Our family at present are Colbrand, Jonathan, and six men servants, including the coachman.  The four maids are also with us.

But my good Mrs. Jervis was indisposed; so came not up with us; but we expect her and Mr. Longman in a day or two:  for Mr. B. has given her to my wishes; and as Mr. Longman’s business will require him to be up and down frequently, Mrs. Jervis’s care will be the better dispensed with.  I long to see the dear good woman, and shall be more in my element when I do.

Then I have, besides, my penitent Polly Barlow, who has never held up her head since that deplorable instance of her weakness, which I mentioned to you and to Miss Darnford, yet am I as kind to her as if nothing bad happened.  I wish, however, some good husband would offer for her.

Mr. Adams, our worthy chaplain, is now with Mr. Williams.  He purposes to give us his company here till Christmas, when probably matters will be adjusted for him to take possession of his living.  Meantime, not to let fall a good custom, when perhaps we have most occasion for it, I make Jonathan, who is reverend by his years and silver hairs, supply his place, appointing him the prayers he is to read.

God preserve you both in health, and continue to me, I beseech you, your prayers and blessings, concludes your ever dutiful daughter, P. B.

LETTER XLIV

From Mrs. B. to Lady Davers.

My Dearest Lady,

I must beg pardon, for having been in this great town more than a week, and not having found an opportunity to tender my devoirs to your ladyship.  You know, dear Madam, what hurries and fatigues must attend such a journey, to one in my way, and to an entire new settlement in which an hundred things must be done, and attended to, with a preference to other occasions, however delightful.  Yet, I must own, we found a stately, well-ordered, and convenient house:  but, although it is not far from the fields, and has an airy opening to its back part, and its front to a square, as it is called, yet I am not reconciled to it, so entirely as to the beloved mansion we left.

My dear Mr. B. has been, and is, busily employed in ordering some few alterations, to make things still more commodious.  He has furnished me out a pretty library; and has allotted me very convenient apartments besides:  the furniture of every place is rich, as befits the mind and fortune of the generous owner.  But I shall not offer at particulars, as we hope to have the honour of a visit from my good lord, and your ladyship, before the winter weather sets in, to make the roads too dirty and deep:  but it is proper to mention, that the house is so large, that we can make a great number of beds, the more conveniently to receive the honours of your ladyship, and my lord, and Mr. B.’s other friends will do us.