I don't remember that I promised in my last not to write till I heard from you, my dear Friend. So for once I may indulge my scribbling inclination without incurring the risk of being laughed at—no not laughed—smiled at by you as "infirm of purpose".[1] Shakespeare's Macbeth, II.ii—lmw—"A very woman"[2] The title of a 1655 play by Massinger and Fletcher. Also a line from Beaumont and Fletcher's A Woman Hater: "Thou art a filthy impudent whore; a woman, a very woman" (2.1.46).—lmw & so forth. Besides next week is Sessions week & Members will be "as plentiful as blackberries" [3] Falstaff from Henry IV, part one: "If reasons were as plentiful as blackberries, I would give no man a reason upon compulsion, I." (II.iv).—lmw—And then considering my doleful prognostications you will like to know that I have outlived the Ball—So I must write. ItsIt'sa thing of necessity. Yes I am living & lifelich—as ChaucerGeoffrey Chaucer | Born: 1343 in London, England. Died: 1400-10-25 in London, England.
Medieval English poet, philsopher, and astronomer. Author of Canterbury Tales.—lmw
says[4] "The letter sleeth, the spirit yeveth lifelich understandyng." From Chaucer's The Testament of Love. Mitford may have read this text in The Works of the English Poets, with prefaces, biographical and critical, from Chaucer to Cowpwer (1810). Volume 1 of 21 features Chaucer.—lmw—And that I did survive that dreaded night I owe principally to that charming thing a Dandy. Don't you like Dandies—the beautiful race? I am sure you must—But such a Dandy as our Dandy[5] In Mitford's 1819 January 10 letter to Mary Webb, she identies her "Dandy" as Mr. Crowther.—lmw few have been fortunate enough to see. In general they are on a small scale—slim whipper snapper youths fresh from College—or new mounted on a Dragoon's saddle—Dainty Lighthorsemen—or trim schoolboys—Ours is of a Patagonian breed—6 feet & upwards without his shoes, & broad in proportion—Unless you have seen a wasp in a Solar Microscope you have never seen any thing like him—Perhaps a BrobdingnagianBrobdingnagFictional country populated by giantsin Swift’s novel Gulliver’s Travels.—ncl, lmw Hourglass [6] Reference to Brobdingnag, fictional land of giants in Swift's Gulliver's Travels.—ncl might be more like him still—only I don't think the hourglass would be small enough in the waist. Great as my admiration has always been for the mechanical  forcesinventions of this age, I know no thing that has ever given me so high an idea of the power of machinery—not the Portsmouth BlockhousesPortsmouth Blockhouses | 50.800531 -1.109465900000032 Also known as the Portsmouth Block Mills, established in 1802 by Marc Isambard Brunel. Factories in the Portsmouth dockyard that produced pulley blocks for Royal Navy ships’ rigging. The Mills were the site of the world’s first mass production line and used all-metal machine tools.—lmw, or the new MintNew Mint, Little Tower Hill, London, England | Tower Hill | London | England | 51.509289, -0.072916 A new Royal Mint was built on Little Tower Hill beginning in 1805, once space had run out at the previous Mint location at the Tower of London, which also served as an armoury during this period. The new site provided a dedicated location for coining British currency and made use of the latest steam-powered minting machinery. The buildings were completed by 1809, the machinery tested by 1811 and the new Mint opened officially in 1812. Several prints of the new Mint appear between 1811 and 1813.—lmw —as that perfection of mechanism—by which those ribs are endued in those stays. I think one or two must have been page 2
