Hamilton begins her letter noting that she has waited on 'Hero' (code name for Mrs Walsingham) and flatters herself that she 'in in good adour with her'. They attended Walker's Lecture together. She continues that 'Hero' talked of Gunning but did not say anything about you coming to her and Hamilton did not 'venture the question'. Hamilton asks what Gunning's father has to say about all the changes to the Ministry. Gunning has asked Hamilton to obtain for her a lock of hair (she does not specify whose, possibly one of the princesses) and writes that she will do so but that she 'must on no account boast of having this invaluable Treasure in your possession'. Hamilton is interested to know what Gunning intends to study during the summer and which books she has been reading. She continues on the subject of books and wishes they could have read together. Some text has been censored by Hamilton so it is not possible to read all that she writes on her interests but she does note that she wishes to know something on natural history ? 'particularly to man'. She has seen advertised a new novel, Cecilia, by Miss Burney (Frances Burney, see HAM/1/6/5) who wrote Evilina and she would like to see it. Hamilton thought Evilina to be 'wonderful proof of genius for that kind of history if it is true that she was so young and had no assistance'. The new book is in 5 volumes and Hamilton thinks it may be a good 'lounging' book and advises Gunning to purchase it and write to her on how she gets on with it. In the second letter dated 21 August 1782 informs Gunning of the death of Prince Alfred. She details the funeral arrangements for the Prince and writes on the King and Queen.
description
Hamilton begins her letter noting that she has waited on 'Hero' (code name for Mrs Walsingham) and flatters herself that she 'in in good adour with her'. They attended Walker's Lecture together. She continues that 'Hero' talked of Gunning but did not say anything about you coming to her and Hamilton did not 'venture the question'. Hamilton asks what Gunning's father has to say about all the changes to the Ministry. Gunning has asked Hamilton to obtain for her a lock of hair (she does not specify whose, possibly one of the princesses) and writes that she will do so but that she 'must on no account boast of having this invaluable Treasure in your possession'. Hamilton is interested to know what Gunning intends to study during the summer and which books she has been reading. She continues on the subject of books and wishes they could have read together. Some text has been censored by Hamilton so it is not possible to read all that she writes on her interests but she does note that she wishes to know something on natural history ? 'particularly to man'. She has seen advertised a new novel, Cecilia, by Miss Burney (Frances Burney, see HAM/1/6/5) who wrote Evilina and she would like to see it. Hamilton thought Evilina to be 'wonderful proof of genius for that kind of history if it is true that she was so young and had no assistance'. The new book is in 5 volumes and Hamilton thinks it may be a good 'lounging' book and advises Gunning to purchase it and write to her on how she gets on with it. In the second letter dated 21 August 1782 informs Gunning of the death of Prince Alfred. She details the funeral arrangements for the Prince and writes on the King and Queen.
Description
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