The Mary Hamilton Papers : Letter from Mary Hamilton to Charlotte Margaret Gunning (later Digby)

Hamilton, Mary

The Mary Hamilton Papers

<p style='text-align: justify;'>Letter from Mary Hamilton to Charlotte Gunning. She writes of her trust in people and that she would 'rather be a dupe than condemn without having sure grounds for objection'. She notes that she always suffers 'exquisitely from finding myself deceived in a character that I dread when once I have form[e]d a good opinion, to find I have err[e]d in judgment'. She advises Gunning not to get into the habit of listening to common reports of people. Hamilton refers to Lord Stormont and notes that his actions at any other time would have been deemed arrogant, but if one reflects on his current 'state of mind both on his Uncle[']s & his own account' and his role as a minister, then one should be more charitable. She nevertheless does not excuse his actions, as he should have treated those he offers protection with hospitality, and she hopes that he has just been 'misrepresented'. [Details as to what incident this relates to are not given.]</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Hamilton also writes of her time at Eastbourne and of Lady Finch and her other companions.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at Eastbourne.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Original reference No. 5.</p>