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L30/11/329/26
Title
Letter from Elizabeth Yorke to Lady Lucas. Describes recent travels and visits to various people. [Typed transcript available]
Date free text
2 Jun 1802
Production date
From: 1802 To: 1802
Scope and Content
Tomorrow is going on a visit of a few days to Mr Theophilus Jones of Cork Abbey; mention of his loss in the election for the county of Leitrim. Writer enjoys these visits, but finds them tiring. Has just been at a two hours conference on the arrangements for a month’s tour to the south of Ireland, which will commence at the end of September. May keep a journal of the trip ‘for the ennui of my particular friends.’ The journey will involve going from one great man’s house to another, and ‘so like paupers be passed from parish to parish.’ The party will be a large one; Lord & Lady Hardwicke, Ladies Anne Yorke and Mary Fordyce, Lords Lindsay and Royston, Colonel Gore, Aide de Camp and Sir Edward Baker Littlehales, Secretary at War who has just been made a baronet [1st Baronet Baker, of Ranston, Dorset]. The tour will include Waterford and Cork and the lakes of Killarney and Limerick, and will take about four weeks. The elections have been quietly conducted – even in Dublin it passed off without any riot. [The 1802 United Kingdom general election was the first to be held after the Union of Great Britain and Ireland]. The riot that was reported in the English papers was a serious one, but it arose from the violence of the Orangemen; in many cases the Orangemen are somewhat the aggressors from over zeal – the Catholic and Protestant servants live very well together and both attend evening prayers on Sunday night without difficulty. In the election, the Catholics supported Mr [John] Latouche in preference to [George] Ogle, forgetting that his family are French refugees and Huguenots and therefore ought to be most Protestant. ‘The La Touches have made a good hand at emigration however, as all branches of the family are extremely rich – one only (the right honourable David) voted for the Union on the surest grounds, for he refused all advantages that were offered him, he certainly might have had a peerage and probably of a pretty high order; I daresay the son regrets his father’s disinterested support although the individual is certainly to be admired for it. There are four of the La Touche family now in parliament, and if we may judge from present appearances and public achievements they are inclined to opposition and address the people instead of the electors or freeholders.’ In spite of Mr Fortess’ assertion in the House of Commons that the revenue was on the decline in Ireland, it has increased in the three quarters of this year above what is was in the corresponding term last year, no less a sum than £886,440, already above what was supposed to be the increase foe the whole year. In the winter, Lord & Lady Hardwicke paid a visit of some days to the Duke of Leinster [William Robert FitzGerald, 2nd Duke of Leinster] ‘a very pleasing nobleman, not quite clever enough or steady enough for a commoner in turbulent times but amiable and domestic to a great degree and seen to much advantage among his family..’ His eldest daughter, Lady Mary Rebecca, is married to Sir Charles Lockhart-Ross; his second daughter, Lady Emily Elizabeth ‘is extremely pleasing and pretty, but married to a mean looking shy little democrat, a cousin of the family [John Joseph Henry]; Lady Isabella Charlotte is the character of the family – ‘she has a passion for Sir Sidney Smith and sleeps with his portrait under her pillow….The reports of his marriage distress her..’ Also describes two other Fitzgerald daughters, and two sons. Describes the Duke of Leinster’s property as extensive, with some parts very beautiful; the house is fine on the outside but inconvenient within, old and ill furnished. The servants are very numerous. The Bishop of Waterford was also staying with the Duke of Leinster. He has since died. [Rt Rev Richard Marlay, died 1 Jul 1802]. The first visit this summer was to the Conollys [Thomas Conolly, Irish landowner and Member of Parliament, of Castletown House, Kildare]. A fine house, both inside and out. Of Thomas Conolly, the writer states ‘…his manner is very friendly towards Lady Louisa though the old gentleman’s conduct it is whispered is not so correct as it ought to be – he manages pretty well to be coaxed by all parties, for his heir is not disclosed….’ The next invitation was to Mount Kennedy, [estate at Newtownmountkennedy in Co Wicklow, previously owned by Robert Cuninghame, 1st Baron Rossmore, who died in 1801 and left his fortune to his niece Mrs Gunn]. ‘Mr Gunn is a rather insignificant little man, and there is much envy and ill will excited by his sudden rise in fortune. He had a good fortune from his father, but spent it at play…..Everything is gay and comfortable, but we regretted the hospitable old man whose work it was.’ Mention of a dinner attended by Peter La Touche and a visit to his hunting lodge, and other entertainment during the stay. Comments that the Gunn daughters are well accomplished, can draw, sing, dance and are also well taught in French and Italian. Mention of a battle fought at Newtown during the Irish Rebellion. Visited Lady Harriet Daly en route to stay with Peter La Touche; mention of large conservatories and peach houses. Describes Mrs La Touche ‘she has the most benign countenance I ever saw and the most gentle appearance although her size both in height and breadth is immense.’ Reference to Mrs La Touche’s charity work, and agreeing that all was insufficient till something of a poor rate could be established. Left the La Touches and went to Killruddery, the seat of the Earl of Meath [John Chambre Brabazon, 10th Earl of Meath] : ‘everything about this place was old and odd and interesting.’ From Killruddery Lord & Lady Hardwicke returned to Dublin. The following week went to Cork Abbey to bid adieu to its present possessors; Mr [Theophilus] Jones is leaving following the disappointment of the election; he has sold the property and means to leave Ireland for England. There is general sorrow for their departure. Describes the visit; the party included ‘our new chancellor’ and Mr Wickham. After leaving Cork Abbey Dined at Powerscourt [seat of Richard Wingfield, 5th Viscount Powerscourt]. Encloses copy of a letter written by Lord Sligo, which caused much entertainment. Remarks that has had no particular permission to copy it. [Not present]
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