The Autobiography and Correspondence of Mrs. Delany (Volume 2) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1879. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXVII. January, 1781--December, 1785. Mrs. Delany to Mrs. Port, of Ham. ST. James's Place, 27 Feby, 1781. My Dearest. Mary, --I must wave all tender reflections and acknowledgments, they would overpower me, and we are sure of doing each other justice--"paying and still owing." Tour sweet pledge came to my bedside, and we sympathized we eat a solitary breakfast; we--but I am insensibly doing what I meant to avoid. I assure you she is pure well, and minds all your injunctions: she was not disposed for dancing, so I excused her, and sent her on an errand to neighbour Sandford, who dined and staid wth me the even6. Her son came from Danson at 6, and drank tea here and diverted his sistr, wch I was glad of. I sent hef to bed early; she had a good night, and is very well to-day; transported last night with her papa's letter; indeed, so was I, and most heartily congratulate you both on the happy state of yr nursery, and you may believe not a little impatient to hear how you go on, and what sort of a journey you and my sweet dear little Vandyke1 (alias G. R P.) have had; M and I followed you from stage to stage. 1 "My dear little Vandyke."--George Rowe Port, then seven years old, whose remarkable beauty caused Mrs. Delany to call him her "little Vandyke," from his resemblance to a picture of a beautiful child by that master. It was probably on the occasion of this his first visit to London, that Queen Charlotte unexpectedly entered the room where he was, and held out her hand to him, upon which Mrs. Delany said, "Kneel down, and kiss her Majesty's hand," an order which he obeyed instantly; Vol. Ii. 25 My nephew Dewes dined wth me, and staid till his concert hour, and I was well pleased no other visitor came: nothing is so soothing as a single sensible kin...