Manuscript, in a single hand, of a letter from Mason to Horace Walpole, in which Mason writes that he has read Walpole's tragedic play, The Mysterious Mother, several times and has provided a sketch of alterations he believes necessary to improve the denouement. The list of alterations accompanies the letter, which consist of dialogic emendations at specific page and line numbers. At the end of the letter, a note signed by Walpole states his reasons against adopting Mason's suggestions, "because they woud totally have destroyed my Object."
Description:
William Mason (1724-1797) was a poet, editor, and gardener. In 1747, his poem "Musaeus, a Monody on the Death of Mr. Pope" was published to acclaim and quickly went through several editions. In 1775, he published the Poems of Mr Gray, a friend who was a great influence on his own work. Ten years later, William Pitt nominated him for the post of Poet Laureate, but he turned it down. Among Mason's other works are the historical tragedies Elfrida (1752) and Caractacus (1759), as well as a long poem on gardening, The English Garden (1772-1782). Indeed, Mason was an influential garden designer, designing several flower gardens for his friends and patrons, especially for Richard Hurd, Lord Jersey, and Lord Harcourt. In 1797 he fell and injured his leg while entering his carriage, and died several days later at his rectory in Aston., In English., Typed transcript available in object file., and For further information, consult library staff.
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain
Subject (Name):
Mason, William, 1725-1797. and Walpole, Horace, 1717-1797.
Subject (Topic):
English drama (Tragedy), Family, Incest, Religion, and Theater
Manuscript on paper, in a single hand, of copies of 20 letters from Alured Clarke to Charlotte, Lady Sundon, followed by copies of 4 letters to her from Lord John Hervey and one letter from an unsigned hand. Many of the letters from Clarke concern his patronage of the poet Stephen Duck, in which he discusses his anxiety about exposing Duck to the cruelty of Alexander Pope and "the Dunciad Club," his negotiations with various booksellers and publishers on Duck's behalf, and his high hopes for Duck's poetry after the death of Duck's wife. He also describes books on religion, history, and moral philosophy that he has read; witnesses a presentation of "Indians" to the Queen; and imparts various religious and political news, including Quaker activities. The letters from Hervey consist primarily of descriptions of his own routine social activities as well as those of such notables as the King, Queen, and Duke of Grafton, though he also writes with surprise that Stanislaus has been chosen King of Poland and reports that Benjamin Hoadly, Bishop of Salisbury, is on the brink of being promoted to the bishopric of Winchester, despite his disagreements with Sir Robert Walpole. An unsigned letter dated 1734, sent "by a private hand," discusses the controversial nomination of Thomas Rundle to the see of Gloucester
Description:
Charlotte Clayton, Lady Sundon (c.1679-1742), courtier, married William Clayton (baptised. 1671, died 1752) of Sundon Hall in Bedfordshire before 1714. With the help of the Duchess of Marlborough, Charlotte Clayton was appointed a woman of the bedchamber to Caroline, princess of Wales in 1714. Her considerable influence over Caroline was distressing to Robert Walpole, who accused Clayton of procuring various political favors for her friends., Alured Clarke (1696-1742), was a Church of England clergyman. Ordained by his uncle Bishop Trimnell in 1720, in 1723 he became rector of Chilbolton in Hampshire and a prebendary of Winchester. He was a chaplain-in-ordinary to both George I and George II; in 1731, he became a prebendary of Westminster. Later he became deputy clerk of the closet to George II. Clarke was also a patron; he founded a county hospital at Winchester in 1736 and was a champion of the poet Stephen Duck., John Hervey, second Baron Hervey of Ickworth (1696-1743), was a courtier and writer. On 2 April 1725 he was elected MP for Bury St Edmunds, and entered the Commons as a supporter of Sir Robert Walpole. In 1730, he became vice-chamberlain to the king's household and, consequently, a member of the privy council; and, in 1740, lord privy seal. However, in 1742 Walpole resigned, and that same year Hervey also left public office. He wrote numerous tracts, including Ancient and Modern Liberty Stated and Compared (1734); The Conduct of the Opposition and the Tendency of Modern Patriotism (1734); and Miscellaneous Thoughts (1742). Hervey's Memoirs were published, with some material suppressed, in 1848, and a more complete version was published in 1931., In English., Pasted onto back pastedown: dealer's description of manuscript., Phillipps 18548., Binding: full calf. In gilt on spine: Clarke Sundon Letters., and For further information, consult library staff.
