I cannot defer for a moment thanking you for the pleasure you have given us in the prospect of seeing you here. Nothing I trust will or can arise to disappoint us. Your health & your eyes would be so much benefitted by rest & country air that your PictureChrist’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 would go on the faster for the excursion—you would gain in power more than you would lose in time. PapaGeorge Mitford, Esq., or: George Midford | Born: . Died: .
Father of Mary Rusell Mitford, George Mitford was the son of Francis Midford, surgeon, and Jane Graham. The family name is sometimes recorded as Midford. Immediate family called him by nicknames including Drum, Tod, and Dodo. He was a member of a minor branch of the Mitfords of Mitford Castle in Northumberland. Although later sources would suggest that he was a graduate of the University of Edinburgh medical school, there is no evidence that he obtained a medical degree and he did not generally refer to himself as Dr. Mitford, preferring to style himself Esq.. In 1784, he is listed in a Hampshire directory as surgeon (medicine) of Alresford. His father and grandfather worked as apothecary-surgeons 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. He assisted Mitford's literary career by representing her interests in London and elsewhere with theater owners and publishers. He was active in Whig politics and later served as a local magistrate. He coursed greyhounds with his friend James Webb.
—lmw says he can show you excellent coursing—Again I must prepare you for our homely ways, & our little variety of company—We have not at any time a large society & just now all our neighbours seem migrating—But this you will pardon I am sure. I can promise you a most delighted welcome in our little family circle from the two you know & the one you do not know—I think you will like my dear MotherMary Russell Mitford, or: Mrs. Mitford | Born: 1750 in Ashe, Hampshire, England. Died: 1830-01-02 in Three Mile Cross, parish of Shinfield, Berkshire, England.
Mary Russell was the youngest child of the Rev. Dr. Richard Russell and his second wife, Mary Dicker; she was born about 1750 in Ashe, Hampshire. (Her birth date is as yet unverified; period sources indicate that she was ten years older than her husband George, born in 1760.) Through the Russells, she was a distant relation of the Dukes of Bedford (sixth creation, 1694). She had two siblings, Charles William and Frances; both predeceased her and their parents, which resulted in Mary Russell inheriting her family’s entire estate upon her mother’s death in 1785. Her father’s rectory in Ashe was only a short distance from Steventon, and so she was acquainted with the young Jane Austen. She married George Mitford or Midford on October 17, 1785 at New Alresford, Hampshire. On the marriage allegation papers, both gave their addresses as Old Alresford. Their only daughter, Mary Russell Mitford, was born two years later on December 16, 1787 at New Alresford, Hampshire. Mary Russell died on January 2, 1830 at Three Mile Cross in the parish of Shinfield, Berkshire. Her obituary in the 1830 New Monthly Magazine gives New Year’s day as the date of her death.—ajc, lmw
—every body does—she is so very good—though perhaps I oughht not to say so. If not inconvenient to you let us have the pleasure of seeing you rather before than after the middle of next month—& be so good to write a day or two before to fix the time that my FatherGeorge Mitford, Esq., or: George Midford | Born: . Died: .
Father of Mary Rusell Mitford, George Mitford was the son of Francis Midford, surgeon, and Jane Graham. The family name is sometimes recorded as Midford. Immediate family called him by nicknames including Drum, Tod, and Dodo. He was a member of a minor branch of the Mitfords of Mitford Castle in Northumberland. Although later sources would suggest that he was a graduate of the University of Edinburgh medical school, there is no evidence that he obtained a medical degree and he did not generally refer to himself as Dr. Mitford, preferring to style himself Esq.. In 1784, he is listed in a Hampshire directory as surgeon (medicine) of Alresford. His father and grandfather worked as apothecary-surgeons 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. He assisted Mitford's literary career by representing her interests in London and elsewhere with theater owners and publishers. He was active in Whig politics and later served as a local magistrate. He coursed greyhounds with his friend James Webb.
—lmw shall meet you in ReadingReading, Berkshire, England | Reading | Berkshire | England | 51.4542645 -0.9781302999999753 County town in Berkshire, in the Thames valley at the confluence of the Thames and the River Kennet. The town developed as a river port and in Mitford’s time served as a staging point on the Bath Road and was developing into a center of manufacturing. Mitford lived here with her parents from 1791 to 1795, on Coley Avenue in the parish of St. Mary’s and attended the Abbey School. The family returned to Reading from 1797 to about 1804, after which they relocated to Bertram House. They frequently visited Reading thereafter from their homes at nearby Bertram House, Three Mile Cross and Swallowfield. Mitford later used scenes from Reading as the basis for Belford Regis; or Sketches of a Country Town.—lmw—I have exprestexpressed myself with my usual awkwardness I see & seem to limit you to the middle of the month—As early in September as you like we shall be most happy to receive you—only the beginning would suit my FatherGeorge Mitford, Esq., or: George Midford | Born: . Died: .
