L30/15/54/45-46

From 2nd Baron Grantham, Aranjuez to Frederick:

Jun 1778

From: 1778 To: 1778

Daily routine. Ball at Beneventes tonight. Don Juan de Torres sent a pattern of the only cloth [vicuna] available now. Three suits will be sent to England for Frederick to dispose of as he wishes etc. The Catholics there are in great spirits about the Indulgences to be granted to their Brethren in England, which may soften the animosity towards their England Brethren here. Address very handsome, their cause must be worn out, not a Jacobite in England under fifty. Inviting the Penofuente and Steppa to dinner, also Benavente. Had done with the ladies for this season. The Penafiel and the Alva spend so much exclusive time with other, no one invites them. Glad the Fernanunex does not live with them. 5 June [1778]. Great Storm yesterday. Gutters knee deep in water, Waddilove soaked returning from Palace. Played Base, went to Benavente's. Handsome but not lively Ball. Won five medals, 42 altogether at this Sitio. Sabbatine came to show his plan for the Palace Court. Gala for the Princess of Naples at Morina's. Grantham forgot. Returned home, wrote, played granderment all evening, Manuel_____[?] came down. The Dane has visited, dressed in a speckled frock, gold and steel buttons, green sateen cape, less affected when not in Company. "Poor man begins to feel what a commission to Spain is". He seems to look up to Grantham. St. Saphorin's Affair finished, the Pehter's Maid was with child he concealed, mother complained, the King said he should not leave the country until affair settled, which it was for 50 pistoles, Grantham things "the creature will go with him. He'll die like Lord Baltimore". Mr. Wilkie's nephew is a plain kind of man, not bright but savvy, like "G. 3rd" was, also resembles Tom Dilkes. Discussed his Uncle's affair Grantham trying once more to talk to the Alicante Merchants. Marchetti very ill with an imposthume in his side. Portugal anxious to have a pretty but uncommon pair of women's buckles. Morino will give Mr. Hughes a let5ter for the Corregidor at Madrid, hopes he will succeed. Has letters [of recommendation] also for Lozada, Arcos and Gazola. [Hughes arrived with Tom [Pelham's] letter of recommendation see L30/15/54/47]. 6 June 1778. Too cold to walk. Dined at Masin's yesterday. Lost four medals after dinner. Came home wrote and played music. Wrote today to Mr. Wilkie and the merchants at Alicante. Went to Court. Company to dinner, twenty people, must invite all or none; Lozada, Benevente, Penafuentes and brother, Castrillo, Mazin/Masin, M. Estepa, Colona, Nuncio, Venice, Zenowieff, Rechteren/Rechtern?, Levetzau, Ossuna, Munro, Kauntiz/Kaunitz? and Giusti. Played after dinner etc... Played on base after they'd gone and then wrote to Frederick, feels much better having collected his thoughts and written them down etc... 8 June 1778. Happy to receive his latest letter, believes his assurances of good health but will be glad to hear he's seen Dr. Warren. Wants [him] to see Mrs. Vane and Lady [?]. Thinks his "allowing the Cowes [?] to be better than Lady Francis is a sad story. How can John St. John be such a fool". Diego and a case expected soon. The Consular line not a bad one for Shadwell, easily entered into, so immediately in the gift of the Secretary of State. Mr. Lidderdale writes Grantham sentiments which he won't answer. Hopes Inkstand well repaired. Thanks for the account of their lawyers and old servants. Wants him to see John Johnson. Will not execute commission for Langloîs until he knows what is to be done with the Vicuna. Pattern enclosed [not present]. Refuse future commissions for Vicuna. Branciforte wants a dozen of the oval Birmingham paintings, assumed to have seen them at Mustriz's. Supposes Mr. Coke wanted some money. Do not publish Jockey's Tour. Reference to a Gentleman and Lady in the Garden of the Island. John St. John seems to pay his Court to both at a Time. Dined at the Nuncio's. Lost four medals. The Nuncio calls Monmorin, Monsieur Mio, good Italian but sounds ridiculous. 9 June 1778. Too late for Court yesterday, finished his papers, drew in the afternoon. Walked, saw Kaunitz in his phaeton, made him drive, home then music. Reading Gray's Life and Mason's works. Came in Rodrigo's book. Fourth volume of Gray missing. Mason has no fire at all. Doesn't know what to read or write next. Update Office notes. Dining at Lozada's. Morino giving a Bull Feast. Gregorio Joyes and his wife are there. Dining on Sunday. Has a note about Irish Linnens which are wanted, much admired in Madrid. Writing to Dr. Achmet; new Regulations for the Irish Trade will make the extraction of poplins more difficult, however, execute the Cardinal's commission is possible. Grantham hasn't heard anything of his Freedom [of the ]. Draper should make an appropriate subscription for him. Brief discussion about his money, should he pay debts or spend in other ways. The Penfiel has great debts, Council of Castile pays them off in instalments and at the loss for the creditors of 15 per cent, unjust as that house has such good expectations. She has little visible expense but Arriaga and ? and patterns for the running footmen. She and the Alva enquired after Frederick. Grantham's resemblance to Lord Hinton etc... Concern for the eldest little Infanta, growing languid and thin. The other will be a fine child "when free from a terrible humour which, however, is going off". Third child not walking. Mr. Hughes to exhibit at Madrid and Aranjuez. The Volatines are the fashion, as crowded as Ranelagh. The Pallassa is handsome man, the Old Cat has laid her paws on him. Everyone keeps sad hours, even Munro. Grantham talks of his moderation in all things etc... Last but one venison not well roasted, together with Papist's Bill it was expected to bring on a slight fit of mumps and smacks. The death of someone's banker means the person has lost over £100. Has just found a earwig in his pen, almost as alarming as the crocodile or snake which sprang out of the Cavern near the Cascade. River so dirty, puts him off bathing etc.. Dined at Lozada's, won four medals. Walking now, until the King comes along the Calle with his horses. 11 June [1778].

item

Benevente,
Fernanunex,
Waddilove,
Sabbatine,
Morina,
Saphorin,
Baltimore,
Wilkie,
Dilkes, Thomas,
Marchetti,
Portugal,
Marino,
Hughes,
Lozada,
Arcos,
Gazola,
Pelham, Thomas,
Masin,
Zenowieff,
Rechtern,
Munro,
Kaunitz,
Giusti,
Warren,
Vane,
St.John, John,
Diego,
Shadwell,
Lidderdale,
Johnson, John,
Branciforte,
Coke,
Nuncio,
Monmorin,
Mason,
Gray,
Achmet,
Draper,
Hinton,
Hughes