L30/9a/1

Volume 1 - Transcripts/extracts of correspondence of Jemima Yorke, (Marchioness Grey) sent to Lady Mary Gregory.

1740-1748

From: 1740 To: 1748

PAGE 1. Entertainment at "Cliefden", rain drove them into house; illuminated trees, benches for company, chairs for Prince and Princess. [She was not present]. 12 August 1740. Wrest. Arrived at 7, "the sun was but just set and it was perfectly calm and fine. It was exactly the time I think most pleasant of the whole day. The sereneness of the evening light spread a peculiar beauty over the whole place. We had a short but a very pretty walk by owl-light and moonlight together. Mr Yorke desires I would assure you that what he has seen of the garden he admires mightily." "He has been stealing a walk with Mr Longuevillle whilst I was dressing, which I did not at all allow of, for I wanted to have been with him every time he was to see anything in the garden." 18 August 1740. PAGE 2. Surely we are grown great heroes lately. I hope it won't end in being thought bullies. We go fighting into all parts of the world, and frightening kings and cities out of their wits". September 1742. PAGE 3. "My best respects attend puss - I desire you would let her know how ambitious I am of her acquaintance." September 1741 "Puss has been playing all kinds of antic tricks ever since I have been writing... has found out [my back] to be the best seat in the room." July 1742. "Mr Yorke has, after all his impatience to be possessed again of his Africans [sic] left them at Windsor, and does not remember where either his or yours left off". Puzzled at Miss Talbot's beginning, scheme changed. September 1742. PAGE 4. Wrest. My attachment to this place is by no means lessened by above 3 years absence, for as long I must call it, since the times I have seen it between has been but as a stranger, and have conveyed a lively pleasure indeed but a very mixed and short one. But it is now again my home. It is not only returning to the country and a country life (which I love everywhere), but in the only place I am fond enough of to make those words peculiarly charming, to the only place that can heighten my enjoyment of my friends... hope soon to see you and ... pass as many happy hours together as we have already done... Thoughts that sensibly affect me, but that I would only tell one who I know will feel them as strongly as myself.... Pleasant journey.... I felt a sort of anxious expectation to find Wrest in the beauty it used to look... disappointed to find so many [trees] quite bare, [especially] Dutch elms. The oaks I can bear to wait for, they have a sort of right to it." 8 May 1743. page 6 "Weather remarkably fine... trees most surprisingly come out and have every 2 or 3 days given new pleasure... in another week in high beauty. Writing in the prettiest closet in the world, ornamented so elegantly, looking so neat and cheerful... I am fonder of it than I ever was of my old friend on t'other side of the house". Dressing-room has merits too "and while your 2 pictures are there you can't doubt but I love it". Implies that her old room was on the north, and this on the south, and apparently it is so hot she thinks it might "raise a pineapple", but "the sun is much more welcome at Wrest than anywhere else". 12 May 1743. PAGE 8. Stoke. Visit to Burley "built by the great Lord Treasurer Burleigh... round a court with 4 large arched entrances, several towers about it all of stone... ceilings painted by Verrio (I suppose well, but those great figures are always disagreeable)". Pictures, mostly by Carlo Maratt; one or two Rubens; some large history pieces; Luca Jordano (Seneca dying in the bath). [A good deal more about pictures] Dined at Stamford. In return visited Lord Westmorland's; disagreeably situated, but house when finished will be a very comfortable one; round a court. Bright moon made return home charming. 