Paris ce 10 Fevrier 1781.

Votre lettre ma comblée de joye ma chere Cousine -
il n'est plus question des Temples a la Perruque -
Oraculaire - c'est aux Naiades presidentes - de Bath
que je dresserai mes autels puisqu'elles ont retabli
votre santé - la mienne va tout doucement - un climat
Italien est je croi un peu trop subtil pour des gens
de ma volee - l'état de ma Mere m'afflige/infiniment -
plus au Ciel que mon retour lui pourra être de quelque
soulagement - Assurement vous êtes bien étonnée de mon
depart précipité de Venise - Helas! il ne me restoit
que deux chemins à prendre - celui d'Angleterre - ou
celui de la Mort - je l'ai touche de bien près - et
je ne saurai exprimer mes longeurs - mon abbatement que
par la voye de la Musique - je vous apporte quelques
Morceaux de ma façon - qui vous rappelleront un peu
je me flatte notre cher Paëchierotti - son triomphe
est complet - toute Venise lui offre de l'Encens pendant
que mille jeunes et belles adoratrices remplacent la
Sibille de Londre. - Quel Opera - O Dieux Harmoniques!
ai je quitte! quel chant Moelleux et penetrant - un
recitatif de feu - et des ariettes plustendres - plus
seduisantes que celles des Syrenes. J'enverai Rouiaglia
sans doute au cent milles Diables - en revanche on me
dit beaucoup de bien du Tenore Ausani - mais - il est
aparien/

aparien qu'on ne pense qu'aux Vestris et à Mlle Bacelli.
Notre spectacle parisien est sublime en fait de Decorations
ce n'est que Pavillions Dore's et champs fleuris - Ombres
heureuses - et chanteurs Damnes - car c'est impossible
de miauler plus execrablement - quonque la Musique est
de Picini. - Je languis après le Printemps car alors
nous nous revenons - mais peut-être viendrai-je vous
saluer a la Campagne et chanter un De profondis sur la
Tombe de votre Géant tutelaire. Paris est bien Gay -
bien folatre a son ordinaire, mais je n'ose pas m'y
livrer. Que fait Mlle. ma Cousine postiche - monte
elle souvent a Cheval? comme elle, brillerait ici sur
les Sablons - au Bois de Boulogne! quel ravage ne feroit
elle pas avec ses yeux noirs - heureusement pour Messrs.
les Parisiens quelle court seulement les plaines
verdoyantes qui vous environnent! si la Jamaique s'a bien
conseillez votre delicieuse Cousine Betsabie (car c'est
plus tendre que Bashua) de venir s'établir aux Boulevards -
nous lui trouverons une Gargotte - et je reponds que ses
singeries feront fortune - ayant un joli Gozier, le
succes la suivra aussi dans l'Opera Comique - et c'est
alors

(sic, le ge quoy què)

alors qu'on verra Miss Jenni ou Sophie en Tom Jones -
dans la dernière perfection. Mille pardons ma charmante
Cousine pour l'execrable brouillon que j'ose vous
envoyer - Hélas ma plume est Française - et ne se
préte pas à une main Britanique. Adieu! je vous
quitte avec regret pour me rendre au bureau d'esprit
et de puritanique politique chez Mde. la Dsse.

D'Auville - donnez moi de vos nouvelles je vous
supplie - dans le cas que vous n'êtes pas paresseuse
j'aurai le bonheur de les recevoir avant mon départ
pour Londres. - Je vous donne carte blanche en fait
d'Amitiez - de compliments &c. à mon Cousin votre
Frère - et Mlle. Pitt - Adieu encore.

Paris ce 2d d'Avril 1931.

Vos Lettres me font un bien ma charmante Cousine joliment
que je ne scaurois exprimer - on ne peut pas écrire plus
joliment que vous - et je crois que c'est impossible de
peindre ses idees avec plus de Grace. Je quitterai
volontiers les plaisirs de Paris, pour jouir un instant
de votre compagnie - et faire quelques petites courses
sur le dos du Géant de votre voisinage. Avec quel
empressement ne vous chanterai je pas certains airs
langoureux - qui me rappellent Venise - et ses Isles
éparés sur l'Ocean. La magnifique place de St. Marc
et cette foule de Gondoles qui se remuent sans cesse.
Adieu - chers moments de Venise! votre souvenir ne
s'évanouira qu'avec mon existence! - pardonnez ces
egarements - ces transports - auxquels des Ames comme
la minne sont exposées. - graces au Ciel nous voici
au Printemps et en trois Semaines ou plus tard je compte de
revoir l'Angleterre - peut-être m'ai je tout de suite me
perdre dans les Forets de Fonthill et en cas que vous
n'auriez pas encore abandonné le séjour de Stepleton -
j'y viendrai vous dire bon jour - et demander des nouvelles
de mon Cousin, à qui je vous supplie de faire bien mes
Amitiez. J'ai manqué deux ou trois fois de faire la
connaissance de la petite Montalimbert - je ne la [croyais]
[one word obliterated] pas si [éloigne du train train
ordinaire] - [one word obliterated] [Ces] Femmelettes en
général qui [pincent] [jouent deleted] de la Harpe - et
[three words obliterated] [de la bouche] dans les Comedies
[morales] [five words obliterated] [si fort à la mode - ne
m'interessent guère - à dire la verité] il n'y a rien qui
m'ennuye comme ces jolis petits talents de Société - ou le
Coeur/

Coeur et le Génie n'ont point de part - vous voyez comme je suis farouche - et meme sauvage - je n'aime que la Nature - et la simplicite de ces beaux jours de la Grèce - quand on couroit les Prairies en chantant des Hymnes [avec une devotion non feinte] aux Nimphes tutelaires des Fontaines et en se jettant des Roses. Vous etes faite ma charmante Cousine pour orner des pareils Tableaux - et mener les Choeurs qui dansoient jadis dans le Vallon d'Enna quand Ceres y tenoit sa cour. Adieu. Je passerai ma vie a vous écrire - mais [on m'appelle sans misericorde, deleted] je vous impose! [pour mon malheur - voila, le roid - a word in the same hand obliterated] Ld. M. et M. L. son très digne gouverneur - qui viennent me conduire au bureau d'esprit et de Franklinisme chez Mme. la Dsse. d'Auville.

Note. Except where otherwise stated, the words enclosed in square brackets are interlined in Beckford's hand.

["3", "Paris 2 Avril 1781.", "Vos lettres, ma charmante cousine, me font un bien que\nje ne saurai - deorire. Elles m'inspirent une si forte\nenvie de vous voir - de vous entendre que je n'y tiens\nplus. Je quitte Paris en moins de dix jours . . . nous\nferons nos petites courses sur le dos du geant de votre\nvoisinage . . . m'importe ce qu'en dira le Cardinal . .\nAvec quel empressement me vous en chanterai je pas -\ncertains airs gondolesques qui me rappellent Venise et\nses Isles eparres sur l'Ocean - - - - - - - - - - - -

Fonthill July 6th 1781.

[Till] Your Letter, [arrived] my dear Louisa, [relieved
me from the most cruel anxiety deleted]. I was trembling
lest you should have been relapsed into your former
languid state - and endured the ennuis of Tunbridge in
vain. [Forlorn deleted] [Common place] as it is in
prospect [compared with your favourite rocks near Spa]
I shall bless its waters if they do butsend you an hour
sooner than I expected to Fonthill. All that surrounds
me [here] is [calm and] silent [and solitary deleted]:
my [torment deleted in pencil] [[arbitrary Mother]] not
being yet come down - I stray uninterrupted from Morn:
till Eve: and feel a kind of Melancholy pleasure in being
at liberty to pronounce [three or four words obliterated]
[your] dear name [aloud in the free uncontaminated air -
unreproached and unpersecuted]. [Eight lines obliterated].
The weather is [reckoned marvellously fine for this
country yet] [admirably cool for July and deleted] I
ardently wish some propitious Deity would transport us
both to Naples - every day I regret [more and more] the
[two words obliterated] [fragrant boschetto] of Portici
and the thickets near the grotto of Pausilippo where I
[was wont to enter in deleted] [used to pass hour after

hour/ otherwise

Except where stated, do be deletions or oblations,
The words enclosed within single square brackets are
interlined in ink, and those within double square
brackets are interlined in pencil, all in Beckford's
hand.

hour in trying to discover the entrance of long hidden
subterranean palaces] - my rambles [would not deleted]
at present [would not] be [a word or two obliterated]
[charmless] could I but take them under [the genial
influence of]] a [still] softer sky. This morning
[however] I basked several hours in the sunshine -
stretched [along deleted] [my whole listless length on]
the side of a Hill which is purpled with Thyme. When
shall I see you again - moving about the slopes - in
all the flow of your beautiful Antique drapery! [Keep
/in pencil]
up my spirits by writing deleted/[Write] to me [[Louise
even when you have nothing new to communicate]] [at least
a few lines almost every Post deleted in pencil]. Were
I not to hear [often deleted in pencil] [every day]
from you - I believe without exaggeration - I should lay
myself down and die. There are moments [already] when
I think myself on the utmost verge of [this troubled]
existence, and fancy I hear low murmurs [so strange
and mysterious] that [[I more than half believe they]]
come from another World. Adieu - I will try my best to
linger here - at least till I have once more seen my
dear Louisa.

