***

SATURDAY, APRIL 1.

I have had compliments sent me by many of my neighbours, who had hoped I was come to reside among them.  They professed themselves disappointed on my acquainting them, that I must go up early on Monday morning.  I have invited myself to their Saturday assembly at the Bowling-green-house.

Our reverend friend Mr. Dobson has been so good as to leave with me the sermon he is to preach to-morrow on the opening of the church:  it is a very good discourse:  I have only exceptions to three or four compliments he makes to the patron in as many different places of it:  I doubt not but he will have the goodness to omit them.

I have already looked into all that has been done in the church; and all that is doing in the house and gardens.  When both have had the direction and inspection of my dear Dr. Bartlett, need I say, that nothing could have been better?

***

Halden is just arrived from my lord, with a letter, which has enabled me to write to Lady Mansfield his lordship’s high approbation of all our proceedings; and that he intends some one early day in next week to pay to her, and Miss Mansfield, his personal compliments.

He has left to me the article of settlements; declaring, that his regard for my future interest is all that he wishes may be attended to.

I have therefore written, as from himself, that he proposes a jointure of 1200L. a year, penny-rents, and 300 guineas a year for her private purse; and that his lordship desires, that Miss Mansfield will make a present to her sister of whatever she may be entitled to in her own right.  Something was mentioned to me at Mansfield-house of a thousand pounds left to her by a godmother.

Halden being very desirous to see his future lady, I shall, at his request, send the letter I have written to Lady Mansfield by him early in the morning; with a line recommending him to the notice of that lady as Lord W——­’s principal steward.

Adieu, my dear Dr. Bartlett:  I have joy in the joy of all these good people.  If Providence graciously makes me instrumental to it, I look upon myself but as its instrument.  I hope ostentation has no share in what draws on me more thanks and praises than I love to hear.

Lord W——­ has a right to be made happy by his next relation, if his next relation can make him so.  Is he not my mother’s brother?  Would not her enlarged soul have rejoiced on the occasion, and blessed her son for an instance of duty to her, paid by his disinterested regard for her brother?  Who, my dear Dr. Bartlett, is so happy, yet who, in some cases, so unhappy, as your

Charles Grandison.

LETTER IX

MISS BYRON, TO MISS SELBY MONDAY, APRIL 3.

The Countess of D——­, and the earl, her son, have but just left us.  The countess sent last night, to let my cousin Reeves know of their intended morning visit, and they came together.  As the visit was made to my cousin, I did not think myself obliged to be in waiting for them below.  I was therefore in my closet, comforting myself with my own agreeable reflections.  They were there a quarter of an hour before I was sent to.