360 - Lady Frances Jerningham to Charlotte Jerningham, 23 March 1786
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Cossey, March the 23rd. 1786
I begin to think the time long since I had the pleasure of
hearing from my Dearest Girl, I hope that you are quite well
perhaps the Lent duties which I recollect last year you said
were double, may have not allow'd you time to write, but I hope
that my Little Charlotte thinks of me: it is but a justice due to
the many hours I pass in occupying my mind about you.
Since I wrote, my dear, to you and the Mere Generale, your
account has again been transmitted from Peregaux. From 9ber
to February 42 pounds sterling that in 9ber [illeg] the
whole I see that your expence must be 200ll a year, and as
I hope my pretty Girl takes pains to improve, it is in my opinion
money excellently well laid out. However, sometimes, as we are not yet
very affluent. Sir Wm finds it a good deal. I have therefore been a
little uneasy about this Italian Master, fearing that such a number
of different Lessons may only defeat the wish'd for purpose of
general Information: but with the additional Geography also {^looks will
swell the next account Considerably. I mentioned your {?diminishing}
one lesson a week of your singing master suppose you entirely
dropped him do you think next to harp & harpsichord that
you could miss it. Then to Italian & Geography would not make
much augmentation especially having dropped the double lessons of
dancing & you might continue if you liked it. the single ones 3 times
a week as before. The purpose of the singing master is only to
teach you to name the notes readily. Therefore was very necessary
at first but I should think must now be so no more. And
it is a {?Showy} as well as useful accomplishment to know Italian
for which reason I am unwilling to give that up. Pray my
Sweet Girl, let me know your opinion of all this, for you know
that I often abide by your advice, and you may settle it with
the Mere Generale if you approve of it. I read to
Papa the little short account of your 12th. and that you had
nothing left for the remainder of the month, and he said Poor Girl,
that's hard upon her, so the guinea was immediately agreed to
your mourning will be at the end of the month but
the black silk gown may do for some other time with a new
top &c. I would not have you want for anything that
is necessary to your comfort or good appearance where you
are, which I know is nearly allied to comfort: but only
one must not lose sight of proper Economy. I can assure you
that I am obliged to keep within very strict limits; but I do
not mind myself, it is a real truth that I have more gratification
in knowing that all of you want for nothing, than in any thing
which might be a personal douceur. Your old acquaintance
Miss Eleanora Arundell, who is just turn'd of 20, is going to be
married to Mr. Charles Clifford, Lord Clifford's Brother;
him or his children will most likely have the Clifford Estate
& title, as his Elder Brother has now been married 7 or 8 years
and never had a Child. At present his fortune is not considerable
but he is a very pleasing young man (26) and of a most
unexceptionable character. Ld Arundell will, I suppose, make
up all defficiencys in point of money. The Eldest Sister, who is
called Mrs. Arundell, lay in of a Son in the Winter. She usually
resides in Lincolnshire at her Mother's Estate. Ldy Clifford writes
me word that the Petres are quite charmed with their Daughter
in Law; that they think her Beautiful, whilst others are
divided about her having any Beauty at all. However she is, at
present, quite the thing. People imagined
that the other match of Mr. Howard & Miss
Petre must follow, but there is no
appearance of it at present and it
is now imagined will not take place. I suppose she goes out this Winter
but I have not heard a word about her. The Wodehouses have
been in London this long time. Miss Wodehouse told Miss Sneyde
(a niece of the Bishop's), that you were the dearest friend she
had in the world, that you were the handsomest, most accomplished
Charming girl, she could see. How one sometimes gains by absenting
oneself! However, seriously, I begin to think she has persuaded
herself that she is partial to you. Miss Arundell, who is going
to be Mrs. Clifford, is tall, and pretty, but has that same gawkey stoop
that she had when she was a Girl, and which, I am afraid, proceeds in
some measure from weakness, as she looks very consumptive & was
ill all the winter. She enquired after you. Mrs. Arundell is very little
but has a pretty face, very quiet. The other very lively. I think
the match you have made a very good one, if she is really to have
so large a fortune, but Mr. Hawkins has a Brother, a horrid man,
a Renegade Monk, who is married and has Children. I thought Miss
Hawkins was more than 13. Does she follow you in your masters as
[damaged] I suppose her Mother is got better. Mde Dillon is with Child.
