and in the family, before William the Conqueror: there are a great many good rooms: several of them have been fitted up, and furnished in a modern taste, by Mr. Scudamore, some time since; the rest may soon be put in proper conditions at a small expense. I was not a little surprised to find here so many conveniencies in kitchen, parlour, and hall, considering it was till now only occupied by a bachelor--the cellars and vaults being well stored, is far less to be wondered at, as gentlemen are generally very provident on that article. The above was wrote some days ago, but I had not an opportunity to finish my letter, such a one as it is.

The weather has been so bad I have been out of doors but once, which would not permit me to make any judgment of the country round us; for the house is situated in a bottom. The park rises to a hill in the front, which is no sooner ascended than another rises above it; there is in a word no level ground about it. On Friday morning

my

my trusty knight conducted me to take a little survey of the premises. We first went through some beautiful meadows planted through, for a considerable length, with rows of trees; a river runs along on one hand, and the park lies on the other side of it, covered with a great number of spreading oaks, among which are cattle of different kinds grazing, and deer leaping over the fine turf. Before these meadows appears a most extensive prospect, all finely cultivated, with a great variety of grain; here and there are interspersed the ruins of old castles, antient family-seats, particularly one belonging to the Cecils, from whence the most renowned of that name is derived. A pretty spire of a church makes a point of view; numbers of reapers and gleaners enliven the whole to say all in a word, I scarce ever saw a finer landscape. On the right hand are apple orchards filled with the noblest trees I ever saw, under which are sown different kinds of grain. Thus no part is lost. This place affords plenty of all provisions, I may

say

say

in abundance: fowls seven-pence a couple, ducks about the same price, and so of the rest.

We had a pleasant journey hither, through a delightful country, the face of it pretty much the same for a great part of the way as this about us. Thank God, we met with no ill accident: all arrived in health. We now and then stuck a little by the way from the narrowness of the roads, which we were obliged to make wider in places by a spade. I doubt not but it will give dear Mrs. R. great satisfaction to know, our little boy bore the fatigue as well as any of us.

Duty, love, and compliments, ever attend your household, from Mr. Scuda, and

Dear Sir,

your very affectionate,

obliged and obedient,

S. SCUDAMORE.

ΤΟ

TO MRS. SCUDAMORE.

September 12, 1757.

MAY

my dear, my worthy Mrs. and Mr. Scudamore see together many, very many, anniversary wedding-days! every succeeding one happier than the former.

I am charmed with your descriptions of the country, the landscapes, the prospects. What a painter you are! My wife, my girls, all congratulate you, your Mr. Scudamore, Miss Scudamore, and Miss Betsey, as well as I. But my girls, said I? Ah, my dear, one of them has followed your example: may it be as happily! Polly, last Tuesday, September the sixth, was married to a Mr. Ditcher, a surgeon of Bath--and would you have believed it, had I not told you? is to go, by the mother's consent, to reside at Bath: sets out next Fri day. Now she begins to breathe in sighs, poor woman!-yet all her own doings. Had I been the proposer, distance would have been an insuperable objection.

You

You know, Madam, what a trembling figure I made at St. George's church, Hanover-Square, a year ago, when I was favoured with the opportunity of giving to Mr. Scuda more the most valuable jewel he could receive. This was urged upon me by way of engaging me in the same solemn office: and my consciousness of bad behaviour then, I would fain have made my excuse. But, cruel! it was not admitted; and very nervously affected for many weeks before, I have been grievously ill ever since; for some days unable to hold a pen; yet cared not, in hopes of one qualifying hour, as this, to suffer any body to write for me to my dear Mrs. Scudamore, though she gave me gracious leave to employ another in the pleasing task.

Every good wish attend you and yours from all mine, and from, Madam,

Your truly affectionate

and faithful humble servant,

S. RICHARDSON.