I did not, and do not, at all question the good judgment of my parents in not allowing me to go into society unaccompanied by one or the other of themselves.  The only occasion on which I remember feeling very rebellious with regard to this rule was that of the coronation of King William and Queen Adelaide, for which imposing ceremony a couple of peers’ tickets had been very kindly sent us, but of which I was unable to avail myself, my father being prevented by business from escorting me, my mother being out of town, and my brother’s countenance and protection not being, in their opinion, adequate for the occasion.  So John went alone to the abbey, and say the fine show, and my peer’s ticket remained unused on my mantelpiece, a constant suggestion of the great disappointment I had experienced when, after some discussion, it was finally determined that he was too young to be considered a proper chaperon for me.  Dear me! how vexed I was! and how little charmed with my notoriety, which was urged as the special reason for my being hedged round with the utmost conventional decorum!

                                    GREAT RUSSELL STREET, March, 1831. 
     DEAR MRS. JAMESON,

I have but two minutes to say two words to you, in answer to your very kind note.  Both my mother and myself went out of town, not to recover from absolute indisposition, but to recruit strength.  I am sorry to say she is far from well now, however; but as I think her present suffering springs from cold, I hope a few warm days will remove it.  I am myself very well, except a bad cough which I have had for some time, and a very bad side-ache, which has just come on, and which, if I had time in addition to the inclination which I have, would prevent me from writing much more at present.  I envy you your time spent in the country; the first days of spring and last of autumn should never be spent between brick houses and stone pavements.  I am truly sorry for the anxieties you have undergone; your father is, I trust, quite recovered; and as to your dear baby (Mrs. Jameson’s niece), remember it is but beginning to make you anxious, and will continue to do so as long as it lives, which is a perfect Job’s comforter, is it not?  The story of your old man interested me very much; I suppose a parent can love all through a whole lifetime of absence:  but do you think there can be a very strong and enduring affection in a child’s bosom for a parent hardly known except by hearsay?  I should doubt it.  I must leave off now, and remain,

Always yours most truly,
F.A.  KEMBLE.

GREAT RUSSELL STREET, March 29, 1831. 
DEAR MRS. JAMESON,