Duchess Harriet and her Family: Letters from George Granville William

Description:Many of the letters which Duchess Harriet received from her children were sent to her whilst they were travelling abroad. One letter amongst her papers was written by her son George Granville William, known as Stafford, (he was the Marquis of Stafford) from Moscow. Dated September 19th 1836, the letter reads: ‘Dearest Mama, Another ball last night at home, fearful hard work night after night’.

Stafford informs his mother that ‘we shall go to St. Petersburgh on Thursday & I hope sail Friday or Sat. so you may look out for us about the 8th of next month’

He describes the activities he has participated in during his time in Russia:

‘Today we have has what they call a hunt, it consisted of turning hares foxes & wolves out of boxes & letting dogs catch them, rather cruel but it gave one a good gallop’.

Much of the letter is taken up with Stafford’s reflections of his experiences in Russia. He writes:‘we shall always look back at this time as pleasant & curious’, however, comments that he longs ‘very much to be at home’, noting that he is ‘bored’ and is ‘disliking the Russians very much’. Stafford describes the Russian people, writing that ‘they are civil but one feels they are always telling a lie… all plaster & show’