Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    L30/14/326/2
  • Title
    Letter from Reynolds in London to Grantham.
  • Date free text
    20 July 1773
  • Production date
    From: 1773 To: 1773
  • Scope and Content
    Apologies for not writing sooner. Glad to hear Grantham's comments on State of the Arts in Spain. Discussion of Mengs work and status, mentions a historical picture of his in Lord Cowper's possession. Of the portraits seen at Oxford Reynolds comments "they have a plausible appearance...no great vigour of mind...great feebleness both in the conception...and execution". Attended two shows, the review at Portsmouth and Encenia, Oxford. The King was delighted with his reception at Portsmouth "convinced he was not so unpopular as the news papers would represent him to be...all the country assembled in the Towns where he changed horses...at Godalmin everyman had a branch of a tree in his hand and every woman a nosegay...he could not refrain from shedding an abundance of tears... At Kew he opened the chaise himself and jumped out without assistance in his impatience to see the Queen. He then carried her indoors. Echard, a Dutchman, who mentioned his hopes of working on the flats in Bedfordshire whilst showing the King his land drainage inventions. Duke of Bedford's Steward gave little hope. The King then turned to Sir William Chambers and asked if, whilst at Blenheim, the Duke of Marlborough's Steward could be approached to employ Echard (Marlborough's Steward is nephew to Palmer, Bedford's Steward). Reynolds impressed with the King's knowledge of his acquaintance's connections. Asked whether Reynolds "was not very proud to be elected Mayor [of Plimpton] next year". At the Encenia Reynolds well received; his name in Verse, presentation of a Doctor's degree. Mr. Vansittart very complimentary during the presentation. Supped at Oxford with the Bishop of Chester who showed him letters from the Prince of Wales and Bishop of Osnaburgh. The Prince's letter "rather in form", the Bishop's "entirely his own". Latter relates comments made by King whilst walking with him in Richmond Gardens "every man must work, those labourers work with their hands but Princes must equally work with their heads etc...". Bishops letter considered "a pretty boy's letter..." Prince of Wales thought to have too much "hauteur...by order of the King they endeavour to break him of it...this was the reason why the Principality...were not suffered to present their address last year". Anecdote concerning the Prince's unbuckled shoe and his expectation that a gentleman about him would buckle it up on his pointing to it. Gentleman showed him how to do it with his own shoe at which Prince sulkily buckled his own. Scheme to adorn St. Paul's with pictures. "Five of us" have agreed to give a large picture as "they are so poor", having only the interest of £30,000 to keep the building in repair. Reynolds thinks "this will be a means of introducing a general fashion for Churches to have altar pieces...St. Paul's will lead the fashion in pictures as St. James' does for dress...in vain to make Historical Painters if no means...for employing them". Proposal to extend scheme to have future monuments, as ornament, erected there instead of Westminster under inspection of Academy. Bishop of Bristol is Dean of St. Paul's and in favour of scheme. Reynold's picture of Count Hugodino achieved great credit, Mezzotinto Print currently being made, will send one. Mr. and Mrs Parker and Miss [Anne] Robinson. "The little boy which was allways a fine healthy Child is growing prodigiously handsome which I own I did not expect when he was but a month old". Will see them all in September at Plimpton Election.
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