Detail View: Mary Hamilton Papers:
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Image Number:
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HAM215.pdf
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Reference Number:
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HAM/2/15
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Link to Catalogue:
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Series Title:
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Manuscript Diaries
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Parent Work Title:
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Diary of Mary Hamilton
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Creator:
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Hamilton, Mary, 1756-1816
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Creator Role:
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Author
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Date Created:
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1784
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Description:
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The diary consists of diary letters written to John Dickenson which Hamilton sent to him before their marriage. They cover 27 December 1784-22 May 1785. In the letters Hamilton assures Dickenson that she will 'hide nothing' from him. That he will see her 'heart as through a transparent mirror'. She writes of her love for Dickenson and also advises him to be 'more attentive' to her requests and to write to her often. She includes copies of letters she has received from friends such as from Mrs Walsingham, Mrs Delany and the Duchess of Portland. Hamilton also writes with news and gossip of the day. Mrs Carter reported to her that a 'wild man' came from the woods in Kent, chased out by the severity of the weather. She notes that her company is very 'select & of the very first class as to conversation & character'. She notes that this would be of benefit to Dickenson in their marriage in terms of the conversations together. She writes of an evening with Mrs Boscawen, Sir Joshua Reynolds, Dr Burney, Frances Burney and Mrs Garrick. She describes the evening and notes that Reynolds had agreed to look over his painting of Sir William Hamilton and renovate the colours for her. The diary also records her visits to Reynolds gallery, a dinner at Reynolds where Sir Joshua Banks was among the guests, a visit to Frances Burney's and to Drury Lane to Mrs Siddons benefit. She saw Siddons perform 'Lady Macbeth' noting that this was the first public engagement Hamilton had paid for since the death of her mother with the exception of Handel's Commemoration. She writes of attending concerts, a party to the museum and a 'crowded Bas Bleu'. Hamilton writes to Dickenson on literature and suggests works for him to read. She also copies extracts from works such as Blair's Sermons and notes that she would be upset if he does not read the writings of her friends and suggests he reads Wharton's writings on Pope. She writes on Wharton being a great scholar who had translated Virgil. She also reminds Dickenson of his promise to 'keep up his knowledge of the dead language & to cultivate your talents as much as possible'. She is flattered when Dickenson begins to write her in the same journal style that she does him. Hamilton writes to Dickenson on many subjects including on on philosophical issues such as 'morality' and 'religion'. The letter diaries also include a code as to pseudo names for her friends and acquaintances. The 'Baroness' refers to Lady Dartrey, 'Fairy' refers to Mrs Vesey. Hamilton names Mrs Carter 'Picta', Mrs Montagu was known as 'Athica' and Lady Stormont was names 'Gypsy' . One of the diary letters describes a meeting Hamilton had with the Prince of Wales [Hamilton has crossed through the pseudo name she gave the Prince]. She writes that the Prince kissed her hand several times, she includes details of what he said to her. He talked of Hamilton often being at Bulstrode and that the King, Queen and his brothers and sisters often ask after her. On the Queen's birthday Hamilton writes of her relief at being away from Court. Hamilton also includes more mundane details of her every day life to Dickenson. She writes of preparing for an Assembly at Lady Claverings and that it took her maid 'Betty' three hours to arrange her 'hair in fashionable order. She describes her boudoir and of reorganizing the pictures she has there. Hamilton tells Dickenson that she needs to occupy her mind as much as possible and has been reading and drawing and intends to start learning Italian although not being able to afford a tutor she expects to make slow progress. She writes of the society around her. She notes that at many visits much of the conversation was on the subject of the Duchess of Devonshire's gambling debts. Hamilton writes of her friends and their reactions to her engagement. She tells Dickenson that Lord Dartrey (the 'Baron') viewed her as a daughter and and wished to speak to her about the engagement.
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Language Code:
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eng-GB
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Language:
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English
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Subject:
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Great Britain--Social life and customs
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Category of Material:
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Archives
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Sub-Category:
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Diaries
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Technique Used:
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Handwriting
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Medium:
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Ink
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Support:
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Paper
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Time Period Covered:
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18th Century CE
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People Covered:
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Charlotte, Queen, consort of George III, King of Great Britain, 1744-1818
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People Covered:
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Portland, Margaret Cavendish Holles Harley Bentinck, Duchess of, 1715-1785
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People Covered:
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Hamilton, William, Sir, 1730-1803
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People Covered:
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George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820
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People Covered:
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Siddons, Sarah, 1755-1831
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People Covered:
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Devonshire, Georgiana Spencer Cavendish, Duchess of, 1757-1806
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People Covered:
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George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830
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People Covered:
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Hamilton, Mary, 1756-1816
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Current Repository:
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The University of Manchester Library, U.K.
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Rights Holder - Image:
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The University of Manchester Library
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Rights Holder - Work:
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Copyright restrictions may apply
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Date Captured (yyyy-mm-dd):
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2011-12-21
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Image Creation Technique:
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Digital capture by The University of Manchester Library
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Access Rights:
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Date Image Added (yyyy-mm):
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2012-09
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Metadata Language:
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eng-GB
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Collection Code:
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Mary Hamilton Papers
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