344 Life of Count Rumford. 



" Do you know of anything of this description that is to be 

 bought ? And how much would it cost ? I should want noth- 

 ing from the land but pleasure-grounds, and grass for my cows 

 and horses, and extensive kitchen garden and fruit garden. I 

 should wish much for a few acres of wood, and also for a stream 

 of fresh water, or for a large Pond, or the neighbourhood of one, 

 for without shady trees and water there can be no rural beauty. 

 What is land an Acre in the situation above mentioned ? What 

 near the road ? What at the distance of half a mile from it ? 

 What are the taxes I should pay in your country ? Could I, as 

 a stranger, purchase and hold an Estate ? I should be much 

 obliged to you, my Dear Sir, if you would give me information 

 and advice on these various subjects. I need not tell you how 

 much it would tend to increase my enjoyments to live in your 

 neighbourhood. My Daughter is quite enchanted with the 

 scheme, and never ceases to urge me to execute it as soon as 

 possible, and on her account I am anxious to engage in it. I 

 wish to leave her a home^ something immoveable that she may 

 call her own, as well as the means of subsistence, at my death. 

 And I am not surprised nor displeased to find that she prefers 

 her native country to every other. 



" To own the truth, I am quite of her opinion on that sub- 

 ject. She desires her best compliments to you and to your 

 Lady. She is very grateful to you for all your goodness to her. 

 It is now a great while indeed since I heard from you. Pray 

 write me soon, and believe me, ever, 



" Yours most affectionately, 



"RUMFORD. 

 " To the Hon b ! e LOAMMI BALD.WIN, 



" When you write to me, please to address your Letters 

 thus : 



" Count Rumford, to the Care of Messrs. 

 Herries, Farquhar, & Co., Bankers, St. James St., London." 



(" Received at Woburn, by hand of Dr. Walter.") 



A letter written by Miss Sarah at this time shows 



