The Mary Hamilton Papers : Letter from Wilhelmina Murray (née King) to Mary Hamilton

Murray (née King), Wilhelmina

The Mary Hamilton Papers

<p style='text-align: justify;'>Letter from Wilhelmina Murray to Mary Hamilton. The letter relates to general family news and to a presentation at court. Murray is glad to hear that Hamilton is in 'the land of the living' and is comfortably settled for the winter season. She asks if she has seen Lady Charlotte Murray since she has been in Bath and notes that it is 'crouded [sic] as possible East Indian Nabobs and Irish Fortunes, or fortune hunters in plenty'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Murray notes that the weather had been very severe and that she had hoped to purchase some sandals to walk safely on ice, but by the time she had got a pair it was 'so wet and dirty that I want Stilts instead of cloggs'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Murray reports on the health of mutual friends and acquaintances, including Queen Charlotte. Commenting on a drawing room event at Court, Murray reports that 'the Drawing Room was like a Masquerade [...] and tho' every body was complaining, that the feathers or flowers of their Neighbours pulled out their powder & hair yet every Body's cap was equaly troublesome'. Murray found it amusing when a Mrs Drummond was presented to the Queen '(as a bride) being tall and dresst out with feathers – when she came to Kiss the hand she would have brushed H. M. face with them, if the Queen had not held her head, as back as possible & her hand as forward, which however was not a gracefullgraceful posture, or a gracious one'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at Park Street [London].</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Original reference No. 2.</p>