Father of Mary Rusell Mitford, George Mitford was the son of Francis Midford, surgeon, and Jane Graham. The family name is sometimes recorded as Midford. Immediate family called him by nicknames including Drum, Tod, and Dodo. He was a member of a minor branch of the Mitfords of Mitford Castle in Northumberland. Although later sources would suggest that he was a graduate of the University of Edinburgh medical school, there is no evidence that he obtained a medical degree and he did not generally refer to himself as Dr. Mitford, preferring to style himself Esq.. In 1784, he is listed in a Hampshire directory as surgeon (medicine) of Alresford. His father and grandfather worked as apothecary-surgeons 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. He assisted Mitford's literary career by representing her interests in London and elsewhere with theater owners and publishers. He was active in Whig politics and later served as a local magistrate. He coursed greyhounds with his friend James Webb.
—lmw better than the latter end. Pray do not let anything prevent your coming.

You shall certainly have a very beautiful thoroughbred dark coloured young greyhound—of that my dear Sir be assured. My FatherGeorge Mitford, Esq., or: George Midford | Born: . Died: .
Father of Mary Rusell Mitford, George Mitford was the son of Francis Midford, surgeon, and Jane Graham. The family name is sometimes recorded as Midford. Immediate family called him by nicknames including Drum, Tod, and Dodo. He was a member of a minor branch of the Mitfords of Mitford Castle in Northumberland. Although later sources would suggest that he was a graduate of the University of Edinburgh medical school, there is no evidence that he obtained a medical degree and he did not generally refer to himself as Dr. Mitford, preferring to style himself Esq.. In 1784, he is listed in a Hampshire directory as surgeon (medicine) of Alresford. His father and grandfather worked as apothecary-surgeons 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. He assisted Mitford's literary career by representing her interests in London and elsewhere with theater owners and publishers. He was active in Whig politics and later served as a local magistrate. He coursed greyhounds with his friend James Webb.
—lmw's most intimate friend, & the father of my most intimate friends is the greatest courser in this neighborhood & has a breed of dogs so celebrated that Lord RiversWilliam Horace Pitt-Rivers, 3rd Baron Rivers, fourth creation, or: 3rd Baron Rivers, fourth creation | Born: 1777-12-02. Died: 1831-01-23 in The Serpentine, Hyde Park, London, England.
Before inheriting the title, Horace Beckford was a member of Crockford’s Club and an inveterate gambler. Part of the family estate was in Stratfield Saye, Hampshire, roughly five miles from Three Mile Cross; he inherited the title from his uncle, George Pitt, 2nd Baron Rivers, in 1811. The family sold a portion of the estate to the crown in 1814; the crown in turned awarded the estate to the Duke of Wellington. In 1831, he committed suicide by throwing himself into the Serpentine in Hyde Park. Source: ODNB. —lmw, mco himself was in great part suppliedpage 2
by him. This Gentleman, Mr. WebbJames Webb | Born: 1769 in Wokingham, Berkshire, England. Died: 1822-01-11 in Wokingham, Berkshire, England.
Prominent manufacturer in the Wokinghambrewing industry, and community leader in Wokingham and the county of Berkshire. Father of Eliza, Jane, and Mary Webb. Francis Needham suggested that he was the original of the gentleman in the Our Villagesketch Aunt Martha. Sources: Francis Needham, Letter to William Roberts, 16 June 1953 . Needham Papers, Reading Central Library . —scw, lmw, has just now 8 or nine very fine young greyhounds all blue, of which he does not mean to keep more than five or six, so that there will be neither trouble nor obligation in promising one for you—& if you do not like that one you shall have my little beauty from StratfordStratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England | Stratford-upon-Avon | Warwickshire | England | 52.19173 -1.7082980000000134 A market town in Warwickshire, England, on the River Avon, best known as the birthplace of Shakespeare.—lmw[1] A reference to Mitford's greyhound Miranda, who came from a breeder in Stratford.—lmw Mr. WebbJames Webb | Born: 1769 in Wokingham, Berkshire, England. Died: 1822-01-11 in Wokingham, Berkshire, England.
Prominent manufacturer in the Wokinghambrewing industry, and community leader in Wokingham and the county of Berkshire. Father of Eliza, Jane, and Mary Webb. Francis Needham suggested that he was the original of the gentleman in the Our Villagesketch Aunt Martha. Sources: Francis Needham, Letter to William Roberts, 16 June 1953 . Needham Papers, Reading Central Library . —scw, lmw is ill just now, so that I cannot very well chusechoose one, but I shall prefer my petition & am sure of getting you a very handsome one by September. Mr. WebbJames Webb | Born: 1769 in Wokingham, Berkshire, England. Died: 1822-01-11 in Wokingham, Berkshire, England.
