Mrs. Pendarves to Mrs. Ann Granville, at Gloucester.

Jan. 8, 1736-7.

I have at this time before me the handsomest and the finest apron in England, Brussels nor Mechlin ever produced anything prettier; a thousand thanks to my dearest Anna for her handywork, which I shall flourish in to-night, and your letter will be the shorter for it, for I must show away immediately at Lady Peyton's, &c.

I was this morning regaled with Mr. Handel's new opera called Arminius,' it was rehearsed at Covent Garden; I think it as fine a one as any he has made, as I hope you will, 'tis to be acted next Wednesday. From the rehearsal I came home with my neighbour Granville! Bunny gives duty and service as due, and thanks for the letter you imagined you wrote to him about your coming to town.

He approves of what I so earnestly wish for, since my mamma is so good as to spare you; and if you can contrive to come when Miss Bond does it will be more comfortable for you. Your last letter was brilliant, like yourself; those friends I love best are all impatient to have you-Lady Sun: the Duchess of Portland, and Lady Sarah Cowper. There never was anything so rich, so neat, so genteel, as my apron, and cunning Georgy kept your secret: I sent home just now for a clean apron, and she brought this phoenix of one! My being debauched to the rehearsal this morning, my dining with a young

1 On the 12th of January, 1737, Arminius appeared, which was dedicated by Heidegger (the author of the words) to Lady Godolphin, the daughter of the Duchess of Marlborough. But the name of this great lady could not protect Arminius, which was withdrawn after five representations. nevertheless, published by subscription.-Schalcher's Life of Handel.

It was,

man since, and its being candlelight, has obliged me to contract this epistle. The fire at the Temple' put all the lawyers in such consternation, that Mrs. Badge could not get at Mrs. Clayton time enough to send the box this week.

Mrs. Ann Granville to Mrs. Granville.

Little Brook Street, Saturday, 1736-7.

I won't enlarge upon the pain I felt in leaving my dearest mamma, because as she designed to give me pleasure in permitting me to visit my brother and sister, I will answer her kind intention as far as I can, and as I hope to meet you soon and well again, I was the easier at parting. Before I begin my journal, I must return my thanks for the agreeable welcome you gave me to town, by the favour of your letter, which rejoyced my heart, as every proof of your affection and indulgence does.

I had the most agreeable journey that ever was through such roads; though they were tolerable in some places, in others we flounced into great holes of ice and snow, enough to swallow up coach and horses, but, thank God, we

1 "Fire at the Temple," January 4th, 1737. This night, about seven o'clock, a dreadful fire broke out in the Inner-Temple, adjoining to the Hall, and continued burning with great fury till five next morning, which entirely consumed the Inner-Temple, kitchen, buttery, and the great stairs that lead to the hall; but the hall was, with great difficulty, preserved, which was owing to the party-wall. It likewise consumed upwards of thirty chambers. At its breaking out, there was a great scarcity of water, otherwise 'tis thought it would have been extinguished without doing any considerable damage. "Tis said that several writings of great consequence were consumed in the flames. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales came there about eleven o'clock, and by his presence animated the people, gave money to the firemen, &c., and staid till it was quite over. A party of the Foot Guards were placed in the Temple Gardens, to take care of the valuable goods, writings, &c. that were carried thither.

escaped miraculously without the least accident or cold, but a little pain in my face. We arrived in town by five o'clock; Thomas met me beyond Uxbridge, and I went directly to my brother's, who cunningly brought my sister home to see a picture frame. Guess how she stared at my appearance-you know how agreeable her raptures are. She was to have the Duchess of Portland, Lady Carteret and Lady Dysart sit with her the evening; she made me go in just as I was, in my riding-dress1 and cap; I never was so little fatigued in my life with a journey. Sir John was so good to come and see me as soon as he heard I was come, and looks very well, enquired extremely after you. Yesterday Miss Graves and her brother were here; she was amazed to see me, and his compliment was, that "he should not have been more surprised at the sight of a bear;" she looks a little thin after her illness. She has now a very good proposal made her from a man of an extraordinary character, and better circumstances than she could expect, but she does not like him, for which she can give no very good reasons-I think her to blame, but this is a great secret. My brother looks well. If Mr. Rich will take five-and-twenty shillings a ton for the hay rick, my brother will take it all. Bunny desires humble duty; we dine with him to-day, I have just made him a morning visit; his house is delightful and as near to us as Mrs. Pitt to you. Our dear Penny does not look quite so well as when she was at Paradise.2

In the early part of the present century (1860) ladies always travelled in their habits, which were not of the absurd length now used. It would then have been considered very vulgar to travel out of a travelling costume, which was a riding dress, with a riding hat or cap.

2 Paradise was the name generally applied by Mrs. Pendarves to North End, the residence of Sir John Stanley, but it appears by passages in some of the letters of herself and her sister, that the latter called some other place she visited, "Paradise" in rivalry to her sister's favourite retreat.