Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    L30/15/54/59
  • Title
    From 2nd Baron Grantham, Madrid to Frederick:
  • Date free text
    Jul 1778
  • Production date
    From: 1778 To: 1778
  • Scope and Content
    Details of his constant interruptions since arriving. Masin, Murno, Marquetti, Gregory, Kaunitz, Canales, Madame Bejor and her Tertullia; Villahermosa/s, Fernannunez' etc..., Gazola, Joyes, Carlos all mentioned. 12 July [1778] Attended Court yesterday, dined at Yrandas, lost 15 medals. Court today, walked, very hot, afternoons long after the Siesta soon after dinner. Memories of Frederick in various rooms. The Prado is full and dirty, enlivened by two bands of Military music of the new Regiments. The Swiss Orchestra has the advantage of Turkish music. Intending to sup or assist at supper at Madame Bejar's, likes this better than going elsehwre and needs something in the evening after staying in the house all day. Heat seems to have caused his pulse to quicken and a soreness in his mouth. Frederick's frame has arrived, same as the first. Grantham's are handsome, room much as it was last year. Waddilove's "exactness" mentioned. Morino is in his new house, not well at Aranjez, has a bad constitution. Massernao/Masserano performed his Carriere well, but the dust of Aranjuez blinded Deadati for several days, regaining his sight now. Roxas' faculties are going, disappointment at lack of promotion, loss of a considerable sum in the hands of s man concerned in the Muscia [Musica?] Canal who went off, his marriage late in life, all contribute. Duchess of Alberquerque has come to Town and is well. The Penfiel is with child again. The little Infanta improves. Don Luis de Aguilar is very ill. Frederick is his constant topic of conversation. Intends to make as few visits to Penafuentes' as possible. Portugal runs about the Prado like a footman, to get a glimpse of the Torrecillas. Tertullia begins at Monmorins tomorrow night. Thursday at Kaunitz's, Saturday at Grantham's. 13 July [1778]. Received his from Stanmer. Will accept two sheet letters once a week rather than one, twice a week etc... Post through France may be stopped very soon. Heard Nanny's journey went well, little girl [niece] mentioned, also the possibility of being with Tom [Pelham]. Probable he will be at St. Ildefonso as soon as the Court. Daily routine given, wrote to Sir William Hamilton, expects Canales, will probably end up at Madame Bejar's, "The world will be at Franchies". 14 July [1778]. Uusual monotonous day. Mr. Gregory dined, des Franchies, Morino mentioned. Walked to the Rio, bath will be ready tomorrow. Went to Penfuentes. The Alberquerque is well "but devout and platonic". The Tordecillas has advised Portugal to wear Parillas. Function at Monmarin's last night went off well. Madame Smissaert arrives tomorrow, handsome and accomplished, recommended to Grantham. Masserano's present very handsome, H.C.M. [His Catholic Majesty] commented on it for Grantham's ears. Princess Casada expecting to lie in any minute and ? is never out of the way even at the Pardo, likely to be ill interopreted here. Will mention Masserano's thanks to his Office letter. In cypher [decyphered]: the King here says time and truth will show who have been agresors but my intention is not ilters" ['altered' presumably]. Grantham's finances. Expecting about £100 from Torremanzanal etc... Interest payment to Monro also mentioned, £500. No other extraordinary expenses since Frederick left; a small, light sword costing 160 Reals doesn't count. His last bit of red poplan has made a near frock and Delapierre wears Mon____[?] Puffs. Fitzgerald has brought some minerals from Mexico, has given them to the Museum Topcliffeanum [Waddilove] "protesting against all collections of Natural History for myself". Peeped into an Almonida today, expects to receive a gratuity for telling Waddilove of it. It is at the house between the Duque del Parque and the new street to the Palace. Pini's Stables are very shabby, no improvement in that part of Town. Queen of Portugal has begun her baths; bath lined with green silk. [15 July 1778]. Saw Madame Smissaert yesterday, description. Resembles Nanny [sister, Anne]. She was glad to meet him. She is the celebrated Miss Meyer whose marriage made such a Noise[?] at Lisbon. Kaunitz's last night. Lost a medal. Bathed this morning, essential in hot weather. Wishes Portugal bathed. Reference to an unnamed woman who he is pursuing relentlessly despite her aduse and ridicule of him. Swinburne has written to Waddilove. Grantham's vases finished. Fine desert by Luigi of buildings etc... in marble for fra____[?], costing £6000. No word of Grantham's Grimaldi and Valenti are very civil to Swinburne and Sir T Gascoyne. Swinburne's MS sent to England. Byers has written; Desert of Scagliagla 60 roman crowns. Bronze ornaments to Ditto 52 Ditto to China vases 40 (balance of 70, 30 paid by Cardinal Valenti) Alabaster and pedestal 20-50 roman crowns Cases and packing 5.50 Expenses to ye [?] 7.38 Expenses to Leghorn and thee 7 ______________ 192.38 Arrangements for payment and transport; Mr. Gregory at Barcelona, T. Pelham and Draper mentioned. Description of decoration. The Picklet and Mengs were paid in February. Visited the Valdecazano, who has nearly as large a chgnon and ring as the youngest and most foolish Maja there. Canales expected later. Managing the heat well, rejoices Frederick not there as these conditions were always those causing his complaints. 17 July [1778].
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