Maintained by: Elisa E. Beshero-Bondar (ebb8 at
pitt.edu) Last modified: 2019-02-22T07:11:39.179Z
Edited by Eric Hood.
Sponsored by:First digital edition in TEI, date: July 1, 2013. P5. . .
Published by: Digital Mitford: The Mary Russell Mitford Archive, Greensburg, PA, USA: 2013.
Reproduced by courtesy of the Reading Central Library.Digital Mitford Letters: The Mary Russell Mitford Archive
Repository: Reading Central Library. Shelf mark: qB/TU/MIT Vol. 4, folio page 421
Paper. Letter is written on a single octavo sheet folded in half.Letter incomplete. No address leaf, envelope, or postmark.Missing seal.Hands other than Mitford's noted on this manuscript:
The puppy is arrived & will be taken great care of--What a beauty it is! PapaGeorge Mitford, Esq., or: George Midford | Born: . Died: .
George Mitford was born on November 15, 1760 in Hexham,
Northumberland, the son of Francis
Midford, surgeon, and Jane Graham. He was
related to the Mitfords of Mitford Castle, Northumberland. In 1784, he was living in Alresford and is listed in a
Hampshire directory as "surgeon (medicine)." Although later sources would
claim that he was a graduate of the University of Edinburgh medical school,
there is no evidence that he obtained a medical degree; his father and
grandfather worked as surgeon-apothecaries and it seems likely that he
served a medical apprenticeship with family members. He married Mary Russell on October 17, 1785 at New Alresford,
Hampshire. On the marriage allegation papers, both gave their
addresses as Old Alresford; they later came to live
at Broad Street in New Alresford. Their only child to live to adulthood,
Mary Russell Mitford, was born two years
later on December 16, 1787 at New
Alresford, Hampshire. George
Mitford died on December 11,
1842 at Three Mile
Cross in the parish of Shinfield,
Berkshire.
--#lmw says he never saw one more promising.--DaphneDaphne
Mitford’s dog, a female greyhound. However, there is also a pug
named Daphne in the Our Village sketch Our Godmothers from 3: 1828, 266-287
. That Daphne was a particularly ugly, noisy pug, that barked at
every body that came into the house, and bit at most.--#lmw has not yet been tried--partly because my FatherGeorge Mitford, Esq., or: George Midford | Born: . Died: .
George Mitford was born on November 15, 1760 in Hexham,
Northumberland, the son of Francis
Midford, surgeon, and Jane Graham. He was
related to the Mitfords of Mitford Castle, Northumberland. In 1784, he was living in Alresford and is listed in a
Hampshire directory as "surgeon (medicine)." Although later sources would
claim that he was a graduate of the University of Edinburgh medical school,
there is no evidence that he obtained a medical degree; his father and
grandfather worked as surgeon-apothecaries and it seems likely that he
served a medical apprenticeship with family members. He married Mary Russell on October 17, 1785 at New Alresford,
Hampshire. On the marriage allegation papers, both gave their
addresses as Old Alresford; they later came to live
at Broad Street in New Alresford. Their only child to live to adulthood,
Mary Russell Mitford, was born two years
later on December 16, 1787 at New
Alresford, Hampshire. George
Mitford died on December 11,
1842 at Three Mile
Cross in the parish of Shinfield,
Berkshire.
--#lmw has been much engaged lately & has had little coursing--but chiefly I really believe because he thinks her delicate & is so afraid of injuring her. She shall be tried soon though--for I will take her coursing myself. In the meantime we walk out together every day, & I tell her your messages, & exhort her to earn her collar. I do think DaphneDaphne
Mitford’s dog, a female greyhound. However, there is also a pug
named Daphne in the Our Village sketch Our Godmothers from 3: 1828, 266-287
. That Daphne was a particularly ugly, noisy pug, that barked at
every body that came into the house, and bit at most.--#lmw has sense enough to understand that it is a high honour to belong to Mr. HaydonBenjamin Robert Haydon | Born: 1786-01-26 in Plymouth, England. Died: 1846-06-22 in London.
Benjamin Robert Haydon was a painter educated at the
Royal Academy, who was famous for
contemporary, historical, classical, biblical, and mythological scenes, though
tormented by financial difficulties. He painted William Wordsworth’s portrait in 1842. MRM was introduced to him at his London studio in the spring of
1817, and Sir William Elford was a
mutual friend.
