Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    L30/14/326/1
  • Title
    Letter from Reynolds in London to Grantham.
  • Date free text
    3 April 1772
  • Production date
    From: 1772 To: 1772
  • Scope and Content
    Sends his annual discourses, has been told they are the best though he thinks his next will be better "I have a great deal to say and hope to live to say it all". Dined with Lord Ossory, who intends to write to Grantham soon. Mr. Fox present, "Tho' he is one of the busiest men in the House of Commons and appears well informed...yet out of the House he is a mere man of pleasure". Presently "deep in the Turf...stays up all night gaming...went from Lord Ossory's with Mr. Fitzpatrick to rehearse a play...they are preparing to act, within a day or two he is to make his motion...for a repeale of the marriage act". Dilettanti Society in decline since Grantham left, nobody at first meeting of year, second but three and third only five. Next Sunday is the general call of the Society. Lord Carlisle "is grown a furious Dilettani", never attends but buys everything he thinks excellent. Currently in Paris to buy Duc d'Choiseul's collection of pictures; all of Flemish School. Reynolds in Paris last summer to buy from Crozat collection. Empress of Russia has bought the whole lot for £18,000. Academy goes well, contribution from the French painters at this year's exhibition. No employment for painters in France, [comments on circumstances]. Painting and sculpture practiced only at the Gobelins and Seve, "I have often said they seem to me to be returning to barbarism...". Mrs. Parker will be writing. "She is as handsome as ever tho' she is at a point of time when Ladies dont look at their best". [Impending birth of Jack Parker, Grantham's nephew]. Lord Chathams verses to Mr. Garrick "they are not worth anything ...however...Garrick very proud upon it". The Life of Frere Gerundio by Baretti just published in translation. "Whatever it may be in Spanish it is a very dull thing in English".
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