Letter – Thomas Wentworth to Diana Bosville – 22 Feb 1764

      Bretton Feb. 22d  1764

Dear Dy

      You may not think me Serious enough, but I can not take things  in so serious a light as you seem to do,  You are present & I at a Distance, that may make some Difference,  However to speak my Plain Opinion, it seems to me that Mr &Mrs D.r have in their minds to endeavour to make a Cat's Paw of you to insinuate that they can not be easy in their Minds, except I will see 'em & be thoroughly reconcild to 'em, which will certainly happen when the North & South Poles meet together, let whatsoever happen as I am resolved to have no Business with them but paying their Money punctually. 

      Their Noble Contempt of me authorises a Return & if Kirkheaton had not remain'd in her memory, none of these Fits would have happend in your Presence, nor myself spoke of nor thought of, It puts me in mind of Mrs Pritchard in the Jealous Wife  I own I am like the Major

      My Mind will not suffer me to write any thing that might be agreable to Her, so the Less is said about me, the Better, & as to the Doctor's asking her what was the Matter, it seems nothing else to one, than his giving her an opportunity to open the Scene, & repeat her Part, before rehears'd between 'em.  I would sooner be reconciled to Her upon my own account, than for her continual ill natured Behaviour to my Aunt Betty, of which I was several times Witness, & which I can never forget; & I am sure she holds Anna as cheap as Dirt.  Indeed Dy, I took nothing amiss from your Writing, you speak your Sentiments & according as Incidents appear to you & I do the same. 

      When the Wood Work of the apartment is finish'd I will then think more about the Green Damask & tho' the joiners are at hard Work perhaps I may be in Town, before they are ready for the Damask.  I never heard that you had been ill & as you don't say of what, I hope it is nothing but a little natural Cause & all over.  I went with Pleasure to Gunthwaite & met J. Hatfield, All Vessels were ready and clean, I ask't J. Hatfield if He had any particular good Brewer of his own Knowledge, he said, no & desired me to recomend one, so I send him a New Man, who has brew'd for me, & I gave him Strict orders against too much Hop for myself & he has promised to follow J. Hatfields orders, about putting in Hop.  J. Hatfield will attend and will see that no more than Five Pounds of Hop to the Hogsh[ea]d is put in which has been your Constant Rule.

      The Rain has wash' your Floor at Gunthaite  

      inc Compts to Dr. James & am obligd to Him but think myself very well at Present in all Respects.

      I suppose I shall see you in London,  in April which will be before you'll think of the Country  Mr Wood is now here and We have been very busy in setting out a New Garden, We have plac'd it on the Right hand going up Bretton Lane in part of the Six acre & the Grives & We have almost fix't a Plan for the Water in the Cow Close & Low Park, but the Road before the House perplexes us, & I must have a writ ad quod damnum this Summer to turn the Road or all my Scheme is spoilt, I shall be very glad when We all meet again there; to see the Improvement   Walls will tumble down like bewitched. 

      My love to all & let me hear from you soon  I am Dear Dy Your affect. Br.r

T. Wentworth



Your Cellars & Walls were working.