L30/14/225/4

From Prince Aug Lobkowitz, Rome, to 2nd Baron Grantham (in French):

26 Jun 1776

From: 1776 To: 1776

Translation: Here I am my Lord back from Naples and in Rome for the second time, but not for very long because I must think about returning home and I need to stop once again in Milan for a few days. It has been very useful to remember some of our conversations on the subject of the rare things to see around this earthly paradise: it is by that name that I will always call the city of Naples and I actually found that is rarely possible to exaggerate the truth in praise of Naples. It was there that I received the kind letter which you honoured me , my Lord, dated 4th of this month, and I can say that I am more than a little flattered by what you have written about my being useful to you and carrying out your errands. Mr Robinson who is happy to trust my taste in the choice of the embroidery, will not be able to complain that , not only did I beat my brains to satisfy him but over and above that, persons, who in the opinion of all have impeccable taste, were consulted, and I hope that the suit will not only be the admiration of all Madrid but will also be admired elsewhere. If Sirs, you have felt cold at Aranjuez, my reply is that it has scarcely been hot in Italy and if we have not actually been huddled round the fireplace, their have been days when a small fire would not have been too much. I am sorry for you my Lord, as for a while at least you must have missed Masin and Sparre from your society. I hope that the former will be pleased with the waters at Grenade, insomnia is very disagreeable and can have annoying consequences. As for Nones, I am sure that he will be generally missed, I have not yet made the acquaintance of his successor and perhaps I will not, as I do not know whether he will leave Naples to come here while I am still here. M le Marquis de Clermont could not have made a better beginning in this capital city, everyone is very pleased as he at once, and without difficulty began to speak Italian. Besides that he is also a great amateur musician and has in his service a secretary who plays in a superior way an English pianoforte, fitted out in Paris, it is the most agreeable instrument I have ever heard. M le Chevalier du Moutier and M d` Hinnigsael followed him to this embassy, the latter having just been married in Paris. So that you need not remain in ignorance of what has been happening in Naples during my visit, I will tell you that Madame la Duchesse de Chartres came there under the name of the Comtesse de Joinvillier with a very small retinue only M and Madame Genlis and a Madame de Ruilly, who, not having attained her 14th year, is married without being so. Madame de Chartres only stayed in Naples for 8 days during which she exhausted herself seeing everything. She came back here three days ago and will leave after St Peter`s day. This Princess is very attractive and has a very gentle manner and is very kind to those who have the honour of meeting her and who know French. I only saw M le Chevalier Hamilton for a moment in Naples, he has gone on leave, he left his regrets, all the deeper for the fear that he may not be able to return, Milady his wife is as pleasant as it is possible to be and in this regard the couple could not be better suited. Dear Hamilton has just had a book printed with illustrated engravings, which seems to be evidence against the ideas of M Buffon that all the mountains of this area are only the result of volcanic action, it is only the price which puts one off this book a little because it costs 26 Sequins. I must tell you my Lord that I have had the honour of being presented here to their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Glouster[sic] who are surely most worthy people, but what gave me the greatest idea of the way they think was the concern they showed over your affliction [his sister’s death, Therese]. A thousand pardons my Lord for my indiscretion in re-opening a wound which cannot yet be quite healed, however it did not seem right to leave you in ignorance of a fact which is a matter for commendation in the court of one of your Princes as well as for your delightful family, and of the credit due to it Wherever I have the honour of meeting your dear cousin I will make every effort to give him all the attention and consideration which he has the right to expect for himself and at the same time to convince you of my gratitude for the friendship with which you honour me, and even of my constant desire to prove to you my sincere and unalterable affection, with which I have the honour to be my Lord , Your very humble and obedient servant, Aug Lobkowitz.

item

Robinson, Frederick,
Clermont,
Chevalier,
Hinnigsael,
Buffon,
Robinson, Therese,
Joinvillier,
Genlis,
Ruilly,
Chartres,
Hamilton,
Prince William Henry [Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh]