Digital Mitford: Letters

You will think your poor little FriendMRM - 2
Poet, playwright, writer of prose fiction sketches, Mary Russell Mitford is, of course, the subject of our archive. Much of her writing was devoted to supporting herself and her parents. She received a civil list pension in 1837. Mitford's long life and prolific career ended after injuries from a carriage accident, and she is buried in Swallowfield churchyard. --#lmw #ebb very naughty indeed, my dear Sir WilliamWilliam Elford, Sir, baronet | Born: 1749-08 in Kingsbridge, Devon. Died: 1837-11-30 in Totnes.
A longtime correspondent of Mary Russell Mitford who received some of her longest and most whimsical letters over multiple decades. According to L'Estrange, Elford was a friend of Mitford's father, and Mitford met him for the first time in the spring of 1810 when he was nearing the age of 64. "He was a fellow of the Royal and Linnaean Societies, and recorder of Plymouth, which borough he also represented in Parliament for many years. Mr. Pitt had created him a baronet in 1800." [L'Estrange vol. 1 of 3, pp. 104-105]--#ebb if she do not sometimes write you two letters, so having made no vow by StyxRiver Styx | River in Greek mythology that separates the realms of the living from the dead, and encircling Hades (the realm of the dead or underworld). For more, see the reference in Encyclopedia Mythica: --#ebb #lmw this time, she will scribble.[1] In ancient Greek history and mythology, gods or mortals who make oaths by the River StyxRiver Styx | River in Greek mythology that separates the realms of the living from the dead, and encircling Hades (the realm of the dead or underworld). For more, see the reference in Encyclopedia Mythica: --#ebb #lmw are understood to be strongly bound not to break them. The penalty for breaking an oath was to drink the poisonous water of this mythical river, which would stupefy the oath-breaker for an entire year.—#ebb #lmw Having nothing to say ^my dear Sir WilliamWilliam Elford, Sir, baronet | Born: 1749-08 in Kingsbridge, Devon. Died: 1837-11-30 in Totnes.
A longtime correspondent of Mary Russell Mitford who received some of her longest and most whimsical letters over multiple decades. According to L'Estrange, Elford was a friend of Mitford's father, and Mitford met him for the first time in the spring of 1810 when he was nearing the age of 64. "He was a fellow of the Royal and Linnaean Societies, and recorder of Plymouth, which borough he also represented in Parliament for many years. Mr. Pitt had created him a baronet in 1800." [L'Estrange vol. 1 of 3, pp. 104-105]--#ebb is such an old story between us that there  areis no need of apologies on that score. I really think we go on quite as well without a subject as with one--the cobweb spins out to a good size--rather flimsy to be sure, & not very durable--but there it is looking very happy & comfortable these bright autumn mornings-- & the poor little round spider snugs herself up in her hole and seems proud of her handywork & as soon as one is finished away begins another.--So she shall spin on. Moreover, it behooves me to pay my court very spiderously, or I shall have my nose quite put ^ ofout of joint by that formidable rival Lady MadelinaMadelina Gordon Palmer, the Lady, or: Lady M.P., Lady Mad., Lady Madalina Palmer, Lady M. Palmer, tiresome woman, my Lady | Born: 1772. Died: 1847.
Her second marriage was to the Reading Whig politician Charles Fyshe Palmer. His marriage to her gained him access to aristocratic houses, including the Holland House. For more on the Palmers see note 2 in The Browning's Correspondence rendering of Mitford's letter of 12 March 1842 to Elizabeth Barrett Browning: .--#kab #ebb #ad. I did wait on her as I told you I should, & think with you that she is a most delightful woman. I did not expect to find her still so very handsome--but the best parts of beauty, grace intelligence & and goodhumourgood humour are those which last the longest, & and that pretty Scotch voice is enchanting. We talked a great deal of you--& of DevonshireDevonshire----which she admires with her whole heart--& she says things of you--It is very well that Mr. PalmerCharles Fyshe Palmer, or: Mr. Palmer, Long Fyshe | Born: 1770 in Luckley House, Wokingham. Died: 1843-01-24.
On March 16, 1820, an election in Reading was held. There were three candidates: John Berkeley Monck (418 votes), Charles Fyshe Palmer(399 votes), and John Weyland(395 votes.) A Whig politician, he began running for Parliament elections as the member for Readingafter 1816, and appears to have served off and on in that role until 1841. He led the Berkshire meetings to protest British government's handling of the Peterloo Massacre in 1819. Mitford's letters indicate a pronounced dislike of him as she vastly preferred his opponent J. B. Monck, and she reportedly satirized the Palmer in 1818 as "vastly like a mop-stick, or, rather, a tall hop-pole, or an extremely long fishing-rod, or anything that is all length and no substance." Palmer mentioned in connection with a potential legal issue with the Billiard Club in Mitford's letter to Talfourd of 31 August 1822. Palmer's opponents sometimes undermined his Whiggish position by referencing the noble privileges he accrued by marrying the Lady Madalina Gordon in 1805. [Source: see . See also note 2 in The Browning's Correspondence rendering of Mitford's letter of 12 March 1842 to Elizabeth Barrett Browning: .--#ajc was out of hearing--there is no love lost beween you [I assure] you. In short I was quite charmed with every thing about her but her QueenCaroline Queen Consort of the United Kingdom Caroline of Brunswick Caroline Amelia Elizabeth of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel Princess of Wales | Born: 1768-05-17. Died: 1821-08-07.
The cousin and estranged wife of the Prince Regent (later George IV). Caroline was adopted as the leader of the parliamentary reform movement around the time that the Regent attempted to divorce her on grounds of adultery in 1818, and his struggles with Parliament to divorce her and prevent her from becoming Queen are known as the Queen Caroline Affair.--#lmw #ebb madness which burst forth suddenly on the appearance of the TimesThe Times.
Newspaper issued daily, begun in London in 1785 as The Daily Universal Register, and titled The Times from 1 January 1788.--#ebb & sent me off in a hurry. Had she this frenzy-fever in DevonshireDevon | Devonshire | County in the southwest of England bordering with the English Channel and the Bristol Channel.--#ebb or has she caught it from her husbandPalmer_CF - 1
On March 16, 1820, an election in Reading was held. There were three candidates: John Berkeley Monck (418 votes), Charles Fyshe Palmer(399 votes), and John Weyland(395 votes.) A Whig politician, he began running for Parliament elections as the member for Readingafter 1816, and appears to have served off and on in that role until 1841. He led the Berkshire meetings to protest British government's handling of the Peterloo Massacre in 1819. Mitford's letters indicate a pronounced dislike of him as she vastly preferred his opponent J. B. Monck, and she reportedly satirized the Palmer in 1818 as "vastly like a mop-stick, or, rather, a tall hop-pole, or an extremely long fishing-rod, or anything that is all length and no substance." Palmer mentioned in connection with a potential legal issue with the Billiard Club in Mitford's letter to Talfourd of 31 August 1822. Palmer's opponents sometimes undermined his Whiggish position by referencing the noble privileges he accrued by marrying the Lady Madalina Gordon in 1805. [Source: see . See also note 2 in The Browning's Correspondence rendering of Mitford's letter of 12 March 1842 to Elizabeth Barrett Browning: .--#ajc? He & his brother members & his precious constituentsPalmerite
Supporter of Charles Fyshe Palmer in the Reading elections of March 16, 1820.--#ajc are alike insane upon this subject. Indeed to do Reading city of Reading, England-- justice it never is behindhand in anypage 2
folly stirring. They had a meeting to address the QueenCaroline Queen Consort of the United Kingdom Caroline of Brunswick Caroline Amelia Elizabeth of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel Princess of Wales | Born: 1768-05-17. Died: 1821-08-07.
The cousin and estranged wife of the Prince Regent (later George IV). Caroline was adopted as the leader of the parliamentary reform movement around the time that the Regent attempted to divorce her on grounds of adultery in 1818, and his struggles with Parliament to divorce her and prevent her from becoming Queen are known as the Queen Caroline Affair.--#lmw #ebb--& voted said address--& sent up their worthy members to present it--& up they went in all their paraphernalia--& the gracious QueenCaroline Queen Consort of the United Kingdom Caroline of Brunswick Caroline Amelia Elizabeth of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel Princess of Wales | Born: 1768-05-17. Died: 1821-08-07.
The cousin and estranged wife of the Prince Regent (later George IV). Caroline was adopted as the leader of the parliamentary reform movement around the time that the Regent attempted to divorce her on grounds of adultery in 1818, and his struggles with Parliament to divorce her and prevent her from becoming Queen are known as the Queen Caroline Affair.--#lmw #ebb never spoke to them! Is not this famous? Never said a word, shoved the answer unread into their hands, held her tongue & marched off. "Served them just right--did not she MaryMary Russell Mitford | Born: 1787-12-16 in New Alresford. Died: 1855-01-10 in Swallowfield.
Poet, playwright, writer of prose fiction sketches, Mary Russell Mitford is, of course, the subject of our archive. Much of her writing was devoted to supporting herself and her parents. She received a civil list pension in 1837. Mitford's long life and prolific career ended after injuries from a carriage accident, and she is buried in Swallowfield churchyard. --#lmw #ebb?" SaidsaidMrs. MonckMrs. Monck
wife of J.B. Monck, M.P.--#lmw to me when she told me the story--"a couple of simpletons. I only wish the whole meeting had been there to have partaken of the compliment." Mrs. MonckMrs. Monck
wife of J.B. Monck, M.P.--#lmw you see is sane. Did I ever talk to you of the Moncksthe Moncks, family of John Berkeley Monck? HeJohn Berkeley Monck
MP for Reading area1820-1830, who frequently franked Mary Russell Mitford's letters. MRM's letter to Sir William Elford of 20 March 1820 discusses the election of Monck to Parliament for Reading, and associates him with a shoemaker who brought him from France: "Mr. Monck an opposition man of large fortune brought from France in a fit of patriotism by our celebrated shoemaker & Patriot Mr. W." We are hoping to discover who this shoemaker is.--#lmw #ebb is a very extraordinary man--a great Grecian--& more like an old philosopher than anything you ever saw--I defy anything or anybody to put him out of humour--he has not of course though a clever man,  any thingmuch of Charles FoxCharles James Fox, The Honourable | Born: 1749-01-24 in London. Died: 1806-09-13.
