L30/14/333/194

From Fritz, Whitehall to 2nd Baron Grantham:

6 Apr 1779

From: 1779 To: 1779

Newspaper report. ‘Nostre Senora del Carmen’ arrived at Bilbao earlier than expected. Mengs’ letter; Waddilove & Fritz seem to have thought exactly alike. Flattered the King of Spain noticed Fritz's attentions to the Almodobars. Assumed Duke of Losada informed him. Heard the Almodobars are looking for a villa out of city. Hopes Madame Ramel will not coax Grantham out of his little round Pillement. Grantham's damaged Poplin will dye black. Casts of Tom's head; Lady Middleton has one set in a bracelet, Lord Pelham has a paste of it. Prince & Princess Masserano; latter ashamed of former’s conduct, Fritz thought all blame on other side. Encouraging Grantham's exercise & rides. Lady Hertford confined by death of Lord Harrington. Grantham may see her son at Madrid. Madame Fernan Nunez would have enough to do in England if she was to describe all the dresses of the Ladies; "cap'ricious...fantastick for a Masquerade etc...’’ Heard from Mrs. Aislabie, one of Sir J. Grant's sisters was to be the happy woman [?]. Munro's visit at Medina del Campo; politicians of Puerta del Sol would "attribute very deep schemes & views". Is sure it would affect Stocks if Don Miguel Vertades was to pass a few days at Luton[?]. Eden reminded Fritz that he & Grantham had dined with him at Greenwich eight years ago on Easter Monday. Fritz reminded of his return from Spain the year previously. Weather still good. Goes into garden as soon as he is up. Judas Tree of Aranjuez mentioned. Largest, most obstructing tree in Lord Fife's garden is dead. Went to Harrow on the Hill to see Mr. Parker's wards, the Bullers. Saw the school nephew [Jack] may go to etc.. Dined at Lady Caroline Dawson's, lost two guineas at Whist to Lady Bute. Dined at Sackville St. and Queen's House in evening. Dinner at the Fantoccini, spoiled by part performance in English. Mr. C. Pelham recollected they all met there before leaving England. Met a Portuguese Scot. Town very thin; holy day, good weather; Newmarket. Sir Joshua's, "three ragged, dirty, lousy but beautiful children", hard at work upon great picture. Wants it ready for exhibition. [Detailed description of painting]. Mrs. Sherridan is to sit for the Virgin's face. Sir J.[Joshua Reynolds] wants to keep it but Lord Granby insists on having it. Fritz unsure of his opinions on it, "when it comes to exhibition it may be as much abus'd as the Marlborough family was..." Sir J [Reynolds] "has £200 for a full length picture & never sets brush to canvass under £50". Met Burton near Lincoln's Inn showed his Chambers in the new building. Architect was Taylor. May have had chambers there himself if things had been different. Mr. Fullerton, late Secretary to the embassy at Paris, to be chosen for Plympton when Lord Milford resigns seat in Parliament. Also rumoured that Eden to go to the Admiralty & Storer "is to be Lord of Trade". Mr. Parker not successful at Newmarket. Nanny dined at Lady Katherine Pelham's, sent children to Fritz after showing them at Lady K's. Also sent Plovers Eggs.

item

Almodobar,
Ramel,
Middleton,
Pelham,
Masserano,
Hertford,
Harrington,
Aislabie,
Grant, J,
Munro,
Eden,
Buller,
Dawson, Caroline,
Bute,
Reynolds, Joshua,
Sherridan,
Granby,
Marlborough,
Burton,
Taylor,
Fullerton,
Milford,
Pelham, Katherine

DEATH, artists, paintings, Joshua Reynolds