williams letters - Winchester College

Last updated 21 September 2014
ANNOTATED TRANSCRIPTS
of the
WILLIAMS LETTERS
to accompany
The Speaker’s Chaplain & The Master’s Daughter
Catalogue record available from the British Library
Published by:
:
A GEORGIAN FAMILY & FRIENDS
by Barry Shurlock
([email protected])
(ISBN 978 0 903330 27 5), 392 pages, including 24 pages of plates, hardback.
Scholarly Sources, 21 Marston Gate, WINCHESTER, SO23 7DS. Tel +44 1962 861913
Transcripts & Notes ©Barry Shurlock, 2014
Barry Shurlock asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of the Notes to these letters hosted
online at www.winchestercollege.org/archives
All rights reserved. No part of this file may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in
any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the
prior permission of the author.
~Scholarly Sources, Winchester~
2014
SUMMARY OF THE ACCOMPANYING BOOK
The Speaker’s Chaplain & The Master’s Daughter
THE MIDDLING CLASSES in Georgian England were arguably the
backbone of the country – at least they thought they were. This new
study, based on original letters owned by Winchester College, traces the
lives of schoolmaster’s daughter Sarah Williams, a mother of four, and
her husband Philip, a cleric in search of patronage. His ancestors from
North Wales established themselves in Cambridge, whilst he used the
Oxford route. As a young man he swapped a New College fellowship for
one at Winchester, trekked the Scottish Highlands and worked on an
edition of the Greek historian Polybius. His best friend was the father of
daughters who were intimates of Jane Austen and a son who proposed
to her. His stepfather was a petulant Cambridge don, who endured a
farcical struggle with a Professor of Chemistry over the Regius
Professorship of Divinity.
The letters depict Philip as a man with all the ills of pluralism and
privilege, but softened by affability and warmed with a genuine
affection for friends and family from a wide social and geographical
horizon. The domestic minutiae of his life with Sarah and the ups and
downs of their relationship vividly illustrate the problems faced by
people like them. But these were nothing to those of her sister,
Charlotte, who married the 3rd viscount Bolingbroke (son of Lady
Diana Spencer) - he soon deserted her to pursue a scandalous
relationship with his half-sister, living in Paris. This too palled and he
finally fell in with a German baroness, fleeing with her to Wales and
then New Jersey in the United States.
The Speaker’s Chaplain & The Master’s Daughter can be read alongside
the letters on which it is based, here presented to readers online. It
makes a significant contribution to social history and women’s studies
in the Georgian period, not only in its core locus of Winchester and the
county of Hampshire, but elsewhere - in London, Canterbury, Oxford,
Cambridge, and more widely in Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and
Suffolk.
(ISBN 978 0 903330 27 5),
392 pages, including 24 pages of plates, hardback
Catalogue record available from the British Library
Published by:
Scholarly Sources
21 Marston Gate
WINCHESTER, SO23 7DS
Tel: +44 1962 861913
1. Introduction
THESE ANNOTATED TRANSCRIPTS
OF LETTERS come from the Williams
Papers, a collection of material on the
Revd Philip Williams (1742-1830) and his
first wife Sarah (ca 1757-1787), together
with their many, many friends and
relatives.
contribution to the social history of the
period. Also included in the book are a
family tree and details of the various
branches of the Williams family, which
had seven generations with an eldest son
called Philip. The huge ‘dramatis
personae’ of friends and relatives who
appear in the letters can be tracked in the
book by means of a 15-page index.
He was at one time chaplain to the Speaker
of the House of Commons, Charles
Wolfran Cornwall – and much else. She
was an educated intelligent woman, a
mother of four, whose father, Thomas
Collins, was second master of the public
school Winchester College, which is
situated in the county town of Hampshire.
It is the oldest continuously active school
in England, founded more than 600 years
ago.
Of the 433 items which comprise The
Williams Papers, there are some 244
original letters concerning Philip Williams
and his immediate family. Of these, the
130 which give most insight into Georgian
daily life are included in these transcripts
(together with 3 others imported from
other archives). They were written
between 1760 and 1790, with most
between Philip and Sarah Williams,
between 1780 and 1787. Another 84 letters
in the collection were from Philip to his
spinster daughters Elizabeth and Charlotte,
written between 1795 and 1828, when he
had remarried after the death of Sarah. In
addition, 6 letters between Philip Williams
and his friend FNC Mundy written
between 1805 and 1813 have been
published elsewhere (Clark-Maxwell,
1932) and there are 14 letters written from
Italy between 1786 and 1801 by Abbé T.
Elyott to his relative Anne Williams (later
Mrs Theodore Gould), a sister of Philip
Williams. It is hoped that all these letters
will be studied at some future date.
Many of the letters were written when he
was serving in Westminster and she was
raising a family in Winchester. Others
were written to him by his step-father, Dr
John Gordon, archdeacon of Lincoln, and
by the lushly named Lovelace Bigg (later
Bigg-Wither), a country landowner seated
first at Chilton Foliat, near Newbury, and
later at Manydown House, near
Basingstoke. He and his large family were
intimates of the novelist Jane Austen, who
lived nearby.
The Williams Papers are kept under
classmark WCA/M/PW in the archives of
Winchester College. A detailed account of
the material for researchers and archivists,
can be found in Chapter 17 of The
Speakers’ Chaplain & The Master’s
Daughter (Scholarly Sources, Winchester,
2014), a book which analyses the letters,
puts them into the context of Georgian
England and comments on their
The transcripts faithfully follow the
originals, except that the abbreviations ye
and yt used by Philip Williams, and some
other short forms have generally been
extended. Where the originals give
indications of paragraphing, this has been
followed, but where not, and occasionally
3
here, together with writers, recipients and
dates, can be found in The Speakers’
Chaplain & The Master’s Daughter.
Reproduced here, in Section 3, are sketch
maps of the villages and towns in the
southern shires and the Fens which Philip
and Sarah Williams knew.
to aid readability, paragraphs have been
assigned. Also, where dates are written on
the original, or indicated by the postmark,
these have been followed, but where there
is none the best assignment based in
internal evidence and other factors has
been made. Such assignments, and all
other editorial interpretations are enclosed
in square brackets. Best guesses of
‘missing matter’ are enclosed in curly
brackets.
Section 4 reproduces a bibliography of the
combined sources for the transcripts and
the book. Although most sources have
been cited, there are some major ones
which have generally been used silently,
including the online version of the Oxford
Dictionary of National Biography, Foster’s
and Venn and Venn’s alumni for Oxford
and Cambridge, respectively, the Oxford
English
Dictionary,
The 133 letters here transcribed are
arranged chronologically and numbered 1,
2 etc. A concordance between the Piece
Numbers of the Williams Papers used in a
catalogue in the Winchester College
Archives and the letter numbers assigned
the Church of England Clergy Database
(www.theclergy database.org.uk), British
History
Online
(www.britishhistory.ac.uk) and the History of
Parliament
(www.historyof
parliamentonline.org).
Section 5, lists abbreviations used in both
the transcripts and The Speakers’ Chaplain
& The Master’s Daughter, whilst Section
6 has been reserved for any amendments to
the book that may accrue in the future.
Readers’
comments
are
welcome,
addressed to: [email protected].
4
2. Acknowledgements
THE WILLIAMS PAPERS passed from
member to member of the family until
about 50 years ago, when they were
progressively donated to Winchester
College. It is with the permission of the
Warden and Fellows that I have been able
to work on the papers and publish my
findings.
Collections Manager, Lydiard Tregoze
House, Lydiard Tregoze, Wiltshire; Jo
Asquith, New College School, Oxford;
Anne Buchanan, Local Studies Librarian,
Bath; Canon Brian Carne, whose extensive
studies of the St John family were
invaluable, and Sonia St John, a
descendant, who gave some perceptive
insights; Fiona Colbert, Archivist, St
John’s College, Cambridge; R. Cosgrave,
Lambeth Palace Library; Will Fenton,
Archives Assistant, Cambridgeshire City
Council; Amanda Goode, Archivist,
Emmanuel College, Cambridge; Alison
McCann, Assistant County Archivist,
West Sussex; Dr Mary South, who has
made a study of smallpox in Winchester
and elsewhere in the eighteenth century;
Dr Christopher Stray, Honorary Research
Fellow, Department of Classics, Swansea
University, for advance sight of his
contribution on the Classics in the History
of Oxford University Press (Simon, 2013:
vol. II, Chapter 10); Jennifer Thorp,
Archivist, New College, Oxford; and
Winchester theatre historian Phil Yates.
I am immensely grateful to the many
people who have helped me to bring this
work to a conclusion, but none more than
Suzanne Foster, the Winchester College
Archivist, who enthusiastically embraced
my first thoughts of working on the
William Papers, generously provided me
with copies of all the letters and many
other documents, helped me to understand
the Wiccamical world, commented on
various drafts and helped to research the
illustrations. In the course of working on
the eclectic collection of the Eccles and
Fellows’ Library at Winchester College,
the librarian, Dr Geoffrey Day, discovered
that the hand of Philip Williams was still
in evidence there and fed me several useful
leads. Chief amongst these was a bound
copy of the page proofs of Williams’s
edition of the works of Polybius that ran to
more than a thousand pages, but never got
to print.
As usual, my IT-savvy son, Jon, has
employed his skills to solve the layout
problems: without him I would have
struggled. Over the years my friends
Pamela Johnston, Peter Finn and Tony
Dowland, have fuelled my interest in the
past. And above all, without the support of
my wife, Liz, who read many drafts and
gave me the benefit of her wisdom, several
years of ‘Just Williams’ would have led
nowhere.
I was first helped to locate the Williams
Papers by John Hardacre, then Winchester
Cathedral Librarian, who showed me the
transcripts made in about 1939 by the local
historian John Summers Drew. Many other
professionals and expert historians have
helped in various ways, including the staff
of the Hampshire Record office, especially
Sarah Lewin in the early days; Fiona
Ainsworth, Royal Botanical Gardens,
Kew; Caroline Allington, formerly
BCS,
5
Winchester,
September
2014
3.Maps
Oxford
25 MILES
Easington
Lydiard Tregoze
Swindon
Wootton Bassett
Chilton Foliat
Newbury
Hungerford
Basingstoke
Stockbridge
Addiscombe
(Croydon)
Farnham
Leckford
Alresford
Salisbury
Houghton
Hursley
Compton
Twyford
London
Windsor
Midhurst
Petworth
Winchester
Graffham
Petersfield
Southampton
East Lavington
Chichester
Fareham
Portsmouth
THE
ENGLISH CHANNEL
ISLE OF
WIGHT
Lincoln
NORTH SEA
Nottingham
Boston
Gosberton
THE
WASH
King’s Lynn
Tottenhill
Swaffham
March
Doddington
Lowestoft
Beccles
Henstead
Ely
Huntingdon
Norwich
Fornham
Buckden
Bury St Edmunds
Cambridge
Barrow
Barrington
Newmarket
Kirtling
Saffron Walden
Oxford
London
25 MILES
6
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Squibb, GD, 1972, Founder’s Kin: Privilege and Pedigree, Oxford.
Steedman, C, 2007, Master and Servant: Love and Labour in the Industrial Age, Cambridge.
Stevens, C, 1998, Winchester Notions: The English Dialect of Winchester College, London.
Stokes, FG ed., 1931, The Ble[t]cheley Diary of the Rev. William Cole MA, FSA, 1765-67, London.
Stone, GW, 1962, The London Stage, 1660-1800, part 4: 1747-1776, Carbondale, Illinois.
―1981, ed., The Stage and the Page: London's 'Whole Show' in the Eighteenth-Century Theatre, London.
Stray, CA, 2013, Ch. 10, ‘Classics’. In: Eliot, S. ed. The History of Oxford University Press, vol. II: 1780 to
1896, Oxford.
Styles, J, Vickery A, 2006, eds., Gender, Taste and Material Culture in Britain and North America, 1700-1830,
New Haven & London.
Sutherland, LS and Mitchell, LG, 1986, eds., The History of the University of Oxford, vol. V, The Eighteenth
Century, Oxford.
Sykes, N, 1934, Church and State in England in the Eighteenth Century, Cambridge.
Tanner, J R, ed., The Historical Register of the University of Cambridge …to 1910, 1917, Cambridge.
Thomson, 2006, Cambridge Introduction to the English Theatre, 1600-1900, Cambridge.
Tod, G, 1812, Plans, elevations and sections, of hot-houses, green-houses, and aquarium, conservatories, etc,
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Tomlinson, H, 2000, Restoration to Reform, 1660-1832. In: Aylmer, G, and Tiller, J, eds., Hereford Cathedral:
A History, London.
Torry, AF, 1888, Founders and Benefactors of St John’s College, Cambridge, with Notes Chiefly Biographical,
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Turley, RV, 1975, ed., Hampshire and Isle of Wight Bibliographies: Selected Nineteenth-Century Sources,
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Vickery, A, 1998, The Gentleman’s Daughter: Women’s Lives in Georgian England, New Haven & London.
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Winchester, 106-113.
10
Warton, J, 1747, Odes on Various Subjects, London.
Walsh, J, Haydon, C, and Taylor, S, eds., 1993, The Church of England c. 1689-1833: from Toleration to
Tractarianism, Cambridge.
Wareham, AF and Wright APM, 2002, A History of the County of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely, vol. 10,
London.
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White, J, 2012, London in the Eighteenth Century: A Great and Monstrous Thing, London
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Diary of James Woodforde, 17 vols., The Parson Woodforde Society (www.parsonwoodforde.org.uk).
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Yorke PC, 1931, ed., The Diary of John Baker, Barrister of the Middle Temple, Solicitor-General of the
Leeward Island [etc], London.
11
5. Abbreviations
CCED Clergy of the Church of England Database
(www.theclergydatabase.org.uk)
HRO Hampshire Record Office, Winchester
NCA New College, Oxford, Archives
ODNB Oxford Dictionary of English Biography
OED Oxford English Dictionary.
RFLT Reports of the Friends of Lydiard Tregoz,
(www.lydiardparkfriends.org.uk)
WCA Winchester College Archives
WCM Winchester College Muniments (now termed WCA).
WSRO West Sussex Record Office, Chichester
12
6. The Speaker’s Chaplain & The Master’s
Daughter (2014): Amendments to the Text
13
Letter 1: Monday 18 August 1760 – Mrs Anne Williams (later Mrs John Gordon), in
Cambridge, to her son, Philip Williams, probably at New College, Oxford,
(WCA/M/PW/2)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My Dearest Phil,
I was in great hopes to have sent you your quarter’s allowance the instant it was due, but
have met with such unexpected disappointments from my tenants as has made me incapable of
doing it, which has fretted me very much; but hope a very few days will produce the cash, and
then you may depend upon hearing from me the minute I receive it. I am to set out for
Henstead1 on Wednesday, by desire of Mr Gordon to take view of his territories there, and see
what alterations etc. may be necessary to make his pallace habitable, which if I approve of, and
the air is agreeable, we have thought of removing to from Cambridge, as soon as we can settle
our affairs in that part of the World. You know I hinted this to you when you was home, I hope
if I do it will be for the mutual happinesse – of us all, as I think we shall be able to live very
confortably on our join[t] incomes, keep a post chaise, a couple of men, and appear genteelly,
which I think will be far preferable to the way of life I am at present in, and as to you, and your
sisters, I give you my word and honour, it is a match {which} will not at all strai in the least alter
or straighten your circumstances, and I believe you know so much of the generosity of Mr
Gordon’s disposition, that was I bad enough to desire to injure my children, he would not suffer
it, and as to your sisters I think it will be better for them, than continuing at Cambridge. Things
are far from being entirely settled between us, so I think you had better not take any notice to
him, about it when you write to Beccles. Perhaps in my next I shall be able to tell you more
about it, till which time pray do not hint it to anybody. Fanny goes with me, and I propose
coming back again on Saturday, and the Tuesday following we shall decamp from this place for
Eman[nuel] Lane2 [Cambridge]. Mr Gordon will not be able to leave Beccles till Mick
[Michelmas]: I am willing to get from this place before the Oratoria etc. begin, which are to be
the first week in September and I have no great opinion of the performances which will be very
expensive, and therefor as I have no money to spare, think the most prudent method will be to
jogg of{f}. I shall make Fanny write you a letter, so will add no more than my blessing to you,
and desire you to believe that I am My Dearest Phil,
Your most affectionate Mother,
Anne Williams
No doubt John Gordon's presentation to the rectorship of Henstead, near Beccles, in 1758 encouraged
him to look for a wife. He held the living until his death in 1793.
1
Formerly known as Preachers’ Lane, now Emmanuel Street (pers. comm., Amanda Goode, Archivist,
Emmanuel College, Cambridge).
2
14
Letter 2: Monday 7 June 17621 – to Philip Williams, probably at New College, Oxford,
from his mother, Mrs John Gordon, and his stepfather, Dr John Gordon, at Cotton
Hall,2Cambridge (WCA/M/PW/3)
Address panel: Mr Phil Wiliams. Postmark: None.
My Dearest Phil,
I just snatch a moment to inform you that the important business between my Dear Mr
Gordon and me was this morning happily concluded with all the agreeable circumstances that
could attend a ceremony of this sort, being conducted in as snug a manner as we could possibly
wish for. You may easily imagine we must be in a good deal of bustle as we are to have many
friends to dine with us, so that you cannot expect a long epistle, but {I} was determined not to
let this opportunity slip of assuring you that the change of name can never make the least change
of affection in me to my Dearest Phil, who I am convinced will still continue that same duty and
affection to his old Parent with a proper quantity to his new one, who from his great honour and
generosity of behaviour, I may justly say has the strictest claim to it both and the whole family.
Adieu, my Dear Boy, believe me to be your most affectionate Mother,
Anne Gordon
Dear Phil
I think the old Lady has given sufficient proof within, that the change of name makes no
change in nature – but women will have their way – I hope we shall contrive to get all this
disagreeable business of form and ceremony over, before you favour us with your presence at
Cott[on] 2 Hall (where we now begin to expect you very soon) as I think it would disturb the
order of thy body politic to be encircled with a set of formal faces and flirting fans – We’re in a
devilish hurry that’s the truth on’t – so no more from thy aged PARENT as thy pious mother
stiles me, but that I would have thee look upon me in the same light thou hast hitherto done –
thine as before.
J. Gordon
This is near the 16th Epistle I have scrawled.
On the day the letter was written they were married in St Benedict’s church, Cambridge
(www.familysearch.org).
1
Their home in Cambridge, presumably after their marriage (see also Letter 6). It was probably a remnant
of the manor house of the Cotton family that came to be owned by Trinity Hall, and stood opposite
Pembroke Hall (Lysons, D and S, Magna Brittanica, Vol II, Pt I, 1808; W. Fenton, pers. comm.). By
coincidence, Harry Lee, the warden of Winchester College from 1763 to 1789, came from a family long
seated at Coton Hall, Alveley, near Bridgnorth, Shropshire.
2
15
Letter 3: [Tuesday, 29 November 1763]1 - Lovelace Bigg[-Wither]2 probably in London,
to Philip Williams, probably in Cambridge,3 (WCA/M/PW/355)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
Dear Williams,
Your last facetious epistle doth not much convince me of your sobriety, though perhaps
you were less affected than the time before. At least you were now too disordered with what I
call in the Irish stile dry drunkeness; which may be defined [as] an irresistible impulse to talk or
write nonsense. It comes upon me most strongly in yours and Hunt’s company, nor am I often
quite free from it with Fanshaw, Reynell etc, etc.4 It never fails to return on setting down to a
letter for Cambridge – By the by are all your Cambridge people asleep? No bon.mots from the
Westminster & Eton wits at Trinity and King’s? No remains of good-fellowship (beating a
Proctor or the like) from any of the more solid Colleges? No capital strokes in the Newmarket
way? If I hear any of these things from other hands, expect not from me state or theatre-politics.
At present you stand excused, from my charitable supposing, that in this hanging month of
November,5 when your agreeable neighbours, the fogs from Ely fens, visit your University, the
Caput6 and members of that learned body receive their annual guests with a yawn and eyes half
open and in two or three days are as fast as the good people in the dunciad 7 don’t you think I
grow quite smart? but alas! I must now bid adieu to smartness, and condole with you on the
melancholy event8 at Winchester college; melancholy enough indeed in itself and more especially
so to you at the time, as you had not the consolation of communicating the earliest intelligence
of it to your friends. Reynell’s letter [(]which I enclose to save myself trouble,) mentions that
your attendance will be required at the election; I don’t know why, but it may be so you shall
hear again from me when I arrive at the field of action, and that will probably be next week. In
the mean while I am not a little elated with my imaginary importance; I have already meditated a
polite answer to Dr Bridle’s canvassing letter when it arrives; and I walked as far as Pancras
church in debate with myself how to treat the Warden’s proposal with civility and neglect: I
depend however a good deal on his being too lazy to write.
But after all let me confess, though only to your private ear, that, like other great men, I
still retain my passion for trifles, and the little poppets in the Fairytale are still as agreeable to me
as before this mighty revolution of affairs. Not to borrow from the St James’s and the Publick,9 I
subscribe to all the panegyric so largely bestowed on their Lilliputian majesties and their
attendants, except with regard to Master Raworth [?], who is a great hulky stupid boy, has no
action and a miserable voice. Had I the play10 before me I should treat you with quotations.
Now I can only recollect the passage in which the Fairy-queen of about 8 mentions with singular
archness the pleasures of bed & board. The only piece of Indecorum remaining in the farce is
when Bottom, though without his ass’s head, takes the fairy in his arms, lays himself on a bank
or couch, and her with him. This is silly enough I think, but his ([Richard] Yates’s) rehearsal of
Pyramus is an admirable burlesque, particularly in the ranting part, where he seems to have
[Charles] Holland in his eye. Ah, poor Holland! shall all his industry to please, all his real merit in
the lofty parts of Tragedy, be not only abused by Churchill,11 but ridiculed by buffoonery, and
eclipsed at once by [William] Powell? Not so bad as that neither, Holland and Powell may shine
on the same stage long with equal lustres; at present the older actor has perhaps the preference.
The new one has indeed the advantage of a fine person, a sweet clear and strong voice of great
16
compass, but not yet under proper management. The quick and sometimes absurd transition
from one passion to another in the character of Philaster gave him great opportunity of exerting
all his powers; nor did he often fail of success. In the jealous scene between him and Bellario he
put on a face of much meaning, a very necessary requisite in a good player. When he finds
Arethusa in Bellario’s arms in the wood, whither he had hastened without his hat, his start and all
the subsequent action of the scene was performed with grace and propriety. In general his
action was just, but not equal. He affected an almost constant heave of the breast that bordered
now and then a little on the ridiculous. I must pay him the Compliment to say he appeared with
more ease on the stage than either Smith or Holland, after the first diffidence was over. I [attest]
I have not seen him act, but hear he more excells in that than the other. Mrs [Mary Ann] Yates
rises in credit every day; notwithstanding what I have told you of Powell, she was without doubt
the most agreeable and most affecting performer in that tragedy. They say too she is equal to the
character of Belvidera. My pretty favourite Miss Bride12 speaks so quick and so low, there is no
understanding her but by her eyes, which are remarkable for expression of vivacity and wildness.
What shall I say to you of the deuce is in him?13 Will you believe I think [William]
Obrien [O’Brien] and [Thomas] King inimitable in their several parts, if you are told I employed
an Hour last night with two ugly old maids, very much to my satisfaction, in running over the
most striking passages? Conceive Malvern in a tye and sword telling you the history of the
smallpox in Oxford, and you may have a faint idea of Mr Tattle the Apothecary. But the
apparent distress of Col. Tamper when surveyed by Emily and Capt Johnson, and compared
with his pictures, the cool contempt with which his threats and repeated challenges are received,
affords a scene equal, I almost think, to any in our best comedies. Miss Pym has her share of
merit on this occasion; she is handsome but will hardly make a capital actress. For the other two
young Ladies who have favoured the Town this season, your namesake Miss Williams’s voice is
too weak as yet for the character of Polly in the Beggar’s Opera. Miss Vincent, actually they say
under fifteen, performed Miss Biddy in [a?] Miss in her teens with much natural innocence so
well adapted to the character and tolerable spirit, but unhappy in having chose a part frequently
acted by Miss Pope and Miss Elliott. In the Squire of Alsatia14 she acted in a quaker’s dress still
better not being under the same advantage. I will own however the principal pleasure of her
acting to me was the visible satisfaction on her mother’s countenance, who was engaged in the
same peices, on the liberal applause of the audience to her daughter. Must I add anything more
on the cursed Squire of Alsatia it is too low to keep up the laugh that at first is easily raised. For
the morality of it, the most amiable personage in the comedy, has a child by one woman,
debauches a second, and marries a third. This point of stage morality I am now I assure you a
pretty good judge of, having attended the Robinhood when it was under debate. An old
Batchelor,15 whose mistress liked plays more than his addresses, was the principal disputant
against the stage. The best argument in defence of it was the disapprobation of the audience to
the word firk,16 which the morality of the pit and gallery chose to mistake for a grosser [word].
Half our time at the Robinhood was employed in the equal distribution of Porter by the
Chairman’s order, who sometimes threated (dire event) to leave the chair.
And now I suppose you expect at least as particular an account of the debate of the other
society in St Stephen’s Chapel17 (you have wit enough to understand this I hope) and I thought it
would have been in my power to answer your expectations. On the grand day of privilege
Blackstone18 seated me in the gallery, some altercations passed between Beckford and Rigby, and
the house was growing warm, when a wretch of an Irish Lord, Lord Digby, moved to turn all
17
strangers out, the house did not approve of it at first, but another fellow, a friend of Hunt’s,
Lord Carysfort, seconded the motion and out we went[.] Since that I tell with particular
satisfaction a good bit of Sir John Glynn’s, after talking of the prolixity of the late debates, he
proposed seriously to the house that the two parties should occupy different sides of the room,
and the members should try the force of their eloquence by this method. He would get up first,
and all that were convinced by him should come and take their seats on his side. If the person
drew away twice as many who answered him, he would allow him to be twice as eloquent; but if
neither he nor his adversary moved any, he then proposed they should give over talking for the
future, and this to be made a general rule. The subject to try their skill he proposed should be
where to put the mace in the speaker’s absence. This was a good story when I heard it; if it is
not so now, I am sorry I wrote it, being heartily fired. To answer your other enquiries more
briefly, the Opposition is a very silly kind of business. Pitt [the Elder] has been so oratorical with
his crutches and flannels, that people hardly know which side he is of. For [John] Wilkes I have
it from undoubted authority, that a bit of his waistcoat still remains in his wound;19 I mean at this
writing Tuesday November the 29th between one and two. The prosecution against him for the
Essay on Woman has drawn very severe recriminations on Lord Sandwich [?] etc. Churchill’s
conference takes very much, I did not think there were many new strokes in it on the first
reading, but the general approbation makes it improve on a revisal. After knowing Hireo to be
Lord Bute, the remainder of the satire is pretty obvious20 – don’t indulge your usual laziness, but
tell me in a line this week what you intend to do about coming to Oxford. There is a meeting
the 8th of December; and another before St Thomas,21 and G. Prince can now appear no more.22
This Warden’s affair will bring some Extras to Oxford, if you direct me I will supplicate them for
you. I insist, write.
L. Bigg
The date is cited in the letter and is consistent with records of the consideration of parliament on the
alleged libels by John Wilkes in North Briton and other matters (Cash, 2006, Chapter VII, especially p. 158)
1
The failure of the Wither family to produce male heirs meant that Lovelace Bigg was fortunate enough
to acquire the Manydown Estate in 1789 and he and his sons (but not his daughters) thereafter assumed
the name Bigg-Wither (Bigg-Wither, 1907, pp, 42, 52).
2
Although Philip Williams matriculated at New College, Oxford, in March 1760, he seems two years later
to be living with his mother and stepfather in Cambridge. This would not have been unusual for
undergraduates at the time.
3
William Henry Reynell and Charles Fanshaw were elected Winchester scholars in 1755, the same year as
Philip Williams and Lovelace Bigg, as he then was. Hunt is unidentified, though later in the letter he is
said to be a friend of Lord Carysfort. He may have been John Hunt, Winchester scholar in 1751, who
went up to All Souls and received a doctorate in civil law in 1781. A ‘Mr Hunt’ was included in one of
Philip Williams’s parties in London in 1785 (Letter 78), and another (perhaps the same), referred to as a
friend, walked with him in Lord Exeter’s park in 1800 (WCA/M/PW/99).
4
5
Supports the date assigned to the letter.
6
The vice-chancellor and other senior dons, charged with awarding degrees and other matters (OED).
18
7
The Dunciad by Alexander Pope, first published in 1728.