He
committed suicide in 1846.
English painter and author (1786-1846) Published Autobiography in 3 vols.
(1853) John Keats named him in several poems.
--#ebb #lmw. By the by you have fallen into a very natural mistake for a young sportsman in fancying that "killing page 2
the hare first" is the criterion of excellence in a greyhound. It has very little to do with the matter--When a hare is put up before two dogs the one nearest to her generally turns her towards the other, who comes up & turns her back again--& so they go on if evenly matched for many minutes until at last the hare is exhausted & caught by either as it happens. Now the great proof of superior speed, is, to pass the nearest dog (which in technical terms is called a go bygo-bye) & take two turns together--& this is what I am sure DaphneDaphne
Mitford’s dog, a female greyhound. However, there is also a pug
named Daphne in the Our Village sketch Our Godmothers from 3: 1828, 266-287
. That Daphne was a particularly ugly, noisy pug, that barked at
every body that came into the house, and bit at most.--#lmw will do by any greyhound of my acquaintainceacquaintance. I am afraid my explanation is not very clear--It seems to me that nobody could understand it that did not know the whole mystery beforehand--but if you wish to get a thorough insight into coursing look at the rules drawn up by the Duke of NorfolkThomas Howard, fourth duke of Norfolk | Born: 1538-03-10 in Kenninghall Palace, Norfolk, England. Died: 1572-06-02 in Tower Hill, London.
The Fourth Duke of Norfolk, convicted of treason and
executed for the charge of involvement in the Ridolfi plot against Queen Elizabeth I, to place Mary, Queen of Scots, on the English throne and to restore
Catholicism in England. The Duke also wrote the first complete set of English
coursing rules.--#esh in Queen ElizabethElizabeth Tudor, Queen Elizabeth I, Queen of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith,
etc. | Born: 1533-09-07 in Palace of Placentia, Greenwich, England. Died: 1603-03-24 in Richmond Palace, Surrey, England.
The last of the Tudor monarchs, and defender of father’s
instition of a Protestant Church of
England, Elizabeth I was Queen of England, France, and Ireland
from 1588 until her death in 1603.
--#ebb's day which you will find in Daniell's Rural SportsRural Sports. William Barker Daniel.
Printed in numerous editions between 1801-1817.--#esh. They are the authority to all Coursers to this hour.
And your pictureChrstEJrslm_Haydon - painting - oil
One of Haydon’s three enormous paintings of biblical scenes,
together with The Judgment of
Solomon and The Resurrection of
Lazarus. The ODNB notes the dimensions of Christ’s Entry into
Jerusalem as "12 ft 6 in. × 15 ft 1 in., with a frame weighing 600 lb."
Exhibited at Egyptian Hall in
Piccadilly, London. Wiliam Wordsworth’s head appears in the
picture. Now housed in the Athenaeum of Ohio Art Collection of Mount St. Mary’s
Seminary. [Source: ODNB]--#ebb is really going to EdinburghEdinburgh, Lothian, Scotland | Edinburgh | Lothian | Scotland |
55.953252 -3.188266999999996
| The capital and second-largest city in Scotland, located on the
Firth of Forth. Site of the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Castle, and
Holyrood Palace.--#lmw55.953252 -3.188266999999996! What an answer to Blackwood's MagazineBlackwood’s Magazine. 1817-04-1980.
Founded as a Tory magazine in
opposition to the Whiggish Edinburgh Review.--#ebb![2] MitfordMary Russell Mitford | Born: 1787-12-16 in New Alresford, Hampshire, England. Died: 1855-01-10 in Swallowfield, Berkshire, England.
Poet, playwright, writer of prose fiction
sketches, Mary Russell Mitford is, of course,
the subject of our archive. Mary Russell
Mitford was born on December 16,
1787 at New Alresford, Hampshire, the only
child of George Mitford (or Midford)
and Mary Russell. She was baptized on
February 29, 1788. Much of her writing was
devoted to supporting herself and her
parents. She received a civil list pension in 1837. Census records from 1841 indicate that she is living with her
father George, three female servants:
Kerenhappuch Taylor (Mary’s ladies
maid), two maids of all work, Mary Bramley and Mary Allaway, and a manservant
(probably serving also as gardener), Benjamin Embury. The 1851 census lists her
occupation as "authoress," and lists her as living at Three Mile Cross with Kerenhappuch Taylor (lady’s maid), Sarah Chernk
(maid-of-all-work), and Samuel Swetman (gardener), after the death of her
father. Mitford’s long life and prolific career ended after injuries from a
carriage accident. She died on 10 January 1855
at Swallowfield, Berkshire
and she is buried in Swallowfield churchyard. The executor of her will and her
literary executor was the Rev. William
Harness and her lady’s maid, Kerenhappuch Taylor Sweetman, was residuary legatee of her
estate.
