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

Letter from Jane Hamilton to Mary Hamilton. The letter is written from Frederick Hamilton's new living in Stanton, which Jane finds very pleasing. They have not met all their neighbours at present, because of the election which has taken up many of her neighbours' time. Sir John Rous [MP for Suffolk, 1st Earl of Stadbroke, 6th Baronet (1750-1827), known at Lord Rous from 1796 to 1821] and Sir Charles Bunbury [MP for Suffolk, 6th Baronet of Bunbury and Stanney, Cheshire (1740-1821), married Sarah Lennox, they divorced in 1776] carried the election by a majority against Sir Gerard Vanneck. Her father travelled to Ipswich to vote for Bunbury. Robert Hamilton is with his regiment [the 10th Dragoons] at Croydon. He initially found military duty tiring, but his sister hopes that he now finds it more agreeable. Sir William Hamilton is to travel to England next spring and she hopes to renew his acquaintance.

The letter is also concerned with society and cultural news of London. Jane Hamilton dined with Mrs Siddons before she left London, and her health had greatly improved. Her brother, Mr Kemble [John Philip (1757-1823), actor], is now the 'proprietor of the theatre at Liverpool, so Summer brings no rest to him, however he goes through all his occupations very successfully'. The Operas are not yet over and the 'number subscribed for, is out'. She reports that Gallini has a few nights that are not part of the subscription and she hopes he makes a profit from this, as she does not think that last season was very profitable, 'considering the smallness of the Theatre, and the great Price he gave Marchesi'.

Dated at Stanton [Suffolk]

First edited in the project 'Image to Text' (David Denison & Nuria Yáñez-Bouza, 2013-2019), now incorporated 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).