8As
Kirby records in his Annals, the Warden of Winchester College, Christopher Golding ‘dropped down
dead in Chamber Court on November 25, 1763’. The election of a new warden by the fellows was held
in the chapel of New College on 10 December, the three candidates being George Sale, Thomas Hayward
and Harry Lee, who was elected. The Dr Bridle referred to was probably John Bridle DD, a Wykehamist,
though it is George Bridle, who was also at the school, who is recorded as attending the election. Both
men had been granted year-on-year leave of absence from New College, including the year 1763 (Jennifer
Thorp, Archivist, New College, Oxford, pers. comm.).
St James’s Chronicle and The Public Ledger, subtitled The Daily Register of Commerce and Intelligence, both
commenced publication in London in 1761 (British Library Catalogue).
9
Probably The Fairy Tale by George Colman the Elder, which was derived from Shakespeare’s A
Midsummer Night’s Dream.
10
The libertine-poet Charles Churchill (1732-1764), whose The Rosciad, named after the Roman actor
Roscius and published in 1761, mocked the popular actors of the day, with the notable exception of
Garrick. ' H-LL-ND', he wrote, '...now appears a copy, and no more/Of something better we have seen
before.'
11
12
Unidentified.
13 The
Deuce is in Him, a farce by George Colman the Elder, first performed in 1763.
'Alsatia' was an area outside the walls of the City of London, which gave sanctuary to criminals. This
might explain the reference later in the letter to 'Robinhood', though the syntax is odd.
14
Perhaps a reference to The Old Batchelor, William Congreve’s highly successful first play, which was first
performed at the Drury Lane Theatre, London, in 1693.
15
A word recorded in the OED with various meanings. The ‘grosser word’ was obviously fuck. In 1822,
when living in the United States, William Cobbett wrote: 'These vermin our friend firks out (as the
Hampshire people call it)', meaning that they had driven out the vermin. At Winchester College firk was a
notion, or slang word, associated with the legend that an expelled pupil was handed his clothes on a
pitchfork (L. furca).
16
St Stephen’s Chapel of the former royal residence of the Palace of Westminster was used as the
debating chamber of the House of Commons until destroyed in the fire of 1834. The parliamentary
sketch by Bigg-Wither mentions several well-known MPs of the day.
17
Probably his cousin, the celebrated jurist William Blackstone MP, who in 1761 was handed the
parliamentary seat of Hindon, Wiltshire. His brother, Charles (and in turn his namesake son), were
fellows of Winchester College.
18
On 15 November 1763 John Wilkes (1726-1797) - today remembered as the champion of press
freedom, and the man who caused general warrants to be outlawed - had been seriously injured in a duel
with pistols with Samuel Martin MP. Also mentioned in the letter is Thomas Potter's Essay on Woman, that
19
19
had a lewd title page and was edited by Wilkes, and for which (amongst other things) he was later
imprisoned, even though he did not technically 'publish' it (Cash, 2006, pp. 30-32).
This seems to be a reference to Churchill's Prophecy of Famine, a savage satire on Bute and the Scots in
general published in January 1763, but the name 'Hireo' is puzzling.
20
21
St Thomas's Day was on 21 December.
George Prince (1725-1763) was a fellow of New College from 1743 until his death shortly before this
letter was written. He was buried in the college cloisters on 19 November (Jennifer Thorp, Archivist,
New College, Oxford, pers. comm.).
22
20
Letter 4: Saturday, 23 February 1765 – Lovelace Bigg[-Wither], probably in London, to
Philip Williams, probably at Adderbury, Oxfordshire (WCA/M/PW/353)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
Dear Williams,
Somebody told me that you did not reckon my past letter as anything. Your reason for it
seems begging your pardon a very simple one. “It was nonsense, you say[.”]; I answer that is very
frequently the case. [“] It was short,” you add; for that surely you may thank me, if what you
mentioned before was true. Rather than not hear of the health of John Cox, 1 I condescend, you
see, to wave these arguments, and again set me down. That this letter will be less nonsensical that
the former, I won’t answer promise: that it will be longer [illeg.] let me look at my watch – It
wants four minutes of two, I write till three – Come now how shall I begin.
The Wykehamist’s meeting2 must afford you entertainment. The Duke of Bolton
assisted at domum,3 Fitzherbert was chaplain, the dinner was bad, and the wine indifferent. So
runs the annual account, I need not carry it to any greater length. You will be glad to hear that
one Wykehamist who was engaged the day of the meeting, is well provided for in Plymouth yard.
Least Jackson should fail you, I mean Hughes has got a good preferment from the Admiralty at
Plymouth. Hopkins is, I suppose, going to be married soon,4 for he talks of nothing else. Hervey
too, they say, has at last taken the same resolution; I may therefore congratulate you on a
promotion in your increment.5 The sine cure bill6 has passed both houses, and the Warden [of
New College] is returned to Oxford to take care of his refractory members.7 [William Henry]
Reynell came to town at the end of term not to study law at Clement’s Inn but to hear the
debates in the House of Commons. For myself, I relinquish dry reading for practice. Twice have
I wore an ample wig, twice have I paid twenty pounds, and now am fully qualified to assist at
ruining any client who is fool enough to go to Law and employ me.8 The Barrister is in the same
situation – We men of business seldom find time enough to see a play; you will therefore the less
wonder that I give you no account of the Maid of the Mill9 from my own knowledge. What I
hear from others is, that bad English words are set to good Italian tunes, that it is inferior to
Love in a Village,10 and owes great part of its success to what some may call the absurdities of
[Edward ‘Ned’] Shuter. Pharnaces11 a serious Opera is, for what I know, like other serious
Opera’s, especially at drury lane, which crawl on six or nine nights, and then follow the Platonic
wife.12 To say, the Italian performers are the fittest to attend her, is a poor pun; but a pun, like
some eructations, when once conceived, can with difficulty be suppressed.
In Adderbury5 I suppose you are all minority-men;13 it would be cruel therefore to insult
you on the very faint efforts of the Coterie during the present Session. We are told Lord Byron
[William Byron, 5th baron Byron] is to entertain the town by taking his trial next week:14 I am a
little incredulous about his coming over, without an assurance beforehand of his safety. If so,
the trial will be an entertaining farce; I think equally so with the Coronation at Covent-garden.15
Johnson has advertised for his Learned friends to send in their remarks on Shakespear
immediately16 – I have exchanged Yorkshire for an Irish man17 – I grow dull – [John] Ballard has
just left town, facetious as usual. [Charles] Fanshaw set out two days before the Wykehamists
meeting, [Harry] Peckham the same morning as it was held – Amongst others Bertie18 was there
– It wants but four minutes to three – Should you repent not having wrote before, and now our
letters should cross, remember I make a bargain with myself that I shall not write till I hear from
21
you again – Comp[limen]ts to Hunt, John Cox, your Landlord and his children – Will the clock
never strike – Can you get anybody to play at cards or at backgammon with you. How do? How
doth sermon-making go on, Kernels are excellent for Lent, Has John Cox read Tristram
Shandy?19 Now it is Three.
Adieu
Yours
L Bigg
1Scholar
of Winchester 1710, fellow of New College, Oxford, 1716-1738, after which he was vicar of
Adderbury until his death, in 1767, two years after this letter was written.
The Wykehamists’ Meeting in 1765 was held on 13 February, at the Crown and Anchor in the Strand
(WCA/G8/1/1). The Revd John William Hopkins entered Winchester College as a scholar in 1745,
seven years before Lovelace Bigg, and was a fellow of New College until 1766, when he presumably got
married and sems to have then taken a curacy at Romford. If ‘Hughes’ was the Robert Hughes who
entered Winchester in 1751, and later succeeded to a baronetcy, he did not go to Plymouth, but went on
from Magdalen College, Oxford, in 1769 to become rector of Frimley St Mary and Weston, Suffolk.
2
3Dulce
Domum, meaning 'Home, sweet home', sung at the end of the summer term at Winchester College
and on other occasions. Said to have been composed by a pupil tied to a pillar, who carved the words on
the bark of the 'Domum Tree'.
He had himself married in the previous year; five months after this letter his wife died in childbed
(Letter 5).
4
Philip Williams was ordained deacon on 23 December 1764 (JS Drew, Winchester Cathedral Library,
W10/7, f.ii). At the time of this letter he was probably curate of Adderbury, a New College living.
5
Sinecures (literally, an eccesiastical benefice without any duties, any cure of souls) were a frequent
subject of public debate, but no amount of parliamentary endeavour could eliminate them during this
period.
6
Thomas Hayward was Warden of New College, Oxford, 1764-1768 and 'did the College [great service],
by increasing its Revenues, and putting the Estates on a better establishment', according to Nichols
(Literary Anedcotes, vol IX, p.256). He was probably engaged in a progress to this end when he fell from his
horse at Hardwick, a New College estate, and died in July 1768. He also sought to restrict the freedoms of
fellows with regard to College livings and other matters (see, for example, 9 April 1767, New College
Archives 9793).
7
8In
1763 he entered the Middle Temple, London, to study for the Bar (Bigg-Wither, 1907, p. 48).
An opera by the Irish librettist and playwright Isaac Bickerstaffe, with music by Samuel Arnold and
others, first performed in January 1765, the season's hit (Stone, 1962, p. 1071).
9
A great success, the first English comic opera, by Thomas Arne, with libretto by Isaac Bickerstaffe,
which opened at Covent Garden, London, on 8 Decmber 1762 (Stone, 1962, p. 949). Justice Woodcock
was played by the comic actor Edward ‘Ned’ Shuter (ca.1728-1776).
10
22
A 'serious English opera' by Thomas Hull, ‘altered from the Italian’ performed at the Drury Lane
Theatre, London, in February1765, which 'died after the sixth night' (Stone, 1962, p. 1070). In the plot,
the Greek leader Pharnaces (d. 47 BC) usurped his father Mithridates VI of Pontus and later fought
Rome.
11
The Platonic Wife by Elizabeth Griffiths was first performed at the Drury Lane Theatre on 24 January
1765, only a month before the date of the Letter. It was harshly received by critics and though 'improved'
for the second night survived for only six performances (Stone, 1962, p.1065).
12
13
Supporters of Pitt the Elder, who was in opposition between 1761 and 1766.
On 26 January 1765, William Byron, 5th Baron Byron, and the great uncle of the poet, plunged a sword
into his cousin and neighbour William Chaworth, after a drunken disagreement about the best way of
hanging game. Chaworth died and Byron faced a trial, which found him guilty of manslaughter.
14
Perhaps a reference to Handel's Coronation Anthem, performed at Covent Garden earlier in the year (The
Public Advertiser, 27 February 1765).
15
A long-delayed edition of Shakespeare edited by Johnson was published in October 1765. More than
eight years earlier the satirist Charles Churchill (who did not live to see the work) had written:
16
He for subscribers bates his hook,
And takes your cash; but where's the book?
(Boswell, J, In: Womersley, ed., 2008, pp.172, 260).
17 Obscure:
Reynell was Irish.
18Unidentified
The nine volumes of this classic work by Laurence Sterne were published over a decade, starting in
1759.
19
23
Letter 5: Thursday, 25 July 1765 - Lovelace Bigg[-Wither] at Worting, Hampshire, to
Philip Williams at Adderbury, Oxfordshire, ‘by the Brackley1 bag’ (WCA/M/PW/354)
Address panel:
. Postmark:
Dear Williams,
It is not to answer yours I am now writing; but to communicate an event that lies heavy
on me. Possibly the report may have already reached you, that my poor wife died in childbed. 2
Though the loss of her has deprived me of a woman whose first study was to please me, though
her temper was exactly fitted to the peculiarities of mine, though every day afforded me some
fresh instance of the goodness of her heart, yet I trust I have resolution enough not to disgrace a
real concern by any appearances of affectation. The fatal accident has interrupted all my plans of
life; yet I have still relations and friends, whose happiness I would not disturb by perpetually
wearing a melancholy face. One thing more, and that shall be the last on so serious a subject.
The poor creature lay for upwards of five days in inexpressible torments, and she was at length
delivered in a most violent manner by two man-midwives; In all this time her piety and
resolution, her patience and resignation, all heightened by her concern for others, were beyond
what I could have conceived of any one, especially from a person of the meekest disposition. She
at last sunk away, within two hours after her delivery, and died I believe without a groan. Her
death we attribute to the wrong position of the child, and some other causes which detained it
beyond its time. The infant was a boy, and born alive; but the head having received some injury,
on cool recollection its loss (were it the only one) is I think a happiness.
I wish to know [a little of] how you dispose yourself this summer, some time or another I
would call upon you. To write on other subjects is impossible, and I will not return to that I
have once left, but to intimate a desire of a few lines in verse (not an epitaph) on the unhappy
occasion.
I am most sincerely and affectionately
Yours
L Bigg
1Near
Banbury, Oxfordshire, which in turn was only a few miles from Adderbury.
On 20 September 1764 he had married Rachel Clitherow, who died three days before this letter was
written. She was the sister-in-law of his cousin William Blackstone, the celebrated jurist, who wrote a
letter of condolence that was the opposite of sentimental. He advised: 'Providence has happily ordered it,
that violent sensations are not lasting' (Bigg-Wither, 1907, p. 48). In the following year, on 21 August,
Bigg married Margaret Blachford, whose family owned Osborne House on the Isle of Wight (ibid,
Pedigree VI). About 7% of women died during their years of fertility, approximately the same proportion
as those who died in an accident or from infectious disease (Vickery, 1998, p.97).
2
24
Letter 6: Thursday, 19 November 1767 – from Dr John Gordon in Cambridge to his
stepson, Philip Williams, probably at New College, Oxford (WCA/M/PW/359)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
Dear Phil,
I shoud long ago have answerd your former letter had it not been in the first place for a
certain indolence and listlessness which my illness left behind it; in the next place for the
Bishop[of Lincoln]’s carrying away with him all of a sudden from hence to Buckden
[Huntingdonshire, now in Cambridgeshire], where I had the honor to be pretty closely employd
in his Lordship’s service for about a fortnight1 – and lastly had it not been, that I staid till I coud
acquaint you with my having concluded a treaty, which I have sometime had in hand about
taking a new House, where I was in hopes e’re this to have had it in my power to have invited
you to spend your Christmas Holidays (by the bye Cotton Hall2 is still standing, and though not
the most commodious dwelling will afford you a hearty welcome, if you will give me the meeting
in Town about the 20th of next month – and who knows but we may have the pleasure of
spending another evening with our old friends at the Bull in Bishopsgate?3). As I was saying
however this same treaty being carried on with an Attorney, I begin to suspect is not likely to
end as I coud wish it. He has already playd me a Dog’s trick about it, and probably will exhibit a
few more (you may, if you have no done it already, upon my authority I believe venture to add to
the &cs of wise sayings collected in you Commonplace book, “that all lawyers are k-ves”; you
may supply the dash either with na or ni; for in fact they cut as sharp as razors, as well as cheat
like – the devil, I believe must be my simile here for they resemble him I think more than any
human being. And so I was determined to have writ this week at all events, whether I had
recievd the pleasure of your letter or no.
Now then for business – and to begin with what you call the most important – my
opinion is – very formal this. I must try it another way. Yes I think many things may be urged
both pro and con about this same Editorship,4 which you have offerd you – at all rates it does
you great credit, and you are much obliged to the Warden [of New College] for the favorable
opinion he shews by thus looking out for an opportunity to produce them, he shews he
entertains of your abilities. Somethings I guess you state too high; others too low. Amongst the
first may be reckond, I apprehend, the several sacrifices you must make to fame in this instance.
Surely there is no occasion so absolutely to part with all your old friends on this account. I have
known many a voluminous Editor appear with a sleek skin and a round belly, that implied he had
not totally bid adieu to good eating and drinking, when they fell in his way. What think ye now
of the great Dr [Benjamin] Kennicot[t]? 5 And yet what comparison between Polybius and the
Bible in 30 or 40 folio volumes! And why not now and then temper severer studies with a poule
at Quadrille6 by way of relaxation. I dare say, if the Warden [of New College] had thought it
woud have precluded you from all parties of this kind, he woud not have proposed the thing to
you. Your Pupils too – they undoubtedly demand a due share of your care and attendance. But
one may reckon I suppose full half the year as vacation in respect to any intercourse with them –
and then the Work may be carried on here7 as well as at Oxford, so that I think you will not be
so strictly tied down to it, as you imagine – though undoubtedly such a business cannot be
undertaken without the resolution of submitting to a good deal of laborious employment. And
perhaps to balance this the reward proposed may be thought too small – yet it is not an
25
unhandsome one, or what shoud be lightly rejected. But then to eke out this, you may consider
many other advantages. It will be giving you early a turn for business. You will gain more
knowledge by having your pursuits destind to one particular point of view, than ever can be
acquired by the rambling method of going from one subject to another without any other guide
than fancy, or some prospect of amusement, as is commonly done when a man’s studies are bent
to no particular destination. The consultation of other Authors, which you justly deem necessary,
will give you an enlarged view of ancient learning, of Authors, Dates &c &c. which you woud
otherwise never be tempted to look after. As to the Reputation to be got by this, I think, you
state it too low. Scholars are still the distributors of fame, and they take care to give it in general
only to one another. If you have it in contemplation to travel nothing will make you more
respectable or gain you an easier introduction to Men of Letters, than being known for the
Author of a new Edition of a Greek Classic. The course of inquiries too that you will be thrown
into by such an undertaking will suggest a number of circumstances to you, that will make
travelling more engaging and more usefull. You seem to have no other particular object of
pursuit. Philosophic studies, I fancy, you rather decline – and as to Divinity and Compositions
for the Pulpit, I suppose you have not formd any strong attachments to, but that a little leisure
might occasionally be sufficient to satisfy your inclination that way – and I think it is of vast
consequence to have a young man set about something or other in earnest. I am sure I heartily
wish such an offer had ever been thrown in my way. You never will be able better to undergo
fatigue, or sit so disengaged probably to other avocations. Besides as you will not be under
articles either to finish it within a certain time, or even to finish it at all8 – but will be in the hands
of liberal men, who will be disposed, I dare say, to treat you handsomely, I think at least you
might venture upon a trial of skill with it safely; and determine to go on with it or relinquish if
after wards, as it may appear to you on a nearer view. But probably you are one of those, who in
the Tatler’s phrase (I think) “are ripe for advice”.9 That is I conclude from your PS that you
have already come to a determination not to engage in it; and I am only spending my time in
giving my sentiments on the occasion to no purpose. Be assured however that though I shall
always be pleased to be made a party in any matter of concern to you, and shall most readily
contribute anything in my power towards assisting your judgement by suggesting such arguments
as may occurr to me; I shall never expect to have you concluded by my opinion, unless you can
upon a fair review make it your own. I wish you most sincerely success in every laudable pursuit
(and I dare trust you will engage in no other) which I shall ever endeavour to forward most
willingly by any assistance in my power. And as you seem to be born under a lucky planet (as
you phrase it) I make no doubt but you will have your success insured to you by a much superior
assistance.
So much for this affair. As to the article of Dilapidations10 – they seem disposed to trifle
with you, and to hum11 you as we call it – which woud make me more earnest in procuring my
just right. I shoud therefor be for talking in a more firm tone. As to [Henry] Macock you have
nothing to do with him – Dr [Timothy] Neve must look to what bargain may have subsisted
between them. You shoud however if you prosecute this point (which in prudence, I think you
ought) make Macock a proper compensation for what assistance he gave you in taking care of
your church during the vacancy. It is all a joke about not claiming Dilapidations sooner – you
may claim them, I believe (I have not time at present to consult my books) any time during your
incumbency – the only remedy they can have, is to shew what part of the dilapidations may have
reasonably be supposed to have happend since your occupancy. However as you want only to
26
be secure against future demands, I shoud think the matter might easily be adjusted by Dr
Neve’s giving a bond to pay such a sum, as upon fair appraisement to be settled by workmen on
both sides, may seem to be due during the late incumbent’s time. If there had been any force in
their plea about your not making this claim sooner, you have obviated it by settling an appraiser
to work within a month or two of your getting possession. I{f} any present help however is
necessary to keep the buildings standing, this bond wont do. It must be ready cash. Old
buildings however have a faculty of standing much longer for your comfort, than one coud well
suppose. Dr [George] Sanby I find recievd Dilapidations for this Living of his Predecessor: I
had more to say about Dilapidations but I cannot recollect it at present – and I think the best
way will be for you to come over at Christmas, and then we can deliberate more fully upon these
subjects.
If you knew the hurry in which I have been obliged to dispatch this letter, I dare say you
woud readily excuse omissions and pardon inaccuracies – for I coud not begin it till ¼ before
One o’clock on account of looking over a Sermon which is going to the press and some other
business – since which time, I have had to shave dress get my dinner etc, and am now at 4 just
setting out to read prayers at the Hospital after which I am to meet Madam and Fanny who both
commend their love to you (Nanny left us this morning with her Swaffham parents12) and I am
Dear Phil,
Your most sincere friend and humble servant,
J. Gordon
1In
the previous year he had been appointed archdeacon of Buckingham, not without some furiously
raised eyebrows (Stokes, ed., 1931, pp.33-34).
2The
house in Cambridge where John Gordon and his wife lived in Cambridge (see Letter 2).
3Leadenhall,
London EC2, previously known as the Black Bull, a coaching inn for the Old North Road,
no longer standing.
.
4This is the first reference in the Williams Letters to an edition of the works of Polybius, which Philip
Williams worked on for many years (see Chapter 4 of the book associated with these transcripts, The
Speaker’s Chaplain & The Master’s Daughter, and Note 2, OS/E2/1/4 M/PW)
5Benjamin
Kennicott (1718-1783), a biblical scholar, Radcliffe librarian and canon of Christ Church
College, Oxford, still commemorated in the prestigious Kennicott Hebrew Scholarship. He
corresponded with Charles Jenkinson, for whom Philip Williams was at one time chaplain, and who could
scarcely have been unaware of Kennicott’s labours, which ultimately filled 30 volumes.
6
A card game.
7Philip
Williams received a Cambridge MA by incorporation in 1770, possibly to allow him to use the
facilities of the university.
8This
is in fact what happened (see Note 4 above).
9Tatler
founded in 1709 by Richard Steele was hugely influential in eighteenth century taste and style,
though it ran only for two years.
27
10At
the end of 1766, and without doubt due to the influence of John Gordon, who in the previous April
had been collated archdeacon of Buckingham within the diocese of Lincoln, Philip Williams had been
presented to rectorship of Easington, Oxfordshire. The patron was John Green, bishop of Lincoln, for
whom Gordon had served as chaplain. It was a lucky break: the two previous incumbents had been Dr
George Sanby, sometime master of Magdalen College, Cambridge, and vice-chancellor of the university,
and then Dr Timothy Neve, a religious writer who in 1783 became the Lady Margaret Professor of
Divinity at Oxford (there was also a similarly named chair at Cambridge, together with the Regius
Professorship of Divinity, which John Gordon himself failed to get; see WCA/M/PW/ 364). As usual in
this situation, Philip Williams had to reach an agreement on delapidations of the parsonage house with his
predecessor, though it is not clear if he ever lived for any significant time in the village. Henry Macock
was almost certainly Neve's curate. Philip Williams later met 'Mrs Neve' in London (see Letter 80).
11Short
for humbug: to hoax, take in (OED).
12This
is the only mention of Swaffham in the Letters. It may be a reference to Swaffham Prior, between
Cambridge and Newmarket, where many people called Allix lie buried in the ruined church: John Gordon
and family definitely had friends - or perhaps relatives - named Allix, whom Philip Williams also knew
and visited in London (see, for example, Letter 103).
28
Letter 7: Thursday, 11 August 1768 - Lovelace Bigg[-Wither] at Worting, Hampshire, to
Philip Williams at, New College, Oxford (WCA/M/PW/356)1
Address panel: The Revd Mr Philip Williams New College Oxford. Postmark: 12/AV
Dear Williams
Without troubling you with my condolance on the distress at the Lodgings,2 without
repeating my chimeras concerning your future election, this letter is dedicated meerly to your
own private concerns at Winchester. If you remember, some years ago I gave you a hint to look
that way; the distance of the prospect at that time made you, I suppose, think no more of it.
Since, I have thought as little of the succession there; only this summer I heard from [Robert
Pope] Blachford and [Harry] Peckham that [John] Ballard intended to offer himself a Candidate.
I agreed with his friends in opinion the earlier he applied the better; at the same time however I
told Peckham in case you would stand, I should undoubtedly give you my first wishes. The
accidents that happened at both Colleges2 induced my Father [Walter Bigg] first to ask me about
you, which occasioned my former letter, and since to apply in your favour, and with success, to
Mr [Charles] Blackstone.3 This He did, not meerly on the account of the long intimacy he knew
had subsisted between us, but likewise from warm recommendations of Jos[eph] Warton, when
you have been the subject of conversation, though without any view, as I know of, to the present
purpose. To my Father therefore you are indebted entirely on the present occasion, for I tell you
very fairly, in case he had not mentioned your name, I should not; as, notwithstanding the
guarded manner in which I had expressed myself to Peckham, I thought myself bound not to
give a hint against Ballard’s interest, whom, in truth, next to yourself, I wish very well to[o]. This
was the reason of my mentioning him before, and [I] still could be happy could you, in future,
assist one another. Besides Him, we hear of many other Candidates, most of them however
relying on a single Friend. What [Edward] Loggin’s chance may be, I cant say; but your
namesake [Daniel Williams] depends on his Uncle [Rice] Price, Bedford4 on his relationship to
Mrs Blackstone of Winchester, though his canvass was at once postponed in your favour. The
views of these are certain, [and] it is suspected [Robert] Taunton from his connection with
[William] Bowles, [John] Geree from his with [John] Awbery, and Harry Oglander may look the
same way. My Father’s advice and desire therefore is, that you would come to Winchester
Monday [15 August] , where you may canvass everybody the same day, and by your appearance
probably diminish the number of Expectants, [and] certainly give some guess as to your own
chance. Myself and my Father shall be at Mr Blackstone’s, and shall be glad to see you when you
arrive. You will give me credit that I hope for your success in the manner most honourable to
yourself, and least disagreeable to your Opponents. I therefore entirely approve your intimating
your intention where you think proper, and peculiarly am anxious to remove any suspicion
falling either on you or myself, of jockeyship towards Ballard. One piece of advice farther let me
add, to avoid hampering yourself, by civil speeches, with regard to assisting any that may come
after you.
My best wishes attend [John] Oglander; take care he be not too sanguine; he will recollect
Saturday the {missing} is the last day for admitting a Fellow on Mr {Harris's} vacancy {in} case
he is chose Warden, Leigh’s {candidate} (a Berkel[e]y I suppose) must be ready that {day to} be
elected and admitted.
My Wife and Father desire Compliments and I remain
29
Very sincerely
Yours
L Bigg
This letter reveals the machinations that accompanied the election of a fellow at Winchester College.
The vacancy followed the death of Richard Harris, fellow of Winchester, rector of Widley and vicar of
Wymering (a joint benefice), near Cosham, Hampshire, where he was buried on 28 July 1768, only a
fortnight before this letter. The successful candidate on this occasion was Henry Berkeley, elected on 20
August, who was, the letter points out, favoured by the warden of Winchester College, Harry Lee
(misspelt 'Leigh'). For his fellowship, Philip Williams had to wait until the next January, then in July 1772
it was the turn of John Geree. John Ballard was not elected until January 1774, pipped at the post in the
previous June by a man not tipped in this letter, namely, Thomas Lear, who is frequently mentioned
elsewhere in the Letters.
1
The warden of New College, Thomas Hayward, had died on 30 July 1768 (see Note 7, Letter 4) and was
succeeded by John Oglander in the following month (HRO/21M65/B8/1/10), as the letter hints might
be the case.
2
3Born
in 1720, with a namesake son, both in turn fellows of Winchester College.
4Unidentified.
30
Letter 8: [Thursday, 15 September 1768]1 – to Philip Williams, at New College, Oxford,
probably from his sisters2, Frances ('Fanny') and Anne (‘Nanny’), in Cambridge
(WCA/M/PW/4)
Address panel: The Revd Mr P. Williams Fellow of New College Oxford by London. Postmark:
16/SE.
O My Dearest Brother,
Our poor Dear Mother is very bad indeed, so bad that without the kind and particular
interposition of the Almighty I fear she cannot live – I expect the worst that can happen and
indeed My dearest loves I would have you prepare for the worst.3 Poor Mr [John] Gordon is if
possible more to be pitied than we for, for his life, he must not come here at all events. Come to
see us as soon as you can for God’s sake, we shall want comfort indeed we shall, but yet we hope
our resignation to the Devine Will will enable us to be of some {hope} to you – for our sakes
and for your own keep up your spirits we conjure you - and do not attempt being with us sooner
than is consistent with your health and safety. Our poor Mother when she is sensible (which
now is hardly ever) never troubles herself about enquiring after anybody – she has never named
you and don’t be unhappy at not being here sooner than is possible. She tells us how well she is
– what a fine sort she has and that George and Mr G[ordon] shall be inoculated from her – poor
Woman! For her own feelings and comfort, if it does not please the Almighty she should
recover, may she continue delirious to the last moment. Do my dear come to us which will be
the greatest comfort we can at present have – thank God we are both as well as can be expected
and shall hope to see you so.