What an affliction for Madame de L'Abbaye-aux-Bois, to have her Brother
detected in such a paltry theft! Who does the Little Mde de Chabrillant live
with? tis a great folly to put a Girl of her age in menage. I suppose
Mde de la Force does not yet think of it. Adieu my dearest Charlotte, be
well assured of my sincere love and affection. Poor Neddy is at school & very well.
[change of orientation]
France pas pd to London
Madmoiselle
A Mademoiselle Jerningham aux Dames
Ursulines Rue St Jacques
a Paris
I begin to think the time long since I had the pleasure of
hearing from my Dearest Girl, I hope that you are quite well
perhaps the Lent duties which I recollect last year you said
were double, may have not allow'd you time to write, but I hope
that my Little Charlotte thinks of me: it is but a justice due to
the many hours I pass in occupying my mind about you.
Since I wrote, my dear, to you and the Mere Generale, your
account has again been transmitted from Peregaux. From 9ber
to February 42 pounds sterling that in 9ber [illeg] the
whole I see that your expence must be 200ll a year, and as
I hope my pretty Girl takes pains to improve, it is in my opinion
money excellently well laid out. However, sometimes, as we are not yet
very affluent. Sir Wm finds it a good deal. I have therefore been a
little uneasy about this Italian Master, fearing that such a number
of different Lessons may only defeat the wish'd for purpose of
general Information: but with the additional Geography also {^looks will
swell the next account Considerably. I mentioned your {?diminishing}
one lesson a week of your singing master suppose you entirely
dropped him do you think next to harp & harpsichord that
you could miss it. Then to Italian & Geography would not make
much augmentation especially having dropped the double lessons of
dancing & you might continue if you liked it. the single ones 3 times
a week as before. The purpose of the singing master is only to
teach you to name the notes readily. Therefore was very necessary
at first but I should think must now be so no more. And
it is a {?Showy} as well as useful accomplishment to know Italian
for which reason I am unwilling to give that up. Pray my
Sweet Girl, let me know your opinion of all this, for you know
that I often abide by your advice, and you may settle it with
the Mere Generale if you approve of it. I read to
Papa the little short account of your 12th. and that you had
nothing left for the remainder of the month, and he said Poor Girl,
that's hard upon her, so the guinea was immediately agreed to
your mourning will be at the end of the month but
the black silk gown may do for some other time with a new
top &c. I would not have you want for anything that
is necessary to your comfort or good appearance where you
are, which I know is nearly allied to comfort: but only
one must not lose sight of proper Economy. I can assure you
that I am obliged to keep within very strict limits; but I do
not mind myself, it is a real truth that I have more gratification
in knowing that all of you want for nothing, than in any thing
which might be a personal douceur. Your old acquaintance
Miss Eleanora Arundell, who is just turn'd of 20, is going to be
married to Mr. Charles Clifford, Lord Clifford's Brother;
him or his children will most likely have the Clifford Estate
& title, as his Elder Brother has now been married 7 or 8 years
and never had a Child. At present his fortune is not considerable
but he is a very pleasing young man (26) and of a most
unexceptionable character. Ld Arundell will, I suppose, make
up all defficiencys in point of money. The Eldest Sister, who is
called Mrs. Arundell, lay in of a Son in the Winter. She usually
resides in Lincolnshire at her Mother's Estate. Ldy Clifford writes
me word that the Petres are quite charmed with their Daughter
in Law; that they think her Beautiful, whilst others are
divided about her having any Beauty at all. However she is, at
present, quite the thing. People imagined
that the other match of Mr. Howard & Miss
Petre must follow, but there is no
appearance of it at present and it
is now imagined will not take place. I suppose she goes out this Winter
but I have not heard a word about her. The Wodehouses have
been in London this long time. Miss Wodehouse told Miss Sneyde
(a niece of the Bishop's), that you were the dearest friend she
had in the world, that you were the handsomest, most accomplished
Charming girl, she could see. How one sometimes gains by absenting
oneself! However, seriously, I begin to think she has persuaded
herself that she is partial to you. Miss Arundell, who is going
to be Mrs. Clifford, is tall, and pretty, but has that same gawkey stoop
that she had when she was a Girl, and which, I am afraid, proceeds in
some measure from weakness, as she looks very consumptive & was
ill all the winter. She enquired after you. Mrs. Arundell is very little
but has a pretty face, very quiet. The other very lively. I think
the match you have made a very good one, if she is really to have
so large a fortune, but Mr. Hawkins has a Brother, a horrid man,
a Renegade Monk, who is married and has Children. I thought Miss
Hawkins was more than 13. Does she follow you in your masters as
[damaged] I suppose her Mother is got better. Mde Dillon is with Child.