Night comes on - the sheep are quietly penned, but I return
to my fold - as restless and discontented as ever. Adieu -
I am too languid to add any thing but my wishes to hear from
you - [and my desire that you will believe me your most
affectionate William *deleted*]

Harrow, JanY. 16, 1782.

Wednesday.

I have received your letter, but fear (by the irregularity of the post) you have not had mine. The situation of your mind at the time of your writing excited in me all the energy of sympathy. I have something too to communicate analogous to what you perhaps refer to; — but of this more on Saturday when I hope to see you. If you can send the carriage, let me know by the general post of to-morrow night, and I will be ready to obey your summons on Saturday morning, as early as you please after 10 o'clock.

At present the rains drive, the gust yells, and I shiver, ever by the fire. More mischiefs are apprehended to be brewing by certain omens which have been observed by

S. Henley.

Leaf with address missing.

Wednesday 30 Jany. 1782.

The letter you received from Hamilton was really his
own, and as well as I remember was tolerable. Both
himself and his brother are at present in very great
disgrace; and not without richly deserving it.

My soul rejoices to know that your imagination hath
been wrapped in the thickest gloom: never is the lightening
so glorious, as when it flashes from the darkest clouds.

I will gladly answer for all the horrible imaginings
that may have been suggested by my surly spirit, though
the murder which so shakes your state of man was more than
fantastical.

Your own time will find me ready for any consultations.
When that is, I shall hope to learn from yourself on
Saturday morning about 11 o'clock, as I shall have
business which will call me on that day to town.

I do not know what message Payne sent with the Missals
and Fontaine. Finding by the catalogue that his Assignees
were selling his stock, and also that the Missal I mentioned
to you was not disposed of, I desired him to send that and
the other, together with Fontain (for the sake of the prints)
that you might see them. The price of Fontaine is 9s. the
missal, 5642 - £4.4.0, the other, 5645, £3. 3. 0. I know
nothing of their value. If you do not like them, the
sooner they are returned the better. Perhaps there are
other articles in the Catalogue, you would choose.

I expected much from Dr. Warton's new volume on Pope,
and am pleased to find it has afforded you entertainment.
I am, as you know, more disposed to think of Pope with him,
than with Johnson. Perhaps you will be able to lend it
me on Saturday.

What/

-2-

What a happiness that Lady D. is emerged out of
darkness'. I understand from the News paper that Lord
Loughboro' has lifted up the lightness of his countenance
on her daughter Augusta: - some gleams obliquely falling
from the same great source of light may have, perhaps,
tinged with their splendor her mother's clouds. Of
Lady E. I know nothing; but, wherever she is (tho' it
were Paradise), her presence could not fail to convert
the happiest region into a dismal situation, doleful
shades, where peace and rest can never dwell. Tell me;
don't you think that Milton, by that poetic spirit, which
penetrates futury (sic), saw and selected her countenance
for the archetype of a certain respectable personage,
when he wrote the following lines:

round he throws his baleful eyes,

That witness'd huge affliction and dismay etc. - ?

With respect to the Living, I am in a more embarrassed
situation than you can imagine, and shall be glad of your
advice, how I should act. Adieu.'

I am your's from my heart.

S.H.

Addressed - William Beckford Esquire
Wimpole Street,
Cavendish Square.

I dare say, you have some time since concluded that
I am gone into the land where all things are forgotten.
The truth is, I am just returned from its confines. Such
has been the state of the air, from the almost incessant
continuance of rains, that hardly any one has escaped its
baneful effects, and even those, whose constitutions are
not under the domination of "every skiey influence" have
been rendered abject under this. I deferred answering
your letter from Dover (which I should have been as little
surprized by, had it borne on it the post mark of the
moon) for two days, till I could give you some intelligence
respecting those of your concerns in my hands - and the
very day I saw Mr. Wildman I was seized with the illness
which hath exceedingly reduced me, and hardly left me in a
state capable of writing. Not only have I been confined
to my bed, but in fits of almost constant delirium, have
been haunted by the wildest imaginations that the Daemon of
Vagaries ever set to persecute the victim of a fever.
Amongst all the torments of caprice that agitated my
brain the strangest was that which persuaded me of your
being imprisoned in the enchanted castle of Atlant every
apartment of which I roamed round incessantly in search
of you, and all without success, though I heard you
perpetually calling me, where ever I went. And now, tho
that delirium be at an end, my anxiety in not meeting you
is not much less. I have a thousand fancies to utter
about these things that so few understand, which I believe
must be bottled up (like Orlando's wits) till your return.
The plate is finished, and in my hands. I am more choise
of it than gold; yea, than much fine gold. Nothing can
be more fine. I have the drawing also. I gave Mr.
Wildman /

10

-2-

Wildman notice of a draft upon him for the money and he
has the receipt. The same shall be done about St. Bruno,
which Bartolozzii is busy upon. I spoke likewise to Mr.
Wildman about the paper and print, according to your
desire, but my illness has prevented the book's going to
press, till next week. Cipriani I find you forgot to pay -
I do not know whether you paid him for the prints you had
of him, or not. I did not choose to speak to him on the
subject till I heard from you. Mr. W. would have paid him,
or at least desired me to, but I thought it was better to
defer it, till I had mentioned it to you, as he certainly
is entitled (on account of a great deal of trouble he has
taken) to more than he asked; and I know it was your
design to give him more, on account of his moderate charge.
Elmsly has purchased your books - some he gave dear for,
but all taken together, they are by no means dear. Horace
Walpole has published in 5 v. 8vo price 15/- an improved
edition of his Anecdotes of Painting - it is a neat book,
rapidly purchased. I have secured a good set for you.
Tom Warton has a poem in the Press addressed to Sir John.
Reynolds, from which I expect much. I shall buy you one.
Hayley's great poem will be published in ten days. Patterson
I shall see as soon as I can and will forward the catalogue
to you as it is printed. I have found after repeated
inquiries in whose hands the Koran is which Job wrote for
Dr. Chandler. If you wish me to purchase it, I think I
can get at it for a reasonable price.

I intended to have filled my paper but am unable, having
made my head quite giddy with writing what I have written.
Mrs. H. has been ill almost as long as I, and the boys also
have been greatly indisposed. Both desire their love.
Remember/

-3-

Remember me to Mr. Lettice; whom I saw this morning sitting postilion on the foremost of four post-horses and driving the God Silenus in a hack-chaise.

Adieu. God bless you'.

June 4 1782.

Unsigned.

Addressed - William Beckford Esquire.

1782.

I am not surprized to find that the Spirit hath
moved you. I knew the moment of inspiration would
come, and beheld the Power herself descending,
surrounded by an effulgence of glory. A splendor
of golden radiance kindled beneath her footsteps, and
the fiery track that marked her way thro clouds of the
saddest purple, is still glowing, from earth to heaven.
Such was my vision'. I conversed too, with your Crone;
fair
visited the top of the chasm into which the unhappy one
fell; noted the ivy that surrounded the sarcophagus
which her Lover was exploring; and beheld the earth still
fresh, from whence the loosen'd crag broke beneath his
weight. But, a truce to visions'. I shall wait with
the most anxious impatience till I learn the story from
yourself. The evening I returned I neither gave sleep
to my eyes nor slumber to my eye-lids till I had
carefully transcribed Valombrosa, and transferred the
remaining corrections to the Grand Chartreuse. I shall
think every hour a century till I receive and we have
prepared the whole. To-morrow, I shall write to
Cipriani. We did not go to Bell's for his poets. If
you wish to have a set, I can demand from him the best
impressions. I was glad to find the boys had written.
They soon intend to trouble you again. Nothing could
make them happier than your letters to day. I long for
the time to come for a renewal of that happiness I have
so lately enjoyed with you, and promise myself infinite
enjoyment in the favour of your company. Main time
whatever I can do that may be at all grateful to you,
I/

-2-

I hope and trust you will not fail to command from your's
most unfeignedly

S. Henley.

By the date of your letter, it should have come from
town on Monday and I received it yesterday morning. We
have as many posts a we... (torn). (Following page
missing.)

