Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-12-25


A PxEP AT ENGLISH DOMESTIC LIFE
We find in the Washington IN. c. Journal
the following extract from letter written by
one of the officers of the United States steam
frigate Merrimac, dated Southampton, Octo-
Der, s.:
We have been visited great deal here, es-
pecially by navy men, and have created some-
thing of an excitement in the naval world
judging by the pieces in the papers. Much
attention has been paid US ashore, too, espec-
tally by two fsmilies--one that of an old
East India General, the other that of Lord
Hardwicke. Gen. Frazier has passed most
of his life in India, and how lives in ease and
comfort on the Southampton Water. At a
dinner at his house we had an opportunity
OF seeing how the aristocracy live here.
Lord Hardwicke and family and several 9TH
er guests were there to meet us, and every
thing was in splendid style. One turbaned
Indian, with several other servants, waited
at table. The plate was superb, and the din
table at half past seven. These are always
epualett and sword occasions.
Lord Hardwicke's family consists of his
countess, his eldest son (about 18 or 20, and
Lord Roystop by courtesy,) three Of the finest
looking daughters you ever saw, and several
younger Sons. The daughters-Lady Eliza
beth, Lady Mary, and Lady Agnita, are surpass-
ingly beautiful; such development, such rosy
cheeks, laughing eyes, and unaffected man.
ners you rarely see combined. They take a
great deal of outdoor exercise, and came
aboard the Merrimac in heavy rain, with
Irish thicker-soled shoes than you or ever
wore, and cloaks and dresses almost imper
vious to water. They steer their fathers
yacht, walk the Lord knows how manv miles,
and don't care cent about rain; besides do
ing host of other things that would shock
our ladies to death; and vet in the parlor are
the most elegant-looking women in their sat-
in shoes and diamonds l ever saw.
The Countess, in her coronet of Jewels is
an elegant lady, and looks like fit mother
for three such women. His Lordship has
given US three or four dinners. He lives here
merely during the yachting season, and leaves
on Friday for his country seat of Cambridge
where he spends his winter, as do all English
gentlemen of means, hunting, &C., and wher
Parliamsntis is in session he lives in London il
his town house. Here he has host of ser
wants, and they wear the gaudiest livery
white plush knee-breeches and vest, white
silk stockings and low shoes. Lord Hard
wicke's brother is Dean of York, high
Church dignitary, has two pretty daughters
and is himself jolly gentleman.
After dinner the ladies play and sing fo
us, and the other night they got up a game o
blindman's buff, in which the ladies said W,
had the advantage, inasmuch as tn cir petit
coats rustled so that they were easily caught
They call things bv their names here. Ii
the course of the game Lord Hardwickt
himself, was, blindfolded, and trying to catcl
some one, fell over his daughters lap on'th,
floor. when two or three of the girls caugh
him by the legs and dragged his lordship
roaring with laughter, as we all were, on hi
back into the middle of the floor They or
perfectly respectful, but appear on perfec
equality with each other. In fact, the Eng
lish are great people. Two clubs here offer
ed us the use of their rooms.