Letters of George Selwyn.

Selwyn 7: From Lady Ossory.

Selwyn corresponded at length with Lady Ossory, as did Horace Walpole and most of the gentry at the time. Apart from the quaint English, this is an interesting letter, as it mentions one of the many scandals in which Selwyn was involved, that of Mlle. Maria Fagnani.

Maria Fagnani was born in London on August 24th 1771, the illegitimate daughter of the Marchesa Fagnani, a former dancer. From the outset of her birth both Selwyn and the Duke of Queensbury took an inordinate interest in her. The reason for this being that both thought themselves father to her. So deep was their conviction that Selwyn willed her the sum of £33,000 and a valuable bust of Charles 1, whilst Queensbury left her £150,000, both real fortunes at the time. However, nothing has been proved either way and the father could easily have been a third party. The full story can be read on the internet.

Anne Fitzroy, Duchess of Grafton (born Liddell) was born circa 1737, to Henry Liddell Baron Ravensworth and Anne Liddell (born Delme). She married Augustus Henry Fitzroy, 3rd Duke of Grafton KG in 1756, at age 18. They had three children: Georgiana Smyth (born Fitzroy) [the Lady G. Fitzpatrick in the above letter] and 2 other children. They divorced. Anne began a love affair with William Henry Cavendish Bentinck, third duke of Portland, whom she had known since at least 1763. It seems likely that the duchess hoped to marry Portland, and their relationship was known in society, but in June 1765 Portland announced his engagement to Lady Dorothy Cavendish without first informing Anne, leading to her public humiliation. Anne then married John FitzPatrick, 2nd Earl of Upper Ossory FRS DL. They had 4 children: John Wilson FitzPatrick 1st Baron Castletown PC and 3 other children. Anne passed away in 1804, at age 67.

In 1798, Francis Charles Seymour Conway (1777–1842), 3rd Marquess of Hertford married, much against his parents’ wishes, Maria Fagnani, She greatly increased the family’s wealth through the substantial bequests from Queensbury and Selwyn.

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The letter reads:

"As Lady Ossory is rather Journalière & apt to have the Head Ache in an Easterly Wind, may she Crave permission from Mr Selwyn & Mlle Fagnani to wait on them on not next Saty, according to The day & her own feel; which if they gives her a chance of being a worthy member of the Society she will not fail to attend but if otherwise, her empty chair will be much more agreeable at least less disagreeable & as for The Feast she presumes that it will not be less superb on her account

Lady G FitzPatrick is much obliged, but is too young to drive from home except in obedience to her Grandmama's Commands

Thursday"