L30/14/333/183

From Fritz, Whitehall to 2nd Baron Grantham:

2 Mar 1779

From: 1779 To: 1779

Thinks Tom will return with Harry [Pelham] from Brighthelmstone at end of month. Harry's copies from engravings after Claude done with accuracy etc... What Grantham thinks of for Storer is not likely to suit him. Will mention Baskerville's Bible to him. Grantham's dinner at Bayer’s; supposes he charmed convocation as he did little Synod of Bourdeaux. Gazola may resist latest long & severe attack, hopes Grantham has written to Cardinal Valenti. Performance of the Cardinal Seculare; heard it was received with applause. Obliged for account of Ombres Chinoises. Glad Wools has succeeded. Is Belmonte’s match off? Has begun execution of Revilla Gigedo's commission. Horses well, particularly Waddilove’s. Mr. Parker's wine arrived. Assume Mr. Anscott's commission included. Strange that Red & Blue cloth not arrived at Cadiz, Shadwell organised shipping. Fourteen cases of books arrived, duty around £20-30. Followed Waddilove's directions with respect to contents. Goya's etchings, Sir Joshua sees a great degree of excellence etc....but impossible to judge Velasquez's work from imperfect copies etc... Reading Pons' last volumes. Doubts etchings for Swinburne's Tour, not thought fit for private eye, are those by himself. Update on who owes what for various articles etc... Flesh brushes cost £1 10s. Expects some difficulty in collecting shares of the duty upon cases. Dined at Carlisle's with Lord & Lady Carlisle, Duke of Queensbury/Queensberry, Lord Trentham, Boothby & George Selwyn. Lady Caroline Carlisle, eldest daughter, is beautiful. Duke of Queensbury unaltered. Boothby "starves his belly to preserve his legs". Selwyn much the same. Lounged at Brooke's, supped at Pepper Arden’s in Lincoln's Inn with Werman, Batt, Burton & Moysey. Glad to still mix with them. Westminster Anniversary; held at the Festino in Hanover Square owned by Gallini. Brief description of event. Lord Foley didn't attend. Tom Pelham at head of table, named Fritz as his successor. Lord Trentham succeeds Lord Foley and has a "remarkable nose" is also delicate, rather effeminate in manner & character. Attended Opera, supped at Stratton St. Dined at Lord Macclesfield’s, reciprocating civilities from Mr. Parker at Saltram in summer. Good dinner, profusion of old plate etc.... Queen’s House, then Lady Harrington’s. Last two Pooles at Commerce, thought it right to make Madame Almodobar’s party after having played at her house. Mr. Condon's nephew is Count Massingey, enquired after Masin’s sons through him. Dined tete a tete with Nanny. Mr. Parker arrived; new travelling tax "not an immaterial burthen to those whose houses are distant from London". Little children well [Jack & Theresa Parker]. Boy fond of writing not so good at reading. Girl speaks & understands well. Dr. Smith recounted story of Duke of Bedford on night of illuminations. Latter boards with former. Found Duke's room illuminated with five little pieces of wax candle in honour of his Uncle etc. Lady Irwin, fine, rich widow with four daughters. Lady Beauchamp the eldest, very handsome. Compliments to Munro, Kaunitz. Hope the new Swede will be some acquisition.

item

Pelham, Thomas,
Pelham, Harry,
Storer,
Gazola,
Waddilove,
Parker,
Anscott,
Shadwell,
Goya,
Velasquez,
Carlisle,
Queensberry, William Douglas, 4th Duke of,
Trentham,
Boothby,
Selwyn, George,
Carlisle, Caroline,
Brooke,
Werman,
Batt,
Burton,
Moysey,
Gallini,
Foley,
Macclesfield,
Parker,
Harrington,
Almodobar,
Condon,
Massingey,
Masin,
Parker, Jack,
Parker, Theresa (1775-1856),
Smith,
Bedford, Francis Russell, 5th Duke of,
Irwin,
Beauchamp,
Munro,
Kaunitz