The Mary Hamilton Papers : Letter from Mrs Sarah Dickenson (née Chetham) to Mary Hamilton

Dickenson (née Chetham), Sarah

The Mary Hamilton Papers

<p style='text-align: justify;'>Letter from Mrs Sarah Dickenson to Mary Hamilton. Mrs Dickenson [Sarah Dickenson née Chetham, married John Dickenson of Birch Hall, Manchester] notes that she has written so infrequently over recent years that she finds herself at a 'loss whenever I attempt it, & in the retired situation I now am, 'tis impossible to find Subjects the least entertaining for a letter to a young lady'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>She writes of her journey home and that, as she had stayed away for longer than expected, her husband 'had entertained some hopes that he should be troubled with me no more'. Mrs Dickenson and her husband find the weather in Taxal cold compared to Northampton and they both have colds brought on by the change in weather. Their house has a good view with a grass plot behind it from where woods, cottages, sheep and a 'rivulet' can be seen. If Hamilton were here, Mrs Dickenson writes, then the scene would be complete and she believes Hamilton would delight in drawing the view. She hopes that Hamilton does not tire of drawing and that she will perfect the art if she continues.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Mrs Dickenson writes of Hamilton's attempts at many different things at once and advises patience. '[Y]ou scorn the beaten track prescribed to the rest of your Sex, & woul]d soar to the skyes at once'. She continues, noting that knowledge can be gained over time and that Hamilton is 'so young that you may have a knowledge of every useful science before the time that most women know how to read English'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Mrs Dickenson finishes her letter by noting her high regard for Hamilton, and asks her to present her compliments to her parents.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at Taxal [Derbyshire].</p>