COLLECTION NAME:
Mary Hamilton Papers
Record
Image Number:
HAM28.pdf
Reference Number:
HAM/2/8
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 the dates 17 February 1784 until 20 March 1784 and consists of details of Hamilton's daily life during this period. Hamilton writes that Lady Stormont had met the Prince of Wales that morning and he desired her to inform Hamilton that he hoped that she would accompany Lady Stormont to a Ball and supper at Carleton House the following Wednesday. Hamilton wished it was in her power to excuse herself from going. She later writes of receiving the official invitation from the Prince. Lady Stormont advised against her refusing to attend. Hamilton describes the Ball at Carleton House in detail. She saw the Prince and noted that he was 'gracious & expressed great pleasure in seeing me'. The Prince asked Lady Stormont to dance but she declined as she was 'with child'. Hamilton continues with a description of the evening and of the dances, the Prince and the other people attending. She writes of many visits. Hamilton writes of Miss Gregory who she describes as good humoured and sensible and is 'esteemed by all'. Hamilton writes of her many visits to Mrs Vesey and the conversations she had there where she often met people such as Horace Walpole, Miss More, Mrs Carter and Sir Joshua Reynolds. Mrs Boscawen invited her to a party that was to be in the 'bas bleu stile' but Hamilton was not able to attend and Hamilton also notes a visit to Mrs Delany who she found in 'high beauty' dressed in white satin to celebrate the Duchess of Portland's seventieth birthday. Amongst the other guests were the Bishop of Exeter and Mrs Boscawen. On a later visit to Mrs Delany she found her not well and that she had been blooded. Mrs Delany had been alarmed 'at the riotous behaviour of the mob last night who broke windows etc at 1 in the morning when Mr Pitt had returned out of the City'. They talked on the subject although Hamilton writes that she is beginning to tire of 'political topics and party divisions.' Hamilton writes of a visit from Mrs Garrick and a visit to Taxiers where she was entertained with readings and acting. Hamilton also notes a visit from Mrs Carter who had spent some time with the Dowager Lady Spencer at St Albans. Hamilton writes of a visit to Mrs Montagu where the conversation was mainly on chemistry and natural history. She met the Duc de Chaulnes who showed her 'curious drawings of Chinese buildings'. She writes of her many other visits including one from the Duke of Atholl, Lord Napier, Mr Fisher. Hamilton writes that his friend Miss Clarke went to see Mrs Siddons acting in the 'Mourning Bride' which she was very pleased with. Hamilton also writes of the recovery of Mrs Montagu from an accident she had of being burnt when her clothes caught fire. She writes of her reading including Macbeath. At a visit to her friend Miss Gunning they talked of the 'stile of life of people of fashion led in London'. She writes on society and of her belief that it was dependent upon the individual to find their own amusement. Sir Robert Gunning noted that he preferred the society and manners of the French. The diary includes information on financial matters including those she had with her Uncle Frederick Hamilton and his attempts to settle the affair of the rent from her mother's house in St James's Street. She writes of family divisions and of the indiscretion of her Uncle Frederick and his disagreement with the Stormonts. Hamilton writes of the charity that she became involved in and her working to make blankets for one of her old servants whose wife had had twins. 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--Court and courtiers
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: Hertfordshire: St Albans
People Covered:
George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830
People Covered:
Hamilton, Mary, 1756-1816
People Covered:
Glover, Richard, 1712-1785
People Covered:
Portland, Margaret Cavendish Holles Harley Bentinck, Duchess of, 1715-1785
People Covered:
Hamilton, William, Sir, 1730-1803
People Covered:
Pitt, William, 1759-1806
People Covered:
Siddons, Sarah, 1755-1831
People Covered:
Garrick, Eva Maria, 1724-1822
People Covered:
Napier, William, 7th Lord
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