You will see _par mon adresse_ that I am _encore une fois_ on my
travels! At present, in fact, the Channel Islands "claim me for their
own," as _Lord Marmion_ says in BULWER LYTTON. _Pardonnez-moi_, if I
occasionally lapse into French, for _vraiment il y a_ such a mixture
of tongues that we might almost rename them the Babel Islands--even
my noted Parisian accent is scarcely understood. _C'est étonnant_! and
were it not for EULALIE, I should _quelquefois_ be in a fix _agaçant_.
I told you in my last letter that I should be unable to brighten
Goodwood with the sunshine of my smile. But what is _Goodwood_
compared to racing at _Jersey_? Indeed, it was unfortunate for
Goodwood that the meetings clashed, and it should be avoided in
future.
It has been blowing hard for some few days, and we had rather a rough
passage, and though the yacht was not a wreck, _I_ was I am afraid,
in spite of the compliment paid me by Mr. SPOOPENDYKE K. SIDNEY, the
well-known American Four Millionnaire, who said he thought me "a real
smart sailor!"--and he was very near the truth, too, for the salt
water got in my eyes and they _did_ smart; but I resolutely declined
to go "below," and hung on to "the shrouds," I think they called
them--a most unpleasantly suggestive name, when you are dreading a
watery grave every moment. However, we got to our "moorings" at last
(as _Othello_ would call them), and having chartered the inevitable
"sharry-bang" started for the course.
By the way, _en passant_ (I have not dropped into French for a long
time), what a strange thing it is, that the moment you land at one of
these islands you are immediately advised to proceed to another.
I was told at Guernsey that I must on no account miss seeing "Sark."
so I didn't--but was careful to observe it from a distance--for
really, in these days of eruptions one doesn't know what might happen
on such a volcanic-looking island!--and besides, I _always_ carry
a pocket "Ætna" in my dressing-bag, so that I can have a flare-up
whenever I like. But let me see, where was I? Oh, yes! sharry-banging
out to the races at Jersey. Well, really now, judging from some
of the lovely toilettes worn by the Jersey "Daughters of Eve" (an
old-established journalistic expression, and to my mind, most idiotic
and insulting--we are _not_ all tempting!)--they are in front of a
good many of their Main-land sisters!--and the Hospitality--(always
a capital H, I believe)--shown by the 1st South Lancashire Regiment
is not to be beaten anywhere! The Lawn was well patronised, and the
enthusiasm was tremendous--seven events--_all_ over two miles, and
_two_ over hurdles, where _one_ came down! What more _could_ you
want--together with a glorious day, "and all the fun _for_ the Fair!"
The great event of the day was "Her Majesty's Cup," for three years'
old and upwards--(_one_ went _downwards_)--and it was won, for the
--th time in succession by _Jersey Lily_ (I won't tell the exact
number of times, as it is rude to hint at a lady's age)--amid a
scene of excitement almost as big as the Eclipse at Sandown!--she
was "followed home"--(racing expression--patented)--by _Lady
Westhill_ and _Lady Steephill_--so you see we were quite among the
_haut-ton_--though some of us had never heard of these aristocratic
thorough-breds before!
And so the Jersey Goodwood is once more over!--and we have again from
the springy turf of the Solent--(a most insecure footing)--caught in
the flush of the sunlight the gleaming white sails of the vessels on
the Goodwood Downs!--(this _may_ sound a little wrong--but I prefer it
to using a more stereotyped and matter-of-fact description).
As to the racing of next week--I have not the faintest idea _where_ it
is, _what_ it is, or _why_ it is!--but such trifles do not disturb me,
and I will proceed to my usual prophetic utterance on the event of the
week!
Yours devotedly, LADY GAY.