L30/14/333/177

From Fritz, Whitehall to 2nd Baron Grantham:

9 Feb 1779

From: 1779 To: 1779

Dined at Lord Carlisle's with Eden, Gr. [Governor] Johnstone, Dr. Ferguson, Mr. Lewes, the Attorney General & Macdonald. Dinner excellent, assumes Mr. Couty still with him. No alterations to house, except in pictures, portrait by Velasquez, no known person. Several copies from Sir Joshua Reynolds, one by Powell, about size of Grantham's dwarf but more spirit & brilliancy than Pohl, both can do nothing but copy. His price was five guineas for a single figure, now raised. Storer's house has several by him & other pictures, books & prints, including two views of Thames by Marlow. Mr. Beauclerk says there were never any etchings made of Mr. Walpole's Tragedy. Dined at Conte Belgioso's in Portman Square. Many glasses, damask, broad gold borders etc... Present at dinner; Lord Shelburne, Lord Westcote, Sir Robert Gunning, Mr. Gibbon, Count Welderen, Haslang, M. Cordon, Cordon's nephew, D'Agerio de Cavaille, Mr. Raigersfeld & Abbe Fontana. Lord Shelburne introduced himself to Fritz & said he had the highest respect for the female part of his family etc... Coolness between him & Mr. Parker, inequality of his Lordship's temper, requires great attention but not reciprocated. Opera so hot & crowded that Tea Room filled whole time. Performances poor but always goes because of who he meets. Supped afterwards at Stratton St. with Middletons, Mr. Offley & Mr. Cleveland. Dined with Aislabies, Mrs. Grey, Sir Charles & Lady Tynte, Mrs. Butler, Lord Exeter & Colonel Sir Paul. Thinks the latter obliged to live in country; almost immediately resigned Envoyship to Sweden, gave offence. Queen's House at night. Mrs. Waller of Twickenham is dead. Dined & played at Picquet in Sackville St. Bespoke Duke of Arcos's Staffordshire ware, three weeks before glazed. Will be presenting Mrs. Aislabie at the Spanish Embassadress's, she used to go to Madame Noaille’s. Madame Almodobar resembles Lord Graham, the senorita's being married astonishes all beholders. Spanish messenger asked about Spanish Revolution whenever he changed horses. Little boy [Jack] visits frequently, plays in garden if Fritz busy. Case ready to send, Catalogue Raisonee of contents enclosed with Bill of Lading. Trusts this will be the last envoi. Sir Ralph Payne also dined at Carlisle’s. Dr. Ferguson resembles Waddilove in character. Governor Johnstone has two sons imprisoned and taken to Malaya. Thinks letters exchanged.

item

Carlisle,
Eden,
Johnstone,
Ferguson,
Lewes,
McDonald,
Couty,
Reynolds, Joshua,
Velasquez,
Powell,
Pohl,
Storer,
Marlow,
Beauclerk,
Walpole,
Belgioso,
Shelburne,
Westcote,
Gunning, Robert,
Gibbon,
Welderen,
Haslang,
Cordon,
Raigersfeld,
Fontana,
Parker,
Middleton,
Offley,
Cleveland,
Aislabie,
Grey,
Tynte,
Butler,
Exeter,
Waller,
Arcos,
Noaille,
Almodobar,
Payne, Ralph,
Ferguson,
Waddilove

opera, DEATH