across the Meuse and his leaving Holland open to the French ? who have taken Crevecoeur, and almost all the fortresses that defended Bois le Due, which will I suppose, soon be surrendered. If the Duke's movement towards the Rhine is with the intention of joining Clairfait, both one's public and private feelings are alarmed lest he should hazard a Battle. Papa leaves again to-morrow to attend the Quarter Sessions at Lewes, and goes on to Stanmer to have a Talk with Mr. Pelham, who has only just returned from the Armies of Clairfait and the D. of York. He must have many interesting subjects to talk of. He writes word that the Mynheers are at last determined to exert themselves, and that the P. of Orange is gone with authority to use every possible means of putting the Country in a x 2 308 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. state of Defence ; so I suppose if nothing else will do they will try Inundation. Which way shall I turn to find something chearful to look upon in public affairs ? Lord Howe is out in one of the most violent winds we have had, and makes one fear for the safety of the Fleet. The accounts from the West Indies, besides the dreadful ones of the Eavages of Disease, which is almost incredible, are very unpleasant ; mentioning the rapacity of the Com- manders, which has been so great as to disgust our new conquered subjects very much ; which added to the reduced State of our Forces there, leaves everything to be apprehended in that Quarter if the French have sent out a considerable Force, as it is said they have. Adieu, Yours Ever M. J. H. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Tunbridge Wells : October 12, 1794. You will have flattered yourself perhaps, that my last Letter contained melancholy events enough for some time, and I am sure you will be very much concerned at the sad Account I have to give you of poor Mrs. Wood- ward's death. What a loss she is to me, nobody who did not know her, can imagine. She shewed her regard for me in many instances, but nothing pleased me more than her telling me what she thought wrong in me, which she often did, and though she certainly thought more highly of me than I may deserve, she never seemed to flatter me. Nobody can replace her, to me. To hear of the death of two Relations and one true friend, within four days makes one think, and think seriously ; surely few people have lost more friends within a year and a half than I have. God preserve those that remain ! OLD FRIENDS AND NEW TIES. 309 Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Tunbridge Wells : October 19, 1794. We have very bad accounts of Sir Henry. Mrs, Carter is extremely anxious about him. The Physicians advise his going immediately either to Lisbon or Gibraltar as the best thing he can do. I dread Harriet's and Mrs. C.'s going with him, which they would certainly do if he would let them. At this time of Year, and in War Time likewise, a Sea Voyage for Ladies is a shocking thing. Lady Shelley and her family have been taken by the French on their passage from Lisbon lately. . . . Adieu, yours Ever, M. J. HOLROYD. [No allusion whatever is made by Maria to her Father's approaching Marriage to Lucy, daughter of Lord and Lady Pelham, so possibly the knowledge came as a surprise. The Marriage proved a very happy one, and the ' Dear Lady,' by which name she was always remembered, brought joy and brightness with her to her new home. With her affectionate letter to her Step Daughter Maria, the record of the year 1794 closes.] From Lady Pelham, inviting Maria and Louisa Holroyd to be present at the Marriage of their Father, Lord Sheffield, with her Daughter Lucy. Stratton Street : December 16, 1794. My dear Miss Holroyd, We feel that we cannot trust even to Lord Sheffield, in whom our Confidence is, it should seem, pretty well established, to enforce sufficiently to you and Miss Louisa how very earnestly and cordially, Lord Pelham and I, and Lucy, request and solicit the pleasure and satisfaction of your Company at Stanmer at a certain approaching happy Event. We hope you will have the kindness to come at least the day 310 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. before, as much earlier as you please, and remain with us as long as it will be agreeable to you both. Miss Louisa's Dinner is already ordered at two o'clock. Lord Pelham, Lucy and Emily desire their best compliments and kindest love, and the most affectionate regards to Lord Sheffield, who We hope will have arrived safe and well long before You can receive this. Believe me Ever, my dear Madam, Your most affectionate and much Obliged Humble Servant ANN PELHAM. From Lord Sheffield to his Daughter Maria Josepha Holroyd on his Wedding Day, Dec. 26, 1794. Stanmer : 26 December the blessed : 2 o'clock. The Beatification has taken place without any accident. I do not recollect that any of Mahomet's Heavens are up to mine. If you do not bring with you as many Clintons as possible I shall revile the whole Family of them. The Dear Poll must be quite mistaken if she is not in a hurry to come to Sheffield Place. The 31st, consequently, is the latest day. I send three parcels of cake which have passed through the Ring, and we are this moment to set out for the Weald in a steady Snow. Mr. Hayley to Maria Josepha. December 27, 1794. May the Hermit assure the feeling and accomplished Maria, that he has often thought of her with much tender solicitude on the late important occurrences, and with a cordial wish, that they may conduce to her Happiness as they assuredly afford an ample Field for the display of her many excellent Qualities. Pauline informs me you are now fluttering on the OLD FRIENDS AND NEW TIES. 311 wing of pleasure in the Great City ; but I trust you will perch again in the South before January 7, when my Lord has kindly intimated a wish to see me at Sheffield Place. If we are not blockaded by the Snow I mean to pay our Devoirs to you all in our way to Town, where I am soon to settle my dear diminutive artist, who begs leave to join with me in kind remembrance to you, and in wishing you as rare a portion of Happiness as you certainly have of engaging sensibility. Adieu. Poem ivhich Accompanied the Foregoing Letter. A lovely Form with lively wit Added to Fortune and to Birth. What more, the heart and mind to hit Can dear Maria wish on Earth ? Say ! do you want one potent charm Which few possess or few retain it ? And lest such hints your Pride alarm Allow Serena * to explain it ! Make it your own as Maid or Wife And tell me while your Smiles confirm it You learnt one charm, the first in Life By list'ning to a friendly Hermit. From Lucy, second Wife of Lord Sheffield, to her Step Daughter Maria Josepha Holroyd. Sheffield Place : December 28, 1794. My dearest Maria, Don't give yourself the trouble of answering this but by word of mouth on Wednesday, at which time I hope most sincerely to see you with Dear Louisa and your valuable Aunt. I do assure you I expect your Arrival with great Impatience, as I am most 1 Allusion to the heroine in the Triumphs of Temper, by W. Hayley. Publ. 1781. 312 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. anxious to show you by every Attention in my power, how sensible I am of every affectionate Sentiment you have so very kindly expressed towards me, and how earnest I am in hoping that our Affection and Attachment to each other may be such as I wish ; and if you could read my Heart, whilst I write this, I natter myself you would all be thoroughly persuaded that the preserving and Improving our Mutual Regard and Esteem will ever add very considerably to the Satisfaction and Happiness I now feel in subscribing myself your much Obliged and Affectionately Attached Friend, LUCY SHEFFIELD. 313 CHAPTEK XIV. 1795. LUCY, LADY SHEFFIELD, 'THE DEAR LADY.' Lady Sheffield's influence The Birthday dance Eeception at Carlton House East India Company entertain Warren Hastings Louisa leaves Bath Serena's regrets Wheat and flour Mr. Jekyll Effervescence of wits Madame d'Arblay Edridge's portraits Lady Sheffield to Maria The Brighton ball Attempt on the King's life * Vie de Madame Koland ' An old friend's wedding. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place : January 1, 1795. I CANNOT any way describe the various sensations and emotions of my mind in sitting down to write this Letter to you ; but I must hasten to make you understand they are mostly of a pleasing nature. It is your Birthday, it is the Birthday of the Year, and I am even so sanguine as to believe it is the Birthday of the Happiness of this Family. At this moment I am certain your heart pours out the most ardent prayers that it may prove so, and you will feel pleasure in hearing how easy the apprehended Meeting, and all yesterday Evening passed off. I expected civility and even affection in the manner and behaviour of Lady S., but I cannot describe, I can only feel, the many and nameless instances of delicate attention and Feeling which I have perceived in her conduct towards us all, but me in particular, and the kind of attention that could occur only to an amiable mind, and which in these few Hours have opened a prospect to me of greater domestic comfort than I have ever yet known : not the least form 314 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. in her manner either, all easy and natural. Philosophers may preach and argue against a sanguine way of seeing things. But even if I should be ultimately disappointed I would not wish to have other feelings than those that now make me believe everything I wish, and that cause me to do more than hope to depend (as far as human felicity can be depended on) that '95 will be of a very different colour to '94. At the same time, I am not so sanguine as to be blind, or so happy as to have no contrary feelings ; and I think you would have felt just as I did, therefore I need not say how that was, in seeing him give her, before us all, among many other things of Mama's, her Pocketbook with the Gold Instruments and Lock, all her Rings and the Dew Ring with the Diamonds, altered to form an S. It is very plain however to me, that she has no Idea these things were hers, therefore I restrain my feelings with great care before her, as I should be unpardonable to give her a moment's uneasiness, for circumstances too, that she cannot help were she inclined. One thing I have suggested which I was sure was right, and she seems much pleased at having carried the point which is, that Going to the Assembly to-morrow before they had been at Church, would not have a good appearance in the County ; but this being New Year's Day was a good Cause for having Service at Fletching, and Mr. Woodward was sent to yesterday evening, who answered it was perfectly convenient to him, as there was to be a Christening, which would form a small Congrega- tion in itself and he would give notice to others. They are accordingly all gone. Do you not agree with me that this has been a good manoeuvre ? I must say a few words about our Journey here. We were two hours going to Croydon, as the Streets were so slippery. One of the Horses fell with the Postillion, but neither were hurt ; the last stage, with our own horses, we came the quickest. LUCY, LADY SHEFFIELD, ' THE DEAR LADY.' 315 It was just five when we arrived, and we found the Lady dressed in her wedding garments to receive us. She seemed very much agitated at first. You would love her if you saw her affectionate and warm heart peeping forth without the possibility of supposing it acting. The most suspicious person could not have a doubt, and anyone the most disposed to see things in a rebellious manner must have been disappointed in their intentions by her manner. For my part, I wish I had more merit in my behaviour ; but believe me, I have none ; for I feel delighted to think when sooner or later troubles come, as we who know the gentleman must fear, that we shall be a mutual comfort to each other, and if those or any other troubles of the kind do not come, we must be as happy as possible. I cannot help repeating much the same as I believe I have said before, but my heart is full of these feelings, and the overflowing of it will not be unpleasant to you, I am certain. It is a brilliant Day and likely to last so. I am not very superstitious or absurd on these subjects, but I wish no Cloud may appear in the Sky, and I will suppose it an Emblem of the ensuing year. Adieu. I have written a long letter, and it is a great satisfaction to think you will read it with as much pleasure, (Did you suppose I could be so conceited?) as I have had in writing it. Once more Adieu, and Believe me for ever, Yours most affectionately, M. J. H. Aunt and Louisa send their kindest love ; but have too just an opinion of themselves to suppose their letters can be worth reading at the same time as mine ; therefore defer writing to another day ! 316 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place : January 8, 1795. ... I suppose Aunt has told you of our dance on my Birthday. I have not enjoyed dancing so much for a great long while past ; we had seven or eight couples, and danced every dance down twice and very seldom sat down for more than a few minutes. . . . You would be terrified at the disorderly hours we keep . . . the day after the Dance, we did not breakfast till past twelve. In a common way, we do not assemble till near eleven. Dinner nearer to 6 than to 5, and retire between 11 and 12. * My Lady ' improves upon us every day. I do really think I never saw a pleasanter creature. Her Spirits seem to the full as likely to run away with her, as mine can be, and she is all Mimickry and Drollery, that is to say, before Grandpapa and Grandmama l came ; for yesterday she was upon her good behaviour. Aunt has determined to go on Tuesday. Papa and she will have a scuffle over it. Louisa and she wish you to look if their Tickets in the Irish Lottery are Blanks or Prizes ; Nos. 21,034, 20,775. Louisa likewise desires me to remind you of the Phosphoric Matches. Mrs. Maynard and Jacky removed themselves on Monday last. Marina stays here till we go to Town ; there is a call of the House on the 20th, which will oblige Papa to go. Mr. Hayley and Tom come to-morrow ; he is going to place the Boy with Mr. Flaxman. Adieu I envy Aunt and Louisa seeing you so soon. Your sever M. J. H. 1 Lord and Lady Pelham. LUCY, LADY SHEFFIELD, 'THE DEAR LADY.' 317 Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : January 28, 1795. Thou dear Child. I cannot help venting a little of my delight at your letter received yesterday. You were all my own Maria when you wrote it, and every feeling of your heart was amiable while you were painting the dear and really charming woman with whom you had passed so happy an evening. A Blessing to us all, I do indeed agree with you, she will ever prove, and your sweet prayer that she may herself equally continue happy I most heartily join in, and trust there cannot be a doubt of. She is formed to attach every one to her, and just the Woman my Brother must ever love and esteem ; while you two will enjoy each other as cordial friends, in which there is so much comfort that in truth nothing can equal it. I look forward to more happiness than you have long known, for even to you I may say that she will love you the better the more she knows you. She will find that your ' brusqueries ' are only lip deep and on your sincerity she may now depend. Allow me to say too, my dearest Maria, that she will be of infinite use to you, for her manner, which though lively, is uncommonly playful, never a moment deviates from perfect feminine softness and elegance, will soften your sometimes too wild spirits. Never seeing a sharp angle you will take up the same tone insensibly, and then I may say, without flattery, that you will be a sweet companion and that I shall have little left to wish. . . . You will easily imagine how often Louisa and I wish we could fly to you and how much we talk of you. ... I shall long to see the dear Lady and you presented. . . . Adieu dearest Maria. Beg of the dear Lady to love me, and to accept Louisa's and my most affect, wishes. Also to dear Sheff. Yours ever 8.H. 318 GIRLHOOD OF MARTA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. Serena to Maria Joseph a. Bath : Sunday morning, February , 1795. I am sorry that Pap. could not make Mr. Pitt sensible about Franking. Not that I perfectly comprehend how far the evil will extend. The powder tax I confess appears a very good one. I only grunt over the wine as I already pay twenty-six shillings a dozen and do not approve of adding six more. Tell me, have you heard that Lord Howe's orders are such as to restrain all his motions ? I was told that he and all his Officers were pre- vented acting when they had such opportunity, as to make them half wild at remaining inactive, and that the account came from an Officer on board one of his Ships. Hannah More, ' entre nous,' my Authority, who is not you know Anti-ministerial, and vouched it as ' pos ' truth. . . . Why do you not tell of Sir J. Borlace Warren ? We hope he has taken fifteen ships, and we intend that the King of Prussia should have drubbed the French handsomely. Pray confirm it ... God bless you my child. Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : March , 1795. ... I wish I could persuade you to be very much tired of London at the time that I suppose Louisa to leave me, and that you could get some young friend you like to come with you to me in her place, for I confess I feel a Coward and want you to comfort me. I would do anything on Earth you liked best, or take any excursion, were it to the Antipodes to amuse you. I would seriously try to coax Mrs. Carter to let Harriet Clinton come, and I would pay your journey etc. Think about it and let me know if there is a shadow of hope for me. I rejoice the LUCY, LADY SHEFFIELD, 'THE DEAR LADY.' 319 dear Lady has been out and hope she will soon regain her strength. Adieu, dearest of all Marias. I am very sincerely yours S. H. Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : April 10, 1795. And now before I talk of anything else I will answer about your coming and Louisa's going. Not in the remotest or most jaundiced corner of my heart could I ever take what you say as want of kindness to me. I am very sure if I was in a situation to make you really necessary to me, you would come, and with that belief what can possibly be so pleasant to me as your openness ? It is the only thing that can give me ease in proposing schemes at any time and, most assuredly, I could not enjoy your giving up the pleasantest time in London. . . . She (Louisa) is now past eighteen. On the whole I do really wish her to be four or five weeks in London to see her friends, and in short to have some of the advantages of her father's House, and Lady Sheffield's society as well as yours. Maria Josepha to Serena. London : May , 1795. I am going to make my Debut to-night at the Marchioness of Buckingham's which is to be a superb Ball, on the approaching Marriage of Lord Temple and Lady Ann Eliza Bridges, and to which I hear, between 900 and 1,000 people are invited. I expect to be much amused with the various extra- ordinary figures I shall see. I have not yet seen a Crop, except walking in the Streets ; when, their Hats being on, the full Quizzism of the thing is not displayed. Lady Auckland is so good as to take me ; her two eldest girls are just presented and look beautiful. 320 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. The West India Fleet at last has had fair winds for its setting out and I hope will have no more obstructions. Adieu till to-morrow. No one word about the 'Memoirs.' They are hastily drawing to a conclusion. I suppose there cannot be more than twenty pages wanting to finish the second volume. Papa always intended you should have a copy. I am sure it will interest and amuse you, more than anybody, except just ourselves. You will be at home on every page. Yours most truly, M. J. H. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. London : Friday morning. We returned from Lady Buckingham's at five this morning, and I have only time to say it was a very fine Ball, and for a fine one, pleasant, as I met a great number of people I knew. There was a great number of Beauties and a great Crowd. Not a great number without Powder, but almost all with the Hair turned up behind and no Curls at the sides. Adieu. Yours affectionately M. J. HOLEOYD. Friday. To-morrow we dine at Sir Joseph Banks, go to the Opera Concert, Lady Galloway's assembly and Almack's. My lady does all but the last. I go with Lady Kothes. 1 I have been frequently to the Opera this year, which is a great treat to me. I have not time to add much as I did not wake till half past one, and ever since I began dressing I have been interrupted by various and sundry people coming, to whom I appeared in my deshabille ; among the rest my Uncle and Aunt Greg (Gregory Way) whom I had not seen for several years. 1 Sister of Lucy, Lady Sheffield. LUCY, LADY SHEFFIELD, 'THE DEAR LADY.' 321 Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. London : May 12, 1795. My dear Miss Huff, I have indeed been as gay as possible this Winter and since Easter, particularly so. I had a delightful pleasant Ball at Sir J. Coghill's on Wednesday where I danced nine dances without stopping a minute, and came home between five and six without feeling tired ; tho' I had been in the morning to -Carlton House, and we had Company to Dinner, and an Assembly to go to first. I had not been before to Carlton House, as we waited, thinking there would be less crowd the second day than the first. Only a few are admitted at a time into the Room where the Princess is, and when they have been presented, they pass on ; therefore, there is no pushing and squeezing as at St. James' ; and as the Company move on thro' the Suite of Rooms and none are suffered to return, if the numbers are ever so great, they cannot be as troublesome, as they all move forward the same way. The Presentation is the most formidable business possible, so much so, that neither My Lady nor I had the least idea what the Princess had on, or what the room was like, tho' a slight View showed it very magnificent. Alas ! Poor Woman ! she has probably too often wished herself in a less splendid dwelling. The P's behaviour is ... but it would be endless to repeat half the stories that are told. . . . The East India People are going to give a Great Ball to Mr. Hastings which I hope I shall go to. I was at the Tryal the day sentence was passed and wished much you had been there, having been such a constant and eager attendant at the beginning of it. Adieu, my dear Miss Huff. Ever affectionately yours, M. J. H. Y 322 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. Almacks was a good Ball ; but not quite so pleasant as the last, from there being more people. I danced only with the gentleman about whom you make so many enquiries. I am very sorry to inform you that he is an Irishman ; in the Law, but without a single Penny ; but very pleasant and does vastly well to fill up my time in the flirting way, as he has all the disposition possible for it ; but any further I have not considered the matter. You made me laugh with your solicitude about him, and I hope on your return to Bath you three Dowagers will lay your heads together about it and talk wise. Louisa has never honoured me with a single observation on the subject, which has disappointed me very much as I thought she would be sagacious on the occasion. I must conclude, but I cannot help telling you what a favourite Mr. Tennant is, both in Lord Pelham's family and this. Thank my stars ! My Lady has gained the point of having him as the * Apoth ' of the family instead of Mr. Farquhar. Adieu. Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : Tuesday, June 9, 1795. You are a dear Soul, and are always attentive to me in time of need. Your letter has really done me more good than anything else could, and I love you for the thought. Three years and a quarter never having had dear Louisa out of my sight, and so often requiring care, I may as well confess what you would know without it, that it is like tearing a Polypus out of my heart, root and all, and that I feel like Jacob, bereft. ... As soon as I recovered my Stupor yesterday I took such an Antipathy to everything round me that I went and shut myself below stairs where I never sit, and I rejoiced sulkily in the rain that nobody might call, tho' I was sorry for the LUCY, LADY SHEFFIELD, 'THE DEAR LADY.' 323 poor travellers. . . . Bull chose to have everybody un- comfortable and therefore took poor Tuft l to be washed. Then, because I left the drawing-rooms, she took up carpets, etc., and 'made a compleat bustle. I thought I should like it, but it made me worse. I had a letter to- day from G-. Coxe [Rev.] dated just as he landed in Ireland after a passage of eighteen hours. Tell dear Louisa I hope to hear she is good and happy the moment she sees you. Bull says the whole house is dismal. I am sending her and William Foley to the Play to-night to comfort them. Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : July , 1795. I had a letter from Ireland yesterday from G. Coxe, who says that in one day he had rode forty miles, travelled in a coach twelve, and afterwards danced from eight o'clock till Four. If I did not suspect him of ' Zigzag,' I should suppose him crazy as he has just sense enough to imagine I may do. He is living gaily at other people's houses, tho' attending his Church, where the Congregation daily encreases and the people all civil, etc. He says that in the neighbourhood of Kelly, about ten miles from him, the ' Defenders' are again very daring ; burning houses ; laming cattle and roasting people alive ; harrassing the Military who are night and day out ; but do not seem in their hearts much against them. I beg leave to write ' Zig ' under the roasting part of his story, though he says it is literal fact. I dare say he was told it. 2 We want t< make a subscription here to enable the Bakers to give bread cheap to the Labourers' families and the poor industrious, but it is not easy to prevent impositions. Adieu, dearest of Marias. 1 Lady Sheffield's dog, adopted after her death by Serena. 