The Mary Hamilton Papers : Letter from Charlotte Margaret Gunning to Mary Hamilton

Digby (née Gunning), Charlotte Margaret

The Mary Hamilton Papers

<p style='text-align: justify;'>Letter from Charlotte Gunning to Mary Hamilton. The letter relates to Gunning's feelings as well as to news of family, friends and the Royal family. Gunning asks for news on Lady Wake [Lady Mary Wake, née Fenton (d. 1823)], and wonders why she has not heard from Hamilton for some time. She wishes to have news of her. The letter continues with general news of friends and family and on what Gunning has been doing. She writes of having walked in the park without a hat for hours and of her sister enjoying the society in Nancy. Stephen Digby [Colonel Hon. Stephen Digby (1742-1800), whom Gunning would marry in 1790] is in town and suffering from gout. He 'looks like Death, and is more out of spirits & melancholy than [one] can imagine'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Gunning also writes of her own feelings. She is in an 'uncomfortable state of mind' and is not happy. She feels 'heavy, stupid, indifferent' and 'should like never to leave [her] room or open [her] lips'. She would give way to such feelings if her friends did not force her to go out, but she continues that she does go out each day. Society at times amuses her and '[her] spirits are raised, but these are only false ones'. She keeps her mind occupied with her father's business and notes that she writes at least four letters a day. In her leisure time she is learning to play the harpsichord. Even so, she notes, 'all this does not do'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at St James's [London].</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Original reference No. 9.</p>