Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    L30/14/333/150
  • Title
    From Fritz, Whitehall to 2nd Baron Grantham:
  • Date free text
    8 Dec 1778
  • Production date
    From: 1778 To: 1778
  • Scope and Content
    Would like information about the horses before Mr. Parker leaves town in order to ask his advice about Chico. Death of Madame Sousa at Paris; reported to have been poisoned by her husband; wife of Ambassador from Portugal to Madrid recently died, without violence, thinks the two incidents may be confused. Accident at Theatre at Saragossa most shocking, often thought it was likely to happen at the representation of the pieces del Teatro at Madrid. The Confessor likely to make use of incident to shut Theatres. Mr. Bastard's communication to Royal Society regarding his new experimental method of raising Pines; putting pots in pans of water etc... Sir John Wrottesley's recommendations for relief of Gravel; ovenbaked Pigeon Gizzard powdered & drunk in a glass of white wine. Grantham's private letter to Lord W.[Weymouth?] has been left at his house. Dined at Sir Joshua Reynold's with Lord Clermont, Lord Vaughan, Mr. Parker, Mr. Pigott & Mr. Hey, thought to be Chief Justice of Quebec. Tom Pelham preferred to dine with remainder of his family at Mr. Townshends. Lady Middleton showed great spirit & sensibility. Lady Pelham & Harriett off to Pepper Harrow. Will see Lady Middleton at Stanmer next week; anecdote regarding her and her apprehension that a cock was about to kill a hare etc... She was married on her 18th birthday. Thinks Lady Katherine is broke, Lady Lincoln very ill. Compares Lord Lincoln to Jim Hare. Lord John answers same description has similarly bad health. Lord Thomas a mauvais sujet & very ill at Calais. George Selwyn returned from Italy. Dined at Prince's with Tom Pelham, Mr. Parker, Sir Charles Davies & Mr. Johnston, a Bury man. Opera; Demofronte[?], the first he's ever seen. Pacherotti sang Miscio Pargoletto divinely. Duchess of Bedford enquired after Grantham; an exaggerated account of which got into newspapers. Good dinner at Mrs. Nesbitt's with Lord Pelham, Harriet & Tom. Drank a glass of champagne. Everyone thinks Fritz looking well; although experiencing general weakness when walking, also swelling of ankles at night. At Queen's House, Aunt & Mrs. Eliza Stainforth well. Uncle Worsley not so. Dined at Mr. Sneyd's with Master & Mrs. of the house, Miss Wrottesley, Sir John, old Mr. Leveson, Mr. Jeans, Mr. Forth, Mr. Riddle, Mr. Fullarton and Morton Even. Then called upon Mr. Parker. Went to Hatchetts the Coachmaker to see a state coach which is going to the Nabob of Arcot. Describes design. Has paintings by Cipriani, costs around £500. Also saw a Palanquin [Palankeen - alternative spelling OED] at Vaughan’s going to same Nabob, describes design, again costing around £500. Ordered a chair for Nanny, as handsome as possible for 22å guineas, Grantham to pay half. Account of what he owed Fritz in next Post. Vicuna's; Mr. Langlois will have his suit. Tom has given his to Lord Middleton. Offered Lord Pelham a Marron one to be sent as he didn't like colour of that here. Refused to organise one for Tom. Encloses an Almanack, chiefly for picture. Lady Darby is retired to Duke of Hamilton's, Lord Darby suing for divorce, Duke of Dorset will marry her. Latter part disputed by his relations. Has tried to meet with Sir Stanier Porter, wants to know if he can have private opportunity of writing.
  • Level of description
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