L30/14/315/11

From Beilby Porteus, Colchester to 2nd Baron Grantham:

24 May 1778

From: 1778 To: 1778

Visiting the Diocese of London, accompanying and assisting Bishop Lowth in his Visitation and Confirmation. Has resolved to start writing this letter to Grantham although may not finish it here. Left London Easter week to visit Convent of Saint Croix. Caught sight of Grantham's brother just before he left, doesn't agree grown fat but has grown tall and looks as well as expected after his illness. Thinks English air will help him, also Grantham, but urges him to stay in Spain a bit longer and return "not with the sword but the Olive branch". Agreed to meet at Newby next summer then on to Chester. Stayed only a fortnight at St. Croix then took ship from Southampton to Isle of Wight. Went to confirm for Bishop of Winchester who at 82 is too old to go himself. Describes local scenery, visited a Priory belonging to Sergeant Grove[?] near St. Helens. Had full view of Squadron before it left for Plymouth. Dined at a lady's house near Ride, had full view of whole fleet at Spithead and Harbour at Portsmouth. Had fortune to fall in with Royal Review of Fleet, dined on board Royal Oak in the middle. Several 21 gun salutes, all the ingredients of a sea fight without danger etc. Set out with Bishop of London on return from Portsmouth. "Nothing very striking" in this country - Colchester and environs are the finest parts so far. Describes castle battered down by Cromwell, saw spot where Sir George Lisle and Sir Charles Lucas were "shot in cold blood by the Oliverians..." In Isle of Wight, Carisbrooke Castle, saw window through which Charles attempted to escape. Recommends more reading; Longines by Toupes [?], Euripedes by Dr. Margrave and a translation of Aeschylus by Mr. Potter (not Potter at Emmanuel just made a Welsh judge). Also Warton's 2nd volume of History of English Poetry, in which he describes Question concerning Rowley's poems, and Lord Hardwickes volume of State Letters and papers. Refers to Dr. Watson's answer to Mr. Gibbon - there is another just published by Mr. Davis of Oxford, he has detected many misquotations, misrepresentations and mistakes in the last two chapters of Gibbons history "as must entirely destroy the credit of all his objections to Christianity". After his return to London for few days will set off on his own Visitation, describes route beginning at Macclesfield and ending at Boroughbridge. Will then visit friends around Yorkshire... P.S. Refers to Grantham as Newmarket Jockie & his fall at Newmarket sending principal poem called "The Project".

item

Lowth, Robert,
Thomas, John,
Grove,
Cromwell, Oliver,
Lisle, George,
Lucas, Charles,
Margrave,
Potter,
Warton,
Rowley,
Hardwicke,
Watson,
Gibbon,
Davis (d)

literature, Bishop of London, Bishop of Winchester