L30/9a/3

Volume 3 - Transcripts/extracts of correspondence of Jemima Yorke, (Marchioness Grey) sent to Lady Mary Gregory (1757- 1760), also to Miss Catherine Talbot (1737-1744).

1737-1760

From: 1737 To: 1760

(Pages 2-53 to Mary Gregory, pages 61-112 to Miss Talbot.) PAGE 2. London. Byng's trial. (full). 22 January 1757. PAGE 7. Trial continued. 28 January 1757. PAGE 13. Wimpole. Politics. 18 October 1757. PAGE 15. War. [note by Amabel that Mary Capell married Admiral Forbes 1758 and Mr Wray married Miss Darrell]. 15 June 1758. PAGE 19. Wrest. War. Questions you ask about the alterations: Difficult to be understood without a plan. Canals already joined are the circular canal, John Dewell's, and the millpond; and the stream which they make will be lost, that is, the end will be turned into and concealed by some plantation, where that old piece or orchard ground within hedges is on the other side the millpond from the terrace; that part of the same enclosure next the terrace is now all open. This end of the water (the millpond) is now at work upon, and not near finished. When it is done, it is proposed the work should go on to the piece of water at the bottom of the garden, and join that too (altering its form a little) both to the circular and the brook. So that the whole when finished will appear one stream running in where the brook now comes into the garden, and winding on till it is lost among bushes etc. beyond the furthest bank of what is now the millpond; or view versa (which you please); coming out of those bushes, and running through the garden till it goes out (where the brook runs) into the country. Madame, comprend-t'elle? for no description can I believe be very clear. Father here 3-4 days en route for Staffordshire, having left brother in Holland. Mr and Mrs Wray here all last week; a very pretty sort of woman she seems to be, and they both look perfectly contented and happy. Weather as fine as we could wish, better than in middle of summer. 3 October 1758. PAGE 22. Richmond. Met Monsieur du Quesne at Lord Anson's. 15 November 1758. PAGE 23. St James' Square. King's gout. 23 November 1758. PAGE 25. Gloves. 14 April 1759. PAGE 26. Your god-daughter has gone on (thank God) as well as one could wish. The smallpox turned by the 7th day, and I may own to you that I flatter myself, as there were so few in her face, there will soon be no mark. Very happy to see her so well and running about again. 5 May 1759. PAGE 28. New play. (Murphy's Orphan of China.) 15 May 1759. PAGE 29.- Leaving for Moor Park; for the 1st time Bell goes with us... at present the happiest of creatures, Lady Anson's kind invitation of long date, set her heart so long upon it. Whether any happiness can answer so much expectation I don't know. Fear of anything to prevent. 5 June 1759. PAGE 31. Court-martial for Lord George Sackville. 2 February 1760. PAGE 33. Most melancholy occasion. "She" [Lady Elizabeth Anson] was taken ill about 10 days ago, just when she was to go to Moor Park where there was to be a happy family meeting last week. Seemed a feverish cold, did not go off, seemed to alter in its symptoms, a rash appeared (some apprehensive from remembrance of poor Mrs Yorke last year); Saturday evening Wilmot said eruptions seemed mixed and worse; that night just such a fatal and sudden change as in Mrs Yorke; eruption went in; head seized; a few hours determined the whole. I can scarcely believe the stroke I am relating or that the fatal event is real, but I too sadly feel it. She was everything that was great and good and amiable. She fitted every station, every duty of life completely and to perfection - daughter, wife, sister, friend; joy and comfort of all; busy active mind (perhaps too active for strength), excellent heart; seemed designed by Providence as a common blessing to a large and united family, and useful example to world of uncommon talents. Two such unexpected strokes in eleven months very grievous, but this absolutely irreparable, void never to be filled. Lord Anson in highest distress. Lord Hardwicke, who seemed to have quite recovered, now brought back, from country, don't know what effect. Her mother, whose health certainly declines, to whom most attentive and kindest of daughters, consequences doubtful. Can never be replaced to brothers. Heaven had given her to me as an additional sister, my most constant companion ever since she married; have passed few days without seeing her in town, and very short time without hearing in country. Never anything to grieve me so much. Children very fond of her. Not yet told Bell. 3 June 1760. PAGE 41. Quebec. 