After having waited long in earnest expectation of
a letter, I have at length received two. Disappointment
had left full scope to my imagination, and I fancied a
thousand things, every one of which might have happened;
but I am happy to find that not one of the thousand hath
actually happened. Thank Heaven! that the baleful
influence which spread itself so extensively over us,
hath not extended to those happy regions of glittering
clouds and clear blue sky that you inhabit. For, that
it has not, I conclude from your silence on the subject;
but as silence is not absolute proof, I find myself
precluded at once, both from condoling for your
sufferings, and congratulating on your recovery.

Why are your sums more intensely hot than usual, while
we have scarcely any sun at all? Nothing but rain and
cold fill up the months of our summer. Yet, were it
otherwise, I would gladly exchange a more grateful
temperature to enjoy those objects, which perhaps to you
have lost the charms of novelty. Blessed St. Anthony!
how would I throng and press to reach thy shrine, and
behold the beneficiaries of thy miracles. How would I
but a truce to St. Anthony, and the Pope etc. for the
present: I will return to them when I have nothing else
to write. When shall I receive your concluding letter?
The printer absolutely refuses to begin printing till he
has the whole copy in his hands. We wait only for it.
You desired Cipriani might be paid, but did not tell me
how much. I do not recollect if you made him any
allowance for the prints you had of him; he also has had
a good deal of trouble with Bartolozzi. The proper
time/

-2-

time no doubt to pay him will be, on delivery of the
other plate, which will be in September. You once
spoke of giving him a £20 note - but will that be
enough for designs, prints and trouble? With respect
to the books purchased by Elmsly, it was your intention
when you went, to have all but a few new bound; if I
am not mistaken: - I will expect your directions
concerning them. The poets I have procured some
beautiful morocco for, and they are to be gone about
immediately. I have received no part of the catalogue
of Croft's books yet from Paterson, but am in constant
expectation of it; when it comes I will immediately
transmit it to you. I long anxiously to read your tale,
but I have not yet been able to see Mrs. Starke. She
certainly is a wonderful creature. You talk of growing
vain as the son of the morning. I have no objection to
your becoming an arch-angel, but I don't wish to see you
an arch-angel in ruins. Hayley's new poem is I fancy
too large to send you. The subject you know is Epic
Poetry. It possesses uncommon excellence. In the notes
he hath translated three cantos of Dante's Inferno with
very great success, and the greater part of D'Ercilla's
Aracauna - which from his translation appears to be one
of the noblest productions in the world. We have nothing
besides in the literary way worth mentioning except that
Stewart has published in 24to vols. a history of my
favourite Mary of Scots, and vindicated her from the
horrid crimes imputed to her.

The boys are well, and have given me less plague
than usual.' Their vacation is begun, and they are to
be sent for next week, which I suppose will break in with
an engagement to your mother, who hath invited me to be
of/

-3-

of the party.

They go to Rendlesham, and I shall follow them for a
fortnight, after waiting the result of my Wife's lying-in.
Should the produce be a boy, shall I ask you to be his
sponsor? Tristram's father had not more conundrums about
christian names than I have. As it would be my highest
happiness to see him a minstrel he no doubt must be called
Edwin, and with your permission Beckford may be added.

John Spencer asked for you yesterday and desired to be
remembered.

I am most heartily your's

S.H.

August 3d. 1782.

No address.

Rendlesham near Melton & Ipswich

4 May 1784.

I was not at home when your letter arrived or you wd. have
heard from me in answer by the return of the post. Mr. Nicol
(in the strand) who is the publisher promised me you should have
actually have such a copy as no one else ed. procure you, and
I am confident he will not break his word. The plates you
know were all worked off in his house & under his own inspection.
I have written to him in the strongest terms that your wish may
be gratified.

William is to come hither on his return from Devonshire.
Everything is ready for his reception. I shall devote myself
entirely to him:- For he has not a moment to lose.

I shd. be glad to come to town but I have neither time nor
money for such excursions.

Before you left England you wished to procure a fine copy
of Grose's Antiquities. As the supplemental part is now
publishing, if I were in town & could spare time to pick out
impressions I would complete mine, but that not being the case,
I despair of doing it in the manner I ed. wish & therefore have
thoughts of parting with it. If you choose to have it let me
know, as I wd. wish it to get rather into your's than any other
hands. It is very carefully & superbly bound in Russia after
your own heart.

Adieu'.

I am very late & fear missing the post. (Unsigned).

(No address).

I write by return of post to return you a thousand thanks for your very kind letter, and to assure you that but for your assistance, I should have been utterly unable to extricate myself out of the ambarrasment which I have explained to you. The sum referred to is £200, which I shall take the earliest opportunity to repay.

I have not yet heard from Lord Courtenay. His Lordship wrote to me almost a month since to inquire if I was prepared for Mr. Courtenay's reception, and at the same time desired an immediate answer as he intended William shd. come to me as soon as possible. I wrote the same day, but have heard nothing in return. A report has reached me from different quarters that Lord C. is shortly to be married to <u>Sir George</u>, lady Honeywood's friend, and this marriage I conjectured might occasion the delay. I shall however soon know more of the matter, as I will lose no time in writing. Having been in daily expectation of Lord C's arrival with William, I cannot at present be absent from home, otherwise I should be exceedingly glad to come up to town, as I should greatly rejoice to see you.

With respect to Lord and Lady L. & Sir John and Lady W. (')

I am totally at a loss to conjecture the ground of their dislike to me. There is not one of them whose persons I know, and I am confident there is not a transaction of my life that, without the utmost malignity, they can turn to my disadvantage in any representation. If, however, I can trace anything to them which they have either done or said to my disadvantage, we shall soon be better acquainted.

I feel myself under great obligations to Sir George Yonge for the interest he hath taken in my concerns. He was so obliging as to lend me a very curious book when I was last in town, which I should have returned, but have waited for an opportunity by means of Lord Courtenay. If you wish to receive the Ms. you refer to, I will send both together without/

-2-

without delay.

I hope that within a month I shall be able to send you
a finished transcript of Vathek. I rise at 5 every morning
to pay my devoirs to him.

You did not tell me how you like Cooke. I have not
recd. mine, but expect it to day.

I am, more than I can express myself your's

S.H.

June 8. 1784.

(No address).

Rd. to Rogers 13 March 1840
to Mr. M., 22 March

Read to Dr. Gairdner 16 Feb.
1840
to Mrs. Gore 26 July 1840
to the D.S. Feb. 1842.

[The above in pencil in Beckford's hand].

Lady Clermont often said to me - Keep aloof from Madame Neckers parties if you possibly can; they wont suit you. O that I had followed this excellent advice - but there is no resisting fate, nor such a billet as I enclose to you and which I beg you will not fail to return. I went early, according to summons, and found Gardel and two of his vice-gerents, the slimmest of the slim, each armed with his slender kit, Piccini at the harpsichord and Mormonall and the Abbe Raynal acting the part of audience. Mademoiselle pounced down upon me the moment I entered, and we began dancing menuets, then followed a gavotte, which, though I performed, as I flattered myself, in/

x Je crois, monsieur, que vous faites l'honneur a maman de
diner cheselle mecredi. Si je voudrois bien jouir de tous vos
talents, et c'est pour cela que j'ose vous proposer de venir
a une h. et demie - avant le diner. J'ai promis a un habile
danseur le plaisir de vous admirer, et le soir a un bon
musicien celui de vous accompagner. Pardon si je mets votre
modestie a cette epreuve, mais vous avez cependent trop de
franchise, et de jugement pour vous amuser a etre modeste.
Je n'ai peins encor fini l'ouvrage extraordinaire que vous
avez eu la bonté de me confier Monsieur. Il est difficile
en idee
de le quiter, car vous transporter si rapidement d'idées, de
tableaux en tableaux qu'il est impossible de trouver un
intervalle entre une sensasion et l'autre. Vous revez quand
vous n'avez rien a peindre - l'imagination qui invente ou

represente les objets, n'a jamais ete portee plus loin
La nature a sur vous un bien grand empire. Votre ame est
entrainee pas tout ce qui l'environne - vous ne devez jamais
oublier les lieux que vous avez vu, car chacun d'eux a fait
naitre des pensees qui ne peu vent s'effacer. J'ai souvent
ri de votre maniere de peindre, mais je crois que vous ne
vous doutiez pas que vous etiez gai, car vous parlez votre
langue naturelle, lors meme que nous vous trouvons extra-
ordinaire, - j'aime beaucoup l'origine que vous donnez aux
Flamands - quand a vous, monsieur, c'est dans le Mont Ætna
que je chercherai la votre et je vais me hater de voir si
vous parlez de ce volcan avec reconnoisance. Agreez,
monsieur, l'assurance des sentiments distingues avec lesquels
j'ai l'honneur d'etre votre tres humble et tres obeisante
servante. (Ce dimanche, Louisa Necker.)

