L30/14/138/10

Sent from Grosvenor, 6 April 1776, received 19 April:

1776

From: 1776 To: 1776

Sorry for long interruption in correspondence. "I have taken up my pen several times and laid it down again, not knowing how to avoid touching upon a most melancholy subject, or being able to say anything upon it that could in the smallest degree tend to alleviate that weight of distress that I am confident you must have suffered under. Since I wrote last to you more events have happened than I can have time to mention at present most of which I daresay you have had sufficient accounts of, but there is one which perhaps surprised you, and of a nature of which true accounts are seldom to be had. I mean my having gone into opposition, and being become not only a patriot but a speaker. Various motives are always ascribed to peoples political conduct, but I do assure you upon my honour, that I had no other than a conscientious one, and being ashamed, in my situation, to support measures which I totally disapproved. It has been perhaps a temporary disadvantage to my brother but upon the whole I trust will prove otherwise, as he has distinguished himself very much twice or thrice in the House of Commons. Amongst other things that prevented my writing was a report of your coming home, which I believed for some time, but not hearing it confirmed I am afraid there is no truth in it. It was said Carlisle was to succeed you. I doubt I have chosen a bad moment to write for news, for just at present I think there is none. Foley's marriage with the beautiful Lady Harriett is the last, the town expects much entertainment from the Duchess of Kingston's trial, which at last seems likely to take place. We are all going to Newmarket where I have great expectations this meeting. There are great numbers of foreigners going there with the Duke of Wirtemburgh at their head which is very troublesome to us jockies. Have you heard of the favour the Clermonts are in at Versailles. My Lord is come over to Newmarket with the Queen's picture in his snuff box, and entertains us all prodigiously with his anecdotes - I think altogether it is one of the most ridiculous circumstances I remember. Ma tante Belise raffolle [??] toujours a l'ordinaire. She was delighted with our going into opposition. I suppose on account of the long name which you may see in the protests of the House of Lords". Wish you were to dine with me today. Compliments from Lady Ossory.

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Carlisle,
Foley,
Kingston,
Chudleigh, Elizabeth,
Wirtemburgh,
Clermont,
Ossory