In this series of letters largely written in the mid 1740s-50s, Richard Arundell writes to Lady Burlington and Lord Hartington concerning political affairs; local affairs relating to their estates and news from mutual acquaintances.
Details of the letters to Lady Burlington include: an affair which has raised her majesty's suspicions; his "girl"'s arrival from Belvoir; his opinion of Lady Burlington's kindness to Jack [Mostyn] (CS1/234/0);
the ill health of Lord Burlington; General Wade's troops marching northwards [to face the Jacobite rebels]; news he has heard of the rebels; the speeches and address to parliment (Oct 1745); transports with battalions commanded by Lord Aalbemarle; Cope's examination by Court martial; other updates from the north about the rebels; a foreign ship that has arrived at Montrose with officers and chests of money (CSC1/234/5); negotiations with Lord Montfort (CS1/234/9); a letter enclosed from Mr Collins (CS1/234/12); his request for Lady Burlington to defer paying the bills or Mr Payne until his return; Lady Burlington's trouble with the workmen and his advice to dismiss Mr Moss immediately; settling the accounts with Mr Payne; enclosed conversation from the Dean; Irish property; Braddock's defeat; Miss Mostyn and Michael (CS1/234/15); account from Mr Payne of Mr Moss; the Dean's wish to be recommended to Lord Hartington for a chaplaincy; Mr Crotty's allowance to his tenants and Sir Abdy's good advice (CS1/234/16); repairs at Chiswick and Londesborough; Lord Hartington's adminstration in Ireland (CS1/234/17).
He writes to Lord Hartington (who he calls "Dear Harty") concerning:
his intention to meet Lord Burlington and Lord Hartington at Londesborough; Lord Hartington returning to Chatsworth for his father's return from London; enquiring about cock walks; Harry Vane's opinion about the match with Sir Windsor (CS1/234/3); his endeavour to come to Londesborough but is absence and slower pace making it unlikely (CS1/234/6); Captain Thornton's reputation; the treasuere of the Chamber's profits; the uneasiness with his mother surrounding Lord Hartington's proposed marriage; his concern for Fox; the 3rd Duke having some of his land valued in the vicinity of Arundell's land and his concern about it (CS1/234/7); news from his neighbourhood; the Duke of Newcastle ignoring Lord Hartington's request; the health of Lord Burlington and his trip to Bath; an affair relating to the agent Collins and money owing to him and Lord Burlington's response which Collins has become hurt and surprised by; Collins's good reputation (CS1/234/10); Arundell's gout; an account of Lord Albermarle's death caused by a fall and bleeding on the brain in his coach returning home from supper; Lord Albermarle's affairs and the estate left to his widow; the sudden death of Lord Montfort by suicide and the events leading up to it and the possible reasons for it; the death of Sir James Lowther and his estates including collieries being left to Sir James Lowther and Col. Stephenson (CS1/234/11); his visit to Tunbridge Wells for his wife's health; his visit to Chiswick and the good health of Lord Hartington's children; his advice for Lord Hartington's office; likelihood of a French war; Lady Burlington's wish to put the papers at Lismore in order with the help of Sir Abdy; the benefit of a survey of the land in Ireland to be undertaken with somebody who understands land and property, not Mr Ellis (CS1/234/14); an account of the true state of the 3rd Duke of Devonshire's poor health (Dec 1755); the seate of the Duke and Duchess of Queensberry in Cravon; an account of the disaster in Lisbon at the factory; a call from George Cavendish concerning the 3rd Duke's worsened health (CS1/234/18).