broken to render such [del: .]compression possible. But it is improper to dwell so exclusively on the  breaststays when every part ^of the thing was equally perfect. TrowsersTrousers, Coat, neckcloth—Shirt Collar—head inside & out—All were  alike in  & exact keeping. Every look every word, every attitude belonged to those inimitable stays. Sweet Dandy! I have seen nothing like him since ListonJohn Liston, or: Mr. Liston | Born: 1776 in London, England. Died: 1846-03-22 in England.
English actor, specializing in comedy, including Cockney parts. His most famous role was the title role in Paul Pry. Charles Lamb wrote a fictional memoir of the actor in the London Magazine in 1825. Acted under Mr. Liston. —lmw
in Lord GrizzelLord Grizzle
Character in the pantomime Tom Thumb. John Liston played Lord Grizzle in a Haymarket production in 1810.—lmw[7] John Liston played Lord Grizzle in the pantomime Tom Thumb at the Haymarket in 1810. Lamb and Hazlitt mention Liston in this role. More usually spelled Grizzle. In Charles Lamb's essay, "The New Style of Acting," he writes: "For a piece of pure drollery, Liston's Lord Grizzle has not competitor." Hazlitt also mentions Liston in this role in Lectures on the English Comic Writers.—lmw—He kept me awake & alive the whole evening. I don't think I ever laughed so much in my life—and all this laughter I owe to that exquisite person. Dancing or sitting still he was my "Cynosure"—I followed him with my eyes [8] A cliche by Mitford's time, the phrase refers to Milton's L'Allegro (1632): "the cynosure of neighb'ring eyes."—lmwas a schoolboy follows the vagaries of  a new his top—or the rolling of  a his hoop—Much & generally as he was admired I don't think he made so strong an impression on anyone as on me—He is even indebted to me for the distinguished attention of a great wit, who was attacking a friend of mine, & whose shafts I was lucky enough to direct to that impenetrable Target of Dandyism—He owed me for at least twenty good things said by the aforementioned wit—& for twenty other good things more valuable still as being spoken by those who never uttered a good thing before in their lives—All this he owes me—& is like to owe me still—for I am sorry to say my Dandy is an ungrateful Dandy—Our admiration was by no means mutual—"He had an idea" he said (a very bold assertion by the bye)—"He had an idea that I was Blueish"—So he scorned away [del: .] upon being threatened [del: .] with an introduction, just as my dog MossyMossy
Mitford’s dog; He died on Saturday, August 21, 1819 at Bertram House. Mossy was a nickname for Moss Trooper. —lmw, ncl (begging MossyMossy
Mitford’s dog; He died on Saturday, August 21, 1819 at Bertram House. Mossy was a nickname for Moss Trooper. —lmw, ncl's pardon for the comparison) whisks off at the first whiff of our dog-hating Cook. Well peace be to him—poor swain—& better fortune—for the poor Dandy is rather unlucky. He fell into the ThamesRiver Thames, England | Thames | England | 51.5855735 -0.6160753000000341 The longest river in England, the Thames has its source in Gloucestershire and flows through Reading, Oxford, Windsor, and London into the Thames Estuary to the North Sea.—ebb last summer on a water party & got wet through his stays—& this Autumn having affronted a young page 3
lady & being knocked down by her brother a lad not 19 he had the misfortune to fall flat on his back & was forced to lie till some one came to pick him up being too strait laced to help himself. How I should have enjoyed the sight! Should not you? Oh if he had lain till I had helped him!

Now for an enormous jerk.

two jerks one is not enough to express the immense distance between a Dandy & a clever woman!

I see that poor Mrs. BruntonMary Brunton Balfour | Born: 1778-11-01 in Burray, Orkney Islands, Scotland. Died: 1818-12-07 in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Author of novels Self Control and Discipline. Mitford pokes gentle fun at her under the name Mrs. Discipline in letters of 1819.—lmw

is dead—The Authoress you know of Self ControlSelf Control: A Novel. Mary Brunton. Edinburgh: George Ramsay & Co.. 1811.
First edition published anonymously.—lmw & DisciplineDiscipline: A Novel. Mary Brunton. Edinburgh: George Ramsay & Co.. 1814.
First edition published anonymously.—lmw & I believe some other book. Did I ever talk to you about her? If I did it was probably under the name of Mrs. DisciplineMary Brunton Balfour | Born: 1778-11-01 in Burray, Orkney Islands, Scotland. Died: 1818-12-07 in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Author of novels Self Control and Discipline. Mitford pokes gentle fun at her under the name Mrs. Discipline in letters of 1819.—lmw

—the name by which Mrs. RowdenFrances Arabella St. Quintin Rowden
Educator, author, and Mitford tutor. Also taught Caroline Lamb and L.E.L.. Worked at St. Quintin School at 22 Hans Place, London, started by M. St. Quintin, a French emigre. St. Quintin and his first wife originally ran a school in Reading; Frances Rowden became his second wife after his first wife's death. In The Queens of Society by Grace and Philip Wharton, the authors note that, while unmarried, Frances Rowden styled herself Mrs. Rowden (1860: 148). Rowden wrote poetry, including Poetical Introduction to the Study of Botany (1801) and The Pleasures of Friendship: A Poem, in two parts (1810, rpt. 1812, 1818); also wrote textbooks, including A Christian Wreath for the Pagan Dieties (1820, illus. Caroline Lamb), and A Biographical Sketch of the Most Distinguished Writers of Ancient and Modern Times (1821, illus. Caroline Lamb). (See Landon's Memoirs ; See also L'Estrange, ed. The Life of Mary Russell Mitford: Told by Herself,(21) .—lmw
[9] In The Queens of Society by Grace and Philip Wharton, the authors note that, while unmarried, Frances Rowden "styled herself Mrs. Rowden" (1860: 148).—lmwused to call her. You are not likely to have admired her books which always seemed to me to have almost all the faults which very clever books could have—preachy ^& prosy—false to character, to nature & to passion—and yet with occasional powerful flashes of sense & talent. I liked the lady much better than her works. She was exceedingly robust in mind & person—perhaps even coarse in both respects—large boned, dark complexioned,[del: .] red complexioned rather, & of loud speech & abrupt manner. But there was in all she said some point & much strength—much bodyshe seemed too perfectly frank, kindly, & unaffected,—& her very awkwardness had sometimes a grace from its genuineness (Have I speltspelledthat hard word right?) its genuineness its ease & its power. Now that she is dead, poor thing, I wish I had cultivated her acquaintance more earnestly—I met her once or twice at the house of some very clever people in Sloane StreetSloane Street, Kensington, London, England | Kensington | London | England | 51.49719830000001 -0.15897680000000491 Major London thoroughfare now in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Runs between Knightsbridge and Sloane Square. Sloane Street takes its name from Sir Hans Sloane, who purchased the surrounding area in 1712.—lmw where Mrs. RowdenFrances Arabella St. Quintin Rowden
Educator, author, and Mitford tutor. Also taught Caroline Lamb and L.E.L.. Worked at St. Quintin School at 22 Hans Place, London, started by M. St. Quintin, a French emigre. St. Quintin and his first wife originally ran a school in Reading; Frances Rowden became his second wife after his first wife's death. In The Queens of Society by Grace and Philip Wharton, the authors note that, while unmarried, Frances Rowden styled herself Mrs. Rowden (1860: 148). Rowden wrote poetry, including Poetical Introduction to the Study of Botany (1801) and The Pleasures of Friendship: A Poem, in two parts (1810, rpt. 1812, 1818); also wrote textbooks, including A Christian Wreath for the Pagan Dieties (1820, illus. Caroline Lamb), and A Biographical Sketch of the Most Distinguished Writers of Ancient and Modern Times (1821, illus. Caroline Lamb). (See Landon's Memoirs ; See also L'Estrange, ed. The Life of Mary Russell Mitford: Told by Herself,(21) .—lmw
was intimate—but I did not like her husband who was exceedingly priggish & parsonic—that was one reason page 4
& vanity (perhaps at the time I might call it modesty) was another—She was always civil but it was perfectly clear that she did not care a farthing for me—Besides I never could get over those sermonizing books.