Vii B.B.

S.H. 17/vi/84

The data upon which you reason are sufficient to support
your conclusion; Lord C. has informed me that he has changed
his plan. I have written to his Lordship a letter upon the
subject which he will not perhaps easily answer. I am convinced
nothing could have thrown matters so much topsy survey but the
Devil & Devilkins that prompted Lady & Lady - &c. to plot agst.
you at Fonthill. With respect to Wm. whatever loser he may be
in not coming hither, I have but little to regret on that score;
at least at present. My first object in taking him was to oblige
you, as I know you wished it, & I am confident I ed. have done
him some good. The immediate emolument upon a very accurate
calculation would but have barely paid my expences, without
compensating at all for my time devoted to him. So that I have
but little to regret on this score, only that perhaps the connexion
might be of service to my family, if I shd. be taken from it before
they are fixed in life - and that by acceding to Lord C's applic-
ation, I have since rejected a proposal that wd. have been very
advantageous.

If it were in my power, I would gladly come to town, but it
at present is morally impossible for me. I wish earnestly to
see you & flattered myself that you wd. have fulfilled your
promise of coming hither. I want much to see Fonthill & trust
the time will again come when we shall turn over books & arrange
them & enjoy them as I have done.

Pray have you seen at any time Dr. Cook's travels in Russia,
Persia, &c. in 2 8vo vols.? It is curious & authentick. He
lent his papers to Jonas Hanway, who purloined much of them to
put into his own book. I know a person who has a set which I
dare say I can procure you, if you wd. wish to have it.

You are very good with respect to the £200. Thro' our
disappointment & another along with accumulated & unavoidable
expences I am put to the greatest difficulty for the want of it.
If therefore you will be so good as to send me inclosed in a
letter, or a draft for it, or an order for me to draw for it, it
will be of the most immediate & essential service.

I/

SH. 26/x/84

Rendlesham 20 October 1784.

I began to suspect you were no longdr in the land of the living, or at least that you were gone to the land where all things are foregotten, till a letter from my friend Taylor brought me some vague intelligence of you - intelligence which I now find to have been well grounded, tho' at the time it first reached me I confess I could scarcely believe. How are the mighty fallen: what Lady L., that termagant of decorum &c. &c. under the same roof with you, & that roof her brother's? verily wonders are not yet ended! With respect to William:— I have done with him. He & his Father may play their own game after their own fashion. I certainly have not been well used by them, but as the event has turned out, I congratulate myself on the escape. Whether the Noble Lord is as happy at the result of his rencontre with Sir Charles B. relative to his sister Sir George, I will not pretend to guess. Your idea of Taylor, be assured, is a mistaken one. There is not a person living who is more my friend, nor more inflexible in his ideas of rectitude &c. &c. Lord C. has never tho' they have met so often, opened his lips to him relative to the affair of William & treatment of me. Nor do I believe now that he ever will.

The Proof Plates of Johnson's song book be assured you have, but what you did with them I have no guess. Your copy of the book I ordered to the Binder, & directed him to bind it in maronne, like your other books of the sort. I have subscribed for you to Strutt's book of Engraving, fine paper, & will take the greatest care of the Heads. I shall send you my translation of Vathek by piece meal, that being the only way in which I can hope you will have patience enough to read it with a pen in your hand. I see so many new beauties whenever I look into the original that I am altogether ashamed of my copy & am ready to sacrifice/

sacrifice it to the Potentate of the Palace of subterranean
fire. I wish to bring it you with the rest & will if possible -
but fear, much as I wish to see you that it cannot be in my
power till you come to town. What would I not give to ramble
with you amongst your wilds, & catch the rich groups of
variegated foliage before they lose the best tints of October?
Pray is not Lane's rock at the place where my favourite streamlet
broke thro the fence, on the edge of the hanging meadow?

But I am rambling too far. I should be unspeakably happy
to blunder amongst your pine stumps & prick my shins in your
furze brakes, & will when it is in my power.

When do you think to be in London? The Newspaper tells me
you are to be a Lord before Parliament meets - which for aught
I know is very likely. Should it be so, I trust you will not
forget that a Lord cannot do without chaplains, & that a
chaplainship is an exemption to a Clergyman for being sometimes
out of residence.

I rejoice to hear Lady M. is well, & pray she may realize all
your hopes.

(Unsigned).

Addressed:-

To
William Beckford, esquire

M.P.

Fonthill-House

Wiltshire.

Mr. Lettice.

Fonthill Novr. 27 1784.

My dear Sir,

The sky is very dark and we have reason to apprehend more storms. I am glad the person _be paragraphed_ is only styled _Amateur_. It would have been the highest injustice to have set him down as a professor. I think the passage about sympathy will make some noodles repent their rashness. I have little hopes that scandal is exhausted and fear its venom will poison your peace of mind much more than my own. Ly. M. is very well, my M. very billious; but very resolute and affectionate.

I am extremely sorry to send you such bad news from Ld. O. We must _sic_ (sic) not expect much sunshine in this gloomy month.

Were it not for the Emperor I should still found a convent and be canonised: but whether a Saint or a Sinner I shall always remain my dear Sir your most affectionate and grateful h. s.t. W.B.

Mr. Lettice.

May 12 1785.

I know, my Dear Sir, as well as yourself what it is to
shiver on the verge of an agueish fever, and you may
easily believe the state of suspence in which I am at
present tormented can but ill agree with my nervous and
irritable constitution. What I chiefly intreat of my
[volker] [ildman] M and Mrs. W is to take me out of this dreadful state
and if they use any further means to use them speedily;
least the bone of contention itself, for certainly I am
fretted to a skeleton, should not much longer have an
existence. I sincerely wish you in the tranquil pure
atmosphere of some piranean mountain and myself out of
the reach or hearing of Ld. L Ly. G Ly. E or any of
my contemptible or Ly. M's. detestable relations. (J)

However much as I wish you, my Dear Sir, or myself
delivered from such tramels I cannot with any comfort
hear of your departure or settle my own, without the
reviving assurance of the Memorial we talked of employing
your friendly attention. For God's sake, if I am to
be ruined, let me not be the sole victim nor suffer the
pillars I have shaken (sic) about me to crush your
friend alone'.

VIII 13

18 May 1785.

You must pardon me; but really your style is so mysterious
that it conveys not the smallest information. I cannot
imagine what you mean by the danger of raising spirits
more dreadful than any which have yet appeared.

The worst Daemons have been already raised according
to my ideas and unless Gorgon was to lift her head - out of
the pit of Tartarus I run no farther risque of being
petrified.

I must beg you will cease perplexing me with such
strange hints and inexplicable apprehensions. Confused
as I am, your letters make me worse confounded and then
to talk of patience and quietness at F. Great God do
you comprehend me so little. Rather advise some
retirement amongst the Alps surrounded by the few Friends
who are yet left me than the remaining wrapped round with
the dismal winding sheet of Salisbury plain, tormented
with paragraphs and scared by unknown terrors and
phantoms but half discovered. Who are these slumbering
spirits whose repose my Mother has lately learnt I could
only at my peril violate? Pray inform me and dream not
Ld. L has taken lodgings at Shaftesbury to read my
letters or placed Machksmen on the road to shoot every
mail flying that brings intelligence to Fonthill.

Mr. Lettice.

Fonthill 31st May 1785.

