L30/14/138/2

Sent from Ampthill Park 26 January 1772, received 14 February:

1772

From: 1772 To: 1772

Excuse for delay in writing. "Lady Ossory and I were both taken ill at the same time and had both of us fevers which tho not absolutely dangerous kept us confined a great while"; because of lack of news decided not to write "till the meeting of parliament, which I attended last week; it collected people together but produced no other entertainment, for both houses were up at ½ past two o'clock, and not one word said in either house against the speech or addresses nor do I believe that this dead calm port ends any storm, for the heads of opposition continue in the country and I don't hear of them having any plan". Same faces as ever round gaming table at Almack's and "Scott collecting the cash as usual, it is seriously shocking to think of, and what can be the end of Charles and Richard God knows, I see no salvation for them". Not much hope of the Fish mending. Harry St John's wife (?) "a terrible grey mare". George Selwyn's cares "divided between Lady something Howard, and Mademoiselle Ragnani who is left in Lord March's house to be nursed". Lady Emily Darcy (not remarried to Queen's brother) has hopes of Lord Carmarthen. "The Duchess of Bedford is like a girl of sixteen, so lively, but I don't hear as yet of her having had any proposals, she endeavours to turn my sister Louisa's head about admirers as usual, but I hope she has good sense enough to withstand it, Miss Dolly I believe is very constant. The Duke of Dorset is still ensorcelé with Nancy Parsons, I expect to hear some particulars about them from Lord Chewton who has lived a good deal with them and is coming here today. We have been got into our house about two months and find it extremely comfortable, the garden etc. is going on extremely, and I really believe, without vanity, it will be a most delightful place, and I find more amusement than ever in the progress of it. You promised me in your last more particulars of the Escurial. I cannot say the account of your way of life is very envyable, but you have so many resources in yourself that I think you can never suffer from ennui". Ste and Mary not in town; he is out of humour with Lord North and "is building at Winterlow under the direction of Face the upholsterer, Lady Mary is near lying in".

item

Ossory,
Almack,
Scott,
Fox, Charles,
Crawfurd, John,
St. John, Harry,
Selwyn, George,
Howard,
Ragnani,
March,
Darcy, Emily,
Carmarthen,
Bedford, Duchess of,
Fitzpatrick, Louisa,
Dorset, John Frederick Sackville, 3rd Duke of,
Parsons, Nancy,
Chewton,
Fox, Stephen,
Fitzpatrick, Mary,
Holland, Mary,
North,
Face

gambling, Spain