melannen | Letters from 1804

8th July, 1804

Dearest Sister,

Society in the country is not at all like that in town, as I have been continually reminded since our arrival here. We have spent the past week in an incessant round of visits and parties. On Monday we were asked to an assembly at Mr. and Mrs. McM----'s house, and I passed the afternoon in pleasant conversation with Miss McM---- and several young ladies of her acquaintance. Young Mr. McM---- is certainly thriving in the country air! The B------s were in attendance as well (such a romantic story, that such dear friends should marry sisters!)

On Tuesday, being not otherwise engaged, Mother and I took the carriage into town for some shopping; I bought new inks at the stationers' although this is my first opportunity to make use of them. We also were invited to see a great house situated in a park very near town, which was as always a most stimulating experience. Mother had such stories of her girlhood and being permitted to use old Mrs. H-----'s library. There was also an entirely enchanting sunroom with a marble fountain.

And who should we see in town but our Uncle David! He was taking young Miss R------ and his mother-in-law, also visiting, for air and shopping.

In the country ladies think nothing of riding ten or even twenty miles merely for the pleasure of shopping at a certain place of which they had heard; on Wednesday our Aunt B--- led us on a largely successful expedition in search of spices, sweets, and wine. Earlier in the day our Uncle Raymond had called, to share tidings of his still-increasing family, so today we visited around the S------es and their young ones, among several visits.

Uncle Paul has been teaching me to cut my own quills, from the feathers of his very birds -– what do you think? Not a terribly fine line.

Love & etc, your affectionate sister, Sara