L30/14/346/2

From St. Saphorin, Paris to 2nd Baron Grantham, Madrid. (in French):

30 Sep 1778

From: 1778 To: 1778

Translation: My Lord, I received the letter with which you honoured me on the last day of last month, with great satisfaction and joy, all that proves to me that, to be remembered by a man such as you, and the continuation of his goodness is, and always will be, infinitely precious to me. I have hurried with the zeal due to you, to execute the commission with which you entrusted me, and I have done my best to direct Seigneur Bazau to restore the complete works of de Marcenay and of the 6 Greek works, and the collection of antiquities drawn by Robert and engraved by the Abbé de St Non [?Nou]; because there are none by the Abbé Robert but the Abbé de St Non an artist and gifted art lover, has engraved with taste the most interesting work done by Robert. I have only chosen from among them those which treat of antiquities and architecture, because going beyond these limits would certainly be to go beyond your intentions, and you will always be able to approach Bazau to have some of Roberts whimsical works and engravings just done by Mr Non of all Italy, after pictures in Naples, some pieces from Herculaneum drawn there by Fragonard, but completely transformed in the French manner. This last work of 100 pieces in number, of which the price is 4 Louis for the 5 [word illegible] of Rome, Naples, Venice, Bologna but having some errors and not being of architecture, I believed that it was not in your commission. You will find in your Robert, 4 pieces so rare that I have only to have them for myself, they are views of Arches in Rome. And the Marcenay of the Duke of Brunswic (sic) so rare that that the author thinks to have only a single example, so that he wanted 36 for it which he has reduced. the whole put together only make 243 livres, here is the detailed account for it and for which, following your instructions, I have made an assignation for Sr Bazau, with Mr le Chevalier Lambert. I have had the proofs changed to have the best possible. As Mr de Vatelet had given me a present of a brochure dealing with the Gardens written with taste, and which touches on a matter that you love? I beg you to accept an example which I enclose with the package. Mr Lambert is a great gentleman and the kindness I have received from him I owe to your goodness My Lord, and I have seen his picture gallery where there are many good things. He joins his good wishes with mine, that circumstances bring you to Paris one day. Lodging in the Boulevard one can enjoy outings on horseback or on foot with greater liberty and incognito than in Siteos which I remember no more than a Dream. What happiness for me if in my wanderings in this capital were I to have the joy of finding you in it. The Diplomatic Corps enjoys great liberty and only sees the Court every 15 days. The arts offer endless resource, as do the public spectacles. The Portuguese Ambassador is magnificently housed, he is separated from his wife and has sent her back to the country. She had built up his debts with fal lals for 80 thousand francs. H E Mr d’Aranda has been greatly inconvenienced by his stomach for several months, which has not prevented him from presenting Mr Villahermosa who will remain here all winter. As for me, I am preparing to leave shortly to cast an eye over my estate. I have recommended to Mr Lambert that your commission be expedited with all possible care and will only be content if you are pleased with it and it arrives safely. When you write to Mr le chevalier Robinson My Lord, deign to mention me to him, I am of course delighted to know that he is in good health. In spite of the war there are many English people here, apart from [word illegible] !0 English ladies dined with the Duc de Beron. I have received a letter from M de Juel, still [word illegible] of his estates, it seems that for the moment that he is devoted to restoring them. Our Danish chargé d’affaires in London and the London one with us have received the title of Envoy. Honour me My Lord with a place in your memory, and use me as someone who holds you in the most passionate veneration. Your Excellency’s very humble and obedient servant. de St Saphorin.

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Bazau,
Lambert,
Juel,
Aranda,
Villahermosa