The Autobiography of William Jerdan
Letitia Landon to William Jerdan, [26 June 1834]
“The first thing that I did was to write to you from
Boulogne, and the first thing that I do is to write to you from Paris; but
truly the pleasure of seeing my hand-writing must be sufficient. Never was
there a worse traveller. I arrived in Paris more dead than alive, and till this
evening have not held up my head. The beginning of our journey was delightful;
the road is like one avenue, and it was so pretty, having the children, every
hill we ![]()
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ascended, throwing roses into the carriage,
asking for sous. Moreover, our
compagnon de voyage was a
very intelligent and gentlemanlike Frenchman; but all my stock of admiration
ended at the very pretty town of Abbeville. I had not a notion that fatigue
could have so completely paralysed me. I was scarcely sensible when we arrived
at Paris, and was just lifted out of the diligence. Since then the extent of my travels has been
from the bed to the sofa. We have very pleasant apartments, looking on the
Boulevards—such a gay scene. It seems so odd to see the people walking about in
caps, looking so neat, and I must add so clean. Mercy on the French carriages
and horses; they make such a clatter; drive far more with their tongues than
the reins. We have delicious dinners, if I could but eat, which at present is
an impossibility. I am still a horrid figure with my sea and sunburning.
Miss Gibbon, a very pretty Scotch girl, a cousin of
Miss Turin’s, is staying with us, very agreeable
to me, for she is so kind, and quite au
fait at manners, customs, language, &c. I value a
companion now. Poor Miss Turin is quite confined to her
bed; but sends her love to you. I hope that my next letter will be more
amusing; this is only a kind remembrance. Pray, if you can do anything polite
by the Misses Lance, do.* Any tickets will be so
acceptable while Miss Castleman is staying with them.
Write to me by Mr. Huntly Gordon, H. M.
Stationery Office, Buckingham Gate, or you have my address in the date.
“Be sure wafer, and thin paper. I shall be very glad
to see England again.
George Huntly Gordon (1796-1868)
The son of Pryse Lockhart Gordon; he was Sir Walter Scott's nearly-deaf amanuensis,
afterwards employed in the government stationary office.
Letitia Elizabeth Landon [L. E. L.] (1802-1838)
English poet who came to attention through the
Literary Gazette;
she published three volumes in 1825. She was the object of unflattering gossip prior to her
marriage to George Maclean in 1838.
