Tunbridge Wells 14 August
                                                         1782

my Dear Miss Hamilton
      if you have half the rain at Windsor
we experience here, think you will be anxious to know
we are safe, and as yet not washed away by the floods,
which are said to be high; but, upon Mount Ephraim, we
only see the wet, without having that inconvenience --
the weather however, is very mortifying; as it certainly must
 --- en the spring, and consequently, the water cannot
 ------  the same service. my Mother is, notwithstanding much
better; a proof of her being so is, that she attended the Duke
of Leeds's invitation to the Ball, which he annually gives on
the Prince of Wales's Birthday. -- as I had never been at one
before, was much entertained at the ceremony. though the Bad
Weather, spoilt the gayest part of the show: as the Walks are
dressed with Bows & Lights, and filled with company, all dressed
in gayest fancy -- his Grace, was in the rooms at six, to
receive the company; who all in smartest dress  - , walk up
to pay their compliments Lady Morton, as the first Lady here,
was the Queen; after the tea Drinking, the Duke handed her
to the Upper end of the room, where he seated himself, next
her; as she thought it staring to sit alone, more chairs were brought
Lady Brudenell, & Lady Mary Bligh, sat on the other side of his Grace

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Your Humble Servant next the Countess; Lady Mary Bowlby, my mother,
Miss Manners; Mrs. Butler (LadyDarnley's mother) behind; the minuets
then began, Lady Mary Bligh with a Mr. Beaufoy, formerly a Quaker
and vinegar merchant, but now a very fine Beau, opened the Ball;
making their compliments (as at court) to the King & Queen of it. the exhibition
of Dresses afterwards, as well as dancers, (for few kept time,)
was truly amusing: the master of the ceremony's to save himself
trouble, is trying to introduce long Lappets, for the minuets. so
the Ladies, had Lappets long enough, to sit upon, pinned, under
little Dancers hats, with Short petticoats: those indeed, that
had trains, not knowing how to manage them, were in danger
of tumbles: the minuets lasted very long, but when over; the
master of the ceremony's came up with his Bow, to notify it.
When the Duke and company rose, and he, made his excuse
hoping he should be excused as an invalid, for going home so
early, took his leave. country dances then began, and the
usual entertainments took place; of cards, &c it was very
full, though I don't think the company very brilliant, as you will
suppose, by the Quaker dancing the first. Lord and Lady Sussex,
Lord Darnley, Lady Mary Duncombe, Signor Pacchierotti, Lady Young.
&c &c were there, and such a number of faces, one had never
seen before, or wished to see again! made a sufficient crowd.
Mr. Smith, who I have seen at your parties is here; a disconsolate
Widower, has sold his house in the country, and come here for the
summer, with his children. Miss Finch, I saw on the walks some
days ago, but she only came for the day -- nobody need be sick here,

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if Doctors can cure; as there was no less than two Bishops, at the
Ball, with Lower Clergy in abundance! and Physicians, without end.
Even Doctor Warren. Mrs. & Miss Lowths are here, the Eldest very
bad, though Warren thought her better. the Bishop has been very ill
again, since they have been here; so that they are in a very distressful
situation, between the two sick --
I have been a party, to see Stonelands: (Lord Sackvilles about 6
mile off) a very pretty place; but the House, he won't have shown,
about half a Mile Beyond, is Withiam Church, the Burial
Place of the family. where we saw, a fine old tomb, erected
to a Seventh son, and thirteenth Child of a Sackville; the
young man Lays on the top, the father & mother, as big as
 ------------  weeping on each side; and round the sides, are the
other  ------  children; the dead, are distinguished by Palm
Branches in their hands; the living, by full bottomed Wigs
it is all marble, and well executed; though the Statuary, has
been too modest to put his name, his work deserves admiration
. we also went into the Burial Vault, and saw many
Coffins, Sir Edward Sackville is among them, that fought the famous
Duel -- the situation of the Church, & Parsonage, is delightful.
Buckhurst Tower, forms a beautiful object, it is part
of an Old Gateway, the only remains, of the ancient seat
of the Sackville Family. I took a sketch of it, which I hope
to show you, & give some idea of a very pretty place. I
have been busy with my Pencil; & taken another view, which is that

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of mount Misery, which makes a pleasing object; though the name
should bespeak the reverse. but the names of the mounts, remind one
of the Pilgrims progress, wish You could come among them, and
ramble about with me, among the rocks &c &c
Mrs. Leland we have been in hopes of seeing, but fear, the weather
will keep her at Strood. have had a letter, in which she does not seem
in spirits, which I am very sorry for. Mrs. Tryon, is near the Camp
by Yarmouth, they have all been ill, & fear this weather in so unhealthy

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a country, will not make them very stout -- I ought to apologise
for making you pay for this, but, I never have any franks: and you was
so obliging to wish to hear, of us; besides, I flatter myself, you will follow
my example, as I shall take it very ill, if you grudge my pence; & think
me not public spirited enough, to pay with pleasure, for what I like
so much. my Mother & sister, join with me in best wishes, and am
                             Sincerely Yours
                                                         Wilhelmina King

Princess Amelia is gone to
Lord Pelham's near Brighthelmstone. sad Weather for her