Whig politician, member of the House of Commons, and Prime Minister. Fox was an outspoken opponent of King George III and William Pitt the Younger, supporter of the American and French Revolutions as well as the abolitionist cause. His politics became widely known as "Foxite radicalism" and synonymous with populist causes. --#ebb's powers or eloquence, but he is more like him in point of character than any man that ever lived--full of kindheartedness & of a tolerant humanity--more generally beloved by man woman & child than any person I ever heard of--Dividing his whole time between literature & usefulness & family affection. His wifeMrs. Monck
wife of J.B. Monck, M.P.--#lmw is a pretty lively chatty woman kind & good humored--entirely without her husband'shusband's largeness & liberality of mind--not even understanding the breadth & depth of his character--but in whom good habits & kindly prejudices produce nearly the same effect. She loves his ^old friends because they are old friends, & is good to the poor because she has been used to  it.be charitable.--She has returned from a three years & a half tour through FranceFrance--ItalyItaly--SwitzerlandSwitzerland-- & GermanyGermany-- without having brought back a single new feeling or left behind one old one. She is so entirely unchanged in mind & person as to produce an effect more extraordinary & surprising than could have  been the resulted from the greatest alteration. She took up her ColeyColey | Coley, Berkshire, a district near the center of the town of Reading--#lmw habits, as if she had only laid them aside page 3
the night before with her clothes, & the presence of a sweet little girl of three years old born in FranceFrance-- & and not speaking a word of English seems necessary to convince one that the Mother has ever set her foot on the Continent. This identity of character has a great charm with me--I never liked Mrs. MonckMrs. Monck
wife of J.B. Monck, M.P.--#lmw half so well in my life as since she returned so perfectly the same as she went. Besides we agree like two drops of water. She hates her husbandshusband's parliamenting. So do I. She sickens at the name of Queen CarolineCaroline Queen Consort of the United Kingdom Caroline of Brunswick Caroline Amelia Elizabeth of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel Princess of Wales | Born: 1768-05-17. Died: 1821-08-07.
The cousin and estranged wife of the Prince Regent (later George IV). Caroline was adopted as the leader of the parliamentary reform movement around the time that the Regent attempted to divorce her on grounds of adultery in 1818, and his struggles with Parliament to divorce her and prevent her from becoming Queen are known as the Queen Caroline Affair.--#lmw #ebb. So do I. She thinks Mortimer CommonMortimer Common-- the prettiest place in the world. So do I. She detests Reading city of Reading, England-- and its doings. So do I.--Reading city of Reading, England-- is at present QueenCaroline Queen Consort of the United Kingdom Caroline of Brunswick Caroline Amelia Elizabeth of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel Princess of Wales | Born: 1768-05-17. Died: 1821-08-07.
The cousin and estranged wife of the Prince Regent (later George IV). Caroline was adopted as the leader of the parliamentary reform movement around the time that the Regent attempted to divorce her on grounds of adultery in 1818, and his struggles with Parliament to divorce her and prevent her from becoming Queen are known as the Queen Caroline Affair.--#lmw #ebb mad. It reads & talks & dreams & lies of nothing else--& engrafts a clumsy and awkward licentiousness on its original vulgarity & dullness. After all the crying evil of this frightful enquiry is its tendency to confound right & wrong. Those who dislike the KingGeorge IV King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland George Augustus Frederick Prince Regent | Born: 1762-08-12. Died: 1830-06-26.
The Regency period was named for George when he ruled in his father's stead from 1811 to 1820.--#ebb's immorality think themselves bound by the duty of party to palliate the much grosser and more horrible conduct of the QueenCaroline Queen Consort of the United Kingdom Caroline of Brunswick Caroline Amelia Elizabeth of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel Princess of Wales | Born: 1768-05-17. Died: 1821-08-07.
The cousin and estranged wife of the Prince Regent (later George IV). Caroline was adopted as the leader of the parliamentary reform movement around the time that the Regent attempted to divorce her on grounds of adultery in 1818, and his struggles with Parliament to divorce her and prevent her from becoming Queen are known as the Queen Caroline Affair.--#lmw #ebb, & we hear of "little indiscretions" & "too great condescensions" & such paltering with vice from the very lips of the stern mentors who thunder at the crimes of Kings & the wickedness of Ministers. This must be wrong--there can only be one Virtue & one Wickedness. Besides the QueenCaroline Queen Consort of the United Kingdom Caroline of Brunswick Caroline Amelia Elizabeth of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel Princess of Wales | Born: 1768-05-17. Died: 1821-08-07.