What an affliction for Madame de L'Abbaye-aux-Bois, to have her Brother
detected in such a paltry theft! Who does the Little Mde de Chabrillant live
with? tis a great folly to put a Girl of her age in menage. I suppose
Mde de la Force does not yet think of it. Adieu my dearest Charlotte, be
well assured of my sincere love and affection. Poor Neddy is at school & very well.
[change of orientation]
France pas pd to London
Madmoiselle
A Mademoiselle Jerningham aux Dames
Ursulines Rue St Jacques
a Paris
Cossey, March the 23rd. 1786
I begin to think the time long since I had the pleasure of
hearing from my Dearest Girl, I hope that you are quite well
perhaps the Lent duties which I recollect last year you said
were double, may have not allow'd you time to write, but I hope
that my Little Charlotte thinks of me: it is but a justice due to
the many hours I pass in occupying my mind about you.
Since I wrote, my dear, to you and the Mere Generale, your
account has again been transmitted from Peregaux. From 9ber
to February 42 pounds sterling that in 9ber [illeg] the
whole I see that your expence must be 200ll a year, and as
I hope my pretty Girl takes pains to improve, it is in my opinion
money excellently well laid out. However, sometimes, as we are not yet
very affluent. Sir Wm finds it a good deal. I have therefore been a
little uneasy about this Italian Master, fearing that such a number
of different Lessons may only defeat the wish'd for purpose of
general Information: but with the additional Geography also {^looks will
swell the next account Considerably. I mentioned your {?diminishing}
one lesson a week of your singing master suppose you entirely
dropped him do you think next to harp & harpsichord that
you could miss it. Then to Italian & Geography would not make
much augmentation especially having dropped the double lessons of
dancing & you might continue if you liked it. the single ones 3 times
a week as before. The purpose of the singing master is only to
teach you to name the notes readily. Therefore was very necessary
at first but I should think must now be so no more. And
it is a {?Showy} as well as useful accomplishment to know Italian
for which reason I am unwilling to give that up. Pray my
Sweet Girl, let me know your opinion of all this, for you know
that I often abide by your advice, and you may settle it with
the Mere Generale if you approve of it. I read to
Papa the little short account of your 12th. and that you had
nothing left for the remainder of the month, and he said Poor Girl,
that's hard upon her, so the guinea was immediately agreed to
your mourning will be at the end of the month but
the black silk gown may do for some other time with a new
top &c. I would not have you want for anything that
is necessary to your comfort or good appearance where you
are, which I know is nearly allied to comfort: but only
one must not lose sight of proper Economy. I can assure you
that I am obliged to keep within very strict limits; but I do
not mind myself, it is a real truth that I have more gratification
in knowing that all of you want for nothing, than in any thing
which might be a personal douceur. Your old acquaintance
Miss Eleanora Arundell, who is just turn'd of 20, is going to be
married to Mr. Charles Clifford, Lord Clifford's Brother;
him or his children will most likely have the Clifford Estate
& title, as his Elder Brother has now been married 7 or 8 years
and never had a Child. At present his fortune is not considerable
but he is a very pleasing young man (26) and of a most
unexceptionable character. Ld Arundell will, I suppose, make
up all defficiencys in point of money. The Eldest Sister, who is
called Mrs. Arundell, lay in of a Son in the Winter. She usually
resides in Lincolnshire at her Mother's Estate. Ldy Clifford writes
me word that the Petres are quite charmed with their Daughter
in Law; that they think her Beautiful, whilst others are
divided about her having any Beauty at all. However she is, at
present, quite the thing. People imagined
that the other match of Mr. Howard & Miss
Petre must follow, but there is no
appearance of it at present and it
is now imagined will not take place. I suppose she goes out this Winter
but I have not heard a word about her. The Wodehouses have
been in London this long time. Miss Wodehouse told Miss Sneyde
(a niece of the Bishop's), that you were the dearest friend she
had in the world, that you were the handsomest, most accomplished
Charming girl, she could see. How one sometimes gains by absenting
oneself! However, seriously, I begin to think she has persuaded
herself that she is partial to you. Miss Arundell, who is going
to be Mrs. Clifford, is tall, and pretty, but has that same gawkey stoop
that she had when she was a Girl, and which, I am afraid, proceeds in
some measure from weakness, as she looks very consumptive & was
ill all the winter. She enquired after you. Mrs. Arundell is very little
but has a pretty face, very quiet. The other very lively. I think
the match you have made a very good one, if she is really to have
so large a fortune, but Mr. Hawkins has a Brother, a horrid man,
a Renegade Monk, who is married and has Children. I thought Miss
Hawkins was more than 13. Does she follow you in your masters as
[damaged] I suppose her Mother is got better. Mde Dillon is with Child.
