Single Letter

HAM/1/11/44

Letter from Lady Mary Wake (née Fenton) and Lady Cremorne (formerly Dartrey) to Mary Hamilton

Diplomatic Text

[1]

P. Grove
      Sepr: 5th.
            1800

      I have begged to begin this Sheet to you,
my dear Friend, to lament over the contents of your
most kind Letter; I cannot say how sincerely I am
concerned to hear how much you have suffered by
the violence of the Storm, which must have hurried
you most sadly besides the serious mischief that
such an Inundation must have occasion'd to your Dwelling;
I believe I need not say much, to aʃsure you, how very
happy I should have been in making you a Visit,
I am sure you know, that it would have afforded
me a particular pleasure & gratification, to see dear
Miʃs Hamilton so happy in her own Home, with
so amiable and so good a Husband, & so sweet &
promising a Child
; & I should very much have liked
to see Grandpapa also. I must not indulge myself in telling
you all that I wish to do, or should like to have done now I once again begin writing; ( --
I am such a sad poor Creature upon the subject of Letter
writing, even to those whom I love best.) Lady Wake has, she
says a great deal to say, & I will confine myself therefore
to this side; I must however aʃsure you, that I never
saw her more enjoyable & comfortable than she seems
at present; She walks a great deal, & does not suffer by
it, as she has done of late; indeed Cha. says she has been
better most part of this Summer than she has known
her for many years; & I really think that She has been
eʃsentially relieved, by the discipline she underwent
after her accident; She certainly looks infinitely better:
      I have had very good accounts from my dr: Husband,
who is at Lord Ducies; He returns sooner than I expected, & I leave
my Dr: Friend in a few Days: how happy should I have been if you could
      have met me here. Adieu my Dear Mrs: D. with every good wish to
                             Yourself, Mr: D. & dear Louisa, Your's very Affly PC.

I beg my best Comps: to Miʃs Dickenson. -- [2]



[3]
My dear Friend
      When I read of the tremendous Storm
of Hail Thunder & Rain wch. fell in Bedfordshire
I little thought it had extended its alarming
influence to your Habitation -- tho' (as is your
usual custom) you mayke the Evil as slight as you
can, I am sure it must have sadly hurried your
poor nerves, & must have occasioned you in.
:numerable
inconveniences -- the expence of repairing
the Pipes &c, I hope will not be of the number, but
be defrayed by your rich Land-Lady. The disappoint
:ment
of not visiting you as I once hoped to
do this Month is no trifling one I can truly
say; not that entre nous I ever entertained much
dependance upon our dear friend from one cause
or other, being able to come & had you been able
to receive us, much as she would rejoice to see
you in your own House, I do not think we could
have managed it this Week & the last, it was
quite impoʃsible, as I had my House quite full
of Company. it wd. delight you to see how well
she is, especially as to her nerves -- indeed both your
old friends
have great cause of thankfulneʃs for
the comfortable State of health we now enjoy.
My only material infirmity is increased deafneʃs
so much that I can seldom hear any thing
said to me, beyond the Person sitting next to me.
wch. of course makes me appear very stupid, &
in fact deprives me of much pleasure in
society of my friends. I am sorry your good
Father in Law
has a return of his spasmodic
complaints. I think he will & Miʃs Dickn will be
happy to spend their Winter in your cheerful
Domestic Circle -- & then I hope He will enable
you to visit London in the Spring, wth. convenience.



& comfort. We have seen a good deal lately of
the Macdonald's, & like them much -- they all
dined here on Thursday with Mrs Weddell & Miʃs
Benson
, wch. with dr. Ly. Cremorne & Madame de Nagell
(who wth her Sons have spent a Week here) & Mr. Catton
made a delightful Party, such as is seldom
found in the Country I could not help heartily
wishing you my dear friend had been of it.
Lady Louisa & Madame de Nagell, both made
Enquiries about you & begged to be remembered
when I next wrote. The Chief Baron has sold
his Place in our neighbourhood -- but they are
anxious to procure another in it. the Ladies
Montgomerys
& Mrs Hunter are in Scotland.
our Paper of yesterday mentions an alarming
Riot at Nottingham on acct of the rise of
Bread; nor is it to be wonder at, considering
      the abundant Harvest, must have raise[d]
      their reasonable & sanguine expectations
of returning plenty. I wish this Example may not
spread; it certainly will, unleʃs vigorous measures
are taken that Corn should be sold at a proper
price. We have the finest Verdure imaginable
I am sure you wd- think this place much improved
since you was here (Alas! how long ago that is!) &
Mr D. wd give me credit for being a pretty good
Farmer. Charlotte is gone to see her friend Mrs.
Burgoyne
, & afterwards dear Richard & Jane.[4] She left
us yesterday & it never ceased raining the whole
day -- our Glaʃs is very low. Mr Antrobus is still
confined, but hopes to get his liberty soon -- indeed
tomorrow I hear he is to do duty in his Church; &
is shortly going to the Sea side. Mr Catton charges me
to present his kindest compts to yourself & Mr D.
his recreation this Vacation has been the study of
Italian, in wch. he makes a very rapid Progreʃs. We are