2 Witch-burning having taken place in 1895 in Ireland, this story m; be true. Y 2 324 GIKLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. Serena Holroyd to Maria Josepha. Bath : July , 1795. Though I have taken no notice of it, I was not in- sensible to ShefFs motions in Parliament. I approved Mr. Pitt's coincidence. Also of the Honourable mention and recourse to last year's Exchequer bill business, of which he was Chief. Sheff may well hold me cheap as to Politics in general, but I don't allow him to suppose me torpid where he is interested. My great Garden is, I assure you, full of sweet roses of various kinds, though I am actually cold over a large fire. There is a most unpleasant sharp dry air that shrivels my poor old flesh and freezes my blood. You will all be warmer in the good house at S. P., which is now no small advantage. Adieu, dear good thing. Love to all. Yours Ever, S. H. Maria Josepka to Serena. [Fragment concerning Wheat and Flour.] July 5, 1795. He, Papa, gave each of the Workmen a 6d. loaf of it, at first, and they all agreed that it was very good indeed, I prefer it to the white. The Parish pays all above 8s. a Bushell ; and Papa has sent the Millers everywhere they could think of, and given them money for the purpose as the Farmers would take only ready money. It is really a pleasant idea that he may have preserved a considerable district around us from the probable dangers of famine in that article at least, and of riot in consequence. I expect some of the considerable people in the adjoining parishes will be indignant at his interfering ; but they were asleep till he roused them ; the essential good he will have done makes that of little consequence. LUCY, LADY SHEFFIELD, ' THE DEAR LADY.' 325 Maria Josepha to Serena. Sheffield Place : July 8, 1795. . . . It is such a sudden transition from the bustle of a crowd to the total retirement of Trees and Crows. Perhaps you will swear at me for this, and perhaps you would swear still more if I acknowledged the total change I feel in myself as to the interest and affection I always had for this place. Indeed, it is the only different sensation I have since the Event, and it is much better it should be so considering what may happen. I love the dear woman too well to feel anything disagreeable towards her for being the cause, and I am sure I shall love her Monkeys when they come ; but I cannot delight in my walks as I used to do. Don't scold or grumble. Indoors I bless the change, for we do not know what it is to be out of humour, or to stamp like a sheep. Therefore I am more than satisfied, but when I write to you I cannot help turning myself inside out, and telling everything as it comes into my head. ... I do not mean to make you a compliment, but I must say I know no one but you, who go round about and round about and coax me first into a good opinion of oneself, and then always end with making one sensible (though God forbid ! I, for one, should ever acknowledge it, at the time) that one has not common sense. It is very disagreeable that you would not come to us this summer. I should have liked to talk to you every now and then, and Bounce thinks it right too, for he very often stops at your door to enquire if I am going in. You will repent, I am afraid, of poking me up to write to you, for now I have begun you see there is no end of it. I rather thought as how we should have had a bit of an Epistle to-day, so I write out of spite to bore you. 326 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. Adieu, dear old Aunt. I wish I was with you now by means of a Balloon, and then Papa would bring me back in August. Yours ever affectionately, M. J. H. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place : July 9, 1795. . . . There is now with us, a Mr. Van Couver l who would entertain you very much. He is making an agri- cultural Tour through Sussex, and seems a very sensible, well-informed Man. He has a considerable tract of Land in America, where he has lived several years and has visited several other Countries, from whence he seems to have brought away in his memory many curious and entertain- ing circumstances. The Emigrants you see, are safely and easily landed on the Coast of Brittany ; to have succeeded in their de- barkation, they must have friends in the Country, but whether in sufficient force to enable ( them, when joined, to do anything of consequence, remains to be seen. I shall be impatient for further accounts from thence. The Pelhams propose us a visit on Monday, and Mylord and Mylady mean to return it on Thursday, which is the day of the Quarter Sessions at Lewes, but leave us and Theresa Parker 2 and Miss M. etc. in possession of the house. Our Races this year are very late not to begin till August 6. My time is expired. Yours most sincerely, M. J. H. 1 Of Vancouver's Island. 2 Sister to Lord Boringdon. One of the brightest and wittiest of M. J. H.'s girl friends. LUCY, LADY SHEFFIELD, ' THE DEAK LADY.' 327 Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place July 19, 1795. My lord and My lady went to Stanmer last Thursday and returned on Sunday. He went for the Quarter Sessions at Lewes. The Prince sent to ask the Pelhams to the Pavilion one of the evenings, and hearing of our people being there, sent a second messenger to invite them ; and accordingly they all went. They did not meet anybody but those belonging to the Household ; played at Cards ; and were amused by the Musick in which the Prince bore a part. She, poor little Creature, is, I am afraid, a most unhappy Woman; her lively spirits, which she brought over with her, are all gone, and they say the melancholy and anxiety in her countenance is quite affecting. There is a prospect of a Curacy for William Way, 1 which if he can get will be delightful ; he is hardly of age to be ordained, but he hopes it is possible to persuade some kind Bishop to look over that defect and ordain him, in which case he would be quite happy. . . . The Gibbonian Memoirs go on swimmingly. I really think one sees Daylight, and that they will appear before the Extinction of Arts and Sciences in this Country. If they do, there can be no doubt of the Pleasure and Instruction they will give all sorts of readers. Adieu. Louisa is writing. Serena to Maria Josepha. Cheltenham : August 1, 1795. Yesterday, between the hours of four and five, Mrs. Holroyd, Miss Bull and Mr. Tuft arrived at Cheltenham 1 'Mr. William Way played Backgammon for twenty-four hours at a sitting, rising a loser of 10,OOOL' See memorandum on Downman's portrait of W. Way. 328 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. where they were most kindly welcomed by Aunt and Harry (Mrs. Carter and Miss Harriet Clinton). The country most beautiful the whole way and perfectly new the last two stages ergo, a great treat to my sight. The corn looking remarkably fine and strong, though I am afraid last night's heavy constant rain must subdue it. Just after I got out of the Chaise at Eodborough Inn, I had the pleasure of seeing the springs compleatly break down, and felt what an escape I had. Had I just then broke my neck and wakened in the next world I should have gone out of this with my mind in a transport at the beauties of Nature, for indeed within some miles of Hodborough it is enchanting, and the eighteen miles on this side seem a continual fine wood, &c. Miss Mellish passed the evening with us and looked quite pretty without powder, in one of the new little cap bonnets. I should have slept well last night, but that those poor creatures the Emigrants at Quiberon, and all our disasters got so into my head that I could not help being un- comfortable. I dread the event at Quiberon may have other consequences, for those traitors may betray things here, that might as well not be known perhaps. I long to know what the future designs will be, or if all must not now be given up for the Royalists. Also the State of the West Indies terrifies me ; but I will say no more on such subjects. Hannah More's last Ballad is an excellent one, ' The Kiot, or half a loaf better than None.' I rejoice you are all going to Lewes ; but I hope dear Lady will not do too much. I do not admire her squeezing six in a Coach. Love to all dear Sheffs. Ever truly yours, S. H. LUCY, LADY SHEFFIELD, 'THE DEAR LADY.' 329 Maria Josepha to Serena. Sheffield Place : August 2, 1795. The Banks family came on Sunday. The Ladies, as usual, visited Mrs. Newton, and Sir Joseph and Papa the Wool Fair at Lewes on Monday. . . . The Eed Eibbon has made no alteration in Sir Jo. in any other respect than that there is a red ribbon across his waistcoat. He sprawls upon the Grass, kisses Toads, and is just as good humoured a nondescript of an Otaheitan as ever. . . . I assure you Mr. Jekyll is too great a favourite here, to be mentioned in that very contemptuous manner with impunity. I do really think him one of the pleasantest and most entertaining companions I ever met with. For an Acquaintance he is inferior to none for pleasantness, and as far removed from a vulgar Irish Wit as anybody I know. You cannot think how he won even Lady Pelham to like him. I wish you had been here last Tuesday, you would have acknowledged yourself enter- tained. Papa had a little bit of a letter from the Governor of Dominica to-day, but written before his Deed was done I suppose, as he does not mention it. You will see from the Papers he has repulsed the French from his Island. . . . I wish he may be safe from further attacks; but with such a Ministry as ours, never sending out succours till everything almost is lost, there is more to be feared than hoped. Theresa Parker to Maria Josepha. Deans Year : September 1795. ... I flatter myself that Counsellor Jonquill [Jekyll] will not revisit you till after the Stanmer family have left. . . . You know one might as well attempt to analyze an acid and an alkali in effervescence as to tranquillize 330 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYI). you in his company. I hope that said Counsellor will not go to Sheffield Place, as I should really feel too envious. H. Hamilton, Governor of Bermuda, to Maria Josepha. My dear Lasses, My Directress is very much bent on going to England, her health and mine require a change of Climate. Know ye that she was born in England (Bath) and is not of the Gingerbread hue of a Creole. The kind letters she has received from my kindred are a strong inducement. I have sollicited leave at a Peace, for I am still enough of the ' Vieux Militaire ' not to consult my own ease only. D the French ! I have been so over-enraged at the execrable deeds of those Satanic people, that almost they persuade me to be no Christian. That infernal wretch our Neighbour Victor Hugues has lately given some specimens of the sweetness of his disposition, which place the Savages of America in a very fair point of view. But I won't sicken you with a detail of his many infamies two I select and the last I think less odious and cruel than the first. He ordered two Ladies, Whites, of Guadaloupe, to be chained with black slaves and worked with them. An old woman near 80 having been denounced to him for saying her prayers, he sent for her and questioned her if the report was true. She answered that from her youth up she had been in the practice of addressing her Adoration to the Creator ; that she continued to do her duty in the same manner ; that at her advanced age it would ill become her to swerve from the service of her God. ' A la Guillotine ! ' and she was executed. Is Hell warm enough for such a Miscreant ? People tell me I am to be transferred to Guadaloupe if it should be conquered. Well ! I have been a rolling stone for forty-one years, perhaps I may rest and rust there. Let me have some months at least to pass with my LUCY, LADY SHEFFIELD, 'THE DEAR LADY.' 331 friends and then I will resign all thoughts of Europe. Such a resolution may appear to you young people too gloomy, but you forget your Father and I are con- temporaries : he is a year only younger than I am, and yet the fellow has had (like me) the audacity to marry. Yours while you behave well, H. HAMILTON. Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : September 3, 1795. When you left me I retired to my sopha for an hour to meditate and compose myself for a walk. Tell dear Louisa that we shall get tipsy drinking her health, this being her birthday. Mrs. Bull's first salutation to me was a remembrance of her. William Foley gave me to under- stand that being in a livery was unbecoming his future hopes of being raised in the World by some fair one falling in love with him ... so we have agreed to part when I get one to suit me. I think I give no bad wages in giving sixteen guineas besides cloaths. Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : September 6, 1795. I last night heard of Charette having destroyed eleven Thousand and having himself lost sixteen hundred. Miss Hunt got the letter from Honiton. It was written by a young officer on board ' Lord Bridport ' and could not yet be officially known. It was added that the War was carried on in the most savage way on both sides. . . . Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : September , 1795. Miss Cambridge and many Honorables are to subscribe for Madame D'Arfelay's, alias, Miss Burney's new Novel for her and her Husband's and Son's support. I must 332 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. give my Guinea. Will you send a few from your house. To be paid on subscription. It would be pretty, though I confess I am more disposed to buy Bread. Mrs. Lyon has just now written to tell her son of the friend she would be united to if he has no objection, and she thinks it very generous for a Man to allow his hopes to rest on a Boy's decision. There can be no answer to this in less than three months, but if there are good accounts of her son sooner I do not suppose her lover will stay abroad so long. Love to dear Lady S. and so God bless my dear loves of every sort. Amen. Yours ever and ever. S. H. Maria Josepha to Serena. Sheffield Place : September 20, 1795. ... I wish you had not been the most ill-tempered of all Bath Dowagers, for it would have been so delightful to have had you done by Mr. Edridge. I wish you could contrive to be miniatured. I hope you will like Louisa's. Everybody as yet who have seen it quite squall at the resemblance. I own I did not expect anything near so like. . . . He has copied Sir Joshua's Picture of Papa for Miladi very well indeed. I am sure his Image will be scattered over the Land, few people have been more frequently depicted. . . . At Stanmer, in Tom's Eoom, I met with a compleat Edition of Kousseau, by which means I had an opportunity of gratifying my curiosity about several of his works I had never seen. A Volume of Letters is delightful. I wish you could get it, and read four Letters of his to M. de Malesherbes containing an Apology for his Style of Life etc., much of which is in the * Confessions,' but some new and all I think much better told : and likewise two LUCY, LADY SHEFFIELD, 'THE DEAR LADY.' 333 letters to M. de Luxembourg written from Holier Travers, near Neufchatel, giving such an account of the Country, as is enough to make one distracted, ' on peu s'en faut.' As you are a sort of tamed Enthusiast, I think you are quite fit to read these Letters. The weight of Years and Wisdom upon you will prevent the sad effect above alluded to, and yet the native phrensical imagination you are possessed of, will enable you to taste the Description and Style. Ask Orontes if he has ever read the two last mentioned Letters. I should think they would make his Eyes come quite out of his head with opening them so wide, for I believe as how he has a Soul and Heart, (which I think helps the Soul upon these occasions very much) to enter thoroughly into the remembered beauties of Switzerland. Adieu. Yours ever and ever. M. J. H. Maria Josepka to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place : September 22, 1795. . . . Louisa and I returned home from Stanmer the Tuesday after I wrote last, and we passed our time very pleasantly ; though I still think S. P. a more agreeable place of abode, I am much more at home at Stanmer than I was, both with the place and people, which is natural it should be so, now we are more acquainted ; and likewise, the stronger my affection becomes for the dear Lady, which indeed every day must increase, the more I feel disposed for her sake to like her friends and Kelations, and to be pleased in their company. . . . Louisa and I remain here during Milady's confinement. Mr. and Mrs. G. Pelham passed a few days here last week. Mr. Stanley, of the Cheshire Militia, likewise Mr. Jekyll dined and slept here, one night, and we expect him again to-day to dinner ; 334 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. he was in one of his most entertaining humours when last here. Tommy Partingdon and Mr. West came last Friday ; the latter left us next day, but little Tommy is here still and I really think he must have some design upon Louisa or me, by his long visit, but I cannot at present inform you which. All the Stanmerites came on Saturday, Mr. Sec. Pelham with them, who was very pleasant, and meant to stay here till next Friday, when alas ! on Sunday night arrived an express from Lord Grenville, to inform him his Majesty required his services to go to Vienna, and he left us early yesterday morning. Mr. Edridge who painted me for Harriet and began a Drawing of Miladi in Town, has been here, near a fortnight. He has finished the drawing and it is certainly like, though not as pleasing a resemblance as some he has taken. He has copied Sir Joshua's Milord, very well indeed, and made a miniature of Louisa, so like, it is impossible to look at it without laughing, not having omitted her stoop, which in a painting is more picturesque than if she was more erect. I hope Aunt will be satisfied with it ; we are all much pleased. My turn is to come next. Miss Pelham is sitting at present for a drawing as a companion to that of Mr. P. which you saw, and which has been copied for Milady. She, (the latter) is likewise sitting for a Miniature, which she means for Emily. Mrs. Lyon is at Bath and so is G. Coxe and the Trio seem to be constantly together. Aunt has not been so well, I think, since I was with her, as she was at that time. She talks of not sleeping and not being able to walk far, but she rides double, which I hope will be of service to her. Mrs. Gibbon, from her account, appears to be growing so much weaker, that if it is possible for her to die I should think it must happen .soon. I saw her three times while I was there, and never LUCY, LADY SHEFFIELD, THE DEAR LADY.' 335 was in any person's company I thought more entertaining and cheerful than her. The Harvest has been got in without a drop of Bain, and the Crop of Oats, which from being sown later, did not suffer from the cold and wet of last Winter, so much as the Wheat, is so considerable about us, that Papa has found difficulty in putting it all in his Barns. One field of twelve Acres in Coleham, and another at the bottom of the Lane going to Fletching produced four Load per Acre, which is nearly double the usual quantity. I hope the Wheat being got in without the least Injury, will compen- sate for the Crop not being so great, as might be hoped for, and I think people are pretty well disposed to make use of substitutes. Potatoes come in aid extremely well ; our bread is one third made of them, and there cannot be better bread when pains is taken about it. Adieu. Yours ever affectionately M. J. HOLKOYD. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place : September 30, 1795. To my very great satisfaction and pleasure, Emily 1 got an unexpected leave to accompany Milady (her sister) to Town. I wish them all home again, though to do our powers of amusing ourselves and one another justice, the two days that have passed since they went, have flown away so quick, every hour that struck and every Meal that came before us appeared to be premature. Mr. Pelham declined the Post I mentioned, and is to return to Ireland, which all his friends wished him to do, as if he once engaged in the Embassy line, a man of his Abilities never would be suffered to remain quietly at home, and he would be eternally sent about from Court 1 Pelham. 336 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. to Court. Lord Camden likewise begged him to continue with him so earnestly, another winter at least, that he could not quit him, at present. I am surprised we have no accounts of the landing of the Comte d'Artois. Henry Clinton sent us an account of the only news that has arrived from General Doyle, which was dated the 18th, and they were next day to attempt landing on the Island of Noirmontier, which they expected to be very easy as the French force there was very small. Puiraye had deserted from us; his friends gave out he was only going to rouse the Chouans in la Vendee. This is the man who had chiefly the command of the last Expedition. They are a sad set of Vagabonds, Emigrants and Republicans, to be sure, it must be allowed. Mr. Edridge left us on Monday, having finished the drawing of Mylady begun in London, the figure of which was better than the face; made a drawing of Miss Pelham excessively like ; copied that you saw of Mr. P. ; copied Sir Joshua's picture of Papa in miniature for Milady ; painted an excellent Miniature of her for Emily, which he is to copy for me, and painted Louisa's and my Picture for Aunt so that he carried off a good many Guineas. I like the Style both of his Drawings and Miniatures very much, and shall be impatient to know how Aunt approves them. Our Butler, Mr. Foy, seems a very civil, well-behaved Man, though an Irishman. Don't you remember attack- ing his Lordship for his prejudices about the poor man's Country? The Housekeeper, who is a high-spirited Dame, has plagued poor Milady with quarrelling most vehemently with Mr. Foy, but I think at present she is a little calmed. The Memoirs are in a progressive state, and I should hope Papa's being in Town may help to forward the LUCY, LADY SHEFFIELD, ' THE DEAR LADY/ 337 Publication, as Printers are people who want much spurring. Milady has taken nobody to Town with her but Mrs. Quin and the Kitchen Maid. Mrs. Q. I think will not stay long ; and I am sure I hope not, she is as idle in the way of work, as it is possible even the gentle Lady is frequently finding fault with her, which she does not take good humouredly ; and she is much too pretty in my opinion, and knows it too well. Adieu. Yours ever affectionately, M. J. H. Lady Sheffield to Maria Josepha. Privy Gardens : Tuesday, October 20, 1795. ... I send you some Gloves. Your Clogs and your Satin are likewise sent. And now, My dearest Puss, I am going to ask a favour, which if you grant you will doubly encrease every comfort you have already so tenderly assisted in procuring for me, and add very much to the satisfaction and pleasure the Dearest of Fathers feels in your sweet and constant attention to me. It was ray Idea, from thinking it an attention I owed to Dearest Aunty that she should be sollicited to answer for my poor little dear Babe if it should live to become a Christian (jointly with Mama), as there is nothing uncommon now in having Four whether a Boy or a Girl. I find by what I have endeavoured to collect, that Dearest Aunt and the Good Dear Man will be both as well, and the latter better, pleased if you would undertake it. I had a sweet and dear letter from Bath on receipt of the Pictures, and from what she says I think it would be more gratifying to her not to be answerable the first, but stand the chance of a second opportunity rather than that I should not have the comfort of your being one of them. My intention therefore is that if it is a Lord Herbert, the Sponsors z 338 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. should be my Father, Yourself, and another Man and Aunty. The Gentleman seems to think Uncle Way would not like the office. If a Queen Mab, my Brother, Mama and you. Both ways I hope to have the Dearest Puss, so let me know what you like about it now I have told you what we shall be delighted with. I have not seen Lady Shelley, as I am positively forbid the Streets, they have not been new paved, and some Carriages have been actually overturned from the badness of the Pave- ment. What a Shame ! Bless you, Dearest. Once more Adieu. The Dearest Dear Man desires his Love and Blessing to the Dear Bratts, and wishes they would let him know how the Weir looks, and whether the Water falls over the Bay properly. Good night, and love me as your sincerely and truly affectionate LUCY SHEFFIELD. Maria Josepka to Serena. Sheffield Place : October 23, 1795. Harriet and I dined, dressed and slept at Mrs. Luther's on Tuesday for the convenience of going to the Ball at Brighton with less Trouble. Lady C. Strutt took us, and I found it an uncommon pleasant evening, partly I believe because I had not formed any great Expectations of pleasure. The D. of York and his Suite left Brighton the morning before the Ball, of course none of them were there. I danced before Supper with Mr. Stanley of whom I think you have heard before. He was here for a couple of days not long ago and I had the Good Fortune to have him as my Supper Partner. His con- versation is of such a different sort to that of young men in general, and we conversed upon such a variety of subjects, that I never passed two or three hours at a Ball more pleasantly, and my ci-devant Flirt Mr. Miller with LUCY, LADY SHEFFIELD, 'THE DEAR LADY/ 339 whom I danced afterwards seemed considerably lessened in my eyes by comparison. We returned home at five o'clock. My lady has expressed her wish that I should be one of the Sponsors for her Babe be it Male or Female, as it is no uncommon thing to have four, Lady Pelham the other. She desires it as if she were requesting such a favour that I am rather pleased she sees it in that light, as it gives me an opportunity of obliging her ; but it was my wish before she mentioned it, though I thought it was not the thing, to offer myself, or at least was doubtful about it : but if I had not thought about it, I should like it, from both her and Pap wishing it. I expect a long letter soon. Your last to Louisa was received in my absence and committed to the care of Vulcan before my return ; because I suppose there was some moralizing in it. Yours ever truly M. J. HOLBOYD. Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : October 25, 1795. The soldiers are all manoeuvring and firing at such a rate in the field just behind my Garden, that I am jumping and shaking all over every moment. I wish they would spare their powder. As to the subject on which you reason rationally, I am not sure I quite agree with you. I do not think it a fair trial of a man's understanding his talking in a trifling manner situated as he was at the Coach Door before such witnesses. . . . You have never heard any unfavourable account of him from anybody. He is also in manners a Gentleman. He may rise in his pro- fession, and I think dear H. has many disadvantages for so sweet a girl, which makes me wish her settled if it can be with tolerable prudence. You are a dear sort of a z 2 340 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. thing after all, and know yourself very humbly, but I would not give you the same Advice, for you would make a D of a Wife to a Man you could not look up to as high as a Steeple. It would require uncommon Sense and Temper to make a right impression on you, for which I humbly hope if you marry you will not be the Guide, because you could not be happy without preferring his judgment to yours. I give free consent to Mr. S. and a great deal more than consent for I would love him. If you meet again I wish I could be your invisible Sylph to check some things. You should have all your own powers of plea- sing without your impetuosity and thoughtlessness. You should be animated without losing softness or delicacy, you should never show feelings you ought not to express. The Man who thinks of a Wife is, believe me, a very strict observer, however he may seem enamoured. Could I but make you quiet and above fluttering at the notice of an agreeable Man, you would be as near my wishes as you well could be. Dearest of dear Marias, do love me enough to think seriously of conquering these points in yourself. Believe me, near as you are to me I have not escaped being told of these faults as being so far against you as to prevent Men being more than partners for a time. What pity with all Nature has done for you ! God bless you ! Your happiness is very essential to making me like this little Globe I assure you. Give love to dear Louisa and Miss P. Ever and ever yours S. H. Lady Sheffield to Maria Josepha. Privy Gardens : October 24, 1795. The Trio in Privy Gardens are still in good Preserva- tion. ... . I suppose you have seen in the Gazette that the Title LUCY, LADY SHEFFIELD, 'THE DEAR LADY.' 341 of Loughborough is granted to all the Erskine Family. Be so good as to say we desire if all the Turkeys and Geese are not eat, that Mrs. Harrison will sometimes send them up to us, as we cannot live upon the half Sheep she sends once a week, and as to the Pheasants they do no- thing towards keeping the Family. Veal in London is IQd. a pound. They must send things by the Coach as judiciously as possible, as they have just doubled the Carriage from Ish. to 2sh. this year. The Coach waits to take us out an Airing, so must say Good-bye. God Bless the Dear Good Babes. Adio. My Lord desires that pretty Poll will send up Five yards of the New Blue Cloth and he hopes Miss Harriet and the two Misses behave themselves perfectly well. He begs it may be announced to Fletcher that Hay is six Guineas a load in London and that he should not sell for less than 51. or four Guineas and a Half. Lord Sheffield to Maria Josepka. Privy Gardens : Half-past twelve, Wednesday morning, Oct. 28, 1795. . The most precious Woman is said to be safe. . . . The Doctor and all the Women declare they never observed such an Instance of fortitude and Patience in all their experience or a more painful case. The mother and son could not both be saved. I am perfectly satisfied that the dear Woman is safe. I only fear that she will be still more uneasy when she recovers strength. . . . She now talks with great cheerfulness, but Brush will not allow her to talk even a minute with the dear Emily, who has proved herself as amiable as might be imagined on the occasion. The Coachman must return, but I send orders for John Joyney to carry a note to Stanmer, which should be there at half past eight as Lord Pelham is to 342 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. come to Town this day to attend the reading of the King's Speech. It is now half past one o'clock. Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : October 30, 1795. One little line in my Louisa's letter was a comfort you did not think of, because you did not know I had terrified myself about William Clinton, having been told that he and Genl. Doyle and L'Isle Dieu were fallen into the Devils' hands, and I believed it for a whole evening and night. Next morn it was contradicted, but I still felt anxious, so that your saying William was daily expected, gave the security I wanted. Oh dear ! Oh dear ! when will all fears cease of these Hydra Headed Monsters ? We are comforting ourselves with the hope that the Austrians at least will revenge themselves on the paltry King of Prussia. Poor Austrians ! they have acted bravely and suffered enough. I do wish them some compensation. I had written quietly thus far, when some lines from dear Sheff, which it was truly good in him to send, have agitated me and will end my other subjects. That the good amiable Woman is safe seems compleatly to comfort my Brother for the Death of the Babe, and he thinks of nothing but her Patience and her not being disappointed. I love him for it, as it is often the contrary in Men. Her life is truly precious to us all. . . . Mrs. Lyon got the most delightful Letter from her Son, dated Sept. 8, not only saying he was well, but giving the most perfect happy approbation to her intended Marriage, so that I hope soon to tell you all my secrets, tho' I am earnestly requested to be silent a little longer. LUCY, LADY SHEFFIELD, 'THE DEAR LADY.' 343 Maria Josepha to Serena. Sheffield Place : November 1, 1795. The King was at the Play on Friday, and most graciously received. ' God Save the King ' called for and played three times. What a Situation the Country might have been in, if that Infernal Plot had succeeded, and as it is, the disposition of many people is very un- pleasant. He was pelted returning from the House, and his Coach pulled to pieces on its return to the Mews. The Isle Dieu Colonel has reason to be proud, so many hearts trembled for him last Sunday. Mr. Jekyll came here to Church, and told us the news with great satisfaction. He thought Opposition would meet Mr. Pitt with something to fling in his Teeth, and only think how disagreeable to have Blank Monday without a Post follow this information ! What wretches Politicians are ! Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : Sunday morning, November 1, 1795. Kaining torrents. Yesterday we exchanged letters, by which you will find that the news from Privy Gds. was sent me directly, and the next day was followed by a bulletin from Miss Pelham saying the Doctor found the dear Lady's pulse as well as if nothing had happened, which comfortable account was I hope the reason of my not hearing again yesterday. This is the only subject almost that could take the place of the horrid attack upon the King. I can scarce yet recover the idea. I think nothing is clearer than' the intention to murder him, and that it was to be- .the beginning of a General Revolution. Conceive the Con- fusion we might now be in had he not been providentially 344 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. saved, almost indeed miraculously. I must think that the late Conventional Meetings were preparatory to this, and in spite of Lord Lansdowne's Diabolical Surmises, that it is a most serious business, but I hope it will be taken up in such a manner in Parlt. as to make us more secure than if it had not happened. I see my Brother is one of the Committee on this business. How very strange that the King should be left with only two Servants after what passed, on going and coming from Parlt. If he takes no precautions, others should. It is so like the French Devils that all their horrors rise into my mind and make me tremble. I take it for granted you read the Debates, for they are even to me now the most interesting, and I think Pitt's speech beyond anything I ever read. I went thro' Sheridan and Fox. Wit and abilities without a grain of worth or reasoning. . . . This moment the post brings me two delightful bulletins from Miss Pelham, that the dear Lady was to rise to have her Bed made, eat chicken, etc. Thank God ! I now hope all danger over. I went to the Post from Impetuosity. The man asked Five Pence, and I gave it without observing my letters were franked. What sense and Courage in the King to go to the Play, and yet I feel frightened when I reflect on their tear- ing his Coach to pieces even after he was safe. I am glad Sheff carries the Address. I wish all respectable People to show loyalty at this critical moment. It makes one wish for Military Government or even Despotism in preference to such Liberty. We have had Kain enough for a Deluge, and I have stayed two whole Evenings at Home. Yours Ever, S. H. LUCY, LADY SHEFFIELD, 'THE DEAR LADY.' 345 i Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place : November 8, 1795. Did you not tremble for the probable consequences that would have followed, if the King's Life had fallen a sacrifice to the Diabolical Villains who attacked it? and don't you think he had shewn wonderful courage and coolness in pursuing his usual way of Life, going to the Play etc. as before. I heard that some of his Attendants wished to dissuade him from going to the Play the day after the first Attack, and that he answered that they might propose and expect, but that there was a Supreme Disposer of all things in whom he trusted for his preservation. I cannot think how the King can have any private enemies, as his private Character is ex- cellent. . . . Adieu. I have not time for more. From Lady Sheffield. Privy Gardens : November , 17%. My dear Dear Babes may be well assured that She who feels the Affection of a Mother for them will do all she can to hasten her return to them, but she must remember she has a good deal of strength to get up. The first time I have used a Pen is to say that I am Most cordially and sincerely The dearest Maria and Louisa's Ever Tenderly Affectionate LUCY SHEFFIELD. Maria Josepha to Serena. Sheffield Place : November 11, 1795. What a comical Animal a good-natured Friend is, and what a propensity human creatures have to communicate bad news, are the two observations that occurred upon 346 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. reading your letter. As Charity begins at home, I must wish your Friends and Acquaintances to employ you with a little Misery, because from my observations that you go plunging on, out of one, into another uncomfortable scene, I am perfectly convinced, if your Mrs. Lyons, Mrs. Byams, &c., were happy and so forth, that we S. P. folks should do something disagreeable to fill up the vacuum of your mind, and to furnish the supply of sorrowful food that is necessary to the support of your frame. But setting these excellent reasonings aside, I do feel very much for the poor Woman, and still more from thinking that Henry is so soon to run all these risks, and still more than that, for the dear old Aunt who is obliged to undergo comfort- ing the Beastess, at the same time dreading the worst. I hope you will soon know what to hope or fear, as a state of uncertainty or suspense is of all situations the most horrid, and if in future the wicked ones are kept in a State of Purgatory, uncertain what is to become of them, I think the aid of the Great Prince will not be wanted to torment them further ; and now we are flown from the subject I began with so far as the Nether Regions, we will return if you please. Quick ! as fast as you can, turn Heaven and Earth to get la 'Vie de Madame Roland.' We have just got it, and some Passages are Rousseau-like and find their way perpendicularly to one's heart. The strength of mind she shews is wonderful, and in every way, even in those parts to which you will not assent and in others in which you will be shocked, still I am certain you will find great entertainment and pleasure. After having said you will be shocked, I hope I shall not shock you, in telling you it is partly the recommendation and principally the subject of discourse of my dear Mr. Stanley at the Ball. It is true however that he said, if I read it, (when he found from what he had mentioned I was very near setting off from the Ball LUCY, LADY SHEFFIELD, 'THE DEAR LADY.' 347 room to get it) I had better get Lord Sheffield to point out the Passages worth reading. Thinks I, if I wait till then, Lord have mercy upon me ! but I did not say so. I stated very prettily that Milord had many avocations both public and private, and that Milord instead of reading, particularly as his eyes were not very good, liked to be read to, etc. etc. So, at last, my gentleman came honestly to confession, that if I was his sister, he should say, ' Bead the book and no harm will come to you ; but that it would not sound the thing to talk of the work and quote Mr. Stanley for the person who recommended it.' So I have read it, do not feel much corrupted, and only mention my recommender to you in confidence. I should tell you there is nothing against ' les Moeurs ' tho' a Frenchwoman, she never had an intrigue, at least ' avoue ' but she gives a minute account of all her feelings, and the dawning and progress of her opening mind. As she is thoroughly ' naive,' her , descriptions may be of such a nature as a gentleman would not exactly chuse to put into a Lady's hand, at the same time that the mind and heart will remain as pure as before the perusal. Now do get it if you possibly can. There are four Pamphlet Volumes. The 1st and 2nd are very curious, but more political, the 3rd and 4th are her private Life and what I particularly wish you to read and give me your opinion of. I should like you also to read Mrs. WoolstencrofFs ' Vindication of the Eights of Women.' There are many sensible and just observations. Maria Josepha to Serena. Sheffield Place : Tuesday, 15th, 1795. I stand up Champion for Madame "Roland's Purity and Mr. Stanley's Propriety, so cruelly attacked by the Venerable Bede in her last epistle. ... I do not allow 348 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. there are any strong contradictions in her character. . . . Have you got the two first parts of the work ? though they are political they are full as interesting, particularly the account of her being arrested and her confinement first in 1'Abbaye, afterwards in St. Pelagie. . . . We are now reading another publication of the same kind, 'Le Becit de mes Perils,' par Lou vet, who was ' mis hors la Loi,' and pursued at the same time as Madame Roland was, but had the good fortune to hide himself till the overthrow of Robespierre. . . . Adieu, dear old Aunt. Yours ever, M. J. H. Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : November 19, 1795. Will you like to be told I have a blister on my back which I put there last night for the whizzing which came yesterday with as much violence as the first time at S.P. I grew quite deaf with the noise. In the night I had a real pleasant feel from fever. The blister pain gave me spirits and made me rather delirious, and I was un- commonly happy singing the Easter Hymn and 104th Psalm, and my want of voice was no impediment. It shows the delight of a drunken Man. Adieu, dearest Girls. Yours Ever and Ever, S. H. Maria Josepha to Serena. Hook l : Friday, November 21. If ever I write again to the Dearest, of all Aunts till I have said my Alphabet in every Language I know, and drank a Quart of Water, I will consent to feel as queer as at this moment, because I shall deserve it. What can I say, not to apologize, but to express what I would do or 1 Mr. Poole's house. LUCY, LADY SHEFFIELD, 'THE DEAR LADY/ 349 give to recall yesterday's letter, or to erase it from your Memory? I will only throw myself upon your Heart, which knows mine under all its rubbish for the rough Precious stone (am I much too vain ?) that the Cock was scratching for in the Dunghill. I have a great mind to promise I hardly dare write the word perform that with a little more scratching it shall appear in native Lustre. At least at this moment I feel as if this Lesson would remain in my mind. Indeed I shall be miserable till I hear from you again. I am not afraid you will be angry, but I dread your foolish head being so ridiculous as to be vexed. I wish it was not in my power to vex you. But I will add no more on this subject. Pray forget it easier than I can. [The naughty letter which caused Maria such remorse cannot be found, and the burnt edges of the original of this one suggest the measures that Serena took to close the episode.] I have just received a dear letter from Lady Cremorne, supposing me in London with Milady, and asking if I have any Commands or Messages for Bath, where she is going in a day or two. I must thank her myself for her kind attention, though as she will see you I can have nothing to tell her. When you first mentioned a Domestic Worry I feared Mrs. Bull was in it, as I thought you were not sufficiently interested in the others to be worried by them. I am very sorry upon her own account, and hope the Match is not a very bad one, as her Health and spirits are not calculated to struggle against difficulties. Maria Josepka to Serena. November 24, 1795. I am quite delighted Mrs. Lyon has had so much happiness at once, not that I ever doubted her Son 350 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. would do otherwise than give his hearty approbation ; yet it is pleasant all suspense is over. As to your weighty secret, it must either regard the confirmation of your Marriage, which you know I have suspected, or else something wonderful in regard to the Gentleman of Mrs. Lyon's choice. As you must know him now, why did you not tell me who it is, and whether it is anybody I ever heard of ? But you and Louisa are fond of Secrets where there is no occasion, at least in my idea. She is as impenetrable upon all subjects as an old experienced Lady of eighty, and I wish I had some secret of my own ; I would do my best to keep it from you both as a punish- ment for your various ' Cacheries.' Never any astonishment equalled that of Mine, Louisa's, and Fanny's (but I cannot keep suspecting hers acted) as I think she must have seen it beginning, when we found who Mrs. Bull's Husband was. Poor woman ! what can happen to her but Misery, and perhaps Beggary, with such a Man, and how prettily she used to join in laughing at him and his Coxcombries. Well ! nothing is wonderful in the way of Marriages and so I have said a hundred times, and yet I still wonder every day almost. What becomes of Mrs. ' Fooley ' ? 1 We have just received Intelligence that Milord and Mr. Pelham are coming to dinner to-day in order to attend the County Meeting to-morrow at Lewes. ... I shall postpone finishing this till to-morrow, in case the people from Town furnish me with anything to say. Wednesday morning. Oh ! what a delight to have two men in the House ! Seriously, it is so long since we have seen any person 1 Serena's Housekeeper, Bull, passed into Maria Josepha's service in 1797. Her imprudent marriage to Foley was succeeded by two others. In spite of these interruptions she remained the devoted nurse of the family under the name of ' Moomie ' till her death, more than half a century later. LUCY, LADY SHEFFIELD, 'THE DEAR LADY.' 351 mixed in the world, that we had Fifty Thousand questions to ask, and information without end to gain, since Emily's letters are only bulletins and not chit-chat ones. I do hope the dear Woman will be able to come soon now. Doyle is not coming home, since he could not evacuate the Island, (Isle Dieu) without leaving all his Stores behind him, and Mr. Pelham, who has heard what is settled at home in the Cabinet, says they are to remain where they are, but are perfectly safe. It is possible William may leave them, but I don't think probable. 1 Uncle ' Tom was uncommonly pleasant yesterday evening, and they have so much ' egayed ' us that we shall get our healths the better for a week to come. They have just left us to attend the County Meeting and prepare their Address. Lady Webster has another boy, fortunate it is not a girl. They talk of coming over in the spring. I daresay I have a great deal more to say, but it does not occur in the hurry and confusion of having had company. Yours ever and ever, M. J. H. Serena to Maria JosepJia. Bath : Friday, November 27, 1795. Well, you vile impatient Creature, I will tell you the secret even before I am permitted, and all I lament is that I cannot be in a corner to look at your Phiz, to hear you scream your surprise etc., when I tell you that the Rev. George Coxe is the Man. But I will suppose you roaring, and will go on to tell you that I believe to-morrow se'en night the Deed will be done. That no Soul save his sister Harriet Bowdler, and myself know it at Bath. That probably Hippogriffe will give her away, and after breakfast she and her happy Husband will go to Bremerton, which house is lent them for a week or ten days, and it is reported that a certain Dowager who has carried on this 352 GIKLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. love business will be of the party. Possibly to be met there by Lady Eivers. . . . The present scheme is to live at Bath in Church Street (with Miss Coxe of the party) till he fixes at some Living. In the meantime he must go back and forward to Ireland. I have been at Mrs. Gibbon's, and just as I came home first entered Lord Cremorne, and we talked politics, tete-a-tete, for half an hour. Then came Sydney Smith, and talked sentimental till he was interrupted by Lady Cremorne, Lady and Miss Wake, and the Dawsons. . . . God bless you, dear Girls. Many here send love. Yours Ever, S. H. [The Rev. George Coxe married Mrs. Lyon, December 1795.] Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : November , 1795. I allow you to be angry about my secret if you please, but I don't allow myself to be in the wrong. It was not my own secret. I will tell you whenever I am to be hanged or married. I believe there are none but the Bowdlers in Bath that know of our intended wedding. It is to be next Saturday. They breakfast with me ; we then set out for Bremerton, my maid and his man in another carriage, Lady Rivers to meet us at Bremerton. Serena to Maria Josepha. Bremerton : Thursday, December 17, 1795. We went one morn to look at Salisbury Cathedral and to Lord Radnor's for the sake of some fine pictures. There are two Claudes reckoned the very best in the World, and some other beautiful Pictures. As to the Claudes, I could have looked a year at least at them. I never saw anything the least to be compared to them. The place itself flat and ugly. The House old, and nothing at the LUCY, LADY SHEFFIELD, 'THE DEAR LADY.' 353 same time of the beauty of Antiquity about it. A very extraordinary steel chair of exquisite workmanship. Adieu, my precious Girls. Dieu les Benisse, S. H. Maria Josepha to Serena. Sheffield Place : December 11, 1795. Your letter was a very interesting account of Things, and notwithstanding all the affronts I have received, I do sincerely rejoice in the prospect of happiness that is before your ' bien aime.' I wish I knew her, but indeed I feel as if I did know her. I have heard so much ' sur son sujet.' Your expedient of the Candle hint was excellent and very like yourself. I would not wish for any better contriver than you are, upon all intricate and delicate points. And now for Madame Eoland. I am delighted you have got her, and I hope you will not be disappointed in the pleasure I have promised you from her conversation. Do tell me your opinion of the Book as you go on. Have you heard Lady Audley's first Husband, Mr. Moorhouse, is risen from the Dead and returned to claim his Wife? or at least his Money, and as Lord A. married her for that, probably he will beg leave to part with both at once. Instead of being killed in the East Indies, he was taken prisoner by Tippoo, or some of those good folk, and has been exchanged or made his escape lately. At least, this is the story ; I do not vouch for the truth of a single Syllable of it ; not even the gentleman's return ! Adieu, dear old Aunt, Yours Ever, M. J. H. Papa lives in the Board of Agriculture House of Commons and Corn Committee. I say nothing of politics, A A 354 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. because they would be an endless Subject. But I suppose you have read the Bill against Seditious Meetings, and wondered how sensible Men could talk so much and say so little. I have had a few lines from the dear old woman herself this morning, the first she has written. She says she is equally impatient to return as we are to have her, but she has a great deal of strength to recover. Serena to Maria Josepha. Bremerton, Salisbury : December 11, 1795. Lady Rivers and Miss Coxe came as we expected on Monday. The latter goes on Tuesday to Bath to prepare for the Married Couple. We stay till Monday se'en night, and I believe if G. Coxe had his will we should stay a month longer. We are in truth all as happy as possible. That amiable woman seems most unaffectedly to accord in likings, dispositions, etc., with the family into which she has entered. All the family are pouring in presents to George and his wife. Aunt D'Aranda sends Twenty pounds to be laid out in Plate. Mr. Rivers 25Z. for ditto. Lady Rivers brought a dozen teaspoons and iea-tongs new, costing four pounds, as a little keepsake. Sir Peter sends two dozen silver forks, and so on. God bless you Both. Yours, S. H. Serena to Maria Josepha. December 21, 1795. We left Bremerton on Friday and went to Standerwick, a very sweet spot within nine miles of Bath Mr. Edgells, old friends of Mrs. G. Coxe. When I got home I found a dear packet from my Children. Our Duchess of York (Crown Princess of Prussia), in spite of Dr. LUCY, LADY SHEFFIELD, 'THE DEAR LADY.' 355 Randolph's Oratory and his being Chaplain and favourite, prefers the Queen Square Chapel because it is more like going to Church and so quiet. She was so pleased with Mr. Brisbane's Sermon that she asked to have it. She paddles about the Streets sometimes alone in all the dirt to seek out some poor that have been recommended, and does good as privately as possible, and no less sensibly. The Duke and she, arm in arm, go into shops together and are not known, and are diverted making bargains. A chairman heard her say she had no pin, or would pin up her petticoat, and he took one out of his Coat and gave her. She accepted it with a Courtesy, and used it directly. Maria Josepha to Miss Firth. Sheffield Place : December 22, 1795. What in the name of wonder is become of you ? It is almost three weeks since we heard anything of you, and a great deal more, since my own self had a Letter. I hope there is one taking the Tour of England, or else I should be afraid something was the matter with you. The dear people arrived safe and well on Sunday, which I am sure you will be glad to hear ; they left Town on Saturday and slept that night at Mr. Snow's, about a Mile on this side Godstone, and got to S.P. about four the next day ; the dear Lady was not near so much fatigued with the Journey, as I was afraid she would have been, and upon the whole is better than I expected to see her. Thank God ! she is here and I hope a few weeks will restore her to her former strength. Papa says, and upon my word, I believe sincerely at present, that he hopes she will never have another child. I don't say so ; we allow her to have a little girl, you know, and- indeed I should be very sorry if she should not. . . . Sir Jonathan and Lady Cope dined twice at Hook A A 2 356 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. the. last time we were there. Her Ladyship is very agreeable and I don't wonder she should like Mr. Jekyll better than her clod of a good man. Mr. Tennant is very well, but amazingly fat, Milady says. Mrs. Chapman, her nurse, who has seen the ways of a good many in his Line, says she never saw such attention and exactness in the manner of his sending out his medicines. I am very glad any relation of yours should be the substitute, but at any rate, I bless my stars that Mr. Farquhar is routed. Yours very sincerely M. J. HOLEOYD. Maria Josepka to Serena. Sheffield Place : December 25, 1795. I suppose you have been written to from Portland Place ? I would have written yesterday but I thought you would certainly have received information of the event, and when I had the melancholy Task of writing to poor Harriet I did not feel much disposed for any more. . . . We are going on very nicely here. Dear Lady looks very well, and is tolerable. Mr. Woodward, Philip and George dine here to-day ; the Pooles to-morrow, and possibly the Bivetts, but we have not had an answer from them. One little word for Madame Roland. I do not think you very prudish in general, but I do in this instance, because though it is indelicate and therefore would raise a blush if read in mixed company, I do not think it can have any bad influence on the mind and heart. At least I could not see anything seducive in her descriptions, merely laughable, but I perfectly agree with you, they had much better have been left out and that the Book, with a few omissions, might have been made unexceptionable. You do acknowledge, however, that you have been LUCY, LADY SHEFFIELD, ' THE DEAR LADY.' 357 interested and amused which I am glad of. I cannot think what has become of Miss Firth. It is almost a Month since I heard from her. Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : 1795. It blew a Hurricane yesterday, so not being as strong as a Lioness I could not go to Mrs. Gibbon, but I sent dear Sheff.'s scrap which was multum in parvo and will I daresay have given the most perfect satisfaction. Many many thanks for the kind thought of the dear Lady Sheffield intending to send me her hair which T shall value very highly indeed, as Louisa does the delicate little ring. You have sent Louisa's Lally play instead of mine, but I image I may suppose it mine. The accounts of poor old Mother are not what I had any curiosity about. I meant those in Ireland of really forty years ago. These since she came to England can have nothing curious, tho' I am obliged for the intention. May I not burn them ? Yours ever, S. H. Maria Josepha to Miss Firth. December 31, 1795. ... I suppose that you have seen in the Paper Sir H. Clinton is dead. He is to be buried at Windsor in a family Vault, where the Duke of Newcastle was buried, and it is to take place to-day. He has appointed Papa as one of his Executors. 358 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. CHAPTEE XV. 1796. ' THAT SOMETHING MAY COME OF SOMETHING.' JANUARY APRIL, Duke and Duchess of York Brown bread and pottage French guests Anxious times Narrow escape of George III. Publication of Gibbon's Memoirs London life Mr. Stanley. Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : January 1, 1796. I MUST not wait till the post comes in, and will not let this day pass without blessing my beloved Girls as well as my dear Sheff and his Sweet wife. How long are we to Mourn for Sir Henry ? I would do as my Brother wishes. It used to be six weeks for a first Cousin ; but I believe now not above half the time. You, dear Child will receive this on your birthday, so that it has 'to convey to you a double Blessing, and I trust to dear Lady S. for giving you a Kiss, and a remembrance from me with all the affectionate wishes my heart can bestow. More indeed than I can find words for. Maria Josepha to Serena. Sheffield Place : January 3, 1796. Your sweet ambassadress hastened her rising and dressing this morning, to come herself to my room with your dear present and performed all you would have said and done, to a miracle. You are a dear old Mrs. Aunt, and unless you could have given them to me your own 'THAT SOMETHING MAY COME OF SOMETPIING.' 359 self, no substitute could have been more pleasant. I am very melancholic to-day, between Happiness and Sorrow. Something between the sentimental and sad ; for myself I have nothing to wish but to preserve the Blessings I enjoy, and a few little, wise &cs. that will occur to you as necessary to my perfection. But I want the dear woman to be as well as she deserves to be ; and endless wishes for those dear souls in Portland Place, the Clintons. Serena to Maria Josepha". Bath : January 6, 1796. ... I went yester morn into public, my first appear- ance. A concert for the benefit of Sunday Schools In- dustry, etc. It was requested that we of consequence should honour it with our Presence. The Duke, Duchess, and I of course went there at twelve, and stayed till three, listening to Catches and Glees of the prettiest sort ; but beyond all things execrable singers, and I never saw anything so good humoured as the Duke and Duchess were the whole time. She is the sweetest little Woman, doing good everywhere. Giving no trouble or offence. Modest and yet not losing Dignity. Delighted with the privilege of walking with her Husband in all the dirt, and totally unattended except by five Dogs. They leave us next Saturday I understand; but I daresay they will come again as they like us, and are much liked. Ever yours, S. H. Maria JosepJia to Serena. Sheffield Place : January 7, 1796. Yesterday some people were not forgotten, dear old Mrs. Aunt, your health was drank, and many sentiments, if you understand that kind of toast, given on the occa- sion ; and we were wondrous Merry, as the Song says. 360 GIRLHOOD OF 'MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. Some hearts thought some comical things about you, too tedious to relate. I hope no more of your friends have been ' fitty ' or anything like it. The Fullers dined and slept here on Monday, and we played Pope Joan, Whist, and drank Punch, and such celebrities. Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath, Sunday Morn. : January 10, 1796. Yesterday with great regret we lost our Duke and Duchess of York. Would she had a nice little girl like the Princess of Wales. In other respects, I believe her as happy as if she was not Koyal, and her Husband truly fond of her. Sydney Smith asked me yesterday what 1 had done to gain Lewis Way's heart, for that there was no bounds to his partiality, and said that after enumerat- ing my many virtues, he finished by saying, * in short She is amongst Women, what the Dean of C. Church is amongst Men.' Louisa, who knows Sydney Smith will imagine how he looked in repeating this amongst us all. I am sure I am not conscious of your cousin's doing me so much honour, tho' I like to be thought well of by all your connections. . . . This evening we are to celebrate Mr. Pepys' Birthday with a Supper at Mrs. Hartley's, because it was he that made us all (Coxes, etc.) acquainted with her. Adieu dearest Maria, Yours Ever, S. H. Maria Josepha to Miss Firth. January 17, 1796. Catherine Fanshawe, who gave Aunt a great alarm some time ago, is again relapsed, and very ill. Aunt is always getting into one Melancholy scene or other. Mrs. Bull, alias Foley, after all the trouble and vexa- 'THAT SOMETHING MAY COME OF SOMETHING.' 361 tion Aunt had about getting her out of Bath to avoid her husband, has returned there, I suppose, to him. We were in hopes Colonel Way and Parson Way would have been here at Christmas ; but the former could not get leave of absence from Portsmouth, and the latter, who had just cut off his Tail and taken orders, has been doing duty at Denham and Hedgerley, and was not allowed to stir. We passed the time very pleasantly while the Clives were here. We took fine long walks, she, I and her brothers ; indoors we play Battledore, Chess, and amused ourselves so well, that I had no time for anything else. We talk and hear of nothing but Corn. Papa made a long and sagacious Speech at the Quarter Sessions on Friday upon the subject of scarcity, and the measures to be taken in consequence ; adding a little abuse of the Millers who refuse grinding and selling the whole Flour except to Gentlemen's Families, who particularly order it by which means all the Gentlefolks eat Brown Bread and Mixtures, while the Poor feed upon the Whitest Flour, and can get no other. There has been a great alarm in this neighbourhood lately that all the Corn was going upwards. Some people have come down and bought all they could get from the little Farmers, giving three Guineas p r Load more than the Millers here offer ; and then carry it to London, which is a bad business ; and there is no means of preventing it, but by giving an immoderate price. Papa is selling all his Wheat at the rate of 16 P ds to all the Poor who he puts upon his List. It would never hold out for all the Inhabitants of this Parish. We have got some Receipts for Making Pottage of Bones and the coarsest pieces of Meat, which is very nourishing and excellent, the Goodness depends upon the length of Time it is Stewing. Yours Ever, M. J. H. 362 GIRLHOOD OF MABIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. Maria Josepha to Serena. Sheff. Place : January 25, 1796. In as much as there are two Letters waiting to go to you, I must write to-day, otherwise, as I -have not time for a long letter, I would have waited a little. Mr. and Mrs. H. Foster and the two girls came last Sat., and they stay till Monday next. The French folk, Lally, Malouet and the Prince de Poix, came on Monday, not having comprehended we expected them on the Thurs- day and Friday preceding. They made a little Tour of it by taking Cuckfield in their way, and of course from thence they explored some of the worst roads in the county. They narrowly escaped going round by Brighton, which as Lally has been here so often was rather stupid. Poor creatures ! They had not eat anything from 11 to 10 at night when they arrived here, and of course eat most voraciously at Supper. They all seem in tolerable good spirits, and I am sure in excellent Voice, for I never heard such a noise as they made last night after Supper, Lally and the Prince de Poix supporting the right of the Young Princess to the Crown, in case of the King and Prince's death, against Malouet and Mr. Foster, who Maintained the right of the Duke of York. It is wonderful to me there can be two opinions about it, as there is no law to the exclusion of Females from the Crown in England, and of course the Inheritance is belonging to the oldest Branch. But I have met with several people who have made it a doubt, therefore I hope the case will never happen, least the whole Kingdom should be divided in opinion. Papa had a letter from one of his Constituents begging to be informed of the Law relative to the case which he stated as I mentioned. I believe we shall not go to Town yet, and I should not wonder if we stayed till Easter. Papa may possibly go up next week for two 'THAT SOMETHING MAY COME OF SOMETHING.' 363 or three days, and if he does I am hoping to go with him to see Harriet before she goes to Mrs. Dawkins. If I succeed in that, I shall be very glad to remain late in the country, as I am sure it will be of great service to My lady who mends very fast, and it will be a saving to the purses of both Milord and Myself. They talk very much of a Dissolution of Parliament in the Spring or beginning of Summer ; I wish it was well over ; but I hope and believe Papa has no thoughts of Bristol or of any place il he is to be at expence about it. I broke off to correct the Press, and it is too late to add more at present. Adieu. Yrs. ever, M. J. H. Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : 29 January, 1796. Thou dearest of all Eigmaroles. You are more de- lightful in your Medley than the Wisest, and I interpret your misteries better than a Sybil. I comprehend the various movements of mind which you are playing off and I enter into the spirit and essence of every line. "' Cela suffit.' Would it do you any harm were I to confess for once a dawn of something like a hope, or a wish that something would come of something. Comprenez vous ? Don't run wild now and suppose more than necessary, so as to make a disappointment, if it should prove otherwise, but do remember like a dear thing, that all you have to do is to be quiet and prudent, and I suppose the whole of your conduct to be watched. It is indeed most really natural to suppose any rational Man will do so before he ventures to speak. Let him not then see you are to be too easily won. Believe me it is the medium between coldness and the reverse that must gain men. If possible not to let them see their power. To be calm, easy, 364 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. natural, but more quiet and gentle than you naturally are. I almost defy any sensible man not to like you when you are chearful and yet quiet. Exclusive of all partiality you are at such times most really pleasant, and when you suppress little Demons of passion and let the best parts of your heart appear, one certainly must love you. In the last year of your life you have made your character known so much to your advantage, that very few girls have been more favourably mentioned, or more generally known, which by the way may have its good effect, so that nothing can be against you but yourself. Command your impetuosity, your little whims and hurry of temper. Do not indulge the moment at the hazard of your comfort or advantage. This is all you have to do, to be a happy woman, and at all events it is your only means of obtain- ing everything you wish. This is the burden of my Song, and, believe me, not merely said as an incentive to follow my advice, but it is my real opinion. The good accounts of dear Lady Sheff rejoice me. ... I hope you are right as to our Fleet, but letters from Plymouth quite tor- mented me about our Ships. God Preserve them ! Never sure was such weather for so long a continuance. Oh Mirabile Dictu Maria an ^Economist ! Without powder to save it ! Observe my words that the times will do good and teach people to think. Don't imagine I suspect you of too much thought, but in some points people will take the opportunity of an honourable retreat from expences. Never, however, was there remembered a more shockingly extravagant winter known at Bath. It is really shame- full to hear of the Private Balls given with everything brought from Town, etc. One was very excellent. The fruit, confectionery, and most expensive part did not come till next day when the Ball was over. They sat up till nine in the morning. Adieu, Dearest Maria. Tell Louisa that I give her great credit for her advance in dress, and 'THAT SOMETHING MAY COME OF SOMETHING.' 365 set it down to myself. What will be said in future of a sage old Aunt preaching coquetry and dissipation ? As my two children are opposites my advice must be (like a Lawyer) calculated for both sides of the question. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheff. Place : Monday, Feb. 1, 1796. You will have seen in the papers Admiral Christian's Fleet is returned to Portsmouth. What an unfortunate business it has been. ... The French Folk left us this morning. They have been very entertaining tho' as noisy as I expected. Lally and the Prince de Poix have sung a great deal, and the former read Zaire last night and repeated in a preceding evening some scenes from a new Tragedy he is writing, founded on the Polish Eevolution, called Kosciusko, the name of the General. They were all in good French Spirits, that is, one minute crying over the Letters they received from France, and the next laughing, singing, and talking Nonsense. The 1st vol. of the Gibbonian Memoirs is quite printed off and the 2nd so far advanced that I now begin to hope, with some confidence, the work may come out soon after Easter. Milady and I are excellent Devils, and corrected yesterday 3 sheets of 16 pages each. Tomorrow there is a Navigation Meeting. Alas ! the. poor Navigation ! Adieu. All here desire to be Kindly remembered. Yrs Ever, M. J. H. I should not wonder if we go to London very soon. Papa says he will not again go up without My Lady, and the Corn business is very likely, I think, to call him up, and as that is a subject on which he is so well informed and may be of great use ; we all wish him to go on with it. 366 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A IIOLROYD. Serena to Maria JosepJia. Bath : February 5, 1796. I am not quite easy about dear Lady Sheff. I am convinced those spasms in her throat happen from relaxation and weakness. . . . How shocking the attack again upon the King. I am terrified lest it should affect his spirits, or lest at last some Devil may succeed in these attempts. It seems to me as if they were encouraged by finding that there is no punishment for it. I wish a few were hanged directly in Terrorism, for I am convinced these are not days for too much mildness. Lord Sandwich told Mrs. Fanshawe of an intention of proroguing Parliament, which seemed a preliminary to a dissolution and put me in a tremor, and yet I should suppose it could not be a worse period for Government. Tell me all you know, and if Sheff has any plan as to Bristol, etc. A contest seems to be too wild to suppose him to undertake, but I fear being led by fair promises, etc. . . . Bath is intolerable. All Nations of the Earth come to visit us. Once more, dear vile little Demon, may Heaven pre- serve you in the right way. SERENA. Maria Josepha to Serena. February 7, 1796. ... It is surprising how little anybody in London troubled themselves about the Stone flung into the King's Carriage. These enormities are really becoming so common they will cease to create astonishment or horror. It was a smooth flint cut into sharp corners that was flung. It touched the Queen's cheek. The King caught it in his hand and gave it to Lord Harrington, who was in the Carriage, to ' keep for his sake.' The Duchess of Newcastle mentioned this. 'THAT SOMETHING MAY COME OF SOMETHING.' 367 Maria Josepha to Miss Firth. Sheffield Place : February 13, 1796. Now that all the Trunks and Boxes are ready to lock and nail down, I can set down comfortably to write to you my last letter from the Country. We go on Monday. The dear Lady has quite recovered, and is, I think, quite as well as before. I hope the moving to Town will not give her Cold again ; but at all events she must keep quite quiet there which is a respite for Louisa till after Easter probably. . . . Papa thought he was in hopes that he should not be wanted in Town for some time : but if he did he found himself mistaken, and I think he was mistaken in imagining he did not wish to go. The Corn Committee cannot go on without him, and I believe he is one of the most active, usefull members of it ; and as this is not a mere political business, but of general Utility, I am very glad he does not give it up. James has at last got a place of 70Z. a year. It is as Collector of Window Tax at Bristol. He must reside there three or four months in the year, and the rest of the time will be at his own dis- posal. There was some difficulty about his age, which Mr. Irvine very kindly settled for him. We saw him the evening we got to Town, and for a wonder he, Mrs. Irvine and the little girl are all well. , . . They are removed into Scotland Yard, so are still nearer neigh- bours to us than they were. We had a good dish of Corn between him and Papa. Miss C. Fanshawe is mending, and they hope will recover at last. She has had a hard struggle for her life. I forget if I told you Mrs. Bull came back to her husband, and is living at Bath upon what she can get by washing. She never had courage to see Aunt. 368 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. Serena to Maria Josepha. In the first place, I likes your history of your own dear self. It seems to me as if you were more happy and comfortable than ever I knew you. ... I am glad you have had some excursions into the riot of London. It mixes very well with your pleasant parties at home. I chuse to know all your Beaux. Tell me something of Mr. Stanley. I approve of being told of Books. I never saw Madame de Genlis' ' Cygne,' but have heard it abused as really unfit, as you say, to be read. Have you read Diane de Polignac's Essays ? Have you seen a little Thing called < Leonore ' ? Maria Josepha to Serena. Privy Gardens : Monday, February 22, 1796. ... I have not read Mdme. de Polignac's Essays. Do you like them? I have seen the little thing called ' Leonora/ and have got it of my own from the Author, alias Translator, Mr. Stanley ; for I suppose you mean a Tale in Verse from the German. I cannot say I am delighted with it. The best parts are the Lines at the End, his own addition. Another Translation is coming out soon by Mr. Spencer which is likely to be better, but Mr. Stanley was very ill used about it. He lent his Translation to Lady D. Beauclerc, who took advantage of it to make beautiful drawings from it, and Mr. Spencer, her Nephew, I think, undertook to improve the Trans- lation, and meant to publish it with Engravings from Lady Diana's Drawings. Mr. Stanley did not intend to publish, but hearing of this he was affronted, and had his translation printed in hot haste. 'THAT SOMETHING MAY COME OF SOMETHING.' 369 Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Privy Gardens : February 25, 1796. We received the account of poor Mrs. Gibbon's death yesterday. For three or four days she has been expected to die hourly. She has gone off without pain. Papa and Mrs. Gould are her joint executors and residuary legatees. He wishes very much to avoid going down to Bath on many accounts, but particularly because the Bristol people would expect him to pay them a visit ... an honour he is not ambitious of at present. Mrs. Gibbon's papers are in such confusion that Aunt wishes him to come down if he can. Aunt writes in great hurry of spirits. Besides not being well and being hurried with looking over the papers, she did not like the poor old woman's death when it came to the point. Papa has not an idea what he will get. She had a very generous mind, and has proved it by her Will ; saying she would not avail herself of Papa's active friendship without leaving him a mark of esteem and gratitude. This will was made a short time after Mr. G.'s death. There was a former one in which she had left everything to him and only a 20Z. legacy to Mrs. Gould. I have not been out in an evening since we came to town, we have had constant pleasant parties every evening at home, really one enjoys society much more in that way than in any other. Milady mentions to all our friends that she never goes out. Theresa Parker and her Aunt Miss Robinson have been here almost every day. William Clinton 1 has likewise been a great deal with us and has got over much of his apprehension and does not seem afraid we should bite him. He is a dear amiable creature and that's the truth of it. 1 William, son of the late Sir Henry Clinton, K.B., married Louisa Holroyd in 1797. B B 370 GIKLHOOD OF MARE A JOSEPH A HOLROYD. Serena to Maria Josepha. March , 1796. Yon must know that rather wishing to soften matters, I had only told my Brother what Mrs. Gould's situation was. . . . Had Mr. Gibbon survived his Step Mother there is a Will in which Mrs. Gould has but 20Z. and a few keep sakes, so that she could not long have expected more. My brother, of course, was not named in that Will. . . . All I thought could be expected from him was to give her the furniture as being scarce worth dividing . . . He keeping his Share of Plate, wine and books and Pic- tures. I shall know to-morrow what he says to her. To be sure if I read the Newspapers I must know that the Gib. Memoirs are going to appear. As poor Mrs. Gibbon determined not to like them I do not regret her not seeing them, and I trust she is better employed, but I long to see them. Tell dear Sheff. I have got the large Bible in the nicest oblique way possible. Indeed after I had sent off my letter yesterday, I had a note from Mrs. Gould full of his goodness about the Plate, and well she might, for the Urn and the very large Coffee pot besides spoons, Sugar things etc. she has a noble Share. In short it was a genteel way of giving her the whole, and she considers it so. The tea pot is just sent me with the tiny coffee pot and Candlestick. The tea pot is hideously old, made out of a Canister for a Tea Chest. I never saw it before. I am however very glad Sheff. has been so genteel. It gives more pleasure and speaks more for him, than the taking all he could. I am afraid these large Jars etc., cased and sent to him will cost a great deal. I will send the little coins by the first friend going to town. I hope the watch was received. There is much of the Ancestry ready to go. The poor Oval Mama over the 'THAT SOMETHING MAY COME OF SOMETHING.' 371 Chimney was rubbed in the forehead, which I observe that it may not be supposed owing to package. Adieu, dear Animal, with love to all around you. Yours, S. H. Maria Josepha to Miss Firth. Privy Gardens : March 18, 1796. Milady has got a fresh Cold and coughs dreadfully ; she was so well before that it is very provoking, she has not eat a bit of meat or been out even in the carriage for four days. The Memoirs must now be out in a few days, Papa and Messrs. Cadell and Strahan have got into a little dispute about a part of the preface they did not like to publish, but I hope it is amicably adjusted ; very spirited Notes passed between them. Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : March 20, 1796. The night before last I went to Lady Northlands' tea- drinking in honour of her Son's Wedding, as he married a Hesketh, niece to Lady H. It was uncommonly genteel. Not too hot, very gay and fine. But it had the advantage of convincing me how very much I should dislike routs, etc. I do not love cards and if I did would not throw away my money. The Lowest is half-crown Casino, and scarce any other game played. Three or four guineas a night so spent if I could afford it, I could not forgive myself for doing it, and without playing, an Old Woman not only passes her time unpleasantly, but looks awkward. . . . Lady Jane Long was a curious Guillotine figure. Not only her head made perfectly easy to cut off without obstruction of any kind, but her body dress seemed cal- culated for it. I am told she is as violent as her Brother, Lord Lauderdale. . . . Yours ever and aye S. H. B B 2 372 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : Saturday, April 1, 1796. To be sure I did get the Memoirs on Wednesday, and in spite of my degree of Fore knowledge they interest and amuse me more than anything I could have, and I think they will do Sheff. credit. I like the arrangement etc., etc. ' cela suffit.' I wish we could send them to Mrs. Gibbon, for as now all her little prejudices are removed I think she would be much pleased with them. . . . They make me feel affectionate to Mr. Gibbon, as you certainly see the most amiable parts of his character in these accounts and in his letters. Only that he must not be proud (where I hope he is) and it would cost him more grinding down to purifie him, I should think he would be vain of this pub- lication, and I am sure no Friend has done so much honour to the Memory of another as my brother has done to his. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Privy Gardens : Friday April 15, 1796. I have been very Gibbonian lately, i.e. very lazy in my correspondence. You will be very glad to hear that the Ceremony of Presentation is over with Louisa, and that she acquitted herself extremely well ; managed her Hoop, very well and nothing could be better than her manner when presented, as if she had been at Court all her life. The next best thing to hear is that neither she nor Mylady are much tired to-day, or feel any bad effect from their grand begin- ning yesterday ; for they went to an immense squeeze at the D. of Leeds at night besides Court. Louisa's Train was a demi-Saison striped Apple-green and White, narrow stripes about half an Inch wide. The Petticoat a rich Sattin striped Gauze, with a very beautiful pattern of 'THAT SOMETHING MAY COME OF SOMETHING.' 