Letter from Maria Fitzherbert, London, to Mary Georgiana Dawson-Damer, 1831 October 26 : autograph manuscript signed with initials.

Discussing the current state of politics; saying"I suppose you have read in the papers an account of Lord Howe's having been turn'd out of his place - the Ministers I believe are very sorry for what they have done - they have brought in a Host of Enemies upon themselves - the manner in which it was done was most insulting & ungentlemanlike & will never be forgot or forgiven - the Q. has always received them Town & Country with every mark of kindness & attention, she feels herself with reason uncommonly insulted & ill treated & that she is obliged to receive them she now takes no notice of them & will not speak to any of the set - it is unfortunate for besides ill treating her it is exposing the K. who is made most uncomfortable - in short it has set the whole family in an uproar - god knows how it is all to end, the K. is so entirely at Lord Grey's orders that he has no will of his own - I cannot tell you how angry I was at seeing Henry C.'s appointment - the K. scarce knows him, what can have been Lord G's motive - he gets nothing by it but to show his power - I must say such friends as you & George are with him and his family he might have had some consideration for you particularly as he made such kind promises of service to you - I met the whole family at the palace the other day - they were particularly civil to me & made many enquiries about you - I was rather disappointed with respect to the Duchess - I had heard so much about her Beauty - she is certainly pretty & pleasing and cover'd with the finest diamonds I ever saw - far Superior to our Queens. Much as I like Brighton I feel uncomfortable with respect to the Royalties - that happy family last year at the Pavilion is very different now to what it was then - I shall take a hint from what Lord Glengall tells you & instead of talking I am determined to put a Seal upon my lips & keep all my thoughts to myself - I am engaged to dine there every Sunday during their stay at Brighton which they told me was not to prevent my dining there the other days of the week - they are all very kind to me & I feel grateful - but you know what it generally is;" relating news of the family.