Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    L30/15/54/125
  • Title
    From 2nd Baron Grantham, Madrid to Fritz (Frederick) [no. 15]:
  • Date free text
    Mar 1779
  • Production date
    From: 1779 To: 1779
  • Scope and Content
    Responses his nos. 16 and 17. Fancies Zelime and Azor was the handsomest spectacle exhibited lately at the Haymarket etc. Thanks for the description of Brooke's. Obliged to Sir C. Bunbury for assisting Fritz's election. Glad Colonel Wright held out so well. Quite right that Lord North should know their wishes. Doesn't believe well packed gilding will tarnish at sea. Hopes to receive Dr Porteus and Sir Joshua [Reynold's]. Discourses cheaper than they cost before. Made Waddilove guess where Fritz's quotation from the first sermon was taken from. Glad Harry [Pelham?] has des Tabats[?], hopes he will not be above cultivating them. Fritz's sketch of his Ivory Frame. Commission for red cloth put into rare hands doesn't wonder at it's miscarrying. Fritz to be flogged. Wants something done about him [?Shadwell] lest the connection be confirmed rather than dissolved. Fritz's judgement about Velasquez good and well expressed. Grantham dragged into the correction of Mengs' Letter which he does not admire but must not undermine. Favourite hobby horse [of Waddilove]. Sorry Swinburne's etchings are not satisfactory etc. Fritz right to keep their "scraps, God Grant we may live our Absence over again together". Covets their dinner at Carlisle's and supper at Lincoln's Inn. Westminster Club well described, guessed Tom [Pelham] would name him; expects Fritz will name Waddilove etc. Latin letter from Bayer to Faloner calls him Cl. Waddilove, Grantham assumed Clericus but Waddilove says Celeberrimus. Delighted by account of the children [niece and nephew Parker]. Nanny says the boy is riotous and makes his sister so. Duke of Bedford's genuine Tribute of Joy to his Uncle, pleased Grantham much. Deane's letter had appeared in their papers but Grantham thanks Fritz for his attention. Sent Nanny birthday congratulations for today. Two of Gazola's Officers dined on Tuesday. They looked over Voitu Voitie? Madame Ottomendi (whose name is Morales) sent some excellent jowl of Bidassao Salmon which did not make him sick. Saw the Alcahuite of the name Orales at Negrett’s. Went to the Pardo yesterday. Kaunitz carried him there and back to his own house. His Maitre Cheville broke waited an hour to get it mended. Grantham’s Axle Tree broke today. Declined the offer of two Counsellors of India to sit bodkin in a chariot. Penafiel and Goyechea came along next in a Coach and took him to the Pardo. Visited all the known Pepes. Saw Grand Master’s wax work, a very pretty bride, M. Machado at Galvez’ and a deal of Bacalao [codfish - O.E.D.] at Lozada’s. Portugal thought likely to marry, Don R__o [Rodrigo?] advised it. Maybe the Martina, sister to the Paulina. “He will be terrible and worse than a bull with horns and baderillas plaguing him to death”. Lord Chatham and Conway left Cadiz on 11th, expected in Madrid Tuesday or Wednesday. Grantham will probably present them, but not Captain Colt. The case has arrived at Bilbao. Little Bay horse killed in an accident. Miguel involved. Munro sending Fritz a Vicuna in return for a toothpick box given him. Grantham protested in vain that Fritz would not approve, that Fritz’s gift was a memorandum only, etc. 19 March 1779 Attended Court, arrived at Marino’s at pudding time. Travelled there in a Coll[cise] Coach, badly jolted etc.. Went afterwards with Waddilove to view some plated items at Kearney’s. Gazola wants bottle stands. Met later in his Chaise, sends compliments to Fritz, Kaunitz, Murillo, Magallon, Madame Arcos etc.. Castropignan is there again, setting off for Naples. Branciforte, who never loses sight of La Riccia “gets a shove in the Corps” as Sarsalle is aggrege to a Regiment. Winter and Summer Liveries, ordering new ones, not making them frocks but lacing them, avoiding necessity of ever having to make new ones etc.. Very near to having been a year without Fritz. Feelings about this etc.. Captain Colt recommended to Waddilove. Saw Hugh Conway at Cadiz. Vinoles is a great Comederde Zapos of Lord Chatham’s. Grantham very curious to see them, expected Tuesday. Saturday [20 March 1779] Gazola bought a pair of plated bottle stands from Kearney. Only one Waiter painted like Brassbridge, hemmed round with silver. Had there been two he’d have bought them too. Branciforte came home with Grantham to dinner. Bought a pair of candlesticks and an inkstand afterwards at Kearney’s. Grantham bought a pair of candlesticks and a pair of flat ones. Presented the last to Waddilove. Nangle never went to England as he and his Father in Law promised. Walked in the Retiro. Ps. Mass-Junr. [Princess Masserano junior?] there with a large Corrictiera, supported by France and followed by many others. Grantham bowed but avoided any further intercourse. Coach and buff harness looking shabby must decide what to do about it for Aranjuez. Must keep up appearances. Not invited to Portugal’s dinner tomorrow, will not invite him next time he [Grantham] has Company. The Nuncio will certainly be taken in to go to Cuerras which he pretends to dislike. Monsignor Sorlussi[?] loaded with presents at Lisbon by all the Patreach’s family, numerous, they once sat down 26 brothers and sisters. None of them have any children. Gramberg, ex-prisoner there, desiring Grantham to certify he was Lord Gamberg’s son. Pretends to have had a vision, converted from Lutheran to Catholic religion, understands Hebrew by rote, suspected of being a Jew, has found means to be appointed a Captain in one of the Irish Regiments. Grantham certified he knew no such Lord or Commoner by that name. D. Bernando Ward’s papers on Spain are published and very good. Will read them at Aranjuez. “If I can stay my stomach and repress my Principles of Justice so long” will keep books and Sessions papers for Aranjuez. Reflecting on this evening closing the year of their separation. 21 [March 1779]. Has written to Mr Harris and to Sir James [Harris]. Prints enclosed [not present, not named]. Has given Bayer the Russian Sea prints. Hopes to get Mr Parker’s pictures before the Court comes to Town. Music at M. Lalaign’s this evening. Travellers [Chatham and Conway] expected Tuesday or Wednesday. Belmontes’ match to take place before Aranjuez. They are to live in the part of Venice’s home which Rechteren occupied. [In Cypher] The answer from home is much delayed they are arming at Ferol else everything as hitherto how long will this last perhaps the day may come when we shall agree rather to pass the winter together even here than separate we must think of very maturely but say nothing yet I can speak of nothing with certainty yet long to write securely. Love to Nanny and the Parkers. Thoughts on their parting. 22 [March 1779].
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