L30/9a/9

Volume 9 - Transcripts/extracts of correspondence of Jemima Yorke, (Jemima Campbell ; Marchioness Grey) sent to Miss Catherine Talbot (September 1767-November 1769) and to Mary Yorke, her youngest daughter, (1770-1775).

1767-1775

From: 1767 To: 1775

PAGE 2. Wrest. September began well. Have breakfasted in garden (as some few times before), makes it more tasteful but also longer; have fed ducks; now separated for for riding and writing. Better to enjoy the air. Early rising; have threatened to call up girls to see sunrise, but they daily outsleep the sun unmolested by me, and what is out of usual course grows to be a difficulty. One used to feel more alert and more desirous of novelty. Even weather doesn't seem so good; few days have been warm and still enough to allow of reading upon a bench by the hour as formerly. My designer [Bell?] has chosen places to sit in that both sun and wind have assaulted violently, but what one likes to do never hurts one. She has taken some little sketches that are like, but complains of want of Mr Cozens' freedom of manner and believes he won't be satisfied. Accounts from my Lord don't give satisfaction; water agrees but acts more as an expellant than alternative.[Knaresborough]. 1 September 1767. PAGE 6. Wrest. My lord (to save 2/3 days delay via London) sent letter from the post-road hither, but had not seen physician, therefore another as soon as he has, then may set off for Knaresborough tomorrow. Messenger came express in the middle of the night, in so hard a rain, very clamorous for admittance, disturbed all house but girls who slept most composedly. Peach dumplings:- we will try, but think on a former trial we determined them to be flat and very different from spirit, vivacity and genius of an apple. What will his Grace do through the poverty of this year till next midsummer for apple pyes? (sic). 10 September 1767. PAGE 8. Knaresborough. Left Friday, reached here easily in 2 days. My Lord doesn't seem better; spirits and appetite indifferent. Country fine (etc.). 15 September 1767. PAGE 11. Knaresborough. Sorry - have long loved and valued the Dean; good to one I dearly loved and since to his children. Loss at their ages not to be repaired; his daughter. "My heart tells me I should wish much to have care of her; believing her to be a very well disposed good girl; else the importance is too great to my own (in bringing them together) to follow inconsiderately my inclinations". [This must be Dr David Gregory; and the girl Jemima Mary]. 20 September 1767. PAGE 12. Sorry about health. Well 3 miles off; some morning I really could not go out again after coming home; very late breakfast; late dinner; evenings dewy and misty. Set out tomorrow for Wimpole. 27 September 1767. PAGE 15. Wimpole. Do pray grow a little fatter and let me wonder when I see you next, as I do daily at Mouse, who grows broad and so brown and such a jolly-looking country damsel. Journey took 3 days; visited and lodged at Buckden at the Bishop's (where came next morning Archbishop of York going north, who told us he had been at Lambeth a few days before). Buckden not uncomfortable nor unpleasant. Duke of York. Noise all night at Doncaster. My Lord pretty well but not better; may go to London. Books (Philip Yorke had read everything obtainable at Knaresborough). 4 October 1767. PAGE 23. Wimpole. I am much concerned at Miss Gregory's situation and vastly desirous she should live with me. My Lord most kindly enters into my wishes and consents. Had once intended to write direct; but believe better she should first consider it a little. I am sure your delicacy would save mine the appearance of bargaining or conferring an obligation. A thousand dear remembrances prompt me to it. I rejoice at Archbishop going on well. though with gout. Glad you had opportunity of mentioning the papers at Christ Church, obliged to you for having settled it. I would have them share the same fate, whether safe in a box or committed to flames. 25 October 1767. PAGE 27. Wrest. Health. Rain. Miss Gregory went for a drive with Mr and Mrs Jeffreys in a 1-horse chair to see the country and a place at some distance - am in trouble for them. Young folks all well. Miss Gregory has much sensibility about her family; concerned at report of Mr Shipley to come in for first vacant studentship at Christchurch, which will postpone her brother's, who went first with a disappointment and upon a very different footing from what they formerly hoped. 25 June 1768. PAGE 30. Greatly shocked at news. [Archbishop Secker's death 3 August]. Take care of self and Mrs Talbot. 4 August 1768. PAGE 33. Comment on late Archbishop [by new?]. 23 August 1768. PAGE 34. Health. 30 August 1768. PAGE 35. Thanks for remembrance 2 days ago; though unhappy to receive, we look on as a distinction that marks respect and friendship long entertained. Excuse me if I name Richmond again? Wish it very much. 20 September 1768. PAGE 37. Catherine Talbot's painful time. Philip Yorke's opinion on a paper. 