COLLECTION NAME:
Mary Hamilton Papers
Record
Image Number:
HAM214.pdf
Reference Number:
HAM/2/14
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 18 August 1784 - 26 December 1784. Hamilton writes of discussing 'learning & Ladies' with Lord Stormont who believes that Lady Stormont was 'sufficiently accomplished in languages for any woman'. Hamilton also writes of a conversation the Stormonts told her of that her Uncle had had with the King. The King had asked the Queen to attempt to 'fish out' of Sir William Hamilton if he intended to marry again. The King then asked about Sir William's estate in Wales and who he was to be his heir. Lord Stormont also told Hamilton that the Prince of Wales had made enquiries on her marriage and said many 'handsome things' about her. Again at a party of the Bas Bleu, Mrs Garrick reported that Mrs Montagu had spoken 'handsomely' of Hamilton and her upcoming marriage. At a visit to Bulstrode Hamilton writes of spending her time cutting and pasting prints in Mrs Delany's books of prints whilst conversing with her and of decorating a box by pasting prints on to it. Mrs Delany gave her a gift of a locket made of mother of pearl which enclosed some of her hair. Hamilton continues to note that her Uncles Frederick and William Hamilton both seem happy with her choice of husband. Sir William was sure that she would be happy in her marriage, more so than if she married for 'ambition or interested motives'. Hamilton writes of receiving many visits from Mr Stanhope. Hamilton refused to see him but he left a message with her servant that he needed to see her before he left town. After Hamilton agreed to talk to him he told her that he had heard of her marriage and talked about how his 'heart & soul felt'. She writes that at one point during the meeting Anna Maria Clarke came into the room but mischievously ran straight out declaring that she would not 'interrupt a téte á téte'. The diary includes details of a visit to Lord Mansfield's house at Kenwood and of Hamilton meeting the two Miss Murray's, Lady Stormont's sisters. Hamilton writes of the death of an acquaintance who left behind three children. She attends the christening of Lady Stormont's baby and describes the dinner she attended after it and lists the guests. She also writes of a visit to Horace Walpole's with her Uncle Sir William Hamilton. They all then went to Mrs Garrick's who showed them many interesting things such as a pair of gloves that had belonged to Shakespeare [Hamilton includes sketches of a few of the things shown her]. Hamilton writes of talking of Voltaire and art with Walpole and that her Uncle greatly pleased her by saying that he would give her a portrait of himself that was painted by Reynolds. She also writes that Mrs Garrick gave Hamilton her late husband's catalogue to his Library and invited her to chose ant book from it she wishes to read. The diary also details a visit to see Lunardi's air balloon. The diary also records Hamilton suffering with an eye complaint and of consulting Mr Churchill, the apothecary. She notes that Mrs Garrick gave her a gift of some 'famous eye water sold only by Mr Austin No.17 Catherine Street, Strand'. She notes her anxiety over her illness and of her not being able to indulge herself in her 'favourite amusement of reading' and of Anna Maria Clarke checking on her to ensure that she was not reading or writing. Hamilton writes of gossip such as My Vesey's Valet de Chambre 'having gone raving mad' after receiving a letter from Ireland informing him of the infidelity of a woman he was in love with, of Lord Stormont's first wife and of anecdotes including one about the Prince of Wales. Hamilton also writes of the excitement of her servants who came to inform her of air balloons being seen from the door of her house. Hamilton also writes of Sir William Hamilton's return to Naples and of her being too upset to say goodbye in person.
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:
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:
George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830
People Covered:
Hamilton, Mary, 1756-1816
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):
2011-12-21
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