Reference
L30/14/86/1
Title
2 letters sent November 1771:
Date free text
1771
Production date
From: 1771 To: 1771
Scope and Content
Thanks for writing "when I was abroad". "What could I write to you about from Scotland?" Returned fortnight ago after being there all summer. It is true that father has given me an estate but "I pay him out of it so much as reduces my income to very little more than what it was before". Estate was already mine; father had only a life rent; "I have got nothing but the power of ruining myself with more ease, as it is easier to borrow money on an estate that is in your possession, than one of which you have only the reversion".
Was as happy in Scotland as can be anywhere in miserable state of health. Doctor Robertson and David Hume spent 3 weeks; sister and another agreeable lady, (a relation) there the whole time. "I have a beautiful place, a great farm (about 500 a year) in my own hands". Know nothing of country matters but "was obliged to attend a little to what was going on, and to make myself in some degree master of my affairs, which if it was no amusement, was at least an occupation which sometimes took me out of myself". Have not yet seen Ossory; "when I came to town from Scotland, he was at Newmarket; since that time I have been at Bath and Winterslow, and he is now at Ampthill where I shall see him very soon". Arrived at Goodwood yesterday from Portsmouth; went with the Paynes "a very little part of a very great journey which I once seriously thought of taking with them. And I am almost sorry to have changed my first intention: A total change of climate would perhaps have done me service". Am very ill and very unhappy; "you don't know what it is to be melancholy". Duke and Duchess of Richmond and Lady Sarah and her child "the best humoured sweetest child I ever saw" are present and desire to be remembered to you. Lady Sarah very happy, says her good spirits get the better of her consciousness of what she has done.
You will never have so much leisure to study as at present. James is better. Lord Robert Ker is very ill. Charles's and Richard's affairs are always changing "But when I left town a few days ago Charles was very rich"; Richard dissatisfied with Fawkeners being put over his head. Captain Sutherland "a very handsome young fellow; I do not wonder at Lady Mary's preferring him to the General";...(?) suspected "what was going on, and had ordered Sutherland to his regiment. They went off in the night in an open chaise and were not missed for seven or eight hours"; undetermined whether or not to follow them; wisely did so "as a thousand disagreeable consequences would have followed from their going abroad, He will have no difficulty in his divorce".
Many people will tell you of Duke of Cumberland's marriage; King more offended at his flight to France. Write to me at my new house in Grafton Street.
Sent from Goodwood. 24 November 1771, received 17 December.
No news and little company in town. Dined yesterday at Almacks with Charles, Lord Roberts, Lord Bolinbroke. (...?), Charles Bunbury. "There was very deep play; and I lost £2,000 ... my illness has affected me so, that I lose my patience at play and everything else. The court has been beat in Ireland by a great majority but I forget upon what question". Lord Clermont will try to put his members into the right road again. Prince Ernest of Mecklenburgh to marry Lady Emily D'Grey. Beauclerk and Lady Di in town but he is not well. Mr Tickson the member for Selkirk, Peebles, is dead; Lord March has chief influence there and Adam Hay (?) whom you may have seen at Lord March's, is to be brought in. Have today been settling account with Mr Howe " and my house stands me in 300 unfurnished. I don't like it". Suppose it is not right for you to write on politics but "wish vastly to know whether our disputes with Spain will terminate in war or not". Will dine with Carey at Almacks.
Sent from London 29 November.
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