27 September 1768. PAGE 42. Consolation etc. 10 October 1763 [8?] PAGE 46. Wimpole. Air, sunshine and pleasant scenes. Daily walks and rides. 1 November 1768. PAGE 50. St James' Square. Duke of Newcastle. Politics. Wilkes. 15 November 1768. PAGE 59. - Got to town by 6, sunset and moonlight; almost regretted not staying 3 hours longer; you fed us so well, neither daughter nor I wanted dinner; as to breakfast, I have despised it ever since, and Mrs Cornwall has it upon her conscience to have made me quarrel with my bread and butter. Especially finding both well. General news. 21 November 1768. PAGE 64. General news and politics. 28 November 1768. PAGE 70. London. Politics. 7 December 1768. PAGE 76.- Politics. no date. PAGE 79. London. Middlesex election. 13 December 1768. PAGE 87. London. Politics. (p 91-2 at debate, no dinner). 17 December 1768. PAGE 97. Wrest. Catherine Talbot at Richmond. Pond under willows (was once a pond, and still something lower than rest of ground, this year of waters returned to its first state at times after very frequent showers). Lord Br only a few days here. 29 June 1769. PAGE 101. Wrest. Pleasure in place appearing cheerful and comfortable to her. Comparison of Wrest and Richmond. Mr Shenstone's letters. 11 July 1769. PAGE 106. Wrest. Visit to Stowe. A Bedford race and ball, coming home at 5 a.m. [July-August?] PAGE 112. Wrest. Death of Lady Margaret Heathcote, life at all times joyless. She had deserved and was fitted for more happiness than this life had afforded her; great sensibility, tender heart; wishes centred in quiet social happiness, but the requisites for that she had not always met with. To us another break, out of small remaining stock. On Sunday morning young people and I had agreed at breakfast there must be a letter from her (they had visited house while dining at Stamford); letter had come, but my Lord did not say at once. Poor Bell much shocked. 22 August 1769. PAGE 118. Wrest. Melancholy remaining longer; but harmless; my spirits of a strong and sober quiet sort. In a life so filled with blessings as mine has been and continues to be, those present will always predominate over past. 29 August 1769. PAGE 121. Wimpole. Her comments on Stratford - My Lord declares if within 20 miles he would have gone. 11 September 1769. PAGE 124. Wimpole. The Wrays here. "Mr Brown has been leading me such a fairy circle and his magic wand has raised such landscapes to the eye, not visionary, for they were all there, but his touch has brought them out, with the same effect as a painter's pencil upon canvas, that after having hobbled over rough ground to points that I had never seen before for 2 hours, I return half tired and half foot-sore and must really break off" [dinnertime]. 19 September 1769. PAGE 127. Wimpole. Heat. Mrs Wray. 3 October 1769. PAGE 129. Wimpole. Should go to Richmond Park in the coach. 11 October 1769. PAGE 133. Wimpole. Health and weather. Mr Cambridge. The Turks. 17 October 1769. PAGE 137. Wimpole. [note by Amabel: Catherine Talbot much worse]. 5 November 1769. PAGE 140. Account of your getting well to town. 13 November 1769. [Note by Amabel, Catherine Talbot died 9 January 1770]. CORRESPONDENCE TO MARY YORKE: PAGE 145. St James' Square. Lovely family growing up about you. Story of Lady Ossory at a masked ball. 2 May 1770. PAGE 150. Ladies Coterie at Almack's, to be open all hours of the day, [full details]. 14 May 1770. PAGE 157. Wimpole. Took Bell to Holkham. 11 October 1770. PAGE 161. Lord Granby's death. 24 October 1770. PAGE 163. Wrest. Windsor expedition. Saw Master Yorke at Harrow. A tutor? Installation dullest and most tedious of ceremonies, 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Lodged by Lord and Lady Hyde's interest at the Provost's at Eton. Passed night at Richmond on way. 1 August 1771. PAGE 169. Wimpole. Harrow - present Master, Mr Heath, has good character (general opinion much neglected before.) [Long letter about D of C]. 10 November 1771. PAGE 175. Richmond. Glad not fatigued by installation entertainment. At any other time should have been glad to see it. Our young visitor takes many a ride, breakfasts or dinner, and we have seldom been 2 days without seeing him. Seems very busy in preparations, believes concluded by middle of next month. 