private
London
July 14th 1834.
Some friends of Lord Grey, intending to present Lady Grey <1> with a Statue of her husband <2> as a mark of their private affection, as well as of their admiration of his publick <sic> Character, had determined to request Mr Campbell to execute in Marble a figure which he has already modelled from the life –
Mr Campbell informed them that the cost of the work including all incidental expenses would not exceed the sum of 2000 Guineas – on proceeding however to carry their intention into Execution they were led to believe that many persons with feelings similar to their own, would be gratified by the opportunity of expressing them – they therefore resolved, with the view of admitting a due number of Contributors, to defray the expense by subscriptions of five & ten pounds; and they have authorized us to inform you, in case you should be disposed to concur in this object that subscriptions will be received by Messrs Coutts, <3> and by Messrs Drummonds, in the joint names of the Duke of Sutherland and Lord Holland. <4>
we have the Honor to be, Your obedient Servants,
Richmonds.
Sutherland.
Ebrington <5>
Vassall Holland
W.I. Denison
Notes:
1. Mary Elizabeth née Ponsonby, Lady Grey (1776–1861).
2. Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey (1764–1845), statesman. In 1834 Lord Grey retired from public life.
3. Coutts & Company, bankers, London.
4. George Granville Leveson-Gower, 2nd Duke of Sutherland (1786–1861), and Henry Richard Vassal Fox, 3rd Lord Holland (1773–1840).
5. Possibly Hugh Fortescue, Viscount Ebrington and 2nd Earl Fortescue (1783–1861), politician.