The cousin and estranged wife of the Prince Regent (later George IV). Caroline was adopted as the leader of the parliamentary reform movement around the time that the Regent attempted to divorce her on grounds of adultery in 1818, and his struggles with Parliament to divorce her and prevent her from becoming Queen are known as the Queen Caroline Affair.--#lmw #ebb's  conductdefence throws a stain & a slur upon womanhood--She seeks to cover her enormous crime with a cloak of innocence & purity & profanes the sacred & holy name of matronly virtue by asserting her claim to it. Chastity is become a byewordbyword & a jest--She is to womanly purity, what a false prophet is to religion. She can not alter the eternal truth--but she can give mockers & scoffers a pretence to doubt it'sits existence. Many years must pass away before the effect of this ceases & modesty shall become page 4
again a holy thing. I am astonished when I hear a woman vindicate the QueenCaroline Queen Consort of the United Kingdom Caroline of Brunswick Caroline Amelia Elizabeth of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel Princess of Wales | Born: 1768-05-17. Died: 1821-08-07.
The cousin and estranged wife of the Prince Regent (later George IV). Caroline was adopted as the leader of the parliamentary reform movement around the time that the Regent attempted to divorce her on grounds of adultery in 1818, and his struggles with Parliament to divorce her and prevent her from becoming Queen are known as the Queen Caroline Affair.--#lmw #ebb. Do tell me what you think on this subject? 〰[2] These wavy lines appear to represent a change in paragraph and subject (and in this case also a change from one day's writing to a later one). It seems possible that Mitford Mary Russell Mitford | Born: 1787-12-16 in New Alresford. Died: 1855-01-10 in Swallowfield.
Poet, playwright, writer of prose fiction sketches, Mary Russell Mitford is, of course, the subject of our archive. Much of her writing was devoted to supporting herself and her parents. She received a civil list pension in 1837. Mitford's long life and prolific career ended after injuries from a carriage accident, and she is buried in Swallowfield churchyard. --#lmw #ebbuses this metamark to indicate such a change without wasting the space incurred by a paragraph break.—#lmw

Sept. 13.--Since writing the above I have spent a day at ColeyColey | Coley, Berkshire, a district near the center of the town of Reading--#lmw & extracted from Mr. MonckJohn Berkeley Monck
MP for Reading area1820-1830, who frequently franked Mary Russell Mitford's letters. MRM's letter to Sir William Elford of 20 March 1820 discusses the election of Monck to Parliament for Reading, and associates him with a shoemaker who brought him from France: "Mr. Monck an opposition man of large fortune brought from France in a fit of patriotism by our celebrated shoemaker & Patriot Mr. W." We are hoping to discover who this shoemaker is.--#lmw #ebb rather more of the Royal Visit than his wife could do, partly by cross-examination--& partly from an effect of character. "You are bad enough, MaryMary Russell Mitford | Born: 1787-12-16 in New Alresford. Died: 1855-01-10 in Swallowfield.
Poet, playwright, writer of prose fiction sketches, Mary Russell Mitford is, of course, the subject of our archive. Much of her writing was devoted to supporting herself and her parents. She received a civil list pension in 1837. Mitford's long life and prolific career ended after injuries from a carriage accident, and she is buried in Swallowfield churchyard. --#lmw #ebb," said quoth he "but not quite so bitter as my wife." She really did speak to them--She said "You do me honour--it is an excellent address"--(I dare say she thought so for of all the fulsome nonsense that has been penned on her none this surpassed!)--her presence was announced by a prodigious giggling chattering & romping outside the door--like a parcel of boys let loose from school--which suddenly ceased & she entered as gravely as Mrs. ListonSarah Tyrer Liston, or: Sarah Liston, Mrs. John Liston, Miss Tyrer, Sarah Tyrer | Born: 1781. Died: 1854.
English comic actress known for her singing voice and roles in burlesque operas, and celebrated for her performance as Miss Tyrer of Queen Dollalolla in Kane O'Hara's burlesque adaptation of Henry Fielding's Tom Thumb, in Haymarket Theatre, July 1805. She began her theatrical career at Drury Lane and Haymarket theaters in May and June of 1801, was engaged by Covent Garden Theatre in September 1805, and married the comic actor John Liston on 22 March 1807. Both John and Sarah Liston publicly retired from the theatre with valedictory performances at Covent Garden on 31 May 1822. [Sources: entries on John Liston in ODNB, DNB 1885-1900. See in particular ] --#lmw #ebb in Queen DollalollaQueen Dollalolla
Comic role in Henry Fielding's play Tom Thumb, adapted in Mitford's day by Kane O'Hara as a comic opera, with Sarah Tyrer famously playing this role.--#ebbAirs, duets, &c. in the comic opera of Tom Thumb, in two acts, Tom Thumb: a burlesque tragedy. Kane O'Hara, Henry Fielding, Henry Fielding.