373 yellow flowers between the Stripes, a broad Silver Fringe at the Bottom, Silver Gauze, two Ostrich and one Silver feather on her Head. Milady wore the same Train she had last year, a Gold Tissue with a very elegant Petticoat, white crape and gold. Mine was the same in every re- spect as last year at the Birthday. The Drawing-room was very full, which is less formidable and more agreeable than a very thin one, and considering it was so full, we did not stand a great while. All the Eoyal Family was present in all its branches. We were at the Duke of Leeds from ten to half-past twelve, so Louisa had an opportunity of seeing many of the Belles of the day, of whom she has so frequently heard. You would be sur- prised to see how she resigns herself to fate both in going out and buying what is necessary. I want a long Letter with all your remarks on the Memoirs. Maria Josepha to Serena. Monday, April 18, 1796. ... I have not told you we passed three hours at Mr. Stanley's on Friday morning, most supremely entertained with the sight of a large collection of drawings chiefly by Pocock from Mr. S.'s own sketches done in Iceland, Swit- zerland and Scotland, and a Series of drawings by Pocock expressing the History of a Ship from her first sailing out of Port to being wrecked. We were shown many other curious things in the way of Books and Prints, and were treated with a Concert by a Nightingale that did sing sweetly indeed. . . . Yesterday Pap. dined at Lord Fife's, Theresa Parker, 1 Miss Clive and her Brother, and Mr. Jekyll came in the evening. I will not give you the fatigue of hearing of all 1 Theresa Parker married (1798) Hon. G. Villiers, third son of the first Earl of Clarendon, and was mother of the fourth Earl. 374 GIRLHOOD OF MAMA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. our engagements for this week. You shall have informa- tion of them as they take place. ... I think I must con- clude this Letter tho' it is shorter than I like. But now, I recollect, I will not finish till I have scolded you, which I have always forgot, for your Indignation about ' Les Chevaliers du Cygne.' Have I not told you fifty times (more or less) that I had never heard the character of the Book before I read it ; but took it for granted, as her former works were unexceptionable, this must be so, par- ticularly as it was professedly written for youth ! and when I had read it, I only mentioned it to you with sur- prise Madame de Genlis could have composed it. At the same time I do not agree with you that the whole is uninteresting and improbable. Armofle, entirely omitted, I think there are many beauties remaining, but not the slightest excuse can be made for her character in any respect. To make a great Skip to a very different book : Have you read the Bishop of LlandafFs ' Apology for the Bible,' in answer to Thomas Paine's ' Age of Reason.' What I have read pleases me extremely. The Language is clear and strong, and more satisfactory than those things in general are, for I think the more that is said upon those subjects, the more the case is puzzled, nine times in ten. Adieu, dear Old Aunt, M. J. H. 375 CHAPTEK XVI. 1796. THE WOED 'OBEY' is SAID. MAY TO OCTOBEE. Eclaircissement Universal sunshine Serena's home truths Wedding cloaths Tiresome lawyers ' Sheffield for Ever ' Count Eumford on chimneys Obstacles overcome The ' Dear Lady's ' illness The marriage The bride. Maria Josepha to Serena. Thursday, May 5, 1796. DEAEEST of all dear Aunts,: I must compose myself by talking to you a little. How glad I am I wrote my last letter to you, but it was very unfortunate Papa did not come home in time to direct it till the next day, other- wise I might have had an answer this morning before I told you any more, much more than I thought at least so soon, I should have had to tell you. I wish I could fly to you, and stroke you, and beg you not be put out of your way, for your dear maternal heart will feel a mixture of sensations when I tell you Mr. Stanley came to an Eclair- cissement with that Angel of a Woman, Milady, yesterday evening. She is delighted with the extreme delicacy and honour of all his sentiments and has long ago been con- vinced of the warmth of his attachment to me. This morning, but a short time since, she told me all she was commissioned to say. My ideas are not yet sufficiently settled to say more upon the subject. The only thing I could do, is to write to you. But as far as I can see, I 376 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. think I may be a most happy woman too happy, when the prospect is so good, I cannot check apprehensions. I cannot deserve the happiness I enjoy and have enjoyed at home, with the addition of such expectations as I may indulge. Imagine with what anxious impatience I shall expect your answer. I will write more fully in a day or two certainly, but at present I cannot. Tuesday we were at a Ball at Sir J. Coghill's where he was, and where he was on the point of speaking all night without being able to get courage. He is so intolerably diffident, that he would not suppose it possible he could be loved as he must be for his happiness. How anxious I shall be when you first know him to see your opinion. Adieu my dear best old Aunt. Imagine the most affectionate hug I can give you and pray don't yet mention it to any living soul it is such early days. Yours ever and for ever. M. J. H. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. May , 1796. One of my oldest and sincerest friends such as you, will I know receive this letter with a warmth of heart and affectionate feeling towards me, such as I have ex- perienced so much of lately that I am completely over- come by it ; therefore measure your expressions, I entreat you, more by what I can bear, than by what you will feel on the very serious occasion of my happy prospects, which may at first seem a contradiction. I have not before mentioned much about Mr. Stanley because I knew your friendly wishes would lead you on very fast and therefore though certain myself, I would say nothing to raise your expectations. I believe I may say with the most perfect assurance of not being de- ceived, that tjie most amiable and feeling heart in the world is entirely mine, and what so much encreases my THE WORD 'OBEY' IS SAID. 377 happiness that all those I love are as pleased as pos- sible with my prospects. That Angel Lady S. my Pen cannot do justice to. I am only convinced (but for what merit of ours I cannot say) that she was sent into our Family as a Blessing from Heaven. Papa and Louisa are all you can imagine them and dear Aunt's letter this Morning is all herself. I cannot enter into any par- ticulars at present. You may suppose me agitated ; but indeed I am much more so than is rational. However I cannot help it. Sorrow is more easily to be borne with fortitude than joy beyond all the hopes I ever had formed. I have written to nobody about this but you. I wish you not to mention it but knew it would give you too much satisfaction for me to keep it from you, and it is not everybody, who would give me credit for the happiness I form to myself in the idea of being settled with a man I can love, honour and obey, without putting their ridiculous ideas to it and laughing at me. You will not laugh. Believe me that I am and ever shall be your most truly affectionate M. J. HOLEOYD. Serena Holroyd to Maria Josepha. Bath : May 5, 1796. As I think you are a dear impetuous Animal I will not wait till tomorrow, though too late and too tired to say all my say at once, and yet as I can say from my heart that I approve, I think that will be worth sending. I have for some time past exactly hoped what I still hope, not merely in regard to him as being so unex- ceptionable, but as thinking I saw you coming rationally round some deliriums that made me tremble for your peace of mind, and in constant fear of some Sillygisms. You need never fear my severity. I can very sincerely suppose the state of your Mind what you describe, and I 378 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. see more chance of happiness in such a situation than in what you first preferred, because as I trust you have no real levity, as I also trust your principles are generous and virtuous, you surely would not accept what you did not resolve to deserve, and I can trust your real good sense on great occasions ; that you will cease to trifle, and that in fact were you to change your state, you would feel the consequence of preserving the Esteem of the person you chose, and seek his happiness as your own. I have ever said, even when most angry with you, and I still think it, that if united to a Man you could not help esteeming, it would reform you into a rational Being. That having no other pursuit you would be tranquil, and that you would have too much principle to be seriously wrong ; all I ever fear is temper, because of all conquests over one's self that, every hour, is the hardest to change ; but even in that respect your being happy may do a great deal. You will think me pre- mature in all these observations, but my reason is, that I would entreat you to reflect impartially, (before you accept), what you ought to be, and whether you can do your duty, in which believe me, dearest Maria, I include all tolerable chance of happiness. From all I have heard of his disposition I own it did not seem to me as if you were congenial souls . . . but possibly he is the more likely to make you right than if you married a wild Animal like yourself. You are however too rational when you chuse it, not to give me the most sanguine hopes. Who could read for example this candid sensible letter of yours and not take to you. I feel for you more affectionate hopes and wishes than a folio would express. Tell me all that interests me that I may spare myself thinking of any one else. God bless you ever. S. H. THE WORD ' OBEY ' IS SAID. 379 Maria Josepha to Serena. Saturday. I begin by saying, don't mind anything I say if, for instance, I should say I long to see you, because you could be of no real use to any of us, unless Parliament should be dissolved before June, in which case we all hope you will come to us as Milady will accompany Papa to Bristol. But I must be anxious for you to help me to bear being happy. It is so beyond all my hopes and ex- pectations that I should have a prospect of being settled with an amiable man, to the satisfaction of all belonging to me, without any difficulties likely to occur, that I am as perfectly overcome as if under affliction ; and with a heart overflowing with gratitude, I may say, as well as joy, I have a countenance of perfect sadness, and only delight in an opportunity of a hearty cry. And this Man, with his affectionate and tender expressions only makes me so much the worse. How can one feel at the same moment so humble and so proud ? I feel as if I could never deserve the kindness I meet from all, but by being totally different ; and yet I am more vain than I can express, that, such as I am, I should have so thoroughly gained such a heart as his. . . . I am sure I shall affect you, but I cannot help it. Tho' Louisa laughs at me for saying so, yet I must repeat it, as I say, for ever, I have not been used to such affection, and it is sweet to be loved. May I be worthy of it ! and I cannot help hoping I shall, for the change taking place hourly in my sentiments makes me join with you in hoping all will be well. I would be all I should. I will balance all this with a little on the opposite side of the scale, though not personal and yet I think when 380 GIKLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. very happy oneself, one is more apt to feel for those in sorrow, though the contrary has been said by great philo- sophers. The poor Aucklands, for whom we thought of our Balls with most pleasure, are losing one of their little girls, I much fear, after an illness of about three weeks. Poor Mrs. Streatfield is in town, and is very little likely ever to leave it alive. Lady Abergavenny is dying at Bristol. . . . Emily [Pelham] is much better, and going on very well, but . . . will not be at any of our Balls, I am much afraid, which is a sad disappointment. Adieu, my dearest of Aunts and Friends, anybody else might think it very strange if I say, I feel a pleasure more than I can express in the idea you are made happy by all this. You will understand me and indeed would much wrong me if you suspected one improperly vain or con- ceited idea, dwelt in my mind. Once more, Adieu. For ever affec y . Yours, M. J. H. Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : Sunday Morn., May 8, 1796. And what think you, my beloved Maria, was the effect of that dear letter of yours and the few expressive lines of Louisa received today. Absolutely a burst of tears till I sobbed, and which are still running down my Cheeks, and yet believe me, in looking back my whole life past, I cannot recollect a moment of such unmixed sincere heartfelt happiness as I feel at this instant. It is so compleat and so almost beyond idea that every con- curring circumstance should so combine for us all, that I cannot compose myself sufficiently to be certain it is not a dream. And now my dearest Maria, do pray talk for me to Mr. Stanley. Tell him I hope for. a large interest in his THE WORD 'OBEY' IS SAID. 381 heart. That I long to know personally the Man whose character you made me love, even before I had an idea of being interested so nearly in it, and that I expect to owe to him a great deal of my future happiness, in which expectation I have the most perfect confidence there- fore I will now conclude with blessing you a thousand times as I feel my heart too full to say more. Yrs. Ever and ever, S. H. Maria Josepha to Serena. Undated. I should have liked the pleasure of telling you of the unexpectedly happy news of yesterday myself, but I was so very late in getting up, and obliged to go out almost as soon as I had done breakfast, that it was not in my power. It made the Ball go off so much better than I could have expected, for the best they had allowed me to hope was that Sir John would not positively say No ! That he should freely give consent was much beyond my ideas. Mr. S. did not intend going to him at first, but he took courage and went. Sir John met him and wished him happiness, and he came immediately here to tell us his reception, which tho' to be sure it did not assist me in eating my breakfast, was much better than Meat and Drink. I believe to those who know Sir John thoroughly, this has been a matter of triumph indeed. I do not know when he will wish to see me, or to meet Papa to talk about it. but about that I am not at all anxious or im- patient. Papa has been talking to me this morning of his intentions. He wished to have written to you and asked your opinion about what he meant to do in regard to me, but will not have time. However, I told him I had mentioned it. And now I must tell you something of the Ball, which, 382 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. independent of my etcs. went off extremely well. The supper was very elegant and plentiful without any super- fluous ornament, 146 sat down; they kept up the dancing till half-past five. I was ordered to go to bed at four, and, would you believe it, I obeyed. He was so extremely anxious about my being fatigued and I had gone through a great deal, and felt ill a little at the beginning of the evening that I could not refuse taking myself away, or else I had picked up a little by that time, and could have stayed longer. I danced eight dances. I did not like the appearance of beginning with him, and kept him for Supper which was better. My other partners were Mr. Cockbourne, Mr. Wilson, Sir Thomas Wilson's son, and Colonel Campbell, a very intimate friend of Mr. S.'s, as much so as William Clinton. . . . You do not seem to have attended to a part in one of my letters relating to your coming to us, in case of a dis- solution of Parliament, which I believe will certainly take place within a fortnight. Milady would be so miserable not to go with Papa, and there really is no reason why she should not if she wishes it that I cannot wish her to stay behind him, and indeed I do not think anything but his insisting upon it, would persuade her to do so. Serena to Maria JosepJia. Bath : May , 1796. No indeed ! My dear Child I never comprehended your idea in case of dear Sheff's coming to Bristol. My invitation to her dear Ladyship might tell you I only thought of having them here ; and I was a little thinking about your being in an awkward state and yet it never once entered my Pate how it might be removed ; but you precious poor thing, how can you doubt my going to you if you wish it, even though Mr. Tuft might take time to be THE WORD 'OBEY' IS SAID. 383 washed, or my house might take cold or any such grand objections ? Let me only know as soon as you can that I may be ready to set off. Answer my query about taking my man servant. I rejoice that dear Sheff has acted so kindly. .... Adieu my dearest Maria. I do so long to see this Mr. Stanley, though perfectly acquainted with him. Yrs. Ever, S. H. Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : Sunday, before breakfast, May , 1796. I have just heard that Lally is here and asked if I was at Bath. Your letter somehow seemed to draw nearer conclusions to-day, because things not spoken of before are talked of, and since you have said so much, I desire to know where the word obey is to be said. I suppose London, and then to escape to S. P. Perhaps when we meet you may answer a question in vain asked before a dozen times. The Country or Place of Abode ? You seem to have no doubt of Bristol. I long to know how that is. I had a letter this morning from Lord Worcester requesting my interest as he means to set up for Gloucester the County. It was the first I knew of his giving up Bristol. . . . Against I go to town you are to think of a smart hat or bonnet for dress for me to look handsome in. Also if Dowagers wear summer silks buy me one. The Hat must be fitted to my nose so you need only think of it. How I long to tell Mr. Stanley what an Espiegle he has, poor man, taken to. Adieu, dear thing. God bless you for Ever and Ever, S. H. 384 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLEOYD. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Privy Gardens, May 17, 1796. He is eldest Son to Sir John Stanley, Bart., of Cheshire, has been in Iceland, published an account thereof, has translated a Poem from the German called Leonora with considerable additions of his own, is, for anything I know to the contrary, an F.R.S., and what is more, has the most amiable feeling heart I believe a Man can be possessed of, and what is still more, if faith is to be put in Words, Actions and Looks loves me with the most perfect Love. But I must not give way to my Pen which is inclined to run on about my Happiness. . . . Papa has been more kind than anything you can imagine, and has determined from the first that the affair should not be stopped or delayed by the want of anything in his power to forward it. Mr. Stanley's father is as generous on his side, and the general kindness of everybody is to me very overcoming. I don't know how I have deserved such good fortune, for I looked upon difficulties as a necessary part of the business, and we have had none. It is not yet determined whether we accept the place in Cheshire to live at or not. He has a house of his own furnished, in Lower Brook Street, which is a very nice part of the Town. As to present destination, our going to the Country depends upon Parliament or rather Bristol. Papa will wait to be invited there, of which however we have very little doubt, and likewise he is certain to be returned without expense, but of that ' Mum.' You may talk of it (the marriage) now to anybody you please ; it is so publicly known that it would be absurd to attempt keeping it a secret. As to a description of the outside of the Man you perhaps would not be enchanted with his first appearance. He is very dark, THE WORD 'OBEY' IS SAID. 385 black eyebrows l that meet, and very near-sighted, but he has a sensible and good-humoured countenance, at least I think so, because I know he is both, but all that is of so little consequence I should have forgot to men- tion whether he was fair or dark, if you had not asked among your other enquiries. I have been introduced to his Mother and seen her three times. She is perfectly agreeable to the Match. There are three Sisters and one Brother, all very amiable and pleasing one sister lives with the Mother, the other two with Sir John. Two of our Balls are over, and went off with general satisfaction. The last is to-morrow. I have not enjoyed the dancing as I should have done with a more indifferent heart, yet I am glad there has been an opportunity of returning some civilities and pleasing some of our acquaintance . . . Adieu once more. Yours most affectionately, M. J. H. Maria Josepha to Serena. May 17. This morning Sir John Stanley has been here for the first time. Nothing was said on the subject of his meet- ing, but it seemed as much as he was able to do to come and talk upon indifferent matters. He is so extremely nervous that he has frequently great difficulty in making up his mind to see an intimate friend that he has not seen for some time. Yesterday and this morning we have been making a great Progress in buying Apparell, and you may imagine there is sufficient employment for our Time. I think 1 This characteristic gave rise to various familiar appellations, such as Crow, Maitre Corbeau, etc. C C 386 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. you must have been amused at receiving an empty cover this Morning. It was left on the table for Louisa, and Davy, without looking, sent it to the Post. I suppose you thought my Brains were Wool gathering ! How I long for your arrival ! What a Summer we shall have ! We shall not move for two months at least after ' Obey ' has been said. Maria Josepka to Serena. Privy Gardens, May 19. Tiresome Boring old Woman, How can one descend to such minute particulars ? and how can you ask such forgetful questions ? for how could he frank if he was not in Parliament ! ' Pour cela,' however, it is of no great consequence, as he does not intend to come in again, which I am very glad of, as he is so warm in Politics when engaged, and on the Liberty side too, which may lead to anything bad, with the best original intentions, that it is much better and safer for the Domestic Happiness of both, that he should give up the pursuit entirely, not having the least ambitious turn of mind. To proceed his name is John Thomas, he is Captain in the Cheshire Militia, and as to Abode, of that I could tell you more to-morrow, because it is to be decided to-day, whether his Father gives up one of his Estates to him in Cheshire or not. He, the Father, is very desirous of his having it ; and as there is much to be said for and against, I hold my mind in a state of equilibrium as much as possible, deter- mined to forget all the possible reasons against whatever is decided. Mr. Stanley himself leaves Sir John to deter- mine without attempting to byass him ; but I think he rather wishes to have it. ... I must tell you the name of the place is Alderley, and that it is not far from Man- chester, in a beautiful Country. I am very glad you THE WORD 'OBEY' IS SAID. 387 have been so civil to poor Lally. Papa Makes you a Bow for it. I had an outcry from Miss Huff for detail, and I wrote her a long history the day before yesterday ; she was as bad as you about minutiae. Many thanks, dearest old Woman, for the Muslin you mention. I will get nothing like it, and I am sure I shall condescend to admire your taste. I think I had better do nothing about your Hat or Gown till you come to Town as you had better look and see what is to be got. Adieu, I must scribble no more. Do you want to hear from me when Franking ceases ? ? ? ? Yours ever and ever, M. J. H. I am surprised to find you know nothing of Miss Mellish's Match. It has been going on some time. Mr. Gurdon, Major in the Norfolk Militia I think, at least he is a Norfolk Man. I would not change with her, but I do think Mine is no common lot. You will be happy when you hear how everybody speaks of him, and how delighted every soul of our acquaintance seems with it. I have met with much real kindness from numbers. Once more adieu. . . . The Fanshawes were here last night. Cat. looks amazingly well. Lady Hesketh is much better. Deuce take my pen ! I must have another half sheet ! Louisa did dance a little last night. Emily Pelham was not able to come to us. Serena to Maria Josepha. Bath : May 20, 1796. Lally dined with me yesterday, and I could not help telling him, and he flew into a rapture and laughed and exclaimed and so on. You can guess how. He asked if he might write, and I said by all means an Epithalamium. I dare say he will. I did not know his Princess was here, c c 2 388 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. and I told him so, else I should have done myself the honour, etc. He informed me she was not well, and they went this morning to Clifton. Adieu, dear little Stanley elect. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. London : May 30, 1796. I began a letter to you on Saturday, thinking it was long since I had written and that you would not grudge a few pence, but I was interrupted, which I now rejoice at, as the delay has enabled me to tell you * Sheffield For Ever ' is the cry of Bristol and that this day he is Chaired with his Colleague Mr. Bragg, who comes in Lord Worcester's place who stands for the County of Gloucester. To take up my History a little further back. Papa went to Bath on Saturday se'en night, not to offer himself, but to be ready if he was invited, an if of which there was hardly a doubt. On Monday the Mayor and 3 principal Citizens came to invite him to take up his Residence at the Mansion House and to stand perfectly free of expense. It was thought by some it would be a good Measure if he subscribed 500Z. ; but he was firm as a Eock in the contrary opinion and if the Contest had continued ever so violent he would have been freed of expense. A Mr. Hobhouse was his Antagonist, a man of most violent Democratic and Eepublican Principles, supported by all the Mob very vehemently ; but not by one respectable person. . . . We received the delightful and unexpected news at Lord Pelham's on Sat. evening by Express. In short the Election has been as nattering as possible. . . . Mr. Stanley does not come in this Parliament. He was in for Wootton Bassett ; but I am rejoiced to say he does not continue a Politician, for he is not at all calculated for one. He would be too Violent and he has too much THE WORD 'OBEY' IS SAID. 389 Roman Virtue to make either a good Government Tool or a decided Oppositionist, and yet in these desperate Times, a man must chuse his Party and stick to it. Voting and acting according to Conscience will not do. ... As for ourselves, Sir John does not give up his Country House to us at present. We do not talk even about a Summer residence, because a round year must elapse before we can want one. In Septr. we must join the Cheshire Militia. We must probably go into Winter Quarters ; but if possible I shall hope to pass the Christmas at S. P: The second Week in July is, I believe, the time fixed the business being done and we shall come up to Town for the Meeting of Parliament, which will make it very little awkward for us. We shall go back to S. P. when married, and the rest of the Family will follow in a few days. As I have Diamonds and Pearls no more are given me at present. But the Man seldom comes empty- handed, and if we do not marry soon, he will ruin himself first by the handsome presents he makes me. My Watch is beautiful and the Chain the most elegant I have seen. Neither of them ornamented with Diamonds; but as handsome as possible without, and as it is not the fashion to show Watch or Chain, I like it much better than if it were finer. I have not time to particularise all my fine things. I hope to shew you some day those that do not wear out. Milady has bought all my Cloaths, very hand- some and sufficient of everything without any superfluous expence or extravagance. The Man is sitting for his Picture to Edridge who painted us all in the Summer, and I think it will be very like. I suppose I must have the trouble of sitting again. Adieu. I cannot write any more at present. The Pelham interest is very high in our County at present. They have brought in both the Seaford Members, George and Charles Ellis, and Mr. John Crosse Pelham for Lewes in 390 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. the place of Harry Pelham. But that was a hard fought point and nearly lost by them. Mr. Pelham of course comes in for the County, I have not heard of any opposition. Yours ever affectly, M. J. H. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place : June 10, 1796. Friday Count Rumford l came, and has been turning all the Chimneys and Fireplaces in the House topsy turvy ever since, till this morning when he took his departure. Have you by any Chance seen his Essays which are lately published? I dare say you have not forgotten him as Sir Benjamin Thompson 13 years ago, and that you remember he was an uncommon Genius and very pleasant Man. He has lived the last 20 years of his life at Munich, as Prime Minister to the Elector of Bavaria. What raises him even more than his Talents in my mind is the really philanthropic benevolent motives that urge him to attempt doing all the good he has done. Bavaria owes much indeed to him. He came over to England in hopes of being of some service, and went to Ireland with the same intention, where I believe he has been of much use, and if they follow up the schemes he set them going upon, the state of the poor in that country will be wonderfully improved. ... So Lady Webster has ended with eclat as I alway thought she would. . . . Milord had just written a pressing invitation to come here the day before she eloped. I am sorry for Lord H. . . . 1 Many fireplaces were reconstructed at this period under Count Rumford's superintendence. His principle for building them proved an infallible remedy against smoky chimneys. THE WORD 'OBEY' IS SAID. 391 Adieu. Hang these Lawyers ! They will not let me go to the Races unless it is as Miss Holroyd, and that I will not do. Yrs Ever affectly, M. J. H. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place : June 23, 1796. Anything more comfortable than we are you cannot imagine, but if you can imagine a state of perfect felicity, it is that in which we now exist. Everybody happy and pleased with themselves and one another. It is not merely being in love and beloved that is the agreeable part of the story, for that might be and other things not be as they are ; but the society is harmony in all its parts. We came here on Saturday and the days have been as hours since. How fortunate, how providential every event of late has turned out for me ! This dear Woman who has made us all happy, by making me so for one, has, in some degree, harmonised my temper and disposition, and I am sure I am more equal to being a good Wife now than I should have been two years ago. Alas ! if I am not one I have no excuse, which is a melancholy reflec- tion ; the sin must all rest on my Shoulders, for this Man would make the Devil love him and behave well to him. The House in Cheshire is to be ours, which we were very desirous of as I find it is a small house, the old one having been burnt down some years ago; therefore suitable to our Income, and it is desirable to have a Home and that that Home should be upon what will be our own Estate, as he has a great wish to be a country Gentleman. We do not go to London to be married as I believe I told you I thought we should, but it will take place here and at Church, which I like much better than a House, 392 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. unless there was some good reason for preferring the latter. Adieu this letter shall be devoted to Egotism and Happiness. I will not write chit-chat news, especially as I know none very interesting. Yours ever affec y , M. J. HOLKOYD. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place : September 11, 1796. Indeed I will behave much better when I am married, for I have been very naughty indeed lately ; only comfort yourself that every one of my correspondents has been treated still worse. I am sure that must be a satisfaction. I have lately delayed from day to day hoping I could tell you by waiting a little, when the event was with certainty to take place, and till to-day that has been quite impos- sible. This morning we had a letter from Cotes to say the Deeds were quite completed, and that they are ready to send into Cheshire for Sir John to execute. As he is at High Lake, a bathing place on the very extremity of the county, it will be a week before they can be returned here for us to sign. Monday or Tuesday in the week after this must be the day. I think it cannot be longer. I really cannot be Maidenly enough to help being heartily rejoiced things are drawing to a conclusion. It is a very tiresome state to be in, especially expecting for so long past as we have that a fortnight would conclude, and always finding another and another fortnight tacked on. We mean to go to Town for a week when we are married. I don't know any place we can be more snug and incog, in and as the business has been put off so long, we have some necessary arrangements to make in London before we go to the North. . . . THE WORD 'OBEY' IS SAID. 393 Now that I have taken up my Pen I have not any pleasant subject for you, excepting the grand one of my Happiness. I am very seriously uneasy for poor Milady's health, which is very bad indeed. She looks miserably, coughs much and sleeps very little. Mr. Tennant came a few days ago by chance, on his way from Brighton, and found her so indifferent that he bled her, and it was very fortunate that he did so for her blood was in a dreadful bad state. ... I dread to think of her not recovering. She would be such a loss to Papa and indeed to us all, tho' we are leaving home, it is not for ever. I hope a few days in consequence of the bleeding and other discipline she is undergoing, will restore her in some degree ; but it must be a work of time, a perfect recovery. Having a circumstance to mark my ill treatment of you brings it very home to me, and makes me blush indeed, if you could see. Only think ! that you have never had a word from me since William and Louisa were allowed to think of each other, and I am not sure if that might not be one reason to prevent my writing. [Louisa Holroyd was now engaged to her cousin William Clinton.] Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Sheffield Place : October 7, 1796. At last I can write to you with the power of giving certain intelligence of our motions. The Deeds arrived yesterday and were signed in the evening. Mr. Woodcock brought them and left us in the evening. There cannot be anything more ridiculous than the quantity of writing these Lawyers chuse to perform on these occasions. There were nearly 100 Skins of Parchment, and as many of the Deeds were triplicates, and others duplicates, you may imagine what a sight of Sheep skins there were. Tuesday is the day we have fixed, and it must be 394 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. some very unforseen event indeed, that can any more delay us. Last week we were so much alarmed for our dear Milady, that I really was anxious to have our Union completed lest a melancholy stop might be put to it for some time ; but within these three days she is mending, and tho' my hopes are very faint, yet I cannot help encouraging some especially if she continues a few days longer getting better. However at all events we have determined not to return here again. It could only be for a few days, and as she is not able to speak to us or even to see us but for a very short time in the day, and that Papa is almost always shut up with her, (for his attention is affectionate and unremitting to a degree beyond what I could have imagined) we could not give or receive pleasure by returning here equal to the pain of a second parting. Orders have been received by all Officers to join immediately, but Wm. Clinton who went to Town on Wed. applied to the D. of York for leave of absence for us, and he has gained 6 weeks, which time, or at least nearly all, we shall pass probably in London. Newcastle is to continue the quarters of the Kegt. all the winter. I have not time at present to add more than that I do hope with some reason I shall no more sign myself, Your affectionate MAEIA Jos. HOLEOYD. Theresa Parker to Maria Josepha. Saltram : September 26, 1796. ... I long for Wednesday, when I flatter myself I shall receive a letter from a new correspondent, viz. Mrs. Stanley, who, though she may have changed her name, will, I hope, (I could venture to say I am sure) never for- get her friendship for me, as 'tis one I value most highly. I often think with pleasure on what you promised me in THE WORD 'OBEY' IS SAID. 395 London, that instead of losing one friend I should gain two. Pray remind Mr. Stanley of this with my love (the expression may now be allowed). . . . And, now my dearest Mrs. Stanley (I must call you so for the first time but you shall be Jacky Dandy again soon) Adieu, Ever yours with truest affection, Tippy. I like your assurance in talking of the Leslies l making such a Clatter ! ! ! I suppose you are grown such a poor, quiet thing that you would be quite subdued now with the Charivari that used to be made at S.P. by the Honble. Miss Holroyds. Lord Sheffield to Mr. Stanley the day after his Marriage. Sheffield Place : October 12, 1796. Dearest of Crows, Quod felix f austumque sit, multum et felices and everything that can be said, suppose said, most heartily, by yours most fatherly, SHEFFIELD. I suppose an account of the very dear Lady has been sent you. The last night was not so good as the three preceeding, and this morning she is lower than usual and does not appear as well as she was. 2 Tennant im- putes it to your departure yesterday. Serena to the Bride. Sheffield Place : October 12, 1796. Our dearest Maria will have other hearts addressing her from hence this morning ; but I cannot let it pass with- out adding my little million of blessings which have 1 The nieces of Lady Sheffield. 2 Lucy, Lady Sheffield died on January 18, 1797. Lord Sheffield married thirdly, 1798, Lady Anne North, daughter of the second Earl of Guildford, by whom he had a son and a daughter. 396 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. indeed never ceased following you since you left us. You will easily imagine you were our sole Theme yesterday. I shut myself up in my room vis a vis to my fire, without being able for a full hour to do any one thing but think of the Event of the Day. I built dear Castles which I hope are on a foundation not likely to be shaken. I traced the characters of my two children. My new one and yourself. I saw that even the difference of shades were such as would be advantageous to both. The essential qualities the same. The mutual confidence in the real worth of each other with the fond attachment already so fixed, seems to make all easy. The calm firm- ness, the command of temper which I so admire in one whose natural warmth gives it double merit, is your dear Husband's best security of being ever loved and respected by you. His good sense and affectionate heart secures you his kind indulgence, because he will know how to prize every conquest you make over yourself for his sake, and he will see in your errors, the faults only of education. He will look in your heart for the qualities which over- balance all the rest, and he will find you affectionate, faithful and sincere. Too generous to take advantage of indulgence, and only the more complying for it. Happi- ness never seemed more in the power of Mortals than in yours. God grant it then as I now forsee it ! It is one of the first prayers of your S. HOLROYD. Theresa Parker to Maria Josepha. Saltram : October 11, 1796. . . . The fine weather is gone and we have now a few Equinoctial Gales, which, in days of yore, when the Sea- sons came regularly, used to happen in September, but probably the equinoxes like variety (a very natural thing) THE WORD 'OBEY' IS SAID. 397 and perhaps in a year or two they may happen at Xmas. and Midsummer. . . . I shall write often from London to you. There are not many things I like better. I have scarcely recovered my breath since you talked of not coming to town next year. How I wish the odious Major and his Regiment, and all that belongs to him at present, at Old Nick's. I never will wish any of my friends to marry again 'tis much too disinterested ; they might as well be dead. 'Tis so provoking that when we had just got to live a great deal together in such a comfortable way, this Man comes and spoils it all. Give my love to him and tell him I hate him. (Could you say a more Irish thing ?) Adieu. No room for affection. I can hardly insinuate. T. P. Maria Josepha to Miss Ann Firth. Bolton How : Oct. 17, 1796. That I have intended writing every day since that most dear Tuesday last, is I assure you perfectly true, and not merely a civil speech thought of to commence my letter prettily. You will readily likewise, I have no doubt, think it possible that the first week of Marriage, a Lady, without having lost affection for her friends, may appear to neglect them ; and you will now receive the assurance of my happiness having been secured, with the most lively satisfaction. I say secured, because it began five months ago and except in having put it out of the power of anything but Death to divide us, and having bid Adieu to anxiety, I have been as perfectly happy all that time as I am now or ever can be. The little you will see of my Beloved in our visit to you, I think will give you some Idea I have spoke the truth of him, but he must be thoroughly known to have all his excellencies of heart and mind properly estimated but on that 308 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPH A HOLROYD. subject you have already heard all that I can say, though I should never be tired of repeating it and therefore I will spare you more at present. I suppose Louisa has written to you since we left S. P. and I hope she told you I went through the Ceremony very boldly that is did not leave out the word ' Obey.' I pronounced it indeed with as much satisfaction, as much certainty of having a pleasure in Keeping the Vow, as the word Love. And one of us must alter very much before I find it difficult to keep that promise. I cannot say it was pleasant taking leave of all those dear friends I am not again to see for so long, or to leave Milady so indifferent ; but we parted with them all with much lighter hearts than we should have done a fortnight ago, when our alarms were much greater on that dear Woman's account. My fears are stronger than my grounds of hope, but I had no hopes at all till this sudden change. I know few people who would prove a greater loss to everybody with whom she is connected than this amiable woman. I, for one, should be very ungrateful not to be anxious for her, at the moment I am enjoying the felicity which she was undoubtedly the means of promoting. ... Of one thing I think you may be certain, no Vicissitude can happen to us but from Sickness, Death, or the Arrival of the French. I feel perfectly bold in respect to all other possible events, which could in any way affect the perfect harmony we enjoy. . . . I suppose a Cottage would be almost comfortable enough for us at present, but though we might be content with such an Habitation, yet it certainly adds to my happiness finding myself in the most comfortable house you can imagine, surrounded by every comfort of life and every source of amusement, such as Books of all Kinds, Drawings, etc. etc. with the help of which I could contrive THE WORD 'OBEY' IS SAID. 399 to find the days short if I was, I by myself I and then the pleasure it gives him to see me take an interest in all his possessions encreases the value I feel for them a hundred-fold. Newcastle, I find is to be our Winter quarter we have a month's leave of absence. Adieu, my dearest Miss F. Believe me for ever Yrs. affectly, MAEIA JOSEPHA STANLEY. INDEX AND BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS. ABERGAVENNY, Lady (wife of second Earl), 380 Acloque, M. d' (a brewer : commanded in the National Guard; remained near Louis XVI. while the mob were besieging the Tuileries ; the King leant on his shoulder while addressing the people : d. 1824), 143, 152, 163 Adair, Mr., 307 Adair, Mrs., 286 ' Adele and Theodore ' (by Madame de Genlis), 7 Adele d'Orleans, Princesse, 116 Agriculture, Society of, 231 Air-balloons, popularity of, in 1784,9 sq. Aisne, warfare near the (1792), 17-1 Aix-la-Chapelle, 97 ; battle at, 211 Albemarle, Lord, 301 Albematten, Mme la Grande Chate- laine d', 110 Alderley (Sir J. Stanley's home in Cheshire), 386, 391 Almack's, 320, 322 Ames, Mr., 27 Ancaster, Duchess of (Miss Layard ; married fifth Duke), 5, 190 Anderson, Dr. (Government Surveyor of Scotch coast for establishment of North Sea fisheries ; writer on agri- culture), 42, 46, 48 ' Annales de la Vertu, Les ' (by Ma- dame de Genlis), 6 sq. Anson, Mr., 254 Anspach, Margrave of (6.1736,^.1806; nephew of Frederick the Great ; he sold his sovereign rights to the King of Prussia for an annuity of 60,OOOZ. a year and a jointure to his widow, which was afterwards repudiated by both Prussia and Bavaria), 124 Antwerp, 99, 296, 299 Apraxin, Count, 68 Arbourg, Castle of, 105 n. Arbre de la Feodalite, L',' 157, 166 Aristocrats, treatment of, in French Eevolution, 131 Aries, Archbishop of: murdered by a Paris mob, 193 sq. Arlesheim, 90 Armitage, Mrs., 185 Artois, Comte d' (brother to Louis XVI. ; left France 1789 ; succeeded as Charles X., 1824 ; deposed in 1830; d. in Germany), 95 sq., 241, 336 Arviron, the source of the, 69 sq. Ashburnham, Lord, 278 Ashdown Forest, 227 sq. Assembly, National, the (1791), 35, 45, 54 sqq., 58, 91, 96, 107 ; decrees vetoed by the King, 143 ; a ' ballet- pantomime ' in, 147 ; invaded by an armed mob, 148 1 Assignats,' 193 Aston, Hervey, 75 Athol, (fourth) Duke of, 83 Auckland, Lady (dau. of Sir Gilbert Eliot, Bart., of Minto : d. 1814), 217, 281, 319 Auckland, Lord (William, son of Sir Robert Eden ; made Irish Peer, 1789, English Peer, 1793 ; Secretary of State for Ireland; -Ambassador to France), 243, 246, 256, 283, 290, 380 Audley, Lady : story of her first hus- band, 353 Augustus, Prince (sixth son of George III. ; Duke of Sussex : 1773-1843), 81, 215 Austria: the war of 1792, 137 sqq., 140, 174 sqq., 187 ; 1794-9, 290 sc/g., 342 ' Autel de la Patrie, L',' 157, 162 D D 402 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. Auvergne, Comte d', 40 Auxerre, 59 Avranches, ancient remains at, 185 Avranches, Bishop of (a refugee), 197, 243 BACKGAMMON, heavy losses at, 327 n. Badcock, Mr., 83 Baden, Margrave of, 123 Bailly, M. (diput& ; tried and execu- ted, 1793 ; astronomer, and first Mayor of Paris), 141 Balfour, Miss Mary, 125 Balfour, Mr., 63, 81, 183 Ball, a Royal (1791), 31 ' Banderolle Tricolore,' the, 157 Banks, Sir Joseph (naturalist and botanist; President of the Royal Society), 19, 23, 89, 260, 320, 329 Bannister, Mr. (actor), 282, 286 Banti, Signer (singer), 286 Barde, Mme, 184 Barr, Mr. (Lord Sheffield's family doctor), 119, 251, 262, 269, 273 Barre", Colonel (English politician ; Whig M.P.), 108, 254 Barry, Comtesse du (Marie Jeanne Vaubernier ; favourite of Louis ^XV. : guillotined, 1793), 253 Basle, 90 Bassett, Lady, 281 Basseville, M. (a French Republican) : his political intrigues in Rome, 206 Bastille, the, 51 ; the column erected on its ruins, 158, 160 Bath : the first Sunday School at, 17 ; social life in, 127, 207, 366 ; card- playing, 371 Batt, Mr. (one of Gibbon's executors), 217, 265 Battle Abbey, 306 Bayet, M. (President of the Assembly), 1792), 164 Beauclerc, Lady Diana : her drawings for ' Leonora,' 368 Beauvais, Bishop of (one of the Rochefoucauld family) : put to death in the September massacre, 1792, 195 sq. Beauvau, Marechal de (after a bril- liant military career, took to politics in 1763 ; a member of Louis XVI.'s Ministry ; Member of the Academy : 6. 1720, d. 1793), 158 Bedford, Duchess of (1791), 29 Bedford (Francis, fourth), Duke of, 31 Belbceuf, Mme. (French refugee), 196 Belcombe (Miss Holroyd's horse) : an escapade, 262 Bell, Rev. Dr., 183 Bemerton, 351 Benson, Miss, 122 Benson, Rev. Mr. (Tunbridge Wells), 244 Beringher, Mme, 199 Bernard, M., 30, 32 Berne, 85, 89, 107; its condition in 1792, 171 Bertie, Lady Mary, 5 Besancon, 131 Bewick Park, 278 Bexhill, camp at, 287 Bienne, 89 ; convention with France, 172 Bingen, 95 Biron, Marshal (Armand de Gontaut, b. 1747 ; Due de Lauzun, then Due de Gontaut Biron ; partisan of the Due d'Orleans ; guillotined 1793), 261 Biron, M. de, 137, 139 sqq. Biron, Mme de, 63, 159 ; imprisoned in Paris, 249 Bishops, French : position in 1791, 79 Blandford, Lord, 83 ' Blot, La petite,' 79 ' Bob cherry,' game of, 290 Bognor, 181 Bois-le-Duc : its fortresses captured by the French, 307 Bonn, 96 ' Bonnet de LiberteV the, 131 ; forced on Louis XVI., 152 Bonstetten, M. de (Swiss philosopher and naturalist : friend of Rousseau and Voltaire : d. 1832), 107 Boringdon, Lord, 326 n. Boswell, Miss, 123 Botany: collecting specimens, 89, 110, 198 Boufflers, Chevalier de (Stanislaus, afterwards Marquis de Boufflers ; Prior of Knights of Malta ; Mem- ber of Tiers Etat : b. 1737, d. 1815), 105 Bouille 1 , Marquis de (French general commanding at Nancy at the time of the flight to Varennes, 1792 ; had arranged to protect the King and Queen from Chalons to Mont Medy ; on failure of plans, crossed the fron- tier and left the French army), 44, 56 Bouillon, Due de, 37, 39 sq., 107 Bouillon, Duchesse de, 39 Bouillon, Hotel de, Paris, 55 Bowdler, Harriet, 351 Bowdler, Mr. (the expurgator of Shake- speare), 89, 173, 230, (skill at chess) 233, 302 Boyd, Colonel, 30 INDEX AND BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS. 403 Brabant, 123 Bragg, Mr. (Lord Sheffield's colleague for Bristol), 388 Brand, Mr., 207 Bread, high price of (1795), 323 sq. ; made with one-third of potatoes, 335 ; ' brown bread and mixtures ' eaten by gentlefolk (1795), 361 Breda, capture of, by the French, 211 Bretagne, condition of in 1793, 219 Brez6, M. de (took a foremost part in the States General, but was iaithful to the King: d. 1829), 159 Bridges, Lady Ann Eliza, 319 Brighton (Brighthelmstone) : a camp at, 245, 287 ; social life there (1798), 248 sqq. ; card -playing, 249 ; descrip- tion of the camp, 298 ; a review, 301 Brisbane, Bev. Mr., 355 Brissac, Mme de (refugee) : death from a broken heart, 243 Brisse, M. de la (Dean of Mons : a refugee), 196 Brissot, M. (editor of the ' Moniteur ' ; Member of the National Assembly ; spoke against the King ; accused by Kobespierre of conspiring against theBepublic; executed, 1793), 56,146 Bristol : election of 1796, 388 Bristol, Lady (wife of fourth Earl, who was Bishop of Derry), 29, 217 Brittany, the Loyalists in, 259 Brittany ; landing of Boyalist expe- dition, 326; defeated (by General Hoche), 328 Broglie, Marshal (general under Louis XV. ; Minister of War, 1789 : 6. 1718, d. 1804), 96 Brome, Lord (son of Lord Cornwallis), 254 Broussonet, M. (secretary of the So- ciety of Agriculture in France ; learned doctor and naturalist : b. 1761, d. 1807), 46, 48 Bruce, General, 297 Bruce, Lady Charlotte (daughter of fifth Earl of Elgin), 29, 33, 245 Bruce, Lord, 207, 215 Bruce, Mrs. , 282 Bruges, 100 ' Brunette ' (a pet dog of Serena's), 16, 20 Brunswick, Duke of (commanded allied armies in invasion of France, 1792- 94 ; mortally wounded at Auerstadt, 1806) : his Manifesto from Coblenz, 168 Brunton, Miss (actress : married to first Earl of Craven), 12 Brush, Dr., 341 Brussels, 97 Buckingham, Marchioness of, 319 Bull, Mrs. (' Serena's ' housekeeper) : her imprudent marriages, 350 n., 360, 367 Burke, Edmund (statesman and ora- tor) : effect in France of his letters to Members of the National Assem- bly, 119, 139 Barney, Miss (Keeper of the Bobes to Queen Charlotte; authoress of 'Eve- lina ' &c. : b. 1752, d. 1830) : mar- riage to M. d'Arblay, 229 CADELL and Strahan, Messrs, (pub- lishers), 371 Cadogan, Lord, 108 ' Ca ira ' Revolutionary song), 81, 131, '162 Calais, 99, 130 Galas, Jean (a Protestant accused at Toulouse of having murdered his son ; executed, 1762 ; Voltaire es- tablished his innocence, 1768), 52 Calcraft, Mr. (Bt. Hon. John, Clerk of the Ordnance, 1806; Paymaster of the Forces, 1828), 108 Calvet, M., 148 Camden, Lord, 336 Campbell, Colonel, 382 Campion, Mr., 67, 301 Camps (for coast defence), 287 Canaletto's Views of Venice, 188 Canal navigation, 271 Canning, Mr., 231 ; his first speech in the Commons, 270 Canterbury, military centre (1794), 247, 270 Caplin, M. (Gibbon's valet), 10 Cap of Liberty : introduced as ladies' headdress in England, 125 Card-playing : at Tunbridge Wells, 245, 247 ; at Brighton, 249 ; at Bath, 371 Carlton House, a presentation at (1795), 321 Carlyle, Thomas : on Lally ToJlendal, 118 n. Carmelite Convent (Paris), the mas sacre at (September 1792), 193 4 Caroline de Lichfield ' : Gibbon's share in the work, 115 Carp, the, at Fontainebleau, 59 Carter, Mrs. (sister-in-law of Sir Henry Clinton), 24, 98, 108, 285, 295, 297, 309, 328 Casino (game at cards), 245, 371 Cassot (a brave Grenadier), 161 Carteaux, General J. F., defeat of, near Toulon, 239 D D 2 404 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. Castries, Marshal de (commanded in the Emigrant Army : b. 1727, d. 1801), 91, 95 Castries, La Marechale de (held a salon in the days of the First Em- pire), 63 Catalan (a black servant of the Due d'Orleans), 154 Cathcart, Lady, 245 Catton, Mr., 10 Caylus, Mme de, 63 Cerjat, M., 81 Cerjat, Mme, 63 Chailey Common, encampment on, 230 Chalons, warfare near (1792), 174 Chamberi, 184 Chambords, M. de, 243 Chamouny, Valley of, 79, 90 Champ de Mars, a scene in, August 1792, 156 sqq. Champonas, M. de (Minister of Foreign Affairs, 1792 ; went to England and gained a living as a watchmaker : d. 1807), 149 Char-a-bancs, description of a, 68 Charade, a, 23 Charette (Vendean leader), 331 Charlotte, Queen, 31, 251, 366 Chartreuse, Monastery of the, 60 Chatelet, M. du (born 1727 ; executed during the Keign of Terror), 158 Chatre, Due de la (accompanied the exiled French princes till 1792 ; after hair-breadth escapes, joined the Emigres at Juniper Hall), 212 Chaumont.M. (aide-de-camp to General Dillon), 138 Chester, Captain (afterwards married Harriet Clinton), 297, 301 Chesterfield, Lord, 68, 79 Children's ball, a, 282 Chillon, Castle of, 71 ; prisoners in, 80, 85, 105 Chitteres, Miss, 29 Choiseul, M. de, 160 Chouans, the (La Vendee), 336 Christ Church, Dean of, 360 Christian, Admiral, 365 Clairfait, Comte de (Belgian general in the Austrian service : b. 1733, d. 1798). 