CAVENDISH GEORGIANA: (1757-1806) Duchess of Devonshire.

CAVENDISH GEORGIANA: (1757-1806) Duchess of Devonshire. English Socialite, famous for her beauty, charisma and leading fashion and style. A.L.S., Georgiana Devonshire, one page, 4to, n.p., n.d. (docketed November 1792), to a gentleman, in French. The Duchess enquires 'Don't you think that, considering Mr. Ellis' opportunity, our ill-fated parcel could eventually be sent to England in a safe place' and suggests the names of two individuals, including a Lord Gower (?) to whom it could be entrusted, further remarking 'I don't want to risk paying English port fees and, if some duties are to be paid, I'd rather entrust it to Ld. Gower (?) who certainly still has his privilege' With blank integral leaf. Some very light, minor staining to the edges, only very slightly touching a few words of text but not the signature, and some light age wear, otherwise VG £300-400 The present letter was written whilst the Duchess was living in exile in France as a result of her becoming pregnant by her lover Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey (1764-1845) British Prime Minister 1830-34. The Duchess gave birth to their illegitimate daughter, Eliza Courtney (1792-1859), on 20th February 1792 and returned to England in September 1793 with her daughter, who was subsequently entrusted to Grey's parents.