Eliza Fenwick, [5 Tavistock Square], to ‘Mrs M. Hays, Wandsworth Common,’ Saturday Evening, 5 May 1812 [postmark not readable].1 Saturday Evening My dear friend I enclose Elizas letter –
beginning to copy where the critique began to speak of her, for I thought it wd not interest you to hear of
the merits & demerits of the rest of the company. Dear Girl she has a heart
full of affection. I enclose also Mrs Hewitts letter which I took
the liberty to open. It pleases me and will you I think. Nobody in the
same situation could well please me more than Mr Honner. The
downright honest affection he expressed for his wife and children, the little
parade about him – his truely irish
description of the delight they felt in quitting a life of bustle Mr Honner
& I, I am persuaded had the same reluctant feeling about the bartering part
of the business, for we left every thing in a sort of indefinite way, but he
had the good sense to write me a letter (which I enclose, & which I
answered much at length). His answer agreeing to all I ask I received to day
& will enclose it next time I write, for ^as^ I dine tomorrow with Mr
Whitaker I shd like to shew it him. I am to have one hundred
guineas, my expences, a Chamber to myself and to be allowed to make what
selections of books &c I think fit. The die is cast I believe. I hope I am
doing right. The leaving England will cost me a pang. Do not tell Orlando yet
that ^it^ is fixed. The love of change is natural to young minds & it will
quite unsettle him. Beside I have to see Mr Honner one day this week
& some casualty may arise. I have got strangely the habit of feeling
nothing certain till it arrives. Eliza’s remittance is £37..10. It is due the third of June. I have forgot
what she owes you. It is either three or four pound I know – she does not
mention Lanno’s letters are
very sweet ones One thing that Mr Honner said struck me. “You will find one advantage Mrs Fenwick in placing yr son in an Irish School. Your English boys in schools are too knowing. We have the luck to keep our boys out of that while they are boys. I suppose I must ^not^ say we manage better but I know my Robert returned home at Christmas as pure and as simple hearted as when he was but four years old. I assure you whatever we are as men as boys we are more moral.” He recommended Cork for Lanno after he heard how far his education had gone. Mr Stuarts where his boy goes (30 miles from Lee Mount) would not supply a french or Mathematical Teacher. I like better to have him three miles than 30 from me. I did not see till I got home that you [paper torn] Pardon my awkwardness. Thank you [paper torn] to my boy for this said but. He will [paper torn] neighbours again that is certain. I was indeed most infinitely shocked [paper torn] assassination. How unaccountable [paper torn] never be brought to conceive his [paper torn]. Mrs M. has fixed on sending the Children to school, nor wd she, did she not, take any Lady younger than 40! She had great plague with one before I came. Age is necessary where there are great boys to look after; for with mine, and a commanding tone which I always keep up they are barely managed. They look up to me, and on their behalf I shd pity a successor were one coming for they wd instantly assume the reins[.] If Mrs M. ever takes another – she will need a new one a month I suspect. Mr M— objects to making any Governess but me his companion & as they cannot now spare another room they sent Hetty to Madame Du Ponts as day boarder. I have forgot the list of books again I will make them out ready for my next Let me hear from you. Our letters alway cross. I receive them all 1 Fenwick Family Papers, Correspondence, 1798-1855, New York Historical Library; Wedd, Fate of the Fenwicks 102-04; not in Brooks, Correspondence.
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MARY HAYS: LIFE, WRITINGS, AND CORRESPONDENCE > MARY HAYS CORRESPONDENCE > 1810-1819 > 1812 >