My dear Sir,

I had as soon at once be established in the
Pillory, a mark for all the rotten eggs and oranges of the
Capital as remain at Fonthill - pelted with snivling advice
and pestered with letters full of nonsense and contra-
dictions. Such are the Epistles that Heroine Ly. E[uphemia] and
such I am sorry to say those which are dictated to you.
And can you suppose I will stay here with my hands crossed
on my breast - and my mouth pursed up into a demure
simper - whilst my heart inspires nothing but revenge, and
all uncharitableness. You ought from your knowlege of me
to be certain such caution quietness and moderation is
quite out of my character. And so I am to throw myself
on the merciful connivance of Id. and Ly. L[ough-bonough] - to wait
their bidding - and run the risk after all, of being turned
a'drift like a mad dog. Can you suppose there is any
very persuasive eloquence in your cautious, moderate and
quiet Epistle. Your kind recommendations of that selfish
sorceress - and the perspective you hold out to me of my
stay a(t) F. being probably connived at. Only probably
for of this you venture not to be certain. I fear my
enemies are too little used to the handling of weapons to
give me an opportunity of disarming them in the only
manner I can desire. Nothing if I am fool enough to take
root in England shall prevent my loading them all with
the bitterest reproaches and insulting them by every
means in my power. I doubt not Mr W[ildman's] exertions - of my
Mothers I say nothing being ignorant which way the wind
blows and having no weather cock in prospect. Ly. E. I
have/

16

-2-

have long learnt how to appreciate. I fully remember her
Ladyship's kind wishes for my voyage to Jamaica. Do you
think the good Lady who is not a little given to the perusal
of news Papers - never heard of West india seasonings
Hurricanes, and Shipwrecks. To be sure - I enjoy not the
reputation of a very gallant personage or else could I refuse
the sacrifice of my favourite schemes to the unanimous opinion
of such a Bevy, such a garland of Beauties Ly. G/ Ly. E and
Mrs. Hervy'. The last mentioned grace I should conjecture
suspects Ly. M's predilection for England therefore out of
pure good nature urges her stay. If I could immediately
shine forth in London - appear at the Opera - at Robsons -
at the Exhibition - at Lord Exeters concerts etc. etc. - I
might be tempted to put off my Continental excursion, - but
to be buried alive in the flower of my days confounded with
other vegetables at F. - and condemned to the reception of
none into my society but such honorary members [croyel] [oword] [ingham]
Euph [emia] Mrs. H.H.H. Howard etc. etc. is too woeful a prospect -
and exchange it I am determined for the Dent de Jaman the
Dent de Mouch the Bec d'ouche and other Muses - less perpen-
dicular and talkative than most of my worthy relations. I
am much disappointed at your not fixing a day for your
journey to Fonthill, as I am almost sure of convincing you
Salisbury plain the marshy exhalations in its neighbourhood
the formal steeples I have just mentioned are but wretched
equivalents for the wild rains, the inspiring air, the
disinterested herds and all the glories and delights of your
beloved Mountains. Their sight and their atmosphere becomes
every day more and more necessary for my health and spirits
as well as for those of Ly. M. - who has been too little
acostomed to the life of an Abyssinian-Infanta to relish
imprisonement - tho Fonthill were the Palace and Salisbury
Dismal the Valley of Amara. Adieu my dear Sir. I pray
the/

-3-

the great Pachacamac to turn your heart - and Riwasa
the Deity of Dismals not to turn (sia) mine from its
purpose. Come and I am sure of convincing you: but
then if once illuminated hide not your light under a
bushel, - let your concurrence with my opinion, if
once obtained, be as conspicuous as Harrow on the Hill
and let me have reason to say unto you - "Lord now
lettest thou thy servant depart in peace: according to
thy word. For thine eyes have seen my salvation.

x The virginians style their swamps and heaths Dismals.
See Smith's Tour.

(From a note on the folder this letter would appear to be
a copy of one sent to Mr. Wildman. The copy is in Beckford's
handwriting.)

Chateau de la Tour.

Jany. 18th 1786.

My dear Friend

Lady E. has chosen an unfavourable moment
for presenting her petition to me, - dejected as I am by
your representation of the state of my affairs. It must
be wretched indeed, if the money I allott for one thing is
taken without ceremony for another, as in the case of the
old furniture. Never was surprise equal to mine upon hearing
from Mr. Foxhall that the £248 I intended to remain in his
hands for the purchase of Books prints etc. was sent up to
you by "whose order he could not inform me". I must never
pretend to give orders again, if they are to be treated in
this manner that I may by resignation and silence avoid
exposing myself as a mere cypher. Nothing can possibly be
more mortifying, more distressful to me and Lady M. than
the proposed reduction of our quarterly allowance. The
very idea has sunk our spirits to such a degree that we are
unable to hold up our heads. After the prudent resolution
of foregoing Paris and shutting ourselves up in this Castle,
we little expected such a reward. Every object has changed
its colour in our eyes, since the receipt of your last
perplexing letter. I can easily conceive such Bills as are
stated to me, a most weighty pressure, but with the full
powers you have from me of felling timber, leasing upon
Lives and even stripping Fonthill I could not but think you
would find wherewithal to defray them, without cutting into
the quick of my existance and drying up the source of the
comforts and amusements of my solitude. But act as you
think proper. The advances you mention stop my mouth. I
cannot endure the idea of your being a loser and therefore
(and so help me God, for that only reason) bow my head under
this/

-2-

this new shower of hailstones and coals of fire, which
it has pleased the Rulers above to pour down upon me.

Yes to be sure - I shall willingly open my gates to
Lady E. and good Mrs. Sweet whom her Ladyship wishes
much to bring with her as a postchaise companion. I
shall eagerly seize an opportunity of reviving in my
mind the agreeable circumstances which attended her
arrival the 23rd of October -85 at Fonthill. What -
is there no corner of the Earth in which I can shelter
myself from this vile Hag - and her treacherous influence!
Must I call upon the Mountains to cover me? Must an
embassadress from Lady G. and the Devil - a plenipotentiary
of that Drivler Lord S-V - pursue us where ever we go.
No - this is too much to request indeed, my dear Sir,
and after the cold specimen of her exertions in my favor
last Spring - or if you will, the solid proof of her
impotence in every thing but mischief. I must have
value received from Lord A-L, Lord S-L, Lady G-L and the
whole phalanx, - a treaty must be offered before I admit
within my Courts any Charge d'Affaires or resident.

I send a faithful prospect of the star chamber or
open roofed appartament destined for intruders. This little
vignette if occasion offers, I beg you will shew the
fair original of that lovely figure which H. has so
energetically represented be-howling the loss of
liberty.

["Paris JanV 20th 1784.", "You are very kind my dear Sir to have taken pity upon\nmy state of darkness tho' over head & ears in business & to\nhave sent me the interesting Letter I have just received. I\nam not at all surprised that the U. carried their point; but\nI should be astonished indeed were not his M. to dissolve\nthis rotten & corrupt parliament. If it should be kept\nabove ground in its present state of putrefaction - we shall\nbe all infected - & a pestilence must insue. From such an\ninfluenza Good Lord deliver us. It will-prove is-ten (<u>sic</u>)\ntimes worth than the colds & consumptions of 1782 or the\nfogs of last Summer. If my friend Mr. Pitt gives way in\nthe least - we are an undone Nation - & the current of our\nown wealth turned against us. A ministry who are able to\nforce upon the S. such a Bill as that for the regulation -\nor-rather (<u>sic</u>) oppression of the E.I. Comy. must sweep all\nbefore them. I confess my anxiety is now very great - the\nlight is become too vivid - not even to pierce my eyelids &\nforces me whether I will or no to be broad awake. In six\nweeks I hope to return & look about me.", "I flatter myself Ld. U. will see plainly that a twelvemonth's\n<u>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp

you would let me know immediately what is likely to be
decided upon & whether the M'Gregors have any undue influence.
Let me conjure my dear Sir to exert every nerve in keeping
O. out of that society. Nothing well can be more trifling
& more daudling than one part of it - old Nicholas himself
is not as pernicious as the other. Nothing can prove the
decline of the B.G. so much to one educated in the tenets
of Mary Druseur as the operas being neglected when P. is at
the head of it. The French will easily believe we are
ruined exhausted ravished &c. &c. but they hardly credit me
when I tell them. Vestris has lost the power of attracting
full Houses. Into what a state of numbness torpid miserable
condition are we fallen? I hope I shall soon be revived
with a few lines from Wm. who I am sorry to say has very
much neglected me & that I shall soon have opportunity of
thanking you for another Letter - & of repeating the assurances
of sincere esteem & regard with which I remain my dear Sir
your most faithful & obliged humble servant.

(Unsigned).

(No address).

Charles Street, Janry. 30. 1784.

Dear Sir,

I come now to our young Friend -
and am sorry to say he played us and his sister Honywood
a sad trick this Xmas. I intended going into Devonshire
and offered to take him for the Holydays, but he declined
it on account of a Play he was to act in. Lady Y. then
invited him to Hampton Court, but he declined it saying
his sister Honywood was alone, and very dull at Evington,
and had pressed him so much he should go there. Accordingly
we concluded him gone there, but after a fortnight's time
enquiries came from Evington where they had been expecting
him in vain. When after a strict search he was found in
the arms of his uncle and aunt McGregor at Mitcham in Surry,
whither they had decoy'd him with sugar'd words and promises.
He is however safely returned to his friends again who are
all glad to see him considering the danger he has been in
and I have the pleasure to tell you he does not seem the
worse for it at present but he seems sensible he has had an
escape and he'll not run such risks to make his friends
uneasy again. You see what you said was in the spirit of
prophecy. I hope it will be in the spirit of history no
more. I must now tell you that the conclusion of the
business with Mr. Henley waits the arrival of Lord C. in
Town, who is expected in the course of next month. I so
perfectly agree in sentiment with you that I need add no
more on the subject but when I see anything likely to be
done I will not fail to let you know if indeed I have not
the pleasure before that of seeing you here which I sincerely
hope/

Paris Feby. 5th 1784.

