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The Fortune’s Folly Social Bulletin for January 1810

Issued by Mr Argyle, Master of Ceremonies, The Pump Rooms, Granby Hotel, Fortune’s Folly, Yorkshire.

The winter season has seen relatively few new visitors come to town, a relief for those ladies who have complained that Sir Montague Fortune’s revival of the Dames Tax has turned Fortune’s Folly into the marriage mart of England and attracted all manner of penniless rakes and adventurers. Perhaps the ardour of these gentlemen has been dampened by the harsh weather in the north of England. If so, they are evidently too feeble to be worthy of our ladies anyway.

Amongst those who have returned after Christmas are Stephen, Lord Armitage, who is to wed Miss Mary Wheeler in a few weeks’ time, and Miles, Lord Vickery, who has unexpectedly inherited the title of Marquis of Drummond on the untimely death of his cousin. We wish his lordship every felicitation in his new role despite the family curse that is said to afflict all the Marquises of Drummond and lead them to an early grave.

We hear that Mr and Mrs Dexter Anstruther are already anticipating an addition to their family and extend our congratulations to them. Mr and Mrs Anstruther have been wed a very short time indeed, but the clear air of Fortune’s Folly is said to be most intoxicating and can go to the head with marvellous effects. Sir Montague Fortune has departed Fortune’s Folly for a few months’ sojourn in London. He will not be missed. There will be a ball every second Tuesday at the Granby Hotel.

I look forward to welcoming you there.