L30/15/54/33

From 2nd Baron Grantham, Aranjuez to Frederick:

Apr 1778

From: 1778 To: 1778

Journey to Aranjuez with Waddilove and Delapierre. Looked into poor Masoni's sale in Plasa de Cevada on way. "Sad hash indeed". 24 [April 1778]. Frederick's men and mules brought Grantham out of Madrid yesterday. Parted intimately with Frances. Got the better of growing gloomy like the weather. Fretting much less than he was. Went to the Palace. Venice came down with the Hungary water bottle and is gone back. Dined at Morino's very well. Excellent cream. Ordered a cutlet last night, so hungry. Supped for first time in seven months. Improvements there are the Wing covered in and the beginnings of a bastion by the Cascade near the Palace, will be a boundary between Garden of the Island and the River. After dinner took Fernanunex to the St. Estevan's. Afterwards walked along. Expecting horses shortly. No news of horses from Seville. Masserano down there in waiting. Wife coming soon. Doubts Fabre's succeeding. "Lo____a told Munro three days ago rather gruffly". Frederick's doctor bankrupt. Left his wife, whom Frederick liked, and he is liked by the young Pss. M. Impression well or ill founded? Duke of Granada fell ill at Ahanti's and was blooded twice. Apoplectic complaint. Aranda's civilities to Frederick highly thought of. Sir J. Lambert wrote to tell Grantham of Frederick's leaving Paris. 25 [April 1778]. Drove up and down in Coach, unable to walk due to rain. At Court this morning, Confessor came out, Grantham called in, Monmorin arrived, nearly tete a tete with him (Steppa only in the corner). Monmorin very uneasy, gains little ground amongst the natives. Borgoiry affects great slyness and rather exposes himself. Monmorin is about one of the Casamo's bad houses, cannot live in his own. His cases of Staffordshire Ware arrived at Bilbao, also books from White's, some for Grantham. Visited M. Arcos after Court. Refused dinner, eat home alone. Favoured Shilling with allowing him to play with him [G]. Speculates about what might have happened if Frederick hadn't left when he did. Poem to Frederick in Spanish (translated) - 25 [April 1778] evening. The happy light of the day now past fades and leaves us; With the shadows come fantacies, dreads and fearful lamentations. And you see me walking alone with slow step and mournful countenance. If to relieve my overflowing eyes some dew of pain should be distilled Think not that perhaps a feeble weakness arising from contempt, or love, Takes the lightness from my soul or quenches my spirit. Think no that in the political sphere the growing cloud terrorises me, In whose bosom hide the threats of the lightenings and thunders of war. I weep the absence of my friend and brother, in space absent and far distant In my friendship and in my lasting thoughts ever present. Has written to Lord Weymouth, no news. Uncertainty of Post. At Court earlier. M. Blosset has arrived, grown very old. Brought a piece of Chintz [sample enclosed present]. Was to have dined at Lozada's but preferred "a quarter of an hour's cleanliness to a longer mamock". The Valdecarzana's arrived Wednesday. Almodovar soon after. Giving a great dinner for them. Describes his walk. Judas Trees in full bloom etc... Longing to hear how they do in England. The King and the Prince continue to ask after Frederick. Portugal comes tomorrow. Parejas soon. Ground not fit, "resembles" Newington Turnpike at Xmas". Was in the new Wing today. Chapel will handsome, small Cupola and two Arches for Bells disfigure it on the outside. Had letter from Swinburne with many "flattering, because plain", things to them. 27 April [1778]. Beylie brought Frederick's from Paris. No commissions at all undertaken. Grantham indifferent. Shares his anxiety etc... Making huge effort to be patient. Relief when he knows Frederick has received his letters at London. Nanny writes that he is expected about 3 May. Described how his feelings since Frederick left are less painful etc... Longs for private opportunities of writing. Eden is a Commissioner. May be gone before Frederick arrives, will find other connections. Assumes Militia will keep Tom [Pelham] in England is his County raises men. Mr. Parker will be called off from Saltram too. Attended Court, dined at Lozada's. Dealt with letter etc.. The Portuguese Caballero was undoubtedly little Mehlo who passed through Madrid in a piteous condition. Masserano saw him, Grantham glad he didn't, last time he did he was at the head of his own table of 24-30 covers. Read over some old letters of Carlisle's. Sorry Frederick won't see him. Wishes to be remembered to Lords Robert, Buccleugh, James, Ossory etc... 28 April [1778]. Breakfasts well. Butter good. Dining today at Arcos'. Busy all afternoon - separate sheet explains [L 30/15/5/4/34]. Peñapuente's at night, won four medals. 29 [April 1778]. Morino invited him to dine with M. Blosset but he was already engaged to meet the Valdecarjanas at Lozada's. She is surprisingly recovered and looking better than he ever saw, grown very fat and like Verney Lovett. Almodóvar arrives Tuesday and will be dispatched directly. At Court. The Prince never opened his lips to M.B. all the while he was there. Longing to hear from him etc... Waddilove sends compliments. 30 April [1778].

item

Waddilove,
Delapierre,
Morino,
Masserano,
Fabre,
Munro,
Granada,
Lambert, J.,
Monmorin,
Arcos,
Weymouth,
Blosset,
Lozada,
Almodovar,
Portugal,
Swinburne,
Beylie,
Eden,
Pelham, Thomas,
Parker,
Lozada

Aranjuez, poetry, poems