4 July 1760. PAGE 41. Richmond. Going to Sunning-hill. Indifferent about it. 13 July 1760. PAGE 42. Sunning hill. Waters agree with Bell, well and in good spirits. Lodgings few and bad - mere farmhouse; bedrooms comfortable; large garden. On edge of heath. Well stands alone. Drive out most evenings. Windsor Park and forest - pleasing rural spots, fine open woods, with vast oak and beech trees, sometimes lawns of smooth grass, sometimes wild spots covered with fern; all new to Bell. Visited Mr Bateman - his Chinese whim, turned into Gothic, amusing medley. 25 July 1760. PAGE 49. Wrest: Alterations now complete. Will they interest her? Even to me, having for 2 years successively while they have been in hand unhappily come down with such strong and recent impressions of the insufficience of all outward objects to occupy the mind, of the instability of everything around one, of the folly of laying schemes even for the morrow when a few hours may break up and destroy plan of happiness, they have even to me lost much of the amusement that some years past they would have afforded. However, as innocent, and (if planner leaves them in midst) harmless, and whilst executing some employment and variety; the design for laying the waters together round the garden is finished. The waters behind the bowling-green have been joined this year; and one end turned through the little additional piece of grove into the ditch that came from the mineral spring, the other carried to meet the serpentine, where, from the difference of levels more than could be overcome by digging, there must be a bank of earth which planting and shrubs must conceal. The serpentine in the same manner joins to the brook at the lower end of the garden; and from that brook is now really a fine piece of water; one undivided large stream made out of the different canals on the Cain Hill side quite as far as the upper end of the old millpond ground near the parterre, where the end is also turned within a bank of trees and bushes; and that side of the garden is now I think the prettiest. The parterre too has been opened this year by taking away the berceaus as far down as the evergreens, which has given room to widen the grass, and has let in the view to the windows of the house and to the terrace of all the lawn, the trees on the hill, and the water I mentioned before with a large bridge over it on one hand; and opened the grove to the parterre on the other hand. At the same time the keeping of the evergreens at the end of the parterre, and 2 or 3 smaller clumps of the same sort up the sides of it, have preserved its form entirely and detached it sufficiently from the parts that surround it. The parting with the poor old berceaus has been a grievance, and like losing a good old useful acquaintance; for very useful to be sure they were; but certainly is much better without them, and the view much pleasanter, and the grove pretty nearly supplies the place. 26 August 1760. PAGE 53. London. Politics. [note by Amabel: Lady Mary Gregory died 10 January 1761] 1 November 1760. CORRESPONDENCE TO MISS CATHERINE TALBOT. PAGE 61. Dr Dell's visit; play-reading (Love makes a Man) (Fatal Marriage). December 1737. PAGE 61. Wrest. Bookworms; Whichcote at breakfast, Catrou for dinner; De Thou for supper; entremets John Cockle at Court. Disagreeable part of staying here this winter. Glad of her letters. 1737 or 1738. PAGE 62. Fortune telling on Twelfth Night (or fancy dress?); Lady Mary a princess, Lord Ashburnham Scaramouch, herself an old scold with high crowned hat and ladle, Sophia Hoberdegullion .No date. PAGE 63. Wrest. My Lady thought it would be better and more cheerful to read and work together rather than be separated all evening; with her from between 4 and 5 till supper. My Lady thought De Thou would be a proper book. My grandpapa advised us to begin in Le Genre's History of France at Charles VIII conquering Italy, and read in that till De Thou begins. We did so, and liked it so much (short and mighty prettily writ) that we have chose to finish it first. Last night we mourned over the death of Prince de Conde and Admiral Coligny, shuddered at the thought of that terrible massacre of Paris, and detested all the authors of it. February 1738(sic) PAGE 64. London [other addresses]. A gadding; so answering her part of letter. I have taken possession of the lady's closet (which I may now again call mine) and all her papers and books which strew the floor, cover the tea-table and fill every other table and chair in the room; so that, after having committed great devastations, displacing drawers and laying out of the way many curious miscellanies, I have with some difficulty found the corner of a table (which is at present covered with no less a book than Dr Middleton) to write upon. The description of the house at Twickenham that she wanted, "I do not find that the power of an English wife extends far enough, for Mr Yorke to consent to send you one in verse as you propose; and being of a very mild and gentle disposition I accepted of the excuse that he had never seen it". Gives description herself in prose. Pamela. 