Have you read Mr. FearonHenry Bradshaw Fearon | Born: 1770 in England. Died: .
English surgeon who wrote Sketches of America. A Narrative of a Journey of Five Thousand Miles through the Eastern and Western States of America. While his birthplace is unknown, the dedication to the volume is dated from Plaistow, Essex.—ncl, lmw

's bookSketches of America: a Narrative of a Journey of Five Thousand Miles Through the Eastern and Western States of America; Contained in Eight Reports Addressed to the Thirty-nine English Families by whom the Author was Deputed, in June 1817, to Ascertain Whether Any, and What Part of the United States Would be Suitable for Their Residence. With Remarks on Mr. Birkbeck’s Notes and Letters . Henry Bradshaw Fearon , Christopher Flynn. London : Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown. 1818.
The work’s subtitle refers to to Morris Birkbeck’s Notes on a Journey in America, from the coast of Virginia to the territory of Illinois and Letters from Illinois, works that were believed to be instrumental in encouraging many disaffected Europeans to emigrate to the American prairies Birkbeck and Fearon’s works were part of an early nineteenth-century pamphlet war about on the topic of American emigration to the so-called English Prairie. A second edition of Sketches appeared in 1819. In his preface, Fearon claims to be an unbiased observer and reporter and implicitly contrasts himself with other writers on the topic: My Reports were originally composed neither with a view to fame nor profit,--neither to exalt a country, to support a party, nor to promote a settlement. I have had every motive to speak what I thought the truth, and none to conceal or pervert it. The volume is dedicated to The Friends of Civil and Religious Liberty, and the dedication is dated Plaistow, Essex. October 2, 1818 . As Christopher Flynn points out in Americans in British Literature, 1770-1832: A Breed Apart, Such [claims afford] Fearon room for statements that seem to emerge from differing, often contradictory ideological predilections. Sometimes he presents himself as an ardent convert to republicanism. At other times he is so fastidious in manners and appearance that he seems to the guardian of an older English probity Americans have recklessly abandoned (Farnham: Ashgate, 2008: 117) .—lmw on AmericaUnited States of America | United States of America | 37.09024 -95.71289100000001 ? I have just finished it with the greatest amusement. I don't know any thing more agreeable than to have one's preconceived notions of a place or people confirmed by a good clever authority—a matter of fact authority—who brings you in a tangible shape good reasons for old prejudices. This is the pleasure Mr. FearonHenry Bradshaw Fearon | Born: 1770 in England. Died: .
English surgeon who wrote Sketches of America. A Narrative of a Journey of Five Thousand Miles through the Eastern and Western States of America. While his birthplace is unknown, the dedication to the volume is dated from Plaistow, Essex.—ncl, lmw

has given me. I always detested AmericaUnited States of America | United States of America | 37.09024 -95.71289100000001 & the AmericansAmericans
People of the former British colonies recently become the United States in Mitford’s day, or more generally of North America.—ebb (all except WashingtonGeorge Washington, General Washington, President of the United States of America, or: General Washington , President of the United States of America | Born: 1732-02-22 in Westmoreland county, Virginia, British America. Died: 1799-12-14 in Mount Vernon, Virginia, USA.
Virginia landholder, colonial military officer, Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, and first President of the United States. Presided at the U.S. Constitutional Convention.—lmw
& FranklinBenjamin Franklin | Born: 1706-01-17 in Boston, Massachusetts Bay, British America. Died: 1790-04-17 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Polymath, naturalist and inventor. Newspaper editor, printer and postmaster in Philadelphia. Author of Poor Richard's Almanack. Later served as Ambassador to France and spent many years in Europe. He is one of the framers and signers of the Declaration of Independence; he was also a signer of the Treaty of Alliance with France, the Treaty of Paris, and the United States Constitution. He also served as the first United States Postmaster General and as President (similar to Governor) of Pennsylvania. In letters of 1819, Mitford names Franklin as one of only two Americans she admires; the other was George Washington, a view she shared with many of her contemporaries of moderate political views.—lmw
) without very well knowing why—except that in that fair & fresh & beautiful world—[del: .]with every thing to inspire & incite them to excellence in Art & in Nature—they had done nothing, & they were Nothing. Mr. FearonHenry Bradshaw Fearon | Born: 1770 in England. Died: .
English surgeon who wrote Sketches of America. A Narrative of a Journey of Five Thousand Miles through the Eastern and Western States of America. While his birthplace is unknown, the dedication to the volume is dated from Plaistow, Essex.—ncl, lmw