--#lmw #ebb refers to Haydon's painting, "Christ's Entry Into Jerusalem"Christ’s Entry into Jerusalem. Benjamin Robert Haydon.
One of Haydon’s three enormous paintings of biblical scenes,
together with The Judgment of
Solomon and The Resurrection of
Lazarus. The ODNB notes the dimensions of Christ’s Entry into
Jerusalem as "12 ft 6 in. × 15 ft 1 in., with a frame weighing 600 lb."
Exhibited at Egyptian Hall in
Piccadilly, London. Wiliam Wordsworth’s head appears in the
picture. Now housed in the Athenaeum of Ohio Art Collection of Mount St. Mary’s
Seminary. [Source: ODNB]--#ebb which he exhibited in EdinburghEdinburgh, Lothian, Scotland | Edinburgh | Lothian | Scotland |
55.953252 -3.188266999999996
| The capital and second-largest city in Scotland, located on the
Firth of Forth. Site of the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Castle, and
Holyrood Palace.--#lmw55.953252 -3.188266999999996 in December 1820. See Haydon's letter to George BeaumontGeorge Howland Beaumont, Sir, Seventh Baronet, member of Parliament for Bere Alston | Born: 1753-11-06 in Great Dunmow, Essex, England. Died: 1827-02-07 in Coleorton, Leicestershire, England.
Art collector, patron of the arts, and amateur painter; he
donated the first collection to form the National
Gallery in London.
Exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1794 and 1825. Friend and patron to
Wordsworth, Haydon, and Thomas Hearne.
--#ebb #lmw of 26 December 1820 in Benjamin Robert Haydon: Correspondence and Table-Talk1 of 2350Benjamin Robert Haydon: Correspondence and Table-Talk. Benjamin Robert Haydon, Frederick Wordsworth Haydon. Chatto and Windus, Piccadilly. 1876. The mention of Blackwood'sBlackwood’s Magazine. 1817-04-1980.
Founded as a Tory magazine in
opposition to the Whiggish Edinburgh Review.--#ebb likely recalls the August 1818 issue in which HaydonBenjamin Robert Haydon | Born: 1786-01-26 in Plymouth, England. Died: 1846-06-22 in London.
Benjamin Robert Haydon was a painter educated at the
Royal Academy, who was famous for
contemporary, historical, classical, biblical, and mythological scenes, though
tormented by financial difficulties. He painted William Wordsworth’s portrait in 1842. MRM was introduced to him at his London studio in the spring of
1817, and Sir William Elford was a
mutual friend.
He
committed suicide in 1846.
English painter and author (1786-1846) Published Autobiography in 3 vols.
(1853) John Keats named him in several poems.
--#ebb #lmw was attacked by the anonymous "Z." who had been lambasting the Hunt and Keats circle as the "Cockney School." The August 1818 article had described HaydonBenjamin Robert Haydon | Born: 1786-01-26 in Plymouth, England. Died: 1846-06-22 in London.
Benjamin Robert Haydon was a painter educated at the
Royal Academy, who was famous for
contemporary, historical, classical, biblical, and mythological scenes, though
tormented by financial difficulties. He painted William Wordsworth’s portrait in 1842. MRM was introduced to him at his London studio in the spring of
1817, and Sir William Elford was a
mutual friend.
He
committed suicide in 1846.
English painter and author (1786-1846) Published Autobiography in 3 vols.
(1853) John Keats named him in several poems.
--#ebb #lmw as "that clever, but most affected artist, who as little resembles RaphaelRaphael Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino | Born: 1483. Died: 1520-04-06.
Italian Renaissance artist and architect.--#ebb in genius as he does in person, not-withstanding the foppery of having his hair curled over his shoulders in the old Italian fashion."—#ebb Will the Scotchthe people of Scotland | Scotch | Scots | Scotchmen have taste enough to find out its exquisite beauty? I hope they will--for I have a sneaking kindness for the Countrymen of HumeDavid Hume, or: David Hume | Born: 1711-05-07 in
Edinburgh
Midlothian
Scotland
. Died: 1776-08-25 in
Edinburgh
Midlothian
Scotland
.
