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Frances Boscawen

Excerpt of letter to Mary Delaney (1770)

     The female club I told you of is removed from its headquarters, as Lady Pembroke objected to a tavern. It meets, therefore, for the present, in certain rooms of Almack’s, who, for another year, is to provide a private house. It is much the subject of conversation… The first fourteen, who imagined and planned it, settled its rules… As yet there are seventy-five members chosen ; the whole number is to be two hundred. The ladies nominate and choose the gentlemen, and vice versa ; so that no lady can exclude another lady, or gentleman a gentleman ! The Duchess of Bedford was at first black-balled, but is since admitted, as also are the Duchesses of Marlborough and Grafton. Lady Hertford wrote to beg admittance and has obtained it. Lady Holderness, Lady Rochford, and Lady Harrington are black-balled, as is Lord March and one or two more who think themselves pretty gentlemen du premier ordre, but it is plain the ladies are not of their opinion. When any of the ladies wish to dine with the society they are to send word before ; but supper comes of course, and is to be served always at eleven. Play will be deep and constant probably.

     I hear Lord Digby is going to be married to a Miss Knowles of Canterbury, fille d’un rang mediocre in all points (as I am told, for I never saw her), so that is reckoned a very odd choice.