The Mary Hamilton Papers : Letter from Mary Glover to Mary Hamilton

Glover, Mary

The Mary Hamilton Papers

<p style='text-align: justify;'>Letter from Mary Glover to Mary Hamilton. She copies for Hamilton a reply that Anna Maria Clarke had received from Dr Warton relating to Richard Glover's manuscripts. She asks Hamilton not to let Clarke know that she has shown her the letter as Clarke had asked her not to show it anyone. Watson writes that it would not be possible for him to write a history of Mr Glover's life as he came into his life at a late date so he has not the materials to do it justice. He does give his opinions on the proposed publication of Richard Glover's manuscripts and notes that Glover himself had mentioned a printer, a Mr Cadell, it may be right to employ him. Glover asks Hamilton's for her views on the letter and notes that the Provost of Eton has asked Mr Cadell on her behalf what he would give for the copy of the Athenaid. When Cadell was told of the length of the piece he said it was too long and that he 'could not answer for it selling'. If she agreed to shorten it he would publish it and that they would share the profits but if she did not then he would print it in the 'common way'. She continues to note that she had been advised not to publish the tragedies but to print the Athenaid on its own to see how it is received and if it is popular then to publish his whole works. Glover is anxious as to what to do and wishes she had Hamilton with her and asks her to write her with her thoughts on the subject. She does not want to part with the works for a 'trifle' as she does not want to harm her father's memory. She suggests that Dr Warton write a preface instead of a biography and continues on how it should be published.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Glover continues her letter with news on friends and notes that her ‘charming Brother never comes near us’. She notes that he called on Anna Maria Clarke the other day and made no enquiry after them. He keeps no house and is in lodgings although he has nine hundred and fifty pounds per year and she has no doubt that he is in debt. She notes that it is ‘a dreadful thing to have bad children’.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Original reference No. 15.</p>