HAM/1/2/25
Journal-letter from John Dickenson, and notes from Maria and Maria Eliza Rundell (née Ketelby), to Mary Hamilton
Diplomatic Text
I was very sorry to send you so short a letter[1] but I was resolved
not to omit another post -- my time is so much taken up that
unleʃs I steal a short space after dinner -- before 7 in the morng
or after eleven at night -- the day slips away to my astonishment
& you are left in the Lurch -- tho never out of my Mind -- I
have now exactly 20 minutes to spare, without a fraction for
the most agreeable Amusement I have, which is writing to
you my dearly beloved Wife -- And so Mrs. Yellow Face[2] your
natural curiosity, is all alive & restleʃs to know who that
agreeable, charming, pleasant woman is, who did me the honor
to take compaʃsion upon me in your Absence -- in this instance
I shall not gratify you, as those kind of aʃsignations are
always kept inviolably secret by Men of Honor -- Not to distreʃs
you by enlarging upon my felicity. I will, out of pure com-
paʃsion, return to my Journal & shall raise another conjec
-ture in your Mind to inform yourself with whom I dined
to day -- an Unmarried Lady, who profeʃses herself an admirer
of me -- every thing was to be kept Snug -- the invitation was com-
-municated in a secret manner -- lest too great pleasure shd
satiate -- I left my Inamorata at 7 oClock -- & went to Mr.
Herschell's to have my leʃson which I could not have in the
morning as he was obliged to attend a private Concert to
play Quartettos to which I was invited & went for an hour, but
could stay no longer as my Drawing Master expected me --
It was Mrs. M: Isted[3] that I dined with to day -- Mrs. I. & her daughters
dined there also -- Mrs. I. spoke very handsomely of you -- She said She
never met with a person that She thought so amiable & so accomplished
and could almost say that She was glad She had known so little of
you -- for She shd. have regretted your leaving Northamptonshire so
much the more “ -- Mrs. I. is very handsome & dresses as an old woman
should do, suitable to her age -- my Manners seem to please
this family -- & I reckon upon being a favorite -- Mrs. Mary said She
never invited any person to her house that She did not think very
agreeable -- which I know myself not to be -- but an appearance
of good humour & little attentions, which flow from the heart,
will often gain the poʃseʃsor admittance into families, when the
the Door is shut to a Man of Talents -- which I shd. be happy to be --
28/ I called upon Mrs. Rundel; spent the day as usual & after Tea
walked with Major Murray -- this morning I called upon Mrs. Hocker
She seems very glad to see me & I call whenever I can -- tho it be only
for 5 minutes -- for the last week I have endeavored to call on
the Vanbrughs but really it has not been in my power -- you
would laugh to see me posting away from one Master to another --
my Mind is fully employed & it makes me happy -- to day
I began to drink the Waters at 7 (before that time I had read
an hour in Mrs. Piozzi's Travels, which I dont admire -- it is
worth reading & thats all) from 7 to half past ten was taken up
in exerciise for two hours, dreʃsing & breakfast -- at ½ past 10. I go
to my Italian Master -- after that I had a leʃson from Rauzzini
which is throwing money away -- from him I went to Herschell
for an hour & then to my drawing Master for the same space of
time & returned time enough to scribble a few lines to you
& dreʃs for dinner -- between 7 & 8 we all marched to the Villa
gardens to see Fireworks &c but were disappointed, as something
had happened to make it neceʃsary to postpone this raree show[4] --
we had a pleasant walk however -- 30/ I was this morning put
out of sorts by your Letter of the 26 -- You know my dear
Mary that nothing can make amends to me for the loʃs of your
Society -- I know yr- generous heart -- but I must confeʃs that
I would not have you come here for several reasons -- first of all
I am in the best poʃsible State of health -- Dr. Fs Medicine
has entirely removed the Irrittation -- the waters now agree
with me, & you never saw me look so well in yr- life -- in the
next place I think the same medicine, which may be made very