176, 307 Clarence, Duke of, 29, 31, 72, 251,301 Clarendon, Earl of, 373 n. Clergy, the French : their position in 1791, 53, 60, 131 Clinton, General Sir Henry, 24, 211, 222, 256, 279, 283 ; Governor of Gibraltar, 290, 292, 309 ; his death, 357 sq. Clinton, Miss Harriet (afterwards Mrs. Chester), 108, 275 sq., 279, 283, 287, (a narrow escape from drown- ing) 294, 296 sq., 309, 328 Clinton, Mr. Henry, 108, 296, 299, 33G Clinton, Mr. William (son of Sir Henry Clinton), 284, 342, 369 ; engage- ment to Louisa Holroyd, 393 Clive, Lord (founder of British Empire in India ; born at Styche, Shrop- shire, 1725, d. 1774), 122 Clive, Miss, 373 Clive, Mrs., 282 Coals, increased use of in houses, 271 Coast defence, English arrangements for (1793), 226, 228, 230, 232, 234 sqq., 245, 270, 276 Coblenz, 95, 123, 168 Cobourg, Prince of, 212, 240, 296, 299 Cockbourne, Mr., 382 Cocks, Miss, 67 Coghill, Sir J. (second Bart.), 321, 376 Coigny, Chevalier de, 144, 149, 158 Coigny, Marquise de (famous for her wit ; the Prince de Ligne wrote letters to her, and the Comte de Segur composed songs in her honour), 84 Coke, Miss Ann, 255 Coke, Mr. (of Holkham), 108, 254 Col de Balme, the, 70, 198 Cologne, 97 sq. Cologne, Elector of : his palace at Bonn, 96 sq. Colquhoun, Mr., 42 Col year, Lady, 31 ' Commerce ' (game), 29 ' Commissaires de Sections,' 194 sq. Committee of Public Safety (Paris), 236 Conciergerie, La (Paris) : Marie An- toinette imprisoned there, 231 Conde, Prince de (devoted all his re- sources to restoring the Monarchy ; commanded Emigrant Army ; grand- father to Due d'Enghien : b. 1736, d. 1818), 94, 96 Condor, M., 146 Confederation, the (Paris, 1791), 57 Conflans, Marechal de (Marquis d'Armentieres), 84 Constitution, the French (1791), 44, 85, 87 Convention, National : specimen of oratory in, 197 ; decree against dmigrds, 199 ; decrees public wor- ship of the sun, 236 Cooke, Lady Mary, 29 Cooper, Miss, 3 Cooper, Eev. Dr., 232 Cooper, Sir George, 216 INDEX AND BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS. 405 Cope, Lady, 253 Cope, Sir Jonathan, 355 Coppet (residence of M. Necker), 63, 67, 104 Corn, scarcity of (1795), 361 Corry, Mr. (Irish politician), 10 ' Courier de Londres,'the (French refu- gees' organ) : tribute to the memory of Abigail, Lady Sheffield, 220 sq. Courthope, Mr., 301 Couthon (one of the most ferocious members of the Convention : exe- cuted, 1794), 155 Coutts, Miss, 31 Cowdry (Lord Montacute's place) de- stroyed by fire, 243 Cowley, Mrs., 22 Cowper, Mr. (the poet), 286 Coxe, General, 124 Coxe,-Miss, 127 Coxe, Mr. Edward, 63, 79, 89, 185, 203 Coxe, Eev. George, 288, 323 ; his mar- riage, 351 Craven, Lady (daughter of fourth Earl of Berkeley), 82 ; marriage to Mar- grave of Anspach, 108, 124 Craven, (sixth) Lord, 07, 73, 82 ; his death, 86 Craven, Lord (son and successor of above), 90 Crawford, Miss, 82 Creighton, Lady Caroline, 29 Cremorne, Lady (Philadelphia Freame, granddaughter of William Penn), 349, 352 Cremorne, Lord (Thomas Dawson, first Viscount), 246 Crevecoeur, capture of, by French, 307 Cribbage : a favourite game at Sheffield Place, 251 Croix-aux-Bois, battle of, 174 Croix, M. la (Vice-President of National Assembly), 164 Crouch, Mrs. (actress), 286 Crowborough, 300 Crown, English : discussion of the right of succession to George III., 363 Cullen Smith, Mr., 257 Cumberland, Duke of (fifth son of George III.), 26 Cumberland, Lady Albinia (daughter of Earl of Buckinghamshire; married K. Cumberland, son of the author), 306 Cumberland, Miss, 83 Cumberland, Mr. : his play ' The Jew,' 282 Curchod,Mlle (afterwards Mme Necker : Gibbon's first love), 274 sq. DAI/TON, General, 239 Damas, M. (staunch adherent of Louis XVI.), 152, 166 D'Arblay, Chevalier (Adjutant-General to La Fayette ; after La Fayette's capture the Chevalier came to Eng- land and joined the dmigrds at Juniper Hall) : his marriage to Miss Burney, 229 D'Arblay, Mme (Frances Burney, English authoress), 331 Darell, Mr. L. (executor of Gibbon's will), 265 Dashwood, Mrs., 221 Dauphin, the, 35, 44, 154, 161 ; a prisoner with his mother, 219 ; treatment after his separation from her, 243 ; after her death, 252 Dawkins, Mrs., 363 Decretot, M. (woollen manufacturer at Kouen), 39, 49, 54, 57 ' Defenders ' (Irish faction) : their out- rages (1795), 323 Denison, Mrs., 127 Deputies, Revolutionary : trial and execution of (1793), 249 De Salis, Dr., 232 Destouches, the plays of, 11 Devonshire, Duchess of, 26, 207, 305 Deyverdun, M. (friend of Gibbon's youth in Switzerland ; settled at Lausanne, where Gibbon shared his home till his death, in 1789), 115 Diane de Poitiers, 38 Dieppe, 36 Diez, Chateau de, 176 Dijon, 59 ; hospital at, 60 Dillon, Mr. Arthur, 139 Dillon, Theobald (General), murder of, by his own regiment, 134; details given by Count Lally Tollenda), 136 sqq. ; account by an eye-witness, 141 sq. Dogs, pet: a cruel manner of training, 132 Dolben, Mrs., 127 Dolben, Sir W., 127 Dominica, island of, 329 Douay, 134 Douglas, Lady K. (daughter of Earl of Guilford ; married, 1789, Sylvester Douglas), 29, 64 Douglas, Mr. Sylvester (afterwards Lord Glenbervie), 29, 216, 239, 242, 256, 301, 304 Downes, Mr. Justice, 244 Downs, Brighton, 301 Doyle, General Sir John (raised 87th Regiment, 1793), 336, 342 D'Oyley, Colonel, 240 406 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. Drawing Koom, a (1791), 30 Dresden, 189 Dress, ladies', 243 ; the 'a la Turque' fashion (1794), 271, 283 ; ' a guillo- tine figure,' 371; Court presenta- tion dresses, 372 ; fashions for ' dowagers,' 383 Drew, Dr., 190 Ducarnel, Mrs., 217 ' Duchesse de C , The ' (a story by Maria Holroyd), 6 sqq., 9 Dumfries, Lady, 31 Dumouriez, General (French general ; Foreign Minister,1792 ; Commander- in-Chief in Austria, 1793 : b. 1731), d. near Henley-on-Thames, 1823), 126, 136, 145 Duncan, Lady Mary, 212 Dundas, Mr., 42 Dundas, Sir F., 42 Dunkirk, the camp near, 238 ; retreat of English from there, 240 sq. Dwarf, the Polish, 3, 5 sq. EAKDLEY, Miss, 257 Earthquake at Naples (1793), 210 East India Company : their ball in honour of Warren Hastings (1795), 321 Ecole Militaire, scene in the, 1C6 Edgells, Mr., 354 Edridge, Mr. Henry (portrait painter, 1768-1781), 332, 335 sq., 389 Egremont, Lord, 278 Elcho, Lady, 281 Election, General (1796), 388 sqq. ] lector Palatine : his palace and library at Mannheim, 94 Elgin, Lady, 211 Ellis, Mr. Charles, 77, 82, 188, 389 Ellis, Mr. George, 389 Elmsley, Mr., 264, 297, 300 Emigres, French: in Germany. I74sqq. England, state of in 1794, 284 sq. Enigma, a figured (on the state of France, 1792), 121, 123 Erskine, Mr., 210 Euston, Lord, 301 Evreux, Foret d', 40 Exeter Change menagerie, 28 FAMINE threatened in 1795, 324 Fanshawe, Miss C., 367 Farquhar, Mr., 218 sq., 322, 356 Farren, Miss (actress, Lady Derby), 282 Fashions, male and female, in 1794, 271, 283 ; ladies' hairdressing, 320 Fazy, M., 258, 277 Ferrers, Mr., 227 Ferriere, General, 172 Fife, Lord, 373 Fireplaces and chimneys, Count Eum- ford's plans for, 390 Firth, Miss Ann, 2, 11, 27, 33, 36, i:-5(>, 210 sqq., 215, 218, 224 sqq., 234 sqq., 256 sqq., 260, 266 sqq., 281 sqq., 300 sqq., 313 sqq., 320, 326, 333, 345, 355, 357, 360, 367, 369, 371, 376, 384, 388 sqq. Fischer, M., 89, 105 Fitzgerald, Lady Edward (' Pamela ' ; married Lord Edward Fitzgerald, Irish partisan ; he was born in 1763, killed 1798), 125 Fitzherbert, Mrs., 249 Fitzroy, Lady A. (daughter of first Earl of Mornington), 283 Fitzwilliam, Lord, 292 Flanders, incidents of the war in, 288 sqq., 296, 299, 307 Flaxman, Mr. (sculptor ; b. 1754, d. 1826), 316 Fletching, 15 ; Gibbon buried there, 266 ; anecdote of its bell-ringers, 306 Flotte, M. la, 215 Flour, high price of, 324 ; whole flour reserved for gentlefolk (1795), 361 Fludyer, Lady, 31 Foley (footman), 331, 350, 360 Fontainebleau, Palace of, 58 Fortescue, Lord, 229 Fortescue, Mr., 207 Foster, Dr., 2 Foster, Lady Elizabeth (afterwards Duchess of Devonshire), 123; sketch of Gibbon's house at Lausanne, 201 Foster, Mr. J. (cousin of Lord Oriel), 123 Foster, Mrs., 6 Fowler, Mr., 203 Fox, C. J., 22, 126, 208, 210, 268, 344 Foy, Mr. (Lord Sheffield's Irish butler), 336 France : events of the war in 1793-94, 211 sq., 226, 239, 276, 279, 283 sqq., 288 Francillon, M. (named by Comte Lally ' Le petit Abbe a talon rouge '), 256, 264 sq Frankfort, 188 French women : their personal ap- pearance, 43 Friedenreich, M., 89 Fuller, Mr., 305 Furnes, 100 ' GABRIELLE, La belle,' 55 Galloway, Lady, 320 Garrick, Mrs. (Viennese dancer ; mar- ried Garrick, 1749 ; held in great esteem : died 1822), 33 INDEX AND BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS. 407 Geneva, and its environs, 67 sqq., 104, 134 ; condition in 1792, 183 Genlis, Mme de (afterwards Marquise de Sillery), 7, (anecdotes) 109, 112 sqq. t 116, 124 ; her ' Chevaliers du Cygne,' 368, 374 Gensonne, M. (one of the three leaders of the Girondists ; President of the Convention ; deposed and executed 1793), 146 George III., 30 sq., 241, 284; attempts on his life, 343 sqq., 366 Germersheim, 93 Ghent, 100 Giant, the Irish, 3, 6 Gibbon, Edward (the historian), 5 sq., 8 ; a friend of the Sheffield family, 19 ; visit to England in 1788, 21 ; portrait of Lord Sheffield painted for him by Sir J. Reynolds, ib. ; visit of Lord Sheffield and his family to him at Lausanne, 35 sqq. ; his home there, 62 ; dislike of the French, 73 ; social traits, 77 sq., 81 ; admiration of Mme de Silva,115sg.; description of his house, 132 sq. ; account of his home life at Lau- sanne, 201 sqq. , 211 ; reception of the news of Louis XVI.'s execution, 212 ; grief at the death of Lady Sheffield, 222 ; with Lord Shefiield in England, 225 ; visit to William Hayley, the poet, 227 ; his habits, 239 ; liking for turtle, 246 ; under- goes an operation, 249 sq.; relations with Lord Loughborough and Lord Auckland, 252 ; renewed ill-health, 257, 259 ; the last attack, 263 ; account (by ' Serena ') of his last illness and death, 264 ; his will, 265 ; his funeral, 267 ; his manu- scripts and Memoirs, 267 sq., 273 ; description of their contents, 274 ; love for his stepmother, ib. ; his first love, Mile Curchod (Mme Necker), 274 sq. ; consequences of Gibbon's becoming a Roman Catholic, 275 ; his seal, 278 ; a picture of him, 280 ; his Lausanne journal, papers, &c., 293 ; publica- tion of his Memoirs, 365, 370 sq., 372. Letters to Miss Holroyd, 103, 200 Gibbon, Mrs. (stepmother of the his- torian), 2, 21, 127, 203, 264 sqq., 274, 280, 334, 352, 357 ; her death and her will, 369 sq. Gibraltar, 290 Giffard, Mr., 71 Givet, 139 Glacier des Bois, the, 69 Gloucester, Prince William, Duke of, 31, 67 Godley, Mr., 292 Goldworthy, Miss (Governess to the Royal Family), 29 ' Good-natured friends ' : their cha- racter, 345 Gould, Mrs. (Mrs. Gibbon's companion), 264, 266, 369 Gouvernet, M. (Minister of War ; married, 1786, Henrietta, daughter of General Dillon ; courageous wit- ness at the trial of Marie Antoi- nette ; tried and executed with his elder brother, 1794) : account of the state of Paris in August 1792, 169 Grammont, Comte de (son of Due de Grammont ; brother-in-law to La Fayette, whose political opinions he shared), 78 Grammont, Mme de (Mile de Noailles), 63,79 Grave, Chevalier de (Minister of War, 1792), 141 Gray, a revolutionary scene at, 133 sq. Greatorex, Mr., 205 Grenadiers, French : examples of their loyalty, 152, 160 Grenville, Lord, 334 Grenville, Mr., mission to Vienna, 296 Grey, Earl, 210 Grignan, Mme de, 68; anecdote about her, 116 sq. Grillon, M. de, 158 Grimstone, Miss, 75 Grimstone, Mrs., 202 Grimstone, Sir John, 82, 280 Grisons, the, 92 Grove, Miss, 26 Guiche, Due de (son of Due de Gram- mont), 95 Guiche, Duchesse de (daughter of Mme de Polignac), 63, 74, 78 sq. Guignes, Duo de (resident, with his daughters, at Lausanne, 1791), 63, 67 Guilford, Lord (George Augustus North, third Earl), 205, 228 Gurdon, Major, 387 HABEAS Corpus Act, suspension of (1794), 284 Hadden, Mr., 234, 246 Hadden, Mrs., 227 Ham, the exiled French Princes at, 241 Hamilton, Lord H., 207 Hamilton, Mr. H. (Governor of P>er- muda) ; letter to Miss Holroyd, 330 408 GIRLHOOD OF MAEIA JOSEPH A HOLEOYD, Hamilton, Mr. Edward, 225 Hamilton, Prince, 41 Hanbury, Miss, 183 Harrington, Lord, 366 Harrison, Mr., 63, 82, 86, 217 Hartley, Mrs., 360 Harvest, the, of 1795, 335 Haskett, Mr. John (brother-in-law of Comte Lally Tollendal), 139 Hastings, camp at, 287 Hastings, Warren: end of his trial, 321 Haussonville, Comte d' (French poli- tician : b. 1770, d. 1846), 158 Hawkins, Mr., 69 Hay. price of (1795), 341, 361 Hsyley, Mr. William (the poet), 227, 257, 286, 297, 302 sq. ; advises Lord Sheffield about Gibbon's Me- moirs, 303 ; letter and poem to Miss Holroyd, 310 sq. Heilbrunn, 186 Henin, Princesse d' (refugee in Eng- land), 156 ; account of events in Paris in August, 1792 ; her nephew's account of events of the war in October 1792, 174 sqq. ; her rela- tions with Lally Tollendal, 231, 257, 259; living at Twickenham, 231, 243, 249; at Sheffield Place, 257; at Bath, 387 Herbert, Lady C., 301 Heron, Lady, 244 Heron, Sir B., 35 Hervey, Lady Louisa, 29 Hervey, Mr., 29, 217 Hettdown, 273, 306 Hill, Miss (daughter of Lady Berwick), 215 Hobart, Mr. H., 107 Hobhouse, Mr. (Lord Sheffield's oppo- nent at Bristol), 388 Hoche, General Lazare (French gene- ral, 6. 1768; defeated General Wurmser ; d. at Wetzler, 1797) : his career, 261 Hodges, Mrs. (the famous), 75 Holderness, Lady, 301 Holkham (Mr. Coke's residence), 108 Holman, Miss, 112 Holroyd, Mr. Isaac (Lord Sheffield's father), 1 sq. ; his character, 4 Holroyd, Mrs. (Lord Sheffield's mother), 357 Holroyd, Louisa (younger daughter of Lord Sheffield : afterwards Lady Louisa Clinton), 2, 10 sq., 19, 28, 59, 69, 105 ; goes to live with her aunt at Bath, 126 ; her opinion of C. J. Fox, 208 ; ill-health, 295, 297, 299 sq. ; return to her father's house, 322 ; presented at Court, 372 ; engagement to William Clinton, 393. Letters to her sister, 126, 180 sqq., 203, 207 sq. Holroyd, Maria Josepha (daughter of Lord Sheffield ; afterwards Mrs. Stanley) : Incidents of her early years Her sixth birthday, 1 ; a letter of hers written in her twelfth year, 2 ; occupations of her child- hood : writing an original story, 1 The Duchesse de C.,' 6 ; the books she read, 7 ; sees Mrs. Siddons in I Isabella,' 9 ; onher father's writings, 10 ; her favourite books at fifteen, II ; preference for Sheffield Place, 12 ; a day's occupations, 14 ; sight- seeing in London, ib. ; attractions of Sheffield Place, 15 ; her pets, 16 ; liking for Mr. Gibbon, 19 ; love of botany, ib. ; the trial of Warren Hastings, 22 ; a French charade, 23 ; Lord Sheffield's election in 1790, 27 ; at a Drawing Koom and a Eoyal ball, 30 sq. ; preparations for a visit to Mr. Gibbon, at Lausanne, 32 Holroyd, M. J. : Journey to Switzer- land The departure, 35 ; details of the journey : Dieppe, 36 ; Eouen, 37 ; Chateau de Navarre : a ' princely stile ' of living, 39 ; sight-seeing, &o., in Paris, 41 ; a dinner at Roberts', 47 ; description of the Apotheosis of Voltaire, 49 sqq. pictures and historical relics, 55 ; visit to the National Assembly : decrees as to the king's position, 55 sqq. ; Fontainebleau, 58 ; the Chartreuse, 60 ; hospital at Dijon, ib. ; Lausanne : description of Gibbon's home, 62 ; his friends ; visit to M. Necker, 63 ; Chamouny, 64 ; the Severy family, 66 ; envi- rons of Geneva, 67 ; in a thunder- storm, 68 ; the Mer de Glace, 69 ; dangers of travel, 71 ; social life at Lausanne, 73 ; visit to Meilleraie, 75 ; introduction to Count Lally Tollendal, 76 ; French refugees in Switzerland, 78 ; Lord Chesterfield's ' La petite Blot,' 79 ; beauty of Swiss scenery, 79 sq. ; the condi- tion of Switzerland, 80, 85 ; Swiss wrestlers, 85 sq. Holroyd, M. J. : The Return Journey Botanising in the Valley of Munster, 89 ; Arlesheim, 90 ; the Eoyalists at Coblenz, 91 ; Strasburg, 92 ; Spires, INDEX AND BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS. 409 93 ; Mannheim : Elector Palatine's palace, 94 ; disasters of travel, 95 ; Bonn : Elector of Cologne's palace, 96 ; Cologne, Liege, Brussels, 97 ; Antwerp, 99 sq. ; Calais, 100 ; birth of Mrs.Maynard's daughter (Marina), 101 ; a letter from Gibbon, 103 Holroyd, M. J. : Home Life, 1791- 92 : Correspondence with Rev. N. Nicholls, 106, 110 ; on Lady Craven's hurried marriage, 108 ; remarks on Lavater's ' character ' of Lord Shef- field, 112, 114 ; on Mme de Sillery and the Orleans children, 112 sq., 115 ; on Gibbon's lady favourites, 115 ; Lally Tollendal's visit to Sheffield Place : his character and habits, 118, 122 ; an enigma, 121 ; Dr. J.Moore's ' Zeluco,' 124 ; letters from Louisa Holroyd, 126, 180 sqq. ; letters from Miss Moss, 129 sqq., 183 sqq., 198 ; copies of Lally Tollendal's letters on events in France, 136 sqq., 145 sqq. ; Miss Holroyd's summaries of these, 142 ; on Lally Tollendal's imprisonment, 191 ; story of eight refugee French priests, 192 sqq. ; massacres in Paris, 194 sqq. ; story of Mme de Sermaisons, 197 ; letter from Gibbon, 200 ; letters from her mother, 204 ; from Lady Webster, 205 Holroyd, M. J. : Home Life, 1793 Correspondence with Miss Firth, 210 sqq., 224 sqq., 234, 281 ; the sufferings of the refugees, 215 ; death of her mother, 219 ; letters of condolence, 221 sq. ; the camp at Ashdown Forest, 226 ; visit from Gibbon, 227 sqq. ; Miss Burney's marriage, 229 ; entertaining mili- tary guests, 231 ; visit to the camp, 234 ; on Pauline Pully's projected marriage, 237, 243; visit from Lady Webster : her ' foreign manners,' 238 ; remarks on the war in Flan- ders, 240 ; at Tunbridge Wells : social life there, 244 ; Gibbon's liking for turtle, 246 ; visit to Brighton, 248 ; home amusements, 251 Holroyd, M. J. ; Home Life, 1794 Presents from Switzerland, 256 ; Mr. Hayley, the poet, 257 ; illness of Gibbon, 259 ; an escapade of 'Belcombe' (Miss Holroyd's horse), 262 ; on the death of Gibbon, 266 ; home occupations, 267 ; her neigh- bours and servants, 268 ; an epi- demic of small-pox : inoculation, 269, 273 ; Marina, the ' Sea Nymph ' (Mrs. Maynard's daughter), 272 ; remarks on Gibbon's Memoirs, 273 sq. ; alarms of French inva- sion, 276 ; the woods around Shef- field Place, 278 ; social life in London, 281 ; pictures and fashions, 283 ; on the Duke of York in Flan- ders, 284 ; alarms of plots and con- spiracies in England, ib. ; Lord Sheffield's ' wry-necked secretary,' 286 ; housewifely work at Sheffield Place, 287 ; Gibbon's 'first and only love,' 288 ; Eobespierre, ib. ; the library at Sheffield Place, 289 ; on Austria's and Prussia's conduct of the war, 291 ; Ministerial changes, 292 ; a Highland regiment's uni- form, 293; Gibbon's Journal and love-letters, ib. ; a narrow escape from drowning, 294 ; Sir Elijah Impey, 295 ; Eeynolds's picture of Lord Sheffield, at Sheffield Place, 295 ; Harriet Clinton and her future husband, 296 sq. ; visit to the Brighton camp, 298 ; intimacy with Lady Hester Stanhope, 300 ; visit to Tunbridge Wells, 300 sq. ; two interesting visitors, 302 ; opinion of Mr. Hayley, 303 ; anecdote of Fletching ringers, 306 ; death of Henry Way and of Mrs. Woodward, 307 sq. ; re-marriage of Lord Shef- ' field : letter from Lady Pelham, 309 ; letter from her father, 310 ; poem to her from Mr. Hayley, 311 ; letter from her stepmother, 311 Holroyd, M. J. : Home Life, 1795 Esteem for her stepmother, 313 ; the ' dear lady's ' first days at Sheffield Place, 314 ; gaieties in London, 319 sqq. ; at Carlton House : presentation, 321 ; at Alrnack's, 322 ; danger of famine, 324 ; love for Sheffield Place, 325 ; Mr. Van Couver, 326 ; a visit to the Pavilion (Prince of Wales, Brighton), 327 ; character of Mr. Jekyll, 329 ; Rous- seau's letters, 332 ; first meeting with Mr. Stanley, 333 ; Mr. Edridge (portrait painter), 334 ; a good har- vest, 335 ; letters from Lady Shef- field, 338, 340, 345 ; appreciation of Mr. Stanley, 338 ; her aunt's advice on the choice of a husband, 340 ; Lady Sheffield's accouchement, 341 ; more about Mr. Stanley : the ' Vie de Madame Roland,' 346 sqq. ; Mrs. Lyon's marriage, 349 ; story of Lady Audley'a first husband, 353 410 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. Holroyd, M. J. : Events of 1796 Account of Lord Sheffield's method of helping the poor, 361 ; on the succession to the English Crown, 362 ; publication of Gibbon's Me- moirs, 365, 371 ; Mr. Stanley's ' Leonora,' 368 ; death of Mrs. Gibbon, 369 ; at a Drawing Room, 373; visit to Mr. Stanley's house, ib. ; Mme de Genlis' ' Les Cheva- liers du Cygne,' 374 ; engagement to Mr. Stanley, 375 ; her estimate of his character, 376 ; counsels of her aunt, 377 sq. ; her own forecast, 379 ; her first essay in ' obedience,' 382 ; Mr. Stanley's personal appear- ance, 384 ; marriage preparations, 385 sq. ; the General Election, 388 ; picture of Mr. Stanley by Edridge, 389; Count Rumford and the chim- neys, 390 ; tiresome lawyers, 391 ; the marriage, 395 ; Miss Holroyd's interpretation of ' obey ' in the Marriage Service, 398 Holroyd, M. J. : Letters from, to Firth, Miss A., 36, 210 sqq., 215, 218, 224-31, 234-53, 256 sqq., 260, 266-78, 281-90, 292-97, 300-3, 305-9, 313-16, 320 sq., 326 sq., 333-35, 345, 355, 357, 360, 365, 369, 371 sq., 376, 384, 388-93, 397 Serena, 2, 6, 7, 9, 10 sqq. t 13 sqq., 19, 22 sq., 27, 30 sqq., 37-60, 62 sqq., 73 sqq., 84, 88-98, 99, 101, 112, 114, 118, 122, 191, 310, 324 sq., 329, 332, 338, 345, 348, 353, 358 sq., 362, 366, 373, 375, 379, 381, 385 sq. Holroyd, Sarah Martha (' Serena ' : Lord Sheffield's sister) ; letter to M. J. Holroyd on her sixth birthday, 1 ; ' Eloge ' of her father, 4 ; on the Polish Dwarf, 5 ; on deportment, 9 ; the use of ' franks,' 10 ; neatness in girls, 13 ; staidness of speech in women, 17 ; the first Sunday School at Bath, ib. ; description of an in- dustrial school, 18 ; friendship with Gibbon, 21 ; on Reynolds's picture of her brother, ib. ; comments on the Lausanne visit, 61, 82, 86 ; her home in Bath, 108 ; anecdotes of Mme de Genlis, 109 ; on Lavater's ' character ' of her brother, 113 ; on Mme de Genlis' writings, 116; a figured enigma, 121 ; social life in Bath, 124 sqq. ; Louisa Holroyd goes to live with her, 126; the death f Ah'wwil, Lady Sheffield, 221 ; ac- count of the death of Gibbon, 263 ; his will, 265 ; Mrs. Gibbon, 266, 280 ; intimacy with Lady Hester Stanhope, 300; on the second Lady Sheffield, 317; Louisa Holroyd's return to her father's house, 318 sq., 322 ; adoption of the late Lady Sheffield's dog, ' Tuft,' 323 ; on the state of Ireland (1795) : ' zigzag stories,' ib. ; on her servants, 331 ; poverty of Madame D'Arblay, ib. ; the proposed marriage of Mrs. Lyon, 332, 342, 351 ; on the choice of hus- band and wife, 339 ; curious effect of a blister, 348 ; manuscripts of her mother, 357 ; acquaintance with Sydney Smith, 360 ; on proper be- haviour of women in courtship, 363 ; on Mme de Genlis' ' Les Chevaliers du Cygne,' and other books, 368 ; Mrs. Gibbon's will, 370 ; card-playing at Bath, 371 ; Gibbon's ' Memoirs,' 372 ; on Miss Holroyd's engagement to Mr. Stanley, 377, 380, 383; congratulations on her marriage, 395 sq. Holroyd, S. M. : letters to M. J. Hol- royd, 1, 4, 5, 7 sq., 10, 13, 17, 20 sq. t 24, 34, 61, 82, 86, 99, 101, 108 sq., 113, 116, 120, 124, 204, 221, 263, 300, 317 s.q., 322 sq., 327, 331, 339, 342 sq., 351 sq., 355, 358 sqq., 363, 366, 368, 370 sq., 372, 377, 380, 382 sq., 387, 395 Hood, Lord (Samuel, first Viscount ; took Toulon and Corsica : b. 1721, d. 1816), 239 Hook (Mr. Poole's house), 348, 355 Hope, Mr. (banker, of Amsterdam), 211 sq. Home Tooke, Mr. (an apostle of Char- tism ; 6. 1736 ; tried, 1794, for high treason ; acquitted ; entered Parlia- ment 1801, M.P. for Old Sarum : d. 1812), 27 Hotham, Sir Richard, 182 Howard, Mrs., 270 Howe, Admiral Lord (first Earl ; re- lieved Gibraltar, 1782; won the great naval victory of June 1, 1794 : d. 1799), 251, 288, 308, 318 Howe, Sir W., 235 Hudson, Lady, 282, 285 Hugues, Victor (French Governor of Guadeloupe, 1795) : examples of his savage tyranny, 330 Hume, Lady Mary, 124 Humphrey, Mrs., 127 Huningue, fort of, 90 Hunt, Miss, 331 INDEX AND BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS. 411 IMPEY, Lady, 295 Impey, Sir Elijah, 278, 295 Industry, School of, at Bath (1787), 18 Inoculation, practice (1794), 269, 273 Invasion by the French, English alarms about (1794), 270, 276 Ireland : political condition in 1784, 10 ; in 1792, 183 ; 1794, 271 ; 1795, 323 Irvine, Mr., 367 Isnard, M. (Member of Convention : 6. 1755, d. 1830), 152 JACOBINS, Societe des, 45, 49, 56, 139, 170, 204 James, Lady Jane (Lady Jane Pratt, daughter of first Earl of Camden), 124 James, Sir Walter, 124 Jefferies, Mr., 109 Jekyll, Mr. (wit and man of letters), 253, 257, 259, 329, 333, 343, 373 Jerningham, Lady (Mary Plowden, heiress of last Earl of Stafford; great-granddaughter of Viscount Stafford, who died on the scaffold), 107, 254 Jersey : threatened French attack on, 276 Johnstone, General, 232 Jordan, Mrs. (actress), 12 Jourdan, M. (French Eevolutionist : b. 1749, executed 1794), 170 Juliers, 97 KEMP, Mr. (Mr. Pelham's opponent at Lewes), 27 Kidnapping (for recruiting soldiers, 1794), 301 Knitting, stocking : fashionable work in Switzerland, 134 Kosciusko, General (Polish patriot ; commanded the rising in 1794 against Kussia and Prussia ; im- prisoned for two years), 365 L'ABBAYE (Paris prison), 348 La Fayette, Marquis de (took part in American War ; commanded Na- tional Guard ; general of the French army ; imprisoned in Austria : (>. 1757, d. 1834), 47, 51, 137, 139,141, 145, 167, 277, 208 Lally Tollendal, Comte (b. 1751, d. 1830), 76 ; his tragedy, ' Le Comte de Straff ord/ 77 ; visit to Sheffield Place, 118; translation of * Cato ' into French verse, 119 ; asks to be made an Irish Peer, 122 ; letter to Lord Sheffield on the murder of Theobald Dillon, 136 sqq. ; desire to be a naturalised Englishman, 140 ; letter on the events of June 20, 1792, 145 ; an armed mob in the National Assembly, 147 ; scenes in the Tuileries, 149 ; letter to Prin- cesse d'Henin : events of August 1792, 156; his letters to Burke, 161 ; a prisoner in Paris, 191 ; escape, 192 ; wrote La Fayette's manifestoes and letters, ib. ; anecdote of the exiled French princes, 241 ; at Sheffield Place, 257; his elocution, 259 ; seeks an Irish pension, 261 ; obtains a pension, 275 ; relations with Mme d'Henin, 275 ; defence of La Fayette, 277 ; at Sheffield Place, 362 ; writ- ing a tragedy, ' Kosciusko,' 365 ; at Bath, 383, 387 Lally Tollendal, Comtesse, 205 Lamballe, Princesse de (devoted friend of Marie Antoinette ; murdered dur- ing the September massacres 1792), 159, 162 Laineth, General Theodore (one of three brothers who took part in French Eevolution ; supporter of Constitution 1791 : b. 1756, d. 1834), 166 Lametier, M. (nephew to Princesse d'Henin), 156 La Motte, Comtesse de (French ad- venturess, celebrated in the story of the Diamond Necklace : d. 1791) : her tragic end, 84 La Motte, M. (imprisoned for Eepubli- can opinions in Castle of Chillon), 105 Land, appreciation of value of (1794), 271 Langham, Lady, 279, 281 Lansdowne, Lord, 278, 344 Lascelles, Mr., 12 Latrobe, Mr. Ben. (architect : died 1820), 305 Lauderdale, Lord, 210, 371 Lausanne, 62, 80 sq., 85, 88, 105, 132, 184 ; Gibbon's house at (recently destroyed), 202 n. Lavater, (M. (Swiss physiognomist : born at Zurich 1741 ; died there 1801)), his ' Caractere ' of Lord Sheffield, 111 sqq. Lawrence, Miss, 83 Lawrence, Mr. T. (later, Sir Thomas ; painter), 283 412 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. Lazowski, M. (Polish protege of the Due de la Eochef oucauld ; Inspector of Manufactures ; took part in Sep- tember massacres 1792 ; Bobespierre pronounced his funeral oration : d. 1793), 44 Le Clerc, Miss, 229 Leeds, Duchess of, 372 sg. Legard, Lady (daughter of Henry Aston, of Aston, Cheshire), 75, 202 Legard, Sir J. (of Ganton, Scar- borough ; neighbour of Gibbon at Lausanne ; had the best vessel on the Lake), 73, 75, 280, 286 Leighton, Mrs., 244 Le Mercier, Louis Jean (dramatic author, 1771-1840), the plays of, 11 Lemoncielle, M. (Bepublican) : his political intrigues at Constanti- nople, 206 Leon, Prince de (son of Due de Bohan- Chabot ; at the head of the Poitevins and Bretons in Jersey ; made Mare- chal de Camp by Comte d'Artois : &. 