Lady Mary Wortley Montague

Excerpt: ...will read this to him, if he enquires after me. CHAPTER XI AT TWICKENHAM The Montagus take a house at Twickenham-Lady Mary's liking for country life-Neighbours and visitors-Pope-Bononcini, Anastasia Robinson, Senesino-Lord Peterborough-Sir Geoffrey Kneller-Henrietta Howard-Lord Bathurst-The Duke of Wharton-His early history-He comes to Twickenham-His relations with Lady Mary-Horace Walpole's reference to them-Pope's bitter onslaught on the Duke-An Epilogue by Lady Mary-On the death of Mrs. Bowes-The Duke quarrels with Lady Mary. Pope went to live at Twickenham in 1718, and it was generally believed that it was by his persuasion that the Montagus rented a house in that little riverside hamlet. It was not until 1722 that they bought the small habitation. Lady Mary divided her time between London and Twickenham, but apparently enjoyed herself more at her country retreat. I live in a sort of solitude that wants very little of being such as I would have it, she wrote to her sister, Lady Mar, in August, 1721. As a matter of fact, the solitude was more imaginary than real, for round about there was a small colony of friends. She was, indeed, very rarely lonely. My time is melted away in almost perpetual concerts, she told her sister. I do not presume to judge, but I'll assure you I am a very hearty as well as an humble admirer. I have taken my little thread satin beauty into the house with me; she is allowed by Bononcini to have the finest voice he ever heard in England. He and Mrs. Robinson and Senesino lodge in this village, and sup often with me: and this easy indolent life would make me the happiest in the world, if I had not this execrable affair of Rémond still hanging over my head. To Anastasia Robinson there is more than one allusion in Lady Mary's correspondence, and she gives a most amusing account of an incident in that lady's career. Could one believe that Lady Holdernesse is a beauty, and in love?...