pleasant by diluting with water, will have the same effect upon
our lovely Child -- I also consider the expence which I wish
to be avoided for reasons which my Love for you dictates -- &
if my Father, whom I most sincerely love, will have the
goodneʃs to contribute something towards a short sejour
here in the spring which Dr. F. wiʃhes may take place --
then I should be infinitely obliged to him -- & can have the
delight of my dear Mary's Society -- however my return
shall be determined by my good friend Dr. F. who seems
to know my constitution more exactly than any person I
ever consulted -- he is now gone to Weymouth for a few days --
tomorrow I shall go to visit the Isteds & on Saturday to
Miʃs More's -- a little before 7 I called upon Mrs. Rundell
who was going out, but I petitioned for a few lines in this
Sheet & she granted the prayer -- I have not mentioned to
her that I consulted Fothergill -- perhaps it would not please --
when Dr. F. & I meet again I shall consult him about Louisa
I will endeavor to get his prescription from the Apothecary
& send it to you -- The Irritation on my Skin is entirely sub-
sided -- & I feel once more quite comfortable -- my sleep is uninter-
rupted & I can dreʃs my self without a batch of Scratching for --
half an hour -- I make no doubt but it will have the same
Effect upon Louisa -- it had an immediate one upon me --
before I received your Letter I had fixed in my own mind
not to leave this place till this day fortnight, which makes
the three weeks you desire -- but if it is neceʃsary to prolong
my stay I will do it -- but I dont think it will, for I can
not be better than I am -- I left ------ M[rs] R. & Co. to follow
their own pursuits & I went to Mrs. Hartley who had invited
me to meet her in Mrs. Hamilton's Gardens -- there were several
Ladies there who's Names I did not hear -- we staid there an
hour -- & then separated -- I returned to Major Murray &c
& went with them to the Villa Gardens to see the Fireworks
which were very pretty -- 31/ after breakfast I shall
go to Pickwick[5] to visit the Isted's --
Now My dearest & best friend I must
take my leave of you for a few days --
for tomorrow I shall take a little
Tour to Cowslip Green -- Dr. Stonehouse -- Lady Fust --
Adieu then my charming Mary -- Embrace
our dear Child for me very very often -- and believe
that it is impoʃsible for one person to love another
more than I love You --
Yrs. Ever
Moʃt Affy
J.D.
Pray mention me in the kindeʃt
and most Affe manner to Ampa --
and Mrs. Morrison is not forgot -- She has always my good
wishes --
R/ Tincture of Red Roses -- 7 oz
Spirits of sea salt -- 1 Drachm
Syrup of Violets -- 6 Drachms
Mix --
of this I took at first
a Wine glaʃs full every
5 hours -- now I take a glaʃs[6]
the first & last thing I mean to say as soon as I get up -- & just before
I go to Bed -- it is a very strong aid, but you may contrive to make it
palatable for Louisa, I really think it would be of service to her -- She might
try it in very small quantities -- Mrs. Davies's youngest girls legs were
so crooked that She was as uneasy about them as you are for Louisa &
by all accts. they were much worse -- now no persons legs are straiter
▼
31/ I have just been to Mrs. Rundell & spoke to her about Louisa's
irritation -- She says you shd. give her Lime Water -- Mr. R. came in & told me
the way to make it is to put / one pound of unslacked Lime into a gallon
of water -- let it stand 24 hours, then take off the Film & bottle it -- you are
to give Louisa a quarter of a pint twice a day -- at each time add a Table
spoonful of Milk -- I spoke to Mrs R. of ye palpitation of yr heart, pray
forgive me, She said you shd. ------------------ [de]al of exercise & not drink Tea -- Dr
F. wishes that I would not be ------------------ Tea -- which I certainly will not do
he recommends Tapioca.[7]
1) Pray inquire if the Buxton Coach stops at that
place (in its way to Manr.) all night as it does coming this way --
I mentioned to Mrs. Rundell yesterday, who was going to Mrs. Beavoirs, that you had desired
me to call upon her -- she said she would deliver yr- enquiries ------
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------[8]
2) I told Mrs. R. that I was perfectly satisfied -- & knew you so well as to be aʃsured that
