LADY R. VAUGHAN TO MR. RUSSELL. London, Feb. 11th, 1675. EVERY new promise of Mr. Russell's unalterable kindness is a most unspeakable delight to my thoughts; therefore I need use no more words to tell you how welcome your letter was to me; but how much welcomer Monday will be, I hope you do imagine. Your father sent me the inclosed, but says withal, that the news at court from France this morning was, Messina was relieved. For weddings and deaths, and that sort of news, I know not the least. Her grace of Cleveland has set the day for France to be within ten days. The duchess of Portsmouth is melancholy, as some persons will have it, and with reason. You will easily conclude your sister Allington is so, when I tell you her boy has the measles; he had a cough two or three days, but was so well, she was with him in the Park last night, and this morning the measles appeared; but I hear nothing but he is very well with them; the doctor sees no ill symptom at all. Our girl is as you left her, I bless the mercy of God for it. I have silently retired to my little dressing room for this performance, the next being full of company at cards. The Lady Pultney one, introduced by Lady Southampton. I am engaged with Northumberland (her sister); but at nothing, nor to nothing upon earth entirely, but to my dear Mr. Russell, his I am with most passionate affection, R. VAUGHAN, I am an humble servant to all your company, LADY R. VAUGHAN TO MR. RUSSELL. Stratton, 24th August, 1676. You bid me write to you on Thursday, but civility obliged me to that to answer yours, so that this is to show my obedience to your orders, and a little indulgence to my own self; since I do love to talk any way with Mr. Russell, though he does abuse poor me sometimes. You had like to have vexed me bravely by Jack Vaughan's letter, I was putting that up in my pocket to read two or three days after at leisure; I saw you had opened it, but as it was going up, finding one in it, it came in mind if he should have put in one, it might be for a trick, how it would vex me! so broke your seal, and was very happy by doing so. Oh, my best life, how long I think it since we were together! I can forgive you if you do not do so, upon condition you do not stay too long away. Your coach, by the grace of God, shall be at Bagshot on Wednesday night; and on Thursday will, I hope, bring my wishes to me. I know nothing there is to give you notice of from hence. The joiners will end their work to-day in the new room. There is no coping bricks till Monday: nor till you come to her, no entire satisfaction in the heart of your affectionate R. VAUGHAN, LADY R. RUSSELL TO LORD W. RUSSELL. Tunbridge Wells, 1678. AFTER a toilsome day, there is some refreshment to be telling our story to our best friends. I have seen your girl well laid in bed, and ourselves have made our suppers upon biscuits, a bottle of white wine, and another of beer, mingled my uncle's way, with nutmeg and sugar. None are disposing to bed, not so much as complaining of weariness. Beds and things are all very well here our want is, yourself and good weather. But now I have told you our present condition : to say a little of the past,-I really do think, if I could have imagined the illness of the journey, it would have discouraged me: it is not to be expressed how bad the way is from Sevenoaks; but our horses did exceeding well, and Spencer, very diligent, often off his horse, to lay hold of the coach. I have not much more to say this night: I hope the quilt is remembered; and Frances must remember to send more biscuits, either when you come, or soon after. I long to hear from you, my dearest soul, and truly think your absence already an age. I have no mind to my gold plate; here is no table to set it on ; but if that does not come, I desire you would bid Betty Foster send the silver glass I use every day. In discretion I haste to bed, longing for Monday, I assure you. From your Past ten o'clock. R. RUSSELL. Lady Margaret says we are not glutted with company yet; you will let Northumberland know we are well; and Allie. LADY R. RUSSELL TO LORD W. RUSSELL. London, 4th January, 1679. It is now between eleven and twelve o'clock; an hour, I guess, you are in full employment, and I at the most delightful I can choose, considering my present circumstances. If yours be not so easy to-day*, to-morrow, I hope, will make you some amends; and by this day se'nnight, the remembrance of the toil past, and the expectation of the enjoyments at sweet Stratton, will recompense all. Your father sent me two letters to read this morning; one was Tom Gregory's, the other Lord Bolingbroke's to him, with mighty compliments to you in it. Poor Lord Ailesbury had a doleful face yesterday +, Lady Mary told me. Since Tuesday night I heard nothing, but I will try this afternoon, add what I can get, but I would begin lest my time should be short in the evening. Mr. Montagu had a letter yesterday from the council board to be there at his leisure, to see his cabinets opened; so to-morrow he goes. I have sent you my sister's (Lady Northumberland's) letter to read; the poor man is delivered out of a peck of troubles, one may perceive. I would not end this epistle till I had coasted the town for news, but I met none at home to furnish me with any; and being now at Montague House, find as little there. Sir Robert is in discontent to-day; and swears if he knew The day of the election for Bedfordshire. + On account of his son's failure at the Bedfordshire election. as much as he does to-day a fortnight ago, he would have been a parliament man, whatever it had cost him he is out of favour, he says. Sir William Temple, it is believed, will be the other secretary, and not Mr. Hide. To give you all reports, my Lord Bath, they say, is to be treasurer; and some other remove, I heard, as not unlikely, but have forgot it; and here is such a buzz at cards, and with the child, that I can remember none; and to help, Mr. Stukely is come in. Your sister (Lady Margaret) is well, but I hear nothing of sister Alinton; their porter has been missed a week; they have changed the lock, and I hope take care; I send to them to know if they take care to watch, but I get no good answer; you know my concern. They will let me say no more; our girls are very well and good. I am my Lord Russell's creature entirely, Thursday night. R. RUSSELL. Williamson is gone with his lady into the country. LADY R. RUSSELL TO LORD W. RUSSELL. London, April 3, 1680. To be absent from the best and most loved thing and friend in the world, and now, I may almost say, the only one I have in it, must cause some alteration in a person sensible of her condition; but for any other, I praise God I can complain of none. I have kept close to my easy chair this very ill stormy day; but been uneasy in my thoughts for the two travellers. God grant you |