has now added positive to these negative proofs, & has fairly set them forth as the most boasting vainglorious, ignorant trumpery cold hearted people that ever crept on the face of the earth. His book is invaluable as an antidote to the delicious poison of Mr. BirkbeckMorris Birkbeck | Born: 1764-01-23 in Settle, Yorkshire, England. Died: 1825-06-04 in Bonpas Creek, Illinois, USA.
Quaker, abolitionist, radical reformer in politics and religion, and an agricultural experimenter in the cross-breeding of Merino sheep, Birkbeck emigrated to America in 1817 in order to establish a utopian community in the Illinois territory. Author of Notes on a Journey in America and Letters from Illinois. These much-read works, which presented a utopian, anti-clerical, and anti-aristocratic vision of American settlement, were believed to be instrumental in encouraging many disaffected Europeans to emigrate to the American prairies, and set off a pamphlet war about on the topic of American emigration to the so-called English Prairie. (See Eaton, Joseph. The Anglo-American Pamphlet War, 1800-1825. New York: Palgrave/Macmillan, 2012). He became president of Illinois's first agricultural society, worked against the establishment of slavery in the state, and briefly served as Secretary of State for Illinois. He was acquainted with Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Edward Coles, and Robert Owen, himself the founder of another midwestern utopian community in New Harmony, Indiana.—ncl, lmw
's beautifully written works—an antidote the more powerful as coming from a friend to Liberty & an admirer of the Republican form of government.