1761, d. 1816), 216 'Leonora' (a work by Mr. Stanley), 368, 384 Leslie, the Ladies (Lucy, Lady Sheffield's nieces ; daughters of Countess of Bothes), 395 Levade, M. (librarian to Gibbon), 66, 63, 112, 132, 202, 256, 265 Lewes : election of 1790, 27 ; attack of small-pox in (1794), 269, 273 ; ' Olympic Games,' 296 ; the wool fair, 329 ; election of 1796, 389 Liancourt, Due de (friend of Consti- tutional Monarchy ; made every effort to reconcile the Court and the Assembly; broke the news of the fall of the Bastile to Louis XVI. ' It is a Bevolt ? ' 'No, Sire, it is a Bevolution' spent many years in exile ; died at Liancourt among his people, who were devoted to him), 44 Liege, 97 Lille, 137 ; French defeat at (1794), 283 L'Isle Dieu, 342 sq. ' Lives of the Poets,' Johnson's, 11 Llandaff , Bishop of (Dr. B. Watson) : his ' Apology for the Bible,' 374 Locke, Mr. (of Norbury Park, Surrey) : liberality to Miss Burney on her marriage, 229 Lockhart, Mrs., 282 Loftus, Colonel, 254 Loftus, Lady Elizabeth, 108 London : social life in 1794, 271, 281 ; riots, 300 ; 1795, 319 sqq. Long, Lady Jane, 371 Lottery, an Irish, 316 Loughborough, Lord (Lord Chancel- lor ; formerly Mr. Wedderburne), 122, 139, 237 Louis de Brun : his monument at Bouen, 38 Louis XVI., 35, 37, 42, 44, 53, 78, 82 ; treatment by the mob in 1792, 143 ; his behaviour in June 1792, 151 sgg. ; letter to the Assembly, 155; a frugal repast, 162 ; description of his ap- pearance in December 1792, 177 ; his trial, 178 ; his execution, 212 Louvain, 97 Louvet, M. Jean Baptiste (romance and political writer, 1760-1797) : his ' Le Becit de mes Perils,' 348 Louviers, 39, 42 Lowestoft, 232 Luckner, Marshal, Nicholas Baron de (executed 1794), 123, 137, 139 ; his death, 185 Lupton, Mr., 269 Luther, Mrs., 338 Luxembourg, Due de (Charles de Mont- morency ; served in the army of Conde; later entered the Portuguese army ; returned to France at the Bestoration ; served till 1830, when he refused to take the oath to Louis Philippe), 216 Lyon, Mrs. : her conditional promise of marriage, 332 ; the condition rea- lised, 342, 346, 349; her marriage to Bev. G. Coxe, 351 sqq. MACDONALD, Sir A., 216 Macleod, Lady (widow of Lord Mac- leod), 83 Macpherson, Sir J., 67, 69, 75, 77, 81, 111 sq. Madame Elisabeth (sister of Louis XVI.), 95, 153, 160, 162, 252 Madame Boyale (daughter of Louis XVI.), 160, 162, 166, 252 Maddison, Mr., 8 Maestricht, 296 Malesherbes, M. Chretien Guillaume de (French statesman, economist and litterateur: b. 1721, executed 1794), 219 Malmesbury, Lady, 29 Malouet, M. Pierre Victor (French statesman and litterateur ; devoted to the King ; took refuge in Eng- land, 1792 ; recalled by Napoleon, 1801 ; his too great frankness caused his exile to Lorraine ; Louis XVIII. INDEX AND BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS. 413 made him Minister of Marine, at which post he died ; left no fortune ; the King bore the expenses of his funeral : b. 1740, d. 1814), 216, 231, 362 Manners Sutton, Mrs. (wife of Bishop of Norwich), 232 Mannheim, 94 Mantes, 41 Marat, murder of, 226 Marches, Les (Savoy), 183 Marie Antoinette, Queen, 35, 37, 47, 79, 96, 144 ; treatment by the mob (1792), 154 ; demeanour in the Champ de Mars, 159, 161, 165 ; a prisoner in the Temple, 219 ; her trial, 231 ; in the Conciergerie, ib. ; her execution, 246, 249 Marina (Mrs. Maynard's child), 101, 122, 272, 280, 316 Marriage deeds : the delays of lawyers, 391 sqq. Marseillaise Army : letter to the Legis- lature (1792), 147 ; in Paris, 169 Mary, Princess (1791), 31 Massacres in the French Revolution, 170, 191, 193 sqq. ' Matches, phosphoric,' 316 Mayence, 94, 187 sq., 227, 236 Maynard, Mrs. (Lady Sheffield's maid; afterwards housekeeper), 36, 101, 122, 272, 316 Meat, high price of (1793), 212 Meilleraie, les Roches de, 75 Melbourne, Lord, 254 Hellish, Miss, 328, 387 Mellish, Mrs., 265 Menet, M., 119 Mercer, Miss, 29 Mercy-Argenteau, Count (Austrian di- plomatist ; ambassador to France : d. 1794), 299 Mer de Glace, the, 69 Merlin, H. de, 155 ' Messiah, The,' a performance of (1790), 25 Meteor, the, of 1783, 8 Miller, Mr., 339 Millers, complaints against (1795), 361 Mirabeau, Gabriel Honore, Comte de (statesman, writer and orator ; re- presented Aix in States General; President of Jacobin Club, 1790 ; of the National Assembly, 1791 ; buried in Pantheon, 1791 ; exhumed, 1793), 38, 46, 51 Mirabeau, Mine de (Marie Emilie de Covet, daughter of Marquis de Ma- rignan), 134 Moira, Lord (general and statesman ; 1764-1829), 251, 259, 299 Molineux (Molyneux), Lord (second Earl of Sefton), 63, 73, 90, 108 Mons, 139, 140 sq. t 205 Montacute, Lord, 82 ; his country house (Cowdry) burnt down, 243 Montagny, M. de : his haste to take possession of Gibbon's house, 286 Montanvert, 69, 198 ; ' Blair's Cabin,' 73 Monteuil, Vicomte de ; protected Marie Antoinette from the mob, 153 Montgomery, Sir George, 108 Montmorin, Comte de (Governor of Fontainebleau ; massacred at Paris, 1792, in La Force, with the greatest violence and cruelty, being impaled alive and carried to the National Assembly), 37, 191 Montolieu, Mile de, 115 Montrond, M. (hanger-on of Talley- rand), 105 Moore, Dr. John : his novel ' Zeluco,' 124 Moorhouse, Mr. (Lady Audley's first husband), story of, 353 More, Hannah (authoress and philan- thropist, 1745-1833), 125, 318, 328 More, Mr., 302 sq. Morris, Gouverneur (American diplo- matist ; Minister of the United States at Paris, 1791 to 1794), 36 Moss, Miss, 120, 126 ; account of affairs in Switzerland (September 1792), 183 ; her journey home from Ge- neva, 184 sqq., 186 sqq., 198. Letters to Miss Holroyd, 73, 129, 131, 183, 186, 198 Mostyn, Lady, 301 Mouchy, Marechal de (b. 1715, guillo- tined June 29, 1794), 151 sq. Mounier, M. (distinguished member of the States General in 1789 ; Presi- dent of the National Assembly ; retired to Switzerland, 1790 ; his character was summed up by Re- gnaud de St. Jean d'Angely : ' This man was thirsty for justice'), 161, 241 Moutier, 90 Mulgrave, Lord, 83 Munster, Valley of, 89 Murray, Lady A., 215 NAMUR, 139 Naples, life in, in 1793, 209, 213 sqq. Nassau, 123 National Assembly. See Assembly, National 414 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA IIOLROYD. National Guard (French), 143, 151 sqq., 169, 195 Navarre, Chateau de, 37, 39 sq. Navy, English, 270 Neave, Mrs., 282 Necker, M. (a Swiss ; Minister of Fi- nance under Louis XVI. : b. 1732, d. 1804), 63, 104, 107, 161 Necker, Mme (n6e Curchod ; Gibbon's first love ; mother of Mme de Stael ; b. 1739, d. 1794), 63, 286, 293 Netley : encampment of troops at, 228, 230 ; a field day, 234 Newcastle, Duchess of (sister of Lord Harrington), 366 Newcastle (Thomas, third) Duke of (b. 1752, d. 1795), 357 Newham, Mrs. G., 243 Nice, 102, 117 Nicholls, Mrs., 212 Nicholls, Rev. Norton ('Old Nick'), 205 ; a sermon of his, in London, 282 ; opinion of Hayley (the poet), 305. Letters to Miss Holroyd, 106, 110, 232, 254, 305 Nicholson, Margaret (mad woman who attempted the life of the King), 15 Noailles, Mme Charles de, 261 Noailles, Vicomte de (second son of Marechal de Mouchy ; French general ; Liberal Member of the Assembly ; mortally wounded be- fore Havannah, 1804), 48 sg., 55, 142 Nolcken, Baroness, 281 North, Lady A., 301 North, Lord (Frederick, eighth Baron ; Prime Minister, 1770-1781 ; second Earl of Guilford: d. 1792), 26 North, Mr. F. (afterwards fifth Earl of Guilford ; Chancellor of Univer- sity of the Ionian Islands : b. 1766, d. 1827), 239, 242 Northlands, Lady, 371 Northlands, Mr. : marriage to Miss Hesketh, 371 Norwich, Bishop of (Manners Button), 232, 254 Nott,Mr.(tutortoLordMolyneux)73,90 Nuncomar, Rajah : executed by hang- ing, 295 OATH, the Civil (France), 131 ' CEuvres de Dieu, Les,' 11 O'Haguerty, Count, 217 ' Olympic Games ' at Lewes, 296 Orange, Prince of, 307 ' Richard ! mon Roi ! ' (song), 91 Oriel, Lord, 120 Orleans, Duke of, 84 Orme, Miss, 108 Orme, Mr., 108 Ostend, 100, 289 Otto, General, 284 Ouse Canal, 271 Oxford University : Gibbon's estimate of its Professors and Tutors, 274 PAINE, Mr. T. : his ' Age of Reason,' 374 Paintings, exhibition of (1794), 283 Palmerston, Lord (Henry, second Vis- count : b. 1739, d. 1802), 57 Pantiles, the (Tunbridge Wells), 43, 244 Paravicini, Count, 92 Paravicini, Countess (ne Miss Byron), 92 Paris: in 1791, 41 sqq.', in 1792, June, 145 sqq.', August, 156; December, 177 Parker, Miss Theresa (sister of Lord Boringdon ; married Hon. G.Villiers ; mother of fourth Earl of Clarendon, Lady Theresa Lewis, Rt. Hon. Charles Villiers, and Montague Vil- liers, Bishop of Durham), 326, 369. Letters to Miss Holroyd, 330, 373, 394, 397 Partingdon, Mr. T., 334 Pavilion, the (Brighton), a visit to, 327 Payne, Lady, 29 Payne, Sir R., 82 Pays de Vaud : china manufacture, 256 Peachey, Lady, 244 ' Pearl ' (Maria Holroyd's mare), 12 Pelham, Lady, 297, 301 ; letter to Miss Holroyd, 309 Pelham, Lord, 234, 278, 282, 316, 327 Pelham, Miss, 301 Pelham, Miss Emily (Lucy, Lady Sheffield's sister), 334 sq., 341, 351 Pelham, Mr. G., 333 Pelham, Mr. John Crosse, 389 Pelham, Mr. T., 27, 33, 35, 87, 41, 43 45 sqq., 59, 63 sq., 67sg., 77, 102, 190, 207, 210, 215, 217, 236, 238, 246, 248, 251, 298 sq., 307, 334, 351, 390 Pepys, Mr., 360 Pepys, Sir L., 251 ' Peruvian Letters, The,' 14 Petion, M. (Mayor of Paris ; member of the Convention ; brought Louis XVI. back from Varennes, 1791 ; com- mitted suicide, 1793), 141, 143, 147, 153 sq.. 162 sq., 165 Pierre, Isle of : Rousseau's residence at, 89 INDEX AND BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS. 415 Pierre Pertuis, pass of, 172 Pieton, M. (partner of M. Decretot), 39 'Pigtails ' : cut off before taking Orders, 361 * Pirate, The ' (a play), 286 Pitt, Wm. (second son of Earl of Chat- ham ; Prime Minister ; declared war against France, 1793 ; effected Irish Union, 1800: 6. 1759, d. 1806), 10, 125, 260, 268, 284, 292, 324, 343 sq. Plimer (miniature painter), 30 Plymouth, Countess of, 207 Pocock, Mr. Isaac (painter and dra- matist, 1782-1835), 373 Pointz, Mrs., 127 Poissardes, the, 51 Poix, Prince de (Philippe Louis de Noailles-Mouchy, son of Due de Mouchy, Field Marshal ; devoted to the King, whom he attended till the time of his imprisonment; emigrated to England, where he remained till 1800; died at Paris, 1819), 144, 159, 231, 257, 259, 362, 365 Poix, Princesse de (daughter of the Prince de Beauvau, Captain of the Guard) : her treatment as a prisoner in Paris, 249, 261 Polier, Chanoinesse de (inherited under Mr. Gibbon's will), 265 Polier, Colonel de (French exile), 211 Polignac, Yolande, Duchesse de (Governess to the children of Marie Antoinette ; mother of the Duchesse de Guiche: 6. 1749, d. 1793), 63 Polignac, Mme Diane de, the 'Essays ' of, 368 Political events in England, 241, 260, 268, 277, 292, 362, 366 Pompadour, Mme de, 55 Pont St. Esprit, 102 Poole, Miss, 251, 257, 300, 303 Poole, Mr., 72, 253 Poole, Mrs., 182, 266 sqq. Pope Joan (game), 360 Porten, Mrs. (Gibbon's ' Aunt Kitty '), 8, 12, 275 Portland, Duchess of (heiress of Har- ley, Earl of Oxford), account of her Museums, 14 Portland, Duke of, 210, 292 Potatoes used in making bread (1795), 335 Pottage made of bones (for the poor, 1795), 361 Powder, hair : decline in its use, 320, 328 Powder tax, the, 318 Pras, Mme de (with Mme de Mira- beau during their husbands' absence with the Princes), 134 Priests, refugee : account of their treatment in France, 192 sqq. how they escaped, 197 Prussia : war with France (1792) 175 sqq., (1794) 291, (1795) 342 Puisaye, Joseph, Comte de (occupied the hereditary post of ' Grand Bailli de Perche ' ; Eoyalist general and representative : b. 1754, d. 1827), 336 Fully, M. de (Colonel ; Commander of Cuirassiers under Dillon), 137 Fully, M. de (son of the Colonel) : his act of bravery, 138 Fully, Pauline, 137 sq., 191 ; projected marriage, 237, 243 Puysegur, Comte de, 158 QUIBERON, defeat of Koyalists at, 328 Quin, Mrs., 180 Quinevain, 139 RADNOR, Lord: his collection of pic- tures, 352 Eamond, M. (intimate counsellor of Cardinal de Eohan ; was agent in the affair of the Diamond Necklace ; Deputy to the Legislative Assembly : 6. 1755, d. 1827), 148 Randolph, Rev. Dr., 355 Ranelagh, 282 'Ranz des Vacbes, La' (Swiss air), 8 Rawlins, Mrs. (nte Le Maitre), 281 Raynham, ' radiance cast by Lady Townshend ' upon, 108 Refugees, French : County Collection in aid of them, 192 ; an example of their terrible sufferings, 215 sqq. ; tribute to the memory of Lady Sheffield, 220 ' Reversi, Le ' (card game), 134 Revolution, French, incidents of the, 35, 37, 44, 53, 55, 78 sg., 85, 91, 96, 113, 123, 125, 130, 134, 136 sqq., 143, 145 sqq., 157 sqq., 219, 226, 249, 253 Reynolds, Sir Joshua : his picture of Lord Sheffield, 21, 286, 295, 334 Rhine, the, 95, 103, 200 Rhone, the, 67 sg. Richmond, (third) Duke of, 228. 240 sq 246, 278, 284 Rivers, Lady, 124, 288, 351, 354 Rivet, Rev. Mr., 257 Rivet, Mrs., 257 416 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD. Roberts' (Paris, 1791), a dinner at, 40 sq Eobespierre, Maximilien M. J. de (Kevolutionary politician ; leader of Jacobins ; established Reign of Terror ; 6. at Arras, 1758 ; guillo- tined, 1794) : his decree of ' no quarter to English and Hanoverians,' ; ) ! execution, 300 Robinson, Major, 232 Robinson, Miss, 369 Robinson, Mrs. (sister of Lord Olive), 232 Rochambeau, Jean Baptiste, Comte de, Marechal, 123, 139 sqq. Rochefoucauld, Due de la (liberal- minded and public-spirited philan- thropist and politician ; killed at Gisors, 1794), 44 Rodborough, the scenery near, 328 Roederer, Pierre Louis, Comte d' (French statesman ; member of the National Assembly ; advocated liberty and equality : b. at Metz, 1754, d. 1835), 147 Rohan, Prince Louis Rene, Cardinal de Bishop of Strasbourg ; diplomatist ; celebrated in connection with the Diamond Necklace), 84, 123 Roland, M. J. M. de la Platiere (Girondin ; Minister of the Interior, 1792 ; committed suicide on hearing of his wife's execution, 1793), 145 ' Roland, Mme, Vie de ' (wife of the above ; nee Philipon, b. 1754 ; authoress ; refused to fly with her husband from Paris, 1792 ; executed, 1793), 346 sq., 353, 356 Rolle, Commission of (Switzerland), 80, 105 n. Romainvilliers, M., 147 Romanzow, Count, 96 Rose, Mr., 297 Rosset, M., 105 Rothes, Lady, 8, 320 Rothesay and Caithness Regiment : description of its uniform, 293 Rouen: the Abbey, 37; English monu- ments in the cathedral, 38 Rousseau, J. J., 75 ; his letters to M. de Malesherbes, 332 ; letters to M. de Luxembourg, 333 ; character of his writings, ib. Rumford, Count (formerly Sir Benja- min Thompson) : his career, 390 Russell, Mrs., 297, 301 SACKYILLE, Lord (fifth and last Duke of Dorset), 29 Sadler's Wells, 2 Saintes, Bishop of: put to death in the Revolution, 196 Salisbury Cathedral, 352 Salle, M. de (Member of Assembly ; spoke in favour of Louis XVI.), 58 Salms, Prince de, 63 Salms, Princesse de (celebrated for her wit and beauty) : b. 1767, d. 1845, 97 Sampson, Captain, 99 Sandwich, Lord, 366 Sansculottes, the, 146, 163, 192, 197 Santerre, M. (Parisian brewer ; com- manded the National Guard, 1793), 143, 146, 148, 153 Savoy, 183, 190 Sawbridge, Mr., 82 Scenery : French, 38 sq., 41 ; round Geneva, 67 sqq. ; Lausanne, 74 sqq. ; Swiss, 89, 106 Schomberg, Colonel de (Emigre living at Ouchy), 77, 79 Scott, Miss, 250 Seigneux, M., 75 Sens, 130 Septeuil, M. (Louis XVI.'s valet), 151 Serena. See Holroyd, Sarah Martha Serjent, M., 154 Sermaisons, Mme de (a refugee), 196 ' Serment civile,' the, 159, 166 Severy, M. de (friend of Gibbon's), 62, 66, 74, 102 Severy, M.Wilh. de, 103 n., 132 sq., 265 Severy, Mile de, 256, 265, 272 Severy, Mme de, 265 Sevigne, Mme de (d. 1696), 13, 68, 134 Shakespeare Gallery (paintings, 1794), 283 Sheffield, Abigail, Lady (Lord Shef- field's first wife), 6 ; life in London, 25, 28 ; journey with her husband to Lausanne, 33 sqq. ; incidents of the visit to Gibbon, 62 sqq. ; return to England, 118 sqq. ; exertions on behalf of the emigres, 217 : illness and death, 218 sq. : French tribute to her memory, 223. Letters to Maria Josepha, 24, 28, 204 sq., 216 Sheffield, Lucy, Lady (Lord Sheffield's second wife) : her marriage, 310 ; first meeting with her stepdaughter after the marriage, 313 sqq. ; called the ' dear lady,' 317 ; arrangements for sponsors, 337; care for domes- tic economy, 341 ; accouchement, 341 sqq. ; return to Sheffield Place, 355 ; affectionate relations with ' Serena ' and Maria Josepha, 357 sq. ; delicate health, 366 sq., 371 ; sym- pathy with her stepdaughter's en- INDEX AND BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS. 417 gagement, 375 ; preparations for the wedding, 385, 389 ; renewed ill- health, 393, 395 ; her death, 395 n.~ Letters to Maria Josepha, 811, 337, 345 Sheffield, Anne, Lady (Lord Sheffield's third wife), 395 n, Sheffield, Lord (John Baker Holroyd, first Baron Sheffield ; father of M. J. Holroyd), 5 ; loses his seat at Coventry, 10 ; his writings on poli- tics and commerce, 10 sq.\ com- mander of a regiment of light dragoons, 15 ; friendship with Gibbon, 19 ; a visit from the his- torian, 21 ; picture of Lord Sheffield painted for Gibbon by Sir J. Rey- nolds, ib. ; returned for Bristol (1790), 27 ; details of his journey to Switzerland, 35 sqq. : at Lausanne : incidents of the visit to Gibbon, 62 sqq. ; Lavater's estimate of Lord Sheffield's character from his pic- ture, 111; life at Sheffield Place, 118 sgq> ; aid to French refugees, 193, 215; death of his wife, 219; disposes of his house in Downing Street to Government, 224 ; Gibbon visits him, 225 ; disgust with poli- tics, 242 ; his home life, 244, 248 ; at TunbridgeWells, 244 ; at Brighton, , 249 ; liking for the game of cribbage, 251 ; his care of Gibbon in illness, 258 sq. ; executor of his will, 265 ; esteem for his judgment, 269 ; con- dition of Lord Sheffield's Irish pro- perty (1794), 271; his study of Gibbon's manuscripts and memoirs, 273 sqq. ; his defence of La Fayette, 277 ; Gibbon's picture of Lord Sheffield, 286, 295; library at Sheffield Place, 289; a narrow escape from drowning, 294 ; pre- paring the Memoirs of Gibbon for publication, 303 ; his second mar- riage, 309 sqq.; plans for helping those suffering from the high price of bread, 323 sq. ; care for economy, 341 ; domestic disappointment, ib. ; Parliamentary occupations, 353 ; one of Sir H. Clinton's executors, 357 ; method of help against the scarcity of corn (1795), 361 ; pro- gress of Gibbon's 'Memoirs,' 365; the Corn Committee (1795-6), 365, 367 ; benefits under Mrs. Gibbon's will, 369; dispute with the pub- lishers of the ' Memoirs,' 371 ; their publication, 372 ; approval of his daughter's engagement to Mr. Stanley, 377, 381; General Election of 1796 : again member for Bristol, 388 ; wedding congratulation to Mr. Stanley, 395 ; death of Lady Sheffield, 895 n. ; his third wife, ib. Letters to Maria Josepha, 26, 259, 310, 341 Sheffield Place(Lord Sheffield's country residence), 9, 12, 15, 27 ; home life at, 224 sqq., 251; amusements, 268 ; the servants, 269 ; cutting down timber, 276 sq. ; the library, 289, 295 ; alterations in the building, 304 Shelley, Lady: taken prisoner, with her family, by the French, 309 Shelley, Sir John (of Michelgrove, Sussex ; sixth Baronet ; one of the best shots and riders of his day), 67 Sheridan, E. B., 22, 126, 268, 344 Shirt-making and materials, 259 Siddons, Mrs., 6, 9, 12, 22 Sillery, Marquise de. See Genlis, Mme de Silva, Mme de (called by Gibbon ' Mrs. Wood '), 73, 77, 82, 105, 115 Sinclair, Miss, 294 Sinclair, Sir J., 289, 293 Slave trade : Mr. Wilberforce's efforts against it, 271 Small-pox, epidemic of (1794), 269, 273 Smith, Mr. (Lord Sheffield's Irish agent), 271 Smith, Eev. Sydney (Canon of St. Paul's ; wit and man of letters : 1768- 1845), 352, 360 Snett, Mr. (actor), 286 Sneyd, Mr., 238, 297 Snow, Mr., 355 Socket, Mr. (Lord Sheffield's secretary), 286 Somers, (first) Lord, 67 Somers, Lady (daughter of Eeginald Pole-Carew), 67 Sophia, Princess (fifth daughter of George III.), 245 Sorel, Agnes (b. 1409, d. 1450), 55 Southampton, 180 Southampton, Lord, 305 Southwell, Mr., 109 Spencer, Lord, 292, 296, 301 Spencer, Mr., 368 Spires, 93 ; battle of (1792), 187 St. Berthier, Abbey of, 130 St. Cloud, 47 St. Domingo, 258 St. Germain, 41 St. Leger, Major-General John Hayes (Governor of Ceylon; 6. 1756, d. 1799), 240 E B 418 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD, Bt Nicolas Mole, mortality by yellow fever at (1794), 807 St. Omer, 130 St. Ouen, Abbey of, 37 Ste. Pelagie (Paris prison), 348 St. Priest, Comte de (ambassador to Constantinople, 1763; friend of Necker and member of his Ministry ; emigrated, 1791), 169 Bt. Prii, M. (comedian), 146 Stael-Holstein,Baronne de (nte Necker ; French authoress : wrote ' Corinne,' 'Delphine,' etc. : 6. 1766, d> 1817), 64 Standerwick (Mr. Edgells' place), 354 Stanhope, Lady Hester (daughter of third Earl of Stanhope, niece of William Pitt, to whom she acted as Secretary; after his death (1806) she went to Syria, assumed native male dress and devoted herself to astrology i Z> 1776, d* in Syria 1839), 300 Stanhope, Lord, 268, 800 Stanley, Lady (Mr. Stanley's mother), 385 Stanley, Mr. John Thomas (eldest son of Sir John Stanley : married Miss Holroyd), 333, 338, 346 sq.- t his * Leonora,' 868 ; his sketches in Iceland, 373 ; proposal to Miss Holroyd, 875 ; her description of him, 384 sq. ; mention of his brother (Edward, afterwards Bishop of Nor* wich and father of the late Dean of Westminster), 385; retirement from political life, 888 ; marriage, 395 Stanley, Sir John, 881, 384, 386 Stanmer (Lord Pelham's place), 235, 807, 809 Stein, Baron de (son of Werther's Charlotte), 302 Stenay, 176 Stewart, Lady Susan, 83 Stormont, Lord, 29 Stourhead (Sir E. Hoare's place), 124 Stoves, fire : added in bedrooms, 271 Strasburg, 92, 123 Streatfield, Mrs., 380 Btrutt, Lady C., 338 Suffolk hemp (material for shirts), 273 1 Bully's Memoirs,' 11 Sunday School, description of a (1787), 17 ; at Calais, 130 Sutherland, Lady, 48 Swift, Dean : ' Gulliver's Travels,' 262 Swiss : estimate of their character, 79 Swiss Guards at Paris (1792), 171 ; charges against them refuted, 173 Switzerland : its condition in 1791-92, 80, 171 $., 183, 186, 197, 203 sq. 5 legal method of treating wills, 272 Sykes, Lady (Hon. Elizabeth Monck- ton, daughter of second Viscount Galway), 282 Sykes, Sir F, (of Ackworth Park : b. 1732), 67 1 TABLES de la Loi, Les,' 160, 163 Tarleton, Colonel, 47 Tarleton, Mr., 10 Tea-pot, Mrs, Gibbon's old-fashioned, 370 Temple (Paris) : Marie Antoinette and the Dauphin prisoners there, 219 Temple, Lord, 819 Templetown, Lady, 214 Tennant, Mr. (medical man), 822, 366 Thrale, Miss (called ' Queenie ' ; daugh- ter of Mrs. Thrale, friend of Dr. Johnson ; second wife of Admiral Lord Keith : d. 1852), 88 Thun, Lac de, 89, 111 Thuriot, M. Larosiere (Deputy to the Assembly and Convention ; Member of the Committee of Public Safety ; presided at sitting of 9 Thermidor ; after Eevolution settled as lawyer at Liege), 152 Thurlow, Lord (Lord Chancellor: 6. 1732, d. 1806), 297 Tib (kind of carriage), 243, 289 Toasts, the custom of giving, 299, 359 ' Tom Jones ' (Fielding's work), 268 1 Tompot, Mrs.,' 20 Toulon : in possession of the English, 256; again in the hands of the French, 258 Tour-du"Pin->Gouvernet r M. dela(Mem- her of States General ; Minister of War, 1789 ; courageous witness at trial of Marie Antoinette ; tried and executed with his elder brother, 1794), 249 Tournay, 184, 137, 140 Tourzel, M. (son of Madame de Tour- zel ; devoted friend to Marie Antoi- nette), 159 Townley Hall (co.,Louth), 125 Townshend, Lady (Anne, daughter of Sir William Montgomery, Magbie Hill, Peebles), 108 Treves, Elector of, 123 Trevor, Mr., 63, 76 sq., 82, 86, 123 Trevor, Mrs., 76 sq., 105 ' Triumphs of Temper ' (work by Mr. W. Hayley), 311 n. 1 Tuft ' (Lady Sheffield's lapdog), 16, 59, 74, 323, 327, 382 INDEX AND BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS, 419 Ttiileries : the events thera on June 20, 1792, 149 sqq. Tunbridge Wells: social life at (1793), 228, 244 ; Sion Hill, 300 . Turkey: French intrigues with, against Russia, 206 Twickenham: French refugees at, 231, 243, 249 Tyson, Mrs., 800 VALLIERE, Duchesse de la (d. 1710) : her picture at the Carmelites, Paris, 54 Valenciennes, 139 sg, t 226, 236 Van Couver, Mr, (of Vancouver's Is- land), 826 Varennes, 35 Vaud, le Pays de, 76, 85, 105 . Vendee, La : Eoyalist doings in, 328, 386 Venice, description of, 188 sq> Verdun, 174 Vergniaud, M. Pierre Victorin (cele- brated Eevolutionary orator ; mem- ber of the Girondist party : 6. 1753, d. 1793), 152 Versoix, 184 ' Veto, M. et Mme,' 165 Vevay, 71 Vienna: social life in, 189 Villette, Marquise de (Voltaire's niece ; brought up near Vernay under the eye of her uncle ; ' belle et bonne '), 49 sqq. Voltaire (Francois-Marie Arouet ; au- thor of the ' Henriade,' 'Charles XII.,' 4 Zaire,' etc. ; 6, 1694, d. 1778 ; buried at Sellieres ; body removed to Pantheon, 1791): the Apotheosis of, 42, 46; account of the cere- mony, 49 $22;. 107 ; his play ' Alzire,' 259 Vouziers, 176 WAKE, Lady, 352 Wales, Prince of, 31, 228, 235 sq., 298, 301 ; marriage, 305 Wales, Princess of (Caroline), 321, 327, 360 Wallace, Mr., 78, 82 Walpole, Horace, 125 Warren, Sir J. Borlase, 318 Way, Captain Henry, 258, 275; his death, 307 Way, Colonel, 361 Way, Miss Isabella, 112 Way, Mr. Benjamin (Lady Sheffield's brother), 219, 275, 279 Way, Mr. Gregory, 320 Way, Mr. Lewis (Fellow of Merton College), 230, 297, 360 Way, Mrs., 219, 221 Way, Mrs. Gregory, 6, 9, 320 Way, Eev. William, 28, 230, 327, 361 Webster, Lady (Elizabeth Vassall ; afterwards Lady Holland), 23, 41, 68 sqq n 67 sqq., 71, 122 ; quizzing a bishop, 129 ; life in Venice, Dresden, and Vienna, 188 sqq. ; birth of a son, 209, 213 ; visit to Sheffield Place, 238 ; her foreign manners and customs,' 289; in Florence, 306; on the death of Lady Sheffield, 223; birth of another son, 351 ; elope- ment, 390, Letters to Miss Holroyd, 101, 117, 128, 205, 213 Webster, Sir Godfrey : has a fiddler to accompany his wife, 23; his rela- tions with Lady Webster, 43, 64 so., 76, 82, 122 Weddell, Mr., 281 Wedderburne, Mr. /SeeLoughborough, Lord West, Captain, 295 West Indies : condition in 1794-96, 308, 328 Weston, Mr,, 74 Wheat, high price of, 324, 361 Wilberforce, Mr. W. : efforts against the slave trade, 271 William, Prince, of Gloucester (son of Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester, brother to George III. ; 6. 1776 ; married Princess Mary, 1816), 31, 284 Wilson, Lady, 108 Wilson, Sir John, 108 Wilson, Sir Thomas, 382 Window tax, the, 367 Wine duty, the, 818 Wollstonecroft, Mary (translator of Lavater's ' Physiognomy ' ; writer of ' Moral and Historical View of the French Eevolution,' etc.; mar- ried Godwin the novelist ; d. 1797 ; her daughter married Shelley the poet) : her ' Vindication of the Eights of Women,' 347 Wood, Mrs. See Silva, Mme de Woodward, Mrs., 241, 253, 273; her death, 308 Woodward, Eev. Mr., 119, 306, 314, 356 Worcester, Lo 883, 388 Worms, 94 Wrestlers, Swiss, 85 Wright, Sir James, anecdote of, 30 Wiirmser, Dagobert-Sigismund, Comte de (Austrian general; defeated by 420 GIRLHOOD OF MARIA JOSEPHA HOLROYD, General Hoche, 1793 : fc. 1724, d> 1797), 261 Wurtzburg, 186 Wyndham, Mr., 43 Wyttenbaoh, M. Daniel (Swiss botanist and philologist, 1746-1820), 89, 110 YARMOUTH, 232 Yeomanry corps, subscriptions for raising (1794), 278, 289 York, Duchess of (Crown Princess of Prussia) : her amiable character, 854, 359 sq. York, Duke of, Tlsfr, 212, 236, 240 s 2 - J conduct in the war of 1794, 284, 289, 296 ; retreat across the Meuse, 307 Young, Arthur (writer on agricultural economy ; author of ' Travels in France, 1787-90 ' ; ' Annals of Agri- culture,' 1820, at Bradfield, Suffolk), 44, 48, 231, 274 Ypres : taken by the French (1794), 289 Yussuf Effendi, 271 ZEERLEDER, M. de (grandson of Haller), 302 ' Zeluco ' (novel by Dr, John Moore), 123 PRINTED BY SPOTT1SWOODE AND CO., NKW-STKEET SQUARE LONDON RETURN CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT TO^ 202 Main Library LOAN PERIOD 1 HOME USE 2 3 4 5 6 ALL BOOKS MAY BE RECALLED AFTER 7 DAYS Renewals and Recharges may be made 4 days prior to the due date. Books may be Renewed by calling 642-3405. DUE AS STAMPED BELOW AUTO DISC OCT 02198* FORM NO. DD6, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY BERKELEY, CA 94720 LD 21-100m-12,'43 (8796s) U.C. BERKELEY LIBRARIES UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY