Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    L30/15/54/113
  • Title
    From 2nd Baron Grantham, Madrid, to Fritz [Frederick] (no. 48 = no.3):
  • Date free text
    Jan 1779
  • Production date
    From: 1779 To: 1779
  • Scope and Content
    Received his no. 61, 69 and 72, mails delayed on way to Lisbon. Glad Fritz received his no.34 thought lost. Good quotation about Salm. Pozzi's book is a compilation of advice for the education of Novices almost all stolen from Voltaire, ousseau, Bilfield etc... Has been taken to pieces by a young Spaniard. Dr. Horne's Answer to Home is ten times more severe. Sorry Mr. Parker's gravel is so severe. Waddilove apprehensive of a return of the complaint drank tea and honey yesterday, took more baths in week. Grantham will bring, when he can, some Uva Ursi. Sent for Fabré and Dr. Warren's advice. Tabarie still there but less popular. Will inform Fritz of the state of their joint account in Spain. Bruneir's Porringer and Plate is very beautiful though plain. Charges three and a half Vicuna's to Fritz' account. Surprized at Fritz's not having been to the Westminster Play. Glad to hear mention of the Duke of Bedford, cordially wishes "he may turn out fit for the great Part he must some Day act". Fritz's quotations from Terence are very apt. Glad Fritz will see C_____e and Ed___. Wishes latter would send former to Spain. Project Petto. Nanny enclosing a pattern of a sattin gown which she previously forgot also refer to a bon mot of the Dss. Of Bd. Which she does not explain. Lord Pelham's expense in Stratton Street is enormous and if Tom does not like Stanmer he will be sorry so much money has been spent there. 13 January 1779. Received some Office letters sent by Messenger of Escarano's. Went to the Pardo but the King was out by twelve. Met Morino on the road, off to dine in Town with the Masserano's at the French Embassador's. Medina Sidonia is dead. Valdecarzana/Valdecazana talked of as successor. Grantham satisfied with his own behaviour about the horses of the former. Atare's wife is dead "she was a Sad old Cat * augmented the string of Belldames who appear at a Besamanos". Has written to Nany and the little boy [nephew]. Anticipating his frequent trips to the Pardo will make him sick of it. Portugal has given the Inkstand to his son who didn't take it with him, so Grantham may take it or not according to Fritz's instructions. Bruneir extremely pleased with present [possinger and plate] for Fritz. 14 [January 1779]. Went with Waddilove to see Marmona and his wife, Mengs' daughter. True motive for visit to see a picture by a painter recommended to take copies of Morillo's for him. Madame Carmona is like Happy and Merie en Noir. Called on Pons afterwards. At the Pardo. Dined with Morino. Delayed from getting to Gazola's by a report of his death, later found he had received the Sacrament in the morning and has a bad cough and fever. Cheerful and lively considering his age, 84, and the bad weather. Talked as usual of great dinners virtu etc... Duke of Medina Sidonia has left jewels to the Albas, Lozada and Montealegri, Stuard etc... Valdecarzana thought to succeed him as Cavellerigo Major, thought to be his Uncle's influence. Anxious about the horses in transit to England, reports of bad weather on coats. At the Pardo today. Bad storm. Expected Canales [for music]. Monsieur Gabriel's dream about Grantham being ill etc.. 16 [January 1779]. Invited Madama Bejar to a small dinner on Tuesday. France, Portugal and Zenowieff are all bespeaking Plateaux. Duke of Medina Sidonia's will; Duke of Alva inherits the greatest part of the Estate, Villena a small part. Sa Cruz expected tomorrow, he loses by the death of his son nearly £3000 per an which together with his house goes to Balban---[?]. Gazola worse. Dictated a note yesterday with affectionate expressions for Fritz. Thought to have no will not believing himself in danger. His note was occasioned by Grantham telling him that Sir St.[Stanyer] Porter asked how he was. Gazola wishes Sir Stanyer to know he has been ill for 14 months, so that it may be known at Bath, preparation for anything that may happen to him. Writing to Lady Pelham, Tom and Lady Middleton. Sending Fritz a Guia and his steel buttons. Masin wrote, Grantham has commissioned him to get a Puce Tricot with narrow green and gold border for the buttons Fritz gave him. It doesn't appear that Fritz has done anything about Masin's Coach Panels. Sending Lady Pelham a drawing or two [not specified]. The Copyist of the Murillo's has been sent to the Palace, hopes commission will be well executed, if so he will do the 'Delivery of the Keys' after Velasquez giving Grantham four good sized pictures for the four divisions of the fire Parlour. Encloses their joint account [not present]. The bed sold is Fritz's Iron bed. Vicuna cloth charged according to Fritz's instructions etc.. Apportionment of expenses for the horse transport. The King, Waddilove, Draper and General Carpenter mentioned. Fritz's balance [of account] in Grantham's hands is 11765 Rls, about £130.15. At the end of the month Grantham will make up his box to 30,000 Rls. No arrears. January Currency to be paid out of January money. Will pay Munro, afterwards owing him only 45,000. Loan of 30,000 will be repaid at 10,000 per month for three months. At the end of April will only owe the 45,000 Rls. Or £500 to Munro. Has paid Delapierre all he was due. He buys some jewels to be re-set. General principles laid down in letters by Heslop [L 30/15/54/98 and 99] and Fairer still apply. Sunday [17 January 1779]. At the Pardo today. Visited Gazola, better today. Going to a Ball at the Benevente's. Send Lady Pelham two drawings. Four views of the Tagus cannot be spared until they are copied in their proper size. Bad weather, only exercise he gets is in the Green Room. 18 [January 1779]. Received Fritz's nos. 73 and 74. Responses to them. Glad horses arrived at Exeter safely. Delighted with the account of Stanmer. Shares his opinion about the Views of the first. Comr., more on another sheet. Reference to hunting, Grantham's dread of that Exercise since 1767. Remembrance of Benerrigi[?] charming. Approbation of Grantham's conduct regarding horses, covers of the Dishes, Justification for Grantham making his Vicuna frock. Not surprized at Lady Charles' following her Sister in Law. Castrillo going to England, will address him to Fritz. Madame Bejar, Lacy, Kaunitz, Munro, Crillou, Tereite[?], Lanti and Verzara dined tonight. Gazola better. 19 [January 1779].
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