The most influential philosopher of the Scottish Enlightenment,
Hume championed skepticism in various contexts. He also wrote a celebrated
History of England (1754-61), which covered English history from the Roman Invasion
through the reign of James II
.
--#rnes & SmollettTobias George Smollett | Born: 1721-03-19 in Dalquhurn, Scotland. Died: 1771-09-17 in Antignano, near Livorno, Italy.
Novelist and poet, as well as editor,
translator, critic, and medical practitioner. Smollett’s best-known novels were
written between 1748 and 1753:
The Adventures of Roderick Random (1748),
The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle (1751), and
The Adventures of Ferdinand Count Fathom (1753), and his four-volume Complete History
of England was published in 1754,
revised in 1758
. Together with Thomas Francklin, Smollett helped
edit the 35-volume English translation of The Works of
Voltaire, from 1761-1765
. He travelled extensively in France and Italy in his last years.
(Source ODNB).--#ebb #esh & BurnsRobert Burns | Born: 1759-01-25 in Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland. Died: 1796-07-21 in Dumfries, Scotland.
Scottish poet, author of
Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect
(1786). Rented and farmed the 170-acre
Ellisand Farm, where he built a house and collected
and rewrote local songs and ballads from his neighbors. Burns’s poems and
songs were mostly published in posthumous collections between 1799 and 1808
.
--#ebb #esh & ScottWalter Scott | Born: 1771-08-15 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Died: 1832-09-21 in Abbotsford, Scotland.
Scottish antiquarian, poet, and novelist. Also
worked as clerk of the Court of Session in Edinburgh. He assembled a
collection of Scottish ballads, many of which had never before been printed,
in Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, first published in
1802, but continually expanded in revised
editions through 1812
. Author of the long romance poems,
The Lay of the Last Minstrel (1805),
Marmion (1808), and
The Lady of the Lake (1810). From
1814-1831, Scott published 23 novels, and over the course of his literary
career, he wrote review articles for the Edinburgh Review, The
Quarterly Review, Blackwood’s Edinburgh
Magazine, and the Foreign Quarterly Review.--#ebb #esh & WilkieWilliam Wilkie | Born: 1721-10-05 in Echlin, Scotland. Died: 1772-10-10 in St. Andrews, Scotland.
Scottish poet and minister of Ratho, most known
for his epic in nine books,
The Epigoniad (1757), written in the
style made popular by Alexander Pope. Locally dubbed the
"potatoe minister" for his continuing to work the Fisher’s Tryste farm, whose
unexpired lease he inherited from his deceased father. [See ODNB and Electric
Scotland.]--#esh #ebb--in spite of their sins--& in spite of our being Borderers on the English side. My FatherGeorge Mitford, Esq., or: George Midford | Born: . Died: .
George Mitford was born on November 15, 1760 in Hexham,
Northumberland, the son of Francis
Midford, surgeon, and Jane Graham. He was
related to the Mitfords of Mitford Castle, Northumberland. In 1784, he was living in Alresford and is listed in a
Hampshire directory as "surgeon (medicine)." Although later sources would
claim that he was a graduate of the University of Edinburgh medical school,
there is no evidence that he obtained a medical degree; his father and
grandfather worked as surgeon-apothecaries and it seems likely that he
served a medical apprenticeship with family members. He married Mary Russell on October 17, 1785 at New Alresford,
Hampshire. On the marriage allegation papers, both gave their
addresses as Old Alresford; they later came to live
at Broad Street in New Alresford. Their only child to live to adulthood,
Mary Russell Mitford, was born two years
later on December 16, 1787 at New
Alresford, Hampshire. George
Mitford died on December 11,
1842 at Three Mile
Cross in the parish of Shinfield,
Berkshire.
--#lmw had an Aunt[3] This aunt of George MitfordGeorge Mitford, Esq., or: George Midford | Born: . Died: .
