Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    L30/14/333/96
  • Title
    From Fritz, Whitehall to 2nd Baron Grantham, Madrid:
  • Date free text
    19 May 1778
  • Production date
    From: 1778 To: 1778
  • Scope and Content
    Returned from Ranelagh. Received Grantham's letter no.10. Called upon Infantados when in Paris to ask for letters. They returned his call but left no letter, assumed they hadn't received any at that time. Asked Siere to make his brother Beylie ask for it. Mention of style & content of each others letters, approvals, apologies, etc... Dined with Shadwell at Martin’s. Shadwell reserved due to Draper's presence. Has declined any attempts to be more particularly introduced either to Mr. Parker or Pelhams. Diego is unwillingly looking for a ship to return to Spain, cannot continue in Grantham's service. May lose opportunity of making fortune in Spain without Grantham. May send some trifles with him. Cannot load Escarano's messenger with anything but papers. Might send engravings with latter, one of the Port of the Russian Fleet and the others of the Dockyards of Chatham and Deptford. Will order immediately Negretti's books and Branciforte's Fortepiano. Hasn't seen papier mache carvings described in Grantham's letter. Hope Grantham not disappointed at Fritz not sending silks from Paris. Talks of clothes generally; fabrics, fashionable ensembles, etc... also of carriages; the vis a vis he drives, phaetons etc..., now used to fashion of no mouldings on doors. Intends to give Siere a Badine [small switch-like cane - OED] on behalf of Grantham. Has made a head for his own cane "analogue to my tooth pick case". Went to Drury Lane Playhouse with Pelhams. Harry not there just promoted to Lieutenancy at Lewes. Describes playhouse alterations and decorations "very improper for a publick place which every free born Briton has a right to damage". Somerset House has been pulled down. New facade to Strand almost finished, perhaps best architecture in London besides Banqueting House. Assumes William Chambers' design. Extensive new building at Bloomsbury on Duke of Bedford's ground. Dined at Mr. Dunnings, Putney with Mr. Parker, Nanny, little Thomas Pelham. Met Sir Joshua [Reynolds], Mr. Bastard & lawyers. Visited Ranelagh with Lord & Lady Pelham, Lucy & Emily. Dining today at Pelham's; her Ladyship's birthday. Death of Lord Holderness; details of death. Lady Holderness will have about £4000 a year, with Sion for herself and house in town for life. The Carmarthens succeed to Hornby and the bulk of the estate, comments on their strange conduct. Comments on gossip and scandal in Town. Morning Post the vehicle of scandalous intelligence; currently employed in applying passages of Shakespear to particular people and situations. Example given involving Richard III and Duke of Dorset. Lord Foley and his brother contesting their father's will. Grantham's cards much admired and are at this moment at Madame Schwellenberg’s. Using Escarano's messenger.
  • Level of description
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