THE WATSONS
he first winter assembly in the Town of D. in Surry was to
be held on Tuesday October the 13th, and it was generally
expected to be a very good one; a long list of Country
Families was confidently run over as sure of attending, and
sanguine hopes were entertained that the Osbornes themselves
would be there.—The Edwardes’ invitation to the Watsons
followed of course. The Edwardes were people of fortune who
lived in the Town and kept their coach; the Watsons inhabited a
village about three miles distant, were poor and had no close
carriage; and ever since there had been Balls in the place, the
former were accustomed to invite the Latter to dress dine and
sleep at their House, on every monthly return throughout the
winter.—On the present occasion, as only two of Mr. W.’s children
were at home, and one was always necessary as companion to
himself, for he was sickly and had lost his wife, one only could
profit by the kindness of their friends; Miss Emma Watson who
was very recently returned to her family from the care of an Aunt
who had brought her up, was to make her first public appearance
in the Neighbourhood; and her eldest sister, whose delight in a
Ball was not lessened by a ten years Enjoyment, had some merit in
chearfully undertaking to drive her and all her finery in the old
chair to D. on the important morning.—As they splashed along the
dirty Lane Miss Watson thus instructed and cautioned