Crambe repetita (27)
M. d’Arblay, therefore, has fixed upon a field of Mr Locke’s, which he will rent, and of which Mr Locke will grant him a lease of 90 years. By this means, we shall leave the little Alex: a little property besides what will be in the Funds, and a property likely to rise in value, as the situation of the field is remarkably beautiful. It is in the valley, between Mr Locke’s park and Dorking, and where Land is so scarce, that there is not another possessor within many Miles who would part, upon any term, with half an Acre. My kindest Father will come and give it, I trust, his benediction. I am now almost jealous of Bookham for having received it. — Imagine but the extacy of M. d’Arblay in framing All his own way an entire new Garden! He dreams now of Cabbage Walks — potatoe Beds — Bean perfumes and peas’ blossoms. My Mother should send him a little sketch to help his Flower Garden, which will be his second favourite object (14 Oct. 1796).
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…the sheep followed, who have eaten up All our Greens — Every sprout and Cabbage and Lettuce, destined for the Winter — while the Horses dug up our Turnips and carrots (22 March 1800).
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I am, at present, wholly consigned to aiding his preparations — to me, I own, a most melancholy task, — but which I have the consolation to find gives pleasure to our mutual Friends, glad to have him, for a while, upon such conditions, quit his spade and his Cabbages (11 Feb. 1802).