17 August 1743. PAGE 15. Wrest. Leaving on Friday; "too happy here, and have too little inclination for London not to be sorry for it." Remarks on "philosophy". Sitting down to Montaigne in a great chair by the fireside is only indulging a fit of indolence and low spirits. "Mr Yorke does not agree to your reading Livy... translation intolerably dull;" suggests Rushworth on Charles I, or Camden on Queen Elizabeth, or Melville's Memoirs, or Cardinal de Retz. 30 October 1743. PAGE 18. London. "Mr Birch brought a great packet with him last Monday" materials for a strong abuse upon King Charles I [long letter on this subject] "are not you staggered in your opinion of your hero?" 24 November 1743. PAGE 23. [London]. Long account, amusingly written, of disputes between actors and managers about theatre prices; with references to Mrs Woffington, Mrs Clive, Mr Garrick and Mr Macklin. 13 December 1743. PAGE 27. Wrest. "The Woburn performances... we went to dinner on Tuesday (and my conscience eased by the way by a civil message Dr Dell delivered from the Duchess of Bedford). A heap of company there was indeed, but not many ladies, only Lady C Pierrepoint, the Duchess' sisters, and Mrs Grenville who I begin to like... As to the play it was the Siege of Damascus, and very middlingly performed; our company I was convinced would outdo them greatly. But since we heard so much of their acting the Alchemist that our curiosity led us again yesterday in the afternoon... Indeed they did most amazingly well. ...strange play... the dullest heap of stuff... Subtle and Face, who were the Duke of Bedford and Lord Sandwich, could not possibly... be more properly and more naturally acted; and the stupid betise of Sir Francis Dashwood in Abel and Drugger is beyond all description; every other part well done. Don't you think we have performed as well to be out twice this week till 1 a.m., for it has been very near that hour both times... you can't imagine what a fine moonlight and how pretty it was last night. 1744 PAGE 29 Wrest. Last week we went to Harrold Park, 20 miles from us. We set out reasonably early, but beyond Bedford got into such roads and such fine ruts that I fully expected the coach to have been stuck, broke or overset. Not being possible to get along in the coach, we walked several times, and as the day was fine, I liked it mighty well. We arrived [at] dinner-time, and were then to to eat our dinner in a farmhouse in the park, the dirtiest miserable hole that ever was! What provoked me was, if the people would but be clean and tight, it is a very pretty rural spot and might look very comfortable. The man and his wife both handsome jolly people and fine honest countenances. All we saw of the park (which you know has been long disparked) were merely common enclosures with cattle in them, and woods which are now only underwood. I dare say when it was well kept and the woods with fine trees it must have been a very pretty place. We did not get home till 10 p.m., 1½ hours in the dark, and were pretty well tired. 30 August 1744. PAGE 32. I lost a Virginnia nightingale I had from Powis House, that had lived there some years, but deceased as soon as he came to me; 2ndly my hen canary-bird laid 3 times and died just after the last. My poor widower soon got over his loss and entertains me with his songs very frequently. On the other side of me is a lark. This is the state of my winged family; but you never enquired after Terrible or the 3 cats - he would be very glad to see you with half an eye (all he has left, poor dog!) 4 September 1744. PAGE 34. Have been strolling most part of the morning with my book and my dog and my fawn. Have I told you [about my] tame fawn? It's a great beauty and I have been obliged to it for a very fine shepherdess air when it is so good to follow me about the garden. 1744 PAGE 35. Carte's Jacobite history. The fawn has a white face and was born at Wimpole but educated here this summer, resides under your windows, is moderately fond of me for visiting it and taking it out very often, and in course of time is to go into the park. Pray read Don Quixote again (etc.), we delight ourselves greatly with it after supper. 1744. PAGE 37. [Humourous letter about Carte and the University and Dr Gregory; not clear]. 