L30/14/315/29

From 2nd Baron Grantham, Escurial to Beilby Porteus:

6 Nov 1775

From: 1775 To: 1775

Acknowledges letter of 26 August from Peterborough. Waiting to hear from his cousin [Thomas] Pelham and Waddilove as to whether they have arrived & set out from Lisbon. Has asked Lord & Lady Pelham to begin their travels with him. [Gives reasons]. Discussion of books sent and read. Mason on Gray. charming. Grantham's brother has read the Chaucer. Grantham not so keen. On Mr. Harris' book, "must starve rather than taste it". Professes to being "no great reader". On Swift's travels "I cannot express my Contempt & Indignation... It is the most false, erroneous, ignorant, superficial, indecent performance...exactly what I expected it to be from having seen ye Man whose name is before it". Has heard a Mr. Wroxhall may visit who has given accounts of the North, hopes "he will publish in the South and treat Swift's abandoned Performance as it deserves". Of Grantham "he says just what I wish, that I received him politely, that was due to him as an Englishman of whom I knew then no harm. A word more would have disgraced me". On the `Ruins of Granada' to be published by the Academy there; plates are finished but the written part must be re-written, system chosen by authors failed. Has attempted to take some views of the places in which he has lived. Scenery simple but grand, beautiful in fine weather. Winter coming on fast. Mrs. Parker surprised herself and everybody "being brought to bed in the Country...happy for us all that it is over so well...she often mentions [Porteus] & with such regard that I look on you as her Father Confessor". The Nuncio expects his red Cape at the end of this month and will leave next Spring. Has promised Grantham a Peter's Penny every year. Grantham hopes to maintain contact with him.

item

Pelham, Thomas,
Waddilove,
Pelham,
Mason,
Harris,
Wroxhall,
Parker