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain. and Great Britain
Subject (Name):
Clarke, Alured, 1696-1742., Duck, Stephen, 1705-1756., Bristol, John Hervey, Earl of, 1665-1751., Hervey, John Hervey, Baron, 1696-1743., Hoadly, Benjamin, 1676-1761., Rundle, Thomas, 1688?-1743., Stanisław I Leszczyński, King of Poland, 1677-1766., Sundon, Charlotte Clayton, Baroness, d. 1742, Walpole, Robert, Earl of Orford, 1676-1745., and Church of England
Subject (Topic):
Bishops, Clergy, Appointment, call, and election, Authors and patrons, Nobility, Social life and customs, and Politics and government
Collection, in a single hand, of 61 letters from Henry Seymour-Conway to his brother, Lord Francis Seymour-Conway, in which he discusses military, political, and social news between 1744 and 1784. The collection contains discussion of his military service in the Netherlands in the 1740s, including a detailed description of battle against the French in a letter dated June 30, 1743; he also mentions his campaign in Germany during the Seven Years' War, including his altercation with Col. Beckwith, his irritation with a commission he has been given, and news of a peace treaty between Austria and Prussia. In 1744 he discusses the practicality of buying a regiment, asks his brother for help raising the money, and offers to sell his own South Sea stock. He writes several letters from Dublin Castle reporting on Irish politics, including some movements in the House of Lords regarding "papists." In England, he complains about prime minister George Grenville's uncivil and unjust treatment of him and defends his decision in the affair of the Britannic Legion and in the John Wilkes affair which led to his dismissal from court and military office in 1764. Conway also occasionally mentions American affairs, including one letter in 1766 which reports the repeal of the Stamp Act, and another in 1774 in which he expresses pleasure on hearing that violent measures in America had been rejected for the present. Numerous letters make reference to friends and family, including his wife Lady Ailesbury and Conway's close friend Horace Walpole, who offers financial assistance after Conway's dismissal; becomes ill in 1765; and visits Conway after Conway's retirement in 1784
Description:
Henry Seymour Conway (1719-1795) was an army general and politician. He fought in the War of the Austrian Succession; served in Ireland during the Jacobite Rebellion, and in Germany during the Seven Years' War. He was successively promoted to major general in 1756 and to lieutenant general in 1759. Sitting in the House of Commons from 1741 to 1774 and from 1775 to 1784, Conway became a leading member of the opposition, opposing the King's action against John Wilkes regarding general warrants in 1763. In 1765, he became secretary of state for the southern department in Lord Rockingham's ministry, where he promoted a policy of reconciliation towards the American colonies. He supported the repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766, and opposed the taxation policies of Chancellor of the Exchequer Charles Townshend. He criticized British prosecution of the war with the American colonies and played an important part in the House of Commons' resolution against continuing the war. In 1747, he married Caroline Bruce, countess of Ailesbury (1721-1803), and had one child, Anne Seymour Damer (1749-1828). His aunt Catherine was the wife of Sir Robert Walpole, and Conway maintained a lifelong friendship and correspondence with his cousin Horace Walpole., Francis Seymour-Conway, first marquess of Hertford (1718-1794) and older brother of Henry Seymour Conway, was a courtier and politician. He became a lord of the bedchamber in 1757 and was sworn to the privy council in 1763. He served as ambassador to France 1763-5, lord lieutenant of Ireland 1765-6, lord chamberlain 1766-1782 and again in 1783. He was also lord lieutenant of Warwickshire from 1757 until his death. From 1766-1782, he was a friend and confidant to George III. Hertford supported Lord North's administration and the war in America, in which three of his sons served, and voted against Shelburne's peace preliminaries in February 1783. He was also influential in Irish politics, owning extensive estates in County Antrim, and serving a term as lord lieutenant in 1765-6., In English., The manuscript is accompanied by typed transcription., Pasted into letter of Aug 22, 1744: printed and handwritten note about Cadivor ap Gwaethvord, Lord of Cardigan Iscoed., Laid in with letter of August 11, 1748: list of contents of manuscript., Laid in with letter of May 11, 1764: newspaper clipping from Gazetteer, dated May 9, 1764, concerning Conway's dismissal., Vol. 2 with original binding, now housed separately. Binding: half red morocco over marbled boards. Written on cover: The Conway Correspondence. Pasted inside front cover: bookplate with Order of the Garter. Laid in with the covers are a pencilled floor plan and a page from a journal listing the numbers of foot soldiers and naval ships and guns in Europe, North America, Africa, East and West Indies, and the Mediterranean., and Binding for volume 2 shelved separately. For further information, consult library staff.
