3 Sep 1824

My dear Richd,

If I had known that the old fellows were taking wing to Brighton, I would have smuggled in a line or two, but your father is squeamish about putting regular letters into carriage baskets, so it must be an open note, next opportunity, and not a nonsense Epistle, and could a Trin, Col, Cam.  smile at such trifling? Now I will tell you how one of the Horses turned out that I was so proud of - The favourite steed arrived, but was not greeted with applause, nor did it deserve it, it proved a decided brute, and wore its Legs as your wife wears her Earrings - for ornament, and not for use! Your father was warned not to cross him, and it was disgraced by a quick return to listen to his own Master's praise as no such sound was to be heard in this quarter - Your father rides his usual Nag, in despair of finding another. A letter was expected this morning but you must impute our being unreasonable, to the pleasure we receive in reading them - we wish to hear that you are freed from indigestion, as you had reason to complain in your last, or rather in dear Charlotte's last letter - Mrs Farr's health has been so much improved by taking a Bitter, made by a relation of hers, that she has been most anxious that you should try them - every one here seems to know that you have been very ill - Mrs Farr says a poor man, of her own knowledge, was thought to be going fast, and is by these bitters, restored to perfect health, she brought me half a glass, which I drank with pleasure - they cheer her much more than a glass of wine - perhaps you will be induced to try a bottle, when you come here - Mr Farr is quite ill, and will hardly be able to continue shooting - how lucky it proves, that brother Henry does not want his services - and David's Robert has Declined coming - the birds are so scarce that only old ones are allowed to be killed at present. and pity me still further. Mrs Scorey tells me, that as we did not come to eat her chicken's young, we must eat the old ones first - this is a hard case as her present young ones, will be daily growing old. as I ran hastily into her Castle to take shelter from a Thunder storm, it behoved me to be very civil - and acquiesce - I make frequent visits to Betty & Lizy [sic], the latter said, how is young Mr Bevan and how is Lady Bevan - she seemed puzzled to account for my smiling - but you know I could not brook there being two Lady Bevans - You may depend on Lotties Mare being well received here, but not as handsomely as if it brought its Mistress - Yr father says he will take care of her - If this hot weather does not drive you to our pleasant shades, what will?   I have great enjoyment here & am in good spirits, as you conjectured - The H[-] are sailed, and he has written to yr father - Charles is not going back to Tunbride [sic], he is alone in town- but his wife will bring up the children in a few days - he must have been pleased with an Introduction (from – crossed out) to Mr. Elliot - I like your account of Mrs Smith and regret your distance from them - my love to Madam James - Lotties Nose must have grown by sea air, for I have not thought it too long since the first meeting. Frederick has been in Glouc P [Gloucester Place] for a few days to take advice for his side complaint - Charles has changed his adviser, he is no better yet, but a new plan is adopted in wh he has some hope of more ease - Robert is at Lowestoft, so are the Buxtons, Fredk tells us - Robt has not written for a long time - Pray dear Lottie write to yr father, he is impatient to get a letter - My eyes are getting better, but not well -

 

Your humble serv    LB