COLLECTION NAME:
Mary Hamilton Papers
Record
Image Number:
HAM211.pdf
Reference Number:
HAM/2/11
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 21 June 1784 - 15 July 1784 and details Hamilton's many visits and engagements. Hamilton writes on her many social engagements including a detailed visit to Horace Walpole at Strawberry Hill. Hamilton notes that Walpole was particularly attentive to her and that she took real pleasure in viewing the house and the art it contained. She details the works that he showed her noting that some of the art. She details the dinner Walpole gave. Hamilton clearly delights in the attention that Walpole paid her. Hamilton details the evening and writes that she took Mrs Garrick aside and told her of her engagement to Dickenson. Mrs Garrick 'shed tears of joy & assured' her that she would recieve Dickenson with open arms. Hamilton also writes of the conversations she had with Garrick who told her that she has never recovered from the loss of her husband. On visiting Sir Joshua Reynolds with Mr and Mrs Vesey, she describes the company with her, as well as the house and the many portraits there. On the same evening she attended another engagement at Mrs Veseys whose guests included Horace Walpole and Mrs Garrick. She writes of attending a dinner with Sir Joshua Reynolds, Boswell and Miss Palmer and writes of Mr Boswell's 'professed attachment' to her. In her own home, Mrs Delany's nephew Court Dewes was so taken up with Hamilton's cousin's [Jane Hamilton] singing that he cancelled going to the Opera. On a visit to Mrs Walsingham she sought assurance over the propriety of travelling alone with Mr Pepys. She describes her evening, Walsingham's house and possessions and of the company who included Mrs Garrick and the Duchess of Bolton. Hamilton also writes of Walsingham's daughter, Miss Boyle who was about fourteen years old and whom Hamilton describes as the 'most accomplished young Person I ever met with'. She continues on the subject of knowledgeable women, the most learned in her opinion is Mrs Carter. Hamilton writes on her family and the advice they give with regards to her engagement. She documents the general conversations she had with her family. Hamilton writes with the news and gossip of society and the Royal Family. Mrs Vesey, for instance gave Hamilton a detailed history of Mrs Ord including information on the death of her husband in the 'last American war'. She writes of the reactions of the various Bas Bleu members to the news of Miss Gregory's marriage to a clergyman [Mr Alison]. It also documents what books and pamphlets that Hamilton reads. She writes of Richard Glover giving her his manuscript journal written when he was in France and Italy to read. Hamilton also writes on art and a visit to Mr Agars where she impressed him with her comments on the paintings and was invited to return with her Uncle Sir William Hamilton. Her cousin, Lady Frances Harper showed her a miniature by Saunders of her son, the size for a ring which cost five guineas. Lady Frances suggested Hamilton have her portrait painted by him. Hamilton writes of a visit from Miss Glover who told her that at dinner at her home, Mr Bourdieu was told to give up hopes of her accepting his offer of marriage but that he still insisted saying that it was impossible for him to give up hope. The diary also includes information on general everyday life such as Hamilton's maid preparing her hot peppermint water as a remedy for a headache. Hamilton also details her friends Mrs Walsingham and Miss Boyle being held up by a highway man and general conversations of the day including the possible increase of tax on super fine sugars. Hamilton also writes of an odd request she received from the Duke of Newcastle who wrote asking 'what sort of mourning he should go in to Court for the late Dowager [Lady] Harrington. Hamilton also writes on the subject of servants and of her pleasure of dining at Lord and Lady Stormonts who on occasions are served by a dumb waiter.
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
People Covered:
Portland, Margaret Cavendish Holles Harley Bentinck, Duchess of, 1715-1785
People Covered:
Hamilton, William, Sir, 1730-1803
People Covered:
Garrick, Eva Maria, 1724-1822
People Covered:
Hamilton, Mary, 1756-1816
People Covered:
Glover, Richard, 1712-1785
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):
2011-12-08
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