Comic opera adapation of Henry Fielding's Tom Thumb. Roach's edition of 1811 features illustrations of Sarah Tyrer in the role of Queen Dollalolla in the 1805 production. [Source: WorldCAT]--#ebb.[3] Mitford is conflating a celebrated role in a burletta with the production itself: Sarah Tyrer Liston, as Sarah TyrerSarah Tyrer Liston, or: Sarah Liston, Mrs. John Liston, Miss Tyrer, Sarah Tyrer | Born: 1781. Died: 1854.
English comic actress known for her singing voice and roles in burlesque operas, and celebrated for her performance as Miss Tyrer of Queen Dollalolla in Kane O'Hara's burlesque adaptation of Henry Fielding's Tom Thumb, in Haymarket Theatre, July 1805. She began her theatrical career at Drury Lane and Haymarket theaters in May and June of 1801, was engaged by Covent Garden Theatre in September 1805, and married the comic actor John Liston on 22 March 1807. Both John and Sarah Liston publicly retired from the theatre with valedictory performances at Covent Garden on 31 May 1822. [Sources: entries on John Liston in ODNB, DNB 1885-1900. See in particular ] --#lmw #ebb before her marriage in 1807, was widely celebrated for her performance of Queen DollalollaQueen Dollalolla
Comic role in Henry Fielding's play Tom Thumb, adapted in Mitford's day by Kane O'Hara as a comic opera, with Sarah Tyrer famously playing this role.--#ebb in a comic opera adaptation of Tom ThumbTom Thumb. Scriblerus Secundus. London: Printed and sold by J. Roberts in Warwick-Lane. 1730.
First performed outside the Haymarket Theatre in September 1730.--#ebbAirs, duets, &c. in the comic opera of Tom Thumb, in two acts, Tom Thumb: a burlesque tragedy. Kane O'Hara, Henry Fielding, Henry Fielding.
Comic opera adapation of Henry Fielding's Tom Thumb. Roach's edition of 1811 features illustrations of Sarah Tyrer in the role of Queen Dollalolla in the 1805 production. [Source: WorldCAT]--#ebb. She continued her acting career as Mrs. ListonSarah Tyrer Liston, or: Sarah Liston, Mrs. John Liston, Miss Tyrer, Sarah Tyrer | Born: 1781. Died: 1854.
English comic actress known for her singing voice and roles in burlesque operas, and celebrated for her performance as Miss Tyrer of Queen Dollalolla in Kane O'Hara's burlesque adaptation of Henry Fielding's Tom Thumb, in Haymarket Theatre, July 1805. She began her theatrical career at Drury Lane and Haymarket theaters in May and June of 1801, was engaged by Covent Garden Theatre in September 1805, and married the comic actor John Liston on 22 March 1807. Both John and Sarah Liston publicly retired from the theatre with valedictory performances at Covent Garden on 31 May 1822. [Sources: entries on John Liston in ODNB, DNB 1885-1900. See in particular ] --#lmw #ebb until 1822.—#ebb #lmw Her dress we had a great deal of fun about from the delicious ignorance of the describer. It was in the midst of the Court mourning & he put himself to charges for a black suit, the coat he had to go to the Pope's CourtCourt of Pope Pius VII
Pope Pius VII and his Cardinals, from 1800 to 1823. The court was driven to exile in Savona between 1809 and 1813, but restored to Rome after a treaty with Napoleon.--#ebb[4] If MonckJohn Berkeley Monck
MP for Reading area1820-1830, who frequently franked Mary Russell Mitford's letters. MRM's letter to Sir William Elford of 20 March 1820 discusses the election of Monck to Parliament for Reading, and associates him with a shoemaker who brought him from France: "Mr. Monck an opposition man of large fortune brought from France in a fit of patriotism by our celebrated shoemaker & Patriot Mr. W." We are hoping to discover who this shoemaker is.--#lmw #ebb paid a visit to the Pope's Court, presumably this was the court of Pope Pius VIIBarnaba Niccolò Maria Luigi Chiaramonti, Pope | Born: 1742-08-14 in Cesena, Papal States. Died: 1823-08-20 in Rome, Papal States.
Pius the VII reigned the Pope, or patriarch of the Catholic Church, from 1800 to 1823. He and his Cardinals were exiled by Napoleon to Savona from 1809 to 1813, and restored to Rome by signing a treaty in 1813. Mitford mentions an unspecified past visit of J. B. Monck to the Pope's Court in her letter to Sir William Elford of 9 September 1820.--#ebb of 1800-1823Court of Pope Pius VII
Pope Pius VII and his Cardinals, from 1800 to 1823. The court was driven to exile in Savona between 1809 and 1813, but restored to Rome after a treaty with Napoleon.--#ebb. NapoleonNapoleon Bonaparte forced the PopeBarnaba Niccolò Maria Luigi Chiaramonti, Pope | Born: 1742-08-14 in Cesena, Papal States. Died: 1823-08-20 in Rome, Papal States.