23 June 1772. PAGE 180. Wimpole. Thanks for favour lately done [visit at Wimpole?]; hope good account of Master Charles. All felt loss of company; even Lord Polwarth's spirits have been quite sober-ified. "As you was so cruel not to wait here the success of his hunt on Thursday, it continued the finest of days. He returned before 2, chase having been short, but allowed to be smart, since they had run at a stretch 12 miles in 40 minutes, an approach I should think to Newmarket speed. Now should one expect after this to hear the poor Cambridgeshire foxes condemned as a race of stupid weak animals that can't give any more sport. But so unreasonable are these gentry that they are not content without riding in this breakneck style for ½ day. It is however owned that this was sufficiently violent and could not have been supported much longer. But then the speed was owing to the merit of the dogs, who more resembled, 'tis said, a pack of tigers, and poor Renard was not a match for them. The horses too were brought to trial, and his Lordship is not displeased to have found that his were the only ones that stood it well. Note on price of coach: my Lord thinks £120 or £125; Polwarth 's about same. 25 October 1772. PAGE 183. Wimpole. Daughter thanks for account of servant. I understand their family is not to be large; propose regular and economical plan; the housekeeper should be careful, overlook servants, laundry etc. and go to market; Small wages; Lady Marchmont's woman who in London is also housekeeper £12. 16 November 1772. PAGE 184. Wrest. Hopes journey will benefit Miss Yorke at Yarmouth. Fair trial of bathing and long stay; carry Master Joseph; hope Master Charles well at Cheme. When heard last from daughter, setting out, after houseful of company (26 at dinner to solemnise wedding day) to go to Lord Breadalbane's, making 2 visits in road at Lord Hopetoun's and the Duke of Atholl's; only 3 weeks because of returning before races; good health and spirits; Polwarth busy in farming and improvements. 1 August 1773. PAGE 186. Wrest. Hopes she visited Holkham and found Lady Leicester well; sorry no better account of Sir William Beauchamp (Note by Amabel; he died next autumn). Storm and flood. Loss of Lord Lyttleton. Good accounts of travellers to Holland - Sir Joseph met them at Helvoet in borrowed yacht, conducted to Rotterdam etc., since at Amsterdam. Mr John Yorke writes as much pleased with expedition and Sir Joseph's kind reception. Sir Joseph says Mr John does sufficiently well as to language, but will never be brought to make a figure at cards. No time fixed for their return. Heard from Marchmont friends there returned well after races. Duchess of Northumberland. 29 August 1773. PAGE 193. Richmond. Last days at Wimpole fine, but season not anywhere summery. Polwarth and daughter with us a few days, cannot say he looks well. They went back to Wrest last Thursday when we returned to London; staying there till end of month, and then to Scotland. Have heard from Mrs J Y since back at Forthampton; visit to London appeared like dream, as soon as she returned and saw 7 children running about as usual. Conge d'elire for St David's gone out, so the Dean approaches by degrees to the state of Bishop. Drawing room very full, went in morning, but not to ball. Various ladies, - extravagant fete. I am told the service made at Wedgwood's for the Czarina is now shown in a room they have taken for that purpose, and tickets delivered out for it at their shop. 9 June 1774. PAGE 199. Wrest. Mrs J Yorke's account of pomp and parade of Canterbury. Tour: travelled coast of Kent from Margate to Dover; at Deal an India ship; Dover. Scotland: Friends varied road this year, took in Leicester, Derby, Lord Scarsdale's Sheffield, Mr Lascelles (magnificence), Knaresborough; now gone on the Lord Br. Omai the Otaheitan. 31 July 1774. PAGE 267. St James' Square. Come back to pack up for summer and go to Wimpole. Regatta. News from America. 7 June 1775. PAGE 271. Wimpole. Heat. Polwarth complains greatly, not at all well in fortnight here; after hoping at different times, I never yet have passed many days with him without finding disappointed. Physician made short visit. Try Tunbridge waters; said also good for Miss Gregory, so she added to party; advised Mary, if she had any desire, only to complain of a finger-ache, but she is left with me. My Lord has wrote to Sir Joseph to enquire when he would choose to receive nephew. America. 27 June 1775.

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,
Campbell, Jemima,
Grey, Marchioness,
Talbot, Catherine,
Yorke, Mary,
Yorke, Mary Jemima Grey,
Cozen,
Yorke, Philip,
Yorke, Philip (2nd Earl of Hardwicke),
Gregory, David,
Gregory, Jemima Mary,
Jeffreys,
Shipley,
Secker, Thomas,
Wilkes,
Cornwall,
Shenstone,
Heathcote, Margaret,
Wray,
Brown, Capability,
Brown, Lancelot,
Cambridge,
Ossory,
Yorke, Amabel,
Granby,
Yorke,
Hyde,
Heath,
Yorke, Charles,
Polwarth,
Marchmont,
Yorke, Joseph,
Breadalbane,
Hopetoun,
Atholl,
Leicester,
Beauchamp, William,
Lyttleton,
Lascelles

CORRESPONDENCE, Wrest Park, DEATH, POLITICS, elections, Middlesex, Wrest Park, Wimpole Hall, weather, balls, hunting, Cambridgeshire, servant, housekeeper, floods, Holland, Josiah & Sons Limited Wedgwood, Canterbury, Kent, United States of America