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain., Great Britain, United States., Ireland, and United States
Subject (Name):
Conway, Henry Seymour, 1721-1795., Grenville, George, 1712-1770., Hertford, Francis Seymour-Conway, Marquess of, 1718-1794., Walpole, Horace, 1717-1797., Wilkes, John, 1725-1797., Great Britain. Parliament., and Ireland. Parliament.
Subject (Topic):
Military administration, Seven Years' War, 1756-1763, Stamp act, 1765, Court and courtiers, Foreign relations, Militia, Politics and government, and Social life and customs
Manuscripts, in a single hand, containing copies of 373 letters arranged in chronological order and dated between 1641 and 1688, and extra-illustrated with many prints and drawings, primarily engraved portraits of the correspondents. The letters in the first volume are addressed to William Legge, and mainly discuss political and military activities, including tactics during the English Civil War; correspondents include Sir William Davenant and King Charles I. This volume also contains numerous letters concerning the marriage negotations of John Butler, 1st Earl of Gowran, the son of the Duke of Ormonde, The letters are annotated in red ink. The work is prefaced by a letter to William, 4th Earl of Dartmouth, by Bagot, Dartmouth's relative, The second volume contains letters addressed to Legge's son, George Legge, 1st Baron Dartmouth, which primarily concern political affairs. Many letters are from James II, which refer to his exile and his attempts to return to England. Others mention the Rye House Plot; congratulate Dartmouth on becoming Master of the Ordinance; and discuss opposition to King Charles II. Several letters request Dartmouth's help in releasing Philip, Baron Wharton from the Tower, The third volume contains letters addressed to Baron Dartmouth, which primarily concern preparations for a naval resistance to the expected invasion by William, Prince of Orange. Letters include instructions from the Admiralty naming Dartmouth an Admiral of the fleet and instructing him to oppose William's landing; and letters from James II and Samuel Pepys providing rumors and information on the movements of William's fleet, and The fourth volume contains 98 letters (copies) to and from George Legge, 1st baron Dartmouth, 1648-1691. Followed by papers written by Lord Dartmouth during his confinement in the Tower of London, and an appendix
Description:
Bagot, William, second Baron Bagot (1773-1856), was an antiquary. He was a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, and of the Linnean, Horticultural, and Zoological societies. In 1824 he published Memorials of the Bagot Family. His second wife was Lady Louisa Legge, eldest daughter of his cousin the third earl of Dartmouth. He died in 1856 at his home in Staffordshire., George Legge, 1st Baron Dartmouth (1647-1691) was a naval officer and the eldest son of William Legge., William Legge (1609?-1670) was a royalist army officer and close associate of Prince Rupert, nephew of King Charles I., Finding aid available., Portion available on microfilm, In English., On title page: Letters To and From, Coll. Willm. Legge. Transcribed From the Originals, in the possession of William Fourth Earl of Dartmouth; at Sandwell, in the County of Stafford, during the Autum, and Winter of the years 1816 and 1817. by William, 2d. Lord Bagot., Pasted opposite title page: hand-colored engraving of Col. William Legge., Sticker inside front covers: No. 24B., At beginning of 1st volume: table of contents of the prints and drawings., Volume 3 includes blue silk page markers., Binding: full calf; gilt and blind-tooled decoration. Armorial binding on cover., and In gilt on spine: Letters to and from George Ld. Dartmouth. MS.
