The Leyland Manor Diary

Welcome Home!

2013-04-08T18:29:00.000+01:00

The first view you get of Leyland Manor is from down the grassy mound it was built on. You were already deep into the park, when the lane turned left and you looked up at the modern fascade framed with large old beech trees; or rather the house looked down at you. In the old days one was crossing the river via an ancient stone bridge. A cobblestone road leading the visitor directly from the village to the manor house. But the bridge was destroyed one winter and never rebuilt, as some pageant woman said it would be unwise to do so. The land left and right of the road was leased to two (quarreling) families owning farms near Leyland village. It became their border, overgrowing in time and unrecognizable to the stranger of Leyland's history. Nowadays you had to drive around the village and the Trevenor's farmland, crossing a newer bridge and entering the park from the southwest. This improved first view of the house let to the renovation of its fascade to modern standards in the first place, while the other two wings of it were still in its oldfashioned Tudor and Stuart glory, all including a tower, lead windows and ivy covered walls. But that part, the old courtyard and the tower, you only saw, if you took the right turn of the fork, also leading you to the stables and farm buildings of the manor. If you took the left turn and went up even higher, you found yourself facing the classical new front of the house (which used to be the back a very very long time ago). Looking back down the mound the park opened wide into the landscape of meadows, farms and valleys. To your right were steps down to the Baroque flower garden and going around the house, passing by the old tower and turning right again at the Tudor wing, you'll enter what used to be a formal Renaissance garden. One in shameful disorder, neglected and nearly distroyed. Once there has been a terrace overlooking that garden. Now there were only bushes and ferns. The path leading to an archway was blocked and impossible to trespass. There was no way to the courtyard or street outside. You had to go back all the way, as every door to the old wing was shut as well.

September 13th, 1763

2012-10-01T19:37:00.000+01:00

I got downstairs before breakfast was served and went outside. After last nights storm the heat was gone and the air crisp. Without a destination in mind I went forward into the park. After a couple of minutes I reached a corner of a path leading into some kind of wood or high and wild shrubs. Behind the first wall of greenery was a ruin, of which I could determine the remnants of windows and a vaulted ceiling, all buried in greens. Once inside I knew it was a chapel, long forgotten and so very beautiful. Through a doorway on the opposite wall I entered a small graveyard overgrown by the wilderness. Though it seemed so close to the main house I never discovered this place before. Somehow I must have wandered to other parts of the park. Not knowing how much time may have passed and seeing the sky darkening again, I went back to the house. Everyone was at breakfast and simultanously to my entrance a servant came in to report he couldn't find me and started at seeing me. Smiling I gave him permission to leave and finally asked my husband to forgive my absense. He was then very curious as for my whereabouts this morning. I quickly answered but didn't wait for any reply but asked more questions on behalf of the old chapel and the graveyard.

Letter to Harriet Osberton

2012-07-03T21:08:00.000+01:00

Leyland, September 12th, 1763

My dear Harriet,

what a weekend! I got your letter on Friday, but couldn't sit down for my response till this morning. I hope you'll receive this letter on your safe arrival home. Please send a note of your health and disposition after your return.
Our dinner for Ms Susan was as neat an affair one would expect and everybody well entertained and fed. Sundays service would have been to your liking, though Reverend Thompson was obviously happy about no critics present.
My dearest Harriet, I miss you very much. Ms Susan is an angel and a profound teacher and a wonderful aunt, but my friend's absence and her cruel family makes me wish for us being together. Let me know, when I can visit you at Clarington!
Ms B sends you all the best wishes; we called on her and she'll come to take tea with us tomorrow.

