COLLECTION NAME:
Mary Hamilton Papers
Record
Image Number:
HAM27.pdf
Reference Number:
HAM/2/7
Link to Catalogue:
Series Title:
Manuscript Diaries
Parent Work Title:
Diary of Mary Hamilton
Creator:
Hamilton, Mary, 1756-1816
Creator Role:
Author
Date Created:
1784
Description:
The diary covers 17 January 1784-17 February 1784. Hamilton details her life as an independent woman living in London. Hamilton details her many visits and social engagements and meetings including her visits to the Duchess of Portland and Mrs Delany, Mrs Vesey, Frances Burney. She writes on a number of anecdotes given by Mrs Carter and of being contented with her style of living after leaving Court. Hamilton describes how the evenings at her friends were spent. She writes of Miss More being particularly happy to see her and of attending an engagement with Mrs Carter, Horace Walpole, Joshua Reynolds, Frances Burney and her Uncle, Sir William Hamilton. Hamilton writes of a gift of a 'gage d'amitee - this was a watch and chain of the newest fashion. She also notes the Duchess asking Sir William Hamilton for an impression of his coat of arms so that she could 'have a seal cut for me of my arms'. Hamilton enjoyed the Duchess's company. She writes of visits to her friends Mrs Walsingham and Miss Boyle and their reading and discussion on Mr Farmingham's Scandinavian Poetry which Hamilton considered 'poor stuff'. Mrs Walsingham informed her that the poet had previously written a few lines to Miss Boyle for her birthday. She also writes of attending the first of a series of ten private concerts. The diary also details the Duchess of Portland purchasing from Sir William Hamilton, what was to become known as the 'Portland Vase' [now held in the British Museum] and Hamilton's involvement in the proceedings. She writes on the gossip and the society of the day, the excitement there was over the concert of music at Westminister Abbey that was to be held in honour of Handel which the King and Queen were to attend. She writes of Lady Stormont's visit to the Prince of Wales at Carleton House with a description of the house and of the evening. Hamilton writes on the men who admire and pursue her who included William Wake [son of Hamilton's friend, Lady Wake] who she details his character and his many visits to her. Hamilton writes of a visit from someone who lived near to the Dickenson family in Derbyshire who reported to her that John Dickenson [her future husband] 'was not yet married'. The diary also records Hamilton's relationship with her family. She was a frequent visitor to her cousin Lady Stormont and enjoyed the company of her Uncle, Sir William Hamilton. Her Uncle Frederick Hamilton often visited her and told her many anecdotes of her grandmother, Lady Archibald Hamilton 'that did her much honour'. On a visit to her cousin Charles Greville's apartment she notes that the rooms were fitted out 'more like a fine Ladies - in my opinion - than a man's'. She writes of her cousin Miss Jane Hamilton and of her musical abilities and her 'good heart'. Hamilton also writes of drawing a design for a new fan for her friend Miss Gunning, and of making a bag for Mrs Glover in the shape of a balloon, of attending a working-party 'with a number of Ladies' and of spending her time reading, drawing and writing in her diary and from Mrs Delany's manuscript letters. She writes of reading other poetry and a new translation and also writes of the author Madame du Boccage. Hamilton writes of her annoyance at the daily routine of having her hair dressed and of the time it takes dressing for the day. Hamilton does not place too much attention on dress and on not wanting to be at the height of fashion preferring to be 'plain than decorated'. Hamilton also writes of being involved in accidents whilst travelling with two horses falling down on two separate trips, of visiting Robsons the Booksellers to look at prints and drawings and writes of her own and other servants and of giving her maid, Hannah some 'good advice on not encouraging young men' from visiting her'. The diary is written on loose sheets that have been stitched together and placed in a grey wrapping. The diaries contain some markings in the margins made in red pencil.
Language Code:
eng-GB
Language:
English
Subject:
Great Britain--Social life and customs
Category of Material:
Archives
Sub-Category:
Diaries
Technique Used:
Handwriting
Medium:
Ink
Support:
Paper
Time Period Covered:
18th Century CE
Places Covered:
England: Greater London: London
People Covered:
Hamilton, Mary, 1756-1816
People Covered:
Glover, Richard, 1712-1785
People Covered:
Greville, Charles Francis, 1749-1809
People Covered:
Charlotte, Queen, consort of George III, King of Great Britain, 1744-1818
People Covered:
Portland, Margaret Cavendish Holles Harley Bentinck, Duchess of, 1715-1785
People Covered:
Hamilton, William, Sir, 1730-1803
People Covered:
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820
People Covered:
Siddons, Sarah, 1755-1831
Current Repository:
The University of Manchester Library, U.K.
Rights Holder - Image:
The University of Manchester Library
Rights Holder - Work:
Copyright restrictions may apply
Date Captured (yyyy-mm-dd):
2011-12-06
Image Creation Technique:
Digital capture by The University of Manchester Library
Access Rights:
Date Image Added (yyyy-mm):
2012-09
Metadata Language:
eng-GB
Collection Code:
Mary Hamilton Papers