LETTER FROM MRS. WENTWORTH. 99
advances so rapidly now that we begin to think of Winter Quarters, and I believe we shall soon get to town. I guess we shall set off about the time we proposed. You may easily think I dread the journey, as the roads are so bad,and I as great a coward as ever existed. I tell the Governor he is unlucky in a wife having so timid a disposition, and he so resolute. For you know he would attempt, and effect if possible, to ride over the tops of the trees on Moose Mountain, while poor I even tremble at passing through a road cut at the foot of it.
Your little dog grows finely and I shall bring him down with me. You never saw such a parcel of animals in your life, and they have lessened poor Phyllis' courage down to a standard, for she can hardly crawl along. But I intend to send some of them off soon. We have given Mr. Livius one, and our neighbors all around are begging to have one, so that the stock will soon be lessened, and I intend to see yours is the best taken care of amongst them. Mrs. Rindge[1] seems now to falter in her intentions to spend the winter in town, but she says she is fixed on passing a month or so there. I believe it all a matter of uncertainty; for the roads are so precarious in the winter months, that tis impossible to fix on anything. Her baby seems to grow considerably and looks better than it did, so that I begin to think now she has a chance for its life. You know it looked in a great decline at the time you was with me. I am obliged for your charge to the House you lodged at on the road to be in readiness for us at our return. I desire things only a little clean; for elegance is not to be found in the country. I hope Mr. Langdon and your little ones are in health. I pray you'l present my best compliments to him and tell him I hope the roads will be better next year to induce him to try another journey to Wolfborough. The Governor has just come in and says I must send a great many compliments to you and Mr. Langdon, and tell you he knows you'l forget how to eat beef at Portsmouth.[2] Wolfborough is the place to recover appetites and learn people to relish anything that is set before them. But adieu. I could write you all day, but I am called on for my letter by Mr. Russel who is just setting off for his journey. This relieves you from the trouble of reading a long pen'd epistle from one who need not say she loves you; since you know you can command every friendship that flows from the affectionate heart and mind of
Your Sincere Friend and Very humble Servant,
FRANCES WENTWORTH.
- ↑ The Mrs. Rindge alluded to was probably the wife of one of Gov. John Wentworth's maternal cousins, as his father, Markk Henking Wentworth, married Elizabeth, daughter of John Rindge of Portsmouth.
- ↑ The following shows that the Governor and Lady had returned to Portsmouth the next month, and were entertaining their friends: —
"The Governor and Lady invite to tea on Thursday next. Mr. and Mrs. Langdon.
Tea at five o'clock p. m.
Portsmouth.
Friday evening, Nov. 23, 1770."