Do give all my love to Mr O and think of your ever true friend

Emy

September 12th, 1763

2012-07-01T21:34:00.000+01:00

It was the first weekend at Leyland, which I seriously enjoyed. When Harriet stayed with us, I could bear it quite well to call it my home. When we went to Wortham I started to miss it, but thought it because of all the events concerning Fred and suddenly Harriet as well. When we came back, I was relieved to be here again, to see Miss B and to wander our garden. The quietude of my own chamber was the most luxurious thing... Saturdays dinner for Miss Susan was somewhat satisfactory. Cook did a wonderful job, with Frank as guest the young ladies were well entertained,even I sat down at the harp for one song. Miss Susans presence gave me confidence and I noticed how easy it could be to converse with our neighbours and Lord C's friends; though I cannot remember all we were talking about. Still, cards aren't the thing for me.
Sundays service was rather short in content, though not necessarily in lenght. But afterwards Miss Susan and I visited Mrs Higgenbotham. Miss Susan thinks her funny - possibly in a more urban way, as she is far more in elegant society than Mrs H could ever boast of... Last night was only family and later they told me stories about Franks and Fitzwilliams childhood at Leyland, about Miss Susans youth, her life in town.
This morning we made calls, wrote our letters, of which I had many piled up on my desk and later took a drive through the park with the gentlemen. Now I'm fatigued, but have to dress for dinner. No other guests tonight, but tea tomorrow at Miss B's.

September 9th, 1763

2012-06-29T22:51:00.000+01:00

This morning I received a letter from Harriet, who told me of her relatives bad behaviour and their subsequent return home. I immediately told Lord C about Max's absence from Wortham and he contacted his lawyer again, who is to inform him of any news to be got on Max and possibly the mysterious woman involved in the whole affair with Frederick.
I wanted to answer her right after breakfast, but Ms Susan caught me on my way to my desk and we went to the parlour discussing the dinner in her honour. It took all morning and my housekeeper was happy to return to cook to inform her of an elaborate scheme she would have only a day to prepare for. Nevertheless Ms Susans 'help' did help me and made me aware how I had neglected my housewifely duties.
The gentlemen were out, therefore we partook in a rather small repast, I had completely forgotten Harriets letter. But I did write a great deal, to Ms Susans amusement, though I could very well see her delight in advising me on how to see things in my house that needed my attention.
Thinking about it now, I see Leyland as my house, my household... my home I have to attend to... It is strange though.

I did it again

2012-05-06T11:45:00.002+01:00

Well, again I changed the blog template and though it hasn't been long for the Research Posts to be on this blog, I exported them into their own blog.

But on the right sidebar you'll see the feed of the blog. I tried a great tuturial by Amanda Kennedy to create a side-blog, but unfortunately after 4 years nobody seemed to have come up with a solution for the disappearing posts from the main page. Therefore I separated the blog again and created a feed for the sidebar. I hope nobody will get confused, but the diary should remain a diary. Using Wordpress would make all kinds of things easier, but I don't want to move away from blogger... Anyway, check the feed and the new blog, if you're interested!

Thanx!

July 8th, 2011

2011-07-18T16:19:00.001+01:00

Yes, it's the correct date, no typing error...

I'm happy to announce the birth of my sweet baby boy.

Therefore it will take a little time for me to come back to writing or at least to close the gaps that occured while drafting the next posts. They're here on my laptop, but not yet good enough to be published.

To my readers!

2011-03-19T20:58:00.002+00:00

Venerated readers and subscribers of this blog,

I apologize for not posting for a while. My husband had a motorcycle accident and is in hospital for I don't know how long. Therefore I have many other things on my mind and hope you come back for new posts, when I'm again able to write...

Thank you very very much,
C.

Letter from Harriet Osberton

2011-02-23T19:53:00.001+00:00

Wortham, September 4^th, 1763

My dearest Emy,

we fled from my parents house and the whole neighbourhood. It was not to be born anymore. My mother intruded upon us every day without any notice. The atmosphere at home is horrible and we decided to leave. It is very vexing, especially in my current condition. I know not for how long I could have hidden it from my mother or the whole family. My morning sickness is terrible and Clive did his best to keep anyone from me to keep the secret. Now we are on our way home to Clarington. Hester is to join us in town for the season, but I don't know if we go at all regarding my health... But they do not know of course. I will not tell them until the very least. - My brother is gone too. We don't know where. He disappeared over night and nobody noticed. His manservant was gone sometime before him, the butler informed us later... I'm very tired of it all my dearest and glad to go home. I will write again from Clarington.

