COLLECTION NAME:
Mary Hamilton Papers
Record
Image Number:
HAM25.pdf
Reference Number:
HAM/2/5
Link to Catalogue:
Series Title:
Manuscript Diaries
Parent Work Title:
Diary of Mary Hamilton
Creator:
Hamilton, Mary, 1756-1816
Creator Role:
Author
Date Created:
1783-11
Description:
The diary covers the period from 4 November 1783 until 27 November 1783 and details Hamilton's many social engagements and visits. Hamilton writes on literary subjects, on the theatre and on her many prominent friends and relations as well as on her more obscure acquaintances. Hamilton writes on her many visits to her friends including Lady Spencer at Spencer House. The diary also includes news on the Royal Family and Court and of the Prince of Wales speaking of Hamilton to her friends. Hamilton writes of going to see a play at the Convent Garden Playhouse and of also attending a play that Mrs Siddons appeared in. Hamilton writes on many aspects of her day to day life, she writes of her servants and the unwelcome attentions she received from William Wake, the son of her friend Lady Wake and she also refers to meeting a Mr Hunter, a miniature painter, who brought her some of his miniatures to show her [Hamilton wanted her portrait to give to John Dickenson]. Hamilton records her many evenings spent with members of the Bas Bleu including Mrs Vesey, Mrs Montagu, Horace Walpole and with prominent members of society such as Lady Spencer. Hamilton often notes the conversations that took place at these gatherings and on the characters and personalities of the people who attended. She notes that on what such occasion at a gathering at Mrs Vesey's that she was unable to attend, Mrs Vesey told her that Walpole was disappointed at not seeing Hamilton there and of him insisting that she write him 'a note to invite him to her house on Saturday'. Hamilton writes of her friendship with Mrs Vesey and of correcting Mrs Vesey's copy of HannAnna Harper Mores Poems for her. The diary also contains information on the fashions of the day. Hamilton for instance, notes that on a visit to Lady King's a Mrs Garnett came in with 'diamonds in her hair and dropped diamond ear rings'. Hamilton also details a long visit she took to Bulstrode to see the Duchess of Portland and Mrs Delany and of the people she met there who included the Queen and the Princesses and Mrs Boscawen. The diary describes the conversations she had and the prints 'curiosities' she viewed whilst at Bulstrode including a visit to the greenhouse to look at caterpillars and of taking a ride in the park and of her alarm when she saw some animals. She also writes of Mrs Delany showing her some material that the Queen had given her and some gold 'notting' that the King had given her. Hamilton also writes of helping the Duchess 'look over a drawer' of curiosities. She writes of the many interesting stories that Mrs Delany told her and of assisting Delany with her books of flowers. Hamilton also details a conversation she had with Delany's servant. Hamilton also writes in detail on her relationship with members of her family, particularly her Uncles Sir William Hamilton and Frederick Hamilton and her cousin Lady Stormont. Hamilton writes in detail on William Hamilton passing her letters and a ring that belonged to his late wife, Lady Catherine Hamilton. The diary also demonstrates Hamilton's role in introducing her cousin Charles Greville and William Hamilton to the Duchess of Portland so that the Duchess could purchase some of Sir William's art and antiquities that he had brought to England on his return from Naples, including the famous 'Portland Vase'. Hamilton writes of her relations visit to Bulstrode and of Sir William entertaining the group with stories of the King of Naples, volcanoes and hunting. Mrs Delany notes that she went hunting at the age of 13 in a mantou gown and hoop. They also talked on the Princess Dashkova. The diary is written in a bound volume in sheep skin. There is some brown staining and marginal markings 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:
Sheep skin
Support:
Paper
Time Period Covered:
18th Century CE
People Covered:
George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830
People Covered:
Hamilton, Mary, 1756-1816
People Covered:
Charlotte, Queen, consort of George III, King of Great Britain, 1744-1818
People Covered:
Hamilton, William, Sir, 1730-1803
People Covered:
Siddons, Sarah, 1755-1831
Item Height:
120 mm
Item Width:
81 mm
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):
2013-01-21
Image Creation Technique:
Digital capture by The University of Manchester Library
Access Rights:
Date Image Added (yyyy-mm):
2013-02
Metadata Language:
eng-GB
Collection Code:
Mary Hamilton Papers