INTRODUCTION. It was in the autumn of 1825, whilst I was preparing for my departure from the seat of a worthy baronet, my maternal uncle, with whom I had been spending the greater part of the summer months, my mind fixed on the greeting of friendly welcome which I should experience on again arriving in the great Babel of wealth, fashion, and pleasure, and anticipating in no small degree the varied bustle and enjoyment in which I should soon be involved, that the following letter was one morning put into my hand by John Stubbs, the honest gentleman whom my uncle had attached to my exclusive service during my sojourn at Ormwood Hall. Its contents ran thus: My dear F. Stanley Priory, Teesdale. Hearing by a letter from a friend in town, of whom I had made enquiry after your health and circumstances, that you were on a visit to Sir William R's, and thinking, from my former experience of your attention, whenever the claim of our old friendship had been urged in support of my requests, that you would not object to so short a journey as thirty miles, although the roads are somewhat rough and mountainous :-I hereby summon you, by the claim above mentioned, to appear at Stanley Priory as soon as you may leave your worthy uncle, at all events before you return to London. It is now five years since I enjoyed the happiness of your society within the walls of my little domicile, and I am the more anxious for a return of it now, because when in town we never scarcely were left at liberty to discuss those pleasing, though at the same time, to me, melancholy recollections which have usually formed our conversation when you visited the Priory. Many years too, in all probability, will pass over our heads ere I shall again trouble the town with my presence, which must operate as an additional motive to your obedience. With regard to your comforts while here, you know, or ought to know, for you have had experience in that line, what to expect in a house which calls a bachelor master; but I do not despair of building largely on your generosity in making the necessary allowances, and am sure old Agatha will do her utmost, for she had always a great affection for the nice gentleman who sent her the pretty blue missal from the great city. I assure you she bestows uncommon care on it, having made a neat silk case for its reception the moment that its daily duties end. |