you would never give up any acquaintance or friend particularly (however plausible they
might make their story) without having good grounds for your proceedings -- & that your
acquaintance was extensive enough without enrolling the Name of Mrs. Beavoir in that number[9]
3) This day is so exceʃsively bad that it is
impoʃsible for me to go to ye Isteds -- we have a very
heavy[10] & it looks like a general rain -- [11]
[12]
My Dr Madam
▼
Mr Dickinson has flattered us
with the pleasure of seeing you in the Spring, I hope
you will not diʃsapoint us as I am very desirous of seeing
yourself & your Dr Loisa I hope to write more very soon
I am Dr Madam your very obliged
M. Rundell
▼
▼
▼
[13]
/My dr- Ms D.[14]
Your husband is wonderfully well, & is in excellent spirits, he is
in full employ, which is the best specific against langour --
He tells me that you are uneasy about him but I really think there is no
occasion -- I never saw him look so well -- Louisas legs are crooked;
if you suspect them to be occasioned by a tendancy to rickets, I would
advise you to bathe her legs up to her knees and over them, in a pail
of warm water, rubbing them well with neats foot oil, the former
every other night, the latter every night -- & give a little physich
once a week, but if there are no other signs of rickets than the
legs then only use the oil & good rubbing, & the bow will go off
as she gains strength Adieu God bless you, May all comfort
attend you prays your affecte M: E: R
Single Sheet
To
Mrs. Dickenson
Taxal[15]
Chapel le frith
X post -- Derbyshire[16]
12/2[17]
[18]
E.[19]
red text is normalised and/or unformatted in other panel)
Notes
1. HAM/1/2/24.
2. Presumably alluding to Mary's jealousy in this situation: yellow was associated with that character trait, cf. for example the Dictionarium Polygraphicum (1735) or the Universal Magazine of Knowledge and Pleasure (1748).
3. Dickenson's revelation that his ‘unmarried’ dining companion was a Mrs. M. Isted is explained as follows by OED: ‘A title prefixed to the name of an unmarried lady or girl [...]. Now rare except as a title of courtesy applied, with or without inclusion of the first name, to elderly unmarried ladies (this use seems to have arisen in the late 18th cent.)’ (OED s.v. Mrs. n. 1, 1b. Accessed 04-04-2023).
4. Originally ‘a set of pictures or a puppet show exhibited in a portable box for public entertainment; a peep show’. Dickenson seems to be using the term in its extended sense of ‘an exhibition, show, or spectacle of any kind, esp. one regarded as lurid, vulgar, or populist’ (OED s.v. raree-show n. 2a. Accessed 13-08-2020).
5. Present-day Corsham (Wiltshire).
6. The three short lines from ‘of this’ to ‘a glass’ appear to the left of the recipe.
7. Moved this postscript here from the right-hand side of the page, written vertically.
8. Moved this postscript (numbered ‘1’) here from the top of the page above the note by M. Rundell, written upside down.
9. Moved this postscript (numbered ‘2’) here from the middle of the page, written upside down, just below the address and above the note by Maria Eliza Rundell. It is divided off from Mrs Rundell's note by a curly line to its left which then runs all the way underneath it.
10. Presumably John Dickenson forgot to add a noun after 'heavy', e.g. 'shower' or 'downpour'.
11. Moved this postscript (numbered ‘3’) here from the top of p.1, written upside down.
12. The following note is written by Maria Rundell, daughter of Mrs Rundell.
13. The following note is written by Mrs Maria Eliza Rundell.
14. The opener of Mrs Rundell's note appears to the left of the inserted postscript (ps4).
15. The address is overwritten with a ‘6’, indicating postage due. The envelope furthermore bears a stamp that reads ‘BATH’.
16. Moved address here from the middle of the page, written vertically.
17. The figures ‘12/2’ are written upside down to the bottom right of the address.
18. Seal, in red wax.
19. The letter ‘E’ may perhaps represent Elizabeth Anson – cf. also HAM/1/2/28 p.3 n.1 and ‘F’ [?]for Florence Anson in HAM/1/2/34 – though the form of the letter is quite different from the initials ‘E.G.A.’ (Elizabeth Georgiana Anson) in HAM/1/7/5/1.