My dear Sir,

Tho' your letter is almost as dark & mysterious
as the proceedings of M'Gregor & Co. I thank you heartily for
it - & am very grateful for your casting light upon me - by slow
and prudent degrees. Had you let in the full blaze I must
have been blinded. Lady M., who waxeth more & more like the
Balloons every day, will I flatter myself be able to return
home in about three weeks. I long not a little for the time,
as I am all eagerness & curiosity - to observe the Phenomena
of yr. House. Ld. N. seems to have a fine apparatus & F: more
dexterity than Katerfelto, his black cat or even the Devil.

Wms. jaunt to Mitcham passes my understanding. I am sorry
he wants spirit so much as to swallow sugared words which fall
from tongues which so frequently have dropped venom on himself
& his Friend. I begin from this little trait to have
apprehensions that all Mr. Henley's skill will not prevent his
being a trifling inconsistent character. How often has he
protested to me that he abhorred the M.G. male & female &c.
Supposing him sufficiently Christian to forgive the injuries they
have already done him in the opinions of many - he ought not,
had he a grain of generosity, to have forgotten so easily the
stabs they have attempted to give my character & the anonymous
Epistles with which they pestered himself & Ld. U. He seems
with respect to his sister to have behaved in the silliest
manner - & to have shuffled off going to Hampton Court - on purpose
to obey the summons of Ly. H: bitterest enemies. After all - it
is the little pitiful deceit the foolish pretence of the play
so very much
of Grington &c. &c. that disgusts me & forces me whether I will or
no to communicate my sentiments to you upon the subject. (sic).
He is old enough now - to speak his mind aloud - & to distinguish
flattery from sincere professions of friendship - in short one
sd. think - to prefer his sister & Ly. Yonge - to L. & Ly. Erskine.
We have nothing but snow & starvation at Paris. Beggars & cats
die/

die by dozens in garrats without being aloud to importune
gilded Counts and spangled Marquesses with cries or mewings for
sustenance - such is the _police_ of this happy Capital! I hope
you are a little warmer & more compassionate in Engd. I imagine
Ld. O. has entered into treaty with H. by this time & I eagerly
wish you was plenipotentiary upon the occasion. I beg Ly. Y.
to accept my best compts. & you my dr. Sir a thousand thanks
for yr. kind atten<sup>RS</sup> to my scrawls & the assurance of my
remaining most sin<sup>Y</sup>.

Yr. faithful & obt. humble. sert. W.B.

(No address).

My dear Friend,

I am favored with your two letters of the
1st and 2d May. I have had several consultations with Mr.
Bearcroft and have had a long interview with Lord Thurlow.
He is certainly your very sincere friend, and I think you
still enviable from that circumstance. He said in direct
terms he should be ready to do you any act of friendship in
his power. He said he was not in the habit of knowing the
etiquette of Courts, but he would make himself acquainted
with the business, and if it could be, and he must freely
declare he saw no reason why it should not be, it ought to
be done directly. If there did exist reasons why it could
not be done - (I mean giving you the letter of introduction)
you should be made acquainted with them. No man on earth
could treat you with more real friendship than Lord Thurlow
did - in every turn the conversation took - and I am sure
you will ever have a true and steady support from him when
you make your effort to reestablish yourself. As to the
idea of renouncing the Country - it is too serious a business
for you to run head long into from pique or resentment;
better motives should govern when so very serious a matter
is thought of.

You may expect a letter from me every mail till
this matter now on the tapis is perfectly settled. I have
the most sanguine hopes of Lord Thurlow's accomplishing what
you so earnestly wish. No efforts of mine shall be wanting.

I am with the most sincere regard

My dear Friend

Your most truly affectionate and most
obliged humble Servant

Thos. Wildman

Lincolns Inn.

20th May 1788.

Your mother and children are vastly well.

(No address).

A 8 heur

Vendredi 30 de Mai 88.

Je suis encore toute etourdi des coups de coton et de
bombe dont on vient de nous regaler a l'embarcadero,
en honneur du St. Ferdinand, toute la cour y etoit, mais
le tems nous a point du tout été favorable, il a plutôt,
teriblement les persones royale qui seule entrent avec
leurs voiture a l'endroit même y sont monté bien vite,
mais nous autre avons du chercher nos voitures jusqu'a
la caille de la Rima, et malgré un pauvre petit parapluy
que j'avais, je me suis mouillé et éroté, come un petit
chien barbit, et je vient de m'habiller depuis les pied
jusqu'a la tête. C'est la troisième toilete que j'ai fait
depuis celle de le matin pour la cour, il y avoit un monde
infinie et j'ai bien insolente tous ceux qui le meubite
(five lines deleted and indecipherable). Apres la Cour
Cwareny est encore venu et m'a mené le Simon que j'ai bien
recue puisque vous me l'avez recomendé, nous avons ait
aujourd'hui tout plain d'ennuyeux, a dîné à granda hijor,
Montijo, Alba, ses deux frères et 3 ou 4 autre figure,
le mouton et son pere dinerent ches france, le Tondue, est
toujours désolé, et m'ayable de ses plainte, mais je suis
inexorable, vous avez donc enfin rencontre encore ce-portrait
du .... (sic) si l'original va a Vienne, j'en aurai surement
des nouvelles si vous voulés voire celle que j'ai recue-
aujourd'hui je vous envoy la lettre de ma mere, elle me
parle aussi, sur les Hamilton, et vous dirai mot a mot ce
qu'il m'en dit, (toute la branche etablie ches nous, c'oteinte
il n'en reste que 4 vieilles femmes et la veuve de leurs frere
née Comtesse de Sinzendorff, des 4 vieilles il y en a une
pucelle jadis dame de Cour, l'autre veuve d'un M's Doria
la 3ème d'un Comte Colnitz, et la 4ème d'un Comte Melessimo
cette dernière ayant une autre mere nous est effectivement
parente du côté de Liechtenstein toute la succession de
les Hamilton est apresent entre les mains de les veuves
qui/

-2-

ont
qui toutes des enfants cependent le jeune Colnitz en
aura la plus grande part, pas substitution de son oncle
le chevalier de Malthe. Je n'ai point vue hier le
chevalier de Silva il etoit malade, mais je suis charme
que vous ayé enfin recue la lettre, et en soyé content,
il est sur que ce serai charmant de nous reffugier en
Portagal, mais dans quelque endroit que cela fut pour
pouvoir vivre paisiblement avec mon Dom et cher p'ti a
cu-bri de toute les persecution, quand serais-je donc
assi heureuse pour voire cela il ne faut disesperir
de rien dans le monde mes jambes sont extremement enfle,
Meurs(2) les ouvreurs de lettre vont me donner une bone
reputation s'il publient cette infirmite et le sejour
et le tems actuelle est tres contraire a les m...(2)...,
la, ou favorable si vous voules, mais je ne me fio
cependent point au prophesies. Continuez a faire des
veux a St. Antoine c'est le tems a quoi en été vous
de la neuvone, faite vous bien des penitence, je crois
que non souvenir vous de ce que vous m'avez dit venés
ici j'aurai soin de vous rapeler les promisses que
vous lui fite, venés donc je vous en prie, mi beo, ni
respiro, ni hoigo ni siento porque esta suí alma todo
mi cuerpo Cela est bien vray, et le petit dit es tanto
lo que quiero a esta jitana ainsi venis Consolar la, je
m'en vais ches france mais jay bien de la peine a maquiter
Mde. de Listenois
de votre comission pour felk...(sic) Je lui dirai
cependent quelque chose pour vous faire plaisir, le
p'ti n'est pas mal fin, n'est ce pas. Il faut se venger
dit il des perfidie du papa. J'entend ..... a Dieu
aimable p'ti.

-3-

A 8 heures
de
Jeudi 5<sup>α</sup> Juin -88.

