HAM/1/2/8/1
Journal-letter from John Dickenson to Mary Hamilton, with a letter from Hannah More to Mary Hamilton
Diplomatic Text
[1]
X 12
22 Feby 1786 --
20th- I sent my Letter of this date[2] from Ly. Cremornes -- yr-
dear friend added a few lines -- the Company were Mrs. Carter, Mr. Watt,
Commodore Gardner and myself -- I told you before that it was
Thomas's Birthday -- after Tea we played at pope Joan -- whenever
I speak to yr dear friend of you -- her Eyes sparkle and she seems to
devour every word -- I have had an happy opportunity of establishing
myself in her good opinion, and recd. a double satisfaction from it my
self -- the Evg being very wet Lady C——s Coach brot. Mrs. Carter and yr
D—— home --
21st Call'd this morng upon Mrs. Walkinshaw -- she is
vastly well -- then I went to Sir Robt. Herries -- Lady H. was
rather low -- I stayed only a few minutes as I was to dine there --
I went to St James's -- Miʃs Gunning seemed very glad to see
me -- I sat with her an hour an half -- several times I attempted
to come away that I might not interrupt her, as she had
her writing -- but she always prevented me, & at last said
“must you go -- well if you have so many people to call upon I can't
ask you to stay any longer -- but do come and breakfast wh- me
before you leave town” -- She looks melancholy -- and as I
shd- do, were I in a situation that I did not like -- She appears
as if she had met with some great diʃappointment -- surely her
heart is affected -- otherwise, a handsome woman -- in ye- midst of
the world, poʃsest of great resources within herself -- and a
tolerable State of health, cannot fall out with the world and
be really unhappy, as she realy seems to be -- the short Absence
of a dear sister, in perfect health -- is not a sufficient cause for
the indulgence of melancholy -- at least it does not satisfy
me, as I think her sensibility and common affections are not
strong enough -- she told me that whenever she sees a
certain gentleman, he always enquires after you, and lately
desired her to send his Compts. to you -- She says he is actually
married[3] -- She told me a certain Lady (who entre nous, has
wounded her reputation by taking notice of a woman who she
knows lives in an open and avowed state of adultery) lately gave a
trifling present to Lady Egremont a souvenir d'amitié -- in Steel
ye- same day she gave Mrs- Hastings one in Diamonds -- When I
came home Mrs- Glover was going to Temple Bar -- so I petitioned
for a seat -- & whilst she was doing her busineʃs, I went to Mr. Coopers
and left my name as they were not at home -- Mrs- G. set me down
at Charing Croʃs and I went to Whitehall[4] -- Mr. Lightfoot was
glad to see me -- he has been constantly engaged since September
in arranging the shells &c under their different claʃses and affixing
the Linean names to them -- it is an arduous work -- every Claʃs is
a separate Lot -- [5] Mr. Levers shewed me the vase[6] and Jupiter Serapis
Head, for wch. Mr. Lightfoot told me there had been offered a 1000
Guineas -- the pictures and many valuable things are left to the Duke --
It was a melancholy sight to me -- thō a beautiful one -- Mr. L. looks
vastly well -- did not we hear that he had had a violent fever or some
severe illneʃs -- I either heard it or dreamt it -- the Catalogues are
5 Shillings am I to buy one -- I croʃs'd thrō the horse guards
and the park to ye- Queens house -- Miʃs Goldsworthy received me very
graciously -- I made ------ the speeches yo. desired abt. P. Eliz. and she said She
wd- inform her that you had made kind enquiries after her &c &c --
She said P. E. was very well and remembered you wth great affection
wch I allowed to have a fair paʃsage thrō the opposite Ear, recollecting
where I was -- after staying 20 minutes I call'd upon Mrs. Stainfo[rth][7]
Lady Hume was with her -- but left the room as soon as I came
Mrs. S. gave me her hand, and said I must return her thanks
to you for sending me the first time -- She wd. talk abt. the
P. who, she is positive, is married -- when I returned your
dear letter and my Father's lay upon my table -- I was so cold
that my poor fingers cd. hardly hold my pen -- I ran to Lady H.
to add a few lines as I knew it wd. make mine more welcome -- [8]
at 8 Lady H. & I went to the Veseys Mrs Carter was there Mrs. V.
was in hight spirits and like herself -- she preʃs'd me to dine
with Miʃs More & Nanny tomorrow -- but I can't do or I would --
I shall go after dinner -- Lady H—— is weak yet, & must not exert
herself too much -- She set me down at home -- I found Mr. & Mrs.
