L30/14/203/4

From Baron Juel, The Hague to 2nd Baron Grantham in Madrid (In French) :

27 Aug 1773

From: 1773 To: 1773

Translation: Sir, A million thanks, My dear Ambassador, for your welcome letter of 5th August, I am extremely sensible of all the obliging and courteous things you say about me. My dear Milord, it would be difficult for me to express to what point I daily and unceasingly regret the frankness and sincerity which were at the heart of our Society, there is nothing to come near it, and nothing which at all resembles it, in the company which I frequent today and I am, between ourselves, no further forward than the first day I arrived, I still think how disagreeable it all is and how much I regret the friends I left with such reluctance. No-one but you and your dear brother, whom I tenderly embrace, can have any a better idea of how I feel. "Le Chevalier" York has the advantage of having his brother here, accompanied by old General Parslow, who seems to me to be quite antiquated and unfit to undertake such a journey. I do not know how long they intend to stay in this country or whether the Ambassador has shown them all that is most remarkable and worthy of their interest. M. de Noailles who, it was believed, would go to England, returned here with Madame this evening, another new acquaintance for me to make, not counting those for me to make when The Hague has it's winter residents. The young clerk, who has not yet come to me because of an illness which has afflicted him for several months and which worries his father and his entire family, will I am sure, be very flattered that you remembered him. In the meantime, knowing that his son was greatly attached to you, my dear Ambassador, the father has promised to pass on to his son the good wishes with which you charged me. For the rest, we must hope that his illness is not dangerous; for a few days now he has shown a change which promises recovery. The return of Viry and his entourage is expected and that is all the news I have heard since my arrival in this country. Madame is very pleased with Paris and very happy with the house. I expect that the Count of Aranda will arrive forthwith and that the Nuncio will leave Spain without further delay, it was certainly his intention to do so. From St Ildephonse I have not heard anything about the mission of the Minister of Sardinia, who is leaving here for Spain. They are both very amiable people who will be much regretted here. Your newcomer in this country complains much about prices here and the difficulty of furnishing a house. He really should have taken my house and rejected the ambitious plans of Seignieur Muller. My dear Milord, I would willingly give you news of this country, but we don't know any thing that could be of interest to you. The effects of the war will be felt by the Russians, from the affair that they went through on crossing the Danube and I think that this wise step was taken a little lightly. Would you give a thousand good wishes from me to my dear Sparre and do me the justice of believing that no-one can love you or hold you in greater esteem than do I, who have the honour. Sincerely, Your humble servant and faithful friend, Juel. P.S. The razors have still not arrived. P.S. I am surprised at the uncertainty about the destination of Masseran. The Russian Minister went to Paris to buy lace for the future Grand Duchess.

item

Parslow,
Noailles,
Juel,
Greffier,
Viry,
D'Aranda,
Muller

The Hague, lieutenant, Danube