 | Letters of Mrs. Adams, |  |
I have walked out to-day, for the first time, and a
jaunt Mr. Storer has led me. I shall not get the
better of it for a week. The walking is very easy
here, the sides of the street being wholly of flat
stones; and the London ladies walk a great deal, and
very fast. My walk out and in was only four miles;
judge you then, what an effect it had upon me. I
was engaged to dine out. I got home at one, but
not recovered from it yet.
At four, I was obliged to go out. Mr. Joy lives
three miles from where I lodge. The house in which
he lives is very elegant, not large, but an air of taste
and neatness is seen in every apartment. We were
shown into the drawing-room, where he awaited us
at the door, and introduced us to his lady and her
sister. She is quite young, delicate as a lily, modest
and diffident, not a London lady by any means.
After we had dined, which was in company with
five American gentlemen, we retired to the drawing-room,
and there I talked off the lady's reserve, and
she appeared agreeable. Her dress pleased me,
and answered to the universal neatness of the apartments,
furniture, and entertainment. It was a delicate
blue and white copper-plate calico, with a blue
lute-string skirt, flounced; a muslin apron and handkerchief,
which are much more worn than gauze;
her hair, a fine black, dressed without powder, with
a fashionable cap, and straw ribbons upon her head
and breast, with a green morocco slipper. Our dinner
consisted of fried fish of a small kind, a boiled
ham, a fillet of veal, a pair of roast ducks, an almond
pudding, currants and gooseberries, which in
this country are very fine. Painted muslin is much
worn here; a straw hat with a deep crown, lined,
and a white, green, or any colored ribbon you choose.
I returned, and found a number of cards left by
gentlemen who had called during my absence. Tomorrow
I am invited to dine again with Mr. Atkinson
not being otherwise engaged, they insist upon it. It
is a thanksgiving day for the peace. I design to
hear Mr. Duché, who officiates at the Asylum or
Orphan House.
| Letters of Mrs. Adams, | |