On a donc vue tout de suite Ki-Ki ..., et on ne scavoit rien de tout cela, mais coment pouvoit il deviner que le petit etoit arivé, en voila assi sur cette article, jay trop de peine a en parler — je me suis promêné ce matin solitairement avec mon D<sup>on</sup> Pedro du sitio, sur toute les colines qui entourent Aranjuez, je me suis assie a considerer les environs, penssent continuellement a vous, j'etois tres fatigué de ma promenade, et bien triste des reflexions que je fesoit, jay vue hier le renard au moment que je m'en aloit de ches Portugal je lui ai remit le passe port lui disant qu'il pouvoit servir d'exemple, nous voirons ce qu'il me dira ce soire, et tacherai de lui faire entreprendre certaine conversation il a deja dit au Clavel ce que je lui ai dit sur ma facon d'agir avec le tendre menage et je scai que c'est eux qui y ont été sensible, et l'on prie de me sonder a le sujet, je compte dire ce soire au Mq<sup>18</sup>. que l'opera nouveau est samedi, et que je compte partir d'ici Dimanche matin, dieu veulle que cela preue bien, mais c'est agale rien ne m'empecheroit d'aller vous voire je desire que vous m'attendiez avec autant d'impatience, que j'en ai a vous rejoindre car je ne suis heureuse qu'auprès de vous. Vous le croirez sens peine s'achant à qu'elle point je vous aime, c'est bien passionement, avec toute la tendresse de mon coeur et de mon ame, et je ne craint point de vous assurer que c'est pour la vie.

4.

Vendredi 13 de Juin 1788.

De ma vie je n'ai éprouvé de situation plus cruelle qu'
aujourd'hui en me separant de vous, qui faisiez tout mon
bonheur je ne puis vous depeindre tout ce que mon coeur
souffre, combien je suis inconsolable, dans le moment mes
larmes me laissent ce peine voire ce que j'ecrit, je suis
dans mon lit ou je me suis mit bien vite pour pouvoir
vous ecrire, et soulager mon pauvre coeur. A fiere je
n'ai pas la force de vous en dire d'avantage aimez moi C'est
touts ce que je vous pride, pour moi rien ne pourra me
dedomager de la perte que je foit.

5.

A 9 heures

Dimanche 22 de Juin 88.

Je suis toute triste, je ne penss<ruby>e<rt>Infantado</rt></ruby>e parle que de vous
avec le bon Perein<rt>o</rt></ruby>, qui temoigne plus que jamais son bon
coeur, et son attachement pour nous, il vouloit aller demain
a Madrid voire les Toros, et n'auroit pas manqu<rt>e</rt></ruby> d'aler vous voir
mais son pere ne le laisse pas aler, il me charge de vous dire
cela, ainsi que mille autres choses, je lui ai fait voire la
belle lettre que jay recu, il est furieux, et dit que si jamais
je découvre la personne, qu'il le fera aranger de maniere
a ne plus voiloir manger de dinden, pour vous je voudrois
que le gout des petits chats vous passat, C'est un ragout
que je ne puis digere, vous vous en été donc regale<rt>le</rt></ruby> le meme
jour de votre arrive, Cela n'est pas joli, jay eut Roxas a
dine, je l'ai bien traite malgr<rt>e</rt></ruby> sa fatal rasssemblance mais
je ne pourroi pas en faire autant au professeur en peinture.
S'il avoit eut au moin ladresse de bien saisir vos jolies
traits, a la bonheur, je me suis endormi hier a la comedie,
le moment que j'y etois eveillé j'y ai vue cogollende, il ma
dit mille folie, et que je vous avoit donné un doux baasé
dans la loge, il disoit que je n'ai jamais aimé personne come
vous, je lui ai dit que c'etoit bien vray. Je m'en vais
Portugal, et ne penserai encore qu'a vous car je ne vie plus
que pour vous, les petits gants sont toujours dans ma poche
et quand je suis seule je les mets et les couvres de baasé,
Perico ne scavoit<rt>a</rt></ruby> que c'etoit je les lui fit voir, il me
demandoit ce que jaimerai mieux jetter pas la fenetre lui,
ou les gants, je repondit de maniere a ne pas jetter ni l'un
ni l'autre. Portugal nous ce tous<rt>me</rt></ruby> invité a dine pour meneredy
il faudra que j'y aille nest-ce pas?

① In *Beckford's hand*.

No. 10.

Lundi le 28 Juillet 1788

(Answered 11 Augt. )In Beckford's
( No. 12. ) hand.

Mon Dieu que vous ëte aimable cher pti de m'eerire
Si en detaille sur tout ce que vous faite et penssé,
mais vous scavez bien pour quï vous vous doné cette peine
et combien mon coeur est reconnoissant aux moindres preuves
de votre attachement, votre lettre m'a fait tant de plaisir
que je ne me possedoit pas de joye et de reconnoisence, au
point que je vous ai accordé a l'instant tout ce que vous
me demande pour Ki Ki - j'y ai reflechi ensuite davantage,
mais malgré toute la repugnance que j'y trouvait le pouvoir
que vous avez sur moi l'a emporté, et j'ai ëté hier pour cela
entendre la masse, a la petite Eglise de Ki Ki, lui et son
Payré sont tout de suite venue a la porte de la sacristie
pour me voir, je vous laisse juger de tout ce qui se passoit
en moi, mais je surmontoit touts les sentiments que j'eprouvoit
et la masse finie je fut a la sacristie, et demanda a Ki Ki...
de voire sa chambre il m'y mena et me presenta sa Mayre qui est
une petite feme toute ronde petite et laide. Jay dit que
j'avois cut de vos nouvelles et que vous me chargiés de bien
des choses por el chico a qui j'adressoit la parolle, et
qui me repondit que l'obligent succullant épouvantable
Mr Kauf... a qui j'ajoute ces justes titres etoit venue de
votre part lui donner de vos nouvelles j'ai palie je crois
jusqu'au livres, et une suqure froide s'empara de tout mon
corps ce n'est pas la tout, Sur cela le pere et la mere
parlerent de toute les bontes y Carigno que vous avies pour
leurs fils, c'est la le terme dont il se sont servie, et
qu'il ne scavoit coment il avoit merité, au point que vous
vouliés l'enmener avec vous, a quoi eux n'avoit pue consentir
n'ayant que le seul enfant, il me prit un serement de coeur
si/

7.

si terrible, que je ne pouvoit pas parler, et je sortie a
l'instant pour me laisser aler a toute ma douleur, en arivant
ches moi je fut un peu console, ayant recue votre lettre de
Bayoune, qu'aporte un valet de chambre de Papa Vang [..].
qui dit en avoir été chargé je doute qui ce soit par vous
car vous ne m'en dite rien, mais c'est bien negligent a lui
de ne pas me l'avoir aporté plutôt enfin il vaut mieux tard que
jamais car je lui croyoit le même sort que la première, vous
enragé dite vous contre Ver et ceux qui vous ont fait quitter
l'Espagne cette manière de vous exprimer est tres vray puisque
ce n'est pas moi seule que vous y avez laisse, et que vous
regretez, car ce maudit Ki Ki, vous tient aussi a coeur que
moi - vous m'en parlez encore et craignés que je ne m'aquitterai
point de tout ce que vous me dite pour lui (four words deleted
and indecipherable) C'est ce que je ferai dorenavant je ne serai
plus aussi bonne que je l'ai été hier en voila assi, je ne
veu point vous ennuyer davantage avec mes plaintes, qui ne
font qu'exiter ma jalousie, et me faire deraisonner, mais aye
egard a l'amour extreme que jay pour vous, et qui me consume,
au sujet du portrait je ne veut point aprofondir ce qui en
est jaime mieux vous croire, mais je vais vous dire come jai
scue ce que je vous ai dit, c'est par Beuste a qui je parloit
de votre portrait que j'ai, et il me dit lequelle le premoier
ou le second, je fut surprise mais je ne fit s'emblant de
rien, et lui dit seulement que je ne scavoit pas lequelle
c'etoit sur cela il me dit, a c'est qu'il y en avoit un plus
ressemblant, que l'autre, je ne perdit pas courage et lui dit,
c'est celui que j'ai, et que l'autre vous l'aviez envoyé a
mariatira ce qui auroit pue etre puisque c'etoit la votre
première intention, cependant je ne le croyoit pas milles idées
facheuses me vinrent a l'imagination, et je fut toute suite
vous faire part de mon chagrin, car je vous dit tout, j'y trouve
du soulagement, et souvent on est console, et vous faite
raillement/