What an affliction for Madame de L'Abbaye-aux-Bois, to have her Brother
detected in such a paltry theft! Who does the Little Mde de Chabrillant live
with? tis a great folly to put a Girl of her age in menage. I suppose
Mde de la Force does not yet think of it. Adieu my dearest Charlotte, be
well assured of my sincere love and affection. Poor Neddy is at school & very well.
[change of orientation]
France pas pd to London
Madmoiselle
A Mademoiselle Jerningham aux Dames
Ursulines Rue St Jacques
a Paris
I begin to think the time long since I had the pleasure of
hearing from my Dearest Girl, I hope that you are quite well
perhaps the Lent duties which I recollect last year you said
were double, may have not allow'd you time to write, but I hope
that my Little Charlotte thinks of me: it is but a justice due to
the many hours I pass in occupying my mind about you.
Since I wrote, my dear, to you and the Mere Generale, your
account has again been transmitted from Peregaux. From 9ber
to February 42 pounds sterling that in 9ber [illeg] the
whole I see that your expence must be 200ll a year, and as
I hope my pretty Girl takes pains to improve, it is in my opinion
money excellently well laid out. However, sometimes, as we are not yet
very affluent. Sir Wm finds it a good deal. I have therefore been a
little uneasy about this Italian Master, fearing that such a number
of different Lessons may only defeat the wish'd for purpose of
general Information: but with the additional Geography also {^looks will
swell the next account Considerably. I mentioned your {?diminishing}
one lesson a week of your singing master suppose you entirely
dropped him do you think next to harp & harpsichord that
you could miss it. Then to Italian & Geography would not make
much augmentation especially having dropped the double lessons of
dancing & you might continue if you liked it. the single ones 3 times
a week as before. The purpose of the singing master is only to
teach you to name the notes readily. Therefore was very necessary
at first but I should think must now be so no more. And
it is a {?Showy} as well as useful accomplishment to know Italian
for which reason I am unwilling to give that up. Pray my
Sweet Girl, let me know your opinion of all this, for you know
that I often abide by your advice, and you may settle it with
the Mere Generale if you approve of it. I read to
Papa the little short account of your 12th. and that you had
nothing left for the remainder of the month, and he said Poor Girl,
that's hard upon her, so the guinea was immediately agreed to
your mourning will be at the end of the month but
the black silk gown may do for some other time with a new
top &c. I would not have you want for anything that
is necessary to your comfort or good appearance where you
are, which I know is nearly allied to comfort: but only
one must not lose sight of proper Economy. I can assure you
that I am obliged to keep within very strict limits; but I do
not mind myself, it is a real truth that I have more gratification
in knowing that all of you want for nothing, than in any thing
which might be a personal douceur. Your old acquaintance
Miss Eleanora Arundell, who is just turn'd of 20, is going to be
married to Mr. Charles Clifford, Lord Clifford's Brother;
him or his children will most likely have the Clifford Estate
& title, as his Elder Brother has now been married 7 or 8 years
and never had a Child. At present his fortune is not considerable
but he is a very pleasing young man (26) and of a most
unexceptionable character. Ld Arundell will, I suppose, make
up all defficiencys in point of money. The Eldest Sister, who is
called Mrs. Arundell, lay in of a Son in the Winter. She usually
resides in Lincolnshire at her Mother's Estate. Ldy Clifford writes
me word that the Petres are quite charmed with their Daughter
in Law; that they think her Beautiful, whilst others are
divided about her having any Beauty at all. However she is, at
present, quite the thing. People imagined
that the other match of Mr. Howard & Miss
