Letters – Thomas Blackett to John Wentworth – 3 Jul 1779

							Bretton, July 3rd 1779

Dear Sir,

      I am much oblig’d to you for your news, which it is and will be always more satisfactory to me than the public papers.

      If our ships do not keep the enemy from our coasts, we shall have some entertainment upon Land and then the Coxheath & <Warley> Gentlemen &c will have different business than hitherto with visits from Ladys of all qualities.

      The picture is arrived safe for which you have my thousand thanks, and I shall hang it in the picture room at the end of the gallery, where I think it will be admired. We can not find out as yet if it be any particular Antique Philosophick Head. I wonder that the Italian did not give it a name as they are often subject to bombast descriptions and deceptions.

      You don’t mention Paul W[entwor]th but I hope he is very well & my Comp[limen]ts to him, neither do you give a hint what you both design to do with yourselves this summer or whether we shall have the pleasure of your Company this summer. My best comp[limen]ts to Mrs. Wth. and I think that change of Air & travelling would agree with her better than London – 140 Militia, Lord Percy’s North[umberlan]d men are gone to guard Burlington & they are very busy in getting their Cannon and guns in order. Mr Bosvilles family have been here & I shall follow them to Throp near Burlington next week for about 10 days – Ld. Strafford is come home & Ld. Rockingham is expected, but perhaps something particular may detain him in London, as there must be great Agitations amongst those in place & out of place at this time. – Sir George Saville is still in town & his West Riding Division is arrived at Liverpool – It is talk’t on and feared that there will be some trouble about this new Militia Act. – We have had hot weather and it now rains – 

      I am, Dear Sir	Your most Obedt. Servt.

      T. Blackett