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain
Subject (Name):
Charles II, King of England, 1630-1685., James II, King of England, 1633-1701., Rupert, Prince, Count Palatine, 1619-1682., William III, King of England, 1650-1702., Bagot, William Bagot, Baron, 1773-1856., Dartmouth, George Legge, Baron, 1648-1691., D'Avenant, William, 1606-1668., Legge, William, 1609?-1670., Pepys, Samuel, 1633-1703., Wharton, Philip, 4th baron Wharton, 1613-1696., Great Britain. Army., Great Britain. Parliament., and Great Britain. Royal Navy.
Subject (Topic):
Rye House Plot, 1683, Court and courtiers, History, and Politics and government
Manuscript, in multiple hands, of 51 letters from Delany to her friend, Mary (Hamilton) Dickenson; several of them have been annotated by Dickenson. Some of the letters are in Delany's hand; others are in the hand of her niece Georgina Mary Anne Port and other secretaries. The letters contain primarily matters of routine correspondence, including invitations to tea; numerous references to Miss Hamilton's enviable proximity to the Queen and Delany's delight with the reception of a locket containing a lock of the Queen's hair; and inquiries and updates about the health of various acquaintances. Occasionally Delany sends her artwork to Miss Hamilton, and on June 22, 1785, she sends her congratulations on Miss Hamilton's marriage to John Dickenson. The collection also includes one letter to "Sally Sandford" asking her to entreat Delany's godson to visit Mrs. Dickenson
Description:
Mary Delany (1700-1788), courtier and artist, married Alexander Pendarves (1660-1725) in 1718. After his death in 1725, she lived in London, going to court functions, the opera, and the theater. She made many important friendships during this time, with whom she would carry on an extensive correspondence. In 1743, she married Patrick Delany (1685/6-1768) and moved to Dublin. When he died in May 1768, she returned to London, and in 1774 she began her so-called paper mosaics of flowers and plants; she had produced almost a thousand pages by 1784. She is also known for her correspondence with her family and her friends between 1725 and 1788, which was published by Lady Llanover in 1861-2., In English., Available on microfilm, Written on front cover: list of contents, which includes items no longer in the manuscript., Pasted into front cover: dealer's description of manuscript., and Binding: half calf over marbled boards.
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain
Subject (Name):
Delany, Mrs. 1700-1788. (Mary),, Delany, Mrs. 1700-1788 (Mary),, and Dickenson, Mary Hamilton, 1756-1816.
Subject (Topic):
Letters, Women authors, Court and courtiers, and Social life and customs
Signed note in Horace Walpole's hand to his friend Richard Bull, in which Walpole mentions the depiction of his Marc Anthony medal in the second edition of Pinkerton's An essay on medals. Walpole also writes that he is sending along to Bull a copy of the plate in question
Description:
In English., Dated approximately by the reference to the second edition of Pinkerton's An essay on medals, 1789. See: Yale edition of Horace Walpole's correspondence., Mounted on page 110 of Richard Bull's copiously extra-illustrated copy of: Walpole, H. A description of the villa of Mr. Horace Walpole. Strawberry Hill : Printed by Thomas Kirgate, 1784. See Hazen, A.T. Bibliography of the Strawberry Hill Press (1973 ed.), no. 30, copy 13., Mounted beside the top half of the plate mentioned in the note, probably the impression sent by Walpole to Bull., and For further information, consult library staff.
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