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. She questions Hamilton about motherhood (her daughter Louisa had been born on 26 January), asking if Hamilton ever sleeps, as she thinks she should not for months if she 'had so delightful an object to occupy my thoughts'. Gunning is 'mortified' that Hamilton is unable to nurse the baby herself and asks why this is the case. She still does not know the name Hamilton has given her daughter and also asks who she chose for godparents.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>The letter continues with news of Gunning's period of ennui amid social engagements, and on how her time is spent. She writes of engagements with the Queen. Gunning notes that Miss [Charlotte] Boyle [the daughter of Hamilton's friend, Mrs Walsingham, married Lord Henry FitzGerald in 1791] has been presented, and is now 'out in the world but not liked'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Original reference No. 21.</p>