1804-1807] A Grand Dinner-party 29 



We are going to have a grand dinner-party here on 

 Tuesday. We shall be sixteen, the Toilets with several 

 friends, Whalleys with ditto, and W. Sneyds. In a moment 

 of insanity we had invited the Meafordites 1 too; happily 

 they were engaged or I don't know what would have 

 become of us; we are now two more than our dinner-table 

 will hold with all possible squeezing, and we have calculated 

 that seven must sit on the drawing-room sofa. We must 

 hope for a cool day. 



I have read nothing lately, and as to my thoughts I 

 have never once found pleasure or profit in their company 

 since I left London. I was not quite well before I went to 

 Buxton, and I hope that was what made me so disagree- 

 able; if I am to be subject to these devildum humours 

 I had rather my body should be to blame than my mind : 

 I am well now, and I hope come to my senses a little, but 

 not come to my Fenton state of perfection yet. You don't 

 tell me whether you have recovered your spirits; have 

 you ? Pray let me know if W. K. makes his proposals 

 in due form; you would make such a popular dame that 

 it will be a thousand pities if you refuse him and miss your 

 vocation. 



W^e went to look at Maer the other day; it is wonder- 

 fully improved, and will be one of the pleasantest places in 

 the country. It does not seem to be nearly ready, but the 

 painting is finished and the papering nearly; the walk 

 round the pool, if they make it, will be delightful; the new 

 road is a prodigious improvement. . . . 



1 The Jervises, Lord St Vincent's family. 



