L30/11/329/57

Letter from Elizabeth Yorke, Lady Hardwicke to Lady de Grey, sent from Wimpole. [Typed transcript available].

22 Jan 1830

From: 1830 To: 1830

Condolences on the death of Lady Mary Jemima Yorke. The autumn passed off much to the writer’s satisfaction in Ireland – there is considerable improvement in the neighbourhood of Caledon. The writer is inclined to think that where landlords do not press too heavily on the small occupiers, the present system is far better for the interests of all. Daughter Catherine is most useful but not a doer of good – luckily her health is always better in Ireland than elsewhere. Lord Alexander [James Du Pre Alexander] with his tutor passed his holidays at Caledon. Among the company was Madame Kleber, the wife of the General well known in Egypt. She is ‘in scanty circumstances’ and teaches German in Dublin. Catherine thought her adventures and her German lessons would go hand in hand. Mrs Kleber related that she had solicited an interview with Bonaparte ‘she entered an inner apartment with him while his antechamber was crowded. Unfortunately he laid his hand on her arm and discovered in her sleeve the handle of a dagger – her purpose was frustrated and she was imprisoned for two years – afterwards was sent to a mad house by [Joseph] Fouche, whom she affronted, got into the inquisition – after two years got free and went to Baden…’ This lady of 56 concluded the Holy Day ball by waltzing with Alexander to the amusement and joy of all the party. From Caledon the writer went to Belfast, and gave Henry [Reginald] Yorke, who was with her, the amusement of seeing an Irish party at Lord Donnegals and afterwards at Lord Dufferins near Donaghadee – there Catherine left them and returned to Caledon through Orange processions, but all subsided quietly and she reached home safely. Subsequently had a visit of a fortnight to the writer’s brother in Fifeshire; returned by Edinburgh, magnificent in buildings, scenery and position. On arriving in Leamington found the Eastnors [daughter Caroline and husband John Somers Somers Cocks] – she was just recovering from her lying in when she had been dangerously ill. [Emily Maria Somers Cocks baptised December 1829]. She is now quite recovered and will be in Town by the 1st of March. Writer hopes to be Lady de Grey’s next door neighbour by March [in London?]. Will be joined by the Caledons, probably for the last time as their home will be finished and furnished by next winter. Elizabeth Stuart de Rothesay [daughter] goes on in her usual way giving entertainments. Anne (Lady Pollington) has been in attendance on Lord Mexborough [her father in law, John Savile, 3rd Earl of Mexborough of Lifford] for a great while, but is now relieved by his daughter Lady Warwick and all her family going there for a fortnight. [Sarah Elizabeth, married to Henry Richard Greville, 3rd Earl of Warwick]. There is talk of marriage between her son Lord Monson and Lord Vernham’s daughter, but the writer does not know if it is settled. [Frederick John Monson, son of Lady Warwick from her first marriage] Brief mention of other family members.

item

Yorke, Elizabeth,
de Grey, Amabel,
Lucas, Amabel, Baroness,
Yorke, Mary Jemima,
Alexander, Catherine Freeman [Lady Caledon],
Alexander, James Du Pre,
Kleber,
Bonaparte, Napoleon,
Yorke, Henry Reginald,
Somers-Cocks, Caroline Harriet,
Somers-Cocks, John [2nd Earl Somers],
Somers-Cocks, Emily Maria,
Stuart, Elizabeth Margaret,
Savile, Anne [Lady Pollington],
Savile, John [2nd Earl Mexborough of Lifford],
Greville, Sarah Elizabeth,
Greville, Henry Richard, 3rd Earl of Warwick, 3rd Earl Brooke,
Monson, Frederick John

family correspondence, Wimpole, Ireland, German, Belfast, Leamington