Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    L30/11/339/341
  • Title
    Letter from Mary Yorke to Lady Lucas, sent from Princess Street. Setting off this morning for Down Ampney. Tried to get 2 or 3 books from Hatchard; some he had not got, and Bucannon's last work was all sold that was stitched together. Then went to Murrays and was more successful.
  • Date free text
    29 Jul 1813
  • Production date
    From: 1813 To: 1813
  • Scope and Content
    Account of the Vauxhall fete; Mr & Mrs Joseph Yorke, James Cocks and his sister Jane, Dowager Lady Somers and some Carews all went. The gentleman said they were amused for the first hour and horribly tired the remainder, and no wonder, as they were three hours getting up to the door, by which time the ladies were quite jaded. All agreed that the illuminations were extremely fine, but the crowd was too great to see the fireworks well. Accounts of the supper differ - the writer's party thought it a mere scramble; the tables covered with remnants of chicken bones half picked, and no benches to sit on. The dresses were all sorts of colours, but white prevailed, and many ladies had a bit of laurel stuck on some part of their dress. The coming away from the coach stand was formidable with crowds pushing from behind. James Cocks has had a letter from Mrs [Elizabeth Catherine] Bradshaw [his sister], who had a terrible voyage of 3 weeks to the Madeiras in a small transport where they were crammed close with other passengers and half starved with bad bread and stinking water to drink. They were also in danger from a storm and being run down by an India Man. Mrs Bradshaw being wet-nurse to her little boy added to the difficulties of the voyage. On arrival the Bradshaws attended balls and suppers with great glee, and their journey was forgotten. They had to travel in such a vessel as the dangers at home urged them to take the first ship that offered. Would like venison any day after 12th August. Dined yesterday with Mr Pole-Carew; he looked grave - the idea is that next year he will sell his house and retire. His son [Joseph] has ruined himself by raising money in the ally at an enormous (25%) interest. The writer is informed the debt amounts to £60,000. Writer feels for Jacqueline de Hompesch, who seems to be on the high road to ruin, though looks very easy and perhaps thinks less of her affairs than the writer. She keeps no footman. Writer is disappointed that the Malting House is not approved of for a school; thought it would accommodate over 100 children. When prints of the fete come out the writer asks Lady Lucas to enquire for an engraving of the room fitted up for the Royal Princess. Mention of spending a day with the Josephs at Long Ditton. Old Mr Westwood 'is at last released.' [Father-in-law of Thomas Waddington]
  • Level of description
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