                              

                              

read[5] a new Book Modern Philosophy[6] -- have you met
with it. Madme Genlis has just published another
Work, wch I am told has merit. the Title I do not
recollect.[7] My friend Ly Lilford is going to marry her
Eldest Daughter
to Mr. Stopford a clergyman Lord Courtowns
Son -- he bear's a very amiable Character -- but their
Income will be narrow.[8] Marianne has heard from
dear Nanny Clarke -- she is pleased with her abode
at Ramsgate & finds living there much cheaper than
at Bromley. I saw her neices not long since. MA
joins me in kind Love to you & yours. God Bleʃs you my D[ear][9]

Miʃs C. Fanshaw on “the Rose”, by Cooper[10] being sent to her
by Ly Hesketh, wth a prohibition not to Copy the Lines.
-What wonder if my wandering hand
      Had dared to disobey,
when Hesketh gave a harsh command
      and Cooper led astray?

Then broke this tempting Gift of thine,
      By Pen uncopied yet;
But can'st thou Memory confine
      or Teach me to forget?


More lasting than the touch of art,
      Her character's remain,
When written by the feeling Heart
      on Tablets of the brain.[11]

Mr Cooper to Miʃs Fanshaw
upon learning his Verses
by heart. in my next
Letter -- provided you
ansr this soon.
remember to give My
kind Compts & Ms to Mr
Dickenson
& his Daughter
God Bleʃs my Dr. friend[12]

Have you got Lines by Mrs Hunter
supposed to be written by a mad Woman?[13]
if you have, send them to me.[14]
(41)[15]
[16]
1800[17]

Mrs Dickenson
      Leighton House
      Leighton Buzzard
           Bedfordshire[18]
[19]
[20]


(hover over blue text or annotations for clarification;
red text is normalised and/or unformatted in other panel)


Notes


 1. This page is in the hand of Lady Cremorne (formerly Dartrey).
 2. Moved postscript here from the top of the page.
 3. The remainder of the letter is in the hand of Lady Wake.
 4. Probably her brother, the Rev. Richard Wake, and his wife Jane.
 5. Either a somewhat unusual passive, ‘We are read a book’, or an inadvertent discontinuity of construction.
 6. Probably Elizabeth Hamilton, Memoirs of Modern Philosophers (1800).
 7. In 1800 De Genlis published Les Meres Rivals: ou, la calomnie (The Rival Mothers, or, Calumny).
 8. The Hon. Richard Bruce Stopford married Eleanor Powys, daughter of Thomas, 1st Baron Lilford in November 1800.
 9. This section appears at the bottom of the page, below the address.
 10. William Cowper.
 11. Moved first part of postscript (ps2) here from top of page on right-hand side, written upside down.
 12. Moved second part of postscript (ps3) here from top of page on left-hand side, written vertically.
 13. This is probably ‘Leila; or the Maniac's song’ (published in Poems, by Mrs John Hunter in 1802 but probably circulated earlier amongst Hunter's Bluestocking friends).
 14. Moved this postscript (ps4) here from left of the address.
 15. ‘(41)’ This appears to the right of the address, written vertically.
 16. Duty stamp dated 8 September 1800 in black ink.
 17. The year appears to the right of the address, written vertically.
 18. Moved address here from middle of page, written vertically.
 19. The address is crossed to indicate postage paid.
 20. Red wax seal: ‘Fidelite’.

Normalised Text



Pheasant Grove
      September 5th.
     

