Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    L30/11/339/284
  • Title
    Letter from Mary Yorke to Lady Lucas. Will leave [St James' Square] on Tuesday or Wednesday. Very grateful to Lady Lucas for allowing her to stay there. The convenient situation has allowed the writer to deal with her business by sending messages several times a day, which she could not have done from Mr Bullers.
  • Date free text
    23 Jul 1810
  • Production date
    From: 1810 To: 1810
  • Scope and Content
    The exectutrix's business is now completed, and the writer now feels quite comfortable. Thanks for the venison. Comments that Lady Lucas has an excellent cook at St. James' Square in the disguise of a housemaid. Lady Caroline Cocks is very pale and delecate, and Lady Catherine is now taking medicine for an attack of a billious obstruction she is liable to; the writer fears they do not have strong constitutions. Lady Lucas' porter does not know which of the pictures in the great room is fixed on by Mr Long to be fetched away. Mention of the Edwards (late Raynsfords), whose uncle married a West India lady. [Note: George Nigel Raynsford changed his name to Edwards upon inheriting in 1809; marriage could relate to Hanbury Raynsford, a major-General in the Honourable East India Company Service]. Reference to the failure of some of the first merchants, amongst whom are the Thorntons, who are said to be entirely ruined and their fine houses and villas put up for sale. 'This has been brought on by the deep speculations as to the Brazil trade, Jacobs I believe was engaged with them - but he offers to pay 17s in the £. Many country banks and several in Ireland have stopped payment.... Should a general bankruptcy take place amongst these banks it would oblige landlords to lower their rents (where they were very much screwed up) anhd grant new leases.' Will propably request some venision soon after return home. Mention of books relating to societies to civilise and instruct the Africans, and wishes them success. Stocks have fallen in the last week - the writer believes this is due to the state of foreign affairs.
  • Level of description
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