tend you at Calais. The time you will fix in a future letter. You have done right in taking the Dutchess with you in the whole business. A few guineas are not to be regarded. The Dutchess should be your pole-star to guide you through these intricate paths, and when you can draw on me, you cannot be at a loss to complete your own plan without any embarassment. Some French female of her recommendation must necessarily attend you from Paris to Calais, till Susan meets you. This needs not alter your plan about Ermenonville or Chantilly. You will of course write, and I shall likewise by every opportunity till we meet at Dover. Adieu ! LETTER XIX. Tuesday, July 20, 1784. I ENJOY by anticipation, my dearest Polly, the pleasure, which I think I may be sure the excellent Dutchess will receive by my offering at her shrine the day of her fête. I dispatched the box last night. The direction is marked +++, as I believe I mentioned before, that it might not be opened till the propititious hour. I wish to know what you pay for the carriage, for it is very heavy. It is fastened with screws, and must be gently unscrewed. I have seen nothing of the kind so perfect. The contre-tems of Mademoiselle Sophie is unpleasant, but it will so soon finish, it cannot occasion you much regret. I foresee it will be an additional expense of ten guineas at least. Susan shall certainly come in time to Calais, but I wait another letter from you before I speak to her on the subject. Dr. Wilson's legacy we cannot receive till Christmas-I do not send you any parcel after next Friday, the 23d inst. unless I receive any particular commissions from you. I send you two new ballads on the new taxes, which are not so much grumbled at as I expected. I often transport myself with a wish to your pretty gallery, and enjoy the fragrance of your stocks and minionet, and still more the wit and elegance of the Dutchess and her society. I shall continue in sables while you do; but I understand that six months should by all modern rules finish the whole. VOL. III. I have the favour of your letter of the 13th from the Chateau de Bonnelles, and hope your little tour will be as salutary to your health as adding to your plea sures. Your parcel by the diligence contains a letter from me to the Dutchess on her fête. I have just received a charming letter from her dated July 14th, full of your praises, and gratitude to me for the medal. I have, after two hours hard study, decyphered the whole alone, except three words, which our Moravian perhaps can make out. It is really incomparable, and speaks throughout her excellent character. I have told Susan of her tour, and she seemed very well pleased to be made as useful as possible. Tuesday Night, July 20. The director of the diligence to Paris sent to desire I would sign a declaration about the box, on account of the size and the weight, and that I would direct it to the Dutchess, not to you. Accordingly I signed, "Je declare envoyer à Madame la Duchesse de la Valliere son hotel une boite contenant curiosités naturelles. A Londre ce 19 Juillet 1784. J. W." I said that it was a present to the Dutchess for her fête, and wished to contrive that she might not pay the carriage. He therefore advised you to send to the Douane, and take it out from thence. I have it at heart that the box may be laid at the Dutchess's feet in the propitious moment, and without her having the least suspicion. It will shew my sense of your obligations to her. Now is my dearest Polly on the ten F 2 |