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 and John Dickenson Senior's health and a ball given by the French Ambassador. Gunning writes that she has been suffering from a pain in her face. She also notes that she understands John Dickenson has had an accident [a bad fall]. She is anxious for information and asks if he is dangerously ill. Gunning advises Hamilton that if she is in need of 'consolation you will find it, in Religion'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Gunning also updates Hamilton on how she has been spending her time. She does not go out much in public but is at times obliged to follow the arrangement plans of others. She notes that 'we have a whole swarm of french People here [at St James's] who are all going to Bath on Monday'. She notes that the Duchess de Poligniac is of the party and describes her as very pretty, very short and with a pleasing countenance and manners. The Duchess de Guiche, her daughter, has been married two years, is 15 years old and is even shorter. She is reckoned the prettiest woman in Paris, and Gunning does find her pretty despite 'a very high forehead', 'but we have hundreds here [who] excell her infinitly'. The letter continues on the subject of a ball given by the French Ambassador which was very gay and pretty, although it was too crowded to make the 'dancing pleasant'. Gunning also writes of a play she is to attend at Richmond House, which the King and Queen are to go to; she and all the family have been invited by the Duke [of Richmond]. She reports that the paper is full of news of the play and it has been 'acted 5 times & every body seems delighted with it'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at St James's [London].</p>