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

Hamilton, Mary

The Mary Hamilton Papers

<p style='text-align: justify;'>Letter from Mary Hamilton to Charlotte Gunning. The letter is concerned with her friendship with Gunning and court life. She writes that Gunning many not expect to see her until five weeks after the birth of the [Queen's] child. The date is uncertain but Hamilton believes that the baby is due in the first week of September.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Hamilton was greatly entertained with Gunning's account of the sack race and writes of a small ball that she was 'prevailed upon to join the dance'. She continues with news of friends and of a woman [her name as been crossed out] who she describes as insolent. 'How mean to take the privilege of her sex to say such [...] things – what could have provoked her to attack Benedict'[Gunning's brother]. Hamilton notes that she has never met such an 'attentive' and 'delicate' man and would not be 'able therefore to say rude things to him'. She asks Gunning what books 'Edwin' had sent her and notes that she herself has not received any letters from him as she did not reply to two or three long letters he sent her. Hamilton assumes that Gunning will be following her example.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Hamilton speaks about a subscription that she is collecting for a 'poor widow'. Hamilton also writes (using code names) of others in the Court, one of whom at least she thinks not suited to the role, being 'acquainted w[i]th the tricks of the World'. Much of the letter is concerned with Gunning's state of mind and their relationship.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Hamilton and Gunning have assigned code names such as 'Perfecta' [Lady Charlotte Finch (<a target='_blank' class='externalLink uom-purple' href='https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/manchesteruniversity/data/gb133-ham/ham/1/12'>HAM/1/12</a>)], 'Louvre' and 'Babel' for the people and places at Court.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Previously catalogued as two separate items, HAM/1/15/2/11 and HAM/1/15/2/12.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Original reference No. 10.</p>