I have just had a very pretty little present The Literary Pocket Book.The Literary Pocket Book, or Companion for the Lover of Art and Nature. Leigh Hunt.
Literary almanac edited by Leigh Hunt that includes original poems by P. Shelley, Keats, and B.W. Procte. Mitford’s January 1819 letters to Elford and Mary Webb refer to the first edition ever published of this almanac, published at the end of 1818 for 1819, which she received as a gift from her father.—lmw Have you seen one of them  my dear Sir William? They are edited I believe by Leigh HuntJames Henry Leigh Hunt | Born: 1784-10-19 in Southgate, England. Died: 1859-08-28 in Putney, England.
One of the founders and editors of The Examiner.—ncl, lmw
certainly the greater part is written by him & exceedingly well written. I have seen nothing of the sort so well executed. First of all there is a Naturalist's Calendar very beautifully written—indeed those not quite extensive enough for the title page 5
It should rather have been called the Florist's Calendar—& even then it would seem a little suburbian—rather Hampstead HeathHampstead, Camden, London, England | Hampstead village | Hampstead | Camden | London | England | 51.5556461 -0.17617489999997815 Village nearLondon, north west of Charing Cross, now enclosed by it. Its population was rapidly growing through the nineteenth century, and Hampstead Heath is now a public park.—lmw, ebbish—but very pretty nevertheless—Then in the common pocket book part—the months & weeks & days there are occasional notices of birth days of great men—BaconFrancis Bacon, Sir, Viscount St. Alban, Attorney General of England and Wales, Lord Chancellor of England, or: Viscount St. Alban Attorney General of England and Wales Lord Chancellor of England | Born: 1561-01-22 in Strand, London, England. Died: 1626-04-09 in Highgate, Middlesex, England.
A writer and philosopher who made important methodological contributions to science, particularly championing empiricism. His philosophical works include the Novum Organum Scientiarum (New Organon), Advancement of Learning, Essays, and New Atlantis. A nephew of the powerful Elizabethan politician William Cecil, Lord Burleigh (or Burghley), he served as Member of Parliament for various constituencies at various times, as an advisor to Elizabeth's doomed favourite and failed usurper Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, and as Attorney General and Lord Chancellor under James I. In 1621, he was prosecuted for corruption and barred from further public service. He has been controversially reputed to be homosexual, on the grounds that a fellow M.P. called one of his (Bacon's) servingmen his catamite and bed-fellow. In 1845 (during Mitford's lifetime), this passage was published for the first time.—rnes
ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare | Born: 1564-04 in Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire, England. Died: 1616-04-23 in Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire, England.
Early modern era actor, theater manager, poet, and playwright. Part owner of playing company The Lord Chamberlain's men and author or co-author of thirty-eight plays. Considered the greatest English dramatist and Britain's national poet. Mitford wrote in the Introduction to her Dramatic Works: I had grown up—it is the privilege of English people to grow up—in the worship of Shakespeare, and many of his favourite scenes I literally knew by heart. —lmw
& so forth, which come upon one very pleasantly—Then lists of Artists Musicians Actors & Authors (only think of their having left me out! That Authorial list is very incomplete indeed! Not one word about me! And my own friends too! Ah they have no "idea that I am blueish" to borrow my friend the Dandy's phrase—He would have stuck me at the head of the list) well these catalogues notwithstanding this great omission are very gratifying—& then there is Poetry—not quite so good as I expected from Mr. HuntJames Henry Leigh Hunt | Born: 1784-10-19 in Southgate, England. Died: 1859-08-28 in Putney, England.
One of the founders and editors of The Examiner.—ncl, lmw
, Mr. KeatsJohn Keats | Born: 1795-10-31 in London, England. Died: 1821-02-23 in Rome, Papal States.
Romantic-era poet, known for his Odes. Trained in the field of medicine, he worked as a dresser (surgeon's assistant) at Guy's Hospital, London and received his apothecary's license while studying to become a member of the Royal College of Surgeons in London. Friend of Leigh Hunt, Charles Lamb, and Benjamin Haydon, as well as publishers Taylor and Hessey and lived near them in Hampstead, where he became part of a circle of Hampstead writers and artists known to Mitford. In 1821, he traveled to Rome to preserve his health, but died there at the age of twenty-five.—lmw, rnes
, &c but still much better than ever adorned a pocket book before—[gap: 1 word, reason: torn.][good] enough to stare & wonder how it came there. If you wa[gap: 2 chars, reason: torn.][nt] such a book I would recommend it to you.—And now my [gap: 1 word, reason: torn.][very]dear Friend good bye! I shall finish before Tuesday.

Monday Morning. I have just finished Nightmare AbbeyNightmare Abbey. Thomas Love Peacock. London: T. Hookham, Jr. Baldwin, Craddock & Joy. 1818.
First edition published anonymously as by the Author of Headlong Hall. —lmw—Have you met with it? By far the best of Mr. PeacockThomas Peacock Love | Born: 1785-10-18 in Weymouth, Dorset, England. Died: 1866-01-23 in Lower Halliford, Shepperton, Surrey, England.
Poet, essayist, satiric novelist. Most famous novels were published between 1815 and 1822 and include Headlong Hall, Nightmare Abbey, Maid Marian, and Crotchet Castle. Worked as East India company official and represented company interests before various Parliamentary committees.—ncl, lmw

