FLORIAN - The Most Traveled Man on Earth

Eliza talks only about her pretty face, her dance and her music. Mr. de Bards today
counted the mistakes she has made in French since de Bards has been teaching her. She
has only made 22 mistakes. Mrs. Malthas wants to have her spend her vacation in
London with her daughters. I will take her next Tuesday, but I am allowing it only under
protest. I am afraid she will be spoiled, and really that would be too bad.
Azelie is in good health, and is making progress. Our four daughters took the prize [or
“were the hit of the evening”] at the concert. I have made arrangements with Madame de
Villiers –I am going to live there [beginning?] the 22 nd of the month. She has taken an
elegantly furnished home in Baker Street, Portman Square North. It is a nice place and
almost in the country. I will try to get the teacher at a low rate. Miss Ravencamp is
coming with me. Madame de Villiers wishes to try to set up a school for 12 young ladies
at 100 pounds sterling. My brothers are living at the de Bardas, so we are almost
neighbors. You can’t imagine how attentive Joseph is. I am waiting impatiently to be in
London to see them more often; however, I regret Laytonstone, or rather the inhabitants
of Assembly House. Mrs. Hutchinson has left for Northumberland. She had only regrets
in parting from me, and her departure caused me much sorrow. Miss Herbert has finally
married E. Repton. Mr. Drouin [?] comes to see me every Sunday. He always speaks of
you with much interest. Mr. Wood told me a hundred things to tell you from him. He
wishes you more luck in your efforts than you had in your travels around Halifax. His
mouth watered when I told him of the ducks, partridge, etc. on which you feasted.
I had occasion to write to your sisters, and I believe there will soon be another one [?].
When you write to me you can address your letter to Madame de Villiers, at number 39.
I would write to Emmanuel but I prefer to entrust you with all my good wishes. Do not
fail to write me often. I fear lest the little communication now existing between this
country and America may delay the news I ought to get from you.
<strong>The</strong> affairs in Spain are very hopeless. It was the last hope for the family of Bourbons.
In spite of the prophesies of the Abbé de Clorivière, 39 it will not be ended this year.
When we are re-united in the woods, we will not worry ourselves about what happens
among the great powers on this continent.
My God, why am I not already there? How I would press you against my heart. I cannot
say anything more. I always feel depressed when I think of the distance separating us
from one another, and the uncertainty of when we will be re-united.
Adieu, I love you more than my life.
[Marguerite]
39 <strong>The</strong> Abbé de Clorivière was a famous Jesuit, and was a parish priest at Paramé before the Revolution.
He performed the marriage ceremonies for the daughters of Pierre Beaugeard; see the manuscript “La
Famille Beaugeard de St. Malo,” by Hughes de Boiry Buchepot.
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