Caroline Tufton (Barham) to Martha Jefferson Randolph

You cannot imagine my dear Mrs Randolph, how happy I was to hear from you, particularly as it was so long since I had written, that I began to fear you had either you had either never received my letter, or that you had quite forgot me; for though I was very glad to hear you were so happily situated, I should be hurt you did not sometimes think of one who loves you most sincerely. I am very much concerned you have had such bad health, since you left Paris, but I flatter my self before this reaches you, it will be quite restored. The Duke desires me to say a thousand things to you from him, he joins with us in congratulating you, on your being settled so much to your own satisfaction, which I assure you makes up in a great measure to us for your loss, which we still lament, I constantly receive letters from Botidoux, she complains much of being very unfortunate in the choice of her friends, as she once thought you among that number, but by your long silence, she finds she was mistaken in ever regarding you but as a common acquaintance as she entertains you with such long epistles. I am afraid it will be old news to tell you Dandington is married & [d’Avrancourt?] has married Monsieur de Betize, her cousin who is only sixteen, therefore by so many having left the Convent, the Cling must be quite new. We have been in London ever since the beginning of January, but it has not been very gay, as till lately there has been but few people come, but I am in hopes we shall now have a great many balls, we are both as fond of dancing as ever. The Duchess of Dorset, has lately lying in, she was brought to bed of a dead child, the Duke has been very uneasy about her, but she is now much better, though still very weak. I have sent some Country dances as you desired, they are not very new, but they are the most fashionable. You do not mention your sister, but I conclude she lives either with you or Mr Jefferson, and is much happier than in the class at Panthemont. I forget whether I told you in my last that Lady Musgrave is gone to Ireland, I fancy she intends living there entirely. I am almost ashamed of sending you this letter, as it must be very dull and uninteresting to you, but it would be equally so, were I to relate circumstances of people perhaps totally unknown to you; therefore I must My dear Mrs Randolph trust entirely to your indulgence, and that you may not totally exhaust your patience, I shall only add my sincere assurances of being always with great truth

Most affectionately Yrs
Caroline Tufton

I hope you will write soon

TR (ViU: ER); in an unidentified hand, with possible transcription errors.
Date Range
Date
March 21, 1791
Collection
Repository