Petre must follow, but there is no
appearance of it at present and it
is now imagined will not take place. I suppose she goes out this Winter
but I have not heard a word about her. The Wodehouses have
been in London this long time. Miss Wodehouse told Miss Sneyde
(a niece of the Bishop's), that you were the dearest friend she
had in the world, that you were the handsomest, most accomplished
Charming girl, she could see. How one sometimes gains by absenting
oneself! However, seriously, I begin to think she has persuaded
herself that she is partial to you. Miss Arundell, who is going
to be Mrs. Clifford, is tall, and pretty, but has that same gawkey stoop
that she had when she was a Girl, and which, I am afraid, proceeds in
some measure from weakness, as she looks very consumptive & was
ill all the winter. She enquired after you. Mrs. Arundell is very little
but has a pretty face, very quiet. The other very lively. I think
the match you have made a very good one, if she is really to have
so large a fortune, but Mr. Hawkins has a Brother, a horrid man,
a Renegade Monk, who is married and has Children. I thought Miss
Hawkins was more than 13. Does she follow you in your masters as
[damaged] I suppose her Mother is got better. Mde Dillon is with Child.
What an affliction for Madame de L'Abbaye-aux-Bois, to have her Brother
detected in such a paltry theft! Who does the Little Mde de Chabrillant live
with? tis a great folly to put a Girl of her age in menage. I suppose
Mde de la Force does not yet think of it. Adieu my dearest Charlotte, be
well assured of my sincere love and affection. Poor Neddy is at school & very well.
[change of orientation]
France pas pd to London
Madmoiselle
A Mademoiselle Jerningham aux Dames
Ursulines Rue St Jacques
a Paris
Details
Lady Frances Jerningham to Charlotte Jerningham, 23 March 1786
Mother to daughter. It is has been a while since Frances has heard from her daughter – she hopes she is well, and wonders if perhaps the Lent duties have not given her much time to write. Charlotte’s expenses of £200 a year, though necessary, are sometimes found a expensive by Siir William, but she must not be uncomfortable. She suggests reducing the number of lessons to ensure that Charlotte is getting a ‘general’ education but also to reduce costs. She would like to know Charlotte’s opinion on this before make this decision. They had received Charlotte’s letter in which she said she had no more money for the rest of the month, they hope she has enough for mourning clothing etc – it is necessary to balance comfort / appearance with economy. Discusses the appearance and marriage prospects of other young women in their circle. The Petres think their new daughter in law to be very beautiful, and other women have been talking about how handsome Charlotte is. Miss Arundel is tall and pretty, but with poor posture and looks in poor health. Her mother has a pretty face. Mme Dillon is pregnant. Neddy is at school and very well.
Jerningham Family Papers
JER/40
Cadbury Library, University of Birmingham
1786
3
23
Cossey [Norfolk, England]
aux Dames
Ursulines Rue St Jacques
a Paris
[France]
People
Person: Charlotte Jerningham
View full details of Person: Charlotte Jerningham
primary addressee
- dancing
- devotional practice
- reading
- recreation
- singing
- writing
- aesthetics
- clothing
well
hopeful
- disposition
- education
school
Person: Frances Jerningham
View full details of Person: Frances Jerningham
primary author
thinking
separation
- affection
- love (parental)
How to Cite
To Cite this Letter
Lady Frances Jerningham to Charlotte Jerningham, 23 March 1786, 2331786: Cadbury Library, University of Birmingham, Jerningham Family Papers, JER/40
To Cite this Edition
Material Identities, Social Bodies: Embodiment in British Letters c.1680-1820. Compiled by: Karen Harvey, Helen Esfandiary, Sarah Fox, Emily Vine, University of Birmingham. Project funded by the Leverhulme Trust (2021-2025, Ref. RPG-2020-163), https://socialbodies.bham.ac.uk.