Vernon home -- 22 I am just going to sally forth -- Andrew
has been here this morning -- he begins to grumble -- I told him
Lady W. wd. give him an ansr- as soon as she cd. -- [9]
I just call'd on Lady Herries who is pretty well, then on Mrs.
Delany -- Miʃs Murrays were there -- I enquired after Ld Mansfield
and Mrs. Hatton -- I told them I had intended doing myself the
honor of waiting upon them this morning after paying my
Respects to Mrs. Delany -- they desired their Compts. to you -- I
promis'd Mrs. D—— to return in the Evg -- I croʃsed the park and
call'd at Mrs. Langtons who was not at home -- I sat some time
with Lady Rothes who desired her Compts. to you -- the little boy
is vastly pleased with the Toy -- I went to Newport Street St.
Martin's Lane and bought the Chalk &c for Miʃs Wake this
plan was recommended to me by Ld. Warwick -- as I thought
he was a likely person to inform me where I cd. procure the
best -- I call'd at Sir Jos Reynolds -- he is ill of ye- Rhumatism
Miʃs Palmer looks very pretty & sends her Love to you & is
very angry that you dont come to town -- she says Husbands are
alike -- I saw Sir J's pictures -- Dr- & Miʃs Burney were not
at home -- I then came home staid a few Minutes and then
went to Stratford place -- Mrs Walsingham recd me very
graciously -- Lady Clarendon & Lady Charlotte were there
and looking over some beautiful drawing of Miʃs Boyle
wch. are Copies of the Duke of Marlborough's Gems -- they
are vastly well executed -- but I suspect Miʃs Black has
been a little concerned -- Lord Macartney came in -- I was
very happy to see him as he is an honor to his Country
for he has proved himself to be an honest man -- I
saw some fine prints that Mrs. Wals. has collected --
She desired her Comps. and wished you cd. see those
prints -- I went on to Wimpole Street Mr. Pepys
not at home -- I found Lady Stormont at home
She looked beautiful -- she desired me to tell you
that Lord & Lady Cathcart are arrived and very well --
she desired me to dine with her tomorrow, as she hoped
the Cathcarts wd. be there -- She asked me if I knew
Mr. Harpur who is come to Town & when I answered
in the negative, yr sweet Cousin said she wd. invite
him -- how kind & obliging are her great attentions
to me -- She asked if I wrote to day -- I told her yt-
I shd. but cd. not send it till tomorrow as I had no
frank -- Lady S. immediately rang the bell & finding
Ld. S. was in the house sent a cover to him wch. conveys
this scrawl to my estimable wife -- I met Ly
S. in St. Martin's Lane who spoke to me very civilly --
------ Clarkes ------ is [11]£-9s-0 -- ------------ she
does not want any money -- ------------------------------give her 7
Guineas or the whole -- our Interest now due is
26£-0-0 -- The first bell is ringing God bleʃs you
my dear Wife continue to Love yr- affct. Husband
JDickenson
I will anon to Mrs- Vesey
perhaps I can prevail upon Miʃs More to write
a Line -- My Love to Lady Wake & Comp. to
every body --
Memm: 27£
Memm: to tell Mr.. D: it is 27£.
[10]
Mrs. Vesey's Eating Parlour Wednesday Afternoon 5 oclock
Your beloved being just arrived here where
I have dined, he tells me he has brought
a letter not quite filled up, inviting me
to write a few words on this blank Page.
The temptation of conversing for a few
moments with my dear friend is not to be resisted,
How do we wish for you at this moment,
making one at the dear Vesey's little Table!
mais le tems viendra that is my comfort.
