P. Grandey thanks Achard for the parcel and discusses Achard’s view on both a poem attributed to Voltaire and political news from at home and abroad. He enquires after Achard’s health in view of his recent cold and the time of year, and notes that Sir George [Savile, 8th Baronet] is talking of going to London after Christmas, but the newlyweds [Mr and Mrs John Thornhagh] have all they need for happiness at Shireoakes. Grandey reports that the Duchess of Norfolk arrived ‘at the Mannor’ on Friday, and that he is amusing himself by reading letters from Mr Locke to Mr Molineux and ‘Limborch’ and his posthumous works. He asks Achard’s opinion on a poem in Latin called ‘On Molly B– wedding night’, beginning ‘Hic Jacet…’, and remarks that he is worried about his brother’s and sister’s silence. He concludes by writing that it froze hard but did not last, and that Rev. Sutton lent them a French book called ‘les Memoires Tures.’