raillement dans ce moment tout ce que vous pouves pour cela,
(sie) sur le parti que vous avez prie
ce que vous me dite de franchi me tranquilise de beaucoup
mais ne serais ce pas pour faire place a d'autre, et n'etre
pas importune, vous ale dire, **toujour de la jalousie** et vous
avez raison mais je ne puis la surmonter, elle est plus
pardonnable qu'a d'autre ou elle ne provient ordinairement
que de l'amour propre, et ce n'est surement pas la ce qui
m'exite. C'est un sentiment tout different je recevrai avec
bien du plaisir votre **Agnus Dei** et las coplitas, al santissimo,
mais je n'aime pas les paroles que vous avez choisie, ni que
vous composie de preference de la musique d'Eglise, et cela
pour cause, moi je vous envoy par Beuste ces deux aires de
la gally, dans les traine deluse, c'est tout a fait votre
genre de musique, le Rondeau surtout je jurerai vous l'avoir
entendue chanter ou autre chose qui lui ressemble infiniment,
les paroles sont **resta in pace amato ben, idolo mio, mio dolce
amor** je vous envoy aussi gil blas de Santileane qui vient de
paroitre en Espagnole, et come on dit, transposc a sa premiere
langue dans laquelle il doit etre bien plus interessant, et
jay penssc que cela pouroit vous faire plaisir, mais pour mon
portrait a l'huile je n'en ai encore aucune nouvelle mais je
ferai toute les demarches possibles pour le r'avoire c'est cette
apres dinc que Beuste doit etre parti il s'aretta a baniere
et n'arivera a Paris que le 15 de Septembre je lui ai bien
recomendc de vous parler souvent de moi, c'est un bon diable et
suis fache qu'il soit parti j'avois de la confiance en lui nous
parlions presque toujours de vous et me tenoit souvent compagnie
a l'opera il etoit toujours dans la loge et les autres jours nous
promenions le soir ensemble au Prado, et Perico aussi mais
actuellement je ne scai ce que ferai je ne veu pas aller seule
avec/

avec Perico, point que je craigne ses persecution ni d'y
succomber, mais cela feroit parler si on me voyoit seul avec
lui Ca^y ma ecrit je vous envoy sa lettre a laquelle je ne
compte point repondre, le grand beau dont il parle est sens
doute le grand valon mais il se trompe bien je ne compte pas
meme le revoire, vous avez donc ete a

My dear Friend,

Your No. 5 came last night. I have
answered the Doctor's letter very fully, and as he has
desired it to be directed to him at his Bankers I have
inclosed you a copy of my answer. When he leaves you
he should deliver up his Books to you. I hope the
Doctor is not reckoning to receive his annuity both
upon the first and last day of the time, because if
he is he will receive one quarter most certainly twice
over. There can be no harm in the Book I settled
when with you being sent to me - with Berti's books
that are done with. I am certain the Doctor was paid
completely and in full up to the first of July inclusive.

Your Tea Kettle will be sent you forthwith
from Boulonge. Tell Berti if you please that Monsr
Ducayoy of Boulonge will pay the duty etc. for me, and
that therefore Mr. Peregaux need not advance any money on
that account. I mention this for fear of our paying
twice, - and they are a little in the sharping way there.

This quarter you will act as you find
convenient with either by drawing for the 500 or the
servants wages extra or forbearing both; in short do that
which will make you the most comfortable. I feel you
have too many plagues already upon your hands, for me not
to wish fervently to throw in a little mite of assistance
to make a little balance.

I have nothing now to detain me from
Fonthill but your Portugal business, and to-morrow I will
make that my care to do what if any thing is to be done.
I thank you for the extract of your letter. I wish every
one/

one was as much your friend as the M. of M.

I certainly wish Mr. Lettice was better provided
for in the church but if you determine to try the strength
of your recommendations for him, I would have you consider
well when and how that is best to be done. Do not be
precipitate in making promises.

I am glad your wine is arrived from Bordeaux.
I shall not order you any but Madeira and Port. Both Burgundy
and Champagne you can get by Mr. Peregaux's recommendation
better than from mine. The Madeira and Port are by this
time shipped.

The horses I have given orders about to Jack

I have inclosed you a letter from Mr. J. Stitt
which came yesterday.

The sketch of the last year's planting you have
also inclosed. You know what was done before, and now you
see what remains to be done. Bracher asks £2400 for his
Estate. I think that is quite too much but to an indifferent
person I suppose worth about £2000 but I will do what I can
when I am there.

With the most perfect respect and regard

I am My dear Friend

Your most obedient and most affectionate
humble servant

Thos. Wildman.

30th Septr. 1788.

(No addresses).

Jeudy le 30 Octobre

No. 37

1788

Pauvre pti est done toujours malade, mais cependant sens
fievre apresent, c'est un grand point de wayne car il n'y
a rien de si dengereux que ces fievres continua, j'espere
que vous vous remetre apresent et reprendra votre jolie
figure, qui quoique maigre et hideuse, come vous dite qu'ell
est apresent feroit tout mon bonheur, je la devorerai de
mes yeux, et de caresse, si je pouvois la revoire un instant,
je vois que vous etes absolument decide a quitter l'Angletere
surtout d'apres la maniere dont le Roy meme agie contre vous
c'est cependent affreux, mais sur quelle pied alle vous en
Portugal demande vous quelques charge, je pensse bien que ce
n'est qu'a cette condition qu'on peut ce decider pour ce pays
avec l'esperence de jouer un jour un grand role, joubliai dans
le moments tout les charmes et agreements que vous trouvés dans
ce pays je voudrois bien que vous puissiez les oublier come moi
vous m'assure au moin pour la Baleine que le tems de cintra
est passe, disant que tout passe exepce votre attachement pour
moi. C'est bien jolie au pti de dire des choses aussi tendre
C'est qu'il scait bien combien sa petite lui en est reconnoiss-
ante, et y est sensible, et elle peut bien vous aimer aussi
toute sa vie, je vois que nos soires Turques vous tienent
furiusement a coeur vous me les rapeles toujours mais elle
sont bien faite pour cela par leur originalite et puisque
j'y ai passe des moments si heureux, mais je ne les oublie
pas non plus; j'en parle meme tres souvent avec les petites
Sabatinie que je vois quelques fois, elle sont tout autre
depuis qu'elle sont avec la mere qui est une feme charmante
elle a une voix superbe et chante avec beaucoup d'expression,
les petites chantent aussi tres joliment. Je vois que vous
n'avez pas fait grand cas des ambassadeurs de Tiposaib, que
vous/

11.

vous me dite partie apresent, j'attens avec impatience de pouvoir vous doner bien des nouvelles d'Achmet Vassif, ce Mr Gravina doit toujours ariver pour le jour de la St. Charle, l'ambassadeur de Venise a reçu ces jours c'y une lettre de Don Pedro l'intrede te mais il ne parle de rien que de la pretention et du desir qu'il a de venir come interprete de la cour d'Espagne, tout le corp diplomatique est au Silio la Portugaise a acouché d'un garçon avec beaucoup de peine et de travaille, on craignoit même pour elle et encore depuis l'acouchement, mais le Marquis Joseph m'ecrit ce matin quelle est un peut mieux et qu'on craignoit pour l'enfant qui ne vouloit pas teter, Jay vue quiniones a l'opera il nous a raconté tout ses malheurs d'ont il est retablie a present et il est reparti hier, son départ vous surprend mais je non scai le vray motif, je vous ai deja parlé de celui du jeux mais on dit aussi que c'est pour des affaires d'interets a lui, et c'est ce qu'il dit et qu'il reviendra en 6 mois mais il a vendue tout ses efets ce qui fait croire a tout le monde qu'il ne reviendra pas, vous n'avez donc plus vue Perico, il m'avoit cependent bien promit de vous voir souvent en depit de Nasonado et de sa chere mere, vous n'avez que faire de me conseiller de ne point ecrire a Carency, la maniere dont il a parle de moi est indigne il s'est fait plus de tort qu'a moi, ne parlent apresent de ce qu'il a fait croire qu'il m'a eut car come tout le monde est persuadé apresent du contraire, on trouve affreux en lui de l'avoir fait croire, vous aures été bien indigne aussi de tout ce quil a dit encore, je ne scai ce que je lui ferai si je le revoi, mais je lui dirai bien toute les horreurs possibles, et puis je ne le revoirai plus de ma vie. Vous ne me parle plus de Felk ... je crain qu'il n'y ai quelques choses la dessou, ni du petit neveu de D. Diogo de Mences © Conde de Loysão Marielve, vous alis encore me dire que le demon de la jalousie me tourmente toujours, come vous me disiés l'autre jour au sujet de Ki Ki, vous voulés que je sois tranquille tandis que je vois que vous y penssé toujours, je passe plutôt quelques petits alagos/ In a different hand.