I am delighted with your Husband because
he is in love with his Wife; I do not grudge
you to him because he knows your value
and I shou'd grudge you to the best man
who ever wore a head if he was not fully
sensible of his good fortune in poʃseʃsing
you. I have taken the advantage of your
absence, like a truly perfidious rival
and am endeavouring to supplant you
in the heart of Mr. Walpole as fast as
poʃsible. He has had a cruel confinement
I went and spent a long evening with him
to which he envited me, but to save my
reputation, I discreetly admitted Mrs. Vesey
and Mrs. Carter to be of the Party. We[11]
red text is normalised and/or unformatted in other panel)
Notes
1. Originally catalogued as part of a single letter HAM/1/2/8. The shelfmark and image therefore differ from the ELGAR catalogue and from the University of Manchester LUNA catalogue.
2. Quite possibly the now incomplete HAM/1/2/58.
3. Possibly George, Prince of Wales, who had seceretly married Maria Fitzherbert on 15 December 1785.
4. A neighbourhood in Westminster, where the Duchess of Portland had a house in the Privy Gardens.
5. The Revd. John Lightfoot was curator of the Duchess of Portland's private collection, which was broken up on her death in July 1785 for sale by auction.
6. The Portland Vase, which had been sold to the Duchess of Portland by Mary Hamilton's uncle, Sir William Hamilton. The vase is now in the British Museum (see here).
7. Elizabeth Stainforth was housekeeper to the royal palace (see HAM/1/12/44 p.1 n.1).
8. See HAM/1/17/70 for a letter from Lady Herries describing this event.
9. John Dickenson seems to be involved in Andrew's efforts to obtain employment as butler to Lady Wake (see HAM/1/2/7).
10. The incomplete letter on this page is in the hand of Hannah More.
11. The text by Hannah More ends abruptly here. The continuation, perhaps on the cover provided by Lord Stormont, has presumably been lost.
Normalised Text
22 February 1786 --
20th- I sent my Letter of this date from Lady Cremornes -- your
dear friend added a few lines -- the Company were Mrs. Carter, Mr. Watt,
Commodore Gardner and myself -- I told you before that it was
Thomas's Birthday -- after Tea we played at pope Joan -- whenever
I speak to your dear friend of you -- her Eyes sparkle and she seems to
devour every word -- I have had an happy opportunity of establishing
myself in her good opinion, and received a double satisfaction from it my
self -- the Evening being very wet Lady Cremornes Coach brought Mrs. Carter and your
Dickenson home --
21st Called this morning upon Mrs. Walkinshaw -- she is
vastly well -- then I went to Sir Robert Herries -- Lady Herries was
rather low -- I stayed only a few minutes as I was to dine there --
I went to St James's -- Miss Gunning seemed very glad to see
me -- I sat with her an hour an half -- several times I attempted
to come away that I might not interrupt her, as she had
her writing -- but she always prevented me, & at last said
“must you go -- well if you have so many people to call upon I can't
ask you to stay any longer -- but do come and breakfast with me
before you leave town” -- She looks melancholy -- and as I
should do, were I in a situation that I did not like -- She appears
as if she had met with some great disappointment -- surely her
heart is affected -- otherwise, a handsome woman -- in the midst of
the world, possessed of great resources within herself -- and a
tolerable State of health, cannot fall out with the world and
be really unhappy, as she really seems to be -- the short Absence
of a dear sister, in perfect health -- is not a sufficient cause for
the indulgence of melancholy -- at least it does not satisfy
me, as I think her sensibility and common affections are not
strong enough -- she told me that whenever she sees a
certain gentleman, he always enquires after you, and lately
desired her to send his Compliments to you -- She says he is actually
married -- She told me a certain Lady (who entre nous, has
wounded her reputation by taking notice of a woman who she
knows lives in an open and avowed state of adultery) lately gave a
trifling present to Lady Egremont a souvenir d'amitié -- in Steel
the same day she gave Mrs- Hastings one in Diamonds -- When I
came home Mrs- Glover was going to Temple Bar -- so I petitioned
for a seat -- & whilst she was doing her business, I went to Mr. Coopers
and left my name as they were not at home -- Mrs- Glover set me down
at Charing Cross and I went to Whitehall -- Mr. Lightfoot was
glad to see me -- he has been constantly engaged since September
in arranging the shells &c under their different classes and affixing
the Linnean names to them -- it is an arduous work -- every Class is
a separate Lot -- Mr. Levers showed me the vase and Jupiter Serapis