6 June 1741. PAGE 69. Mr Yorke sends paper as atonement. 25 July 1741. PAGE 70. [About Oriental story] 30 July 1741. PAGE 71. Mr Yorke expects some more papers from you before he sends any. Caliphs. 25 August 1741. PAGE 71. More Orientalism. 10 September 1741. PAGE 72. More Orientalism. 24 September 1741. PAGE 73. More Orientalism. 6 October 1741. PAGE 75. Glad Bishop of Oxford (Thomas Secker) well. Rollin's Roman history. I have been used to love and esteem him so long. Obligation to him superior to all others; owe happiness of greatest part of life, since he in a manner began our acquaintance. Had it not been for R , we should perhaps never have known enough of each other to enjoy pleasures of friendship, but might have been just so much acquainted as to curtsey across a room and think ourselves obliged to leave names at each other's door once or twice a winter. September 1741. PAGE 77. London. War news. Politics. "Never complain any more that I don't write you news, but don't expect that I should write such letters often, for I intend this to satisfy you for a great while." 17 June 1742. PAGE 80. War. 2 July 1742. PAGE 82. Old Windsor. Humourous ballad. 30 July 1742. PAGE.83. Old Windsor. Humourous ballad. 15 August 1742. PAGE 84. Wimpole. Another ballad. 2 September 1742. PAGE 86. Wimpole. Clarendon's history - study ever since I came here. Alas! why should our eyes travel over the same pages, and yet be at such a distance from one another's. 7 September 1742. PAGE 88. Wimpole. Only reached 1642? You will (I suppose) remember every word, whilst I have forgot half already. 30 September 1742. PAGE 89. Wimpole. Cause of genius. 3 October 1742. PAGE 91. Old Windsor. Clarendon. 14 November 1742. PAGE 92. London. Bishop of Oxford found me the 1st evening I came here sitting alone by the fireside and reading Love-Elegies, said to be Mr Hammond's. 20 November 1742. PAGE 93. Last Saturday went to opera with Lady Middleton and the Lady Capells, cold and tired before it was over; house very thin. Yesterday Hamlet, had a stage-box and was engaged to Lady Carpenter, Miss Yorke with us; wanted you both more than ever; much entertained, but nothing new (details. 30 November 1742. PAGE 95. Glad she is pleased with elegies. 8 December 1742. PAGE 96. Wrest. Mr Yorke wants to know if she is reading Athenian letters, volume iv. as she had it in town, and his vanity expected many fine speeches upon it before now. 9 June 1743. PAGE 97. Wrest. War. My Lord Chancellor left us Monday, we are reduced to same level of intelligence with you. 30 June 1743. PAGE 99. Wrest. Have been to Cambridge. Gentlemen's desire to show it my aunt carried us thither last Thursday, spent 2 days, weather spiteful, inhabited lodge of Mr Wray's college. Leave aunt to describe. 12 July 1743. PAGE 102. Wrest. Not worthy of Ariosto to read him coldly; if you don't approve of my preferring him to Spenser, won't you allow he was the original of general design of Fairy Queen, as Tasso original of most of the particular incidents. 22 September 1743. PAGE 104. Authorship of Faction Detected. 2 October 1743. PAGE 105. London. Dettingen. Twice at Lady Carpenter's. New Te Deum at Whitehall Chapel of Handel's against the King's return (this news for aunt, you know nothing about it). November 1743. PAGE 107.Wrest. Came yesterday evening, brought Mr Birch. November weather. Fielding. 22 May 1744. PAGE 108. Wrest. Sevigne's letters - how fond I am of them - you first taught me to like them. Now reading Bussy's letters, don't please as well. Beginning Italian translation of Aeneid, Georgics and Pastorals. Petrarch too talks with me sometimes, but his Italian more difficult or I more stupid, for he often puzzles me. Acting week at Woburn, there last Tuesday, uncommon merit. Play: Siege of Damascus. Duke, Lord Sandwich; Theatre in the greenhouse (details). 1744. PAGE 112. Wrest. The Alchemist, some parts very diverting; improves more by acting. 1744.

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

Byng, John,
Capell, Mary,
Forbes,
Wray,
Darrell,
Dewell, John,
du Quesne,
Anson,
George II,
Murphy,
Sackville, George,
Anson, Elizabeth,
Yorke,
Yorke, Amabel,
Bateman,
Gregory, Mary,
Talbot, Catherine,
Dell,
de Conde,
Coligny,
Middelton,
Secker, Thomas,
Hammond,
Middleton,
Capells,
Carpenter,
Handel,
Fielding,
Handel, George Frideric,
Birch,
Sandwich

CORRESPONDENCE, legal process, POLITICS, WARS & TREATIES, MARRIAGE, Wrest Park, Wrest Park Gardens, gardens, ROYALTY, gout, smallpox, plays, DEATH, stroke, books, opera, theatre, weather