      I have begged to begin this Sheet to you,
my dear Friend, to lament over the contents of your
most kind Letter; I cannot say how sincerely I am
concerned to hear how much you have suffered by
the violence of the Storm, which must have hurried
you most sadly besides the serious mischief that
such an Inundation must have occasioned to your Dwelling;
I believe I need not say much, to assure you, how very
happy I should have been in making you a Visit,
I am sure you know, that it would have afforded
me a particular pleasure & gratification, to see dear
Miss Hamilton so happy in her own Home, with
so amiable and so good a Husband, & so sweet &
promising a Child; & I should very much have liked
to see Grandpapa also. I must not indulge myself in telling
you all that I wish to do, or should like to have done now I once again begin writing; ( --
I am such a sad poor Creature upon the subject of Letter
writing, even to those whom I love best.) Lady Wake has, she
says a great deal to say, & I will confine myself therefore
to this side; I must however assure you, that I never
saw her more enjoyable & comfortable than she seems
at present; She walks a great deal, & does not suffer by
it, as she has done of late; indeed Charlotte says she has been
better most part of this Summer than she has known
her for many years; & I really think that She has been
essentially relieved, by the discipline she underwent
after her accident; She certainly looks infinitely better:
      I have had very good accounts from my dear Husband,
who is at Lord Ducies; He returns sooner than I expected, & I leave
my Dear Friend in a few Days: how happy should I have been if you could
      have met me here. Adieu my Dear Mrs: Dickenson with every good wish to
                             Yourself, Mr: Dickenson & dear Louisa, Your's very Affectionately Philadelphia Cremorne

I beg my best Compliments to Miss Dickenson. --




My dear Friend
      When I read of the tremendous Storm
of Hail Thunder & Rain which fell in Bedfordshire
I little thought it had extended its alarming
influence to your Habitation -- though (as is your
usual custom) you make the Evil as slight as you
can, I am sure it must have sadly hurried your
poor nerves, & must have occasioned you innumerable
inconveniences -- the expense of repairing
the Pipes &c, I hope will not be of the number, but
defrayed by your rich Land-Lady. The disappointment
of not visiting you as I once hoped to
do this Month is no trifling one I can truly
say; not that entre nous I ever entertained much
dependence upon our dear friend from one cause
or other, being able to come & had you been able
to receive us, much as she would rejoice to see
you in your own House, I do not think we could
have managed it this Week & the last, it was
quite impossible, as I had my House quite full
of Company. it would delight you to see how well
she is, especially as to her nerves -- indeed both your
old friends have great cause of thankfulness for
the comfortable State of health we now enjoy.
My only material infirmity is increased deafness
so much that I can seldom hear any thing
said to me, beyond the Person sitting next to me.
which of course makes me appear very stupid, &
in fact deprives me of much pleasure in
society of my friends. I am sorry your good
Father in Law has a return of his spasmodic
complaints. I think he will & Miss Dickenson will be
happy to spend their Winter in your cheerful
Domestic Circle -- & then I hope He will enable
you to visit London in the Spring, with convenience.



& comfort. We have seen a good deal lately of
the Macdonald's, & like them much -- they all
dined here on Thursday with Mrs Weddell & Miss
Benson, which with dear Lady Cremorne & Madame de Nagell
(who with her Sons have spent a Week here) & Mr. Catton
made a delightful Party, such as is seldom
found in the Country I could not help heartily
wishing you my dear friend had been of it.
Lady Louisa & Madame de Nagell, both made
Enquiries about you & begged to be remembered
when I next wrote. The Chief Baron has sold
his Place in our neighbourhood -- but they are
anxious to procure another in it. the Ladies
Montgomerys & Mrs Hunter are in Scotland.
our Paper of yesterday mentions an alarming
Riot at Nottingham on account of the rise of
Bread; nor is it to be wonder at, considering
      the abundant Harvest, must have raised
      their reasonable & sanguine expectations
of returning plenty. I wish this Example may not
spread; it certainly will, unless vigorous measures
are taken that Corn should be sold at a proper
price. We have the finest Verdure imaginable
I am sure you would think this place much improved
since you was here (Alas! how long ago that is!) &
Mr Dickenson would give me credit for being a pretty good
Farmer. Charlotte is gone to see her friend Mrs.
Burgoyne, & afterwards dear Richard & Jane. She left
us yesterday & it never ceased raining the whole
day -- our Glass is very low. Mr Antrobus is still
confined, but hopes to get his liberty soon -- indeed
tomorrow I hear he is to do duty in his Church; &
is shortly going to the Sea side. Mr Catton charges me
to present his kindest compliments to yourself & Mr Dickenson
his recreation this Vacation has been the study of
Italian, in which he makes a very rapid Progress. We are



