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. Warton 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 and so has no materials to base it on. He does give his opinion on the proposed publication of Richard Glover's manuscripts and notes that Glover himself had mentioned a printer, Mr Cadell; it might be right to employ him. Glover asks Hamilton 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 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 they would share the profits, but if not, he would print it at her expense. She continues 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. She asks her to write 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 of friends and notes that her ‘charming Brother never comes near us’. 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. ‘It is a dreadful thing to have bad Children’.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Original reference No. 15.</p>