Adieu
[No sign-off]
She was first taken ill on Thursday 8 September, and Frances returned from Newmarket on Tuesday 13
September, according to Dr Gordon (Letter 9).
1
The hand of the first part of this letter is similar to that of the postscript of Letter 13, also written by
one of Philip Williams’s sisters (probably Frances), but the last few lines are more fluently penned, and
may be by the other sister, Anne.
2
3 She
survived this attack of smallpox and lived on for about another 12 years (see Letters 36-7), suggesting
that it was the discrete, mild variety of the disease suitable for use for inoculation (Mary South, pers.
comm.).
31
Letter 9: Friday, 16 September [1768]1 – from Dr John Gordon in Buckden,
Huntingdonshire, now in Cambridgeshire, to his stepson, Philip Williams, probably at
New College, Oxford, (WCA/M/PW/360)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
Dear Phil,
I know not whether in their hurry, they woud think of apprising you of an event, which
is one of the severest strokes of Providence I ever experienced – your poor Mother is
dangerously ill of the smallpox.2 I was just returning from a comfortless Visitation through
Leicester and Lincoln shires, when this news met me upon the road. They endeavour to put
things in as favorable a light to me, I suppose as they can – though Fanny [Frances Williams] to
do her justice, I believe is inclined to deal as fairly with me as she can, but I have very little hopes
of her recovery, as they allow it to be a very bad sort, and that she is extremely full. What a
situation I am in! Good God, give me patience, and thy mercifull assistance! for without it, I
know not what will become of me. I am the less able to face this afflicting stroke from having
been brought extremely low by a bad sore throat just before my setting out upon the Visitation,
and travelling all the way through it with apprehensions of a relapse. They persuade me to stay
here till this event is over. Indeed I coud do no good at Camb[ridge] – but might do harm. Ill
fitted however you may suppose me to be for the business of an Ember Week, 3 which begins
next Thursday, but I know not where to get any one to supply my place, and perhaps the
attention to something else may upon the whole do me good. O Phil, give us thy prayers for a
prosperous issue of this severe trial. You have been used to the house of mourning lately, and
may have learnt to pity those who are deprived of their nearest and dearest friends - though you
coud not want that lesson to instruct you how to feel for the loss of one of the best of parents. I
really scarce know what to write or say – do not conclude from thence she is already lost. Had
you been nigher, I coud have wishd to have seen you, but it is too long a journey for you to
undertake, and I woud not have you leave your business in [New] Coll[ege]. Consider me only
as talking like a grief-gone man and excuse me – I am glad my Dear Boy, that thy prospects open
so well before thee – may they succede to thy utmost wishes! They sent me thy letter on the
Visitation, with an acct of the K[ing] of D[enmark]’s visit at Camb[ridge] 4 to which I suspect I
owe the present mischief, as my wife mentiond her being almost squeezd to death in the croud.
I suppose from the papers, he is now making you happy at Oxford. My wife was first taken last
Thursday sennight, that is the 8th inst and the distemper appeard on Sunday the 11th as I guess
from the acct I have had. I am, my Dear Phil,
Thine most sincerely and affectionately,
J.G.
Fanny returnd home from Newmarket to her mother last Tuesday, whither the P’s5 had carried
her only a few days before, and Nanny [Anne Williams] was expected from Ely soon – Mrs
Coulter6 is also with her.
1Dated
2She
from the days of the week and dates given.
survived. See Letter 8 sent on the occasion to Philip Williams by his sisters.
32
3The
Anglican calendar had four Ember Weeks with three days’ prayer and fasting prior to the ordination
of clergy on the following Sunday. That in September started on the Wednesday after Holy Cross Day,
which fell on 14 September. This confirms the date of 16 Sept written on the letter; ‘last Thursday
sennight’ would have been the ‘8th inst’ and the following Sunday 11 September.
4King
Christian VII, who was probably schizophrenic, succeeded to the Danish throne in 1766 and soon
married Princess Caroline Matilda, aged 15, a daughter of Frederick Prince of Wales, son of George II.
In the second half of 1768 he went on a tour that took in Germany, France and England. In Germany he
met and engaged as royal physician Dr Friedrich Struensee, who subsequently meddled in state affairs,
including an intimate relationship with the queen, for which he paid with his life and she with divorce.
5Possibly
members of the Peyton family, who had been patrons of Philip Williams’s namesake
grandfather at Doddington, Cambridgeshire.
6Perhaps
'Philly Coulter', mentioned in Letter 13.
33
Letter 10: Wednesday, 28 December 1768 – from Dr John Gordon in Scotland Yard,1
London, to his stepson, Philip Williams, probably at New College, Oxford,
(WCA/M/PW/361)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
Dear Phil,
Your letter found me safe in Scotland Yard – though I hope to set forward to
Camb[ridge] tomorrow. As your letter however is upon business, I woud not delay the
answering of it a minute. You will I dare say, my Dear Phil, easily believe, that I woud not say
any thing, that might appear designed to cast a damp upon the pleasure you must receive from
your present situation. You will however allow an old friend to take the privilege of offering that
cheapest of all assistance, a little advice. I may perhaps feel the inconveniences of an incautious
setting out in the world rather too strongly. But, my Dear Lad, though you seem to be a favorite
son of that blind old woman,2 who, whatever reflections may be thrown upon her by the
disappointed, sometimes distinguishes merit as well as those that see better, and generally has
good nature enough to overlook the indiscretions of her children; yet I am afraid you are
preparing matter for future uneasiness by being in too great a hurry to anticipate the pleasures
you might otherwise enjoy. What occasion, at least for the present, can you have my Dear Lad,
for a servant and horses? I woud make it a point not to let this new peice of preferment 3 make
any alteration in my way of living, till it had produced me some profit. You will live I take it for
granted in Coll[ege] with your new Pupil4 chiefly for this next year. And for that time at least I
shoud think need make no change in your system. If you are to ride about with your young man,
the Father [Ambrose Isted] ought to provide you a horse, or otherwise he will not comply with
the conditions proposed of your travelling at his expense. You cannot, I am positive, keep a
man and two horses, exclusive of the first price of the cattle and the loss you will be continually
liable to by them, for less than [£]70 a year. If that therefor be a condition your Pupil [Samuel
Isted] brings with him, you will be no great gainer out of the [£]100 stipend allowd for his
tuition. And as to a servant, Mr [Samuel] Isted will of course, I imagine keep one, who ought to
be at your service – and it will be a kindness to employ – as there is not anyone circumstance
that spoils so many servants, as the having nothing to do – the effects of which are most
thoroughly seen in almost all the servants kept in College; who are in general the most worthless
of the whole tribe. You will however, my Dear Phil, understand this as it is meant, and do me
the justice to suppose, that I have not the most distant idea of combating any thing, that you
concieve for your happiness with any thing farther, than the mere suggestion of my opinion –
which is that though it is much the practice of the world, we destroy a great deal of our future
content by anticipation, and imagine it easy to retrench, or hope that money will flow in faster
than it usually is found to do – in both which we commonly find ourselves mistaken. This is
very grave talk undoubtedly – and I have generally had the satisfaction to find that all the
prudential considerations I have taken the liberty of suggesting to you, have been rendered
useless, either by your better judgment or good fortune, it matters not much which. If that
prove to be the case at present, you may be perfectly assured, that no part of this preface is
intended as an excuse for declining to comply with your request. I suspect indeed your Mother’s
Bond, as a Femme couverte,5 woud be of no validity - but if you think of accepting your friend’s
offer, and woud choose to give him an additional security, mine such as it is, is most heartily at
34
your service – and so, there is no doubt woud your sisters[’] (which I apprehend to be better,
than your mother’s) be too. You may therefor take your measures accordingly - it may sound
like a contracted sort of suspicion, but pray give me leave to ask – has B6 any view to
Winchester, think ye? If he has, may you not be drawn by this favor into some difficulties?
You understand, I imagine, the way in which your Mother’s Estates are held. 7 If you do
not, it is time you shoud. What came from your father, except a little leasehold of about [£]15
clear yearly rent, which is a chattell, and was besides made liable by a decree in chancery to pay
your Aunts [Heleonara Theobella Williams] fortunes, together with the copyhold, I think – is
settled both by the Marriage Articles and Dr [Philip] Williams’s Will8 to be equally divided
amongst all his children – that is Doddington [Cambridgeshire] let at present for [£]58. 5s. 0d. [a
year] - besides the contingency of Mrs [Charles] Cole’s and Mrs9 Bell [Heleonara Theobella]
W[illiam]’s shares of Ransome Moor [near Doddington] – [£]15 a year each. Tottenhall
[Tottenhill]10 in Norfolk – val[ued at] [£]24 a year, and the copyhold part of Barrington
[Cambridgeshire]11 val[ued at] about [£]16 a year. What was your Grandfather [Dr John]
Dighton’s, viz. the Estate at Catlidge [now called Kirtling, Cambridgeshire] and Upend [near
Catlidge] [(let for [£]125 a year) was intended by the Mar[riage] Settlement also to have gone in
the same way. I do not mention the house at Newmarket, as that was mortgaged by your
mother for the payment of your Aunts fortunes under the decree in Chancery for almost its
whole worth. But it seems this Mar[riage] Settlement was never completed – one of the
conditions, which was never complied with, was that Dr W[illiams] shoud settle besides his
Estates a thousand pounds upon your mother, the non-performance of which it is said, in the
Lawyer’s phrase, infects the whole Deed and renders it of no validity. This I have from what
your Mo[ther] says the Lawyers told her – for I have never made the least inquiry about it myself.
And if this be well founded (that the Mar[riage] Articles specify [£]1000 to be conveyd over and
above his Landed Estates, and that no such conveyance was ever made, I myself know) this part
of the Estate is not settled at all – but upon Dr Dighton’s death, vested, as they call it I think, in
your Mo[ther] as heir at Law. For Dr D[ighton] made no will – and Dr W[illiams] died before he
had acquired any right in this Estate (if the Ma[riage] Articles were void, which it is said by your
Mo[ther] he was aware of, and therefor made a Will, that she might be secure) and consequently
coud make no disposal of it. If then your Mo[ther] had this Estate in full right, I apprehend, it
vests in me by the Marriage. But as I never had an idea of availing myself of this right to the
exclusion of Dr W[illiams]’s Children, I have never inquired about it. Your Mo[ther] indeed has
all along said, if she survives me, as my children are hers as well as you and your sisters, she
shoud take care of them as such. And my idea was, if she had died poor woman, 12 when I am
sure I thought she coud not have lived, to have proposed it to you and the girls, as this
settlement seems to have failed for want of Dr W[illiams]’s advancing [£]1000, which he had
he[l]d himself by the Mar[riage] Articles to do – if you agreeably to what your Mo[ther] had in
her mind (whether she meant to have given my boys such a share of this Estate, as to have made
them equal to you, or to have divided it into 5 equal shares I cannot tell) woud have agreed to
have advanced this [£]1000 for their benefit or tied the Estate for it (which I believe is worth
[£]3500 at least) I woud have immediately relinquished all title claim or pretence whatever, And
if any thing like this be agreeable to you at present, and your Mo[ther] likes it (for I have never
consulted her about it) I am ready to take any step, which the law may direct for assuring this
Estate to you and your sisters, with a reversion to my children, in case you shoud die without
heirs perhaps, or some such condition. You will excuse this dull detail of business – but I love
35
explicitness, and as we were upon business, I thought this had better be mentiond. You will
judge for yourself, and consult the girls as you wish or defer it till we meet as you like best. It
may be News perhaps to add that Dr [Hugh] Thomas D[ea]n of Ely has the offer of the vacant
Bishoprick.13 The D[ea]n has several little things to leave behind him, which the D[uke] of
G[rafton] may bestow on his followers.
I am Dear Phil, thine most sincerely,
J.G.
1Great
Scotland Yard, London, that part of the Palace of Whitehall formerly occupied by visiting kings of
Scotland and their ambassadors. Later used for a variety of government offices, including, in modern
times, the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police, which is now located elsewhere.
2Perhaps
a Greek oracle.
3In
February he had been instituted rector of Easington, Oxfordshire, and would no doubt have agreed
with a coachman in Fielding's Joseph Andrews, who comments: 'He was now a gentleman, and kept his
horse and man...' (1742, Everyman's Library, 1910, p. 89).
4Samuel
Isted (ca 1750-1827) had matriculated at New College, Oxford, in the previous month, aged 18.
He was the son of Ambrose Isted (ca 1718-1781) with an estate at Ecton, Northamptonshire, who had
himself gone up to Trinity College, Oxford, and became a barrister of the Middle Temple. As recorded in
the Williams's family bible (WCA/M/PW/418), Ambrose Isted was a sponsor at the christening of Philip
Williams (1780-1843). There is a reference to 'Aunt Isted' in Letter 10, who seems to be a relative of
people named Allix (see Note 12, Letter 6).
5A
legal term, meaning a woman not under the protection of her husband (Bliss, A, Dictionary of Foreign
Words and Phrases, London, 1983).
6A
clear reference to Philip Williams’s interest in a fellowship at Winchester College, the subject of
Lovelace Bigg-Wither’s encouraging letter written four months earlier (Letter 7). ‘B’ is probably John
Ballard, who was hotly tipped for the vacancy, but it might equally have been Bedford, Berkeley, or even
possibly Bigg himself, or a member of the Blackstone family.
7This
detailed statement of the problems following the death of Philip Williams’s father, Dr Philip
Williams, provides useful background for understanding many of John Gordon’s subsequent letters
dealing with the estates of his wife. Clearly, it seems that the estates at Catlidge and Upend, which
belonged to her grandfather, Dr John Dighton, were never properly settled on Dr Williams as he never
paid the necessary sum of £1000 to his wife (see WCA/M/PW/239 re Catlidge). Hence, it was open to Dr
Gordon to seize them for himself and his sons, rather than allow them to be equally distributed to Philip
Williams and his two sisters, as the will of Dr Williams required. The letter is – presumably with sincerity
– very undemanding and seeks to interpret the legal muddle in an understanding manner. He is clearly
acting in a paternal role, explaining to his stepson, aged 26 the intricacies of his inheritance.
8Preserved
9In
as WCA/M/PW/222.
this instance a courtesy title given to an elderly spinster.
10Now
spelt 'Tottenhill', sold in November 1778 (see Letter 22).
36
11Held
12She
from Trinity College, Cambridge (see WCA/M/PW/222).
had had smallpox three months earlier (see Letters 8 and 9).
13It
is not clear to which bishopric he was referring: neither Ely nor Lincoln were vacant at this time. Dr
Thomas was dean of Ely from 1758 to 1780, and acquired a number of other senior church preferments,
but never a bishopric. He was also master of Christ’s College, Cambridge, 1754-1780. The duke of
Grafton was both prime minister and chancellor of the University of Cambridge, though he was not
installled until 1 July the next year.
37
Letter 11: [Saturday], 1 April [1769]1 – from Dr John Gordon in Cambridge, to his
stepson, Philip Williams, at New College, Oxford, (WCA/M/PW/363)
Address panel: The Revd Mr Phil. Williams at New College Oxford. Postmark: 2/AP CAMB
Dear Phil,
A letter dated January the 30th ought certainly to have had an answer before this time –
but what for want of the intervention of Fast days and other reasons equally strong it is certain,
that I now for the first time on April the lst (thy Mother’s Birthday by Act of Parliament,
therefor not a word in derogation to the day) I am sitting down to acknowledge thy favors to me
and mine.
The Boys [George and Charles Gordon] are mightily pleased with the Geographical
Pastime, talk with great familiarity of the place where the great Sir Isaac Newton2 was born,† and
of the wonders of the Devil’s A- of peak.3 And only want the
[Footnote] †I am out, they tell me, it is the place where he received his Education
attention of the skillfull Bear-leader4 to become perfect masters of the Tour of Europe. I
heartily give thee joy of thy new Preferment to the Vic[arage] of Nettle Bourn!5 By the way how
are M[ember]s of Parliament made there? Has not the Vicar some share in that business? You
are so fortunate a fellow though, that you have no occasion to look out for any means of
forming an interest. You have only to consider whether the preferments, that offer themselves
to you, are worth your acceptance or not.
The death of the late Chancellor [of Cambridge University]6 was indeed a most grievous
blow to all his friends, and I heartily thank you for the concern you are so kind as to express at
my share in that loss. As all prospect of advancement from that quarter is cut off, I have been
endeavouring to make some advantage from what I already possess. I began, or rather
continued a treaty opend some time ago with Dr Watson,7 when I was last in Town, as Lessee of
the Prebend of Brampton; which after sundry debates and letters pro and con, I have just now
concluded. He is to give me 300 guineas for changing all the 3 subsisting Lives in the Lease,
which he has lately purchased, one of them an old one, aged 68, for 3 others of his own family.
This sum, though I believe less than the worth of the thing, I was glad to accept; as it will wipe
off some old scores, and purchase besides, I hope, a set of wheels for country use, if we go to
Brampton:8 which matter is not yet quite settled. I have the offer of the House I wanted, but
have not yet viewd it, nor inquired after terms. Nor have I exactly fixt the plan, upon which the
Living is to be held. If you had not been at such a distance, and had not been going to take
possession of your own Living so very soon, (which is perhaps already done) I believe I shoud
have asked you to have taken mine first, in order to have given me a little farther time. It might
have been managed, when the Bishop [of Lincoln] comes [on] his Visitation into
Buckinghamshire, which he sets out upon about the middle of May, and will be at Stony
Stratford Wednesday 16th, Buckingham Thursday 17th, Aylesbury Friday and Saturday 18th and
19th, High Wycomb[e] on Sunday for confirmation etc. At some of which places, I shoud hope it
might not be very inconvenient for you to let us have a peep at your old face. I am to procede
upon my own Visitation sooner; which I propose to begin on the 23 inst. and hope to conclude
at Lincoln on the 7th of May. Death has been very busy both here and at Ely lately. There have
38
died here, whom you know – Poor Mr Bennett, the Bedel; and Mr Cowper and Mrs
Barnerdiston, of Bene’t College.9 And at Ely old Mr Cole and Mrs Greene. We do not here [sic]
how the assets go there. Aunt Bell wrote this morning to my Wife, but she only deals in generals,
that the Coles are satisfied, and that Will does not leave Ampthill. She talks of coming to board
somewhere not far from us, but as it is not settled, [I] will not mention particulars. She
announces the arrival of a ring from the faithfull Dean10 to Nanny [Anne Williams], and is
pleased to wish it was upon another occasion. I brought home a most severe cold from London,
which I attribute partly to ’squiring Mrs Parrot11 and your old friend to the Play, partly to waiting
upon the City Remonstrances as it passed Carlton House – partly to 2 very hot days in the
House of Lords and Commons, and partly to a very cold one in viewing the new Buildings in
Durham Yard. It got such fast hold of my lungs (which at best are not very good ones) that I
have hardly been able either to sleep or breathe well since. But I have now almost entirely got
rid of it. My Wife has had one of the same kind by way of sympathy. She is also now better.
Fanny [Frances Williams] and the Boys too have been of the party, but are now pretty well.
Fanny sets off for Town on Tuesday and I intended by way of œconomy, as I forgot to get a
Frank for you, that she shoud convey this so far to save postage but very likely, as it has been
long in setting out, they may laugh me out of my scheme. As to Easington,12 you need give
yourself no concern about it – I mentiond it to the Bishop but he vouchsafed me very little
notice. It may be stated to him again by letter, or otherwise at your leisure. And with regard to
the affair between us in regard to the Dighton Estates,13 think of it and settle it at your
convenience. I am in no hurry about it and if it please God to allow me life and the means of
providing for my Brats [in] other ways [I] shall certainly never avail myself of any claim of that
kind.
I am, Dear Phil, thine most sincerely,
J. Gordon
1See
Note 6 below.
2Sir
Isaac Newton first attended day schools in the village of Woolsthorpe, Lincolnshire, and then the
nearby King Edward VI Grammar School, Grantham. Interestingly, in 1792 Dr Gordon’s second son,
George, became rector of Sedgebrook with East Allington, only a short distance from Woolsthorpe.
3Probably
a coy reference to the Devil’s Arse or the Peak Cavern, a spectacular limestone cave with a
narrow entrance in Castelton, Derbyshire.
4Colloquial
name for a person accompanying a young nobleman on the Grand Tour, a tutor, chaperone,
guardian and guide. Later in the year Philip Williams was himself undertaking such a task on a tour of
northern England and Scotland with two young men from Oxford, as he describes in a letter included in
this collection (HRO/63M84/234/1)
5‘Nettle
Bourn’ does not seem to exist, although the Church of England Clergy Database lists nine
parishes that start with ‘Nettle’. The index to Himsworth (1976), volume I, gives ‘Nettlebed’, which is in
Oxfordshire, a peculiar of Dorchester Oxfordshire, but there are apparently no records of clergy between
curates recorded in 1759 and 1790 (Dorchester Act & Visitation Book, cited by
www.theclergydatabase.org.uk).
39
6Thomas
Pelham-Holles, duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and 1st duke of Newcastle under Lyme, who died
on 17 November 1768. Clearly this letter was written in the following year.
7The
Dr Watson mentioned here was almost certainly Richard Watson, the person to whom two years
later John Gordon lost the Regius Professorship of Divinity at Cambridge (see Letter 15); and he
continued to lose ground to him. In 1774 Watson swapped a rectory in North Wales for a prebendal stall
at Ely, five years later becoming archdeacon of Ely and in 1782 bishop of Llandaff. Sykes devoted a
whole chapter to him in his Church and State in England in the XVIIIth century (Cambridge, 1934).
He is jumping the gun, as he was not formally collated to the prebend of Brampton (together with the
archdeaconry of Lincoln) until 1 July. He held the canonry until 1775, when he was appointed precentor
of Lincoln with the prebend of Kildesby. He seems to have been considering for himself the vicarage of
the parish of Brampton, Huntingdonshire (now in Cambridgeshire), though in the event it went to
Jeremiah Taylor (see Note 24, Letter 13).
8
9The
name by which Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, was known until about the 1820s.
10Unidentified,
though what seems to have been an engagement did not proceed, as 'Nanny' Anne
Williams married the Revd Theodore Vincent Gould in 1787 (see Letter 123).
11Possibly
the Wykehamist Charles Parratt and his wife. He was rector of Saham Toney, Norfolk, from
1757 until 1787.
12Philip
Williams held the rectorship of Easington, Oxfordshire, from institution on 3 February 1767 until
cession on 5 June 1773. It was presented by the bishop of Lincoln, John Green, and instituted by, John
Hume, erstwhile bishop of Oxford, described as the ‘true patron’, who had been translated to Salisbury
the previous October. John Gordon may be referring to problems of delapidations (see Letter 6).
13See
Letter 10.
40
Letter 12: Sunday, 13 May [1770]1 – from Dr John Gordon, probably at Lincoln, to his
stepson, Philip Williams, at New College, Oxford (WCA/M/PW/368)
Address panel: The Revd Mr. Phil Williams at New College Oxford. Postmark: None.
Dear Phil,
I have just recd your favour. I am just setting out upon the Visitation – and have no
time to answer it properly – but I woud not omitt this opportunity of saying that we are to be at
High Wycomb[e]on Sunday the 20th at Beaconsfield on Monday 21st and at Amersham on the
22nd. A Visitation is I grant you no place of meeting for pleasure – however if you find yourself
disposed for a ride on any of those days there you will find us – but don’t put yourself to any
inconvenience or do what is disagreeable.
I have just heard from Nanny – the Girls2 are both well, but London I’m afraid will turn
their heads.
You do me justice about the affair of Catlidge etc.1 I never consulted any body about [it]
but took the thing merely from my Wife’s account who had her information from Mr Case. I
never woud apply to counsils about it, because I thought if they gave a clear opinion in my favor,
it might go hard to disinherit my own Children of their right. I rather wished therefor to have
the thing settled as a disputable matter upon a sort of compromise. Your A and B Friends may
for aught I know be perfectly right - but the light in which it strikes me is, that a Marriage
Settlement is a covenant as well as any other bargain, and that a failure on the part of one of the
contracting parties will vitiate the agreement – for it may happen that neither the original party
nor his representatives may be in a condition to satisfy the articles in question – in which case
the injured party woud have no redress, contrary to the principles of all law. If a man buys my
estate on condition of paying part of the purchase money afterwards and never pays it, it woud
be very hard, if I coud not recover my own again, as well as have an action against the faulty
party. However this affair can never make any dispute between us, for if I have not a right to
what I mentiond I will be content with the amount of the interest of the Sum accruing from the
time of Dr [Philip] W[illiams]’s decease3 – which to be sure at any rate my Wife shoud have been
in the receipt of.
The Principal of Brasennose, [Oxford], who has been here for confirmation,4or the
Senior Fellow who accompanies him, will bring you this. Pray make my compliments to your
Warden. If the progress be not yet set out, pray say, that your mother will think herself honord
by their company at Cambridge.5 I write so fast I’m afraid you’ll never read it.
I am, Dear Phil, thine most sincerely,
J. Gordon
Mother and Boys are well.
1J.S.
Drew (Winchester Cathedral Library, W10/7) dated this to 1775, but it is likely to have been written
in 1770, in which year Sunday was on 13 May. It was sent to New College, Oxford, where in January 1769
Philip Williams had resigned his fellowship for one at Winchester; but he went back from time to time, if
only to continue his work on Polybius (see Chapter 4 of the book associated with these transcripts, The
Speaker’s Chaplain & The Master’s Daughter). The date assigned is consistent with the reference to the
unsettled estate of Cartlidge (and Upend), referred to in Letter 10, dated 28 December 1768. See also
41
Letter 17, dated 9 January 1774, by which time John Gordon seems to be treating the estate as his own,
though he probably never held it (see Letter 125).
2Philip
3He
Williams’s sisters, Anne (Nanny) and Frances.
is referring to Philip Williams’s father.
4Brasenose
College, Oxford was founded in 1509 by the bishop of Lincoln, William Smyth, and lawyer Sir
Richard Sutton. The college’s visitor is still the bishop of Lincoln.
5The
Warden of New College, Oxford, between 1768 and 1794 was John Oglander, from Brading on the
Isle of Wight, who had been a scholar at Winchester. One of the warden’s duties was to progress around
the college’s estates, which were in Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Essex and several other
counties (Buxton and Williams, 1979, p. 57).
42
Letter 13: Saturday, [4 November 1770]1 – from Dr John Gordon, and one of his
stepdaughters (probably Frances or ‘Fanny’) in Cambridge, to his stepson, Philip
Williams, at New College, Oxford, (WCA/M/PW/362)
Address panel: The Revd Mr Philipp Williams at New College Oxford. Postmark: 5/NO
Dear Phil,
Maj.2 You desired me to write about the Middle of October.
Min. The Middle of October is any time from the 12th to the 24th.
Cons. If therefore I wrote any time from the 12th to the 24th I complied with your
request.
Negatur Consequentia
Proto Consequentiam.
Maj. The 4th of November is the 24th of October O[ld] S[tyle]3
Min. But I am set down to write on the 4th of November.
Cons. Ergal+ I have complied with your request, and Valent Cons. and Arg.
What your Logic at Oxford may say to this I know not, but I hold the conclusion
legitimate. If you object at all to that substitution of O.S. I answer, my Dear Phil, I woud have
our friendship go on in the Old Style – Argal4 the conclusion is good again.
To leave however the quibbles of the Schools, though in full possession of the
Argument, I woud have you, my Dear Phil, set down my omission to write sooner; to anything,
but to want of regard. The truth is I did not arrive at home from my Northern Tour (I might
have called it Expedition; for though we did not travel Post, we saw as much and did as much, as
coud well be done in the time) till October 23rd. And I can safely say, that I have had thoughts
of writing to thee every day since that time. But a man, that has been absent from home 7 weeks
finds so many things to do, that he cannot always do what he woud. So much for that.
I had upon the whole a very pleasant journey, though a man who travels with a Bishop
(partly upon Diocese Business)5 does not of course give into all the pleasurable schemes, that
might be imagined. I had the satisfaction to find my Father6 very well for a man of 84. And
besides seeing a Number of Old Friends and Acquaintance, the very sight of the old walls and
streets, where one used to play so many tricks and have such abundance of that laughing
thoughtless fun that accompanies youth, afforded a fund of pleasing reflections that carried one
back many years into past enjoyments. We staid but 5 days at Durham 3 of which I spent with
my Father (Hibernice’ speeking7) at Whitworth, the rest of the time with my Friends here and
there. What you will think perhaps not very surprising, I did not think the place so much altered
as the people – and though the Face of the Country is a good deal changed, the change was not
of that mortifying kind, which was too visible in the Faces of some of my quondam8 Flames, but
who now alass were utterly unfit in every respect for kindling flames, except by their dryness.