Affectionately,

yours

Harriet.

September 8th, 1763

2011-02-23T19:51:00.000+00:00

night

When I came back from the garden this morning and joined Mrs Lewis in the kitchen to oversee the planning of dinner, I was informed that Ms Susan had stayed in her room, partaking of her breakfast upstairs. I was to come to my room as soon as I was able to join her. Upon my entrance into her room I was greeted most affectionately and found myself confronted with a familiar chatter, I knew of Mrs Higgenbotham, but the topics were far more interesting than hers. Ms Susan lived in a world I knew not, a free mind roaming about Bath and doing what she thought best and what made her happy and kept her entertained. So she did over her hot chocolate, telling one juicy story after another (I wondered if Lord C would disapprove, but he wasn't attending anyway...) and gossip about the ton and marriage mart as well as the newest plays and books and exhibitions. When I stayed in town I had no opportunity to catch up with this world, being on a constant run after possible husbands led by mother or my sisters. Ms Susan had me captivated and I immediately liked her a great deal...

September 8th, 1763

2011-02-23T16:55:00.001+00:00

morning

I came down early this morning to join our guests at breakfast, but Lord C and his cousin were already out riding and Ms Susan was not yet downstairs. Mrs. Lewis told me Mr. Frank will stay for two weeks, his Lordship's aunt two more and asked for my orders to prepare the following days. I decided for a family dinner today, but told her to join everyone in the kitchen later to speak about a larger dinner with neighbours in honour of Ms. Susan the day after tomorrow. Lord C said something about it on Tuesday and I think it is very appropriate.

Now after looking through my letters, nothing important, only from mother and Patsy, I decided to go for a short walk before heading towards the kitchen...

September 7th, 1763

2011-02-22T20:30:00.001+00:00

It is well after midnight and I'm "allowed" to go to bed. Lord C's aunt and cousin arrived two hours ago, completely exhausted from what sounded like an odyssey. Though we knew about their broken carriage and their being late to arrive, we were quite worried about their whereabouts. Ms. C assured us promptly that the inn was comfortable, the food acceptable and the roads dry again when they set out the following noon towards Leyland.

When we heard the commotion on the front lawn and the barking dogs, Lord C's first thought was about burglars and wanted to send me upstairs... but Brittles announced a carriage and we were assuaged immediately. Ms C was extremely tired and after being introduced by my husband, I let her upstairs and ordered her dinner to her room. Lord C did the same accompanying his cousin, who was more than eager to chat with him incessantly. Ms. C, or rather Aunt Susan (as I was ordered to call her), refreshed herself aided by her maid, but still able to talk at length about the journey. When she had changed and stepped in front of the screen, she smiled warmly and excused her endless chatter, embracing her "new niece" and asking a vast number of questions about my family, home, how I liked to be the mistress of my own house and so on... Finally she remembered the time and sent me to bed, wanting to see me in the breakfast parlour the next morning... (I went to find Mrs. Lewis at once to ask about Ms. C's usual time to get up!)

Now I'm exhausted and hope to find sleep directly.

Letter to Fitzwilliam Cartwright

2011-02-22T19:59:00.001+00:00

September 5th, 1763

My dearest nephew,

we are in the middle of nowhere and our carriage is broken. But the local wainwright is already busy repairing the damage. We will be late two days, but are well. Don't be alarmed! Frank takes good care of your aunt,

S. Cartwright

September 5th, 1763

2011-02-22T19:42:00.001+00:00

After dinner last night we spent the evening together in the music parlour; I halfheartedly tried reading while listening to Emmeline playing the harp. She teased me about my reading, 'for it must be a most boring volume...' I was so distracted with her fingers crossing the strings and producing such wonderful melodies, that I forgot about the text in front of me or turning the pages of the book. It is like spending time with a lady one is courting and not one is married to. She has been very charming these last two days and I hope it will last for my aunts visit.

