Lord Francis goes to Newmarket on Sunday, and I am to go to Earl’s Court for a week, and George[15] and Willy Osborne come here. It sounds as if we were going to play Puss in the Corner on a grand scale, but I shall be glad to get back to my corner again.... George writes me word that one story about Lady Caroline Lamb[16] is, that the separation had been agreed upon, and the articles ready; that Lady Melbourne set out one morning from London to try and arrange matters, and on her arrival she found the happy couple at breakfast, and Lady Caroline drawling out--“William, some more muffin?”--and everything made up. Mary has grown so fat she can scarcely waddle about, and flatters herself she is looking very well. I remain ever your aff. sister, EMILY EDEN. (_Quite private_) I must just mention that the tucker Ingram made is considered as the most beautiful, elegant, decent, well-behaved, unassuming good sort of tucker in His Majesty’s dominion, and is quite the rage. I am in a fever, which should be called the _decent_ fever, till I can get four dozen made just exactly like it. Mary has been very busy preparing for her journey, and desires her love to you, and is very much obliged to you for the use of your necklace, bracelet, etc., which she will take great care of. She has not heard from Miss Milbanke lately, but we hear that Lord Byron is going to be a good boy, and will never be naughty no more, and he is really and truly writing a new version of the Psalms! _Lord Auckland to Miss Eden._ MELBURY,[17] _November 12_ [1814]. MY DEAR EMILY, I must write one line though it is past midnight, and that because nobody writes to poor Emily. Well, I am glad you have got a little gaiety at last. As for us here, we are as merry as grigs, and as active as flies, and as chatty as the maids. We eat and drink, and work and walk, and shoot and hunt, and talk and laugh, all day long--and I expect my pretty master, you would like the eating and drinking the best of all. Such luncheons! a roast turkey, and hash and potatoes, and apple pudding, and what not, and I stand by and abuse them all for eating, and eat with the best of them. We have been trying the new experiment of burning clay for manure, and have not above half succeeded--and we have just found an old book, 80 years old, which gives a full and detailed account of what all the wiseacres are all making an outcry about as a new discovery, and as the practice has not been adopted, we are beginning to suspect that its merits are a little exaggerated. We have a house brimful. Give my love to all, Vansittart and all, and so good-night, my old boy, for I must go to bed. Your affec. brother, AD. _Miss Eden to her Sister, Lady Buckinghamshire._ EDEN FARM, _December 1814_. MY DEAREST SISTER, Mary’s first letter is arrived, so I must begin copying and extracting, and abridging, as if I had never done anything else all my life.