GREY EARL: (1764-1845) British Prime Minister 1830-1834. A good, unusually lengthy A.L.S., Grey ...

GREY EARL: (1764-1845) British Prime Minister 1830-1834. A good, unusually lengthy A.L.S., Grey, four pages, 4to, Howick, 15th August 1836, to his son, Captain George Grey. Grey commences 'As you complain of not having received my letters, except from Charles & Bessy, tho' many have been written to you by your mother, I take advantage of an opportunity of writing to you by Captain Smart, which tho' it may be slow will, I trust, at least prove sure', and continues to inform him that they are all well and that they have only been at Howick for a week ('we are at present a very small party. Only your mother, Georgiana & myself'), further writing of other family members and remarking 'It is now just a year since you left us, & in two years more I hope, if we live so long, we may see you again, & that will be a joy, notwithstanding the dullness of our life which…..increases as I get older (my remaining time is now very short)', adding that Howick Hall is looking beautiful and improves every year. Grey further writes of his eldest son, 'Henry has been distinguishing himself very much, & is rising rapidly to be one of the first men in the House of Commons. I am only afraid from the excitement of the contest in which he is engaged that he may be inclined to go to lengths which the caution of age does not approve, & which I do not believe will be conducive either to his own interest & fame, or to the good of the country' and also refers to his son Charles, whom he hasn't heard from since he left to join his regiment in Ireland, remarking 'He seems at present to be very happy with his young & handsome wife, & I hope will continue so, notwithstanding the old proverb that when poverty comes in at the door, love flies out at the window', and also sends news of another son, Frederick, who has written from Calcutta and is due to sail home shortly, 'He brings home Sir. C. Metcalfe & more aide-de-camps, & the 99th Regt. which he is to take up at Ceylon, with a Lt. Col., his wife & six daughters, eight other married officers with their wives & 14 children…..what a cargo, & I should add what misery! It wanted nothing but Miss Emily E. to complete it, but of this, thank God, there appears to be no danger'. With address panel in Grey's hand, addressed to Captain The Honble. Geo: Grey on board H.M.S. Cleopatra in South America and further signed ('Grey') to the lower left corner. With remnants of a red wax seal (small area of paper loss where originally broken, just affecting a few words of text) and with a few neat splits and small, minor holes at a few folds. Generally about VG

The Honourable George Grey (1809-1891) British Admiral, son of Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey. Henry Grey (1802-1894) 3rd Earl Grey. English Statesman, eldest son of Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey. At the time of the present letter Henry Grey was serving as Secretary at War (1835-39). Charles Grey (1804-1870) British General and Politician, son of Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey. In later life he served as Private Secretary to Queen Victoria 1861-70. Frederick Grey (1805-1878) British Admiral who served in the Crimean War, son of Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey.