L30/15/54/108

From 2nd Baron Grantham, Madrid to Fritz [Frederick]:

21 Dec 1778

From: 1778 To: 1778

Perfectly well even after fresh port and Periford pye at Arcos' yesterday. Refused salmon and champaigne. Not many dined. Cutches of Alva dressed fantastically. Thought her sulky until she enquired after Frederick. Dining at Gazola's Sunday, Arcos' with Madame Bejar on Monday. Duque of Infantado excused himself from receiving Grantham yesterday on account of poor little Viso's being nearly dead at Valencia. Music on Saturday night with the Masserano's, Kauntiz/Kaunitz, Monsr. Ganganelli, Don Rodrigo, Pozzi etc. {Grantham does not play]. Went well. "Music is the only entertainment when I do not miss you.....". Dined at Portugal['s] today. Le Fevre gave a good dinner as usual, company dull. Pozzi's book called in by himself, in dread of an answer to it published today convincing him of error, contradiction and plagiarism. Huerta has just published some poetry. His Tragedy of Tachel is currently being acted, not ill written. Other works are bad translations of worse Latin poems "par notre Oncle" Dn. Jn.Yriarte. Lacy expected from Russia. Abrantes well, so is Montellano. Repays Sobral for his attendance to him [Grantham] at the Escurial by ordering him a good Don Simon Juan the Biscayen's whilst he is in Town [Coach]. Walking and intending to ride. The Princess goes out regularly, ought to lay in before the 7th. Apology for shabby letter. Waddilove hearty, eating well. Grantham's looks and flesh are also quite picked up.

item

Gazola,
Arcos,
Bejar,
Masserano,
Kaunitz,
Ganganelli,
Rodrigo,
Pozzi,
Portugal,
Le Fevre,
Huerta,
Lacy,
Abrantes,
Montellano,
Sobral,
Waddilove