COLLECTION NAME:
Mary Hamilton Papers
Record
Image Number:
HAM213.pdf
Reference Number:
HAM/2/13
Link to Catalogue:
Series Title:
Manuscript Diaries
Parent Work Title:
Diary of Mary Hamilton
Creator:
Hamilton, Mary, 1756-1816
Creator Role:
Author
Date Created:
1784-08
Description:
The diary covers 3 August 1784-17 August 1784. She writes of her visits to Mrs Delany at Bulstrode and that whilst there she aided Delany in arranging and cleaning 'some curious old china in a cabinet' that she would not trust anyone else to do this for her. Hamilton spends time looking at prints with Delany including one of the air balloon that was to be let off the following week. Hamilton details some of the conversations she had with Delany including one on a woman of 'high rank' who Delany thought 'dress[e]d out too much for a woman of fashion & quality'. Hamilton also writes of her family including Lady Stormont and Charles Greville and that Greville had agreed to sit for his portrait for Romney. Hamilton notes that she was sent the portrait of Mr Glover painted by Opie. She is not pleased with the likeness but notes that she should not find fault with it as Glover 'would not have sat for any Lady but me'. Hamilton also records her meetings with the Prince Regent and of her many evenings spent with her Bas Blue friends. At one such evening Mrs Vesey told Hamilton many anecdotes of Ireland. Hamilton writes of her having a long 'argument' at Mrs Vesey's on the subject of the education of women. They later spoke on the subjects of air balloons, superstition, marriage and ended their conversation with the subject of madness and Bedlam. She also notes that Vesey talked of an obelisk in Mr Vesey's grounds in Ireland that she would like to be buried under when she died. Hamilton also writes of a visit to Sir Joshua Reynolds and his niece, Miss Palmer with Mrs Vesey. They had not seen Miss Palmer since the death of her sister and notes that Miss Palmer burst into tears when they saw her. They stayed with her for a hour and treated themselves to a tour in Reynold's picture gallery. Hamilton writes of her engagement to John Dickenson and her friends support of her marriage. She notes that her Uncle, Sir William Hamilton has written inviting her and Dickenson to visit him in Naples and stay there a year after their marriage. Hamilton also writes of a meeting she had with one of her other Uncles, Frederick Hamilton and her discussions with him on the subject of her marriage and of business relating to her finances and of the estate which her Uncle had inherited from Hamilton's father in Scotland. The diary is also full of gossip of the possible marriages and engagements in society. Hamilton writes with news of her friends and acquaintances for instance she details the refurbishments that have been carried out at Chatsworth House [home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire]. Hamilton had begun a collection of china and notes that on returning home on the 6 August 1784, her friend, Mrs Handcock knowing her interest had sent her a valuable gift of tea cups and saucers made from egg-shell china. Hamilton also writes of sitting for her portrait for the painter Sanderson and feeling uncomfortable in doing so. Hamilton was pleased with the finished portrait but the two Miss Clarkes found fault with it. From her diaries it is clear that the subject of politics was often discussed at the social events she attended and Hamilton comments on the significant bills and events of the day. She also writes on the various charitable endeavours that she and her friends contributed to. The subject of hot air balloons feature prominently in the diary. On Friday 13 August Hamilton set off herself to see 'one of these curious vehicles'. The balloon was being shown by Lunardi at the Lyceum and was to be the first ever hot air balloon to take off in London. Hamilton describes the construction of the balloon in great details and also includes a drawing of the balloon in the diary.The diary is written on loose sheets that have been stitched together and places 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: Kensington and Chelsea: Chelsea
People Covered:
Charlotte, Queen, consort of George III, King of Great Britain, 1744-1818
People Covered:
Hamilton, William, Sir, 1730-1803
People Covered:
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820
People Covered:
George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830
People Covered:
Hamilton, Mary, 1756-1816
People Covered:
Glover, Richard, 1712-1785
People Covered:
Greville, Charles Francis, 1749-1809
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