George Mitford was born on November 15, 1760 in Hexham,
Northumberland, the son of Francis
Midford, surgeon, and Jane Graham. He was
related to the Mitfords of Mitford Castle, Northumberland. In 1784, he was living in Alresford and is listed in a
Hampshire directory as "surgeon (medicine)." Although later sources would
claim that he was a graduate of the University of Edinburgh medical school,
there is no evidence that he obtained a medical degree; his father and
grandfather worked as surgeon-apothecaries and it seems likely that he
served a medical apprenticeship with family members. He married Mary Russell on October 17, 1785 at New Alresford,
Hampshire. On the marriage allegation papers, both gave their
addresses as Old Alresford; they later came to live
at Broad Street in New Alresford. Their only child to live to adulthood,
Mary Russell Mitford, was born two years
later on December 16, 1787 at New
Alresford, Hampshire. George
Mitford died on December 11,
1842 at Three Mile
Cross in the parish of Shinfield,
Berkshire.
--#lmw's has not yet been identified.—#ebb who bred him up & with whom I liked to spend a good deal of my time whose national prejudice against her Scottish neighbors realised all that has been told of the old border hatreds. She could not bear a Scotchmanthe people of Scotland | Scotch | Scots | Scotchmen in her sight--nor one who had a drop of Scotch blood in his veins. Oh how she would have gloried in such a Champion as you! Miss JamesElizabeth Mary James | Born: . Died: .
Close friend and correspondent of Mary Russell Mitford. She was born about 1775 in Bath,
Somerset, the eldest daughter of Thomas Webb and Susanna Haycock. Her father
died in 1818 and her mother in 1835. After her parents’ deaths, she lived with
her two younger sisters, Emily and Susan, in Green Park Buildings, Bath,
Walcot, Somerset; High Street, Mortlake, Surrey; and 3 Pembroke Villas,
Richmond, Surrey. According to Coles,
referring to Mitford’s diary, letters were also addressed to her at Bellevue,
Lower Road, Richmond (Coles 26). She died on November 25, 1861, at 3 Pembroke
Villas, Richmond, Surrey and was buried at St. Mary Magdalene, Richmond,
Surrey. In the 1841 census, under "profession, trade, employment, or
independent means" she lists "Ind." for "independent means;" in the 1851
census, she lists "landholder;" in the 1861 census, she lists "railway
shareholder."--#lmw is just such another--albeit [unused] to the hating mood--she quite detests them. I had a letter from her the other day, & she expressed very strongly her regret at missing you--I can well believe that poor RichmondRichmond, London, England |
Richmond upon Thames
| Richmond | London | England |
51.46131099999999 -0.3037420000000566
| Richmond upon Thames, now a borough of London, formerly part of Surrey. The Hoflands lived there and
Thomas Hofland painted views of the
area.--#lmw51.46131099999999 -0.3037420000000566 looked like a faded beauty. There is nopage 4
place that requires so much fine weather, bright sunshine, blue sky, & white robed ladies, as RichmondRichmond, London, England |
Richmond upon Thames
| Richmond | London | England |
51.46131099999999 -0.3037420000000566
| Richmond upon Thames, now a borough of London, formerly part of Surrey. The Hoflands lived there and
Thomas Hofland painted views of the
area.--#lmw51.46131099999999 -0.3037420000000566. For RichmondRichmond, London, England |
Richmond upon Thames
| Richmond | London | England |
51.46131099999999 -0.3037420000000566
| Richmond upon Thames, now a borough of London, formerly part of Surrey. The Hoflands lived there and
Thomas Hofland painted views of the
area.--#lmw51.46131099999999 -0.3037420000000566, charming place as it is, with its rosy gardens & its brimmming river is not that fresh homely delightful thing the Country. It is rather a holiday spot for ladies & gentleman where they lead a happy out-of-door life like the gay folks in WatteauJean-Antoine Watteau | Born: 1684-10-10. Died: 1721-07-18.
French painter known for his bucolic landscapes and
country scenes in the Late-Baroque, or Roccoco, style.--#esh's pictures & have nothing to do with the work a day world. But I should have thought the view from the hill would have been improved by the rich tints of Autumn which would break the uniformity of those heavy masses of foliage--since to confess the truth I have often been tempted to agree with the American criticism & to think the view wanted "clearing." Nevertheless it is a charming place--full of quiet elegance--& [4] begin cancelling in red pencil—#esh of Miss James--its greatest attraction in my eyes.[5] end strikethrough cancelling in red pencil—#esh I am hoping & expecting to see her here--She threatens not to come--but she cannot have the heart to disappointpage 1
me.