Yes, Miss Fanny and Miss Nanny,9 in all probability twenty years hence, you mayn’t have quite so
much pleasure in looking in the glass, as you have at present. I am tempted to quote a Dialplate10 motto or two upon the occasion, but I wave it. You may pray, as you please, “for the
whole Congregation of Christ’s Flock, howsoever distressed, or wheresoever dispersed over the
face of the whole Earth,” but believe me our Brethren of Durham are entirely out of the
Description. It may be the Church Militant11 elsewhere; but it is there the Church Triumphant.
43
If any great Man shoud have said this before me (as possibly may be the case, the thing not being
very unnatural and wits being apt to jump, as they call it) I humbly beg his pardon for not
quoting his Authority; which I woud desire the candid Reader to impute entirely to my ignorance
of his name. The Episcopal Palaces and their Environs are quite magnificent and Princely. The
present Possessor12 has laid out upon their improvement from 25 to 30 thousand pounds. And
the Decanal and Prebendal Houses in their way keep pace with the Episcopal. I wish I had
rencontred13 thee there.
Pox take (pardon the imprecation; it may be unnecessary) the Posteriors of that young
14
Bear of thine for being so soft. If it had been his other end, that had had that quality, it woud
have been but natural, and one might have excused it – but to fail in so essential a part is truly
reprehensible. The more shame to the Master, that had the forming of him in his youth. Your
juice of Birch makes an excellent Tan. If I were disposed to be a Candidate for one of the
Premiums so liberally distributed annually for the encouragement of ingenious researches by the
Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce,15 it shoud certainly be by proposing the product
of this tree in aid of the Bark of Oak, which has of late grown so dear and so scarce, especially
since the great consumption of it in Pineries and Hothouses16.
We saw in our round all the Houses of the Nobility etc which fell within our Beat, many
of which were new and truly superb. Lord Monson’s at Burton, Lord Scarborough’s at
Sandbeck, Archbishop of York’s at Bishopsthorpe, Bishop of Durham’s 2 Houses at Durham
and Aukland, Lord Holderness’s at Hornby Castle, Studley Park, Mr Lascelles’s at Harwood,
Lord Strafford’s at Wentworth Castle, Lord Rockingham’s at Wentworth House, another seat of
Lord Holderness’s at Aston (Poet Mason17 R[ecto]r of the parish), Duke of Leeds’s at Keeton,
Duke of Norfolk’s at Worksop Manor, Duke of Portland’s at Welbeck, Duke of Newcastle’s at
Clumber Park, Duke of Kingston’s at Thoresby etc, etc. Other Particulars of which with their
Bearings and Distance I shall be ready to communicate whenever by attending to the
improvements of your Pupil you have brought his weak part to a state capable of understanding
such a journey. I had besides the amusement all these sights afforded the satisfaction to percieve
my Master and Companion much improved in point of health by his tour. And at the end had
the still greater pleasure of finding all well at home (except some lesser complaints of the Pia
Mater18 in the Rheumatism and Williams way; the Boys19 too in high credit for their good
behaviour during my absence. I hope, long before this all bad effects from that nefarious muscle
are evaporated and the intestine state brought back to a state of tranquility, capable of relishing a
glass of Tawny at least, if not of Claret. By the by, Mr Colman20 declares that his Port will keep
no longer, and will be all too good even for you, if you don’t come this Christmas and help him
off with it. Upon this head of coming hither soon I must beg leave to add, that it is the united
request, intreaty and command from Friends, Relations, Parents of every sort, and
denomination; and you will run the hazard of an anathema to fail in compliance. So none of
your shim-sham excuses Master Phee – they won’t do – Gooches21 all well, except Philly Coulter.
Allixes as usual, only poor Johnny in a very bad way. Aunt Bell stout and hearty, and makes one
of that family at present. You have wrote an Epithalamium,22 it is to be hoped, long e’er this on
your new relative of the Cole kind. I saw an entry in the Bath List23 some time ago of the Revd
Mr Williams arrived there, which I suppose might probably be your honor’s Worship, as Mr
Allix said he heard you had been there from Aunt Isteds. The Brampton Scheme is at an end.24 I
have just put the thing in train under proper advice to give the Living to an Old Clergyman of
64, whose first Preferment of the Institution sort this will be. Lushington25 is just preferd to the
44
Living of Keswick in Cumberland, and is set off for the South of France with his two surviving
Miss Laws. We have just chose a new V[ice] C[hancellor of Cambridge
University], who is Dr [John] Sumner1 and we are soon to choose a new Representative for the
County; who, it is said, will be Mr John Yorke.
Adieu, I leave it to the Girls etc to insert love and Compliments etc, with any other little
article of intelligence that Paper will hold. I hope you will acknowledge that if I have been long
in writing, I have also written a long letter, and I am Dear Phil – thine most sincerely, J.G.
[In the hand of one of Philip Williams’s sisters] The Girls my Dear Phee have nothing particular to add
except to repeat their very particular request that Master Phee will at Christmas comply with the
Dr’s aforementioned desire of making a visit at Finch Place26 – now don’t be an Old Fogram27
thats a good Boy but come and enliven us with a few of thy Witty Crambos28 upon the Popes
birthday or what else thou pleases – so shall thou be the favorite darling of thy maiden S[is]ters.
F[anny] and N[anny] Williams
1He
says he wrote the letter on 4 November and it is franked ‘5/NO’. It was dated 1769 by JS Drew
(Winchester Cathedral Library, W10/7), though Dr John Sumner, referred to in the letter, served as Vice
Chancellor of Cambridge during 1770-71. The election, by the Senate, was always held each year on 4
November. (Cambridge Calendar for the Year 1807, p. 17).
2John
Gordon is presenting a syllogism, a logical argument based on major and minor premises, leading
to a true conclusion, often a subject of the 'disputations' on which candidates for degrees at Cambridge
were examined orally before the introduction of first an oral and then a written 'examination' (Tanner,
1917, pp. 351-2).
3The
Julian Calendar was replaced by the Gregorian Calendar when the day after 2 September 1752,
became 14 September 1752.
4A
clumsy piece of reasoning, a corruption of the Latin ergo (OED).
5In
1769 he had been appointed archdeacon of Lincoln.
6Also
named John, he lived at Whitworth, a small village a few miles south of Durham. Whitworth Hall
was the seat of the politician Robert Shafto (ca 1732-1797), remembered in the popular ballad Bonny Bobby
Shafto.
7Probably
‘Hibernican’, pertaining to Ireland, especially the Irish church, and perhaps referring to St
Patrick's use of 'spend' in the sense of wearing oneself out (OED).
8Latin,
‘former’.
9Frances
and Anne, spinster sisters of Philip Williams, though Anne later married Theodore Vincent
Gould (see Letter 123).
10A
clockface.
45
11The
Church Militant is the church on earth warring with evil, whilst the Church Triumphant is that part
of the church which has overcome wordly woes and entered into glory.
12Richard
13Fr.
Trevor, bishop of Durham 1752-1771.
recontrer, to meet, not recorded in the OED.
Presumably a reference to his pupil Samuel Isted at New College, Oxford, who seems to have left
without a degree. See also HRO/63M84/234/1.
14
15The
Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce was founded in
London in 1754 by William Shipley (ca 1715-1803). He was brought up by his mother at Twyford,
Hampshire, where his brother Jonathan and his eccentric family later came to live.
16From
the early eighteenth century pineapples, formerly called pines, were raised in a pinery, a form of
greenhouse, with brick-lined hot beds covered with oak bark, a technique introduced from Holland (G.
Tod, 1812).
17William
Mason (1725-1797) was a considerable literary figure in his day and is still remembered as a
poet, and a gardener.
18The
brain; more particularly, the tissue in the central nervous system between the brain and the spine.
19His
sons, George and Charles.
20Unidentified.
21John
Gooch was rector of Fen Ditton, a village on the outskirts of Cambridge, and prebendary of Ely,
from 1752 until his death in 1804. He was the son of the bishop of Ely, Thomas Gooch, who gave him
his preferments the year before he died.
22A
nuptial song or poem in praise of bride and bridegroom, in this instance unidentified, but probably a
cousin of some kind from the marriage of his paternal aunt, Mary Williams, to the son of an Ely
apothecary, the Revd Charles Cole, rector of North Crawley, Buckinghamshire.
23National
newspapers published a list of people arriving at Bath, Somerset. The words 'honor's Worship'
suggest that Philip Williams was accompanying Charles Jenkinson (later the 1st Lord Liverpool), for
whom he at some time served as chaplain.
24On
7 November, 1770, three days after the date of this letter, Jeremiah Taylor was instituted vicar of
Brampton, Huntingdonshire, as a favour of John Gordon, who seems to have considered it for himself
(see Letter 11).
25In
1764, James Stephen Lushington (1734-1801) married Mary Law, a daughter of Edmund Law, a
distinguished Cambridge theologian and bishop of Carlisle.
26Unidentified,
27An
but apparently where the Gordon family is living in Cambridge.
antiquated or old-fashioned person, a fogey.
46
28An
awful rhyme or verse.
47
Letter 14: Monday, 26 August and Thursday 29 August, 17711 − Philip Williams in
Scotland, at Fort William and Inverness, to Lovelace Bigg[-Wither] at Chilton Foliat,
Wiltshire (HRO/63M84/234/1, by courtesy of the Hampshire Record Office,
Winchester)
Address panel: [In another hand] From old Mr [Philip] Williams of Compton, Father of Philip and
Charles Williams, and Grandfather of Mrs C. Simeon, to my Grandfather Lovelace Bigg afterwards
Wither. [Sir] W[illiam] Heathcote.' Postmark: 6/SE
.
Dear Bigg,
We rode so long a journey yesterday, or rather so mountainous a one, that ourselves as
well as horses are glad to have a day of rest here. I was on horseback yesterday at 9 o'clock to
come 40 mile, and after stopping only an hour and ½ to give our cattle some oats, and ourselves
some hard eggs, arriv'd here [Fort William] last night at ½ after eleven.
So far from not setting out (as you prophesied) [Samuel] Isted, Sir C[harles] Watson and
myself are at this instant hovering over a peat fire within 60 miles of Inverness, and having told
you that, had I my own will, I should subscribe myself Bob. Short.2 But as I want to hear from
you in return about Mrs Bigg3 and [Robert Pope] Blachford, I shall continue my scrawl. I just
recollect you will be amusing yourself with the warm before dinner, and explaining the nature of
it [the letter] to an old parent, when this arrives at Chilton [Foliat, Wiltshire], so that you will not
want South country and election news to entertain me with upon your return.
I spent a couple of days at Marlow [Buckinghamshire]. Mrs Ist[ed] and her husband
[Ambrose]4 din'd there one of the days. Her (owing partly perhaps to the jaundic'd medium [I]
view'd her thro') much alter'd for the worse, and very big, he the arrantest puppy I ever met
with[,] forever b[rin]ging in Cambridge stories to inform you that he was (what so few of the
military are) bred up at the university. Mrs Mundy5 I like very much; she has lain in I suppose by
this time; they appear to be very happy. Our sumpter6 horse was our first calamity, whose
withers were so wrung by the time we arriv'd at Matlock [Derbyshire], that we were obliged to
send him back, and ship off in consequence our superfluous baggage, so that we have barely a
change of linen, and indeed it is the only way of getting thro' so long a journey without the
conveniency of a carriage; which along the Devil's turnpike or staircase must I think be crush'd,
tho' the Duke of Argyll's equipage comes over it when he reviews the garrisons.7
Your journal has made me too lazy to make one of my own, as there are but few places
we have seen hitherto, out of your rout - These are the Winander Mere [Windermere] and
Keswick lake [Derwent Water], the latter of which has charms even after seeing Loch Lomond.
The other makes up for its deficiencies (tho' by no means contemptible) by the char8 which it
produces. Near Carlisle we went to see Corby Castle [Great Corby, Cumbria]9 belonging to a Mr
[Philip] Howard whose wife has been so generous as to oblige him to live in France to make up
for her extravagancies in gaming, and leave a place remarkable for having no pretensions to the
name of Castle but from its being built on the site of the old one on a steep rock cover'd with
fine woods and a beautiful river of the name of Eden which gives occasion to many apt
quotations from Milton.
Drumlanrig [Castle, near Thornhill, Dumfries and Galloway] is a desolated old place, the
furniture worse than that of Chatsworth, the terraces and waterworks entirely after the manner
of the antients. It was built about 100 years ago, and has a long gallery of the very worst painted
48
ancestors I ever saw, excepting a good portrait of E. Traquair - They are fond of the Duke [of
Buccleugh] to a degree of adoration, tho' he very seldom comes amongst them. His woods are
very extensive, and what is extraordinary, great part of them of oak, with the beautiful river of
the Nith crown'd with [a] variety of trees on its banks, which he is not able to see from his
castle.10
Hamilton [near Glasgow] you know as well as I, so I shall pass over to Inverary,11 which
is a very noble place indeed, but so far from being compleated, that I suspect it never will in this
Duke [of Argyll]'s time, tho' he is very assiduous, as exclusive of the house, at present
unfurnish'd, there is a small village up to his gates, which he has begun transplanting, and then I
think it will be one of the finest and most singular places in England, and what is very
extraordinary in the Highlands, has a considerable platform about it, and such a mountain
cover'd with firs and beach [beech] as would make about 3 of the Clerkingwell ones (the wrong
name I believe) about Bath.12 The castle is very whimsical, D. Archibald (Lord Kay to wit) being
his own architect; but as I don't mean to enter into a description of it, the environs are much
superior to the house. The Duke [of Argyll] did us the honour (as he is remarkably civil to
strangers) to invite us to his table, which we declin'd partly on account of old Sumpter horse
having depriv'd us of by his absence of change of raiment, and partly on account of his being
very much throng'd with company among whom was Sir G[eorge] Colebrooke, whom I mention
for having purchas'd an estate of Lord Selkirk for £72 000, chiefly morassy or (as they call it
here) mossy ground.13
I must not omit Douglas Castle [Douglas, South Lanarkshire], which like the other
Scotch mansions I have seen, is imperfect, and never to be compleated14 - (Inverness Thur:
Night) what is finished of it, is infinitely superiour to any thing of the Castle kind I have yet seen.
I am just return'd from surveying Culloden Moor, which is like Bagshot Heath [Surrey],
except where the dead men were inserted, and those places are mark'd out by a very beautiful
verdure.15 We found a scull there, and the cottagers are very assiduous in pressing bullets and
other military reliques upon you, which as I did not find [them] myself, I doubt the authenticity
of, and wav'd accepting of.
One specimen of Scotch neatness we met with at fort William, deserving notice. Sir
C[harles] Watson and myself lay a room about 6 foot square, and just by his bed was plac'd a
large gomer16 to recieve the drippings from the cieling which we supposed to be rainwater, but
were soon convinc'd by our noses it was dew of another sort
In return, we were dining at an hut in the highlands, and some gentlemen came in from
shooting, who sent us a tarmegan [ptarmigan] (a kind of black game) to look at, and then insisted
upon our taking a couple with us to our hovel in the evening.
We are always sure of good port and clean sheets; but farther I am silent. The latter
however are soon frequented by bugs and fleas. We have not yet got the itch, and I hope shall
not, tho' we have not done yet with Scotland by a great deal. We set off tomorrow for
Aberdeen, Dundee etc then go to Perth, Taymouth, Blair, Dunkeld, Stirling and so to
Edinburgh,17 where I suppose we shall hardly be this fortnight. Direct to me at the Post-house
at Berwick, till call'd for.
This is a wretched place; the kitchen up 2 pair of stairs, and our room 3 [pair] - We cast
lots every night for beds; I lay over the kitchen, and am amus'd by a stinking ram goat who
patrolls all night in the kitchen, I suppose with a view of extinguishing other smells, or at least
serving as a scape goat to take of other's blame and filth.
49
Mrs Bigg would remember what we had for supper as long as she lives. Last night we
had carrots hash'd up with stinking potted butter and sugar.
The land where it is cultivated stinks so sour and acid with the linseed, that the very
savour has given me the gripes and forc'd me to pay two shillings for one shillingworth of
tincture of rhubarb.
There is a great fair here, and the highlanders come near 100 mile to exchange a little
goat cheese for an horn spoon or some such useful houshold furniture.
Your's most affectionately,
P. Williams
How does your father do? remember me kindly to [Robert Pope] Blachford and Mrs [Lovelace]
Bigg [née Blachford].
The letter is pasted into a volume inscribed at the front: 'Old Letters etc ...found among papers at the
death of my Sister Helena and arranged by me, 1926. Arthur M[alcolm] Heathcote.' Under this particular
letter is written: 'from Mr Williams of Compton to my great-grandfather Lovelace Bigg-Wither. AMH.'
Elizabeth, the 4th daughter of Bigg-Wither, married the Revd William Heathcote in 1798 (Bigg-Wither,
1907, p. 151).
1
Internal evidence in Letter 15 shows that a letter written a few days before this one, and sent from
Glasgow on 21 or 25 August, was received by his step-father, Dr John Gordon, in Cambridge, on 22
September.
He probably means he would prefer to write a short letter! He was reporting his tour of the north of
England and Scotland in the company of two pupils from New College, Oxford, namely, Sir Charles
Watson and Samuel Isted..
2
Lovelace Bigg-Wither's second wife, Margaret Blachford, whom he married in 1766. She was a sister of
Robert Pope Blachford, who had been a Winchester scholar in 1754, the year before Philip Williams and
Bigg entered the school (Bigg-Wither, 1907, p.147).
3
An Oxford graduate and barrister of the Middle Temple, seated at Ecton, Northamptonshire. It is his
son Samuel, aged about 21, whom Philip Williams is taking on the Scottish tour.
4
Elizabeth, the second wife of F.N.C. Mundy, Philip Williams’s contemporary at Winchester College,
whom he often visited in Derbyshire later in his life. Mundy's first wife Betty died after a year of marriage
in 1768 aged only 22 and two years later he married Elizabeth, the daughter of Sir Robert Burdett (see
Clark-Maxwell, 1932, and WCA/M/PW/390-395, not published here).
5
6
A baggage animal.
Field Marshall John Campbell, 5th duke of Argyll (1723-1806), head of the Campbell clan, lived at
Inverary Castle, near Thornhill, Dumfries and Galloway. The Devil's Staircase (also called the Devil's
Turnpike) runs between Kingshouse and Kinlochleven, on the highest part of the military road that led
north from Milngavie, near Glasgow, to Fort William. It is now part of the long-distance trail, the West
Highland Way.
7
50
8
A freshwater fish, like trout, that lives in mountainous areas.
9
Still standing, much altered.
10Seat
of the dukes of Buccleugh, who acquired it from the marriage of Lady Jane Douglas, daughter of
the
duke of Queensberry to the 2nd duke of Buccleugh. The letter refers to the 3rd duke (1746-1813),
who succeeded in 1751. The river Nith is well known for its salmon. It rises in South Ayshire and runs
into the Solway Firth
2nd
Inverary Castle, which stands on the shores of Loch Fyne, Argyll and Bute, was completed in 1789.
The comment about D. Archibald (Lord Kay) being his own architect is puzzling, as Inverary Castle was
the seat of the dukes of Argyll, designed by William Adams and completed by his sons. 'Transplanting' is
suggestive of the notorious Highland Clearances, but these got under way later. The duke of Argyll
founded the town of Inverary in 1745 and much of it was built between about 1722 and 1800.
11
12 Obscure.
A shrewd observation: the merchant banker Sir George Colebrooke (1729-1809) went in for wild
speculation and within two years of this letter his bank had failed.
13
14Very
little remains of the grand mansion to the designs of the Adams brothers, started by the duke of
Douglas in 1757 and only half-completed at his death in 1761.
15
He was visiting the place 25 years after the Battle of Culloden.
16
A Hebrew measure, a pot.
He seems not to have been looking at the map. Inverness to Aberdeen was a hugely difficult journey at
the time and a route that broadly followed the modern A9 road seems the more likely.
17
51
Letter 15: Sunday, 29 December 1771 – from Dr John Gordon in Cambridge, to his
stepson, Philip Williams, at New College, Oxford, forwarded to Dr Staker,1 Bath
(WCA/M/PW/364)
Address panel: The Revd Mr Philip Williams at Dr Statzer’s [sic] Bath at New College Oxford.
Postmark: 1/IA OXFORD Post Pd to Oxford
Dear Phil,
The interval, to be sure, between the 22d of October (the day on which I receivd the
favor of your last) and the 29th of December (the day on which this answer is to be dated) is a
pretty considerable space of time. And yet it is not a vast deal longer than that between August
21st or 25th (I do not make out the latter figure very distinctly) the day when your former letter
was dispatchd from Glasgow,1 and the date of your letter from Loughborough, which came to
hand as above.† You may say indeed that you were riding
[Footnote] †N.B. Upon a review there appears some little matter of fallacy in this state of the account as
my answer intervened – however that was dispatchd immediately after the receipt of yours, so that makes little
difference.
“over the Hills and far away” whilst I was sitting quietly by my fireside. It is true, except as to the
word quietly. Indeed, my Dear Phil, I never passed 3 months less quietly in my life almost, than I
have done the 3 last. A journey upon the Devil’s Turnpike1 is nothing to a Canvass for a
University Office. And yet Dr [Richard] W[atson]2 my opponent has shewn that a proper use of
a Turnpike from Cambridge to Lambeth and from thence to [the earl of] Euston and back again,
is worth all the Applications and letters, that can be written between Michaelmas and Christmas
– though he performed the journey in less than 3 days, nights included. I hate to talk in a
complaining stile – I have been endeavouring all my life to love mankind, and I cannot bear to
be put out of conceit them: And yet if I was to say, that I have been most horridly ill used, by
some pretended Friends too, I verily believe, that no one here woud accuse me of a breach of
charity – but “longa est injuria, longa ambages”.3 And it is painfull to repeat a disagreable tale. In
short however it is this...
Our poor Friend Dr [Thomas] R[utherford]4 whose life I most ardently wishd for, not
only on his account and that of the public, but also for a less disinterested reason; because I
thought I stood in a situation, that woud make it necessary for me to offer myself to succede
him; and I dreaded the success; as it was an office of great labor in itself, and was made more
difficult by the pattern he had set (you’ll hardly be able to follow up this long parenthesis) in his
last illness appointed me his Deputy; which pointed me out still more for a Candidate.
Accordingly when the fatal event happend, I immediately waited upon the Electors and offerd
my Services. My Reception was a favorable as I coud expect; some telling me they woud vote
for me against any body but a person of their own College; others hoping I shoud meet with no
opposition. And for 2 days I had the prospect of being elected without opposition, but on the
3rd I was told Dr Watson, our Professor of Chemistry, was just arrived with a Letter from the
D[uke] of G[rafton] to the V[ice] C[hancellor] and Heads [of Colleges] desiring them to petition
the K[ing] for a Mandat Degree of D[octor of] [Divinity] for the aforesaid, in order to capacitate
him for being a Candidate for the vacant chair of Divinity, as the Statutes had expressly enjoind
that no one under the degree of BD or DD coud be admitted to offer their pretensions. The
52
willing Heads immediately met to the number of 8, and signd his Petition, with which he
immediately set off to get first of all another Head to sign in the Country, as practice has made a
majority necessary,5 and then to procede to Town to get his business expedited in the proper
offices; which he accomplishd by Sunday having set out on Monday, and travelld 3 nights and 3
days without changing his cloaths or going to Bed, as it is said – and then had the modesty to
apply to me to create him (as it is calld) a DD in the vacancy of the Professorship; which as I had
just before performd for our V[ice] C[hancellor] your Friend Browny6 [James Brown], rather
than be suspected of any thing contracted or illiberal I undertook, and he was completed a DD
by an extraordinary Commencement on Monday by 4 o’clock in the afternoon, after a speech of
about 15 minutes in which I endeavourd to pay due encomiums to his expedition &c. I mention
the days and time because the Statute directs that all Candidates shall be examind on the 8th day
after the vacancy is known to the V[ice] C[hancellor] &c in these words “sit autem dies
Examinationes dies Octavus, postquam &c.” The vacancy was known as required on Sunday
October 6th. And the Electors (who are 7 in number, viz. the V[ice] C[hancellor], [the] Master
and 2 senior fellows of Trinity [College], Master [of] Christ’s College, Master [of] Queen’s
[College], and Master [of] St John’s [College]) appointed Tuesday the 15th for the day of the
Examination. When Tuesday came therefor I refused to be examined as a Competitor with Dr
W[atson] who I contended was not qualified to be a Candidate on the Statutable day of the
Examination, which in any way of reckoning must have been either Sunday the 13 th or Monday
the 14th, which last was the Day on which he took his degree as a qualification at an hour after
which no university business in the Schools, especially so weighty a one as an examination “per
Facultatem Theologicam”, [in] the words of the Statute, was ever appointed – that therefor I
was the only Statutable Candidate before them – that if I was not examined on the proper day, it
was not my fault, as I had attended both on Sunday and Monday at the Div[inity] Schools to
tender myself for examination in the presence of a Notary Pub[lic]. I accordingly desired to have
a passage in the Scriptures or a question assigned me to read upon “per spatium hora” 7 in the
Schools as the statute directs, but they adhered to their own appointment, and refused to
consider me as a Candidate, unless I woud submit to be examined, which I knew was giving up
all chance I had – for I knew that with the three votes of his own Coll[ege] Watson had secured a
fourth before he applied for a Mandat. So they gave W[atson] 2 questions [to take] home with
him, which he was to answer in 3 or 4 hours time by way of examination; and afterwards
assigned him a question to read upon[,] given in by himself first to them. And by a due process
afterwards elected him unanimously to the office, as the only Candidate; leaving me to try what I
can make of my objection. You will say perhaps they were very kind, as I dreaded the office.
But, Phil, one does not vastly like to be ill used, and I coud not help considering this, which I
knew to be an errant job to stop the mouth of a man, who headed an opposition against the
D[uke] [Grafton] and the Master of his own Coll[ege] at our last Election of a M[ember] of
P[arliament] - in that point of view I have therefor laid my Case before Council and may
perhaps, if I get no redress that way[,] lay it before the Public, if for nothing else, at least to shew
how matters of this kind are conducted in the U[niversity] of C[ambridge]. You will see, I think,
that such a Canvass, the number[of] letters to be written, 2 Latin speeches to be made in the
Senate House in the Character of Professor [of Divinity], in which I acted during the vacancy; a
sermon to be made on a Public Occasion, and afterwards at the pressing instances8 of Friends,
publishd (a Copy of which, I hope you recd) with the after engagement of drawing up a long
Case in the matter with which the Courts of Westminster are but little acquainted; and preparing
53
a Sermon for the B[isho]p of L[incoln]’s ordination on the canvassd Question of Subscriptions;9
attending that Ordination, and his Lordship afterwards at Camb[ridge] for a week may plead
something in one’s favor for not being so punctual a Correspondent, as otherwise I certainly
shoud have been.
I am exceedingly obliged to you for, and highly pleased with your anecdotes of North
Britain, which I had the pleasure of running over again with Sir C[harles] Watson 1 last night,
when he did us the favor to spend the evening with us. Your account of Durham in particular
you may be sure was highly soothing to that amor patriae, which every one feels more or less.10
And I think, you must have had a most delightfull tour upon the whole, which will furnish you
with subjects of reflection and amusement as long as you live. By your list of Names I shoud
have thought you had been travelling to Lagado or amongst Houghams11 I envy your moonlight
scene, and coud have been well content to partake of it at the expence of a smell of Linseed, or a
kiss of an acid child! Welfare your heart, Master Phee – I wish you all happiness at Winton
[Winchester].
Extr[act] of a Lett[er] from Mr Davy12 of Henstead, near Beccles, Suffolk “to ask Mr
W[illiams] whether he has any Friend, who takes Pupils in New Coll[ege] under whom he wishes
me to recommend Sir G[eorge Howland] Beaumont to be admitted next January;13 but as a
journey of that season is not very agreeable, I shoud be glad to know whether the examination of
a Fellow Commoner is so strictly required, that his personal appearance may not be dispensd
with – Excellent parts – ready wit – Eton Education, Barne14 like modesty – frighted at
examination – easily be driven into Switzerland, without going to Oxford – which I shoud be
sorry for – and shall be obliged to you for a line, as soon as you hear from Mr Williams.” Mr
Davy is my Curate, has a high opinion (whether you know it or not) of that same Mr W [and]
means this as a Comp[limen]t – thought to have placed Sir G under you – Q: had not you better
write to him directly yourself to save time? direct as above.
