L30/14/138/8

Sent from Ampthill Park, 25 June 1775, received 14 July:

1775

From: 1775 To: 1775

"I was meditating a letter to you the other day, when I received yours of the 29th of May. You say you are much behind hand in common English news, you will have heard and perceive before this that American affairs grow worse and worse and how this administration, or what is worse, this country, is to get out of the scrape I can not guess. It is about ten days since we left London where we stayed longer than usual, having got a most delightful new house in Grosvenor Place. I suppose you don't know where that is, as nobody lived there four years ago, but I shall leave you to find out. Lady Holland and her children are very well and gone to spend the summer at Tunbridge, the Fish is still constant in his admiration, but whether he intends proposing or not I can't say, I should not advise him. I wish I could give you a better account of Charles's affairs, they are worse than ever, he has distinguished himself more than ever this session and waits with impatience for the fall of administration, which he looks upon as certain. Richard goes on as usual, I suppose by being successfull at Play, a copy of verses of his accompanys this letter which he produced about ten days ago, for the benefit of the ladies retiring into the Country. I think it shows he may go great lengths in Poetry and Satyre, whenever he pleases. If you want to have an idea of the Duchess of Bedford's follies at present, look for Belise in the femmes scavantes, I assure you, the resemblance is perfect, it is the joke of all the town, at last, tho' we did all we could to keep the secret. I will make you die of laughter with some of the stories when I see you, for they can not be written. The little Russells are all charming boys and just as you would wish them. I do not recollect anything in particular to tell you of any of your friends, I am afraid poor Hare will not be able to go on much longer, though he keeps up his spirits, and is more entertaining than ever, they say Carlisle meditates a retreat to Castle Howard from distress, but I hope and believe it is not so, though there may be some foundation. I am sorry to hear you have lent your house for the winter, and that you talk so vaguely about your return. I hope at least you are growing rich, two great offices being united is a good symptom at least. Lady Ossory is very well and wears out all the other beauties by the regularity of her life, she desires to join with me in compliments to you and Mr Fritz if he still goes by that name, Adieu, My Dear Lord, I am always with the greatest truth and affection, Most sincerely yours, Upper Ossory."

item

Holland,
Crawfurd, John,
Duchess of Bedford,
Russell, Gertrude (Duchess of Bedford),
Fitzpatrick, John (2nd Earl of Upper Ossory),
Robinson, Thomas (2nd Baron Grantham),
Hare,
Carlisle,
Ossory,
Fritz

poetry, poems, Tunbridge Wells, London, CORRESPONDENCE