Head, for which Mr. Lightfoot told me there had been offered a 1000
Guineas -- the pictures and many valuable things are left to the Duke --
It was a melancholy sight to me -- though a beautiful one -- Mr. L. looks
vastly well -- did not we hear that he had had a violent fever or some
severe illness -- I either heard it or dreamt it -- the Catalogues are
5 Shillings am I to buy one -- I crossed through the horse guards
and the park to the Queens house -- Miss Goldsworthy received me very
graciously -- I made the speeches you desired about Princess Elizabeth and she said She
would inform her that you had made kind enquiries after her &c &c --
She said Princess Elizabeth was very well and remembered you with great affection
which I allowed to have a fair passage through the opposite Ear, recollecting
where I was -- after staying 20 minutes I called upon Mrs. Stainforth
Lady Hume was with her -- but left the room as soon as I came
Mrs. S. gave me her hand, and said I must return her thanks
to you for sending me the first time -- She would talk about the
Prince who, she is positive, is married -- when I returned your
dear letter and my Father's lay upon my table -- I was so cold
that my poor fingers could hardly hold my pen -- I ran to Lady Herries
to add a few lines as I knew it would make mine more welcome --
at 8 Lady Herries & I went to the Veseys Mrs Carter was there Mrs. Vesey
was in high spirits and like herself -- she pressed me to dine
with Miss More & Nanny tomorrow -- but I can't do or I would --
I shall go after dinner -- Lady Herries is weak yet, & must not exert
herself too much -- She set me down at home -- I found Mr. & Mrs.
Vernon home -- 22 I am just going to sally forth -- Andrew
has been here this morning -- he begins to grumble -- I told him
Lady Wake would give him an answer as soon as she could --
I just called on Lady Herries who is pretty well, then on Mrs.
Delany -- Miss Murrays were there -- I enquired after Lord Mansfield
and Mrs. Hatton -- I told them I had intended doing myself the
honour of waiting upon them this morning after paying my
Respects to Mrs. Delany -- they desired their Compliments to you -- I
promised Mrs. Delany to return in the Evening -- I crossed the park and
called at Mrs. Langtons who was not at home -- I sat some time
with Lady Rothes who desired her Compliments to you -- the little boy
is vastly pleased with the Toy -- I went to Newport Street St.
Martin's Lane and bought the Chalk &c for Miss Wake this
plan was recommended to me by Lord Warwick -- as I thought
he was a likely person to inform me where I could procure the
best -- I called at Sir Joshua Reynolds -- he is ill of the Rheumatism
Miss Palmer looks very pretty & sends her Love to you & is
very angry that you don't come to town -- she says Husbands are
alike -- I saw Sir Joshua's pictures -- Dr- & Miss Burney were not
at home -- I then came home stayed a few Minutes and then
went to Stratford place -- Mrs Walsingham received me very
graciously -- Lady Clarendon & Lady Charlotte were there
and looking over some beautiful drawing of Miss Boyle
which are Copies of the Duke of Marlborough's Gems -- they
are vastly well executed -- but I suspect Miss Black has
been a little concerned -- Lord Macartney came in -- I was
very happy to see him as he is an honour to his Country
for he has proved himself to be an honest man -- I
saw some fine prints that Mrs. Walsingham has collected --
She desired her Compliments and wished you could see those
prints -- I went on to Wimpole Street Mr. Pepys
not at home -- I found Lady Stormont at home
She looked beautiful -- she desired me to tell you
that Lord & Lady Cathcart are arrived and very well --
she desired me to dine with her tomorrow, as she hoped
the Cathcarts would be there -- She asked me if I knew
Mr. Harpur who is come to Town & when I answered
in the negative, your sweet Cousin said she would invite
him -- how kind & obliging are her great attentions
to me -- She asked if I wrote to day -- I told her that
I should but could not send it till tomorrow as I had no
frank -- Lady Stormont immediately rang the bell & finding
Lord Stormont was in the house sent a cover to him which conveys
this scrawl to my estimable wife -- I met Lady
S. in St. Martin's Lane who spoke to me very civilly --
does not want any money --
-- our Interest now due is
The first bell is ringing God bless you
my dear Wife continue to Love your affectionate Husband
John Dickenson
I will anon to Mrs- Vesey
perhaps I can prevail upon Miss More to write
a Line -- My Love to Lady Wake & Compliments to
every body --
Mrs. Vesey's Eating Parlour Wednesday Afternoon 5 o'clock
Your beloved being just arrived here where
I have dined, he tells me he has brought
a letter not quite filled up, inviting me
to write a few words on this blank Page.
