VII

LadySusanVernontoMrs.Johnson. Churchhill. MydearAlicia,—YouareverygoodintakingnoticeofFrederica,andIamgratefulforitasamarkofyourfriendshipbutasIcannothaveanydoubtofthewarmthofyouraffection,Iamfarfromexactingsoheavyasacrifice.Sheisastupidgirl,andhasnothingtorecommendher.Iwouldnot,therefore,onmyaccount,haveyouencumberonemomentofyourprecioustimebysendingforhertoEdwardStreet,especiallyaseveryvisitissomuchdeductedfromthegrandaffairofeducation,whichIreallywishtohaveattendedtowhilesheremainsatMissSummers’s.Iwanthertoplayandsingwithsomeportionoftasteandagooddealofassurance,asshehasmyhandandarmandatolerablevoice.IwassomuchindulgedinmyinfantyearsthatIwasneverobligedtoattendtoanything,andconsequentlyamwithouttheaccomplishmentswhicharenownecessarytofinishaprettywoman.NotthatIamanadvocatefortheprevailingfashionofacquiringaperfectknowledgeofalllanguages,arts,andsciences.ItisthrowingtimeawaytobemistressofFrench,Italian,andGerman:music,singing,anddrawing,&c.,willgainawomansomeapplause,butwillnotaddonelovertoherlist—graceandmanner,afterall,areofthegreatestimportance.Idonotmean,therefore,thatFrederica’sacquirementsshouldbemorethansuperficial,andIflattermyselfthatshewillnotremainlongenoughatschooltounderstandanythingthoroughly.IhopetoseeherthewifeofSirJameswithinatwelvemonth.YouknowonwhatIgroundmyhope,anditiscertainlyagoodfoundation,forschoolmustbeveryhumiliatingtoagirlofFrederica’sage.And,by-the-by,youhadbetternotinviteheranymoreonthataccount,asIwishhertofindhersituationasunpleasantaspossible.IamsureofSirJamesatanytime,andcouldmakehimrenewhisa