Thomas Steavens (c.1718–1759). Grand Tour Letters William He...

Thomas Steavens (c.1718–1759). Grand Tour Letters William Henry Lyttelton, 1st Baron Lyttelton (1724–1808), and Charles Lyttelton, Bishop of Carlisle (1714–1768) Twelve autograph letters signed to Thomas Steavens, 1748–1751, thirty nine manuscript pages, principally written on folded bifolia, comprising eleven letters from William Henry Lyttelton and one from his elder brother Charles Lyttelton. Occasional docketing, integral address panel and remnants of wax seals; one letter within a broad black mourning border; old folds, occasional toning and minor splitting, otherwise generally well preserved and legible. Charles Lyttelton, Hagley, 5 October 1748; William Henry Lyttelton, Berlin, 13, 18 and 24 October and 17 November 1748 N.S.; London, 24 January and 24 March 1748 O.S., 7 June and 15 December 1749, and 13 March 1749/50; Paris, 2 July 1750 N.S.; and Buxton Wells, Derbyshire, 11 August 1751. (12) A remarkably personal correspondence, combining political, diplomatic and social intelligence with affectionate, humorous and occasionally risqué accounts of life in Berlin, London, Paris and elsewhere. (William) Lyttelton discusses the courts of Berlin and Vienna, parliamentary business, the national debt and commercial policy, the death of Frederick, Prince of Wales, and the movements and advancement of mutual acquaintances including Henry Bilson Legge, Sir Charles Hanbury Williams, the Dukes of Devonshire and Marlborough, and Charles Townshend. He also supplies introductions to prominent French society, including the Maréchal de Coigny, Madame de Monconseil and Monsieur de la Guiche. The Berlin letters provide especially vivid accounts of Lyttelton and Steavens's shared social world. Lyttelton conveys messages from "the gentle Brandt," threatens to place Steavens "in close custody" with "the pretty Brandt" as his keeper, and reports amorous adventures involving an "old Coquette," a "pretty little Wanton" and an older lady who kept him "entirely to herself in the little Closett." Other passages concern illness, debts, lodgings, Steavens's box of brandy and the disappointment of Cori upon discovering that Steavens's letter contained only six lines. From Paris, Lyttelton recalls that their friendship began in Berlin and promises to preserve Steavens's confidence. From Buxton he describes English society, weather and illness; elsewhere he recounts an earthquake alarm which drove "some pretty Creatures into Hystericks," together with widespread fears of portents and the approaching Millennium. The accompanying letter from Dr Charles Lyttelton, written from the family seat at Hagley, expresses relief at learning that Steavens is "not only alive, but ye liveliest young man in ye City of Berlin." An earlier report had caused concern among Steavens's friends, Charles reminding him that "the Publick have a considerable Interest in your Life." William Henry Lyttelton, 1st Baron Lyttelton and 1st Baron Westcote (24 December 1724–14 September 1808), born in London and died at Hagley Hall, was the sixth son of Sir Thomas Lyttelton, fourth baronet. A politician, colonial administrator and diplomat, he served as Governor of South Carolina, 1756–1760, Governor of Jamaica, 1762–1766, and British envoy to Portugal, 1766–1771. He was created Baron Westcote in 1776 and Baron Lyttelton in 1794. His elder brother, Charles Lyttelton (1714–22 December 1768), was born at Hagley and died in London. An eminent churchman and antiquary, he became Dean of Exeter in 1748, Bishop of Carlisle in 1762 and President of the Society of Antiquaries in 1765. A Fellow of both the Royal Society and Society of Antiquaries, his extensive manuscript and architectural researches contributed significantly to the developing study of medieval British antiquities. (Oxford Dictionary of National Biography)

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