L30/15/54/264

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

31 Jan 1785

From: 1785 To: 1785

Concerned about effect of cold weather on Fritz's recovery. Dined at the French Ambassadors on Saturday. Company chiefly Ministers and Chefs de Cour. Sat between Aylesford and Jenkinson. Ate and drove in moderation, felt comfortable there and at Opera afterwards. Home late from French Embassader's Assembly last night as it was so full. Faro table held by Mr. Martindale of White's with who "their Ladies of Quality sat Cheek by Jowl". Campo's house in disarray, servants leaving etc... A good Matre D'hotel and a reform are necessary. continued Monsieur Barthelemi at French Embassader's, plain, pleasing man, resembles an Italian singer more than Frenchman. Lord Dalrymple in England. Attended Council this morning. Called on the Bishop of Ely (James Yorke) and an Admiral Forbes. Latter out, needs to confirm with him his dining at Grantham's next week. Lord Jocelyn a plain, tall, young, Irish relative of the Clarendons taking notice of Lady Charlotte. Lady Lincoln has a son, queries the effect it may have on the obduracy of the Duke. Mrs. Wray's family part this evening, concluding at Lady Amhurst's [Fritz invited]. Saw Lady Robert Manner's Coach at Lady Midleton's, cannot say if it has anything to do with Miss Brodrick. Lord Midleton's charming house in Curzon Street, formerly Lady Harrington's. Speaker's Robbery; gown stolen, costs £90 to replace. Buckles also taken etc... Largest number of convicts ordered last report for execution ever known. Mainly working journeymen and apprentices not disbanded soldiers and sailors. Three brothers under 20 taken in a small gang yesterday. Scheme to make parishes prosecute offences committed within their boundaries; means of preventing such offences as robbery and housebreaking. Glass part of Fernanunez's Commission is in transit. Declined eating Turtle at Lady Sydney's today. [Later. Fritz's letter received]. Happy with his account of himself. Anger at Jem [Worsley's] response to Grantham's letter enquiring about former's passage etc..., he says General St. Leger advises him not to embark until after the Equinochial winds at the end of April. Comparison with Dick [Worsley’s] "notions of doing Duty". Grantham considers it an idle scheme of remaining in England as long as possible and spending all his pay. All well at Saltram. Grantham and Fritz's concurrence over plan to press Mickle to enclose the Park [at Newby]. Glad Belwood so much better as to be at Newby soon. Fritz's good joke about Lord Walsingham. Lady Aylesford brought to bed of a girl, it is thought. Lady Grantham stopped and enquired on seeing the Straw [laying down of straw to deaden noise in front of a house where there is a confinement - O.E.D.]. Lady Amherst expected to have more information tonight. Lady Grantham and children well.

item

Aylesford,
Jenkinson,
Martindale,
Campo,
Dalrymple,
Forbes,
Yorke, James,
Jocelyn,
Clarendon,
Lincoln,
Wray,
Amhurst,
Manners, Robert,
Midleton,
Brodrick,
Harrington,
Fernanunez,
Sydney,
Worsley, J.,
St Leger,
Worsley, Dick,
Mickle,
Belwood,
Walsingham,
Aylesford,
Amherst