Normalised Text
▼
27 July 1789 -- Bath --
I was very sorry to send you so short a letter but I was resolved
not to omit another post -- my time is so much taken up that
unless I steal a short space after dinner -- before 7 in the morning
or after eleven at night -- the day slips away to my astonishment
& you are left in the Lurch -- though never out of my Mind -- I
have now exactly 20 minutes to spare, without a fraction for
the most agreeable Amusement I have, which is writing to
you my dearly beloved Wife -- And so Mrs. Yellow Face your
natural curiosity, is all alive & restless to know who that
agreeable, charming, pleasant woman is, who did me the honour
to take compassion upon me in your Absence -- in this instance
I shall not gratify you, as those kind of assignations are
always kept inviolably secret by Men of Honour -- Not to distress
you by enlarging upon my felicity. I will, out of pure compassion
, return to my Journal & shall raise another conjecture
in your Mind to inform yourself with whom I dined
to day -- an Unmarried Lady, who professes herself an admirer
of me -- every thing was to be kept Snug -- the invitation was communicated
in a secret manner -- lest too great pleasure should
satiate -- I left my Inamorata at 7 o'Clock -- & went to Mr.
Herschell's to have my lesson which I could not have in the
morning as he was obliged to attend a private Concert to
play Quartettos to which I was invited & went for an hour, but
could stay no longer as my Drawing Master expected me --
It was Mrs. Mary Isted that I dined with to day -- Mrs. Isted & her daughters
dined there also -- Mrs. Isted spoke very handsomely of you -- She said She
never met with a person that She thought so amiable & so accomplished
and could almost say that She was glad She had known so little of
you -- for She should have regretted your leaving Northamptonshire so
much the more “ -- Mrs. Isted is very handsome & dresses as an old woman
should do, suitable to her age -- my Manners seem to please
this family -- & I reckon upon being a favourite -- Mrs. Mary said She
never invited any person to her house that She did not think very
agreeable -- which I know myself not to be -- but an appearance
of good humour & little attentions, which flow from the heart,
will often gain the possessor admittance into families, when the
Door is shut to a Man of Talents -- which I should be happy to be --
28/ I called upon Mrs. Rundel; spent the day as usual & after Tea
walked with Major Murray -- this morning I called upon Mrs. Hocker
She seems very glad to see me & I call whenever I can -- though it be only
for 5 minutes -- for the last week I have endeavoured to call on
the Vanbrughs but really it has not been in my power -- you
would laugh to see me posting away from one Master to another --
my Mind is fully employed & it makes me happy -- to day
I began to drink the Waters at 7 (before that time I had read
an hour in Mrs. Piozzi's Travels, which I don't admire -- it is
worth reading & that's all) from 7 to half past ten was taken up
in exercise for two hours, dressing & breakfast -- at ½ past 10. I go
to my Italian Master -- after that I had a lesson from Rauzzini
which is throwing money away -- from him I went to Herschell
for an hour & then to my drawing Master for the same space of
time & returned time enough to scribble a few lines to you
& dress for dinner -- between 7 & 8 we all marched to the Villa
gardens to see Fireworks &c but were disappointed, as something
had happened to make it necessary to postpone this raree show --
we had a pleasant walk however -- 30/ I was this morning put
out of sorts by your Letter of the 26 -- You know my dear
Mary that nothing can make amends to me for the loss of your
Society -- I know your generous heart -- but I must confess that
I would not have you come here for several reasons -- first of all
I am in the best possible State of health -- Dr. Fothergills Medicine
has entirely removed the Irritation -- the waters now agree