After I came back from Atherfold's place on Saturday, I was welcomed by my wife, leading me into the dining parlour, conversing with me easily over dinner and spending the whole evening with me reading in the library. I had to dismiss my plan to talk to her and instead I thought about a walk around the garden tonight. But it was too chilly and again I had to postpone it. Tonight we had Mr. Kettle and his wife as guests and though we joined the ladies as soon as possible, there was no point in kidnapping Emmeline. It wouldn't have been appropriate anyway, but now it is me, who become's a little uneasy about my aunts soon arrival at Leyland.

September 4th, 1763

2011-02-22T19:41:00.001+00:00

Today I spent most of the morning distracting Emmeline from my family's arrival. She seems not as nervous as she was the days before, but I think it is still adorable. Our marriage didn't start out well, but I feel it is becoming a better relationship. She tries very hard to be a good companion and my aunt will surely help her, in her own charming way, to settle down as a ... (house)wife.

September 4th, 1763

2011-02-22T19:38:00.001+00:00

Yesterday I went to see Ms. B and halfway towards the village we met, my friend in search of me. We turned our visit into a trip around the countryside and enjoyed the sunny day out. It is always so easy and comforting to talk to her. She seems to have a solution for everything... When she met her father's relatives the first time, it was an overwhelming experience. She was only fourteen and stepped into a totally different world. After loosing her parents and suddenly being dependent on strangers, she thought it a nightmare to leave her home and coming here. But no such horrible faith of many an orphan one hears about happened to her. And strangers became family instead. 'It is always a matter of luck, but nevertheless, you are an amiable person, Lady C, and his Lordship's aunt will surely be delighted to make your acquaintance! I have met her two years ago and she was very gracious to everyone around. You have nothing to fear. Your housekeeper will take care of everything and you will learn what pleases the aunt and make sure it will be more than acceptable for her to visit again. Nobody expects you to know the ways of people you have never met before. And you're newly-wed, my dear! You need time to learn about a new household and to change it to your wishes... I'm positively sure, Ms. Cartwright knows that and will in no way disregard your efforts so far.' - Dear Ms. B! I wish there were more efforts on my part so far, but she is right: it will take some time and as long as Lord C doesn't complain about my slow progress, I shall not fear anyone's contempt!!!

But my friend had other news for me. The old Sir Atherfold expects his heir to visit and the whole village is in an uproar; or rather the female inhabitants of it... Ms. B told me, the baronet's heir is a young bachelor from London, roguish but the most handsome and charming buck anyone has ever seen. Mrs. Higgenbotham seems to prepare her daughter to catch him and his future baronetcy of course, but as rumours have it, the young gentleman has more than one heart to break in the neighbourhood.

After taking Ms. B to her home, I went back to Leyland, much more composed and a little bit light-hearted.

Merry Xmas

2010-12-24T12:55:00.000+00:00

Merry Xmas von Emmeline Cartwright

September 3rd, 1763

2010-12-22T17:35:00.000+00:00

It is only a matter of one or two days and my Lord's aunt and cousin are arriving at Leyland. I'm most exceedingly terrified! Though he is assuring me of his aunt being 'most amiable' and his cousin 'a very good sort of fellow', it is still not in the least comforting. I haven't been a good wife, nor even a good mistress of this manner. I shall call on Ms B immediately! Heaven knows, I cannot sit still here, while Lord C is away on business and there's nothing for me to do in the house. Mrs Lewis already took care of everything, because, as she put it, 'she knows the ways of Ms Susan very well and how his Lordship's aunt wants her room to be prepared...' - Now there! If that doesn't say everything!?

September 3rd, 1763

2010-12-21T17:00:00.001+00:00

I had a note from my aunt today and could announce her soon arrival to my wife. She is again very afraid to meet members of my family. But I'm sure she will like them. And they will adore her.

I tried to describe aunt Susan to her, but this is difficult to endeavour. And I could only tell her about Frank at the time before I went to Quebec. He is seven years my junior and I have been away for a long time. But if he is still the charming boy I remember, they will become friends.

