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 King (later Murray) to Mary Hamilton, conveying general news of family and friends. King is to travel to Weymouth, Dorset with her mother and sister, after which she is to travel to Devonshire, to her mother's 'Joynture House'. The house has been left to the 'Sprights and Goblins in which that country abounds'. King writes that she will keep Hamilton informed as to whether or not she meets any 'troublesome' ghosts.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>King updates Hamilton on her mother's health, which has improved, so much so that she dined at a friend's 15 miles away and the next day visited Sir Joseph Banks. King notes that she saw the Princess Royal's carriage on its way to Windsor. She tried to catch a glimpse of Hamilton but was unable to.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>The letter continues on news of family and friends. She reports that she and Lady Banks set out with a group of gentlemen on a fishing party, as they had heard that a pond contained eels as 'large as a Mans Arm'. The fishing was unsuccessful and the men's patience left them. They dragged their net in the pond but only caught weeds, which King found very entertaining.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at Dover Street [London].</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Original reference No. 4.</p>