In Whig Society 1775-1818
The Prince Regent to Lady Melbourne, 17 September 1811
York House, St. James’s.
Sept. 17th, 1811.
My Dear Lady Melbourne,
I have not, until the present moment, had ![]()
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hardly one moment to myself, since I received your kind Letter, to
acknowledge it & to return you my best thanks for it. It is not my
intention to enter into the details of it in this Letter, as I can so much
better enter both into your wishes, as well as further views respecting
Frederick in a personal Interview &
conversation with you, than I ever can manage to do, by even ever so long a
succession of epistolary correspondance, & which at best is but a very poor
succedanium for the other mode. If, therefore, in consequence of what you were
so good as to write me, & if it should be attended with little or no
inconvenience to yourself, you can have the goodness to come to town any Day in
the course of this week, or in the commencement of the next, you will find me
still stationary here, & I will do myself the pleasure of obeying your
commands quand bon cela vous semblera, & when you may
choose to make an appointment with me. I will not tresspass any longer upon you
at present than to desire everything that is kind to Melbourne & every good
wish to the Circle around you, assuring you that I am at all times, dear
Lady Melbourne, ever
Your very sincere Friend
& humble Servant,
Elizabeth Lamb, viscountess Melbourne [née Milbanke] (1751-1818)
Whig hostess married to Peniston Lamb, first Viscount Melbourne (1744-1828); she was the
confidant of Georgiana, duchess of Devonshire, the mother of William Lamb (1779-1848), and
mother-in-law of Lady Caroline Lamb.
Frederick James Lamb, third viscount Melbourne (1782-1853)
The younger son of Elizabeth, Lady Melborne and brother of the prime minister; he was
raised to the peerage as Baron Beauvale in 1839 and succeeded his brother in 1848. His
paternity is doubtful.
