LONDON,January 2,1847
My dear Uncle:...I refer you to my letters to my boys,for all the new persons and places we may have seen lately,while I give you for Aunty's amusement a minute account of my visit into the country at Mr.Bates's,where things are managed in a scrupulously English manner,so that it will give her the same idea of country life here,as if it were a nobleman's castle.Our invitation was to arrive on Thursday,the day before Christmas,to dine,and to remain until the following Tuesday morning.His place is at East SHEEN,which receives its name from the Anglo-Saxon word for BEAUTY.It adjoins Richmond Park,beyond which is the celebrated Richmond Hill,Twickenham,Kew,etc.,etc....We arrived at East Sheen at half-past five;but I ought first to mention the PREPARATIONS for a country excursion.Our own carriage has,of course,no dickey for my maid,or conveniences for luggage,so we take a travelling carriage.The imperials (which are large,flat boxes,covering the whole top of the carriage,CAPITAL for velvet dresses,and smaller ones fitting into all the seats IN the carriage,and BEFORE and BEHIND)are brought to you the day before.I am merely asked what dresses I wish taken,and that is all I know of the matter,so thoroughly does an English maid understand her business.We were shown on our arrival into a charming room,semi-library.
In a few minutes a servant came to show me to my apartment,which was very superb,with a comfortable dressing-room and fire for Mr.
Bancroft,where the faithful Keats unpacked his dressing materials,while I was in a few moments seated at the toilet to undergo my hair-dressing,surrounded by all my apparatus,and a blazing fire to welcome me with a hissing tea-kettle of hot water and every comfort.
How well the English understand it,I learn more and more every day.
My maid had a large room above me,also with a fire;indeed,a "lady's"maid is a VERY GREAT character INDEED,and would be much more unwilling to take her tea with,or speak familiarly to,a footman or a housemaid than I should.My greatest mistakes in England have been committed toward those high dignitaries,my own maid and the butler,whose grandeur I entirely misappreciated and invaded,as in my ignorance I placed them,as we do,on the same level with other servants.She has her fire made for her,and LOAFsugar in her tea,which she and Cates sip in solitary majesty.
However,she is most conscientious and worthy,as well as dignified,and thoroughly accomplished in her business.As all these things are pictures of English life,I mention them to amuse Aunty,who likes to know how these matters are managed.
After I am dressed,I join the circle in the library,where I am introduced to Mr.and Madam Van de Weyer,and Louis Buonaparte,the son of Louis,the ex-King of Holland,and of Hortense,Josephine's daughter.He was a long time imprisoned in the fortress of Ham,and has not long been free.There was also Napoleon,son of Jerome Buonaparte,and the Princess of Wurtemberg.They were most agreeable,intelligent,and amiable young men,and I was glad to meet them.Lord and Lady Langdale (who have a place in the neighborhood)were invited to dine with us.He is Master of the Rolls and was elevated to the peerage from great distinction at the bar.Lady Langdale is a sensible and excellent person.At dinner Isat between Mr.Bates and Lord Langdale,whom I liked very much.
The next morning we assembled at ten for breakfast,which was at a round table,with a sort of circular tray,which turns at the least touch in the centre,leaving only a rim round the table for plates and cups.This was covered also with a white cloth and on it were placed all the breakfast viands,with butter,sugar,cream,bread,toast-rack and preserves.You need no servants,but turn it round and help yourself.I believe the Van de Weyers introduced it,from a visit in Wales.Tea and coffee are served from a side-table always,here.Let me tell Aunty that our simple breakfast DRESS is unknown in England.You come down in the morning dressed for the day,until six or seven in the evening,when your dress is low neck and short sleeves for dinner.At this season the morning dress is a rich silk or velvet,high body quite close in the throat with handsome collar and cuffs,and ALWAYS a cap.Madam Van de Weyer wore every day a different dress,all very rich,but I adhered to a black watered silk with the same simple cap I wore at home.
