The Mary Hamilton Papers : Letter from Jane Holman to Mary Hamilton

Holman (née Hamilton), Jane

The Mary Hamilton Papers

<p style='text-align: justify;'>Letter from Jane Hamilton to Mary Hamilton, concerning family news. She reports that her father [Rev. Frederick Hamilton] has exchanged his living in Ireland for one in Suffolk, and although this is an economic loss he is not unhappy about the change as he never felt comfortable about holding the living in Ireland and never residing there. She writes that the Suffolk living will serve the family as a villa for the summer months and 'will be some Amusement to his Mind'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>The letter refers to music, in which Jane has a great interest and in which she has been taking lessons. She reports that the operatic singer Pacchierotti [Gaspare Pacchierotti (1740-1821)] is in London, and that he is a most 'amiable' man (see HAM/1/4/2/12). She reports that the Opera House is to be built in Leicester Square and that Gallini [Sir John Andrew Gallini (born Giovanni Andrea Battista Gallini) (1728-1805), Italian dancer, choreographer and impresario] is to have nothing to do with it. She also reports that to her great joy Madame Mara [Gertrud Elisabeth Mara (née Schmeling), German singer] 'is to be the first woman in the serious Opera'. The theatre in the Hay-Market, although small, is still better than having none at all. Mrs. Siddons [Sarah Siddons (née Kemble) (1755-1831), famous actress, friend of Mary Hamilton] has been ill and Hamilton at one point feared for her life. She is recovering now and after a visit to her Jane Hamilton noted that although in good spirits 'she is amazingly reduced, but that is said to be a good Symptom, as Bulk after so violent an Illness cou'd not be natural'. The remainder of the letter is concerned with news of her sister, who is now in Dublin, and Louisa Dickenson.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at London.</p>