L30/14/333/182

From Fritz, Whitehall to 2nd Baron Grantham:

26 Feb 1779

From: 1779 To: 1779

Supped at Batt's with old Law friends. Dined at Mr. Parker's with Tom Pelham, Sir C. Davers & Sir Joshua Reynolds. Went to new Opera; translation of ‘Zeliniea et Azar’, fine spectacle etc...Then made first unchaperoned appearance at Brooke's. House in St. James’ Street, corner of Park Place; [detailed description of interior]. Had tolerable party, James, St. John, C. Fox, Lord J. Clinton etc... Reckoning came to 16s.6d. "I have been particular not to say tiresome in describing to you this loss of my Maidenhead". Levee; enquired after the Queen, Duchess of Argylle not so particular in her responses as la de Soto Mayor, but to the same purpose for ‘sa Majestad prosique con toda felicidad’. Dined at Sackville St. with Nanny carried her to St. James' in the evening, left her at Lady Katherine's & went to Madame Almodobar’s. Assembly very full, she is attentive in doing the honors, on Grantham's advice etc... Played two pools at Commerce with Madame Condon, Madame Mouskin, Miss Gunning & Miss Vernon. Introduced Lady Jane Scott, Mrs. Aislabie & Mr. Dawson. Escorted Lady North to her coach. Dined at Lord Pelham's, met Colonel Wright, little altered. Mrs. Nesbitt wears well. Thence to the Enquiry, a very good Lounge. Met Lord North, commented on Grantham's length of absence. Fritz mentioned his need for respite. Weather, "we have (as the old Lady's say) most certainly had a shove." Spectated at Brooke's for an hour & half. Sir C. Bunbury instrumental in Fritz's being chosen. English Frigate off Antigua has taken a transport ship of D'Estaing’s with 900 men on board. Repeated good news begins to look ‘habis procleritos reforat si Jupiter Annes’. Frames; Mr. Parker inclined to have them made in Spain, do not bespeak yet, risk of tarnishing at sea, possibly send frames from England for gilding in Spain. Bishop of Chester has sent his Fast Sermon to be sent to you. Sir Joshua similarly, has a discourse in Press. Admiral Keppel declined dining with the West Indian Merchants due to the ungovernable Mob which appeared during his last City entertainment. Sir Roland Gunning has same opinion of Rickterer as Fritz and Grantham [not stated]. Mr. Burrel married Lady Priscilla who wishes to be called Lady Elizabeth. Strong love match on her side. To bring it about Duke of Ancaster settled £500 per annum on his brother in law until old Mrs. Burrel dies. Lady Elizabeth next in the entail. Duke of Ancaster not likely to marry. Lord de la Warr to marry Miss Cross. Little boy's picture [Jack Parker] by Gardner will be like & pretty. Sir Joshua's is capital. Middleton's go to Pepper Harrow on Saturday. Extract from Bishop of Chester's Fast Sermon, behaviour of people in private and public life etc...

item

Batt,
Parker,
Pelham, Thomas,
Davers, Charles,
Reynolds, Joshua,
James,
St. John,
Fox,
Clinton,
Almodobar,
Condon,
Mouskin,
Gunning,
Vernon,
Scott, Jane,
Aislabie,
Dawson,
North,
Pelham,
Wright,
Nesbitt,
Brooke,
Bunbury,
Porteus, Beilby,
Keppel,
Gunning, Roland,
Burrel,
Warr,
Cross,
Parker, Jack,
Gardner,
Middleton,
Porteus, Beilby

operas, Bishop of Chester