Extr[act] from Dr [Robert] Gl[ynn]15 “in the Eton Coll[ege] Stat[utes] – De Modo &
Forma eligendi socios perpetuos &c is the foll[owin]g clause – viz. Idem Praepositus & socii
alium presbyterum sen presbyteros loco deficientis socii presbyteri hujusiemodi sen sociorum
presbyterorum deficientium, de sociis Collegii nostri Regalis Cantabr vel de his qui prius fuerant
in eodem & in causis licitis et honestis recesserunt ab ipso; vel de Presbyteris conductiliis
ejusdem Collegii de Etona, vel de his qui prius fuerant in eodem, habilem et sufficientem, aut
alias de Collegiis vel locis aliis juxta ipsorum discretionem nominent et eligant Presbyterum vitae
laudabilis &c.” 16
Dr Glynn presents his kindest Complim[en]ts and best good wishes to Mr W[lliams] and
shoud be much obliged to him for a transcript of the Clause above or whatever other Clause
there shall happen to be instead of it in that Stat[ute] of Winchester Coll[ege] which relates to the
same subject.” [I] forgot to get a frank of the B[isho]p [and] therefor obliged to croud these
things in. How happy a thing to pay one’s debts, though but in part! I almost hate the sight of a
Pen and Ink. Fanny [Frances Williams] in Town, Nanny [Anne Williams] well at home – going
to frisk it tomorrow night at a Ball at Maddingley.17 Boys well – and learn and grow apace.
Mother well – all desire love. I am done Phil.
Thine most sincerely,
J. Gordon
54
1This
letter has been forwarded Dr John Staker, a physician in Bath, where perhaps Philip Williams had
gone for treatment after a challenging tour of the north of England and Scotland which took in the
Devil’s Turnpike. He was accompanied by two pupils, namely, Samuel Isted and Sir Charles Watson, who
is mentioned here. A letter describing the experience, written to his friend Lovelace Bigg-Wither from
Fort William on 26 and 29 August 1771 is included in this collection (HRO/63M84/234/1). It predated
the letter, now lost, referred to by John Gordon.
2At
Cambridge, Richard Watson FRS (1737-1816) was elected professor of chemistry in 1764. Founded
in 1702, it ‘is the longest occupied chair of Chemistry in Great Britain and became the BP Chair of
Organic Chmistry in 1992’ (Molloy, 2009, p. 22). Watson admitted that the regius professorship of
divinity had ‘long been the secret object’ of his ambition’ (he was elected to it in 1771) and that he knew
‘as little about the subject as he had about chemistry’ (Robert Hole, ‘Richard Watson’, ODNB, online
edition, 2007). But he was obviously a clever man: in the Mathematical Tripos, taken by all ambitious
undergraduates, he graduated 2nd Wrangler in 1759, whilst ten years earlier John Gordon was seemingly
ranked 16 out of 22 Wranglers and Senior Optimes, which were not then listed separately. Watson was an
acquaintance of the duke of Grafton (courtesy title, earl of Euston), who in 1766 became prime minister
as a puppet of Pitt the Elder. After his appointment in 1768 as the chancellor of Cambridge University he
‘developed an increasing interest in theological matters’ (see also Note 7, Letter 11).
Molloy, J, 2009, ‘Synthesising success’, The Triple Helix Cambridge 800th Anniversary Editon, p. 22.
3The
account of this injury is long and longer for the telling of it.
4Thomas
Rutherford FRS (1712-1771) was elected regius professor of divinity at Cambridge in 1756 and
died in post on 5 October 1771. Like his successor Richard Watson, and other academics-cum-clerics of
the time, he was able to pursue moral philosophy alongside the physical sciences. He wrote a popular
textbook on mechanics, optics, hydrostastics and astronomy.
5Cambridge
had seventeen colleges, so an absolute majority required support from nine or more.
6Cambridge
vice chancellors served the university for one year: in 1771 it was the turn of James Brown
DD (ca 1709-1784), master of Pembroke Hall, now Pembroke College (Cambridge University Calendar, 1807,
p.17; Venn, 1922).
7In
the space of an hour.
8Urgent
9In
entreaties.
the sense of a ‘reference’ written in support of ordination or a similar appointment.
10John
Gordon had grown up at Whitworth, near Durham.
11Lagado,
a capital city, and the Houyhnhnms, horses endowed with reason, from Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels,
first published in 1726.
12His
curate is not apparently listed as a graduate of Oxford or Cambridge, and was perhaps a nongraduate priest.
55
13Sir
George Howland Beaumont, 7th baronet (1753-1827) of Dunmow, Essex, matriculated at New
College on 4 May 1772. He last appears in the Eton College Lists (Leigh, 1907, p. 150) in 1769 in ‘5th Form
Opps’. He served as MP for Beer-Alston, Devon, between 1790 and 1796.
14Bairn.
15Robert
Glyyn (later Clobery; 1719-1800), Cornishman, scholar of Eton College, fellow of King’s
College, Cambridge, an eccentric physician, who practised in the town and in Ely. Philip Williams VI
(1852-1939) donated to King’s College a letter by Dr Glynn to a Mr Keate (WCA/M/PW/249f & g).
16This
item deals with the election of 'perpetual' fellows at Eton by the Provost and other fellows (pers.
comm. Roger Davies). They could elect 'priests' (meaning graduates) at King's College, Cambridge, either
resident or formerly of the place, but who had left 'for legitimate and honourable reasons'. Or they could
elect 'hired priests' at Eton, or other places 'at discretion', who had graduated from King's. It ends with:
'May they chose priests of a praiseworthy life'.
17
Madingley Hall, a stately pile near Cambridge, still stands. It is now the home of the
University’s Institute of Continuing Education and a conference centre. During the eighteenth
century it was much altered by local politician Sir John Hynde Cotton and his namesake son.
56
Letter 16: Sunday, 7 February 1773 – from Philip Williams in Chilton [Foliat], near
Newbury1, Berkshire, to the Delegates of the University Press, Oxford, (probably
addressed to Samuel Forster, Registrar; filed in the Vice Chancellor's Letter Book, 17721807, OS/E2/1/4)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
Revd Sir,
My absence from Winchester must plead my apology for not answering your favour
sooner, which arrived here only last night.
You will be kind enough to acquaint the board of Delegates that the edition of Polybius2
is in a progressive state and will I hope in the course of the year be in some degree of
forwardness, though when it may be ready for the press, I cannot by any means ascertain.
I entered upon the work at first, rather to oblige the late Dr [Thomas] Hayward [warden
of New College, Oxford, 1764-1768], than as a task agreeable to myself, and a three years
connection I soon after entered into formed with a young gentleman [Samuel Isted] placed under
my tuition,3 prevented my attention being directed towards the edition so much as it otherwise
would have been.
I mean not however by any means to decline the undertaking, unless the Board are
willing to put it into hands abler and more inclined to execute a publication of this nature.
As some gentleman may possibly have offered himself for this purpose, I shall very
readily communicate what few observations I may have made worthy [of] his acceptance.
Otherwise, I shall consider myself bound by the regard I have for the memory of Dr Hayward,
and the good opinion the board have entertained of me by intrusting me with this edition of
Polybius, to finish it as soon as possible, and I trust in such a manner as may not prove me
altogether unworthy of the late Warden's recommendation or the Board's acceptance.
I propose spending a few days with the Warden of New College [John Oglander] in the
course of the next week, and remain, Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
Phil. Williams
1The
home of his friend Lovelace Bigg-Wither, prior to his succeeding in 1789 to the Manydown estates
at Wootton St Lawrence, Hampshire, when he added Wither to his name (Bigg-Wither, 1907, pp. 50-52).
Bigg had inherited the grand house at Chilton Foliat, with 300 acres of land, after the death of his father
in 1772.
2The
saga of Philip Williams’s fruitless work on an edition of Polybius, which earned him the nickname
‘Polyby’ (Awdry, 1906), has been told by Blakiston (1962). See also Chapter 4 of the book associated with
these transcripts, The Speaker’s Chaplain & The Master’s Daughter, and Stray, 2011.
3From
about December 1768 (see Letter 10).
57
Letter 17: Sunday, 9 January 1774 – from Dr John Gordon in Cambridge, to his stepson,
Philip Williams, at Chilton [Foliat], near Newbury1 (WCA/M/PW/365)
Address panel: To: The Reverend Mr. Phil. Williams. Fellow of the College at Winchester, at
Lovelace’s [sic] Bigg’s Esqre, Chilton, near Newberry, Postmark: None
Dear Phil,
Did not you throw out a little insinuation about tardiness in correspondence? and did not
you deliberate from July to October before I received your last, which came in answer to two, if
not three, of mine? But I suppose you have heard from some of your acquaintances, what
advantage it was in certain altercations to call Whoa first! and so were resolved to be in time that
way at least. The interval however between October and January being pretty near the same as
that between July and October we may be now nearly upon a par in that respect, saving that you
only wrote one letter in answer to two. And whereas you likewise are pleased to object to the
smallness of my paper, I woud beg leave to observe, that a small peice of paper will hold as
much as a large one, “Provided,” as my old Friend Mr Alderman Nutting2 and with singular
accuracy to distinguish, "it be according to the due differences and degrees of things". That is,
for instance in the present cases, if the small be filled from end to end, top, side, margin and all;
and the other be written upon only about 2-thirds of the way, with large spaces, as the Printers
call them, between the lines; which appear like Virgil’s shipwreckd Mariners “[Adparent] rari
nantes in gurgite vasto.”3 However to shew how willing I am to alter any thing that may be
amiss, I am ready with the new year to adopt new manners, and from January 1774 mean to
make use of the large Quarto Demy,4 at least in my correspondence with thee. Though I have in
my own mind fully vindicated my long silence at least by the argumentum ad hominem;5 yet
farther to apologise for it, I am willing to give you a narrative of the interruptions I have had to
prevent my writing anything but matters of mere business.
At my return from the North, I was called upon almost immediately to attend the
Ordination at Buckden, where I staid till nearly the time of receiving your letter. As business will
not go on by itself, my long absence and the accumulated affairs that had been thrown upon my
hands during that absence, required some little time to be adjusted. My Proctor, as you in the
West, or grey parson,6 as we in Suffolk call a Hirer of Tythes, being called to another account as,
I believe, I before informed you, and his Lease being put an end to both by his demise and the
expiration of the Term, I was obliged in my hurry to get into the North, to leave matters of that
kind rather in an unsettled way and the parish in some small ferment at the method I had taken
to readjust them, which was by employing the assistance of able Land Surveyor to ascertain the
values of my demands, which by this means were considerably raised, and my Substitute (your
friend Mr Davy, who by the by writes me word he had just had a mortifying disappointment in
missing the Living of Putney to which you may see by the Papers a Dr Whitfield7 has been lately
presented) not choosing to act by himself in the affair, I was under a necessity of going
personally among them to quiet matters. An agreeable Errand in its own nature! and which to
render more so, I undertook to enact on horseback – yes on horseback, on a vile Cambridge
Hack which fell with me three times upon the journey; though I thank God with no other injury
to me or himself, except cutting his knees - whether this tendency to genuflexion was in
consequence of any notion he entertained of the propriety of such motion whilst he carried an
Archdeacon on his back I know not. But I was betrayed into the scheme by my Friend B Barker,
58
who upon my beating up for an agreeable companion in a Postchaise, offered himself upon the
conditions of my riding: which partly upon the strength of my Friend David Ap-Skenkin’s
maxim, that “comes fecundus in via pro vehiculo est,”8 partly through a little spirit of mischief to
take the Proposer in, and partly to surprise the world, I readily embraced and performed
accordingly with a whole skin though with the no small agitation of the bones and muscular
system. After sundry negotiations with individuals and sitting up drinking and smoaking with
the general Body of my Farmers till 3 o’clock in the morning at the Alehouse (which poor Davy7
writes me word he did not recover in a fortnight) I at length concluded my bargains with them
all for them to each pay me a certain composition for his own Tythes; by which I have raised my
Living from £147 to upwards of £200 a year, though I made abatements to the amount of 15
[per cent] a year or upwards from the valuation. I have however besides charged myself with
outgoings (voluntarily) of about £15 a year, and a journey or paying a Reciever will cost me
about £10 a year more, so that the clear increase will only be about £25 or £30 a year. However
they are very well satisfied upon the whole and so am I. I am glad to hear so good an account of
Bradby,9 though I wish Mr Purling had been a little earlier in his application; as when Proprietors
are not Patrons such agreements I think can be attended with no [sic] bad consequences, and it is
rather more agreeable to oblige them, where it may be done safely. Upon my Return from
Suffolk I got the Farms at Upend and Catlidge10 surveyd, valued, and mapped. For as the Leases
were out and I was determind to raise the Rents, I had a mind to inform myself fully of the
extent and quality of the Lands etc. I thought besides as the Proprietors both in present and in
future are likely to live at a distance it woud be a satisfaction to have something permanent to
ascertain their property by. These matters cost a good deal of money – but I do not grudge it. I
had not so clever, nor I believe so honest a man to value the Farms as I had for my Living.
However as I was pretty well informed about the matter myself, I ventured to raise them about
£8 a year above his Estimate, and in a way more satisfactory to myself, which was by throwing
the Landtax and Quitrent upon the Tenant – so as to make a rise upon the whole of about £18
15s. a year on the two farms together. The two young Dobito’s10 have taken them, and both
they and the Father are very well satisfied. I am now in treaty for a similar rise at Barrington.11
These matters with the attendance at Ordination and Christmassing besides have pretty well
taken up my time. All the Family, I thank God, are perfectly well, and desire love and good
wishes in great abundance. I know not well where to direct this but mean to send it to
Winchester at a venture, and leave it to find it’s way after thee from thence as it can. Last report
of your motions placed you in Wilts[hire]1 – it is probable from your own Epistle, that you may
be now happily cultivating your new acquaintance at Bath - and I flatter myself the Wykemical
[sic] meeting12 will bring you up to Town the latter end of February where I hope to have the
pleasure of seeing you about the 20th.
I am in the mean time most sincerely thine, Dear Phil,
J. Gordon
P.S. The Dittonians13 all well, and so are all other friends. A Rumpus just taken place with the
Allixes – Ball there on the 12th Night. Nanny [Anne Williams] invited. Fanny [Frances Williams]
at Newmarket – but though Downey was asked from the same House where she was, no notice
taken of her. In the mean time she returns to Camb[ridge] and both the Miss W[illiam]s are
invited to a ball at Lord Montfort’s14 on the same day. Fanny thinks of accepting the invitation –
but Nanny considers herself as engaged. During this suspence, Mrs A[llix] hearing of Fanny’s
59
return home, and fearing it shoud seem, lest she shoud come uninvited as she was, and teach
Nanny any bad lessons about her. Dear Charley – sends to say, she is sorry, she cannot receive
her – upon which both sisters went to Horseheath14 and on their return next day were stopt at a
little Alehouse by the water for 3 or 4 hours. No explanation yet.
[Written at the head] Report of the Day, that Beadon15 our Pub[lic] Orator is to be the new
Preb[endary] of Ely in the room of poor Dr Nicolls [John Nicols] deceased.
1The
letter has been forwarded from Winchester College to his friend Lovelace Bigg-Wither at Chilton
[Foliat], Wiltshire, near Newbury, with whom he was no doubt staying.
2A
member of the Corporation of the City of Cambridge (Annals of Cambridge, Vol IV, via
www.archive.org)
3Swimming
freely he plunges in the vast sea ( The Aeneid, Book 1, line 118).
4A
sheet of demy quarto writing paper traditionally measured 10” x 7¾”, though the original of this letter
was a sheet that folded to make 9” x 7 ¼”.
5A
legal term: an argument that shows an opponent's statement to be inconsistent with his other beliefs.
6A
farmer who rents the tythes of a rector or vicar (OED).
7Mr
Davy was at some time John Gordon's curate at Henstead, Suffolk. The successful incumbent of
Putney was probably Dr Henry Whitfield, who became a doctor of divinity at Oxford in 1772.
8An
agreeable companion on the road is a [good] alternative to a conveyance.
9He
means Bretby Hall, Derbyshire, the seat of the earls of Chesterfield, which still stands, east of
Burton-upon-Trent. For some reason, it is always written ‘Bradby’ in the Letters.
10From
the disputed estate of Philip Williams’s maternal grandfather (see Letter 10). The name 'Dobito'
occurs in undated notes by a copyholder about Catlidge, where it is suggested that it would go to Dr
Gordon when in hand. In fact, it descended to Philip Williams's son (HRO/Q27/3/3/3).
11An
estate at Barrington, Cambridgeshire, was held on lease from Trinity College, Cambridge, by Philip
Williams's father and is mentioned in his will (WCA/M/PW/222)
12In
1774 The Wykehamist Society met in London on Thursday 10 February at its usual venue of the
Crown and Anchor Tavern in the Strand (WCM/G8/1/1).
13Possibly
a family that lived in Fen Ditton, a village near Cambridge. The Allix family probably lived at
Swaffham Prior, near Cambridge (see Note 11, Letter 6).
14Thomas
Bromley (1733-1799), 2nd Baron Montfort of Horseheath, a village near Haverhill, was deeply
involved in the politics of the town of Cambridge.
60
15Dr
Richard Beadon (1737-1824) was, like Philip Williams's namesake father, a fellow of St John's
College and public orator at Cambridge, and he too failed (in 1775) to secure the mastership of the
college, but later he was luckier in his career. He did not, however, follow Dr John Nicols at Ely, who had
died in the previous December: he was succeeded as the second prebendary by Dr Richard Watson, John
Gordon's erstwhile adversary for the regius chair of divinity at Cambridge. In 1778 Beadon married
Rachel Gooch, daughter of an Ely prebendary, Dr John Gooch, who, was 'an old Oxford acquaintance'
of Philip Williams (WCA/M/PW/137). In 1781 he was elected master of Jesus College. John Gordon
rejoiced at the appointment in 1789 of Beadon to the bishopric of Gloucester (Letter 131), adding
cryptically: 'We once liked one another very well. I only thought Nanny [Philip Williams's sister Anne]
shoud have been the Bishopess.' Beadon (who incidentally, was followed at Gloucester by Winchester
warden GI Huntingford) gave up his mastership of Jesus College on his appointment to the bench and
was followed by Dr William Pearce DD. It was another missed opportunity for Gordon, approaching his
65th birthday, who mused (Letter 131): 'Some Friends at Cambridge think I ought to succede him at Jesus
Lodge. Such a situation once woud have been most highly acceptable and to be nearer George [his son,
up at St John's College] might still perhaps have it’s temptations, if offerd handsomely, though I shoud
not be very fond of the bustle now.' As late as 1815 Philip Williams asks his daughters to send best
wishes to a Mrs Beadon, who is with them at Cheltenham (WCA/M/PW/142).
61
Letter 18: Sunday, 26 June 1774 – from Dr John Gordon in Cambridge to his stepson,
Philip Williams, at Winchester (WCA/M/PW/366)
Address panel: To: The Revd Mr. Philip Williams, Fellow of the College at Winchester. A Single
Sheet. Postmark: 27 IV[JU]. SAFFRON WALDEN [Essex].
Dear Phil,
Being now a little settled at home again I think it high time to thank you in the name of
self and Co. for the very friendly and hospitable reception you gave us at Winton. I shall ever set
down the few days I passed in that expedition as some of the pleasantest I ever passed in my life.
On our return everything went off very well. We had but one indifferent pair of horses for
Fanny [Frances Williams] to exercise her feelings upon; and we took in a peep at Windsor, as we
proposed – with which we were all most highly delighted. Of all places I ever saw it is the most
pleasingly magnificent both within and without – St James’s is not fit to be more than a coal hole
to it. Were I King of England (as my Uncle Toby used to say) were I King of England God
Bless his Majesty mean while, I woud not pass many days, I mean if I were my own Master as
well as King of England, without mustering my Knights about me and repairing to that most
Romantic, most delicious abode: it shoud be in Summer though – for I am told it is somewhat
bleak in Winter.† Upon the whole I think I shoud prefer it to the
[Footnote] †Windsore– sic dict. a Wind and sore verb, Angl: significant: severe, sharp, or heavy
blasts – vid. Jun. Etymolog.
being Bishop of Winton living at Farnham.1 We stayed there [Windsor] about 1/4 before 3 till
about ½ after 6 in the evening, set the Lady down about ½ after ten in Q[ueen] Anne Street and
reachd Amen Corner about 11 – found our Master2 in very good humour, though he had
ordered Dinner at five o’clock in expectation of us; and so every thing ended very happily. We
saw Mrs Rutherforth at Windsor, who is vastly well, and made many kind inquiries after you - we
brushed in for a few minutes also at Mrs Sumner’s – where was a repetition of Do. [the same] so
that taking in eating and drinking, seeing the chapell, round Tower and Palace, you will suppose
we were not very idle during the three or four hours we spent there. I performed for my Master
at St Paul’s [Cathedral] on Sunday – staid at home all day on Monday settling a Visitation Plan
for his Lordship to commence August 22nd from Buckden, whither we hope to return about the
15th of September and where I must stay to attend Ordination etc for the remainder of that
month. H and I attended our female Fell[ow] Traveller the night after at the Forge of Vulcan in
Mary-bonne [Marylebone] Gardens,3 partly by design and partly by accident; and the next day
Wednesday I set off with my Lord for Tottenham turning my back upon that blessed seat of
Royalty and commerce of all kinds called London, and the next morning proceeded for the Seat
of the Muses.4 I had the pleasure of finding all well at home, and have since been leisurely
employd in answering interrogatories from all quarters about your Worship’s honour, Winton,
Southampton, etc, etc, etc.
Having given this ample account of myself, I beg leave to express my hopes that our
racketing in the still shade of Will o’ Wyck’s Walls has not been attended with any bad
consequences either to your reputation or health; that no Mr Whitmore5 of strict observation has
discovered any heinous improprieties in our conduct – certain it is, we coud not behave ill at
Chapell, or at least incurre censure from any observer of us there, unless some solitary mouse or
spider might be disturbed by us. I hope also that we did not add many wrinkles to that woe62
worn countenance of our dolorous Relative6 who lives in the unhappy neighbourhood of
continual dollers. Pray present our best respects to all the Family, both He’s and She’s. Your
Mother yearns sore to see them. Lastly I hope that by accelerating a little the pace of our good
friend the Creeper,7 we have not brought him in hazard of regaining the less favorable
appellation, which he once had - that the Cavalry and the modest diffident poor Lilly8 have not
much suffered by us. As to the Rats, they must have been, I think, considerable gainers by us in
several ways.
The Bick[ham]s are now here from Loughborough and not uninquisitive after their
Cousin of Winchester. The Archdeacon has come to be Doctord but there is a grievous story
here to meet them from Edinburgh. What it is I know not, but it is very bad from their
Correspondents declining to give any particulars, as well as from the general outlines; from
which it appears, that Mrs Mack: your old friend poor Maria, has miscarried, and that Mr M. the
Husband is dying, if not already dead. This you may think must be a sad interruption to all
pleasing intercourse. They are engaged to eat a Bit of Venison with us on Friday next (the
annual half-buck being just arrived, which is the only favor I have derived from the Friendship
of the Hardwicke9 Family) but whether they will be able to come or not seems to be extremely
uncertain. Poor Mrs Lancaster is extremely affected, and I’m afraid will suffer very much in her
health by it.
Things go on as usual with the Goochs the Oldhams the Colmans etc. We are to see the
G[ooch]s this afternoon and to dine at [Fen] Ditton tomorrow – Aunt Bell shoud be with us –
but the Faithfull Dean10 (with whom we took a Dinner last Wednesday) has smuggled her away
to Cottenham and vows he will not part with her till ________he goes to London so you know as
there is not likely to be any deficiency in the list of Maiden Williams, one woud be unwilling to
throw any damp (more than what the prudence of sixty and the neighbourhood of the Fens may
supply) upon such a little tender connection. Oldham begins to tone [?] most grievously at the
thoughts of quitting Coll[ege] and says he shall mew every day after Chapell like a Cat in
vacation. Colman’s time does not yet approximate to departure, as he has, in virtue of being
President, 3 years of Grace. George Ashby of St John’s, after having refused it when it was
vacant before, has now taken the Living of Barrow.11 And my Wife says she will take care to
furnish him with a Lady – Margaret Countess of Richmond and Derby; who was left by your
Father as a Legacy to his successors, but made her escape with the Bishop’s Pictures to Buckden,
and as she was thought no very acceptable ornament to a B[aw]dy house, she has escaped been
[being?] a witness to the scenes of frolic and fun that have lately been transacted there by Lords
and their Ladies by being shut up in one of our rooms. Your Friends Mr Cornwall and Mr Lee
Dummer and Families,12 I learnt by accident, passed through here a few days ago, but did not
honor me with any summons to attend them, which I shoud have obeyd with great pleasure.
Fanny was probably launched on board the Vengeance13 yesterday, which is a 74 Gun
Ship built by Mr Randall, Mrs Panton’s neighbour in Q[ueen] Anne Street and they were all to be
present at the ceremony, which I suppose woud not be a dry one. She by accounts is to frisk her
tail tomorrow at an Assembly at Shooter’s Hill with Do. [the same] party, returns to Town on
Tuesday, and proposes to see Camb[ridge] on Thursday. We are to have a sort of private Ball on
Wednesday evening – so she will come the day after the Fair. The Allixs are not heard of lately –
but are probably in Gerard Street. You’ve seen the spit-fire peice of poetry from Bath – called
“the Priest Dissected”14 – just such a thing, as one woud have expected from a man who coud
behave in the manner you described at Bath. Adieu God bless you – let us have the pleasure of
63
hearing well of you, either before you set out, or on your tour, if it be but five words. Poor
Hodg has had a disagreeable summons to attend a sick Brother at Gloucester – a Surveyor of the
Post Office – and set off for that place he tells me on Friday evening. I have exhausted all my
budget – except of compliments love and affection which I have to offer you from all quarters
and which I trust will never be exhausted here, dum spiritus hos regit artus.15 Farewell once more
and believe me to be
Most truly thine,
J. Gordon
1For
much of the the eighteenth century the bishops of Winchester resided either at Farnham Castle,
Farnham, in the Surrey part of the diocese, or in Chelsea, in the episcopal London palace.
2The
bishop of Lincoln, John Green. Amen Corner is at the junction of Paternoster Row and Ave Maria
Lane, near St Paul's Cathedral in the City of London. Until 1924 this was an address of Oxford University
Press.
3Marylebone
Gardens opened in London in 1738 and soon became a popular venue for pleasure seekers.
In about 1771 firework displays at the gardens were deputed to the Italian impresario Giovanni Battists
Torré, who in the previous year had overseen the fireworks in Paris to celebrate the marriage of Marie
Antoinette and Louis XVI. A setpiece in the gardens was The Forge of Vulcan, in which performers took
part in a narrative, theatrical event, based on a myth which had also inspired a famous painting by
Velasquez.
4Probably
a reference to Cambridge.
5Probably
Edward Whitmore (ca 1733-1816), a Winchester scholar who went on to New College, Oxford,
and was, amongst other things, Master of New College School between 1758 and 1763. The school was
then physically located within New College, but is now a short distance away. It is believed to date from
the foundation of New College in 1379, the statutes of which provided for the education of 16 choristers
(pers. comm., Jo Asquith, New College School).
6The
phrases 'our dolorous Relative' and 'Your Mother yearns sore to see them' are difficult to interpret.
They suggest a family link between the Williams family and Winchester that could explain why Philip
Williams went to the school there, even though all known connections seem to have been with
Cambridge and that part of the world. When this letter was written Philip Williams had not yet married,
and though the 'dolorous relative' could have been his future father-in-law Thomas Collins, who was the
second master, there is no known evidence of a link with that family. Another possibility is that the link
was with the Cornwall and Jenkinson families, with whom Philip Williams and his wife were close (see also
Note 9 below).
7Possibly
GI Huntingford, who was a young curate of Compton, the living that Philip Williams would
later hold. He was also paid by the head master of Winchester College, Joseph Warton, to act as a tutor to
commoners. In 1776 he was formally appointed a tutor (sub-praeceptor) for both commoners and
scholars, but soon became involved in a dispute which obliged him to leave for a while. He later became
warden of the college and bishop of Gloucester and then Hereford. His reputation is burdened with the
epithet ‘a lickspittle to the great and a bully to the young’.
8A
pet dog.
64
9Philip
Yorke, 2nd earl of Hardwicke (1720-1790), served as lord lieutenant of Cambridgeshire and high
steward of Cambridge University. The Yorke family dominated county politics in Cambridgeshire for
much of the second half of the eighteenth century. There are extant letters of John Gordon written
between 1769 and 1789 to the 2nd earl, Charles Yorke and Charles Jenkinson (Lord Hawkesbury), (BM
Add MSS 35608-80, 38223-471 passim; see also Letter 13).
10A
letter written in 1769 refers to 'a faithfull Dean' giving a ring to Philip Williams's sister Nanny (Letter
11), who in fact did not marry until 20 years later (see Letter 123). The same 'dean', or perhaps another,
seem now to have attached his affections to his aunt Bell (Helenora Theobella Williams), a lady of
advanced years.
11George
Ashby (ca 1724-1808) was president – equivalent to senior fellow - of St John’s College,
Cambridge, from 1767 to 1775. From 1774 until his death he was rector of Barrow, Suffolk, the college
living previously held by Philip Williams’s namesake father from 1740 until his death in 1749 (pers.
comm., Fiona Colbert, St John's College).
12Possibly
Charles Wolfran Cornwall, later Speaker of the House of Commons and Philip Williams’s
patron, but ‘Lee Dummer’ is unidentified.