's works—worth all his prose & all his poetry RhododaphneRhododaphne: Or, The Thessalian Spell: A Poem. Thomas Love Peacock. London: T. Hookham, Jr. Baldwin, Craddock & Joy. 1818. & MelincourtMelincourt. Thomas Love Peacock. London : T. Hookham, Jr. & co.. 1817.
First edition published anonymously as by the Author of Headlong Hall. —lmw inclusive. There never was a more cheerful & amiable piece of persiflage—full of laughing raillerie & smiling philosophy—This Nightmare AbbeyNightmare Abbey. Thomas Love Peacock. London: T. Hookham, Jr. Baldwin, Craddock & Joy. 1818.
First edition published anonymously as by the Author of Headlong Hall. —lmw is really the most sunshiny book I have met with for many a day in spite of its gloomy title—It is a very clever attack [del: .] on mystical metaphysics & misanthropical poetry (Deuce take the book for putting me to hard words.) And knocks them completely down in the person of my poor dear friend Mr. ColeridgeSamuel Taylor Coleridge | Born: 1772-10-21 in Ottery St. Mary, Devon, England. Died: 1834-07-25 in Highgate, Middlesex, England.
Key Romantic-era poet and writer and lecturer on aesthetics. Early collaborator with Wordsworth. He provided comments on Mitford's Christina; and George Mitford may have played a role in securing Coleridge's discharge from the Army.—lmw
& Lord ByronGeorge Gordon Noel Byron, 6th Baron Byron | Born: 1788-01-22 in Holles Street, London, England. Died: 1824-04-19 in Missolonghi, Greece.
Romantic-era poet, playwright, and celebrity. English peer after he inherited the Barony of Byron of Rochdale in 1798. He died fighting for independence for Greece. Friend of William Harness.—lmw

—knocks them down (as his unruly subjects did poor SanchoSancho Panza
Squire character, a former farmer enlisted by Don Quixote in his service, from Don Quixote.—ncl, lmw in the Island of BaratariaBaratariaFictional island of which Sancho Panza is awarded governorship in Don Quixote.—ncl, lmw& then dances upon them—Nothing was ever better managed than the way in which Mr. page 6
PeacockThomas Peacock Love | Born: 1785-10-18 in Weymouth, Dorset, England. Died: 1866-01-23 in Lower Halliford, Shepperton, Surrey, England.
Poet, essayist, satiric novelist. Most famous novels were published between 1815 and 1822 and include Headlong Hall, Nightmare Abbey, Maid Marian, and Crotchet Castle. Worked as East India company official and represented company interests before various Parliamentary committees.—ncl, lmw

continues to put divers stanzas of Childe HaroldeChilde Harold’s Pilgrimage. Byron. London: John Murray.
Published in parts between 1812 and 1818.—lmw done into prose into the mouth of Mr. CypressMr. Cypress
Character in Peacock’s Nightmare Abbey. Identified by Mitford and others as a satirical portrait of Coleridge. Peacock’s footnote indicates that his name is a corruption of Filosky, from the Greek philoskios (φιλοσκιος), a lover, or sectator, of shadows. —lmw—the Lord ByronGeorge Gordon Noel Byron, 6th Baron Byron | Born: 1788-01-22 in Holles Street, London, England. Died: 1824-04-19 in Missolonghi, Greece.
Romantic-era poet, playwright, and celebrity. English peer after he inherited the Barony of Byron of Rochdale in 1798. He died fighting for independence for Greece. Friend of William Harness.—lmw

of the story. The book has another great merit too. It is short.

After great search we have been lucky enough to obtain an actual & undoubted sonwhite kitten
Female white kitten belonging to Mitford that she proposes to give to Elford. Mitford variously proposes to name the kitten Selima (after the kitten's father Selim) or Grizzy (after the character in Ferrier's novel Marriage). Unknown whether Elford eventually takes the kitten. Dates unknown.—lmw of my White cat SelimSelim
Mitford's ferocious long-haired white cat. The cat may have been a Turkish angora, a breed that became fashionable in the early 19th century.—lmw, ncl, nearly half grown ^& quite White—but I am sorry to say rather defective in two material points—being unluckily neither deaf nor two eyed—misfortunes which he owes to his vulgar English Mama. I shall keep him for you very carefully & take all the care that I can that my beautiful puppy MirandaMiranda
A greyhound owned by Mitford, described by her as blue all sprinkled with little white spots just like a starry night in her 13 February 1819 letter to Haydon.—lmw does not kill him, till you tell me what to do with him. Do come & fetch him, my dear Friend, there is no way so safe.—