Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    W1/6569
  • Title
    Samuel Whitbread II, Basle, to Elizabeth Grey. Marked no 23.
  • Date free text
    10 August 1787
  • Production date
    From: 1787 To: 1787
  • Scope and Content
    My dearest Bessy As no letter can ever contain all I have to say to You, I am sure you will be neither surprized, nor sorry that I should so soon resume my pen by way of giving a postscript to the Pacquet that was dispatched on Wednesday. I write also to Charles by this Post, & I wish that whenever a letter from abroad arrives at Fallodon a companion at least may attend it under direction to You. this is another inducement: in short so many are the inducements, so great is the satisfaction & pleasure I receive during the time of my thus conversing with you that their enumeration would fill a Volume; & still nothing would be said, & You must ultimately apply to your own feelings to know what that Joy is which I cannot express. Bess, I love You & I must torment you with the repetition of this Truth.- To answer your question; & decide the important controversy; (of course in your favour) I did see the Member for the Country [Charles Grey, elected MP for Northumberland in 1786] shot out of a go-cart, & sprawling at the bottom of the Hill; Sam, & the two Thomas's & Harry shared the same fate several times; & the junior Thomas often put us to our Honours & Words that we would not mention it. As he rehearsed himself before the windows, I think at all Events he need not to been so desirous of our secrecy. I dare say You will not gain an Inch in the debate by my being on your side if the question; it will be said that I am a suborned Witness. but what I have advanced is true, so may I never lose your esteem & affection. Love me, Love my dog is a proverb so bad, that I have just remprimanded myself very severly for not having long before this enquired after Una. Pray how does she do I have often thought of her, not truely so much for her own sake as for the recollection of the drooping head & glistening Eye which I witnessed one morning in Hartford Street when she was lost. You do remember that. I hope she is not again lost, or I shall be maudit, for recalling to mind a lost friend. but you remember my advice that I was bold eno' to give you in your distress 'If you lose that Favourite never take another'. I will give you a ridiculous instance of my having really had in my thoughts the important personage about which I am now writing. Tom Monson tells me that I awoke him some time ago, with repeated loud vociferous enquiries if 'what the little dog's name was?' Altho' I am totally ignorant of what foundation in truth this story may have, I am sure of one thing; that if any little dog was in my thoughts it could be none but Una.- Tomorrow morning early we start again, the Weather is so very hot that we have discharged our Horses & go in an open Carriage, preferring the irksome sauntering of a swiss voiturier, to the hanging on our horses in so hot a Sun. We shall sleep tomorrow Night at Mellerey, & the second day reach Soleure. I have been precisely the round we are now going to take before; therefore, & as it is much milder & less romantic than the Scenes we have lately visited, I do not propose to myself much pleasure from the Expedition. Ennui, Ennui. Yes I wish I was at Fallodon. I do thank You, I do love You, I do adore You for uniting with me in this wish.- but all is born chearfully in confidence that time must shortly bring about what I so ardently desire. But this Postscript assumes the form of a letter. I will not give full scope to my Hobby horse he will run away with me. So to conclude. I will write either from Berne, or on my return hither, or both. best remembrances to all. Adieu my dearest Bessy, As you are mine, I am Your's. I give myself for you & doat upon the exchange. Sincerely & affectionately now & ever Your's & Your's only S. Whitbread Ld & Ly Granard, Mrs D'oyley & Ly Anne Rawdon are arrived here. May every blessing attend You. Adieu. Adieu. Write still to Spa.
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