My Dearest Miss Hamilton

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      I have been so Ill since I sent
to you last, that I have not been able to hold down my
Head to write you, more than a Line, & that would not
content me, when I had so much to say, & so much to
ask; -- I do not know where to begin, but you see what
a Sheet of paper I have prepared; & you must read, it,
at different times, for I must write you a Folio. I have
had so violent a Cold in my head, & Eyes, that I was advised
to keep all the Mornings in Bed, & then during the night, I had
just the sort of Cough, (which I do believe nervous) that I
had last Spring, -- but by keeping warm, & very quiet,
I am a vast deal better; & am nursing up to be able
to pay my Duty, (which I hope nothing will hinder
my doing, next Thursday (I mean ye 25th) to her Majesty) I yesterday
bought my Gown, & I shall be ready to cry, if I am
not able to go to Court on that Day: so much for
my worthless self, now my Dear Miss Hamilton
what can we say for the Queen's gracious Notice
of our Son? -- I was quite frightened to think of it,
till I told myself over & over again, that the
same goodness which led her Majesty to send for him,
would make allowances for whatever was wanting

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in his Behaviour & manner. do pray (though I am
frightened to ask it,) let me know how he behaved.
I am afraid very awkwardly, or I think you would
have sent me a Line to tell me, for you must
know how anxious I must have been about him;
poor Soul! he assured me he behaved as well as
he could, but he said, he was afraid his Boots
made him make a sad noise, & hindered him
from walking out of the Room as well as he otherwise should
have done; I then pictured him up, stamping along
like the Chat botté; he told us that the Queen desired
he might learn to fence, which would open his
Chest; this he was so delighted with, that every Day,
Lord Dartrey has been asked when He was to begin
to learn -- & this Morning; Mr: I forgot the Name
who attends one of the Schools at Chelsea has been sent
for, to come tomorrow: nothing can be more grateful
than Lord Dartrey & I are for this, & every Mark,
of the Queen's goodness, & I beg you to assure Her
Majesty so, with our humble Duty; & If Thomas
behaved in any manner with Impropriety, & want
of due Attention or Respect, I trust her Majesty's
goodness will pardon it in a Child. unused to such
an Honour as being admitted into the Presence of
the King & Queen. He, as is very natural, talks of
little else, -- & yesterday I was much diverted by hearing

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him & little Master Macartney, (who had the Honour
of being marked out to the King by Admiral Parker)
(Captain Macartney was killed in the Engagement.)
giving an account
to each other of the Honours They had received: I must
tell you, what I am sure will move your heart as much
as it did mine -- when the Purser of the Ship came to
tell the poor little Boy of his Father's being killed, he
fell down upon his Knees, & lifted up his Hands, & after
crying bitterly, He said -- “Good God! take care of my Mother
“& Sisters; my Father was a brave man, & he is gone to
“Heaven! -- & I can go to Sea again.” --    They say there
was not a Sailor that did not shed Tears. I think I never
heard any thing more pathetic, or that bespoke a more manly
Spirit at the same time: you will think it a great Gain, and
      do, for My Son to have such a Companion, He
      generally dines with him every Sunday &
      Thursday; -- I was led to tell you this interesting
Story, when I was just going to beg you to present my Duty
to The Princess Royal, & Princess Augusta for their goodness
to Thomas, & for the Beautiful Present he brought me
from their Royal Highnesses: It is still blooming,
as much of it, as care & fresh Water would preserve;
& Julia has some of the Rose Leaves & pink leaves
dried, in her little History of England, which She had as a
Reward for learning the Dates, & Lines by heart. She is now
learning King Stephen, & She repeats it with such tones,
& so ridiculous an Air, that it is difficult to keep ones Countenance
-- I am vastly happy to hear Her Majesty &
Prince Alfred are recovered. -- We have a House full of
Colds Lord Dartrey & both the Children -- I hope you escape & that

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Miss Goldsworthy continues well.
Thursday Evening -- I was not able to finish & send this yesterday
I tried what taking the Air would do for my stupid Head &
your Friend Mr. Glover came here, whilst I was out -- He
came in & saw what was better looking at than me & left word
that he was pretty well -- Adieu I must again repeat how
sensibly we feel the Honour done our Son, by their Majestys
gracious Condescension, & the Princesses goodness to him --
                Adieu I am sure you will send me a Line
in return to my Letter -- Lord Dartrey begs his kind love & believe me
                                                         ever Yours very Affectionately Philadelphia Dartrey

                             ▼

Mrs: Fielding is I hear safely Landed, but I have not yet
heard from Her, which I wonder at, as She could have written
from Falmouth -- I fear Dear Lady Charlotte's will be a tedious
Journey -- I have been so disappointed about Mrs: Fielding
I shall not quite believe She is come till I see her, it
is so odd She has not sent me one Line, as She knew
She could not come so soon as the post could bring me a
Letter. once more Adieu -- pray write me one Line
                             about Thomas I hope he did not disgrace you --
                             he said you took him into the Queen's Room.
To
      Miss Hamilton
           at the Queen's Lodge
                             Windsor