with me, & you never saw me look so well in your life -- in the
next place I think the same medicine, which may be made very
pleasant by diluting with water, will have the same effect upon
our lovely Child -- I also consider the expense which I wish
to be avoided for reasons which my Love for you dictates -- &
if my Father, whom I most sincerely love, will have the
goodness to contribute something towards a short sejour
here in the spring which Dr. Fothergill wishes may take place --
then I should be infinitely obliged to him -- & can have the
delight of my dear Mary's Society -- however my return
shall be determined by my good friend Dr. Fothergill who seems
to know my constitution more exactly than any person I
ever consulted -- he is now gone to Weymouth for a few days --
tomorrow I shall go to visit the Isteds & on Saturday to
Miss More's -- a little before 7 I called upon Mrs. Rundell
who was going out, but I petitioned for a few lines in this
Sheet & she granted the prayer -- I have not mentioned to
her that I consulted Fothergill -- perhaps it would not please --
when Dr. Fothergill & I meet again I shall consult him about Louisa
I will endeavour to get his prescription from the Apothecary
& send it to you -- The Irritation on my Skin is entirely subsided
-- & I feel once more quite comfortable -- my sleep is uninterrupted
& I can dress my self without a batch of Scratching for --
half an hour -- I make no doubt but it will have the same
Effect upon Louisa -- it had an immediate one upon me --
before I received your Letter I had fixed in my own mind
not to leave this place till this day fortnight, which makes
the three weeks you desire -- but if it is necessary to prolong
my stay I will do it -- but I don't think it will, for I can
not be better than I am -- I left Mrs Rundell & Co. to follow
their own pursuits & I went to Mrs. Hartley who had invited
me to meet her in Mrs. Hamilton's Gardens -- there were several
Ladies there whose Names I did not hear -- we stayed there an
hour -- & then separated -- I returned to Major Murray &c
& went with them to the Villa Gardens to see the Fireworks
which were very pretty -- 31/ after breakfast I shall
go to Pickwick to visit the Isted's --
Now My dearest & best friend I must
take my leave of you for a few days --
for tomorrow I shall take a little
Tour to Cowslip Green -- Dr. Stonehouse -- Lady Fust --
Adieu then my charming Mary -- Embrace
our dear Child for me very very often -- and believe
that it is impossible for one person to love another
more than I love You --
Yours Ever
Most Affectionately
John Dickenson
Pray mention me in the kindest
and most Affectionate manner to Ampa --
and Mrs. Morrison is not forgot -- She has always my good
wishes --
Recipe Tincture of Red Roses -- 7 oz
Spirits of sea salt -- 1 Drachm
Syrup of Violets -- 6 Drachms
Mix --
of this I took at first
a Wine glass full every
5 hours -- now I take a glass
the first & last thing I mean to say as soon as I get up -- & just before
I go to Bed -- it is a very strong aid, but you may contrive to make it
palatable for Louisa, I really think it would be of service to her -- She might
try it in very small quantities -- Mrs. Davies's youngest girls legs were
so crooked that She was as uneasy about them as you are for Louisa &
by all accounts they were much worse -- now no persons legs are straighter
▼
31/ I have just been to Mrs. Rundell & spoke to her about Louisa's
irritation -- She says you should give her Lime Water -- Mr. Rundell came in & told me
the way to make it is to put / one pound of unslacked Lime into a gallon
of water -- let it stand 24 hours, then take off the Film & bottle it -- you are
to give Louisa a quarter of a pint twice a day -- at each time add a Table
spoonful of Milk -- I spoke to Mrs Rundell of the palpitation of your heart, pray
forgive me, She said you should ------------------ deal of exercise & not drink Tea -- Dr
Fothergill wishes that I would not be ------------------ Tea -- which I certainly will not do
he recommends Tapioca.
