Diplomatic Text
[1]
X 12
23d. Feby- 1786 --
As soon as I had wrote my hasty Letter to my
dear Wife yesterday, I posted away to Mrs. Veseys
to Miʃs H More & our Sister -- I prevailed upon Miʃs
M—— to write a few Lines, and A Maria very luckily
had her Cargo in her pocket -- Mrs. V—— was not
pleased that I had not dined there -- I stayed
an hour drank your dear health & then returned
home to dreʃs as I had not had time before --
then went to Mrs. Delanys who was charming
well -- She said. “pray tell Mrs. Dickenson that I
do all I can to keep up my spirits -- & that I even
play with a Kitten” -- a pretty thing that Lady
Wallingford had sent her -- Lady Weymouth
came in and interrupted our tête a tête -- I did
not think it proper to stay long, and ran
over to Sir Robt. Herries, who was playing at
Cheʃs with Mr. Sackville -- Lady H. was at Mrs.
Veseys -- I soon left them and found here Mr.
& Mrs. Revely, playing at vingt et une -- they
stayed a little Supper -- abt. 10- I recd. yours. 21st.
with the enclosures -- after the departure of Mrs.
Lenton, I gave the Letters to ye- Glovers -- who as
well as myself admired yr- L. to Dr. W—— Miʃs G
will write for herself -- to you
23 -- this morning I went to Mr. Kinders
at ½ past 8 to attend him to the Bank to
receive our Acct. & to settle with him -- I went
to Pitos[2] and ordered a barrel of oysters ------ for
our good father -- & ------------------------
------------------ -- I also went to the Comptrol
-lers of the Post Office, to complain of the Negli-
-gence of some of the Offices in forwarding ye-
Derbyshire Letters so improperly -- I was
desired to write to Mr. Dodd -- and to state ye- Griev
-ance wch. I propose to do -- I returned thrō. the
Strand -- call'd upon Miʃs More who sends her Love
to you & promised to send me Florio[3] -- then I
executed yr- Commiʃsion at Sanguines[4] -- & came home
in the way I met Sir R. Herries who told me that Lady
H. was very well. & gone out -- Mrs. Walkinshaw
promised to get a frank for to day, & has just sent
me word that she has lost the directions -- therefore
this must stay till tomorrow -- Whilst I was out
Lady Cremorne had sent to desire me to come to her
or if I returned in ½ an hour -- I shall wait upon her
tomorrow -- a little past 5 Mrs. Glover's Coach took
me to Portland Place -- Lady Stormont had been
at the Drawing Room -- her Cap was the only part of
the Court Dreʃs -- she looked beautiful indeed -- her
eldest Son is at home, who is an extraordinary Boy --
the others are recovering finely Henry is also as
great a favorite as ever -- he is a fine healthy Child
but will not be so beautiful as George -- Ly- S.——
was at home & in spirits -- at 6 Ld. & Lady Cathcart
& Miʃs Cathcart came -- they had been ------ looking at
several houses, which made them so late as
they want to take a house in town -- Ly. C—— is the only
one of your Relations in whom I can trace the
least likeneʃs to my dear Wife -- ½ past 8. the
Ladies went to Dr Lady Warwick's, at 9 Mrs. Glover's
Coach came for me & I went to Lady W——'s Gl--
Clarke, my dear friend was at home -- he followed
me to the door when I came away -- made enquiries
after you & desired his Comps. -- Col. Greville & Mrs.
