In these letters David Garrick writes to his friends Lord and Lady Hartington and Lady Burlington. In his earlier letters he often writes in a jovial style often making jokes and referring to his wife as "her Grace of Garrick". His letters somtimes contain nonsense and whimsy. The later letters are more serious in tone but no less passionate.
His letters to Lord Hartington are a mixture of jovial and more serious. He largely provide a picture of the scenes in the Burlington household at Londesborough, Burlington House and Chiswick, whilst Lord Hartington was away in London and (from 1755) in Ireland, when his children were being cared for by Lady Burlington. He mentions people who visit the house, the servants, the children's behaviour, education and health, as well as those under the guardianship of Lady Burlington who reside there. He also writes about Lady Burlington's mood and heart-to-heart conversations they have had over issues such as "the will" and Londesborough being given to Lord Hartington and Lady Burlington's general melancholy.
He writes of their entertainment, food and conversation. He also mentions: a carriage accident on the way to Londesborough; the Langdales at Londesborough; the death of "Cokey"; walking in Chiswick gardens with a tearful Lady Burlington discussing bickering that have happened; Lady Burlington's loneliness; playing Macbeth; his support for Col. Cornwall; Lady Burlington's great esteem for Lord Hartington; game shooting; company at Londesborough; Lady Burlington's anticipation of his letters; concern about the health of Lady Hartington at Chiswick; Lord Burlington in a low mood and Lady Burlington recovering; travelling up to Londesborough and stopping at Chatsworth; Lord Hartington's coolness and gloom; the Dean Alcock matter; concern about his play Chances and the King visiting Covent Garden; wards of Lady Burlington – Miss Mostyn and Miss Anderson; Lady Burlington's health and John Moody visiting; Lady Burlington's friendship with Mr Marsham [Robert Marsham?]; news of a turtle from Antigua as a present for the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland; events at Burlington House involving Mrs Garrick [Eva Marie Veigel] and Lady Burlington and a lost letter; Mr Jones the "bricklayer and poet"; his brother Peter Garrick and wishing Lord Hartington's favour upon him; the characteristics of Lord Hartington's children "the sweet ones"; the children's education; Lady Burlington's private business with Sir Abdy; not approving totally of Lady Dorothy's guardian and tutors; Lady Burlington's gout; the servants' unrest and behaviour including Nanny Swinnerton, Roger and Jimm and Betty cook; the death of [Mrs] Elkin; Roger the footman leaving Lady Burlington's employment and her accusation Mr Garrick was involved; Mrs Garrick attending Lady Burlington and the children at Hounslow races; his letter to Lady Burlington ending their friendship; a copy of Lady Burlington's letter to Mrs Garrick; domestic broils at Chiswick; Mrs Garrick's continued visits to Chiswick; daily visits from Mr M[arsham] who has parted from his wife; dinner guests at Hampton; news from America dampening spirits; assurance that he burns Lord Hartington's letters once he has read them; his congratulations on Lord H's affairs in Ireland; a matter concerning Miss Anderson and her reputation; Mr Mossop the actor in Ireland.
To Charlotte, Lady Hartington he writes concerning interactions with her and in order to give her wishes from his wife, Mrs Garrick (Eva Marie Veigel). He also mentions: an apology for a slip of the tongue; their plan to visit Chiswick; a poem on a late meeting at York between Darcy and Rockingham; Lady Hartington's gathering at Albemarle Street; the death of Mr Bruce; company at Londesborough including Messrs Bruneval and Chorley; wishing for news of Lord Cavendish; ladies eel fishing; Miss Mostyn's unwell maid; the opening of Drury Lane House; seeing concerts in York and Beverley.
To Lady Burlington he writes concerning his feeling of having lost the support and friendship of Lady Burlington and her household. He writes about the accusations that he had anything to do with Roger the footman leaving Lady Burlington's service and his feeling of betrayal by Lady Burlington over the past months and the damage it has done to his reputation. He adds that he has let many minor aggressions pass but that this final accusation has meant he can no longer wait on her at Chiswick. He thanks her for years of happy friendship and the money she has given his wife.
Also included in this series of letters is a poem to Lord John Cavendish (CS1/354/28).