L30/15/54/251

From 2nd Baron Grantham, Whitehall to Fritz (Frederick), Ripon:

19 Jan 1785

From: 1785 To: 1785

Sir John Stepney at Court, back in England since August. Lord Mansfield has been ill with a violent scorbutic complaint which has perhaps helped to clear his complexion. Mr. Lunardi also there, Sir Elijan Impey bowed to Grantham and they renewed their acquaintance; contemporaries at Westminster and Cambridge. Dalrymple's Uniform in silver, very neat, Grantham glass as it is much cheaper than he thought. Lady Egremont about again, looks bad, Lady Edgcumbe looks old and the "Me[Madame?] Bedford shrivel comes over her apace". Mrs. Pole in England at Halfont, Admiral comes soon. The Capel Ladies still feeling the loss of their mother, they were very close. The Clarendon "Al solito", doesn't think Hyde much better than their cousin Tancred. Saw Miss Broderick. Accounts of Harry [Pelham] very bad, Lady Midleton doesn't know how much so. William is Secretary to the East India Committee not Tom, Grantham mistaken. Mr. James Somers Coree[?] is to marry Miss Nash, Martin's niece. Strange match. Miss Elliott, Sir Gilbert's sister, out of her mind. Mr. Lace [?Law] at Court, grave, not well looking, something like Sir Gilbert. Received Fritz's, more satisfying account of his illness etc... Agrees Sir J. Hart will present an opportunity of getting the Vicunas. Grantham's embroidery not as good as Fritz's. Jack [nephew Parker] wrote an excellent letter in English, French * Latin. Grantham and Lady G. Will see him at Hammersmith. Met Tom [Pelham] in St. James' Street, looks well. Also saw Harry [Pelham] looking better than Grantham led to expect. Dining with him Friday as he dines with Lord Hardwicke tomorrow to meet the Yorkes and Bowens. Mr. Yorke with Grantham this morning, he dined at Pitt's yesterday. Talk of Keyon for the King's Bench in case of accident or retreat of Lord Mansfield. Talk of Beancroft for the Rolls. Mrs. Allanson thought far from well, although she looked all right when Grantham saw her, but the Bishop of Oxford (John Butler) thinks so and Bob Waller etc. Reform; Grantham confidentially informed of probable outline, more members for Counties certain Boroughs who have under a certain number of five [?] votes to be compensated either by Privileges or a Lieu{?]. County Elections to be carried on in Districts to save expense. Pitt committee to Reform, doubts it will be carried this Sessions but will "consider himself as gone" if not in future. Received his summons to Lord Sydney's for Monday, doesn't know movers or seconders in either house. Spoke, and is to write to Lord Howe about Dick [Worsley], no doubt he will get his Preferment at some point. Called on Sir J. Hart, not home. Ground floor at Sackville Street just painted, Parlour is light French grey and white. Lord Boringdon and Jack go to Lady Ashburton's on their way to Exeter, Jack to meet Mr. Ley. Speaker Onslow's picture and others at Lord Hardwicke's house done by Sir James Thornhill (who is one of them and was in Parliament) in 1730, Copy of the Parade with Charles II walking, which hung on staircase at Cranford. Little Aunt [Aust?] often dines in St. James' Square. Lord Carmarthen treated as usual yesterday. Monsieur Barthelemi extremely well spoken of and well liked making civilities from Grantham to him easier. Demand for three year subscriptions, 24 guineas, to two names he doesn't know, supposes them successors to Brookes. Will ask T. Pelham who goes there, to investigate further etc.... [L 30/15/54/253]. T. Onslow's dispute goes on, his antagonist pretends he will not fight him till he is paid and Onslow will not pay what he does not owe. Thought by some that the Princes of Wales means to find out that no Party in or out wishes to be burdened with his support or his debts and that he looks forward to making peace at home. Saw yesterday, civil, looking well and dressed with sufficient propriety. Short letter tomorrow as he dines at Lord Hardwicke's and goes to Mrs. Ellis' in the evening with Lady G. Likens himself to Fanny Rivett in view of the trivialities in this letter. Family well. Tod and Fred recognise Tom [Pelham]. Gouty symptoms today etc... Compliments to Waddiloves.

item

Stepney, John,
Mansfield,
Lunardi,
Impey (d),
Dalrymple,
Egremont,
Edgcumbe,
Pole,
Capel,
Clarendon,
Tancred,
Broderick,
Pelham, Harry,
Middleton,
Nash,
Elliott,
Lace,
Gilbert,
Robinson, Frederick,
Hart, J,
Parker, John,
Parker, Jack,
Pelham, Thomas,
Hardwicke,
Yorke,
Bowen,
Pitt,
Kenyon,
Allanson,
Waller, Bob,
Butler, John,
Pitt,
Sydney,
Howe,
Worsley, Dick,
Boringdon,
Parker, John,
Parker, Jack,
Ashburton,
Ley,
Onslow,
Hardwicke,
Thornhill, James,
Carmarthen,
Brookes,
Pelham, Thomas,
Ellis,
Rivett,
East India Company