1744. PAGE 39. Since Oxford will not furnish any better ink to write with, will you be so good as to send your epistles to the printing-house, that we may have at least a legible edition? [not the first reference to her pale ink]. 1744. PAGE 40. Studies: Italian. In summer our afternoons all in public. The mornings partly alone, but when Miss Yorke was here, when they were employed in reading with her, Lucan, some Athenians again, and various other books. Those that gave me most pleasure were the Italian translation of the Aeneid and Plato's Dialogues. But my time of devouring (as you call it) is the long evenings. In those I have read the latter part of Echard's Roman history from the Caesars to the destruction of the Byzantine Empire; and some Dante. This last week which we have passed alone and sat every evening by the library fire, I have despatched Machiavelli's history, and am going on to Guichardin's, which I find I must devour fast, being a pretty thick fat volume and a small print, or I shall not get through it; for alas! I have not 3 weeks to spend here, and regret every day that brings me nearer the time of leaving it... I have filled my paper; Terrible has been impatient this hour, and the sun warns me not to neglect its favours. 30 October 1744. PAGE 42. Go to town Monday... I am sorry for it. Finish all our works... make an end of cleaning John Duwell's canal, which you will scarcely believe was so full of mud as to be a month about; and new banking by the millpond, which has been near as long. The walk cross the lawn below the Hill-house that went from nothing and ended in nothing is cut down; only a clump left at the end by the garden. November 1744. PAGE 43. [London]. Play: Revenge, lately revived at Covent Garden; part of the Moor suits Quin exactly. [Other theatre news, disputes etc.]. Oratorios. 5 December 1744. PAGE 46. Wrest. Would Dr Gregory get 2 prints, the Aurora and Bacchus and Ariadne, (Guido) for my doors? or 3 or 4 Holy Familys, not too large; or single Madonnas or Magdalens. "I have only of Holy Familys, the Child reading, the Two sleeping (Guido and Carrache's), another of Carrache with angels like one of yours, and one of Carlo's something like it, and the Nativity with Shepherds of Guido. Also a Shakespeare's monument, white, not bronzed? I might have got them myself, but by some fatality omitted it. 1745. PAGE 48. [Wrest]. Anxiety over the war. What will become of Colonel Yorke (promoted). Three last evenings charming; Mr Birch has enjoyed them with me upon the terrace perfumed by the orange-flowers, till the stars have reminded us of going in to supper. In the morning the mowers and haymakers on Cain hill are great entertainment. I sit under John Dewel's oak to contemplate them, have a book in my pocket, but a cart loading with hay just upon the opposite border of the canal engrosses my attention. Rest of the morning occupation, breaking brains over Locke, or relieving them with harpsichord. After dinner billiards; harpsichord, where Mr Wray will only let me play songs, tho' neither he nor I can sing (why are not you here?); or a bit of work; tea; and walking till night. After finishing the Odyssey, we have after supper taken the Arcadia; some of the gentlemen had never read it, and I am always amused by it; characters mighty well drawn; speeches excellent or quaint. 8 JulY 1745. PAGE 52. Pictures at Devonshire House - does not care for. Those of Sir P. Methuen. Mr Dodington's house with painted ceilings.1745 PAGE 53. Recommends Ben Johnson's Bartholomew Fair for after supper reading. 1745. PAGE 54. [Again about the performance of the Alchemist at Woburn]. Will try the Silent Woman again. Also recommends Every man In (and) Out of his humour. 1745. PAGE 55. Jamaica. Escape of Pretender's son. Danger from Spanish and French. 6 August 1745. PAGE 57. Terrible alive and well; but poor fawn deceased. Fawn would not keep out of the garden and had to be confined in farthest side of park beyond farm; broke leg; found dead in garden where it had dragged itself. [1746]. PAGE 58. Landing of Young Pretender. Not afraid for ourselves here; hopes king's troops will soon put an end to affair; but very uneasy about Papa; should they move south he is directly in their way and sentiments well known. I shall want my quiet calm moonlight walk tonight as a composing draught in these troubles. Every night finer than other, moonlight on the elegant white colonnade of the Bowling-green, while all the trees about it receive a deeper tint. 1 September 1745. PAGE 62. Obliged for concern about Papa. Cope has missed the rebels. 