Letters from Elizabeth, Lady Stanhope (née Savile) to the Halifaxes

Scope and Content

The author writes to her mother and half-brother concerning her strained relationship with her husband Phillip Stanhope (future 3rd Earl of Chesterfield). She writes of her husband's resolution to go to France for his health and his insistance that she live in the country, and her objection to living in the country by herself, hoping he will instead leave her in London. She sends the letter to her mother via her brother for fear it may be opened if she sends it directly. She also mentions the loss of their father and her husband's letter to the Duke of Leeds requesting a permit to go to France from the King, on advice from the doctor. She writes that he will travel with Mr Barnes an officer who was in France.