The temptation of conversing for a few
moments with my dear friend is not to be resisted,
How do we wish for you at this moment,
making one at the dear Vesey's little Table!
mais le tems viendra that is my comfort.
I am delighted with your Husband because
he is in love with his Wife; I do not grudge
you to him because he knows your value
and I should grudge you to the best man
who ever wore a head if he was not fully
sensible of his good fortune in possessing
you. I have taken the advantage of your
absence, like a truly perfidious rival
and am endeavouring to supplant you
in the heart of Mr. Walpole as fast as
possible. He has had a cruel confinement
I went and spent a long evening with him
to which he invited me, but to save my
reputation, I discreetly admitted Mrs. Vesey
and Mrs. Carter to be of the Party. We
quotations, spellings, uncorrected forms, split words, abbreviations, formatting)
Notes
Metadata
Library References
Repository: John Rylands Research Institute and Library, University of Manchester
Archive: Mary Hamilton Papers
Item title: Journal-letter from John Dickenson to Mary Hamilton, with a letter from Hannah More to Mary Hamilton
Shelfmark: HAM/1/2/8/1
Correspondence Details
Sender: John Dickenson and Hannah More
Place sent: London
Addressee: Mary Hamilton
Place received: Northamptonshire (certainty: medium)
Date sent: 22 February 1786
Letter Description
Summary: Journal-letter from John Dickenson to his wife Mary née Hamilton covering the period 20-22 February 1786. He writes of the friends and acquaintances he meets in London including Mrs Carter and Miss Gunning and of his attending a Bas Bleu evening at Mrs Vesey’s. He called on Miss Gunning in St James’s and sat with her for one and a half hours – and she seemed glad to see him. He reports that she said that every time she met a ‘certain gentleman’ he always asked about Hamilton, although he was married and that a ‘certain Lady’ has ruined her ‘reputation by taking notice of a woman who she knows lives in an open avowed state of adultery’. Dickenson also met with Mrs Glover and visited Miss Goldsworthy at Queen’s Lodge. He also met with Sir Joshua Reynolds and called on Dr and Frances Burney but they were not at home.
Included in the letter is a sheet written by Hannah More to Hamilton in which she talks of Horace Walpole. Dickenson had brought his unfinished letter to the party given by Mrs Vesey and invited her to write a few words on a blank page for Hamilton. More writes that she is ‘delighted’ with Hamilton’s ‘husband because he is in love with his wife’. She continues that she is taking advantage of Hamilton’s absence by attempting to ‘supplant you in the heart of Mr Walpole as fast as possible’. She has spent an evening with him and he wishes her to ‘save my reputation’ so she has invited Mrs Vesey and Mrs Carter to be of the party. The letter is incomplete and ends abruptly at the end of the sheet.
Length: 1 sheet, 1588 words
Transliteration Information
Editorial declaration: First edited in the project 'Unlocking the Mary Hamilton Papers' (Hannah Barker, Sophie Coulombeau, David Denison, Tino Oudesluijs, Cassandra Ulph, Christine Wallis & Nuria Yáñez-Bouza, 2019-2023).
All quotation marks are retained in the text and are represented by appropriate Unicode characters. Words split across two lines may have a hyphen on the first, the second or both fragments (reco-|ver, imperfect|-ly, satisfacti-|-on); or a double hyphen (pur=|port, dan|=ger, qua=|=litys); or none (respect|ing). Any point in abbreviations with superscripted letter(s) is placed last, regardless of relative left-right orientation in the original. Thus, Mrs. or Mrs may occur, but M.rs or Mr.s do not.
Acknowledgements: Transcription and XML version created as part of project 'Unlocking the Mary Hamilton Papers', funded by the Arts & Humanities Research Council under grant AH/S007121/1.
Transliterator: Christine Wallis, editorial team (completed 13 July 2020)
Cataloguer: Lisa Crawley, Archivist, The John Rylands Library
Cataloguer: John Hodgson, Head of Special Collections, John Rylands Research Institute and Library
Copyright: Transcriptions, notes and TEI/XML © the editors
Revision date: 29 April 2023