10 September 1745. PAGE 63. Rebels have passed Papa's house. General Cope. 17 September 1745. PAGE 64. Rebels at Edinburgh. Cope. What little spirit has appeared throughout Scotland. Several of our great lords have desired commissions to raise regiments and are preparing for it, the Duke of Bedford among others, to whom Mr Yorke is as assisting as he can, so that we may have a little army of our own here. 22 September 1745. PAGE 66. A little cold now for late walks; has left the garden more willingly that I might find the library ready with tea, books, a fire and candles; you can't imagine anything more cheerful than that room nor more comfortable than. News from Scotland since letter begun, rebels' advance into England expected. Situation full of distress and danger. 25 September 1745. PAGE 69. Rebel's retreat. 29 September 1745. PAGE 70. London. Rebels. French etc. 14 October 1745. PAGE 71. Newspapers etc. "Calm address to all ranks." 23 October 1745. PAGE 72. Play, the Nonjuror, revival. Thundering applause, particularly at God Save the King. 29 October 1745. PAGE 74. Rebels said to be at Carlisle. The Duke of Bedford, Lord Gower and Lord Halifax declare they will head their new regiments themselves. As they have left Edinburgh, poor Lord Breadalbane will be at liberty. Hopes papa too will be freed (still at Taymouth, and unmolested, but parties about.) 12 November 1745. PAGE 76. Carlisle surrendered. This day, this hour, may determine our fates. Lives and happiness of so many. Thought beyond description dreadful. 21 November 1745. PAGE 77. Still uncertainty about rebels. [Long letter about uncertainties.]. 10 December 1745. PAGE 82. Consolation apparently for loss of child. Do not imagine it a punishment. We must receive our lot cheerfully and enjoy with gratitude all the blessings allowed us in it. No principle is more firmly rooted in my mind [than] that it is always chose the best and wisest for us [sic]. 9 January 1746. PAGE 85. The rebels. 6 February 1746. PAGE 86. Politics. 11 February 1746. PAGE 87. Politics. 15 February 1746. PAGE 89. Concerts. Rebels at Inverness. 6 March 1746. PAGE 90. Bad weather. Papa. Opera. Has now no companion "but must search about." March. PAGE 91. Begs her not to dwell on loss. 25 March 1746. PAGE 93. Concert. - Borosini, ?Bononcini. Old but very charming. Lamented with him (in English - Italian - French) the present degenerate taste in music, which is as bad in Italy he says as here. No date. PAGE 95. Music: will allow merits of songs you mention; but even those want simplicity and harmony of taste 20 years ago. Can like another manner when well done, but since that manner is grown the fashion, all pretenders to singing have gone into it, tho' without genius, and music is now in general brought down to a confused mixture of sounds without any meaning. Magnificent ball Lord Kildare gave; 4 tables; fountains of shellwork spouting sweet waters; lasted till 6 a.m. Said to cost £1,000. 17 April 1746. PAGE 99. Rebels now heartily beat. 24 April 1746. PAGE 100. Have long been convinced the greatest happiness is always attended with as great a share of misery. Joys and griefs transient. No one object should engross us entirely, nor one unfortunate event embitter. Her misfortune. [evidently loss of child] 5 May 1746. PAGE 104. Sends verses, satirical poem about Lord G. 10 June 1746. PAGE 106. [London] Twice at Ranelagh with Lady Carpenter and Mrs Fox; once at the opera; last night at the play (Othello, with Garrick "more the real character in whatever her personates than I ever saw before"). (Has not been to a play for 2 or 3 years) 21 June 1746. PAGE 108 . Too much alone and too much disposed to melancholy, when she says time must put an end to youthful good spirits. Preserve through life; not suffer a gloomy habit to fix in the mind. "I fear whatever sentiments of mine you remember and approve are serious; in me they are the effect of temper, not low spirits; not raised by disappointment; and more from the mind than the heart; but in you it is otherwise." 