September 2nd, 1763

2010-12-14T19:13:00.000+00:00

How I regret it to be night again. I so value the time I share with my wife and to separate myself by going to my own chamber is very hard indeed. Having her near me that night at the Inn was the best night I ever had. I could feel her warmth and hear her soft sighs when she finally fell asleep.
Never will I forget this kiss and the first time my wife kissed me back. My hopes to make her falling in love with me have new fuel now and I am convinced the time we spent together will help us both.

Letter to Harriet

2010-12-13T17:35:00.001+00:00

Leyland Manor, September 2^nd, 1763

My dearest sister,
it is five days already since we're home. Your Emy was very busy visiting all the neighbours and we had guests on the day we arrived. Ms B greets you very warmly and hopes you are well. We had a charming night with cards and I returned many a visit to my ladies this week. Furthermore we are expecting a family visit. Lord C's aunt and his cousin – not the son of the aforesaid aunt – are coming to Leyland and will stay for a while. He only told me on our journey hereto and sent me into quite some anguish about who they are, how they are like, if they will like me and so on. - But the most important news I have yet deprived you of. When we stayed at the Inn the night we left Wortham, we had to share one bedroom. You can believe your friend couldn't sleep at all. I was quite scared about this situation and wished it to be over. But it all came different in the end. When Lord C entered I had already changed into my night gown and went to bed. Jenna was in the closet next door. He went ínto his and his valet helped him change for the night. It took him quite some time and I think I fell asleep. But it startled me of course when I noticed someone being in the same bed as I. There was no fire and no other light, the room so dark I couldn't see my hand in front of me, but feel my husband next to me. - 'Emmeline, are you still awake?' - 'Yes, my lord. I... am...' - 'Can you turn around, please?' - I hesitated and felt the colour rising in my cheeks, but did as he asked. And he took my hand in his, Harriet, kissed it, drew me closer and kissed my forehead and my lips. Oh dearest Harriet! I never felt anything like this before! I was not afraid any more... He was so very warm and kept holding me close also after wishing me good night. I am so happy about, dearest! I believe it will change things considerably and I'm looking forward to it. I have a very good husband.
Yours affectionately,
Emy.

September 1st, 1763

2010-12-12T16:56:00.000+00:00

I am really happy to be back home again and am enjoying the peace around the house. We're walking the garden every day now, my husband tightly holding my arm and also holding my hand in his. I never say very much and if I do, it is just answering his polite questions. Most of the time though we are speculating about Frederick. But no word from the London lawyer yet. But it must be even harder for Harriet, who's surrounded by her family and has to face her brother every day.

August 29th, 1763

2010-12-11T17:25:00.000+00:00

Back home. I can't believe how much I missed Leyland. Tonight we have Ms B and some other neighbours at our house. Dinner and cards...

August 28th, 1763

2010-12-11T17:23:00.000+00:00

This morning we left Wortham and I hope we do not have to return so soon. I will miss Harriet, but writing to her will be almost as comforting as having her with me. We had lunch at a small Inn I didn't know and tonight we stay at the usual place. There are many people visiting the lakes this summer and the Inn is very crowded. We had supper at a tiny table near the window and could overlook the main street with all the huzzle-buzzle of the travellers. Lord C is talking to our coachman and I have retired to our room. Tonight we have to share a bedroom, as the Inn has no rooms to spare for idle travellers like us... I'm anxious and very sure not to find a single minute's sleep.

Letter to Ms Susan Cartwright, Bath

2010-12-10T22:08:00.000+00:00

Wortham Hall, August 27th

My dearest Aunt!

Firstly I apologize for detaining you the pleasure of meeting my wife. I vastly regret not to have written for so long. I will, of course, explain everything to you and hope for your forgiveness.

Please, do us the pleasure of coming to Leyland, and furthermore, to bring Frank as well. We are currently staying at my wife's parents house, but are leaving for Leyland tomorrow. It is a wonderful coincidence as I need your advise in a very delicate matter.

I am looking forward to see you again,

and am ever your servant

Fitzwilliam Cartwright