The Mary Hamilton Papers : Letter from Elizabeth Iremonger to Mary Hamilton

Iremonger, Elizabeth

The Mary Hamilton Papers

<p style='text-align: justify;'>Letter from Elizabeth Iremonger to Mary Hamilton, relating to an accident her father was involved in. Iremonger informs Hamilton that her father has suffered a fall from his horse and has been confined for almost six weeks. All his weight fell on his hip and his thigh. Although he did not break or dislocate any bones, ‘all his muscles received such a violent bruise & general shock, that He has not yet any use of his leg’. Joshua Iremonger had to keep to his bed for three weeks but his now down stairs and can move around the house with the assistance of man-servants and crutches. A surgeon from Andover and one from Winchester attend him and they do not view his injuries as irrecoverable. Mr Iremonger is in poor spirits because he is unable to go about his business as he used to and fro his worry that he may not regain the full use of his leg. Mrs Iremonger does all she can for her husband. Her ‘tranquil mind is a great support, together with her charming & just way of thinking with regard to all the trying Events of Life’.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>The letter continues on more general topics. She returns Hamilton some of her riddles [Hamilton was very much interested in riddles and puzzles]. She writes of Dr Darwin and his poem on ‘Botanical Garden or the Loves of the Plants’ [published anonymously in 1789] and of him introducing Hamilton's friend 'Mrs Delany'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at Whirwell [Andover].</p>