LIONEL WRITES TO HIS WIFE

Letter from Lionel de Rothschild to Charlotte de Rothschild. 15 July [1858]. RAL 000/13.

London 15th July [1858]

Dearest and best Wife,

We hope tomorrow to have the pleasure of receiving a long letter from you with all the Devonshire news. I hope you were not tired and that you liked your long journey. Yesterday after my few lines to you were written I went home and just as I was getting into the Brougham to drive to Gunnersbury, Lord Stratford de Rd. paid us a visit, intended for you and requested [on] parting to be remembered to you all. I took Nelson the Architect to Gunnersbury to see when the rooms will be fit for persons to live in, he said very soon, and that in a week or two they will be as dry as they will be the whole year, you can fancy the face the old servants down there made when they heard this. If the place is not finished very soon, I told Wakelin I should send someone else down there - the garden looked very nice. In the evening we dined quietly at home and as soon as they were off in the [dark?] I went to bed. This morning we called upon Dizzy as we had not seen him since our Bill was in the House of Commons, he was in excellent spirits, said anything was going on as well as possible - the only place that he was not quite satisfied with was India and he had always said that out there it was not a mutiny but a rebellion.

I told him, I hoped, that as our Bill would pass next Monday, they would manage to have the Queen's assent obtained [immediately?]. I could not get him to [promise?] it as he said it depended upon others; if it would not wait till the commission at the end of session for all Bills, or if they could get a commission on purpose so as to enable me to take my seat before the House is up. I dare say I shall be able to manage it and will see in the House tonight. I am now going there. [J.A.S.?] was just here and says I ought to ask Dizzy to our dinner, you would not give much for our friends opinion, but as I do not see any harm in asking him, I shall do so tonight. Dizzy said again today, that it was by the greatest chance possible that we had not this division for us instead of against us on the 2nd reading of our Bill - he worked all he could for us - so he said - Here in the city, things are a shade better. We have had two large arrivals of gold and some little purchases of stock. Anthony left this morning for Paris, having that instant received a letter from his better half not to come all the time she has been only that she expected him. Bethell wrote that he shall be delighted to dine with us. Mr J. Smith cannot come. We shall find some more answers at home. Evy will write all about the West End news. They say in the Post that A. Vane is to be married to Lady Clinton. They danced away last night till nearly 3 o'clock and tonight again. We dine at Mayers - Good bye for today dearest wife, we all miss you very much and shall be glad to see you back again

[Lionel]

Letter from Lionel de Rothschild to Charlotte de Rothschild. 16 July 1858. RAL 000/13.

Dearest Wife,

We had the pleasure of receiving your letter this morning and are much obliged for all your news. You do not appear to have more favourable opinion of Dr. Fuller's famous bathing place than your Son-in-Law but if it agrees with Lally that is all we want. I hope you have had finer weather than we have had. Yesterday at dinner time the storm began, and ever since it has been raining which will do all the good in the world, but as yesterday was St. Swithin's day, we must hope that we shall soon see the sun again. It was most disagreeably hot and uncomfortable, quite as warm as the warmest days a fortnight ago.

I wrote to you yesterday that I was going to the House of Commons. I saw Dizzy and asked him if he would dine with Johnny and Co; like a sensible fellow he refused, saying that his presence as Minister would spoil the party. I am glad I asked him, as he cannot say that we in any way neglect him. I told him that we were very anxious to have the royal assent to the Bill in time to enable me to take my seat this year, but you know what a humbug he is. He talked of what is customary, without promising anything. Tonight the second reading takes place. Johnny will be there and he [must?] see what he can do. I do not think there will be any division.

Mrs. Dizzy dined at Mayer's and went over the old story again, saying how much Dizzy had done for us and how angry he was once because we would not believe it.

In the West End, the only piece of news was the death of Lady Cardigan; everyone though was talking about Lord Cardigan and betting if he would marry Miss [de Hay?] or not. Evy will tell you all about the Ball at the [Balreys?].

Sir W. Williams of [Kay?] is sorry that he is engaged. We have now about 27 and 3 not answered and I dare say I shall hear tonight if they are coming and must now see to find 2 or 3 Lords just to ornament the table. I dare say I shall. The [Parrs?] have a party tomorrow and is the last I shall most likely go.

Nothing new in business. The [prices] are the same. The arrival of the Australian gold ships have made money a little more plentiful.

Good bye dearest Wife

Excuse haste as it is late and this hurry, truly
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[Lionel]

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