L30/14/333/192

From Fritz, Whitehall to 2nd Baron Grantham:

30 Mar 1779

From: 1779 To: 1779

Sir Joshua's picture of the Nativity, cradle surrounded by beautiful angels. Joseph is Count Ugalino etc... Will be finished in time for next year at new Academy. Waddilove's translation of Mengs’ letter must be improved otherwise will not make fortune in England. Carmona should engrave Griaste's portrait of Mengs’. Arnal & Grantham should design attributes. Vicuna; how expense to be divided. Hopes Diego well, Siere working on his English. John not a bad servant out of doors etc. Coachman good, tolerably punctual. Nanny Baldock a treasure. Thinks tour of England for Gazola would set him up. Storer highly grateful for Sallust. Sir R. Payne would probably like wine, reciprocity of presents not necessary in England. Sir Joshua's picture of little children [Jack & Theresa Parker] not finished. Harry Conway has secluded himself from world. Regiment quartered at Aldborough. Attends parade every day and comes up for House of Commons. Sees nothing of his friends. Disapproves of Grantham's eating beef a la mode and drinking Punch at night. La Pierre reports Grantham well & fat. Derbyshire Urn; hopes Grantham not disappointed. Heywood the Statuary makes pretty Sarcophagi for garnitures de Cheminee. Eat mutton chops with Sir John, Mr. Parker being without a cook. Polly Jones [living with Sir John] decently married to a surgeon. Visited Mrs. Weddel and Lady Onslow. Tested a new cook at Mr. Parker's, inferior to last. Company was Sir Joshua, Sir John Key, Mr. Chichester, Lord Shuldham, Mr. Lee & Mr. Martin. Played Vingt et un, lost two guineas. Dined with Martin at Crown & Anchor, Mr. Tyrwhitt, Mr. Champion & Doll Davison, "a common woman of the town" also there. Queen's House at night. Sir James Pennyman acquired an Ensigncy in America for Uncle Jemmy's eldest son, going immediately. Cannot subsist on pay so Mrs. Stainforth making up a little purse for him. D[?] Constable gives £20, Aunt Stainforth likewise. Fritz gave £20 for Grantham. To be continued annually. Lord Harrington without hopes of recovery. Dined at Mr. Parker’s: Mrs. Aislabie’s in evening. George Selwin to Paris to meet the Fagmani, or at least her child. Feuds in Masserano family, Master Jacky must not go there. Went with Pelhams & Middletons to see Lord Paulett's house in Hill St. Quits it as soon as Stratford Place finished. Lord Middleton just at Cambridge to enter his fourth brother at Clare Hall. Rectors letter reminding Fritz of his intention to visit the University at Easter. Lord Pelham to Stanmer. Harry in country by choice. Plan to appoint him Aid de Camp to one of Generals in Command. Saw the Irish Lord Fitzwilliam at Lady Onslow’s, enquired after Grantham. Lady Louise Macdonald has gone on circuit with her husband. Lord North last night in minority of 66 to 77 ‘mais cela ne ceut vier dire’. Harris at Petersburg with his sister.

item

Reynolds, Joshua,
Waddilove,
Baldock,
Gazola,
Storer,
Payne, R.,
Parker, Theresa (1775-1856),
Parker, Jack,
Conway, Harry,
Jones, Polly,
Weddel,
Onslow,
Key, John,
Chichester,
Shuldham,
Lee,
Martin,
Tyrwhitt,
Champion,
Davison,
Pennyman, James,
Stainforth,
Harrington,
Parker,
Aislabie,
Selwin, George,
Masserano,
Pelham,
Middleton,
Paulett,
Fitzwilliam,
Onslow,
Macdonald, Louise,
North,
Harris