L30/14/35/3

Sent from Barcelona 11 November 1772, received 18th November:

1772

From: 1772 To: 1772

Delivered letter to Vice Consul; Mr Miller could not be seen on account of bad health. Mr Curtis has been exceptionally helpful: "He has forced me from the posada into my Lord Rochford's apartments... I did not make much more resistance to this violence than willing Maids generally do to their triumphant lovers". 20 days travelling "made me a very willing victim to the most unbounded Hospitality". "Besides the want of wholesome food Lodging and Rayment... I found my Bones conveyed in a Machine which all the ingenuity of Man could not possibly have contrived to be more contrary to ease". Worthwhile, for never before saw such a sky and weather. Throughout Murcia, Valencia and Catalonia "there is not a single Mile where a Man would not wish to build an House and sit down for Life - it is all Ilde-fonso with the addition of Rich Vales, the Mediterranean, and a most industrious people". Villages, farm-houses, old Moorish Castles , Roman Antiquities and handsome men and women (deformity confined to Grandees); "the women have rather an excess of Bosom, for all Catherine Street put together will scarce equal a Catalonian Peasants". At Valencia met Sir William and Lady Duncan - both well but Sir William "has been at Death's door, but tho' he knocked hard, He was not admitted to enter". they plan to spend 2 years in Italy, visit Greek Islands, the 4 years or so in East Florida, settling in the Colony, then returning to retirement in England. Advises Lord Grantham on return to England to pass through Valencia and Barcelona - "everything but the Inns and the Roads delightful" "... manyMiles of Roads superior to even that to Aranjues, where Rocks have been blown up, Mountains divided, and declivities levelled". Since leaving Madrid only one day not too warm for much exercise "even My Lord Mayor's Day which the Sun never cheers in London, was here what May Day used to be a good many Years ago in England before a wicked Parliament altered the Stile and Spoiled the Climate". Message from Mr Curtois offering hospitality to Lord Grantham.

item

Miller,
Curtis,
Rochford,
Duncan,
Duncan, William,
Grantham,
Curtois

Spain, Valencia (Region), Barcelona