Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    L30/14/315/12
  • Title
    From Beilby Porteus to 2nd Baron Grantham:
  • Date free text
    30 May 1772
  • Production date
    From: 1772 To: 1772
  • Scope and Content
    Lengthy admonishment for Grantham's lack of correspondence since moving to Madrid. Birth of Grantham's sister's child in Sackville Street" [Therese’s son, John Parker], disarmed me of my rage". Congratulations. Sends two of his sermons, has been urged to put both into print. The Queen sent for one of them, both were eventually inscribed to her. To amend for sending sermons to Madrid where there "is no great danger of carrying your gayety to excess" Grantham is given full dispensation to go to as many bull-fights, Galas, Operas etc.. provided he submits to Porteus' "wholesome Regimen" on his return to England. Comments on Dr. Beattie's `Essay on Truth'. It has destroyed the very foundation of Mr. Hume's Sceptical Philosophy & brought his Metaphysical Jargon into universal and deserved contempt...". Refers to Beattie's `The Minstrel' a poem about the progress & development of genius in the Human Mind...". Idea taken from Dr. Percy's Minstrel in `Reliques of Antient English Poetry'. Describes a great poetical discovery made at Bristol. An iron chest in a room over the porch of Ratcliffe Church was found to contain many old parchments with the writings of a 15th century Priest Maister Rowlie. One poem `the Execution of Sir Charles Bawdin' is just published. Critics divided over the authenticity of the works, all those who have examined them are convinced of it. Dr. Johnson, Dr. Hurd & Dr. Percy however, think them modern. Remarkable publications of the last winter are `Pennant's Tour into Scotland' and Dr. Hurd's `Sermons on Prophecy' preached at the Lecture founded by Bishop Warburton at Lincoln's Inn. Hurd has also just published `select pieces of Cowley' containing a beautiful engraving by Hall from an original picture by Zinck in enamel, in the collection of Horace Walpole. Mentions two works nearly finished; Dr. Robertson's `History of America' and Dr. Hawkesbury's[?] narrative of `Dr. Banks' & other expeditions made into the South Seas'. Comments "what a noble opportunity your present Leisure affords you of preparing yourself for those high Points of Business in this Kingdom to which you will one day or other most assuredly be called etc.." Reports "that our worthy patriots having for some time past pushed the State as far as they could & finding all their efforts baffled by the steadiness of the King & his ministers have this last year changed their object & turned their Artillery against the Church". Petitioners attacking from Feathers Tavern by Null....[?] Tempus Bills, Junker's Tithe Bill and the Dissenters. Has stood firm against all these shocks with help of a good prime minister. Many Bishops have displayed great Parliamentary talent especially Bishops Burringham and Hinchcliffe. The former spoke on the Royal Marriage Bill, the latter answered Lord Chatham on the Dissenters Bill. Details his forthcoming long Tour with his wife. Describes his "little retreat" at Hunton in Kent, hoping to improve it to a standard fit for Grantham to use in future as a retreat when he becomes First Lord of Treasury. Pleased to hear Frederick, [Grantham’s brother], now Grantham's secretary.
  • Level of description
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