Letters – Thomas Wentworth to John Wentworth – 20 May 1769

								London, May 20th 1769.

Dear Sir,

      I received your last favour at Bretton, which gave me double pleasure, finding by the contents that we had been equally busy and amused in buildings, cutting and planting, but you mention nothing of a garden, however I take for granted that you will have the pleasure in making a large one with walls to surprise and set an example of improvement in that article to the rest of your Countrymen.

      In one letter (which I have not here) you mentioned some fruit trees, so when you are ready for them, only set down the sorts wanted or seeds and they shall be sent by a Liverpool ship and shall be managed by Mr. Perfect of Pomfret, who is I believe, very justly reckon’d as good a Gardiner [sic] as any in England; Do your pigs eat all your Artichocks [sic] or do you continue to eat them or have you persuaded any friends to like ‘em? I must be silent about Lakes and Cascades, so must be a Ferdinando and do as I can do. I have built a little Gothic Temple at the end of my lake in an island where a dozen may be sociable, one wing is a little room with a couch for anyone inclined to rest or cool themselves upon occasion, t’other a Pantry and behind a little kitchen with a bed chamber over it and other Conveniency’s and when it is quite finished I’ll send you a plan, and I design to dedicate it to Venus and Bacchus and set the Statues of’em in front. My next work of consequence will be another Lake larger – I shall be very glad to hear how you go forwards in your new plantation (where you have land and water enough to employ your genius at pleasure) which when finished I shall beg a map to ornament my Map Room, Paul Wth. has given me a drawing of Surinam, We are often together with other Americans & Messrs. Fisher and Nelson, who answer your description which makes us sorry to think of losing them so soon, and I think Paul is uncertain what to do, I cannot pretend to Politicks as I am of no Council nor in the House at Westminster, and I am sure that you will have a better Account from others, and if you read the newspapers, you’ll find curious abuse on both sides, which serve no purpose.

      Arbitrary Power is certainly very clear and obsequiously supported by the present Possessor of the Loaves and Fishes. I have heard that good promises are made in favour of America. I thank you for the present of sweetmeats which were consigned to Mr. Fisher. I have not been able to get any right bred bantams, and as for mine they are now bastards, but I’ll try to get some from Holland where the best breed is. My 3 Geese are alive. I have been out of luck with regard to the other fowles. Mr. Bosville & Family stay at Gunthwaite this year, except the Captn. who is here and desires his compts., so I am now in their house alone here. The two Messrs. Palmers and Rogers were at Bretton. Mr. Livins is in town. Mr & Mrs Fishers’ Pictures are put up in my Library. The <Con Rond> produced no seed in the pods. I can’t help thinking you must have many wild flowers with bulbous roots, in your Woods and fields & the water sides, which would bear carriage well. I design to have a flower garden to please the Misses. By your description of a Beauty, I could not rightly understand, whether you was going to take one for life or durante bene placito. 

      I suppose you’ll scarse [sic] think of another voyage here till all is quiet, which I heartily wish soon, for these Party Squabbles do no side good, so wishing you health and success in all your undertakings –

      I am, Dear Sir, Your Oblig’d. & Obed’t. Servant

      T.  Wentworth



I dined with Messrs. Trecothicks & <Apthrop> lately.