Mr. Achard, a Frenchman mentioned previously, had been the duke’s
tutor, and was now his secretary.
From the letters, he appears to have been very tall; he was frequently
called “Brother Bonaventura,” and as his humour was variable, at times
“Monsieur du _Poivre_,” at others “Monsieur du _Miel_!”
[Page heading: DR. GREY]
The next letter to her father thanks him for a design he had made for
an apron for the duchess, with which she was delighted, and--
“if the work could be as elegant as the drawing, would be the
most finished apron for the most finished Duchess. Lord Oxford
and George Vertue[133] arrived here last night after a ramble
which the best geographer could hardly describe; they have been
haunting church-yards, and reading the history of mankind upon the
gravestones. Dr. Grey[134] is employed in a work which to make its
appearance in public you would not easily guess at. I believe ’tis
no perplexity upon Mysteries, no refutation of the doctrine of
Transubstantiation, no explanation of the Catechism, but a thing
for which his serious qualifications do not seem very fit. He is
writing upon Hudibras!”
[133] George Vertue, eminent engraver, archæologist, and author;
born 1684, died 1756.
[134] Rev. Dr. Zachary Grey, author, died 1766.
CHAPTER III.
IN LONDON, KENT, AND AT BULLSTRODE, 1741–42. BEGINNING OF
CORRESPONDENCE WITH MRS. DELANY.
The last letter of the year 1740 is written to Mr. Freind on December
29--
“Next Sunday I quit the peaceful groves and hospitable roof of
Bullstrode for the noisy turbulent city; my books and serious
reflections are to be laid aside for the looking-glass and curling
irons, and from that time I am no more a Pastorella, but propose to
be as idle, as vain, and as impertinent, as any one; if you will
come to town Mrs. Freind and you will find me, however, as like
myself as to be your _sincere friend_.”
[Year: 1741]
[Page heading: THE DUCHESS OF QUEENSBERRY]
February 5, Elizabeth writes to her sister--
“DEAR MADAM SALLY,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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