L30/15/54/35

From 2nd Baron Grantham, Aranjuez to Frederick:

May 1778

From: 1778 To: 1778

Walking again now ground drying out. Went round the Prince's ground, every tree lopped. Afraid to see the Embassador least that Bosque too should be trimmed. Siere was right to tell Penio that things would be altered at Aranjuez. Didn't go to Court today, entered yesterday's dispatches and paid last month's Currency. Paid Messrs. Joyes the last Maravedi. Horses down, may ride tomorrow, has been prevailed upon to make a new saddle cloth like one of Masin's - red and gold. Zenowieff the only members of the Corps there beside Portugal. Dining at Morino's tomorrow, invited to Losada's on Sunday again, doesn't know why. Always gets home as soon as possible. Thoughts on occupying his time until he gets back to England. 1 May 1778. Received his letter from Calais, great satisfaction he is so near home. Other feelings about letter and advice about post in order that none of the correspondence lost etc. Lauzun mentioned. Reasons for not writing on the 24th, nothing more to add to 25th, keeping head above water by employment etc... Returned from Penfuentes' at ten last night with great headache, relieved by sickness. Assumes porter at dinner did not agree with cream in morning. Generally keeping to a diet. Dined at Morino's today, drank no wine but eat some fine Creams and Mascarponi's. The Prince enquired after Frederick today. Portugal is very low, complaint called Saodades in Portuguese, means pains of absence. Grantham comments on he and Frederick's share of the disease. 2 May [1778]. Birthday Congratulations for the little boy [nephew - Jack Parker]. Longing for an account of him. Account of day. Assumes he was invited to Losada's to meet Monmorin. H.C.M. [His Catholic Majesty] enquired after Frederick. Reading Dr. Beattie's book. Monro sent it on after he forgot it. Enclosure, in French, from Fernanunez [being translated]. Replied on behalf of Frederick. Asked him to forward his [Grantham's] to Frederick, said that if latter had left Paris to do what they would with letter "for it would serve their Sons if they one another as we do". Explains the expression of the Duke of Infatanda's letter.[Addressed in French to the Duke Infantado -On receipt of your letter of 2 ‘75 I went to the Hotel of the English Parliament to see whether Mr Robinson was still there but the trip was to no avail as he had already left three days before so the children will read the letter as my Lord has directed, to whom you will kindly say how sorry I am that I could not be of use to him in this small errand.y Don Rodriguez sent six boxes of perfumes. Three for Frederick, gave one to Waddilove. Don Rodriguez surprisingly succeeds Meneses [?]. May get licked into shape. Caylers will lend a hand willingly etc... Bespoke a Great coat due to cold. Wrote last Tuesday to Cardinal Valenti, will write next week to Ogaza[?] and Mengs. The latter has lost his wife. Swinburne writes that "G__i" [Grimaldi?] is very civil to them, but more an old woman than ever. Has begun building at his Palace in Rome and is grown very fretful. Grantham does not wish him ill but doesn't care how much cause he may have to fret at great things. Everybody rejoices he is not there. Duke of Arcos has bought the House where Mr. Wall once lived at Aranjuez etc... Doesn't know when Larsiua[?] arrives. Piedro Santa and Penales have visited. Reference to the time Grantham urged the latter out of "M_____o's! [?Morino's]. Coach on the Pardo road on Torreparada day. 3 May [1778]. Visited their old cascade and open grave near it, in great beauty. Feelings at being there. Attended Court, dined at home tete a tete. At the Arcos' last night, quite private, the Guards are in the outer room and sup at nine. Arcos and Losada came from the King at that time to keep her [Duchess of Arcos] company. They sup at ten in outer room. She dresses well and seems gay. The Valdecazana was surprised at the low Chignon, great rings etc... and she longed to see the Duchess alone and plague her a little. Wrote some letters to Andulucia. Played a low table of vingt un at Penauentes'. Will be reading Beattie tonight and thinking of his Disciple, Frederick etc. 4 May [1778].

item

Siere,
Joyes,
Masin,
Zenowieff,
Portugal,
Morino,
Losada,
Lauzun,
Parker, Jack,
Parker, John,
Monmorin,
Beattie,
Monro,
Rodriguez,
Mengs,
Grimaldi,
Arcos,
Wall