Harpur were also there -- the Col. came up to me &
in a pleasant manner made ------------ an apology for
not having waited upon me -- I told him that as
I knew he was now so much engaged, I had not
mentioned the plan of my Residence that he might
not have the trouble of calling upon me -- he said
he had found it out, & wd. have call'd upon me if it
had been in his power -- I did not stay long as the
night was so intensely cold, that I pitied the
poor Coachman -- or I meant to have made several
Visits -- 24 As soon as I had breakfasted I went
to Stanhope Street -- Mr. Antrobus & Mr. Dawson were
setting out to Chelsea -- Mr. A—— was so impertinent as
to desire I wd. present his Love to you -- Lady C—— told
me what she had heard abt. Wm. &c and asked me to
dine, I unwillingly excused myself, and very luck-
ily asked if she was engaged tomorrow -- She said
her party wd. be Lady Lucan Mrs. Iremonger. my
dear Mrs- Carter (with whom I shall try hard to
rival you) I said I wished to see Mrs. Ireer.—— and
engaged myself -- whenever I promise to dine
in this ------ Society -- Lady C's Eyes sparkle
she shakes me by the hand, & seems to receive a
favor instead of conferring one -- I calld upon
▼Mrs Carter who had got a little headach, wch. did
not prevent her being extremely agreeable -- we
talked of our dear freinds at Courteen Hall and She
gave me an anecdote of Mrs. Wal——g——m -- wch. afforded
us a hearty laugh -- I took leave in form -- tho Soon
to have the pleasure of seeing her again -- I went
to Miʃs Clarkes where I found Miʃs Glover, we
drank some Chocolate and came home together --
I then set off for Lincoln's Inn fields -- going up
Long Acre my Eyes were attracted by some very
elegant Carriages wch. were built upon a new
Construction & intended for exportation -- they
were well worth seeing -- I saw Mr. Cole -- Mrs. C. was
not at home -- he made some civil speeches &c -- I called
at Lord Mansfields and left 3 Cards. Lord Mans Stormonts two Sisters[5] Miʃs Murrays
were not at home -- I then went to Ruʃsel Street
Mr. Burrows told me a curious Anecdote or rather
an Acct- of the Murder of the late Czar by Count
Orlow -- [6] Mr. B—— desires his best Comps. to you & Lady
Wake -- then I went to Bedford Square -- Mr. &
Mrs. H were both at home -- we had a great deal
of Conversation abt. the musical powers of our
Cousin &c &c Mr. H told me that Miʃs Matthews a
great singer was to practise this Evg with Miʃs H. as
they are to sing a Duet on friday next -- they asked
me to dine & stay the Evg, I apologized -- & said I should
like to have the pleasure of hearing Miʃs H sing again
before I left town -- Mr. H. desired I wd. come at 8. and
beged I would put on a great Coat & wrap myself
up warm that I might not take cold -- Mrs. H.
insisted upon my coming exactly as I then was
& Mr. H. said if I came without Boots, he shud show
me into his dreʃsing room -- & oblige me to put on a
pair of his -- this was very kind & very friendly
I left my name at Mrs Chapones and at my
return found yr. dear Letter & Lady W.s kind
favor[7] -- immediately after dinner yr- little maid[8]
came & was much pleased to find you would take
her -- I told her as soon as you cd. part for the one you
have or get a place for her She might come down
at present she is at no expences -- I really think
you will like her -- at 6 I went to Mrs. Delany
who seems very well -- that Creature Mrs. P. is
arrived & as wild as an untamed Colt -- Mrs. Dewes
was there -- I engaged myself for Sunday -- and
then went to our Uncles -- I really never heard
a Duet sung so well before, Miʃs H—— obliged me with a
favourite Song -- Mr C. Greville came in -- Mr H. then asked
me if I had been introduced to him -- when the Rehearsal
was over, I asked Mr. Greville to do me the favor to frank
2 Covers for me wch. he did very obligingly. and whilst[9]
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. James Peto was an Oyster Merchant in Sherborne Lane. An advertisement for his Oysters can be found in the General Evening Post, 31 October 1761.
3. Moore's (1786) poem ‘Florio: A Tale: For Fine Gentlemen and Fine Ladies’.
4. Sanguine was a bookbinder with a shop at 38, The Strand.
5. Moved annotation here from the left-hand margin, written vertically. The intended insertion point is indicated by paired crosses.
6. Tsar Peter III of Russia was killed while in the custody of Count Orlov in July 1762.
7. The reading is uncertain, but favour as a complimentary term for ‘communication, letter’ would fit the context (OED s.v. favour, n. 2.c. Accessed 06-10-2020).
8. Sally Barrow, who left the Glovers' employment to work for the Dickensons in March or April 1786; see HAM/1/13/33, HAM/1/13/36 and HAM/1/13/37 for further details. Evidently John Dickenson was staying with the Glovers.
9. The letter ends somewhat abruptly at the end of this bifolium and the rest of the text is missing. Presumably John Dickenson continued his letter on the cover which Charles Greville gave him; however, this cover is missing.
