Yours affectionately,
F. A. K.

I did not, and do not, at all question the good judgment of my parents
in not allowing me to go into society unaccompanied by one or the other
of themselves. The only occasion on which I remember feeling very
rebellious with regard to this rule was that of the coronation of King
William and Queen Adelaide, for which imposing ceremony a couple of
peers' tickets had been very kindly sent us, but of which I was unable
to avail myself, my father being prevented by business from escorting
me, my mother being out of town, and my brother's countenance and
protection not being, in their opinion, adequate for the occasion. So
John went alone to the abbey, and say the fine show, and my peer's
ticket remained unused on my mantelpiece, a constant suggestion of the
great disappointment I had experienced when, after some discussion, it
was finally determined that he was too young to be considered a proper
chaperon for me. Dear me! how vexed I was! and how little charmed with
my notoriety, which was urged as the special reason for my being hedged
round with the utmost conventional decorum!

GREAT RUSSELL STREET, March, 1831.
DEAR MRS. JAMESON,

I have but two minutes to say two words to you, in answer to your
very kind note. Both my mother and myself went out of town, not to
recover from absolute indisposition, but to recruit strength. I am
sorry to say she is far from well now, however; but as I think her
present suffering springs from cold, I hope a few warm days will
remove it. I am myself very well, except a bad cough which I have
had for some time, and a very bad side-ache, which has just come
on, and which, if I had time in addition to the inclination which I
have, would prevent me from writing much more at present. I envy
you your time spent in the country; the first days of spring and
last of autumn should never be spent between brick houses and stone
pavements. I am truly sorry for the anxieties you have undergone;
your father is, I trust, quite recovered; and as to your dear baby
(Mrs. Jameson's niece), remember it is but beginning to make you
anxious, and will continue to do so as long as it lives, which is a
perfect Job's comforter, is it not? The story of your old man
interested me very