Thursday Oct 6th. 1831.
I finished my letter to Mr. Curzon today, & Henrietta took it to Ledbury where she went to dine with the Watts’s. My letter speaks a part of my heart with regard to my dear friend—, & the whole of my heart with regard to myself. It is not an uncandid letter. If Miss Gibbons herself were to read it, she cd. scarcely, I think, be very severe on me.
Mrs. Cliffe here until after one o’clock—therefore no doing anything meo more—except talking nonsense— & except (the more agreable exception) arranging a plan for Malvern tomorrow. She is to be with us at ten; & Miss Peyton one of our “pleasaunt companie”. They will be my “pleasaunt companie” only as far as Ruby Cottage!—
Bummy read the debates to Arabel & me[1]—after I had told a story, which Occyta did not seem to like as much as he generally does my stories, about the sea of honey & milk & wine—, & the prince who was born in the straights of Gibralter & was consequently half black & half white. That was “all out of my own head” as Occyta says! I have a great mind to write an opposition budget to mother goose’s— Seriously, I may be goose enough to do it.
An answer from Mr. Curzon to my letter. His begins “my very dear friend”. Lights make shades seem darker!--
There was a reform meeting at Ledbury today, to which all the boys down to Henry, went. Dearest Bro spoke, I hear, very well, & for ten minutes.[2] How I shd. have liked to have heardhim!— Mr. Curzon sent the Letters on particular redemption, with his letter.
1. The debates in the House of Lords on 4 October, on the question of Reform. The report of the discussion occupied 14 columns in The Times, 5 October 1831.
2. The Hereford Journal, 12 October 1831, in its report of the meeting in the Town Hall, mentioned Edward Moulton-Barrett Jr. twice, once as the proposer of a motion, once as the seconder.
