Old family; or, The Setons of Scotland and America

282 AN OLD FAMILY. [a.D.
(William Seton to his wife.)
" Oakes," near Dover, 15th May, 1796.
" It is very strange that people who have lived all their lives in a city
should not know the way out. From the directions Mrs. S. gave us we
went at least one mile and a half out of our way, and did not get to Chester
until nine o'clock. The morning was remarkably fine, and nothing but my
dear wife was wanting to make the ride one of the most delightful imagi-
nable. We dined with old Mrs. Vining, at Wilmington (she would have
accompanied us here had she received Mr. W.'s letter), and slept at night at
the Red Lyon, which is upwards of forty miles from the capital. The enter-
tainment was excellent, and we left at six o'clock in the morning precisely,
and arrived here at five yesterday afternoon. Maria and her husband were
just setting off to meet us, and most exceedingly glad to see us, but much
disappointed at finding you were not with us ; in fact they expected not only
you but our darling Anna, and had prepared to receive us all. Their house
is a most charming one, surrounded by beautiful and extensive woods, a
garden that abounds with every fruit and flower, the situation quite retired
and everything about it comfortable. Each moment that passes makes me
regret more and more you are not with us. They are very pressing for me
to stay, but I am still determined to start on Tuesday, and I hope you will be
prepared to leave for New York on Saturday. Our horses go charmingly,
and, if the road is good, I think we shall get back easily in two days and a
half. Persuade Mrs. S. to wait for us, if you can, and do not omit to write
to my father by the post."
New York at this time was a city of less than fifty thou-
sand inhabitants, but there was good society and much gayety
there. I reproduce a little article which appeared from my
pen a few years ago, and will only add that the Assembly
Balls of which I wrote were what the Patriarchs' Balls
became at a much later date, only they were far more select.
"OUR GREAT-GRANDFATHERS' BALLS.
"WHIGS AND TORIES — HOW THEY DANCED TOGETHER.
" Mandeville Mower's interesting but comparatively modern Reminis-
cences of ' The Balls of Old,' in last week's Home Journal, show how
present New York society has moved in untraditional directions. Yerily, in
the words of Horace, writing on the 'Art of Poetry' :
" 'As forests change their foliage year by year,
Leaves, that come first, first fall and disappear ;
So antique names die out, and in their room
Others spring up, of vigorous growth and bloom.'