28 June 1746. PAGE 110. Has been out of town (Rochester, road pleasant, charming views of river as far as Gravesend; moonlight walk; ruined castle (among Buck's prints). Next morning went to see Chatham dock and largest ships; went on one of 110 guns; amazing; 2,000 workmen. In afternoon went prayers in bad cathedral and worse choir; set out; lay at vile inn; saw Lord Westmorland's house Saturday morning, charming place (model of Villa Vicenza) (details). 21 July 1746. PAGE 114. Death of King of Spain. Mr Birch's new house in Norfolk Street. Pope's house, laid out with as much taste as possible, much better than Lord Radnor's. July 1746. PAGE 117. "The Duke" and his victory. 26 July 1746. PAGE 118. Pomp and solemnity of trials ... our fair and impartial judicature, justice of a nation (apparently House of Lords): Lord Balmerino, Lord Kilmarnock, Lord Cromartie. Many there; Lady Carpenter had said she would not go, but has been each time; also Duchess of Kent persuaded by Sophia. 31 July 1746. PAGE 125. Lord Cromartie's pardon; execution of others. 24 August 1746. PAGE 126. Mr Forster's book dismally engaging and affecting. 7 September 1746. PAGE 127. A Grey relative in Wiltshire, Mrs Grey, widow of Dr Grey, clergyman, descendant of younger son of old rector of Burbage. 26 October. PAGE 128. Plays: Garrick, Quin and Mrs Cibber at one house; a new actor at the other; no places; opera forsaken, though singers not bad. 27 November 1746. PAGE 131. New translation of Pliny - never saw humanity, generosity and friendship more strongly expressed than in these letters, especially to his wife (Mrs Pliny must have been a charming creature); his villa; Vesuvius. 13 January 1747. PAGE 133. Sometimes reads old letters; am idly fond of seeing how self and friends were employed at such a time; yet if it gave pleasure as it passed, one is apt to regret that it is gone, more than wise to do; if pain, it will still leave melancholy reflections (tho' thank God! no life more exempt from them than mine); if slowly, a flat even prospect not worth stopping to look upon; read myself into a musing fit by the fireside, till I wake from it and run to the harpsichord. Mr Garrick's farce. New opera called Phaeton (details); Old Borosini appears in it. New comedy of Dr Haddley's the physician. 29 January 1747. PAGE 138. New play; as great a crowd and heat as I ever was in; amusing. 13 February 1747. PAGE 140. Wrest. Journey very pleasant without heat or dust, but from St Albans it rained incessantly, and a most dripping appearance we made driving into the back court at 3, for fear of being drowned for want of a boat to cross the other [court]. Garden soaked; dinner; weather cleared, fine evening and pleasant walk till after 8; most beautiful verdure; birds rejoice melodiously; not fine enough for nightingale, but blackbird has scarcely ceased; cuckoo welcomed. Garden flourishing; some walks quite perfumed with honeysuckles and syringas; bean-blossoms' fragrance makes lower part of garden charming; that end of the great field next the circular canal is quite full of them; rest fallow; but hills more covered with corn than usual. Terrible still alive; as to the house, the two spruced-up rooms and the new paved court good. Just come back from church, canary singing himself hoarse. 7 June 1747. PAGE 142. Fine. Wrest. Mr Lyttleton came; very anxious this place should appear at best; he seems really pleased, his judgement great weight with me, as one not only used to Stowe and a more charming place of his own, but taste very elegant. Hill favourite spot. Thinks pavillion too large and heavy; he would also point out new openings in the park; and stays another day on purpose to talk over rustic altars and root-houses. 11 June 1747. PAGE 144 . Mr Wray and Mr Birch here. Anagrams and acrostics have been great employment of ladies after dinner and such idle times. 