               

               

read a new Book Modern Philosophy -- have you met
with it. Madame Genlis has just published another
Work, which I am told has merit. the Title I do not
recollect. My friend Lady Lilford is going to marry her
Eldest Daughter to Mr. Stopford a clergyman Lord Courtowns
Son -- he bear's a very amiable Character -- but their
Income will be narrow. Marianne has heard from
dear Nanny Clarke -- she is pleased with her abode
at Ramsgate & finds living there much cheaper than
at Bromley. I saw her nieces not long since. MaryAnne
joins me in kind Love to you & yours. God Bless you my Dear

Miss C. Fanshaw on “the Rose”, by Cooper being sent to her
by Lady Hesketh, with a prohibition not to Copy the Lines.
What wonder if my wandering hand
      Had dared to disobey,
when Hesketh gave a harsh command
      and Cooper led astray?

Then broke this tempting Gift of thine,
      By Pen uncopied yet;
But can'st thou Memory confine
      or Teach me to forget?


More lasting than the touch of art,
      Her character's remain,
When written by the feeling Heart
      on Tablets of the brain.

Mr Cooper to Miss Fanshaw
upon learning his Verses
by heart. in my next
Letter -- provided you
answer this soon.
remember to give My
kind Compliments & Mariannes to Mr
Dickenson & his Daughter
God Bless my Dear friend

Have you got Lines by Mrs Hunter
supposed to be written by a mad Woman?
if you have, send them to me.




Mrs Dickenson
      Leighton House
      Leighton Buzzard
           Bedfordshire



(consult diplomatic text or XML for annotations, deletions, clarifications, persons,
quotations,
spellings, uncorrected forms, split words, abbreviations, formatting)



 1. This page is in the hand of Lady Cremorne (formerly Dartrey).
 2. Moved postscript here from the top of the page.
 3. The remainder of the letter is in the hand of Lady Wake.
 4. Probably her brother, the Rev. Richard Wake, and his wife Jane.
 5. Either a somewhat unusual passive, ‘We are read a book’, or an inadvertent discontinuity of construction.
 6. Probably Elizabeth Hamilton, Memoirs of Modern Philosophers (1800).
 7. In 1800 De Genlis published Les Meres Rivals: ou, la calomnie (The Rival Mothers, or, Calumny).
 8. The Hon. Richard Bruce Stopford married Eleanor Powys, daughter of Thomas, 1st Baron Lilford in November 1800.
 9. This section appears at the bottom of the page, below the address.
 10. William Cowper.
 11. Moved first part of postscript (ps2) here from top of page on right-hand side, written upside down.
 12. Moved second part of postscript (ps3) here from top of page on left-hand side, written vertically.
 13. This is probably ‘Leila; or the Maniac's song’ (published in Poems, by Mrs John Hunter in 1802 but probably circulated earlier amongst Hunter's Bluestocking friends).
 14. Moved this postscript (ps4) here from left of the address.
 15. ‘(41)’ This appears to the right of the address, written vertically.
 16. Duty stamp dated 8 September 1800 in black ink.
 17. The year appears to the right of the address, written vertically.
 18. Moved address here from middle of page, written vertically.
 19. The address is crossed to indicate postage paid.
 20. Red wax seal: ‘Fidelite’.

Metadata

Library References

Repository: John Rylands Research Institute and Library, University of Manchester

Archive: Mary Hamilton Papers

Item title: Letter from Lady Mary Wake (née Fenton) and Lady Cremorne (formerly Dartrey) to Mary Hamilton

Shelfmark: HAM/1/11/44

Correspondence Details

Sender: Lady Mary Wake (née Fenton) and Philadelphia Hannah, Baroness Cremorne Dawson (née Freame)

Place sent: Chislehurst

Addressee: Mary Hamilton

Place received: Leighton Buzzard

Date sent: 5 September 1800

Letter Description

Summary: Letter from Lady Wake with first page by Lady Cremorne (formerly Dartrey).
    Lady Cremorne writes of a violent storm that had caused 'mischief' to Hamilton's 'Dwellings'. Lady Wake writes on books, her health and with news of her friends including the Macdonalds, the De Cliffords and Miss Benson.
    Dated at Pheasant Grove [by Lady Cremorne].
   

Length: 1 sheet, 1250 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: Cassandra Ulph, editorial team (completed 7 April 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: 1 March 2022

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