Pius the VII reigned the Pope, or patriarch of the Catholic Church, from 1800 to 1823. He and his Cardinals were exiled by Napoleon to Savona from 1809 to 1813, and restored to Rome by signing a treaty in 1813. Mitford mentions an unspecified past visit of J. B. Monck to the Pope's Court in her letter to Sir William Elford of 9 September 1820.--#ebb and his CardinalsCourt of Pope Pius VII
Pope Pius VII and his Cardinals, from 1800 to 1823. The court was driven to exile in Savona between 1809 and 1813, but restored to Rome after a treaty with Napoleon.--#ebb into exile to the province of SavonaSavona, Papal States | Pope Pius VII and his Cardinals were driven to exile here by Napoleon, between 1809 and 1813.--#ebbbetween 1809 and 1813, but was restored to RomePapal States | Rome-- by signing a treaty. It seems likely that MonckJohn Berkeley Monck
MP for Reading area1820-1830, who frequently franked Mary Russell Mitford's letters. MRM's letter to Sir William Elford of 20 March 1820 discusses the election of Monck to Parliament for Reading, and associates him with a shoemaker who brought him from France: "Mr. Monck an opposition man of large fortune brought from France in a fit of patriotism by our celebrated shoemaker & Patriot Mr. W." We are hoping to discover who this shoemaker is.--#lmw #ebb would have visited the Pope's CourtCourt of Pope Pius VII
Pope Pius VII and his Cardinals, from 1800 to 1823. The court was driven to exile in Savona between 1809 and 1813, but restored to Rome after a treaty with Napoleon.--#ebb during his time in Europe-- in the previous decade.—#ebb being unluckily of a pure colour--but the Lady herselfQueen_Caroline - 2
The cousin and estranged wife of the Prince Regent (later George IV). Caroline was adopted as the leader of the parliamentary reform movement around the time that the Regent attempted to divorce her on grounds of adultery in 1818, and his struggles with Parliament to divorce her and prevent her from becoming Queen are known as the Queen Caroline Affair.--#lmw #ebb was it appears in colours--"fawn Colour MaryMary Russell Mitford | Born: 1787-12-16 in New Alresford. Died: 1855-01-10 in Swallowfield.
Poet, playwright, writer of prose fiction sketches, Mary Russell Mitford is, of course, the subject of our archive. Much of her writing was devoted to supporting herself and her parents. She received a civil list pension in 1837. Mitford's long life and prolific career ended after injuries from a carriage accident, and she is buried in Swallowfield churchyard. --#lmw #ebb--the colour of that Cow!"--How was it made:[Gap: 1 word, reason: deletion.]  ."So"--buttoning up his Coat--Of a Man's Coat--pray was the best of her apparel--"Don't be foolish--a woman's coat"--a grey coat--the thing you all wear in winter"--a Pelisse?--"Yes--a fawn coloured pelisse--garnished with gold!"--〰

Have you read the AbbotThe Abbot. Walter Scott. London Edinburgh: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown Archibald Constable and Company, and John Ballantyne. 1820.
Historical novel: One of Scott's series of Tales from Benedictine Sources, The Abbot introduces the character Roland Graeme, and renders the experiences of Mary, Queen of Scots during her imprisonment and escape from Loch Leven Castle in 1567.--#ebb? I have just finished it--disappointed--because as every alternate book of his is commonly excellent & the last was bad I had made up my mind that this should be good--& good it would be from any bodyanybody else, but he has accustomed us to such writing that mere mediocrity will not satisfy us. After all it is remarkably pleasant reading--quite as free from the peculiar faults as the striking beauties of the AuthorWalter 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--no ghost--no prophecies--only one old woman & not much of her--& no torture scene--a very agreeable book, but page 5
not one which as a first work would have made a reputation like WaverleyWaverley; or 'Tis Sixty Years Since. Walter Scott. Archibald Constable. 1814. or Old MortalityOld Mortality. Walter Scott. .--The great fault of the story is that the subject is in fact a bad one. Mary Queen of ScotsMary Stuart | Born: 1542-12 in LinlithgowScotland. Died: 1587-02-08 in Stirling.
Mary, Queen of Scots was executed by the order of Queen Elizabeth I, against whom she was supposed to have conspired. She was succeeded by her son, James I, the first Stuart king of England and Scotland.--#rnes is a person of whom with all her sins we have dreamt all our life long--. There is not a creature of any imagination who has not made her romance in his own mind long before now--the Bodleian MaryMary Stuart | Born: 1542-12 in LinlithgowScotland. Died: 1587-02-08 in Stirling.
Mary, Queen of Scots was executed by the order of Queen Elizabeth I, against whom she was supposed to have conspired. She was succeeded by her son, James I, the first Stuart king of England and Scotland.--#rnes all beauty & all grace, the love of all men--the envy of all women--She who makes possible all that has been feigned of nymph or Goddess--there is no writing up to what one fancies of Her! Nobody has ever accomplished this feat--no one ever will--SchillerJohann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller
German author (1759-1805) Wrote Die Räuber or The Robbers (play, 1781), Fiesco (play, 1783), and Wilhelm Tell or William Tell play, 1804). Early in her playwriting career, Mitford attempted an adaptation of his Fiesco which was never performed.--#lmw--AlfieriVittorio Alfieri, Count | Born: 1749-01-16 in Asti, Piedmont region. Died: 1803-10-08 in Florence.