Prominent manufacturer in the Wokinghambrewing industry, and community leader in Wokingham and the county of Berkshire. Father of Eliza, Jane, and Mary Webb. Francis Needham suggested that he was the original of the gentleman in the Our Villagesketch Aunt Martha. Sources: Francis Needham, Letter to William Roberts, 16 June 1953 . Needham Papers, Reading Central Library . —scw, lmw will be most proud to supply you—He is getting better, & will I hope be well enough to be introduced to you when we have the happiness of your company—& I am sure you will think it a pleasure to be supplied by him. He is a most excellent man—a brewer by trade & a gentleman by nature—quite as thorough bred as his greyhounds.

What you say of your picture delights me. Is the ChristJesus Jesus Christ Jesus of Nazareth | Born: 0001. Died: 0034.
Hebrew preacher and religious leader and the most important figure of the Christian religion, who Christians believe to the the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament and the incarnated Son of God the Father. —lmw finished?—I do not wonder that you are improved in the interval that has elapsed since your illness—you must have thought so intently on that divine figure—& surely after a certain degree of mechanical power is acquired the mind has as much to do with that noble art as the hand—Such a pictureChrist’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 is only another & a finer form of poetry.Christ Entry to JerusalemChrist’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—But you are a great Poet too even out of the canvas my dear 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 and incarceration. He painted William Wordsworth's portrait in 1842 and painted a cameo of Keats in his epic canvas Christ's Entry into Jerusalem(1814-20). MRM was introduced to him at his London studio in the spring of 1817, and Sir William Elford was a mutual friend, and Haydon’s own acquaintances included several prominent British Romantic literary figures. He completed The Raising of Lazarus in 1823 . He wrote a diary and an autobiography, both of which were published only posthumously, and he committed suicide in 1846. George Paston's Little Memoirs of the Nineteenth Century (1893) contends that Mitford was asked to edit Haydon's memoir, but declined.—rnes, ebb with your "whirlwind as quick as your own thoughts"—those beautiful words of yours would be fit companions for Mr. WordsworthWilliam Wordsworth | Born: 1770-04-07 in Cockermouth, Cumberland, England. Died: 1850-04-23 in Rydal Mount, near Amberside, Cumberland, England.
First-generation poet of the Romantic era, Lake Poet and friend of fellow poet Coleridge, who co-authored Lyrical Ballads with him and to whom his major poem The Prelude was originally addressed. Poet Laureate from 1843-1850, succeeding his sometime friend and fellow Lake Poet Robert Southey in that role. Mitford mentions in her Journal that she was reading and copying Wordsworth's poems in September 1819.—lmw, rnes, hjb
's "crescent boat"[2] A reference to the Prologue of Wordsworth's Peter Bell: There's something in a flying horse,/And something in a huge balloon;/But through the clouds I'll never float/Until I have a little Boat,/Whose shape is like the crescent-moon" (page 1, stanza 1).—lmw—I do not know which I should like best to travel in—the whirlwind I think.—You must be content with the ReadingReading, Berkshire, England | Reading | Berkshire | England | 51.4542645 -0.9781302999999753 County town in Berkshire, in the Thames valley at the confluence of the Thames and the River Kennet. The town developed as a river port and in Mitford’s time served as a staging point on the Bath Road and was developing into a center of manufacturing. Mitford lived here with her parents from 1791 to 1795, on Coley Avenue in the parish of St. Mary’s and attended the Abbey School. The family returned to Reading from 1797 to about 1804, after which they relocated to Bertram House. They frequently visited Reading thereafter from their homes at nearby Bertram House, Three Mile Cross and Swallowfield. Mitford later used scenes from Reading as the basis for Belford Regis; or Sketches of a Country Town.—lmw Coach which in point of speed you will find a very decent substitute, & a good deal safer. They are the very best coaches on the road. Mind you try them.

I rejoice to hear of the success of your pupil Mr. BewickWilliam Bewick | Born: 1795-10-20 in Danlington, Durham, England. Died: 1866-06-08 in Haughton-le-Skerne, Durham, England.
Pupil of the painter Benjamin Robert Haydon for about three years and attended the Royal Academy. Bewick was not a member of the family of Thomas Bewick, the illustrator-engraver.—xjw, lmw, rnes
whose NorthumberlandNorthumberland, England | Northumberland | England | 55.2082542 -2.078413800000021 County in north east England. County town is Alnwick. George Mitford was a descendant of an aristocratic family from Northumberland. George Mitford took Mary to visit relations in Northumberland in 1806.—lmw name is very agreeable to my ears. Is he a son or grandson of the celebrated wood engraver[3] Mitford refers here to Thomas Bewick (1753-1828), best known for his sharply detailed wood engravings for works such as A History of British Birds (1797, 1804, and 1821) and illustrated editions of Aesop's Fables. He was not related to Haydon's pupil William Bewick.—lmw? I am afraid that is not the right phrase—but you know what I mean.—