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From 2nd Baron Grantham, Madrid to Fritz (Frederick), Whitehall [no.12]:

Mar 1779

From: 1779 To: 1779

Received his no. 12 and 13. Curious to know how Sir Joshua [Reynolds] will treat the holy family and whether it will contain anything original. Glad the Almodovars were so attentively treated on the riotous nights seen [in London?]. Glad Fritz's friend Dawson is not dead, thinks he married a daughter of Lord Bute's. Remembers Miss Jansen she used to go around with the Bladens. Keppel and _olliur is exactly what Grantham wished to confirm his own opinion. Supposes Lord Middleton was not there at Lord Pelham's when they ate sandwiches for he would not eat one without salt ["toasting" crossed out]. The Catalogue is delightful. The Urn is not what Grantham expected but he is pleased with it and thinks it makes a figure with the Plateau. Puzzled by the contents of Aunt Stainforth's box, assumes it to be red. Expects the buckles to be handsome, "Portugal shall see them on my feet and nowhere else". Longs to see Views of Naples. Fritz's thinking of Waddilove and Munro is very handsome, latter has not the taste to understand the attention. Hopes the case arrives before he leaves for Aranjuez. Attended the Pardo on Tuesday. Dined at Galvez's. Dinner bad, room filled with people and a "waxen Resemblance of the Child and the dear Infant's real Close Stool". Waddilove went with him and dined with Bayer. Presenting Don Gabriel with a wonderfully bound book from Oxford. Visited M__n's, found her alone, very smart, tete a tete didn't last long as M__n [Masin?] soon arrived. Steered off assuming he was de trop. "Il y aura le Diable a quatre in that house I am sure". Collection of Russian Marbles at Lacy's seen yesterday. Afterwards called at Ybarra's the Printer's a lively and active man. Arnal draws charmingly and has good taste. Waddilove now very interested in Spanish Plays. He has stopped a friend of Lort's or Dillon's publishing Mengs' letter intending to publish it himself. Grantham dreads it being brought to him for revision. The Gilder brought a wonderful frame to show him for the Duchess of Alva's bad drawing of a ship which she brought from Cadiz. Owes Fritz for half a Vicuna. Poplins on their way for Monmorin, Ossuna and himself. 5 March 1779. Neither won or lost at the Pena Fuentes'. Attended the Pardo this morning. Presented the King's Answer to the King of Spain's letter [nothing more specific]. Presented the Oxford book to Don Gabriel. Acquired a passport from Musquiz. Had a conference with Morinno [sic]. Kaunitz, the Nuncio, Monmorin and Grantham divided two Mascarpanis between them, excluded their neighbours, standing joke. Received notification of the Queen's Happy Delivery. Gazette Extraordinary should have been enclosed but wasn't. Fritz will have to comfort his Embassadriss [sic] who has lost her mother Madame Cruillos. Madame Ramel is embroidering a Tambour waistcoat for holy week. She says Grantham's coat will be Prune de Monsieur, a fashionable colour. February Bills paid, not dear. Pope Bendict 14 as an Avocato was famous at Mascadades. Held public disputations, was asked at one; in what month Ladies "p__d" least. Discarded much doctrine to little purpose when the Person who asked the question said "in February surely", two days less than other months. Has had an Elephant. Juan brought meat from the Pardo after a very strict prohibition. Juan drunk on next journey. Delapierre made to send for his wife, both made aware of Grantham's intention to turn Juan out of house next time he misbehaved etc. Reviews his "Wild Beasts" [servants]; Berthol no fool but trop bon vivent. Michel is a fool but loves Fritz and is therefore tolerated. Joseph is always clean, in the way, handy and a great favourite. Dufour sempervidum and Germain a treasure. Felix learns english. Delapierre, Shilling and Brunier very valuable in their respective departments. Saturday night [6 March 1779]. Gazola appears recovered. Impatient for the arrival of [Grantham's] case. Don Francisco Bayer and Don Agostin Madan dined today. Grantham steered conversation to avoid Hebrew and Syriac. Sallusts; one for Bishop of Chester [Beilby Porteus], the other for Storer., the third not to be disposed of yet. They are paid 23 Louis for at Paris and large commissions are given to booksellers [in Madrid]. Desires Storer to be grateful and to soon procure a handsome Baskerville's Bible. Sir R. Payne, before Grantham came [to Spain] made him some presents of five prints and busts, and when he arrived, of good Lequiens. It will be proper to reciprocate with some sort of 'indigenous' present. If he is able to have a copy of the children by Powell, please advise of the size in order that a frame can be made. Sarcophagi from Granada arrived today. Green ones require more polishing, white ones beautiful. After his office business etc. intends to have a little Crash [bout of revelry, amusement, or fighting - O.E.D.], at which Waddilove and a mad priest whom Fritz does not know, will assist. Sunday [7 March 1779]. Gazola very well today. Borghese confined, as Fritz was, when Grantham was named for Spain. Earl of Chatham, a son of Lord Hertford's and a Captain Colt to be expected by the end of the month. Two former entitled to Grantham's attentions. Assure Harry Conway and his friends of Grantham's Civilities. Doesn't like time of year, afternoons too long to be taken up by walking and too short to divide. Had music last night, no supper except slices of Boeuf a la Mode and punch. Waddilove going to the Rastro, Rag Fair of Madrid, next Sunday, in order to extend his Museum. Dispute with Canedo who would not admit to the Sarcophagi costing him anything. For the time being the sarcophagi will have only wooden feet as brass would take too long to make etc. George to make them. Once Grantham has seen his Derbyshire Urn will think of making a walnut tree case, lined with bays for the complete assortment of the Full Desert. Directed a letter to Siere at Whitehall instead of enclosing it with Fritz's. Enclosing an account of Madam Cruilla's death [not present], direct it to Almodovar instead of her daughter, use discretion etc. Love to Nanny and the Parkers. 8 [March 1779].

item

Reynolds, Joshua,
Almodovar,
Dawson,
Bute,
Jansen,
Bladen,
Keppel,
Middleton,
Pelham,
Stainforth,
Waddilove,
Munro,
Galvez,
Bayer,
Gabriel,
Masin,
Lacy,
Mengs,
Alva,
Monmorin,
Kaunitz,
Nuncio,
Cruillos,
Ramel,
Delapierre,
Gazola,
Bayer,
Madan,
Porteus, Beilby,
Storer,
Payne,
Powell,
Chatham, John Pitt, 2nd Earl of,
Hertford,
Colt,
Conway, Harry,
Siere