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, conveying news of family and friends. Murray reports that Lady Frances Harpur is to be pitied because of the actions of her son Sir Henry, who went to Eastbourne and there met Miss Monson's maid. He took a liking to her and 'carried her off'. After the birth of a daughter he applied for a special licence (to marry) but was refused, as it is unusual to grant one without the consent of the family. Lady Frances wrote to the archbishop to say that her son had always been good to her and that she would not stand in the way of his happiness, and that 'he had so much good sence that he must be the best judge of what would make him happy'. Murray reports that she has not yet seen the new Duchess [Princess Frederica Charlotte of Prussia, Duchess of York and Albany (1767-1820)] but has heard that she is 'very pleasing, very little and very civil' and 'makes a better Curtsey than has been seen at court a long time'. Her health is described as delicate, and she retires to bed while the Duke goes out for his evening amusements, and she finds London dull.</p>