St. James's-place,
Aug. 24.
I must tell you, dearest sir, a tale concerning Mrs. Delany, which I am
sure you will hear with true pleasure. Among the many inferior losses
which have been included in her great and irreparable calamity,[190] has
been that of a country house for the summer, which she had in Bulstrode,
and which for the half of every year was her constant home. The Duke
of Portland behaved with the utmost propriety and feeling upon this
occasion, and was most earnest to accommodate her to the best of his
power, with every comfort to which she had been accustomed; but this
noblest of women declared she loved the memory of her friend beyond all
other things, and would not suffer it to be tainted in the misjudging
world by an action that would be construed into a reflection upon her
will, as if deficient in consideration to her. She steadily, therefore,
refused all offers, though made to her with even painful earnestness,
and though solicited till her refusal became a distress to herself
This transaction was related, I believe, to their majesties and Lady
Weymouth, the duchess's eldest daughter, was commissioned to wait upon
Mrs. Delany with this message, That the queen was extremely anxious
about her health, and very apprehensive lest continuing in London during
the summer should be prejudicial to it: she entreated her, therefore, to
accept a house belonging to the king at Windsor, which she should order
to be fitted up for her immediately; and she desired Lady Weymouth to
give her time to consider this proposal, and by no means to hurry her;
as well as to assure her, that happy as it would make her to have
one she so sincerely esteemed as a neighbour, she should remember her
situation, and promise not to be troublesome to her. The king, at the
same time, desired to be allowed to stand to the additional expenses
incurred by the maintenance of two houses, and that Mrs. Delany would
accept from him 300 pounds a year.
It would be needless to tell you how Mrs. Delany was touched by this
benevolence. Yet she dreaded accepting what she feared would involve her
in a new course of life, and force her into notice and connexions she
wished to drop or avoid. She took the time the queen so considerately
gave her for deliberation, and she consulted with some of her old
friends. They all agreed there must be no refusal, and Lady Weymouth was
made the messenger of her majesty's offer being accepted.
The house, therefore, is now fitting up, and the king sees after the
workmen himself.
A few days ago, Miss Planta[191] was sent from the queen, with very kind
inquiries after Mrs. Delany's health, and information that she would
receive a summons very soon. She told her, also, that as the house might
still require a longer time in preparation than would suit Mrs. Delany
to wait in London, the queen had ordered some apartments in the Castle,
which lately belonged to Prince Edward, to be got ready with all speed,
that she might reside in them till her own house was finished.
This is the state of her affairs. I am now with her entirely. At first I
slept at home; but going after supper, and coming before breakfast, was
inconvenient, and she has therefore contrived me a bed-room....