Credited with reviving Italian tragedy in the eighteenth century, Alfieri's plays included Filippo, Polinice, Antigone, Virginia,and the highly acclaimed Saul. He also authored an ode on American Independence and a satirical poem, The Antigallican, on the French Revolution. --#ebb--the Ettrick ShepherdJames Hogg, or: the Ettrick Shepherd | Born: 1770 in near Ettrick, Scotland. Died: 1835-11-21.
Scottish ballad collector, poet, and novelist who wrote in Scottish and English and was encouraged by his life-long friend Walter Scott to take up a writing career. Hogg authored a long poem, The Queen's Wake on Mary Queen of Scots in 1813, and The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner, anonymously published in 1824.--#ebb--three Master Spirits have all failed when they wrote of Queen MaryMary Stuart | Born: 1542-12 in LinlithgowScotland. Died: 1587-02-08 in Stirling.
Mary, Queen of Scots was executed by the order of Queen Elizabeth I, against whom she was supposed to have conspired. She was succeeded by her son, James I, the first Stuart king of England and Scotland.--#rnes--but I think the failure of Walter 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 the most egregious of any--he takes her down from her pedestal--makes her scold--disenchants the lady Dulcinea del TobosoDulcinea del Toboso
Name of the idealized female character in Cervantes' Don Quixote (who is mentioned in the text but never appears). Proverbial for an ideal woman.--#lmw--wakens one from one's pleasant dream--brings a light befo[Gap: 2 chars, reason: torn.][re][5] At the end of this line and the next, a couple of characters have been obliterated by the removal of the seal.—#ebb one's magic lantern & puts out the pretty pictures--Now th[Gap: 2 chars, reason: torn.][at] is not a friend's office--nor a poet's--as the critics I suppose will tell him. Meanwhile the book is pleasant reading in spite of this fault & another--which is that all the plot which is not Queen MaryMary Stuart | Born: 1542-12 in LinlithgowScotland. Died: 1587-02-08 in Stirling.
Mary, Queen of Scots was executed by the order of Queen Elizabeth I, against whom she was supposed to have conspired. She was succeeded by her son, James I, the first Stuart king of England and Scotland.--#rnes is occupied by a twin brother & sister confusion--like the SebastianSebastian
Character in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.--#lmw & ViolaViola
Character in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.--#lmw of Twelfth NightTwelfth Night. William Shakespeare. 1601.
A late dark romantic comedy in Shakespeare's oeuvre, with first recorded production in February 1602.--#ebb. Now it is not wise in Sir Walter 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 to remind his readers of malice prepense of ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare | Born: 1564-04 in Stratford upon Avon. Died: 1616-04-23 in Stratford upon Avon.
English author and actor (1564-1616)--#lmw's last workTwelfth Night. William Shakespeare. 1601.
A late dark romantic comedy in Shakespeare's oeuvre, with first recorded production in February 1602.--#ebb & worthy to be his last work--moreover CatherineCatherine
Character in Walter Scott's novel The Abbot.--#lmw is as little like the delicious ViolaViola
Character in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.--#lmw as HenryHenry
Character in Walter Scott's novel The Abbot.--#lmw is like the frank & generous SebastianSebastian
Character in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.--#lmw. Notwithstanding which the book is a pleasant book, as you will think & say.〰

Have you seen Mrs. Graham's Three Months residence in the Mountains east of RomeThree months passed in the mountains east of Rome : during the year 1819. Maria Graham. London Edinburgh: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown A. Constable and Company. 1820.
Illustrated with engravings. Source: Google Books and WorldCAT.--#ebb #lmw? (bad overgrown title!) Very entertaining--particularly the Surgeon's escape from the Banditti--the manner in which his poor Townsmen stripped themselves of all for his ransom & then went to Church in procession to thank God for his deliverance quite makes page 6
one in love with the Italians. Mrs. GrahamMaria Graham Callcott, Maria, Lady Callcott | Born: 1785-07-19 in Cockermouth, Cumberland. Died: 1842-11-21 in Kensington Gravel Pits, London.
Mitford writes of this adventurous woman as Mrs. Graham and references her travel publications, Journal of a Residence in India of 1812 and her journal, Three months passed in the mountains east of Rome : during the year 1819. She was known for her multiple publications on her travels in India, Chile, and Brazil, and as Maria Graham, she published the first English biography of the artist Nicholas Poussin: Memoirs of the Life of Nicholas Poussin (1820).. A polymathic enthusiast, she traveled widely in her life, and met her first husband, Lieutenant Thomas Graham, on board the HMS Cornelia bound to Bombay on a trip with her father and siblings in 1809. During an extended trip to South America, Thomas Graham died on a voyage from Brazil to Valparaíso, Chile on 9 April 1822, after which Maria resided in Chile and Brazil, where she served as governess to the Brazilian emperor's daughter, Donna Maria. Her description of an earthquake in Quintero, Brazil influenced Charles Lyell's explanations in Principles of Geology (1830) of land mass formation by what we would now call tectonic activity. After her return to England in 1826, she met and married the landscape artist Augustus Wall Callcott (1779-1844), who was knighted in 1837, making her Lady Callcott for the last years of her life. Source: ODNB. VIAF record: 41970133. --#ebb by the way is the lady respecting whom the QuarterlyQuarterly Review. 1809-1967.
