Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    L30/15/54/120
  • Title
    From 2nd Baron Grantham, Madrid to Fritz (Frederick), Whitehall [no. 9]:
  • Date free text
    Feb 1779
  • Production date
    From: 1779 To: 1779
  • Scope and Content
    Received his no.9. If the very absurd reports about the state of affairs within this Kingdom [Spain] were confined to England, would be very much vexed about them. Finds they circulate as free in France and Holland and that the Leyden Gazette outruns all decency as well as probability. Longs to see little girl [niece Parker's] portrait. Fritz must be happy to see the little folks again. Received Fritz's no. 8 in which he anticipated Grantham's question about young Lawrence. Sorry about Tom [Pelham's] cold. "Your little folks are not like hares in Lapland whose Poil [down, fine hair - O.E.D.] grows white in Winter". He judged right in giving Draper the Vicuna. Is Roxburgh to marry Lady Harriet/t Spencer? "Left Miss Broderick threatening to be plain". Fritz to do as he pleases about the Chaise. The person interested in Grantham's Coach is unable to complete the transaction until his affairs are settled etc... Uncharitably wishes the High wind [in England] had done Lord Fife more damage. Fritz has explained what has become of the late Lord Middleton's house. He never told Grantham that Lord Litchfield's [house] was to be sold for a Chymical Professorship. Glad Fritz pleased with his sword. Bellmonte has asked for one in a similar taste to the buckles sent by Siere. He has given the buckles to Saldecaña. Little Girl's joke about Fritz's Astracan coat. Benevente's Ball, Monday, danced a couple of Minuets. Tuesday attended the Pardo. Dined at Lozado's. Walked into Morino's Drawing room by mistake, then the Eating Room. Visited Madame Ramel at her Toilette, she looked well. Negretti's Thursday to look at the Shades. Detailed account of Grantham's function. Missed Fritz during the preparations. Invited were; Dq. Bejar, M. Palaios[?], Infantado Sa Cruz, Colona, Vergaza, Lanti, Pozzi, Majola[?]. Madame Bejar brought the Montjos. Delapierre had orders and leave to invite Canalis' family, Manuel's, Madame Garou, Villier’s family, the Surgeon's Carlos' etc... The under servants had leave to bring their wives and children. Theatrillo set up in red paper antechamber. Company received in the Drawing rooms, others seated at the Theatre as they entered. Folks de Escalera Aboxo admitted once everyone was placed. Shades well exhibited, buffa song admirably performed and fiddle played dextrously in five different positions. Orchestra played two good symphonies afterwards in the Drawing Room. Manuel's boy and Canalu played their respective sonatas. Cloth laid in the Red room for a Collaccon, it being Friday night. Lobkowitz and P. Fuente mentioned. Function cost three medals. Cases arrived last night. Prints of Views near Rome are beautiful, thinks they should be reversed. Books for Don Gabriel from Oxford are wonderfully bound. Will carry Lady Melbourne to Gazola, who is not so well recently. Sessions, papers, Magazines, Annual Register mentioned. Paxton's Music arrived safely, present from him to Canales. Serbellon's on Wednesday to hear music. His mother is a good woman. Kaunitz sent word on Friday that he would dine with Grantham, message latter waited until 3 o'clock but Kaunitz dined at Portugal's. Madame de More is dead. The Peralada's mother is dying. Madame Bejar afraid it would happen on Friday, as she must have kept house. She has a great friendship with Felinjhiere, who goes about. Grantham hopes it is not a close connection due to the danger to her if it was. He being a "great Poli____ presque Mauvais Sujct, with some Parts, much Insinuation, but no Conduct". The Ramels dine there 'en Confidenza' with Levetzaw, Butzou and Burgos. They will probably see prints and drawings, she [Madame Ramel?] being Afficionada. The Russian Fleet is very fine, though there is some sameness in the subjects. Breakfasting on chocolate, two bits of cold toast, buttered, one dish of Tea with a wider crust toasted and buttered; one third of Waddilove's [breakfast] without his three ounces of honey. General Carpenter wrote, obliging and flattering expressions from H.M. [regarding horses acquired by Grantham]. The Ramel's dined, also his brother Heland, Dn Dl. Butzow and Burgos. Gazola better than yesterday but lower than usual. Had to walk in the Streets as the Reads are too dusty. Sutzow was at the Russian Engagement. Zenowieff will be wild about the prints if he sees them, as he is about Marbles. Thanks for the Patent paper. 21 February [1779]. Collapse of a bridge at Port St. Mary. Four hundred people thought to have died. Built under Oreilly's direction over the Guadalate to shorten the journey to Cadiz. Copies [of Murillo's] for Mr. Parker, Grantham satisfied. Tables to be made at Malaga, having received Mr. Marsh's answers to his queries. Will be bright yellow spotted with orange. The black and red ones at Valencia are bespoke. New Alhaja from England at M. Torremanzanal's, a watch by Carpenter set upon an oval enamel tablet and framed in gilt bronze etc... Also saw some beautiful snuff boxes, Agate arboriza, gold ground, trees imitate Moca stone but are more like Pillements etc. Has acquired some ill gilt chains for his posts. Waddilove, at Grantham's suggestion met with some double gilt, square linked chains for necklaces for 13 Reals each, in the Street, taken for gold upon the Plateau. Love to the Parkers and Nanny. Sallusts; assumes Fritz had one, Tom [Pelham] one and Grantham one himself. Has bought Los Tralados de Espana for 500 Rls. 22 [February 1779].
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