Normalised Text
23d. February 1786 --
As soon as I had written my hasty Letter to my
dear Wife yesterday, I posted away to Mrs. Veseys
to Miss Hannah More & our Sister -- I prevailed upon Miss
More to write a few Lines, and Anna Maria very luckily
had her Cargo in her pocket -- Mrs. Vesey was not
pleased that I had not dined there -- I stayed
an hour drank your dear health & then returned
home to dress as I had not had time before --
then went to Mrs. Delanys who was charming
well -- She said. “pray tell Mrs. Dickenson that I
do all I can to keep up my spirits -- & that I even
play with a Kitten” -- a pretty thing that Lady
Wallingford had sent her -- Lady Weymouth
came in and interrupted our tête a tête -- I did
not think it proper to stay long, and ran
over to Sir Robert Herries, who was playing at
Chess with Mr. Sackville -- Lady Herries was at Mrs.
Veseys -- I soon left them and found here Mr.
& Mrs. Revely, playing at vingt et une -- they
stayed a little Supper -- about 10- I received yours. 21st.
with the enclosures -- after the departure of Mrs.
Lenton, I gave the Letters to the Glovers -- who as
well as myself admire your Letter to Dr. W—— Miss Glover
will write for herself -- to you
23 -- this morning I went to Mr. Kinders
at ½ past 8 to attend him to the Bank to
receive our Account & to settle with him -- I went
to Pitos and ordered a barrel of oysters for
our good father --
-- I also went to the Comptrollers
of the Post Office, to complain of the Negligence
of some of the Offices in forwarding the
Derbyshire Letters so improperly -- I was
desired to write to Mr. Dodd -- and to state the Grievance
which I propose to do -- I returned through the
Strand -- called upon Miss More who sends her Love
to you & promised to send me Florio -- then I
executed your Commission at Sanguines -- & came home
in the way I met Sir R. Herries who told me that Lady
Herries was very well. & gone out -- Mrs. Walkinshaw
promised to get a frank for to day, & has just sent
me word that she has lost the directions -- therefore
this must stay till tomorrow -- Whilst I was out
Lady Cremorne had sent to desire me to come to her
or if I returned in ½ an hour -- I shall wait upon her
tomorrow -- a little past 5 Mrs. Glover's Coach took
me to Portland Place -- Lady Stormont had been
at the Drawing Room -- her Cap was the only part of
the Court Dress -- she looked beautiful indeed -- her
eldest Son is at home, who is an extraordinary Boy --
the others are recovering finely Henry is also as
great a favourite as ever -- he is a fine healthy Child
but will not be so beautiful as George -- Lady Stormont
was at home & in spirits -- at 6 Lord & Lady Cathcart
& Miss Cathcart came -- they had been looking at
several houses, which made them so late as
they want to take a house in town -- Lady Cathcart is the only
one of your Relations in whom I can trace the
least likeness to my dear Wife -- ½ past 8. the
Ladies went to Dowager Lady Warwick's, at 9 Mrs. Glover's
Coach came for me & I went to Lady Warwick's General
Clarke, my dear friend was at home -- he followed
me to the door when I came away -- made enquiries
after you & desired his Compliments -- Colonel Greville & Mrs.
