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

The Mary Hamilton Papers

<p style='text-align: justify;'>Letter and note from Charlotte Margaret Gunning to Mary Hamilton. Original reference No. 29.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Letter from Charlotte Gunning to Mary Hamilton, dated 2 September 1788. The letter relates to friends and society including the Wakes, Lennoxes and Harcourts. Writing on the Lennoxes, she describes Lady Louisa as being the cleverest and best humoured, sensible woman she has ever met, while 'the Girls are as good as beautiful and as pleasing as good'. They have so 'much simplicity' and good humour that she was sad when they separated. The letter also talks of Princess Elizabeth and her poor health, and court gossip. Lady Courtoun has been appointed friend to the Queen and is to be paid £500 a year. The Duchess of Kingston has died and £1700 a year goes to Charles Mead. She has left her jewels 'amongst the Pope, L[ad]y Salisbury whom she did not know, & the Empress of Russia'. Dated at St James's [London].</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>In the note dated 16 September 1788, Gunning regrets having missed Hamilton.</p>