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 the return to health of George III. Murray writes that everybody seems to be rejoicing at the news. The previous Tuesday the King and Queen with the Princesses dined at Windsor and on their return 'found their Palace lighted up, in a most Elegant manner', after which the Queen took tea with the Princesses, and they departed in different coaches to look at the illuminations that were on show all over London in celebration, not returning to Kew until two in the morning. The streets were full of bustle and carriages were unable to move; Murray was forced to give up her coach for a chair to get home.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Murray reports that everybody is busy preparing for the Drawing Room. She is to wear a trimming that she has made herself and which she expects to look 'smart without much shew or expen[s]e'. She reports that everybody 'is to be in new cloaths and no mourning'. She reports that 'a general lighting' is to take place again and at a third time when the King goes to St Paul's. This will be put off to as late a date as possible, as it is believed that the King may find it very tiring. Murray notes that the ladies are 'mortified with not being able to exhibit their regent caps that cost from nine to fourscore guineas, some few excepted who like the Irish [A]mbassadors ap[p]ear[e]d too soon and returned in haste well laughed at'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>It was reported that on Thursday at Almacks the Prince of Wales came in drunk 'and began talking with a gentleman of the op[p]osite party', the Prince swore he 'Gloried in his party he never would desert his friends, as long as he lived in short was so long they Hurrah[e]d him as if he had been on the stage'. He became calmer and said that he would say no more on the subject, as he might regret what he said the following day. She notes that everybody is shocked at the Duke of York and it is thought that he is 'a great fool, that is the best apology a friend can make for him as nothing can excuse his behaviour', and the King has not seen the Duke of Cumberland, so she assumes 'that he will remain in disgrace as he deserves' (possibly relating to his marriage).</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>The letter continues on news of society marriages and engagements, including Louisa Lenox's engagement to Lord Appsley.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Original reference No. 6.</p>