Tory periodical founded by George Canning in 1809, published by John Murray. William Gifford edited the Quarterly Review from its founding in 1809 until 1824, was succeeded briefly by John Taylor Coleridge in 1825, until John Gibson Lockhart took over as editor from 1826 through 1853. --#lmw some time ago made so curious a mistake. She went with her husband to IndiaIndian subcontinent | In Mitford's day, the East India Company and its private armies controlled India and its economy, effectively from 1757 to 1858, after which Queen Victoria and her government directly governed India as the Raj.--#ebb & published a Journal of her residence thereJournal of a Residence in India: illustrated by engravings. Maria Graham. Edinburgh: A. Constable. 1812.
Site Index for the Digital Mitford project. Date: 2015-06-14T09:11:23.853-04:00. Extracted by Elisa Beshero-Bondar. Count of all @xml:ids in the current file: 903. First digital edition in TEI P5, launched on 19 August 2013. was published in 1813 in Edinburgh by A. Constable and Company, and in London by Longman, Rees, Orme, and Browne. Source: WorldCAT and Google Books.--#ebb--mentioning the aforementioned husband in almost every page--but the Critic wanted a book to cut up & chose Maria Graham's prefacing his review by saying "This work is we suppose the product of some young lady who went out on a matrimonial speculation & having failed in that design is now come back to try the book market"--& so forth.[6] Mitford is almost certainly recalling the review of Graham's work likely by John Barrow published in The Quarterly Review as article 8 of the December 1812 issue. The review begins, "'The Journal of a Residence in IndiaJournal of a Residence in India: illustrated by engravings. Maria Graham. Edinburgh: A. Constable. 1812.
Site Index for the Digital Mitford project. Date: 2015-06-14T09:11:23.853-04:00. Extracted by Elisa Beshero-Bondar. Count of all @xml:ids in the current file: 903. First digital edition in TEI P5, launched on 19 August 2013. was published in 1813 in Edinburgh by A. Constable and Company, and in London by Longman, Rees, Orme, and Browne. Source: WorldCAT and Google Books.--#ebb,' by a young lady who, probably, went thither, like most young ladies, to procure a husband instead of information, is a literary curiosity which we are not disposed to overlook." On the conjectured authorship of the review, see The Quarterly Review Archive.—#ebb--My dear Sir WilliamWilliam Elford, Sir, baronet | Born: 1749-08 in Kingsbridge, Devon. Died: 1837-11-30 in Totnes.
A longtime correspondent of Mary Russell Mitford who received some of her longest and most whimsical letters over multiple decades. According to L'Estrange, Elford was a friend of Mitford's father, and Mitford met him for the first time in the spring of 1810 when he was nearing the age of 64. "He was a fellow of the Royal and Linnaean Societies, and recorder of Plymouth, which borough he also represented in Parliament for many years. Mr. Pitt had created him a baronet in 1800." [L'Estrange vol. 1 of 3, pp. 104-105]--#ebb you must write to me soon--You will confess that I have sent you nonsense enough this bout.--Has Miss ElizabethElizabeth Elford | Born: 1782-03-11 in Plympton Erle. Died: 1837.
Second daughter of Sir William Elford by his first wife, Mary Davies Elford. Elizabeth married George Pownoll Adams (1779-1856) on 23 July 1821. Source: ODNB and Ancestry.com--#ebb finished the roses & oak boughs? (You see I have not had a chat with Lady MadelinaMadelina Gordon Palmer, the Lady, or: Lady M.P., Lady Mad., Lady Madalina Palmer, Lady M. Palmer, tiresome woman, my Lady | Born: 1772. Died: 1847.
Her second marriage was to the Reading Whig politician Charles Fyshe Palmer. His marriage to her gained him access to aristocratic houses, including the Holland House. For more on the Palmers see note 2 in The Browning's Correspondence rendering of Mitford's letter of 12 March 1842 to Elizabeth Barrett Browning: .--#kab #ebb #ad for nothing!) Has Miss ElfordGrace Chard Elford | Born: 1781. Died: 1856-02-24.
Eldest daughter of Sir William Elford and his first wife, Mary Davies Elford. Source: ODNB--#ebb recovered her parrot?--& above all Does Miss Welsford's[7] We have not identified Miss Welsford, but speculate that she might be a friend of Sir William's daughters.—#lmw #ebb health continue to improve?--Kindest regards from all here.--