Pray inquire if the Buxton Coach stops at that
place (in its way to Manchester) all night as it does coming this way --
I mentioned to Mrs. Rundell yesterday, who was going to Mrs. Beavoirs, that you had desired
me to call upon her -- she said she would deliver your enquiries ------
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
I told Mrs. Rundell that I was perfectly satisfied -- & knew you so well as to be assured that
you would never give up any acquaintance or friend particularly (however plausible they
might make their story) without having good grounds for your proceedings -- & that your
acquaintance was extensive enough without enrolling the Name of Mrs. Beavoir in that number
This day is so excessively bad that it is
impossible for me to go to the Isteds -- we have a very
heavy & it looks like a general rain --
My Dear Madam
▼
Mr Dickinson has flattered us
with the pleasure of seeing you in the Spring, I hope
you will not disappoint us as I am very desirous of seeing
yourself & your Dear Loisa I hope to write more very soon
I am Dear Madam your very obliged
M. Rundell
▼
▼
▼
/My dear Ms Dickenson
Your husband is wonderfully well, & is in excellent spirits, he is
in full employ, which is the best specific against languor --
He tells me that you are uneasy about him but I really think there is no
occasion -- I never saw him look so well -- Louisas legs are crooked;
if you suspect them to be occasioned by a tendency to rickets, I would
advise you to bathe her legs up to her knees and over them, in a pail
of warm water, rubbing them well with neats foot oil, the former
every other night, the latter every night -- & give a little physic
once a week, but if there are no other signs of rickets than the
legs then only use the oil & good rubbing, & the bow will go off
as she gains strength Adieu God bless you, May all comfort
attend you prays your affectionate Maria Eliza Rundell
Single Sheet
To
Mrs. Dickenson
Taxal
Chapel le frith
X post -- Derbyshire
quotations, spellings, uncorrected forms, split words, abbreviations, formatting)
Notes
Metadata
Library References
Repository: John Rylands Research Institute and Library, University of Manchester
Archive: Mary Hamilton Papers
Item title: Journal-letter from John Dickenson, and notes from Maria and Maria Eliza Rundell (née Ketelby), to Mary Hamilton
Shelfmark: HAM/1/2/25
Correspondence Details
Sender: John Dickenson and Maria Rundell and Maria Eliza Rundell (née Ketelby)
Place sent: Bath
Addressee: Mary Hamilton
Place received: Taxal, near Chapel-en-le-Frith
Date sent: 31 July 1789
Letter Description
Summary: Journal-letter from John Dickenson to his wife Mary née Hamilton covering the period 27-31 July 1789. The letter includes two notes to Hamilton on the back of the sheet, one from Maria Rundell and the second from her mother, Maria Eliza Rundell (see HAM/1/8/6).
Dickenson's letter relates to his health and of his time in Bath. He updates Hamilton on the people he has met and on what he has been doing. He notes that he has been reading Hester Piozzi's Travels but he does not 'admire [...] [it and notes that] it is just worth reading'. He has been to his drawing master, visited friends and has been to Villa Gardens to see some fireworks, which he describes 'as very pretty'.
Hamilton had offered to visit him in Bath and he advises against it. He informs her that he is now in good health and that the medicine he has been given by his doctor has been effective and the waters agree with him. He also cites the extra expense her visit will incur.
In his note, Dr Rundell writes that Dickenson has told him that he will have the pleasure of seeing Hamilton in the spring and that he is looking forward to this. Maria Rundell informs Hamilton in her note that Dickenson is 'wonderfully well' and in good spirits. He has told her that Hamilton is worried about him and she assures her that there is no need for her to be. Rundell also advises Hamilton what to do if her daughter Louisa has a tendency to rickets [she writes that Louisa's legs are crooked]. Her legs should be bathed up to the knees and to rub them with 'neats foot oil, the former every other night, the latter every night – & give a little physich once a week'. She continues with her advice.
Dated at Bath.
Original reference No. 12.
Length: 1 sheet, 1883 words
Transliteration Information
Editorial declaration: First edited in the project 'Unlocking the Mary Hamilton Papers' (Hannah Barker, Sophie Coulombeau, David Denison, Tino Oudesluijs, Cassandra Ulph, Christine Wallis & Nuria Yáñez-Bouza, 2019-2023).
All quotation marks are retained in the text and are represented by appropriate Unicode characters. Words split across two lines may have a hyphen on the first, the second or both fragments (reco-|ver, imperfect|-ly, satisfacti-|-on); or a double hyphen (pur=|port, dan|=ger, qua=|=litys); or none (respect|ing). Any point in abbreviations with superscripted letter(s) is placed last, regardless of relative left-right orientation in the original. Thus, Mrs. or Mrs may occur, but M.rs or Mr.s do not.
Acknowledgements: Transcription and XML version created as part of project 'Unlocking the Mary Hamilton Papers', funded by the Arts & Humanities Research Council under grant AH/S007121/1.
Transliterator: Tino Oudesluijs, editorial team (completed 20 July 2020)
Cataloguer: Lisa Crawley, Archivist, The John Rylands Library
Cataloguer: John Hodgson, Head of Special Collections, John Rylands Research Institute and Library
Copyright: Transcriptions, notes and TEI/XML © the editors
Revision date: 2 November 2021