13HMS
Vengeance was launched for the Royal Navy at Rotherhithe on 25 June 1774 (Lavery, 2003)
14The
Priest Dissected: a poem addressed to the Rev. Mr - , Author of Regulus, Toby, Caesar, and other satirical pieces in
the public papers, by Christopher Anstey (1724-1805), published in 1774. A controversial fellow of King's
College, Cambridge, and sheriff of Cambridge, he had gained recognition for his New Bath Guide, a witty
account of the Somerset spa. The Priest Dissected, for which the impetus was 'petty local disputes', was
much less well received. He is commemorated in Westminster Abbey.
15Whilst
the spirit rules these limbs (The Aeneid, Book 4, line 336).
65
Letter 19: Friday, 17 March 1775 – from Dr John Gordon at Amen Corner,1 London, ‘Free
John Lincoln’, to his stepson, Philip Williams, at Winchester (WCA/M/PW/367)
Address panel: To: The Revd Mr. Ph. Williams at Winchester Hampshire. Free John Lincoln.
Postmark: 17MR. FREE.
Dear Phil,
A Vacancy has at length happend, not indeed announced by the Speedy man, but by a
Letter from your good Sister Anne. The poor old man2 was gatherd ad plures – to the many
(why do I affront my native tongue?) on Wednesday morning last, not the Wednesday that you
saw mentiond in the Papers; (the papers are all lyers and there is no believing a word they say)
but Wednesday March 15th. And I have the satisfaction to inform you, that I am in as fair a way
to succede in my wishes, as the nature of things will admitt. My Lord [John Green] (the Lord
bless him for it!) has given orders to Hodge (who returned from Lincoln last night) to expedite
the proper instruments as soon as I shoud choose to have them set about. There’s for you, and
not a word of Resignation of any of my present preferments, but on the contrary a demarre 3
upon my making a voluntary offer to resign the Prebendary of B[rampton].4 “Why Sir it makes a
part of your Archdeaconry doesn’t it, and can’t be separated from it; can it?” Upon my
explaining that it coud – “Well that may be considerd of.” I might have told you, that he was so
good as to set my mind entirely at ease the day after you left Town. He took me with him to
Tottenham. After Dinner – Tete a Tete – Bishop: “Pray how long have you your House at
Cambridge for?”
Chap[lain]: “My Lord, I have it only from year to year.”
Bishop: “So if you had an offer elsewhere, you coud quit it when you pleased.”
Chaplain: “At ½ a year’s notice.”
Bishop: “Well I suppose if the Precentorship shoud become vacant, you woud have no
objection to taking it.”
Chaplain: “No, my Lord, it woud make me the happiest man living.”
Bishop: “Well Sir you will easily guess that I have had many applications for it – but I
rejected them all – being determind to offer it to you, if ever it became vacant.”
This was handsome manly and genteel dealing, my Dear Phil; and has at once cancelld
every disagreeable or harsh measure I have before sufferd. So that if you shoud in a few days
read in the Papers of such an Event, as the conversation above quoted directs your thoughts to,
you may in that instant forget the censure I past upon News Paper intelligence and believe for
once they say true.
I hope you got safe to Winton – and finishd your business to your satisfaction. I am
more sorry now than before, that I have not you near to participate with me in this singular peice
of good fortune. My Lord is just this minute come in. So adieu. All well and happy at home and Fanny pretty well in Town. Dr [Thomas] Balguy5 calld this morning and spoke kindly of
you.
Yours affectionately,
J. G.
1See
Note 2, Letter 18.
66
2Probably
William Richardson (1698-1775). The bishop of Lincoln John Green appointed John Gordon
praecentor (in charge of choral singing in the cathedral), in succession to him on the day after this letter
was written. He held the preferment until his death in 1793. Richardson had been master of Emmanuel
College, Cambridge, and vice-chancellor of the university. In 1924 the editors of Alumni Cantabridgienses
noted that he was an 'industrious antiquary' and had 'compiled the manuscript lists of degrees at the
Registry, which were the only ones in use until recently.'
3Fr.
demarrer, to start up, but here used in the sense of ‘letting go’; not recorded in OED.
4After
all, he did resign his prebend of Brampton, on 21 July 1775. He gained the prebend of Kildesby
with his appointment as praecentor.
5Dr
Thomas Balguy (1716-1795) was a distinguished divine who had spent nearly 20 years at St John’s
College, Cambridge, before in 1760 settling in Winchester (though he had been instituted to a prebend
three years earlier). At the university he gave lectures on moral philosophy. In 1757 he was collated to a
prebend at Winchester and two years later bishop Benjamin Hoadly appointed him archdeacon of the
diocese. In his early years he had strong links with the north of England and Lincolnshire. His father
John held the prebend of South Grantham and in 1741 presented him to the living of North Stoke, near
Grantham. Writing in 1758 after a long period of rain in Winchester, Dr Edmund Pyle, the celebrated
royal chaplain and prebendary of Winchester, comments: ‘I have had amends made me by very good
company in the close, especially Dr Balguy’s our new prebendary, who is a special clever man...’
(Hartshorne, 1905, p. 309). In a doggerel poem Thomas Gray, who visited him at Winchester, referred to
him as ‘Balguy with a Bishop in his belly’ (in a letter to his biographer, Thomas Mason, written in January
1768) and in 1781 he was offered the bishopric of Gloucester, but declined on grounds of poor eyesight.
67
Letter 20: Sunday, 22 September 1775 – from Dr John Gordon at Lincoln, to his stepson,
Philip Williams, probably at Winchester (WCA/M/PW/369)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
Dear Phil,
I did indeed tremble almost at the sight of a 2nd Letter from thee, whilst the first remaind
so long unacknowledgd. I certainly do owe thee much more than a mere answer to this Query
which you honor me with on account of the Warden of New College [John Oglander]. But like
many other debts of mine, I am afraid, this also must wait for payment till some future
opportunity. Every day since I received your Letter, have I determined to answer it; every day
has my time been broken in upon by Friends in their return from Scarborough, Scotland etc,
who have been so kind as to cross the Humber for the sake of taking Lincoln in their way. One
day [the] Bishop of Clogher [John Garnett], another 3 Fellows of St John’s [College, Cambridge].
Thursday Mr and Mrs Lombe. Friday no Post - and this day upon coming out of Church, when
I full intended to expedite an answer, the Verger told me there were some Gent[lemen] in the
Church who wanted much to see a Roman Sudatory1 in my Premisses. Of course I waited upon
them with all the civility I was master of. They turnd out to be Mr [Joseph] Banks, Dr [Daniel]
Solander,2and two others of similar taste and pursuits. After viewing my Hypocaust they threw
out hints about some other Roman Remains, which they wishd to have a sight of – by which
means I coud not leave them till dinner time and shoud not even then, I suppose, but that they
were obliged to set off directly to fullfill an engagement. Well, come, thinks I, this has been
somewhat of an interruption to be sure! but there’s the afternoon still. I’ll certainly stay from
church on purpose to complete my design of writing today, as I intendend. And so I did, but I
had not well set Pen to Paper, before Rat a tat tat goes the Rapper, and a Gent is announced by
the name of [James] Wyatt the celebrated Architect of the Pantheon, [London] etc.3 who had
been down to a Mr [Samuel] Dashwood’s at Well in this County,4 where (for I may as well tell it
you here as at any other period of my Letter) your Mother and Sisters are at present and have
been for this week or ten days on a Visit. Mrs Dashwood is an old acquaintance of your
Mothers ever since the days of Aunt Elyott, Lady St John, Hollis Street etc. And they had not
met I think for these 30 years. So great joy and all that of course – they dined with us here about
2 months ago in their way to their son in law, Mr Dashwood, son of Sir Ja[me]s who lives in
Nott[inghamshire] not far from Dr [James] Bickham’s5 at Loughborough. Mr Wyatt was by this
means recommended to see our Cathedral under my good conduct. So there was an end of your
letter again for that day. You will ask perhaps how it happend that I was not of the party at Well.
There were two reasons – one was, I did not greatly wish it – another, it was our Audit week
when they set off – which afforded a very good excuse. Not but what I like Mr Dashwood very
well and shoud have been very glad to have paid my respects to him – but if I had gone, one of
the Girls must have staid at home, as we must have had 2 chaises instead of one, which
backwards and forwards woud have added about £4 to the expence. By the by these same
Audits notwithstanding what you say about stewing over Haunches and Pasties are in my mind
no bad things: though at Lincoln we divide the Fines as they come in, so that our Audit clears us
only a dividend out of the overplus of the Estates after expences of all kinds are deducted
amounting to about £80 or £90 per man. Half of which we leave as a Deposit in the Recievers
hands for carrying on our credit paying next quarter’s Salaries to Singing Men etc. Upon the
68
whole this has been a very good year – upon the whole I shall clear about £540. Another such
woud make a whole man of me and set me down easy with my house repaird furnishd etc – but
the ensuing year promises very ill. Fines in course will not make it above half so good as the last
– but then we have a number of Estates, some of our best, Lett upon Lives, which may throw in
a considerable addition – which as the Preacher observd this morning (for you’ll find out by and
by from the date that this Sunday) brings me naturally in the next place to speak to the subject of
your letter. Glad I was to find it was upon such a subject, for I fully expected, as I knew I
deserved an address or a dressing of a very different kind for my neglect in not answering your
last favor sooner – but I know not how it is, when one thinks one shall have least to do one
sometimes finds one has the most. This new situation, which promised the otium cum
dignitate,6 as I flatterd myself, has brought with it a large train of employments that I saw nothing
of below the Hill. But none shoud make one forget one’s Friends; nor will I, or can I ever forget
those I love, though I may perhaps forget now and then for a time to tell them so.
Your Warden of New College does my Patron [John Green] but justice in ascribing to
him discretion and knowledge. He is master of as much as most men can boast in both kinds.
But he is very easy in the article of Fines. Any little hitch, just to prevent the idea of their being
fixed payments and to have the appearance of making some advance in these matters is the chief
of what he aims at. The person in the world the best acquainted with this subject that I know is
Dr [Lynford] Caryl, Master of Jesus [College, Cambridge]. He has plainly shewn me from
incontestible Facts and reasoning, that if 1 1/4 years be reckond as a fair Fine for renewing 7
years lapsed in a Lease of 21 years, that upon the same principle for renewing a life dropt in a
Lease of 3 lives, the Fine ought to be 2 years and 4 months of the extended rent after deducting
the outrent. But this I apprehend is not what your Warden wants to know, or woud mean to
make use of. The practice I suppose is all that he wants to inform himself about in this matter.
To that point I can speak pretty fully I think without troubling his Lordship by a more direct
inquiry. I believe he never demanded nor expected more for the change of a Life in any of his
Leases, than the usuall terms, which are half the summes you woud take for putting in a new life
in the place of one dead.
I have said before that we have a number of Estates belonging to this Chapter held upon
this tenure, and this is our constant practice to take a year and a half for renewing a Life, or
making the number three again, when one had dropt, and three quarters of a year for changing
one of the subsisting Lives for another – unless the person whose life was proposed to be
changed, shoud be very old or in a bad state of health. And as far my own opinion goes, I look
upon this latter mode of bargain as much more advantageous to the Lessor than the former.
There is in general so little difference between one life and another, except for private
convenience of securing a maintenance for a child or relation so long as they live, that in general
I shoud consider all I got by the change as almost clear gain. And particularly in the present
case, I shoud conceive a man of 50 in good health as a life every way as likely to last as a woman
of 20, taking in the chance of child birth and other circumstances in the female constitution.
However if it be the Warden’s meaning to have the Bishop’s opinion directly upon the subject, I
will take the first opportunity of consulting my Lord upon it.
I look forward, Dear Phil, with great pleasure towards next summer, I assure you. It will
give us all the highest satisfaction to see you at Lincoln – but come when you will, don’t let your
stay be tied up by any of those peremptory conclusions, which say I must go at such a day –
leave as large an opening as you can. We live here, I thank God, much to our content. Your
69
Mother I think never enjoyd so perfect a state of health, since I knew her, or seemd to be so
much at home. We have the Goochs here this summer for about 3 weeks, which added not a
little to our satisfaction. The Cartel settled is that we are to alternatise a visit every year. One
year Ely to Lincoln – next year Lincoln to Ely. Poor Dolour! I most sincerely pity him – I find
he is particular discontent with those of our Profession. I am sorry the Boy promises so ill. I
think next year, if I live and do well, my youngsters must remove either to Wint[on]7 or St
Andrews in Scotland – they will be soon too big for this place. Adieu. Bells are summoning me
to church – I thought as we correspond so rarely that the Post ought to have the benefit of this –
but as I have swelled it to a double Letter, I will take the liberty you hint at of enclosing to Mr
[CW] Corn[wa]ll.8 Females come home tomorrow. Boys desire love. I think you soon expect a
Parcell by the same carrier. Mr Ford I hear from some Doncaster Friends has lately had a Fit.
Yours most Truly,
J. G.
1A
suditorium, a sweat room.
2Dr
Daniel Solander (1733-1782), Swedish botanist, who in 1773 became the keeper of the natural history
collections of the British Museum. He also travelled with, and served as secretary and librarian to the
celebrated naturalist Joseph Banks (1743-1820), who was a Lincolnshire squire, created a baronet in 1781.
3The
Pantheon, a place of public entertainment with winter asembly rooms, was erected on the south side
of Oxford Street (now No. 173, occupied by the ‘Oxford Street Pantheon’ branch of Marks and
Spencers). Designed by James Wyatt (1746-1813) and opened in 1772, its popularity declined in the
1780s. It was demolished in 1937.
4Well
Vale House, Well, Alford, Lincolnshire, a redbrick house thought to date from the 1720s. In 1752 it
was given to Mr & Mrs Samuel Dashwood, who had married in 1744, and held it until 1793 (English
Heritage: www.parksandgardens.ac.uk).
Sir James Dashwood (1715-1779) was seated at Kirtlington Park, near Oxford. The ‘Mr Dashwood’ in
this letter was probably either Henry Watkin, who succeeded him, or Thomas.
5Dr
James Bickham, was rector of All Saints’ church, Loughborough, from 1761, and archdeacon of
Leicester from 1772, until his death in 1785.
6
Leisure with honour.
7Winchester
College, though in fact both of his sons attended Rugby School, Rugby, Warwickshire.
8As
an MP, Charles Wolfran Cornwall, whose home was in Winchester, had the privilege of receiving
post without charge. Philip Williams was obviously on friendly terms with him, and later, when he
became Speaker of the House of Commons, was to be his chaplain.
70
Letter 21: Tuesday, 25 November, 1777 – from Philip Williams at Winchester, to Revd Dr
Samuel Forster, the Registrar of the Press at Oxford University, Oxford1
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
Sir,
I received the favour of your Letter, and can only give a general answer to your
Question, that if I am not interrupted by any unforeseen avocation I hope in the course of the
following year to compleat what little matter I may have to offer in a future Edition of Polybius.2
In the interim, the Gentlemen [Delegates of the Press, Oxford University] will reconsider
the resolution as it is entered in their Minute Book, of printing the Text in one single column in
Folio, and subjoining the Latin Translation and the Notes seperately [sic] at the End. If they
continue in the same opinion, as the Text is to be taken from [Isaac] Casaubon's Edition, there
seems no reason why that part of the Book may not be printed off, when the Press is ready to
receive it; but if it may be thought adviseable to add the respective Notes to the bottom of each
page to which they belong, in that case it will be requisite to stay till the greater part of the Notes
may be compleated. In this case however the Latin Translation may be committed to the Press
previous to the rest of the work.
Mr [Jonathan] Toup means that his remarks and amendations should serve by way of an
Appendicula3 as he informed me some time ago.
I take for granted the Illustrations from other Authors are not to be understood in the
sense of Quotations, as that would be to insert the greater part of many voluminous Historians,
but only as occasional references to the parallel passages which may occur in other books.
You will be kind enough to communicate the above to the Gentlemen, and whatever
may be their resolution will be equally agreeable to,
Sir, Your most obedient Servant,
Ph. Williams
I forgot to ask, if the Book is to be printed with or without [Greek] Accents.
Transcribed into the Orders of the Delegates of the [University] Press, [Oxford], folios 185-6,
researched by Dr C.A. Stray.
1
2See
3
Chapter 4 of the book associated with these transcripts, The Speaker’s Chaplain & The Master’s Daughter.
An appendix.
71
Letter 22: Monday, 2 November, 1778 – from Dr John Gordon at Lincoln, to his stepson,
Philip Williams, at Winchester College (WCA/M/PW/370)
Address panel: To: The Revd Mr Phil. Williams Fellow of the College in Winchester. Postmark:
2NO. LINCOLN.
Dear Phil,
The Devil is in all the Law, Lawyers etc., what a plaguy deal of trouble is there even to
get rid of an Estate by their means! If I had foreseen a tenth part of what I have been obliged to
go through about this Tottenhill business,1 I am sure no convenience or prospect of advantage
to myself coud ever have induced me to set about the sale of it. Two Copyholds and one
Freehold included in it - all distinct considerations – 2 Surrenders, 1 Lease-Release Fine etc –
Fees and expences of course for all – besides the trouble of providing for all emergencies at a
distance. One of these is omitted to be thought of in the directions to the Attornies that are to
send the surrender for you to sign – viz. the Purchase money in consideration of which you are
to surrender. I suppose therefor they will transmitt Blanks to you in that respect. You know the
whole Purchase money is to [be] £860. And you know just as well as I what the three distinct
Tenures are worth. However to avoid perplexity, I think the larger Copy of 21 acres 3 roods
may be set at £360. The smaller Copy of 15 acres at £300. And the Freehold at £200. Not that
these I suppose are their real values but these prices will serve to shew that there was a
consideration given for every part of the estate. You therefor or the Attorney that attends to
take your surrender will insert the summes as above.
I received the favour of you Letter, the particulars of which I have not time to answer.
Can only say,that that part in particular makes us all very happy, where you give us room to
expect the pleasure of seeing you and one more with the beginning of the new year. If Mrs
W[illiams]2 does not bring a Maid, shall you want all the Chaise to yourselves? I ask this question
merely by way of insinuating that we have a little room and a little Bed, that will hold a sister, a
cousin, a maiden Lady or a Bachelor who is not afraid of catching cold by lying without a Fire,
and we shoud be extremely glad to see it filled by any third person that might be agreeable to
you. A Miss Collins, a Miss Elyott, or any other of the above stated description.
Your Mother is, I thank God, extremely well at present. Poor Fanny [Frances Williams]
has had what she used to call some terrible nips or pinches from the Old Man. The Language
and Phrase are entirely her own. The meaning, a violent pain in the head and face, attended with
much swelling (which has at last broke and discharged very much) probably arising from a
stump, the remains of a Tooth imperfectly drawn some years ago. But she is now better, though
very low. She came down stairs yesterday for the first time after about a week’s confinement.
Nanny [Anne Williams] very well, and Boys quite so. I deferre sending them to their new
destination till after Christmas.3 I am sorry for the dereglement in poor Mr E[lyott]’s family – no
firmness or consistency. He shoud consent or send her out of the way.
I have time to say no more, but to request you to use all the expedition you can in
sending the Surrenders to me as soon as executed. The money is ready now and the Purchaser
impatient but I must have a journey to fetch it, and debate a hundred matters over. If Fanny’s
Law does not stand the Test of Counsellor Cole’s4 opinion, we are ready to supply it in any way
more according to legal Forms. I was silent on the Counsellor of State through forgett fullness,
72
though it woud be but a proper caution to speak with reserve on such high characters. However
we liked him extremely, and wishd for more of his company. If I say more, I shall lose the Post.
Adieu,
God bless and prosper you,
J.G.
I congratulate you upon coming off so well with the King.5
1A
small estate in Norfolk, at Tottenhill, near King's Lynn, was being sold, brief details of which are given
in Letter 10.
2Philip
Williams was to marry Sarah Collins on 10 March 1779 at St Martin in The Fields, London. John
Gordon seems to be referring to the New Year in the Julian calendar.
3At
the time of the letter, his son Charles Gordon had matriculated in the previous June at Pembroke
College, Cambridge, and his younger brother George was still at Rugby School, Rugby.
4Probably
a reference to Charles Nalson Cole, a lawyer and older cousin of Philip Williams, or perhaps his
brother the Revd William Cole.
5On
28 September 1778 George III and Queen Charlotte visited Winchester, travelling the 50 miles or so
from Windsor by coach and arriving in the late afternoon, after four and a half hours, at Eastgate House,
the home of the local MP Henry Penton (Kirby, 1892, pp.412-414). The house belonged to Winchester
College, which the royal party visited two days later, being received at the main gate by the warden,
fellows and masters. During the visit he was told of the visits of Henry VI, who founded Eton College
and came to Winchester to have the statutes of William of Wykeham copied out. He also 'poached'
William Waynflete, Winchester's headmaster at the time. Speeches were delivered by the senior scholar
William Chamberlayne (who later succeeded to the estates at Weston Grove, near Southampton, and
Cranbury Estate, near Winchester) and by Anthony Ashley-Cooper, the 5th earl of Shaftesbury, on behalf
of the commoners.
73
Letter 23: Tuesday, [18 July 1780]1 – Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams,
probably at New College, Oxford (WCA/M/PW/29)
Address panel: The Revd Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My dear Sir,
I hope you will not be displeased at my disobedience as I enclose you the cause of it; this
letter arrived Sunday, and my father [Thomas Collins] wanted to send a letter to Oxford, to day;
both which have made me flatter myself that I shall meet with an indemnification in your good
opinion for venturing to write somewhat sooner than the time agreed upon. I have punctually
observed your orders respecting Mr. Duke,2 and the rest of the family, whom I find are but a
secondary consideration; notwithstanding I must and will tell you that our dear little Foetid3 is
quite well and saucy; and what is I believe more to the purpose with you, she is to be weaned
some days sooner than was at first intended, so that there will be no necessity for your
prolonging your stay on that account. I hope all will do well but I am very foolishly afraid of I
don’t know what. We went last night to one of the very worst of all sentimental comedies, by the
name of A Word to the Wise, or All for the Best, a play of Kelly’s4 that was hissed off the
London stage; I could not have sat the entertainment out; but for an interlude called True Blue,
which though it was completely vulgar, yet there was such a loyal song in it, of Britannia’s ruling
the main etc. that it made my heart glad; and amply atoned for the the [sic] insipidity of the play;
we were very hot and I wished a hundred times for a cool walk with you up Benefit Lane; or
round the airing ground.5 The Cornwalls do not come down for some days yet – the Old Lady6 is
much better. Papa desires that if the Warden7 should enquire for Dobson’s Verses you will tell
him that Cumming has them. I believe I shall not trouble you again in the epistolary way ‘till
Sunday, because we do not return from Easton8 ‘till Friday, and there is no post as you know the
next day. The amours at the [Warden’s] Lodgings [Winchester College] go on with great spirit,
particularly on the side of the lady, and it is supposed that the Hitch9 has no dislike; as he was
prevailed upon to thrust himself into the hot play house last night; and has put off his
engagement in College Street to day in order to escorte the Misses to Colonel Sheriff’s.2 I eat,
drink, and sleep as well as usual but I can never be so happy without you as with you; so the
sooner you return, the more agreeable it will be to your ever affectionate SW.
Yours sister desires her love, and our little dear would say something if she could.
My
compliments to all – in a very great hurry, the next time I will write better.
1The
letter is dated on the basis of the second sentence of Note 4 below.
2Unidentified.
3A
name used for their children, perhaps derived from foetus or a joke spelling of ‘fetid’, having an
offensive smell. Their first child, Elizabeth, had been born on 9 January.
4A
Word for the Wise, a comedy by Hugh Kelly (1739-1777), was first produced in London in 1770 (OCEL,
1967). According to an advance notice in the Hampshire Chronicle (July 10, 1780), it was produced, for the
first time in Winchester, on July 17, 1780, ‘for the benefit of Mr and Mrs Davis’, with ‘a musical interlude
called TRUE-BLUE, or the PRESS-GANG, with a transparent view of the GRAND FLEET AT
SPITHEAD’, followed by a farce The Deuce is in Him (see Note 13, Letter 3).
74
5Part
of College Meads, Winchester College, was designated a ‘children's airing ground’ (Firth, 2ed, p. 28).
There was also an ‘airing ground’ south of the King’s House, Winchester, which was used at this time as a
prison, now Peninsular Barracks (Carpenter Turner, 1986, p. 46). 'Benefit Lane' has not been identified.
Amarantha Jenkinson (née Cornwall), who died in 1785. She was the mother of Rt Hon.
Charles Jenkinson and mother-in-law of Charles Wolfran Cornwall, and presumably lived in Winchester
at her son’s house.
6Probably
7John
Oglander, the warden of New College, Oxford. On June 3, 1780, Winchester College had held its
annual Medal Speaking, and the earl of Ailesbury presented awards to ‘Mr Dobson for a copy of Latin
verses, and to Messrs Tucker and Newhouse, for Elocution’ (Hampshire Chronicle, June 5, 1780; Chitty,
1905, 1906).
8It
is not clear with whom they were to stay at Easton, a village near Winchester, but see Note 5, Letter 24.
9‘The
Hitch’ may have been Samuel Hitchcock, who was elected a Winchester scholar in 1770 and left the
school in 1775. It seems he was courting a daughter of the warden of Winchester, Harry Lee.
75
Letter 24: Saturday, [22 July 1780]1 – Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams,
probably staying with his friend Lovelace Bigg-Wither at Chilton Foliat, Wiltshire
(WCA/M/PW/31)
Address panel: The Revd Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My dear Sir,
I can readily forgive your writing to me a day sooner than you intended, notwithstanding
I had made up my mind for a letter to morrow evening; and to shew you how well I’m pleased,
you must know that I am stolen away from a most brilliant party in College Street [Winchester]
to enjoy an imaginary tete a tete with yourself. You are under a mistake with respect to the
soundness of my nap the morning you left me, for the shutting the door after you sufficiently
roused me, and I had the mortification of hearing you fidget about the house, without daring to
think of a second leave taking; I have only to add upon this subject, that I can never brook
another separation – that if you will spear elections2 you must give me leave to spear them
likewise; it appears to me an age till you return, in which you will I hope do me the justice to
believe me sincere. Your sister is well, your Foetid is well; as are Lilly and Joskins; 3the former of
the last two females is indulged now and then with a visit into the parlour, but she is rather
troublesome at present; your little dear’s attendant is arrived and I believe the grand operation 4
will begin on Tuesday, in consequence of which I have all my apprehensions about me; but I
hope and trust all will do well. We returned yesterday from Easton5 after having spent two very
agreeable days there, one of which was dedicated to the Grange [Northington] and I think I
never saw it in so much beauty; there are great alterations in the house; those little peep-hole
windows on the attick story are converted into handsome sashes like those in Peter Taylor’s
atticks,6 and the rooms are very much in the stile of his, a snug bed-chamber with a little closet to
dress in and a room for the servant; there are six of these apartments; besides the handsome
billiards room; the servants rooms are carried a story higher; so that the house is improved on
the outside as well as the inside. We took the liberty of reading a letter we found in his
Lordship’s study, from Sir W[illoughby] A[ston] respecting the Stockbridge borrugh, by which
we discovered he had very good hopes of success and I have since been told that the Omaah
Captain is in a desponding way.7 The news of Winchester at present is the marriage of the eldest
Miss Barker after an engagement of seventeen years to a Captain Owen, 8 which Miss Ingram
{says}, provided there was any temptation {in her way} during that time, is to be looked upon as
a remarkable instance of constancy. No news of the Cornwalls; I do not believe they will be
down before your return. The old Lady9 has relapse upon relapse and though she is just at
present a little better, I fear she will not live to see her son and daughter. Poor Lady Goring 10 is
dead, as you will see by the papers; it is thought very extraordinary as she was in the seventh
month of her pregnancy. I begin to get stuffy and uncomfortable as usual, {but} otherwise I am
pretty well. Squigg says you have used her shabbily in not sending the song you promised here;
she begs you will not forget her. I am with kindest remembrances from all here truly your’s S.W.
Our best compliments to the family you are with. Gonzago11 gave an entertainment Saturday last
to the house of Easton and ourselves, which as there was plenty of good cheer, I found
exceeding stuffy and unpleasant. Don’t forget the little {ones} whilst you are out.
76
1The
letter is dated on the basis of Note 8 below.
2Each
year at about this time Winchester College held its Election Week, when the next year's input of
scholars were elected, as well as those going on as scholars from the school to New College, Oxford.
3Pet
dogs.
4Weaning.
