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RefNoKMAN1/A/10/12b/28
AltRefNoM10/12b/28
TitleLetter from Viscountess Mandeville and Lord Robert Montagu in Chalon-sur Saone [France], to Lord Kimbolton, Sandhurst
DescriptionFeatures crosshatch handwriting.

10 November 1839
Cannot write often as letters from abroad cost a great deal, must write as much into this one. Detained there for a week and 3 days. Supposes he is at Isaacsons now, hopes he got the presses he liked. Fred is up today but mamma and Livy are in bed with colds, Livy also has a cough. Papa composing hymms, including one about Mont Blanc which has been written in the letter. Warned not to show it to anyone but Gramamma.

12 November 1839
Had shocking weather apart from one or two days, including a day at Boulogne. Paris had a month of rain that filled the streets with gruel. Is fond of ship models and hopes to make some when in Nice, made plans for a cutter, schooner and a lugger/frigate. Makes a comment about the bad pen he is using.

16 November 1839
Started from Chalon yesterday morning and took a steamboat to Lyon. Staying at the Hotel de L'Europe and describes its interior. Papa praises the card case with china plate and pencil which Lord Kim has sent him. Signs off "good bye dear Kimbo" with a drawing of two hands shaking labeled "sans cire" meaning "without wax", in folklore this is believed to be a precurser to "sincerely".

17 November 1839
Went for a short walk around Rhone and back, describing it as a "fuggy" and "dirty figged walk" due to wearing coats to prevent scarletina again. Shows distain for the French stating " bears, bours, dandies etc etc. everything bad"

18 November 1839
Could not finish yesterdays letter due to fog. Going to Avignon tomorrow. Duke of (?) is coming here to use this house on his way to Paris from Africa. Rumours he found a Roman Arch which will be transported to paris to make " Le Place L'aimee d'afrique.

19 November 1839
Left Lyon at 3 oclock on a steamer and arrived at Valence in the evening, obligued to stay as the steamboat people were such bad sailors that they cannot navigate at night.

20 November 1839
Started from Valence at 3 o'clock. Many foreigners in the town. Porter couldn't opened the wooden gates as it was too early so a French man broke it down the bar and called the Porter names. An Englishman would have been put in prison by the Gendarimes [gendarmeries]. Made it to the steamer just in time.

21 November 1839
Left Avognon, between Avignon and the post house the right hand wheeler fell down, the horse dragged along the ground and under the carriage. Arrived in Marseille with no further accidents.

23 November 1839
Comments on the dirty harbour. Mama is not well. Givings papas hymms on Nice with a drawing of some boats and a soliders. Will send the letter when they reach Nice but Mama will write before then. Send his love to Grandmama and tell her he is well.
Date10-16 November 1839
CreatorNameThe Montagu family of Kimbolton Castle: estate and family papers
RepositoryHuntingdonshire Archives

Show related Persons records.

Persons
CodePersonNameDates
P/0077Montagu; Sir; William Drogo (1823-1890); 7th Duke of Manchester (1855-1890); of Kimbolton Castle1823-1890
P/0084Montagu (nee Sparrow); Millicent (1798-1848); Duchess of Manchester (1843-1848); of Kimbolton Castle1798-1848
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