L30/15/54/81

From 2nd Baron Grantham, St. Ildefonso to Fritz (Frederick):

Sep 1778

From: 1778 To: 1778

Happy to resume regular correspondence after his illness etc. Brief details of his day's routine and food etc...for last few days. Went to see the Reindeer which thrives. Another animal from the Brazils is in the same garden, "does not seem curious". Has not let in any other visitors besides Kaunitz and the Nuncio. Delapierre is well after his headache and fever. Glad Fritz has not been there to share their infirmities. Approbation of all he did about Shadwell. Revillas, will send size of it when in Madrid. Present it to Mr. Parker, who need not put it up until Sir Joshua [Reynolds] has seen it. It is no sacrifice as it cannot be hung at Whitehall or Newby. Goes over in his mind every corner of the latter etc. Pleased to find Lady Pelham longs for the Castle of Colmenar. May creep up to the Mar one afternoon, but doubts the St. Ildefonso collection will increase much, end of September "not a good hopping season for a convalescent". [Writing after dinner]. Dined well, played on base, went out "airing the four [?] by Valsaiu". Response to Fritz's no.43; Miss Heywood, if she has 10,000[£'s] "fall in love and make her an handsome as Mrs. Musters". Remembers hearing much good of Mr. Anscott. Fritz' likens balance "with great delicacy, sometimes setting me by Olavide and then by Barnentos". Thought Tom Ackland would be spoilt. Longs to see picture of the little Cricketer. Response to no.47; packet by Lisbon [to England] received. Fritz's wish for more medical discipline for Grantham is gratified. Will do his best about Brunier. Desert safely housed at Madrid. Didn't think Werthern had his fellow. Shadwell; approbation at measures taken, he and Fritz the only two who see through his letter. Response to no.48; Mount Edgecumbe visit, little boy's [nephew Parker's] first public dinner. General Parker's resemblance of Spinelli. Snuff, will enquire. Their friend the Chevalier mentioned. Fritz to take care of his health. Grantham's curiosity to hear the voices of his niece and nephew [Parker]. Sorry about Mr. Mountague and Mr. P. [Parker, fall out between two brothers]. J. Bastard will be lucky to get Miss Elways. "I intended her for myself and to be the Earl Ranelagh and have a son Viscount Vauxhall". Packet from the Office received via Almodovar's messenger he thinks. 23 September [1778]. Attended Court. Long Conference afterwards with Morino. Recovering strength and managing to perform all his regular duties. Hope Fritz was pleased with Tow up the Tamar, which Grantham has never seen. Their feels at their continued separation. Fritz's also contemplative reported by Nanny. Harris is the father of a boy. Friend has written, has been at Rome, didn't mention his wife, asks Fritz to find out what she was and is. Colonel Harcourt's marriage to Mrs. Lockhart in the paper. No. 24 and 25 from Grantham thought to be on the taken Lisbon Packet. Waddilove grieves at the capture as he has made two voyages on the latter. Morisir[?] has overteazed the Nuncio, they will make up soon. Venice loses nightly. Marsh has heard of S.[Shadwell's] intention. 24 September [1778]. At Court and Morino's again. Is to avoid the Battue, told H.C.M. [His Catholic Majesty] that he is to change the air and return to Madrid. Talked for two hours about Newby yesterday, with Waddilove. The read Chaucer at Dr. Wharton's recommendation. Waddilove did not lose his Greek manuscript on the taken Packet. Lost his letter of form referring [to?] his Scots Degree, must rewrite. The Malaga people had all heard of S. [?Shadwell's] return. Marsh and Merry repeated queries to Munro and Waddilove, nothing divulged only that he will not return. Detailed story of his illness now he is well enough to give it. Waddilove and Delapierre's illness. Grantham's much exaggerated at the Sitio and at Madrid. Vrillier blooded him. Sobral was at the Escurial, didn't need him in the presence of Don Vicente/Vincente. 25 [September 1778]. Dined at Morino's. Walked up to the Mar. Played base etc... Going to Prayers and to Court etc.... 27 [September 1778] Walked incessantly for three days with no fatigue. Fritz will receive only the painted Uniforms by the Lisbon Packet which will stay with Mr. Sneyd until Fritz returns to Town. Received no.49 and Draper's recounting Shadwell's fall at Croydon. Kept his intention [to return to Spain] secret from Draper. Dined at Arcos'. Went to the Nuncio's last night. Made Don Vicente/Vincente very happy with a handsome Typp and Fritz's memories. [In Cypher] there goes offer of beginning a negotiation sounding both courts in order to propose a plan of peace. Assurance of his well-being but wonders how he manages without Fritz etc... Wrote to Sir Stanyer Porter, Draper, his Aunt, Lady Pelham and the two Messrs. Harris. Will write to Carpenter and Uncle [Worsley] when he's seen the horses. 27 [September 1778].

item

Kaunitz,
Nuncio,
Delapierre,
Shadwell,
Parker,
Reynolds, Joshua,
Pelham,
Heywood,
Musters,
Anscott,
Ackland, Thomas,
Brunier,
Parker, Jack,
Parker, John,
Bastard, J.,
Elways,
Almodovar,
Morino,
Harris,
Harcourt,
Lockhart,
Waddilove,
Marsh,
Merry,
Munro,
Delapierre,
Vincente,
Morino,
Sneyd,
Draper,
Arcos,
Nuncio,
Porter, Stanyer,
Carpenter,
Worsley