Lady Morgan’s Memoirs
Sydney Owenson to Lady Margaret Stanley, 12 April 1811
London, 12, York
Place,
Portman Square,
April 12, 1811.
Dearest, kindest of Ladies,
By this you have received my little packet; it is near a
fortnight since I sent it to be franked, and I have been rather anxious as to
its fate, but perhaps at this very moment you are seated at your fireside, Poll
at your feet, and Pug beside you, and The Missionary
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in your hands; but in a few days I shall cease to envy
Poll, Pug, or Missionary, for
I shall be in your arms. I leave this heaven upon earth on the evening of the
30th, so I suppose I shall be with you about the 2nd of May, and you will,
perhaps, meet me at Holyhead. And, now, who do you think I am waiting at home
for? only Sir John Stanley—it is all
very true! Both your sons openly avow their passion for me; and Lady Stanley is the most generous of rivals! I
have been now one blessed fortnight in this region of delight, and were I to
describe to you the kind of attention I excite and receive, you would either
laugh at, or pity me, and say “her head is turned, poor little
animal;” and you would say very true. But I will tell you all when we
meet, a period now not far distant. I mean to send my trunks, directed for you, to Mr. Spencer’s, by
one of the heavy coaches, so pray have the goodness to
mention the circumstance to him, as it will ensure the safety of my poor little
property. Your letter was most gracious, and received with infinite pleasure.
Dearest and kindest of friends,
God keep you ever,
I am on a visit to an East Indian nabob’s,
whose wife and family are all kindness to me.
Lady Maria Josepha Stanley [née Holroyd] (1771 c.-1863)
The daughter of John Baker Holroyd, first Earl of Sheffield; in 1796 she married John
Thomas Stanley, afterwards first Baron Stanley of Alderley.
