COLLECTION NAME:
Mary Hamilton Papers
Record
Image Number:
HAM22.pdf
Reference Number:
HAM/2/2
Link to Catalogue:
Series Title:
Manuscript Diaries
Parent Work Title:
Diary of Mary Hamilton
Creator:
Hamilton, Mary, 1756-1816
Creator Role:
Author
Date Created:
1782-1783
Description:
The diary covers the dates from 27 November 1782 until 10 June 1783 and records many aspects of the day to day life of Mary Hamilton including her many social engagements such as her meetings with members of the Bas Bleu and attending plays that SarAnna Harper Siddons appeared in. The diary also records the gossip of the day. Hamilton writes of her family and friends and on the literature she reads. Hamilton notes each day the many visits and visitors she met each day. Included amongst her visitors were her friends from Court, many prominent figures in society such as Mrs Boscawen, Frances Burney, Mrs Carter, Mrs Garrick and Mrs More as well as various members of the aristocracy [she also notes of breakfasting with a Mr Beckford who may be her relation, the author and art collector, William Beckford (1760-1844).] She writes of a visit from a Mr Vandergutch(?) who came to talk of pictures and who 'made a catalogue'. At a dinner at Mrs Garricks she notes that Dr Johnson was among the guests. Hamilton writes about a discussion she had with the Duchess of Portland about her having left Court. Hamilton writes of attending a lecture given by Sheridan...and of attending 'Miss Abrams benefit concert'. She attends a play that Mrs Siddons acted in and that Mrs Garrick had given her a ticket to attend in Mrs Garrick's own box to see Siddons in the role of Calista in the Fair Portrayal and that she also saw her in the role of Isabella which Hamilton thought was 'very finely executed'. She also writes of a visit to an exibition with her Uncle, of viewing a portrait of Mrs Siddons and of dressing for a masquerade. Hamilton also notes that Mrs Vesey took her and the Clarle sisters to see the 'Masks' at the Duchess of Bolton's and of her disappoinment at not being able to attend Lord Abingdon's concert because of the lack of a suitable chaperone and of cancelling a visit to the Duke of Devonshire's because of the poor weather. Having recently resigned from her position at Court, Hamilton's diary details her growing independence including her search for a house to set up with her friends the Miss Clarkes. Hamilton writes of her decision to take Clarges Street and of signing the agreement and of complaining to the owner about leaks. The diary also includes information on Hamilton's finances and on her family including her signing a security bond for £600 that her Uncle Frederick Hamilton is to pay her. The diary details Hamilton's friendship with the Glover family and of the evenings she spent with them. The literature they read which included pamphlets on the subject of the American war, a 'private pamphlet relative to Robert Walpole' and a manuscript of a tragedy that Mr Glover had written fifty years previously [possibly Ethelmond]. She also details the conversations they had and the card games they played. Hamilton records Richard Glover sitting for his portrait that was being painted by the artist John Opie [(1761-1807), a portrait and history painter], a portrait that was being painted for Hamilton herself. She writes of the poetry that her friend from Court, Mr Farhill wrote and of sending him a work called Lines to a Lady to read. On a visit to Mrs Delany, Hamilton notes that they examined prints and read together from History of the Reign of Queen Anne. Hamilton writes of being asked her advice by a young woman with regards to how she should conduct herself 'with a Mr R'. She writes with news of the Royal family including the poor health of Prince Octavious and later on his death and of seeing and speaking with the Prince of Wales at Ranleigh. The diary concludes with a visit to Lady Wakes at Courteen Hall and on her return to London a visit to Mrs Garrick's where they 'conversed upon...interesting literary subjects'.
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:
Garrick, Eva Maria, 1724-1822
People Covered:
Beckford, William, 1760-1844
People Covered:
Glover, Richard, 1712-1785
People Covered:
Portland, Margaret Cavendish Holles Harley Bentinck, Duchess of, 1715-1785
People Covered:
Siddons, Sarah, 1755-1831
People Covered:
George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830
People Covered:
Hamilton, Mary, 1756-1816
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