To Benjamin Franklin from the Duc and Duchesse de Crillon et de Mahon, [before 1 October 1783]
From the Duc and Duchesse de Crillon et de Mahon9
AL: American Philosophical Society
[before October 1, 1783]
Le duc et La duchesse de crillon et de mahon sont venus pour avoir l’honneur de voir Monsieur franklin ministre plenipotentiaire des ettats unis damerique Le prier de Leur faire celuy De venir Souper mercredi prochain a passi et de vouloir bien y etre rendu a Sept heures du Soir pour y prendre part a un Divertissement de Campagne occasioné par La joye De La naissance Dès deux infants d’espagne.1
On trouvera a La porte de passi qui entre dans Le bois de boulogne, un Suisse qui indiquera Le Lieu ou il faut mettre pied a terre.2
Notation: Le Duc & la Desse. de Crillon
9. Louis de Berton, duc de Crillon, and his third wife, Josepha-Athanase-Roman Gusman d’Espinoza de Los Monteros. In recognition of Crillon’s capture of Minorca from Great Britain, Charles III of Spain had bestowed on him the hereditary title of duc de Mahon: XXXIII, 454n; DBF, under Crillon; Courier de l’Europe, XIII (1783), 362–3.
1. Carlos and Felipe, the twin sons of the prince and princess of Asturias, were born on Sept. 5. They died the following year: Germán Bleiberg, ed., Diccionario de Historia de España (3 vols., Madrid, 1979), 1, 709; Almanach royal for 1784, p. 35.
2. The elaborate feast and entertainment on the evening of Oct. 1 began in the Salle de la Comédie with several symphonic and theatrical performances. The distinguished company then proceeded to an enormous tent for a show of fireworks and danses champêtres, accompanied by two orchestras, after which they dined in the Ranelagh by the light of chandeliers and candelabra. A highlight of the evening was the launch of a small balloon, which BF described in his letter to Joseph Banks of Oct. 8, below. This was followed by more music and dancing, walks in the illuminated parts of the Bois de Boulogne, and a ball in the Ranelagh that lasted until three in the morning: Jour. de Paris, Oct. 10, 1783.