Harpur were also there -- the Colonel came up to me &
in a pleasant manner made an apology for
not having waited upon me -- I told him that as
I knew he was now so much engaged, I had not
mentioned the plan of my Residence that he might
not have the trouble of calling upon me -- he said
he had found it out, & would have called upon me if it
had been in his power -- I did not stay long as the
night was so intensely cold, that I pitied the
poor Coachman -- or I meant to have made several
Visits -- 24 As soon as I had breakfasted I went
to Stanhope Street -- Mr. Antrobus & Mr. Dawson were
setting out to Chelsea -- Mr. Antrobus was so impertinent as
to desire I would present his Love to you -- Lady Cremorne told
me what she had heard about William &c and asked me to
dine, I unwillingly excused myself, and very luckily
asked if she was engaged tomorrow -- She said
her party would be Lady Lucan Mrs. Iremonger. my
dear Mrs- Carter (with whom I shall try hard to
rival you) I said I wished to see Mrs. Iremonger and
engaged myself -- whenever I promise to dine
in this Society -- Lady Cremorne's Eyes sparkle
she shakes me by the hand, & seems to receive a
favour instead of conferring one -- I called upon
▼Mrs Carter who had got a little headache, which did
not prevent her being extremely agreeable -- we
talked of our dear friends at Courteen Hall and She
gave me an anecdote of Mrs. Walsingham -- which afforded
us a hearty laugh -- I took leave in form -- though Soon
to have the pleasure of seeing her again -- I went
to Miss Clarkes where I found Miss Glover, we
drank some Chocolate and came home together --
I then set off for Lincoln's Inn fields -- going up
Long Acre my Eyes were attracted by some very
elegant Carriages which were built upon a new
Construction & intended for exportation -- they
were well worth seeing -- I saw Mr. Cole -- Mrs. Cole was
not at home -- he made some civil speeches &c -- I called
at Lord Mansfields and left 3 Cards. Miss Murrays
were not at home -- I then went to Russel Street
Mr. Burrows told me a curious Anecdote or rather
an Account of the Murder of the late Czar by Count
Orlow -- Mr. Burrows desires his best Compliments to you & Lady
Wake -- then I went to Bedford Square -- Mr. &
Mrs. Hamilton were both at home -- we had a great deal
of Conversation about the musical powers of our
Cousin &c &c Mr. Hamilton told me that Miss Matthews a
great singer was to practise this Evening with Miss Hamilton as
they are to sing a Duet on friday next -- they asked
me to dine & stay the Evening, I apologized -- & said I should
like to have the pleasure of hearing Miss Hamilton sing again
before I left town -- Mr. Hamilton desired I would come at 8. and
begged I would put on a great Coat & wrap myself
up warm that I might not take cold -- Mrs. Hamilton
insisted upon my coming exactly as I then was
& Mr. Hamilton said if I came without Boots, he should show
me into his dressing room -- & oblige me to put on a
pair of his -- this was very kind & very friendly
I left my name at Mrs Chapones and at my
return found your dear Letter & Lady Wakes kind
favour -- immediately after dinner your little maid
came & was much pleased to find you would take
her -- I told her as soon as you could part for the one you
have or get a place for her She might come down
at present she is at no expenses -- I really think
you will like her -- at 6 I went to Mrs. Delany
who seems very well -- that Creature Mrs. P. is
arrived & as wild as an untamed Colt -- Mrs. Dewes
was there -- I engaged myself for Sunday -- and
then went to our Uncles -- I really never heard
a Duet sung so well before, Miss Hamilton obliged me with a
favourite Song -- Mr Charles Greville came in -- Mr Hamilton then asked
me if I had been introduced to him -- when the Rehearsal
was over, I asked Mr. Greville to do me the favour to frank
2 Covers for me which he did very obligingly. and whilst
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
Shelfmark: HAM/1/2/8/2
Correspondence Details
Sender: John Dickenson
Place sent: London
Addressee: Mary Hamilton
Place received: Northamptonshire (certainty: medium)
Date sent: 24 February 1786
Letter Description
Summary: Journal-letter from John Dickenson to his wife Mary née Hamilton covering the period 23-24 February 1786. He recounts Mrs Vesey's party, where Hannah More had added a section to his letter (HAM/1/2/8/1). He visited Mrs Vesey and Mrs Delany who asked him to tell Hamilton that she does all she can to keep up her spirits, including playing with a kitten. He writes of the errands he has run, and has complained to the Comptrollers of the Post Office about the difficulty of receiving letters from Derbyshire. He spends the evening with friends at Portland Place and then at Lady Warwick's house.
Dickenson writes of seeing Mr Antrobus at the Cremorne's Chelsea house, and that he had been ‘so impertinent as to desire I would present his Love to you’. He visits a variety of friends, including Mr Burrows, who tells him an anecdote about the murder of Tsar Peter III of Russia by Count Orlov. He also visits Frederick Hamilton and his family, where he hears Miss Hamilton sing. In the evening he visits Mrs Delany, where he is introduced to Mary Hamilton's cousin, Charles Greville. Greville gives Dickenson 2 free franks for his letters home. The letter ends abruptly, at the end of the sheet.
Length: 1 sheet, 1359 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