30 August 1747. PAGE 145. Wimpole. Reproaches anxiety about son; pardon her if wrong, but surely the worst management to turn a blessing into a misery, daily fear of losing. 20 September 1747. PAGE 147. Wrest. Dined with Dr Dell, place so pretty - little brook changed into serpentine river with cascade of 4-5 steps at one end. Elegant assembly set up lately at Ampthill; projector Captain Sheldon (employed in management of Bedford Ball this summer); now instituting regular assembly once a fortnight to be held a an inn at Ampthill; admission a crown; first night drew only 12; since then larger meetings; 30-40 dances of a night; not coming to an end. Read Joseph Andrews. 20 October 1747. PAGE 150. Wrest. Thanks for birthday congratulations. Life no blessing without friendship, "and yours from beginning of my life has been the truest enjoyment and heightened every other. I am so fond of the memory of those years we spent together... we never can be so happy now as we were then. Youth is a fine thing, disposed to be pleased with everything, and when joined with a reasonable sober mind (as indeed, my dear, we were very reasonable creatures) is the true unclouded sunshine of life, bright Italian skies that so seldom return. 13 October 1747. PAGE 152. Heard at Lady Cornwallis' a play of Mr Whitehead's upon Horatii and Curiatii. Hopes of peace. 28 April 1748. PAGE 153 . Wrest. The habit of living alone would grow upon me if I was in the way of it, yet a varied life, neither every hour your own nor wholly spent in company, sociableness with a set of acquaintance not too large generally the properest and happiest. "You by nature the most sociable, most ready to please and be pleased". Has she read Clarissa? goes on slowly in reading aloud; vastly engaged, but can't help having objections to story; Lovelace surely too bad a character; Clarissa herself strangely mistaken in her conduct (long analysis). Long and fear to finish. 9 May 1748. PAGE 160. Wrest. If we could direct events we should do it for the worst. Should be content with situation and thankful for blessings. "I thank God daily for having blessed me with a quiet mind... foundation of all other blessings ... You are always playing over the scene of the dog and the shadow; and all the attention I am capable of is by constant reflection on the disappointment and vain scenes around me to keep myself in that even state free from all wishes, but to join in your prayer that infinite wisdom will dispense its blessings to us in what manner it seems most proper". 5 June. PAGE 162. Wrest. Glad you are pleased with the Castle of Indolence. June 1748. PAGE 164. Wrest. Expedition to Stowe well worth passing a few hours in, but would least choose to live at, (description) (very long). PAGE 175. (Continuation). Went to Lord Pomfret's next morning; (description). Easton, then Althorp, "quite smitten"; (5 pages), Eleanor Cross by Northampton. 5 July 1748.

Published microfilm available in the searchroom as Mic 298.

Published as a microfilm by academic publishers Adam Matthew. A digital edition is being planned by the same publisher.

item

Yorke, Jemima,
Grey, Marchioness,
Gregory, Mary,
Grey, Mary,
Campbell, Jemima,
Yorke,
Longueville,
Talbot, Catherine,
Burleigh,
Maratt, Carlo,
Verrio,
Ruben,
Jordano, Luca,
Westmorland, Lord,
Birch,
Charles I,
Woffington,
Clive,
Garrick,
Macklin,
Dell,
Pierrepoint,
Grenville,
Sandwich,
Russell, John (4th Duke of Bedford),
Dashwood, Francis,
Gregory,
Duwell, John,
Quin,
Birch,
Wray,
Methuen,
Dodington,
Cope,
Gower,
Halifax,
Breadalbane,
Kildare,
Carpenter,
Fox,
Radnor,
Balmerino,
Kilmarnock,
Cromartie,
Forster,
Grey,
Garrick,
Cibber,
Lyttleton,
Andrews, Joseph,
Cornwallis,
Whitehead,
Pomfret,
Philip V of Spain,
Sheldon

CORRESPONDENCE, ROYALTY, Wrest Park, trees, plays, DRAMA, Harrold Park, nightingales, birds, larks, dogs, cats, deer, ink, Italian, literacy, canals, theatre, works of art, Harpsichord, Jamaica, Scotland, Carlisle, POLITICS, Inverness, weather, opera, concerts, MUSIC, balls, DEATH, Wiltshire, clergy, actors, Wrest Park Gardens, AMPTHILL, Stowe, Stowe Stowe House