5Possibly
to visit the John Mulso and family. His father Thomas married a sister of John Thomas, bishop
of Winchester, who in 1770 appointed him to a Winchester prebend. He had several livings, including the
rectorship of Easton, near Winchester, which he held between 1776 and his death in 1791, though it is
not clear whether they lived in the village. A few years later they seemed to be living in the close (see
Letters 97 and 117) and in 1788 he appointed James Yalden a curate at Easton (CCED). Mulso wrote a
series of celebrated letters to the naturalist Gilbert White (Holt-White, 1907). His sister Hester, Mrs
Chapone (1727-1801), was a celebrated blue stocking and writer of various forms, including advice
literature. After a long engagement, she married a lawyer, John Chapone, who tragically died of a fever
only ten months later. Although never mentioned in the Letters, her Letter to a New-Married Lady – in fact,
a series of 10 letters, between an aunt and a niece – first published in 1777, may well have been read by
Sarah Williams. A particularly well-educated and determined woman for her age, Mrs Chapone espoused
the belief that ‘women’s lives could be both intellectually and emotionally satisfying’ and was cited as
‘exemplary’ in Mary Woolstonecraft’s A Vindication of the Rights of Women (R. Zuk, ‘Chapone [née, Mulso],
Hester’, ODNB). She had a close a literary relationship with the novelist Samuel Richardson, a much
older person, whom John Mulso describes candidly in one of his letters written to Gilbert White in
December1750 (Holt-White,1907, p.45):
He is in Person a short fat man, of an honest Countenance, but has ill Health and shatter'd
nerves.
6Possibly
Peter Taylor (ca1756-1788), decorative artist and painter.
7The
Grange, Northington, Hampshire, was the seat of Robert Henley, 2nd earl of Northington (17471786). Sir Willoughby Aston, who married Jane, daughter of the 1st earl, was defeated at Stockbridge,
Hampshire, in the election of 6 September 1780 (Namier and Brooke, 1964, p. 301). One of the seats of
this notoriously rotten borough was held by Captain James Luttrell RN, and the other went for the first
time to his brother, Captain John Luttrell RN. They were of Irish descent, from County Cork, though
Sarah Williams seems to think they were from Omagh, County Tyrone.
8‘Married
in St Thomas’s church, Edward Owen, Esq, of his Majesty’s marine Service, to Miss Ann
Barker’ (Hampshire Chronicle, 17 July 1780).
9See
Note 6, Letter 23.
10Elizabeth
née Fisher was the the 2nd wife of Sir Harry Goring, 6th baronet (1739-1824). They were
married on 23 October 1777, she died on 10 July 1780 and was buried at Washington, [West] Sussex.
Sarah Williams probably knew of the family from the links of her father with Midhurst and perhaps with
the Sargent family of East Lavington.
11Perhaps
a play on 'Gonzalo', the 'honest old counsellor' in Shakespeare's The Tempest.
77
Letter 25: Friday, [29 July 1780] – Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams,
staying with his friend Lovelace Bigg Wither at Chilton Foliat, Wiltshire
(WCA/M/PW/30)
Address panel: The Revd Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My dear Sir,
I cannot help sending you a line by the Warden1 just to tell you that the affair of weaning
is happily adjusted and to the satisfaction of all parties; the little Foetid begins to be as well
contented with her new attendant, as she was with her nurse; you are bound to kiss the tearsheet2 a hundred times for her good behaviour; she gave me but one hours uneasiness during the
whole operation; which was the first night at going to bed, but she has ever since been perfectly
quiet; I rejoice exceedingly at this early proof of her good temper; I look upon it as an omen of a
charming delightful disposition hereafter; all that I have just said is designed as a hint to you that
the stage is clear and that you may return into dock as soon as you please. The Warden will
inform you of the state of the Roll, with which people in general seem to be satisfied, though I
suppose your cousin St. John may have his objections; I am glad Dobson has so good a place
because he deserves it, and as it makes my father happy. 3 The Pentons are coming down and I
have paid my compliments and promised as much on your part when you return. The Cornwalls
are not yet come down and I have been told in a round-about way, that Mrs. C. has been very ill
in town of a fever; I have heard nothing of this from the family, but I suppose they wish to
conceal it from the Old Lady,4 who is in a very precarious way still. I am afraid my intelligence is
very good; I have it from Mr. [John Monk] Newbolt who had it from the person who attended
her; all danger is over though, I find. We have spent a good deal of time in College Street
[Winchester] and of course have seen Mr. [George Richard] St. John often, he being in constant
attendant upon the Squigg, and quite the reverse of every thing we suspected him to be; we are
exceedingly pleased with him, he has a vast share of diffidence and good humour. His friend
[Jeremiah] Dyson {has}.made a good song upon the girls, for which he is in high favour. I shall
expect you at dinner Wednesday at the usual time, but I hope there is a letter upon the road from
you to announce it in form; pray make our best compliments at Chilton [Foliat], not forgetting
the young ladies; and the knight, whom by your manner of expressing yourself I for some reason
concieved to be Sir W[illiam] Jones,5 but for what reason he was to be received into the arms of
the church I could not so easily discover.
Adieu, yours entirely SW.
All desire their love and the little {one} her duty. I long to see you.
1Harry
Lee was warden of Winchester College from 1763 to 1789.
2Obscure.
In modern parlance a ‘tear-sheet’ is proof that an advertisement has appeared in a publication.
3Each
year election rolls or indentures were prepared at Winchester College to show scholars entering the
school and senior pupils going to on to New College, Oxford. Precise dates of the week during which
these elections were determined are not recorded, but at this period the Bursars’ Accounts enter ‘election
78
expenses’ around the last week of July. John Francis Seymour St John of Somerley, in the parish of
Harbridge, Hampshire, was 5th on the roll for New College, and John Dobson was 3rd. St John became a
canon of Worcester, but it is not clear why Sarah Williams termed him a 'cousin' of her husband. He was
a son of the 11th baron of Bletso, named after a village in Bedfordshire. They were descendants of the
earls of Bolingbroke, a branch of the St John family distinct from that of the Hon. George Richard St
John, who was to marry Sarah’s sister, Charlotte (see Chapter 15 of the book associated with these
transcripts, The Speaker’s Chaplain & The Master’s Daughter).
4See
Note 6, Letter 23.
5In
1766 Anna Maria Shipley a daughter of bishop Jonathan Shipley, who lived at Twyford, near
Winchester, met the brilliant poet, lawyer and oriental linguist and scholar Williams Jones (1746-1794;
Franklin, 2011). They and the Shipley family in general are frequently mentioned in the Letters. In March
1783 he was knighted and appointed a judge to serve in Bengal. Nineteen days later, and 17 years after
they had met, the couple were married and left for India. This letter seems to be predating his knighthood
by three years.
79
Letter 26: Tuesday, 21 November 1780 – from Dr John Gordon at Lincoln, to his stepson,
Philip Williams, at Winchester (WCA/M/PW/372)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
Dear Phil,
I thank you very heartily and congratulate you most sincerely on the contents of the
enclosed communication, which has afforded universal satisfaction here.1 It is every thing both
in matter and manner that one coud wish or desire. The New Speaker was adopted as a Toast in
our afternoon Glass before we had this reason for our libations. This will not certainly make
them less cordial. It is, I trust, doing me no more than justice to believe, that no-one takes a
more serious interest in the success of your affairs, than I do, except your two Selves (for you
know that you are a double self now) though I suppose there are several here, that woud be
ready to contest this point with me, and probably elsewhere. Others may be inclined to say you
are a lucky man. I consider it as a proof of most extraordinary merit to have great men hunt you
out to conferre their favors upon you. For it does not appear from Mr C[ornwall]’s Letter, that
you had even taken the trouble of writing to express the common Compl[imen]ts of
Congratulation to him on his Election to this high office. Well! it is certainly more agreeable to
have preferment come after you, than for you to go after Preferment. Now you have nothing to
do, but like a Beau with 2 fine Ladies before you to choose which you will have. I shall suspect
your attachment to the Winchester Fair for several reasons which I coud name if Mrs W[illiam]s
was not to see the Letter. Not that she can have any objection to that choice, but to the reasons
– Yet having full experience of their charms is one, that may be hazarded I trust without much
offence. It might not be quite so unexceptionable to talk of care and convenience etc. But
notwithstanding all that can be urged on this score, if you have a mind to be a great man, you
will choose the other. London is the Mart of Fortune; the H[ouse] of C[ommons] one [of] the
principal Warehouses, and the communication between that and the Lawn shop is extremely easy
– The passage is quite open; people are passing it every day. To drop metaphor, I hold it, that
with the connections you may form by being introduced in so respectable a way to be Chaplain
you may be what you please. Still there is time, there is trouble, there may be other things beside,
to be taken into the account on this side – so that if the other shoud come first in an agreeable
manner, it woud not be prudent perhaps to slight the offer.
You will see by this, I guess, that your poor Mother is better. I coud not have been so
flippant a day or two ago. But she had a critical discharge of the bilious matter through the
upper passage the day after your Letter came to hand (whether it acted in this medicinal way, I
cannot tell) which seemd to be critical. She just barely kept the malady at a stand before by
means of constant astringents; but instead of gaining any strength, was apparently growing
weaker every day, with every ugly symptom of dropsy asthma etc which threatend dissolution.
And her looks were those not of a dying person, but rather of one who had passd that event.
But now she begins to have an appetite, looks cheerfull and talks more so. Is free from pain
(which she was not for weeks before) and sleeps well. She does not like to sit up much – but she
can help herself a little in bed; where she was not able to stir but as she was lifted by two
persons; and visibly gains strength every hour almost. She sufferd so much in her last illness
from the effects of Ippecan’2 (I don’t know how it is spelt upon the Apothecary’s Drawer or
Gallipot, but it is enough to make one sick even to speak of it at full length) that she utterly
80
rejected all attempts to excite a forced march upwards3 though nature seemd to call out for such
assistance. However at last I hope she has done her own work – and I have now (what I had not
for several weeks) a comfortable hope of her recovery – not but even yet any little cross accident
woud easily overset it. She desires her best love to Pappa, Mamma, and the little Sibyl 4 that deals
in hard sayings. It is superfluous, I hope, to offer any thing more than our good wishes for a
happy period to the event you announce as likely soon to add to your olive branches. You will
of course honor your Mother or me or any of us with the additional relationship to be derived
not from law but religion, if not otherwise engaged. Whether it be under the Rule of Propria qua
maribus 5etc. Or “Fæamimo generi etc”.
I have transmitted your Presentation to Gosberton6 under our Capitular seal by honest
Fardell7 to be lodged with the Bishop or his officers for your use, when you think fit to call for it.
And shall endeavour to put matters in train about Curacy Sequestration etc.
The Gen[era]l is still with us, though he wants to be fleshd in America much.8 George is
much liked at College and is very well. Fan and Nan [Anne and Frances Williams] are Fan and
Nan. What else is to be said the Dervise I presume has said.9 I question whether she coud say
any thing better.
With all my love as far as law and religion is proper to Mrs Williams yourself etc.
I am,
Dear Phil,
Thine most affectionately,
J. Gordon
PS I write between light and darkness. If therefor any letter or syllable should slip out, you must
supply it, by that critical acumen, which is soon to be displayd in the restoration and
embellishment of Polybius.10
1
He was obviously doing all he could boost the fortunes of his newly married stepson. Also,
Charles Wolfran Cornwall, who had been elected Speaker of the House of Commons on 31
October, 1780, was apparently sounding him out for the job of chaplain, though he did not take
up that office until May 1784 (see Letter 49). Instead, it went to a second cousin, Folliott Herbert
Walker Cornewall, who was described at his death as ‘possessed of fair scholarship, strong good
sense, polished manners, and an amiable temper: … . [He] passed a virtuous and exemplary
life’ (J.M. Rigg, ODNB) and later became bishop of Worcester. Philip also seems to have been
considering another preferment, presumably not the living of Compton, to which he was
collated on 1 February 1780, though did not take up for another year (see Letter 78).
2
Ipecacuanha, an emetic and purgative from the root of a South American plant, Cephaëlis Ipecacuanha
(OED)
3Vomiting!
4A
prophetess, fortune-teller.
5Things
appropriate to men.
81
6Three
months later, on 1 February 1781, he was instituted to the vicarage of Gosberton, a village 10
miles southwest of Boston, Lincolnshire, by the dean and chapter of Lincoln.
7A
steward, rent collector (see also Letter 36).
8Obscure,
9Anne
but clearly not regarded as a smart move.
Williams, who seems to have been on a visit to Winchester.
10Philip
Williams’s ill-fated work of scholarship (see Chapter 4 of the book associated with these
transcripts, The Speaker’s Chaplain & The Master’s Daughter).
82
Letter 27: [November-December 1780]1– from Dr John Gordon, probably at Lincoln, to
his stepson, Philip Williams, at Winchester (WCA/M/PW/371)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
Dear Phil,
Cosen me no cosens! I do not like such cosening! To write a Pun is harder than to speak
one. Sound is more easily twisted than Letters. But let that pass. I say all this mischief is of our
good Cousin’s2 cooking. In which I hope he shews himself more legitimate on the Father’s side
than the Mother’s; though even she appears less amiable in my eyes that she does is his for this
transaction. But natural affection goes a great way both to induce and to execute a Parent’s
mode of acting in such a case. I trust however he will be able to make nothing out of this
pretended Will, which he is either to prove or not to prove, as he thinks fit. It shoud appear by
this, that the Will relates to this Article alone.
I must stop a moment to ask you, if you ever wrote upon greasy paper with ink too that
woud not run through the Pen. If you ever did, you know the pleasure I am now enjoying.
I lay more stress however on Sir Richard Lloyd’s Opinion,3 than on all the fine story I
have dishd out on the other side – which however I woud not omitt to throw together, that you
might if you thought fit transmitt it for our Cousin’s inspection. The truth is, this is a trifling
business to quarrel about, though it may be worth perhaps full £300 in quiet times. But as you
are the only one of the Family, who at present promise to have any heirs (you may read this as
softly to Sister Anne as I shall to Sister Fan[nny]) I woud not wish to have you embroild with the
Cole Family;2 who, as they do not promise to increase population much, may at some future
period (though they are of a longeval race) benefit your progeny at least. I woud rather therefor
shove myself though not expressly calld upon, into the invidious parts of the contest than suffer
any thing of that kind to pass under your name. It is on this account that I have thrown out the
idea of preferring a Suit to a Reference, and some other stiffish things in my ostensible
dispatches. As I think our Cousin will not vastly like to incurre much expence. There are other
things too of so equitable a cast at least, that if he means to retreat, I think they will afford a
proper cover. But I cannot help suspecting he means more than you apprehend. I wish with all
my heart your notion may be right. It will be much the best way of ending the business, now it is
begun. I woud forgive him with all readiness for his pretended candor in relinquishing what he
coud not maintain. But I think if he had made such a discovery, he woud have consulted better
both for his own credit and that of his venerable Parent by letting the matter drop in silence. He
had his doubts I have no question, and suppose he has been employing the interval since his
mother’s death in procuring those opinions, which he now insinuates he shall take as soon as
you remitt Paper A to him. I can hardly imagine that interested as he appears now to have been
in the matter, he woud let the opportunity slip, when he had the Papers in his hand, of taking
copies and extracts of all that he deemd material. I rather conceive, that the Advice of his
Brethren has not been such as to encourage him to any very sanguine expectations of success,
but yet sufficient to induce him to try the chance of a Reference, if he can with any plausibility
bring it to that. He may for form’s sake consult some others, when he gets this paper, in order
to transmitt their opinions to you. But I woud wish you not to be too compliant about a
Reference, which is frequently a very iniquitous business. You may easily throw the blame upon
me which I am very willing to incurre. It will probably do my character no harm (as I guess I am
83
already thought to be pretty tenacious at least of my rights) it will certainly do my interest none.
And if it did both, I shoud make no scruple to adhere to what I had satisfied myself was right. I
can see no reason, why I was not honor’d with our Cousin’s address, as you say, on this
occasion: unless he deemd me a less promising subject to deal with, as more sturdy and less
practicable than you. I certainly, even for the little interest I have in the affair, shoud not be
disposed to bend very readily: And shall be still less so, standing as I do in a sort of trust for
others. But enough of this till we see farther.
I wish I coud turn from the unpleasant consideration of Law, with more satisfaction to
that of Politics. But they must be possessed of more philosophy than I can boast, who can even
think of these with tolerable patience. And yet I own, I am not sorry, that a sort of crisis has
come.4 Vigor must be the tone now. The case will bear no farther dalliance. What a disgrace to
all Policy and civilization have these outrages stampd on our annals! Those sour tempered
malignants the Dissenters are enough to destroy all religion and government too. The Miscreant
that has used them as engines of his own madness in this instance I hope has defeated darker
designs which seemd to be brooding by this hasty and intemperate measure. It is better too to
have the mischief break out, which has been long threatening us, on this idle pretence of
Religion, which is so palpably ill founded, especially as to Government, that all sober people
laugh at it; than upon any involved constitutional question. I suppose they think they have
fullfilled one part of Religion at least by Visiting the Prisons. And yet I suspect a certain fellow
feeling in some Members of this laudable association had more effect on this occasion than any
idea of Gospel charity. It is pretty extraordinary to see at the same time, that what all the severity
of the Popish Statues had not effected before, their relaxation may seem to have produced, I
mean the conversion (or recantation perhaps more properly) of the noble Heir of the House of
Norfolk (who by the way had indulged himself before I believe in all protestant liberty of getting
drunk etc) Sir T[homas] Gascoi[g]ne etc.5
I am glad family matters at least afford a more pleasing Topic to end with. I take a very
sincere satisfaction in hearing your domestic arrangements are in so much better a way than
those of the Public are. Though I cannot help owning, that I was one of those not [sic] who
thought you woud be disappointed, but who was truly so myself at finding that Janus faced
Fellow of a Speaker did not resign. But it woud have been a severe blow to have found Mr
Corn[wal]l was not to have been his Successor. It looks a little like infidelity (of which I don’t
desire to be suspected) not to believe a Man’s own declaration . And yet, possibly from the
strength of my wishes, I cannot help still suspecting, that he will be the Man, if such a thing as
Parl[iamen]t continues to exist. I rejoice to see from C Cole’s Letter that Poly 6 (notwithstanding
your connections with another Fair), is still in memory. Mrs W[illiam]s will forgive I dare say,
this little wandring. A completion of that intrigue cannot fail to do you credit – and credit some
times does a Man good in a more substantial way than mere Fame. I see not why you shoud not
avail yourself of your connections with the Great to be Great yourself, you need not make
yourself little in doing it: like most others however I can advise better than practise. You also I
see have no objection to do a good turn to another. George and his Father (to say nothing of
Mother, who is at least as much obliged as either) are much your debtors for it.7 But I have
determined not to ask a single Vote, or make the most distant application. If he succeeds by his
merit, I shall have a true pleasure in it. If he does not, I shall have the comfort of reflecting, that
his failure was not owing to a want of that quality. He and Ch[arles] are both with us and well. I
84
am happy to hear so good an account of Miss E[lizabeth] – pray give my love to her and Miss
A[nne] and though last not least Mamma etc – in which I am joind by the whole chorus.
Adieu – God bless you.
PS When I write to you, I always say a great deal, and yet always leave a great deal more to say.
1This
letter can be dated to 1780, between 31 October, when Charles Wolfran Cornwall was elected
Speaker of the House of Commons after the general election that returned North, and 11 December,
when Sarah Williams gave birth to their son Philip. Anne, one of Philip Williams's two sisters, was
obviously staying with the family in Winchester, presumably to support ‘Mamma’, late in her pregnancy,
with baby Elizabeth not yet a year old. At the resumption of parliament the outspoken and controversial
speaker, Sir Fletcher Norton, was not re-elected, ostensibly due to the state of his health, but really
because he had made enemies of the king and the ministry.
2The
cousin in question was Charles Nalson Cole (1723-1804), an Inner Temple lawyer and 'legal
antiquary', who, amongst other things, was the register (or registrar) of the Bedford Level Corporation.
There are numerous references to him in the Letters. He was responsible for an important new map of
the fens, published after 17 years' work in 1789, and edited and wrote a number of books, including The
Works of Soames Jenyns Esq..., published in 1790. His brother, the Revd William Cole (1722-1793), was
rector of Aldeburgh, Suffolk.
3Probably
a reference to a published or written opinion of the late Sir Richard Lloyd (1696/7-1761),
solicitor general 1754-1756, seated at Hintlesham Hall, near Ipswich, Suffolk.
4John
Gordon seems to be referring to the Gordon Riots that took place in June 1780, following statutary
attempts of parliament to improve tolerance of Catholics.
5Charles
Howard 11th duke of Norfolk (1746-1815), and Sir Thomas Gascoigne 8th baronet (1745-1810),
both from families renowned for recusancy, conformed to the Church of England in 1780. [check in
Namier]
6The
edition of the works of Polybius that Philip Williams was preparing (see Chapter 4 of the book
associated with these transcripts, The Speaker’s Chaplain & The Master’s Daughter).
7Philip
Williams had apparently done some favour in Cambridge (or perhaps Oxford?) for George
Gordon (1763-1845), the younger son of John Gordon. He matriculated at St John’s College, Cambridge,
in June 1780 at the age of 16 and had a relatively distinguished academic career, before entering the
church.
85
Letter 28: Sunday, 31 December 1780 – from Dr John Gordon at Lincoln, to his stepson,
Philip Williams, at Winchester (WCA/M/PW/373)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
Dear Phil,
I do very sincerely congratulate you on the birth of the young heir of Macedon.1 You call him I
suppose for shortness Don only. I know not the pretensions of the Toskin family.2 By the
sound it may be Welch: and if so, might perhaps dispute the point of precedence even with your
Alexanders etc. But knowing nothing of this new Race I stick to the old appellative. I am
heartily glad the young Don performs so stoutly both in the ingress and egress way. Your
Mother and your Humble Servant shall be both happy to try our luck as Sponsors3 for his future
behaviour; and on these promising appearances have the most fluttering hopes he will do credit
to the Suretyship. We are much honord by having Mr [Ambrose] Isted4 for a Colleague in this
engagement. As to Nurses and such necessary attendants who expect to have their merit
considerd on such occasions your Mother and I hope you will be so obliging as to take the
trouble of disposing of three guineas on each of our accounts in such a manner as you think
proper, and give me credit for the summe of £6. 6s. 0d till I have the pleasure of seeing you and
paying you with thanks at Lincoln.
We are at present alltogether. But George must return to [St John’s] College
[,Cambridge,] I doubt before you reach us. The 22nd of January he considers as the limit of his
Furlow.5 The Captains’ 2[furlow] may extend perhaps through the winter, as there seems to be no
call for him. Your Mother has long talkd of returning with George to Cambridge. But poor
woman! it appears at best a very unpromising scheme, and there seems to be no great likelihood
of her being able to carry it into execution with any prospect of success. I am sure I know not
how to get her properly accommodated with Lodgings etc in her state of health, if she shoud be
able to accomplish the journey, and to have any thing disagreeable happen in such a situation
woud make it doubly distressfull. She expresses a great desire to see you as soon as you coud
conveniently come, and before George has left us, if you coud. But I have told her that probably
your plan about Christening etc is so fixt, that you will not be able easily to alter it. Though I
have thought myself bound in justice to communicate her sentiments to you on the subject; yet I
really shall scarce be sorry to have the pretence of your coming to put off, at least for a time, till
better weather and better roads in the advancement of the Spring may promise a more
prosperous journey, this intended migration to Cambridge. She talks, poor woman! of going only
with George and her maid. As she says, our going will create more difficulty about Lodgings.
But it impossible, if she perseveres, and she is reasonably determinate, to let her go without some
of us. She is in a very weak, uncomfortable state; and yet she appears upon the whole rather to
get better though by slow degrees. She now can play a rubber or two at Cribbage with her family
with good attention and a reasonable share of seeming satisfaction.
Your Letter to Cousin [Charles Nalson] Cole6 has my entire approbation. In your
situation with the only heirs apparent to the family, it might be imprudent to involve yourself
with your Relatives, at least for trifles. However as my ties either of blood or of interest are less
highly drawn, if your Mother’s health promised me any considerable advantage in the case, I
shoud be very much disposed to cut the matter short by making a peremptory demand of rent
on Mr Waddington,7 and leave Mr C C[ole] to defend the demurre if he chose it.
86
From the openness of your communications you will have a fair claim to see the sage
determinations of these celebrated Opinion men!8 though if it shoud seem from his method of
stating it , that he has only Mr Kenyon’s in scriptis. As to any opinion, which he may elicit from
an imperfect sputtering state of the case by word of mouth I shoud not lay the least stress on it.
And as to Mr K’s not seeing a shadow of a doubt, I guess it to belong merely to the
circumstance of a “a Woman’s having an Estate of inheritance and the mode of defeating her
claim”. This may probably be as the learned Counsel states it only to be done by Fine and
Recovery. If I had been one of the Sons who had signed a Father’s Release as an evidence, I
shoud have had some misgivings about urging such an argument. But what is that to the
purpose? The question is as I told him at Cambridge, whether his Mother ever had such an
Estate of inheritance. If the Laws of conveyance are not materially changed since the time, Sir
R[ichard] Lloyd9 etc were clearly of upon sight [?] of the Clauses in the will, that by the omission
of the words “I their heirs” no such estate was ever conveyd – but only a life interest. It seems
however to me impossible, that a point which was so clear to Counsel of some eminence at the
time, against the claim, shoud now afford no shadow of doubt in favor of it. This woud be an
uncertainty in law beyond what I believe our English Jurisprudence has to boast of.
I write in a great hurry – I preachd this morning and must go to Ch[urch] again this
afternoon. You must therefor excuse inaccuracies and omissions.
Your Bargain is apparently against you in the value of £100 at least. If this can be carried
to acc[oun]t by being given to a Friend of the Bishop of W[inchester] it is well it may be easily
repaid. And certainly there is a convenience in getting rid of the patronage of a Body Corporate.
But the favor shoud be considerd as done to the Bishop’s Friend and not from you. There is an
accommodation besides in having one’s preferment[s] brought near together. I wish you happy
in your choice.10
Unless you coud order a Mandate for Induction to meet you upon the road, it will be
proper to come here before to go to Gosberton, at least to take possession. 11 I wish the
Maternal Duties of nursing etc woud have allowd us any hopes of seeing Mrs Williams with you.
But these I am afraid we must necessarily give up till some more favorable opportunity. We all
join in best wishes that she may have every satisfaction which her maternal employment can
afford her – and that you and she may live to see your children’s children and peace upon Israel.
I can add no more, the Bells ring.
I am with true regard, Dear Phil,
Thine most sincerely,
J. Gordon
1His
namesake first son Philip had been born on 11 December 1780.
2Obscure.
3At
his baptism, represented by others(see WCA/M/PW/481).
4See
Note 4, WCA/M/PW/361.
5Usually
‘furlough’, leave of absence (OED).
87
88
Letter 29: Sunday, [4 February 1781]1 – Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams,
probably in London (WCA/M/PW/32)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dear Sir,
I have this instant received your letter and, as Don Philip2 is now snoring, I follow your
example and write when I can. I have been under the greatest harassment of mind owing to a
circuit that your letter from Bagshot made of four days and which did not arrive ‘till last night.
You know that I am ever ready to anticipate evils and your last words at parting on Monday,
being an absolute promise of writing on getting to town, my imagination took the alarm and
presented all the horrors of Bagshot and Hounslow heaths to my view,3 but as I now have the
happiness (one of the greatest this world can give me) of seeing what I so earnestly wished for,
confirmed in your own hand-writing, I forbear all reproaches and hope you will not omit writing
to me continually even without franks should they not hold out. Our dear Foetids as well as
myself are now perfectly well. The Signor Don Philippo has been exceedingly ill one day from
over cramming; he has but just recovered his looks. There are a great number of trifling
occurrences in the annals of our reign since you departed that I have determined with myself to
send you an account of, but half of which I shall forget, it is most probable, being much addicted
to writing upon Papa’s enlarged scale. In the first place I am to inform you that you have a
tenant for Compton in Mr. [Jeremiah] Dyson.4 We had a grand expedition thither on Wednesday
and all parties returned so well pleased that there is no doubt of their taking it; Papa laments that
there is so little scope for his genius, every thing being so complete in the house, but he casts a
longing eye towards the destruction of the wall at the end of the garden, which seems on all
hands to be devoted. Just as I had finished my broth and was preparing to get into the carriage
we were detained by the Hursley Family,5 who were introduced before I knew any thing of the
matter, and having sent their carriage to turn, which I believe went half the way to Southampton,
they sat with me for three quarters of an hour. They were much alarmed least the riots should
be again revived upon Lord GG’s trial1 and waited for a letter from town to know whether they
might safely venture thither which they meant to do in the course of the week if it was thought
advisable. Chapman brought me a letter from Miss [Elizabeth] Pyke 6 containing a great deal of
civility and the five guineas, and I wrote her an answer, signifying at the same time your intention
of calling upon her. The party in College Street [Winchester] is broke up, though not entirely
dispersed. Mr. [George Richard] S[t John] went yesterday and Mungo4 goes Tuesday; poor
Squigg is pretty well in health, but rather out of spirits, as her friend is to leave England very
soon. The Bowers are returned out of Dorsetshire, Mrs. [Dorothy] Bower very well and the
most astonishing size you ever beheld, and I who before thought myself a proverb, begin to
fancy that I was never enceinte7 I am allmost of Rachel’s opinion8 that every thing is for the best,
your departure, which I could see in no comfortable point of view, having furnished me with a
very reasonable excuse for spearing about the eighth invitation this winter from Hecuba and
Andromache.9 I shall set out with you tomorrow10 to Biggleswade and so proceed to Mr.
