Manuscript, in a single hand, of twelve letters written during a tour of London and addressed to "dear Elvira." In the letters, the author (Mrs. Percivall or Percival?) describes the social sights of London, including parties and dinners she attends, music she hears, and nobility she sees, including a masquerade at Somerset House where her friend dresses up as an Indian princess; a dinner which the Queen gave to the Ambassador; a military show by soldiers in Hyde Park; and, at the end of the volume, a masquerade ball in which she meets "a very agreeable gentleman." In addition, "being almost smothered with the thick air of London," she and her acquaintances take a trip into the country, where they visit Hatfield and attend a concert of music hosted by Italian marquis, where "there was an eunuch who sang." Throughout, she provides detailed descriptions of paintings, furniture, silverware, food, equipages, and the dress of the nobility
Description:
In English., Title from first page., Leaves are numbered and written on the rectos only, except for pages 6, 8, and 44 which are numbered and written on versos., Binding: half morocco over machine-grain morocco boards., and An unvetted transcript is available in the object file. For further information, consult library staff.
Subject (Geographic):
England, London., England., Great Britain., Great Britain, and London
Subject (Name):
Percivall, Mrs.
Subject (Topic):
Amusements, Country homes, Courts and courtiers, Nobility, Social life and customs, and Description and travel
First image, 'Painting after life' shows a skeleton (death) seated before an easel painting a portrait of the obese old man seated opposite and holding a cane. The subject is seated against a blank screen; a portfolio of other works is leaning against the screen. Beside the 'artist' is a box of paints and artist supplies and Second image, 'Death staring shipwrecked sailors in the face!!!', shows a skeleton (right) seated on a rock with his head resting in his hands, elbows on his knees as he stares at two shipwrecked sailors (left) on a beach
Alternative Title:
Death staring shipwrecked sailors in the face!!!
Description:
Each print titled below., Lewis Walpole Library: On the verso: an autograph letter from Ebenezer Gerard in Liverpool to Samuel Taylor Liverpool, dated 1826 February 5, in reference to "Prose by a poet" (by Montgomery James) which he compares to his own efforts since his illness, with the address incorporating watercolor and rebus material., Painting after life referencing Hogarth?, and For further information, consult library staff.