Skinner’s not forgetting Wandesford in England or the Ram-jam house, and casting a longing eye
at Burleigh on the way and at last by land you safe at Lincoln amongst your friends, whom I
hope you will find as well as I wish them; and I have to request of you that you will immediately
convince me that the journey I have planned for you is not ideal.
89
Gonzago gives an entertainment on Tuesday to the Vedova,11 but I shall only go in the
evening and that not unless I am quite hale and stout; I go no where from inclination, being
more comfortable with my Foetids that I can be in any company whatever, Besides, I have the
pleasure of fancying myself with you sometimes. God bless you and my dear children is the
eternal wish of yours S Williams.
1Following
the Gordon Riots of 2 June 1780 mentioned in the letter, Lord George Gordon was tried for
treason in a trial that started on Monday 5 February and delivered a not guilty verdict at 5 am the
following morning (Hampshire Chronicle, 12 February 1781).
2Their
son, Philip Williams, born the previous December.
3Lonely
patches of countryside on the roads to London, such as the Bagshot and Hounslow heaths, were
favourite haunts for highwaymen.
4She
is referring to the parsonage house at Compton, Hampshire, where her husband was rector. It was to
be rented by her sister Elizabeth, who was to marry Jeremiah Dyson (nicknamed ‘Mungo’) the following
July. ‘Papa’ was her father Thomas Collins.
5The
family of Sir Thomas Heathcote (1721-1787), 2nd Bt, seated at Hursley Park, near Winchester.
6A
family friend. In January 1780, when she sponsored the baptism of Elizabeth Williams
(WCA/M/PW/418), she lived just off Piccadilly, in Bennet Street, St James's, London. Four years later
she is living at Englefield Green, Egham, Surrey (Letter 67). Perhaps she owned both town and country
houses.
7Fr.
pregnant. Mrs Bower, the second wife of Major Thomas Bower (1744-1790), gave birth to their first
child, George Edmund Bower, on 11 March 1781. (www.kittybrewster.com/bower/bower.htm).
8Rachel
Landy was a friend and servant of Sarah, whom her husband’s stepfather, John Gordon, called
'honest Rachel your faithfull Nurse' in a letter of 1785 (Letter 113). She was still remembered by Philip
Williams writing to his daughter Elizabeth nearly 20 years later (WCA/M/PW/109).
9It
is not clear who is being compared to the two noble and formidable characters in Euripides’s The
Trojan Women!
10She
is imagining a journey along the Great North Road, on the way to Lincoln (see also Letter 30), where
Philip Williams was no doubt visiting his stepfather, John Gordon, who was archdeacon of Lincoln.
11Probably
the Bishop Morley College of Widows, Winchester (It. vedova, widow)
90
Letter 30: Monday, [early 1781]1 – Sarah Williams, at Winchester, to Philip Williams,
probably in Lincoln (WCA/M/PW/33)
Address panel: To: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
[Incomplete letter]
After having suckled, dressed, and breakfasted, which generally runs away with the early
part of my mornings, I have just time to tell you that myself and co. after sleeping from eleven
last night ‘till near eight this morning are quite well and comfortable. I begin to feel myself more
like a woman that I have done yet since my accouchement. {B}y the way I must tell you that
your friend [Harry] Peckham has taken the opportunity of having recommended a boy to
introduce an epistle in the old stile and which Papa [Thomas Collins] has thought it most
expedient to take no notice of. I should not care a farthing about the matter, if Papa had
nothing else to vex him, but it is really afflicting that he who does more for other people than he
can well afford, should be inescapably plagued and harassed with such nonsens. I shall not
declaim any farther upon this subject at present, though I feel myself half inclined to be enrageè
[sic], but conclude whilst I have room2 with desiring you to make my best respects and love to all
at Lincoln.
Adieu, think of the dear foetids and me, as often as I do of you.
Pray tell the Belle Poule3 that his “little pidgeon” is well and has not forgot to call
George. The favourite word at present is si-saw. I can hardly prevail with myself to say again
adieu.
1References
in the letter to suckling and accouchement, and to her sleeping through the night - and a
generally depressed tone - suggest that the letter was written no more than, say, 2 months after the birth
of their son, Philip, on 11 December 1780. In February 1781 Philip Williams was away from home,
visiting relatives in Ely and Lincoln (Letter 29).
2She
means that she has room on the page.
3There
is some kind of in-joke going on here. ‘Belle’ was the family name for Philip Williams’s aunt,
Helenora Theobella Williams, but the ‘Belle Poule’ was obviously masculine, and was probably George
Gordon, his half-brother (see also Letter 33). The term may be derived in some way from the engagement
between the Belle Poule and HMS Arethusa that took place on June 6, 1778, the first act of French
intervention in the American War of Independence. Two years later, the Belle Poule was captured by the
British.
91
Letter 31: Sunday, [18 February 1781]1 – Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams,
probably at Lincoln (WCA/M/PW/34)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dear Sir,
I hope your old particular whimsies will not be offended at my writing a day sooner than
I was ordered, especially as I have the satisfaction of telling you that my breast is allmost well,
and that the young Don [Philip] is resume his operations again as soon as it is perfectly healed,
which will be in a day or two at farthest as the Learned inform me. I have been entirely confined
at home in the evening by this troublesome complaint, and our people from various unforeseen
bores and engagements have been prevented from spending much time with me, so that, if I had
not ten thousand other reasons to wish for your dear society, this alone tempts me to sigh for
your return sooner than it is possible for you to accomplish it, unless you were possessed of
Fortunatus’s cap;2 but I intend if all goes well, to enter again into life some time next week and
by way of throwing off with eclat, mean to have a route [rout] of all the town; perhaps I may
grow sick of the idea before it takes place. You will think people all run mad, or that I am
delirious when I tell you there has been a masquerade in the town,1 at which every body that
could get a mask assisted, except the Jerusalems who thought it immoral. I set it down in my
own mind who would be the best character in the room and so it proved. You will not be at a
loss to guess that I mean the Veteran3 who made the tightest little Irish sailor you ever saw, and
looked as if she had just been blown from the mast of one of the ships at Spithead. I am told by
every creature that was there, that she was by far the most entertaining mask in the whole
assembly, by means of large trousers and a short sailor’s petticoat she was so much disguised that
you would never have found her out to be a Hannah Snell.4 I cannot attempt to set down half
the good things she said, for she had something to say to every one and, very luckily, displeased
nobody. She had the greatest dread that young Tom would think it devilish good fun to lift up
her jerkin and give her a slap on the zebra.5 However, she escaped that and all other rude attacks
of the same kind, which she was much alarmed about, except from the female hale and stout at
the [Warden’s] Lodgings [Winchester College], who was very saucy and impertinent not to say
allmost indecent. Long White3 went in a round frock and was very soon tired and I believe
heartily frightened. The Squig and myself consoled each other with black currant jelly at home.
You want to know how this celebrity came to pass? Why, it was kicked up by the Dean,6 Mrs
Hume7 and Gonzago,7 the latter of whom, having other game in view, went shabbily off before
before [sic] it took place. I am told there was an abundance of wit and fun, but nothing to eat;
the plan being hastily started, was not properly digested, and what your sister the Dervise [Anne
Williams] and myself should have thought the best part of the ceremony was entirely omitted.
Another thing which I thought very shabby was that many houses in the town were opened to
receive company and no refreshment of any kind provided for them. It was proposed to me that
as I had a large room they should meet at our house, but I begged to be excused as having no
servant, and not being very well – but I would not otherwise have received them unless I could
have prepared a handsome side board of cakes etc. for them. You will be tired of the
masquerade and the girls are to write soon to your sister. I must tell you that my Aunt8 has given
the name of Quur (pronounced like qu in quarrel) to a set of flabby gees, who thought the wit of
the masquerade consisted in making a noise like Quur and distracting every body they came near.
92
I have met the Cathcarts and they have been so obliging in their enquiries after you, that
I could not help saying I would go to see Mrs. Cathcart; and what is worse, engaging that you
should wait upon Mr C. at your return. For your consolation though, you have the best of the
bargain, as he seems to be a gentlemanlike well-behaved man (perhaps I may think otherwise
before you come back) and she is a good natured mucky, snuffy Scotch woman.
Mr. [Thomas] Rickman means to leave Compton as soon as [Richard] Cheese9 goes off
and he means to press him to do it immediately. If so, Mungo takes possession at Lady Day
[March 25], as he then quits Rousham.10 Mr. [George Richard] St John is going abroad in all
haste; I pity poor Squigg.
Pray write to me as soon as you know your plan; you must promise to write to me
somewhere upon the {road} between Lincoln and London. Do you go to Mr. Ford’s, or to Ely,
or any where else? I have no objection now you are out, only let me know.
Our dear infants are god bless ‘em quite well and Bess [Elizabeth] can allmost run
without leading. You guess right that I spend a great deal of time with them; they are my only
comfort now you are gone.
Adieu, my dearest, my young man calls me, so I can only say god bless you etc. and
remember me to all.
Your’s ever S Williams
1The
Hampshire Chronicle of Monday, 19 February 1781, records: ‘On Friday evening the Ladies and
Gentlemen of this city and neighbourhood were most agreeably entertained at a masked ball, in Mr
Burcher’s assembly rooms. The characters were in general extremely well supported, and some few with
singular vivacity, wit, and good humour. The company broke up at two o’clock.’ Masquerades had a
risqué reputation, at least in London (Porter, 1991, p. 264), and were forbidden to the boys of Winchester
College.
Fortunatus, the hero of medieval legend with an inexhaustible purse and a wishing cap, was a popular
subject in 18th century children’s books and pantomine. With Henry Woodward (1714-1777) as
Harlequin, Fortunatus was a frequent afterpiece on the London stage (Stone, 1962, passim).
2
This may have been the nursemaid Molly Strong who was called the Veteran and certainly worked for
Sarah Williams between 1784 and 1787 (Letters 56, 71 and 107).
3
The author of eighteenth-century bestseller, The Female Soldier (1750), who famously posed as a man and
joined the Royal Marines.
4
5Possible
a striped shawl or scarf, though this meaning is not recorded until later (OED).
6Presumably
the dean of Winchester, Newton Ogle (Shurlock, 2010). who entered the close in 1769 and
was dubbed 'the genial and musical dean' by Henry [Austin] Dobson (Blore, 1944, p. 65). The general
view of such masked events, with all the possibilities they offered, can be gathered from Dr Johnson, who
in 1773 wrote to his biographer James Boswell, saying: '.. I [do not] think a masquerade either evil in itself,
or very likely to be the occasion of evil; yet as the world thinks it a very licentious relaxation of manners, I
would not have been one of the first masquers...'.(Womersely, p. 369). The event is reminiscent of a dance
party that a previous dean, Thomas Cheyney, threw in the deanery garden. It was held for Hessian
officers encamped with their troops in Winchester, for whom the dean provided the ladies, 'and all good
93
ones', according to a letter from Edmund Pyle, quoted by John Nichols in his Literary Anecdotes (1815, IX,
p. 442).
7Mrs
Hume was neighbour, with whom Sarah Williams shared a newspaper. She was a 'patron of the
theatre' (Letter 97) and probably married to a Colonel Hume, who bought the house of Dr John
Makkitrick for £1200 (Letters 61, 64). This has been identified as No 68 Kingsgate Street (Carpenter
Turner, 1986, p. 46). 'Gonzago' was obviously a close friend of the Williams family, and something of a
Thespian, but has not been identified (see also Note 11, Letter 24).
8 Probably
her father’s sister Charlotte, who lived in or near Midhurst, Sussex.
9Since
1769 he had served as curate at Ash, to which Thomas Rickman was admitted as rector in January
1781. He did the duty there for William Langbaine, who had been instituted to Ash in 1760 and died in
about 1780. The game of 'musical chairs' played by Winchester College and the bishop of Winchester is
apparent in this scenario: the bishop had the gift of Compton, whilst the College was patron of Ash; and
it was the resignation of Langbaine as a fellow of the College in December 1768 (WCM/357) that had
made way for the election of Philip Williams to a fellowship, and subsequently the rectorship at Compton
after Rickman.
10Rousham
House, Oxfordshire, lies beside the river Cherwell and was, at the time of this letter, the home
of Sir Clement Cottrell-Dormer, who acted as 'master of the ceremonies on the death of his father' Sir
Charles in 1779 when he succeeded (British History Online). He no doubt met Jeremiah Dyson at
Oxford, where he had matriculated at Christ Church College in 1774 aged 16. He died at a young age in
1808. James Dormer, who came from a family of considerable influence in Oxfordshire and
Buckinghamshire, had bequeathed Rousham to an ancestor of Sir Clement in 1741 (M. Maclagan,
Oxoniensia, 1946-47, via www.oahs.org.uk).
94
Letter 32: Friday, [23 February 1781] – Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams at
the house of Mrs Williams,1 Ely (WCA/M/PW/35)
Address panel: To: The Revnd. Mr Williams at Mrs Williams’s Ely Cambridgeshire. Postmark:
24FE.
My dear Sir,
You are very unreasonable to expect me to write to you oftener than you write to me,
but as I am to meet you on your return to Winchester I cannot refuse myself the satisfaction of
telling you how much rejoiced I am in the idea of your approaching this place, though it is only
by slow journeys. You won’t infer from this that I wish you to come back a moment sooner than
you otherwise intended; on the contrary I would rather that you would take full time to see your
friends, and dispatch your business (provided you acquaint me exactly with your motions) for I
feel that I cannot easily part with you again.
Mr.[George Richard] St. John left Winchester yesterday morning for the last time before
he goes abroad, and on Monday he sets out for Margate in order to embark for Ostend, from
whence he proceeds to Munich, where he is to remain for six months.2 There is a long tale
belonging to this matter which I shall keep ‘till we meet; it is sufficient for the present to say that
nothing can have behaved better than he has done upon the occasion, and the Squigg though
exceedingly hurt bears up better that I could have expected. I hope and firmly believe that
nothing on his part will ever give her uneasiness. Mungo accompanys his friend to London and
then returns here for a little while; he designs to take possession of Compton as soon as the
present owners [of the lease] quit, which Mr. [Thomas] Rickman informs me will be the latter
end of March.3
I am got quite strong; and so was my nipple, but I foolishly let the young Don [Philip]
suck too soon and by this means have somewhat retarded my cure; however every thing goes on
well and I shall soon be myself again. The dear foetid, whom you seem to have forgot, is as
bonny as ever; she does not improve much in speaking for I don’t find that she has picked up
any new words, though she makes strange noises. The little Spaniard [Philip] grows a fine boy.
Lilly and Tray4 are very well and inseparable, the old Lady5 is as fond of him as if she were
sensible of the relationship between them. And now I have told you all the news, for since the
masquerade we have sunk into a dead calm and there is nothing going forward except a route
[rout] at Dr. Makkettrick’s on Saturday, to which I am invited, but shall spear,6 as I shall be
unable to go.
Do your sisters leave Lincoln either of them this wint{er} or have they any thoughts of
coming to us in the summer? Pray remember me to the good lady under whose roof you receive
this, and tell her I hope soon to make {the} young fetid sensible of her kindness to her; at
present she has no feelings for any thing but eating and drinking. I suppose you will not regret
St. Etheldreda’s mansion; 7 though I hold her in great veneration myself, I own I should feel
myself much more comfortable in Mrs. Williams’s1 snug habitation. I long to be with you to visit
the church and the palace and all the Lions of Ely, except the woad mills8 which I shall not soon
forget; if you should go that way I desire you will not omit sniffing to please me, as I formerly
made myself sick to gratify you.
Adieu my dearest and believe me eternally your’s S Williams
95
Pray my compliments to Dr. [John] Gooch’s family if you see them, and to our cousins
at Ely, Mrs. Lancaster and Mrs. Mackenzie,9 the Lady Hecate10 is I think no more. Do write
soon, pray do.
1Heleonara
Theobella Williams (ca 1706-1789), a maiden aunt of Philip Williams, usually called ‘Aunt Bell’
and given the courtesy title of ‘Mrs’ in Sarah’s address and the letter. Her memorial in the south aisle of
Ely Cathedral, erected by another nephew, Charles Nalson Cole, refers to ‘sweetness of temper,
amiableness of manners, a fine understanding, great and unfeigned piety’ (WCA/M/PW/309).
2The
purpose of this trip is not clear, but he may have been sent off to distance him from a burgeoning
attachment to Sarah’s sister, Charlotte (or Squigg), who may have been regarded by his family as an
unsuitable future wife.
3The
parsonage house that was Philip Williams’s right after presentation to the rectorship of Compton, in
succession to Thomas Rickman, in 1780 became the home of Jeremiah Dyson (or Mungo) and his wife,
Sarah's sister Elizabeth.
4Their
5See
6
pet dogs.
Note 6, Letter 23.
Perhaps the equivalent to ‘spike’ in modern parlance.
7St
Ethelreda (otherwise St Audrey), daughter of the king of East Anglia, founded a nunnery at Ely in
673AD.
8Lincolnshire
9Probably
was one of the main centres of the production of woad (a source of blue dye) in England.
the ‘Mrs Makenzie’ of Letter 49.
10Unidentified;
presumably a nickname.
96
Letter 33: Tuesday, [February/March 1781]1 − Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip
Williams at Lincoln (WCA/M/PW/38)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My dear Sir,
I am not as you supposed upon the road, but mean to set out tomorrow morning to
congratulate you upon your safe arrival at Lincoln1 through the deluge of waters I had in my
mind formed for you. I have been a little upon the fidgit about you for some time, not from the
cause above mentioned, or from any other that ought to give a rational woman uneasiness, but
from having spent many solitary hours by myself since your departure, which have given me
leisure to ruminate upon and imagine things that will I flatter myself never exist, but in my
Martha-ing2 brain I see your dear hand writing and all my fears vanish. I am sorry you found
things in such an unpleasant state at Lincoln, especially on your sister’s account, and I fear as you
represent them matters are not likely to mend. You need not be under any alarms about
Compton; I shall take care that no alterations be made without your approbation, and I do not
suppose the Rickmans1 will leave it before you return. Mr [Jeremiah] Dyson takes possession as
soon as they depatriate; he as well as our whole house are delighted with the plan; they could not
have met with an habitation that would have so exactly suited them if they had searched half the
Kingdom over.3 Great revolutions in the states of Aquitaine and Normandy,4 such, as for the
credit of certain persons whom I have allways had a high opinion of, I should be glad to
suppress. Gonzago has renewed his addresses and to our utter astonishment they have been
accepted, not only by the old folks, but by the young lady, who has in consequence thereof lost
much of my esteem. There is such a want of sentiment and sensibility in the whole proceeding,
and the desire of gain seems to have so far predominated over the finer feelings that I think the
sponsor5 is better off as it is, though I am sorry to say he is not of the same mode of thinking;
the disappointment has made such an impression upon his mind as will not be soon worn off.
{But} I cannot help rejoicing a little with our friend Gonzago, this favourable turn having given
him great spirits and, as he will never find out that the Cara6 wants those delicious feelings
(without which she will be much happier), he may live pleasantly and die in a good old age
superannuated by the gout, phisick and lumbago. He means to have Becket house; 7 you may tell
your sister of this, but don’t mention the sponsor’s name. I would wish that part of the story to
be buried in oblivion. ....For domestic affairs, the little dears, though you say nothing about
them, are perfectly well, and so is their mama, except a very painful complaint in her nipple,
which is neither more nor less than a deep wound. Mr [Joseph] Barker has attended me some
time and at present the child does not suck the bad breast, and if it does not get better I shall be
obliged to wean the dear little fellow, and nothing but the last extremity will induced me to give
up the suckling business. Half the nipple is now a running sore and does not promise to heal
very soon; there is nothing alarming in it. So I would not have you uneasy, as I shall do very well.
Pray write to me often and let me know your plan when you leave Lincoln, whether you return
thither again, and how your sisters go on. I shall hope to hear a better account of your mother to
whom, as well as the rest of the family, I beg to be remembered. Adieu, allways remember her
who is eternally yours SW.
97
You are very dull the Vedone (not vedova)8 consisted of Mrs Sloane and Mrs Buller who
with myself were left by their husbands and upon whom Gonzago took compassion. I cannot
write any more at present, being 12 o’clock day. On Sunday I shall write again. Tell your sister,
though I suppose she has heard it, that Mr. Monson (the one that was at Winchester9) is going to
be married to Miss Crookshanks. Tell the Belle Poule [?George Gordon]10 that his little lamb
grows more engaging every minute. Again, adieu, pray write, it is the only pleasure I know,
exclusive of my dears at home.
1Dated
from internal evidence and Philip’s visit to Ely and Lincoln (Letters 32 and 34). Their second
child, Philip, was born in December 1780, whilst Thomas Rickman resigned as rector of Compton on 3
January 1781 and was due to leave the parsonage house by Lady Day (Letter 31). Rickman had been
admitted to the rectorship of Ash, Surrey, which was in the patronage of Winchester College, either in the
previous February, according to one source (CCED), or the more plausible date of 23 January 1781,
according to another (HRO/21M65/E2/1192).
2See
Note 3, Letter 34.
3Sarah
Williams’s sister Elizabeth married Jeremiah Dyson later in the year, on 21 July 1781, at St
Swithun-Over-Kingsgate church, Winchester.
4This
is probably a reference to the economic troubles faced by France at the end of the American War of
Independence, which ended with the Peace of Paris, signed on 3 September 1783. France was keen to
proceed with a trade agreement to ease its troubles, but this was not done until three years later. The
negotiator under Pitt the Younger was William Eden (later Lord Auckland), a contemporary of Philip
Williams at Oxford, where he had been greatly influenced by the jurist William Blackstone. It is likely that
whispers on affairs of state reached Winchester College via Philip Williams's patrons, the Rt Hon. Charles
Jenkinson and Charles Wolfran Cornwall.
5A
‘sponsor’ is one who enters into an engagement of marriage on behalf of another (or in another
context is a godparent at a baptism). She seems to be referring to a young woman in the Wykehamist set
who has accepted the advances of ‘Gonzago’ and rejected those of another.
6It:
female form of ‘dear, beloved’.
7Obscure.
Beckett House, Shrivenham, Berkshire, was the seat of the viscounts Barrington. The youngest
son of the 1st viscount was Shute Barrington (1734-1826), who was successively bishop of Llandaff,
Salisbury and Durham. There is a Becket House, Salisbury. Beckett's House, Edington, Wiltshire, is a
relatively modest ancient structure. And Becket House, Lambeth Palace Road, London, is a tower block
that may take its name from an earlier building.
It. vedova, widow. Probably a reference to Bishop Morley’s College for Widows of Clergymen, founded
in 1672 and still standing on the north side of the cathedral green. ‘Vedone’ is obscure, unless she meant
to write ‘vedovo’, widower. See also Note 11, Letter 29.
8
9She
probably mean the City of Winchester, not the College, as the name Monson is not listed in Holgate
and Chitty's manuscript 'Index to Commoners', held in Winchester College, nor in Kirby (1888).
10See
Note 3, Letter 30.
98
99
Letter 34: Monday and Tuesday, [5 and 6 March 1781]1 – Sarah Williams at Winchester to
Philip Williams in London (WCA/M/PW/36)
Address panel: The Reverend Mr Williams at the Somerset Coffee House2 Strand London.
Postmark: 7MR.
Mr dearest Sir,
Your letter from Ely gave the highest satisfaction, as every thing that brings me an
account of your well-being must ever do. I had settled it in my own mind that you would write
to me Wednesday in which case I should have heard from you on Friday and the disappointment
made me feel very heavy. Therefore pray don’t neglect upon receiving this to let me know
immediately that you are safely landed in town, and then the next thing will be to look forward to
your return to this place which is a consummation most devoutly to be wished by a person
whom you will not be at a loss to find out. Touching my nipple, I don’t know very well what to
say; it is yet quite uncertain whether the young Don [Philip] will continue to tweague it or not; it
is perfectly healed at present and has been so two or three times before, but on every fresh attack
the skin generally cracks. I have tryed him again to night after a cessation of some days and as
yet the skin appears perfectly sound and I hope by great patience and perseverance to get rid of
my old tenacious complaint. You may make yourself easy upon the subject of my Martha-ing3
for as I feel no kind of bodily pain from my present mode of proceeding, of course my mind is
quite composed.
Tuesday morn: Thus far I had written last night, but a new species of grief obliges me to
contradict the last sentence; I have all the horrors of the small pox before my eyes. Master
Jenkinson4 and his maid are to be inoculated at home tomorrow. I have heard besides that the
small pox is in other places in the town. Whilst people desisted from inoculating in their houses
at this end of the town I think we have so little communication with the Soke5 and High Street
that there would have been no danger of infection, but now it is once begun here it is most likely
that other people will avail themselves of such an example as Mr. [Charles] Jenkinson 4 and that it
will become general in the street. I must observe to you that the practice of beginning to
inoculate at home6 unless the disorder was to become universal is an action neither neighbourly,
or commendable in any light, at least that I can view it. Mr. [Joseph] Barker called upon me this
morning very kindly to inform me of what was going forward (otherwise I had no account of it
but from our own servants) and to advise me to speak to [John] Smith the Inoculating Doctor6
to know whether he thought my children might be safely inoculated; now I cannot think that
either of them is of a proper age, the girl [Elizabeth] being about her teeth which she does not
cut remarkably well, and the boy [Philip] is so very young that I should be afraid, though many
people think the time of sucking the best. I shall consult my father about it and in the mean time
I wish you would let me know as soon as possible whether, if it should be thought expedient that
the dear foetids undergo the operation, you have any objection; you may be assured that my
fears shall not betray me in to doing any thing rashly or contrary to the advice of my best and
ablest friends and I will make myself quite easy, as I am certain that I have but one object, which
is the good of my children and of those who belong to them. Mrs. Watkins7 has inoculated her
boys, but she takes them to [St] Giles’s hill6 as soon as they sicken, for which I am extremely
obliged to her, as she does it merely because she would not be un-neighbourly.
100
I have written a very flat epistle I must own, but when you consider how deeply I am
interested in the contents of it you will I hope excuse it and make all proper allowances for the
fears and anxieties of your entirely affectionate S Williams.
I will send my commissions in my next; they are but few, so don’t be frightened. Was
the [parsonage] house at Compton8 empty, I should certainly set off thither. Gonzago is to be
met with at Osborn’s Hotel, Adelphi, [London,] ‘till after Saturday. Mr. [Jeremiah] Dyson will
not be in town ‘till after Easter.9 Mr. [George Richard] St. John set out for Margate Saturday.10
Squigg {is} with all her complaints but rather getting better I hope. If you go to Privy Garden 11
soon you may say that I saw the old {Lady}12 quite rejuvenated yesterday.
1Dated
from the postmark. He was probably wending his way back to Winchester after a visit to Ely and
Lincoln (see Letter 32).
2 It
was on the south side of the Strand and took its name from Somerset House, which still stands in this
part of London. This letter and the next (Letter 35) were sent to the coffee house for collection. Only a
15-minute walk from the Houses of Parliament to the west, it was probably Philip Williams's habitual
resort and the venue he calls 'my coffee house' in a letter of October 1800 (WCA/M/PW/99).
She probably means to ‘fuss about’; in the Christian Gospel, Martha was a busy, active woman, who
witnessed the Resurrection and accompanied Christ on his ministry.
3
4Probably
Charles Jenkinson (later the 10th baronet), who was aged two at the date of this letter. He was
the only son of John Jenkinson, who for a while was MP for the rotten borough of Corfe Castle and
served as chairman of the court of governors of the County Hospital, Winchester, between 1779 and
1804 (Carpenter Turner, 1986, p. 55). There is also the possibility that it was Robert Banks Jenkinson
(1770-1828), the future prime minister, and the only son of Philip Williams's patron and neighbour, the
government minister the Rt Hon Charles Jenkinson, 1st Lord Liverpool, by his first wife, Amelia, who
died a month after the birth. John Jenkinson MP and the minister were brothers. However, this letter
suggests that 'Master Jenkinson' was being nursed in Kingsgate Street, where the Williamses – and
perhaps John Jenkinson – lived, whilst the Jenkinson family house, later renumbered No. 9, was on the
east side of St Thomas Street (previously called Calpe Street), south of Minster Lane and virtually
opposite the church that gave the street its name (HRO/113M96W/1, HRO/COPY/487).
5The
area of Winchester outside the city walls under the jurisdiction of the bishop. It included Kingsgate
Street and the St John's area of the city and was administered at sittings of Cheyney Court, in the building
of that name that still stands in the cathedral close.
6The
earliest published description of inoculation (then called variolation) in English was probably in
1714, by the Greek physician Emanuel Timoni, in the Philosophical Transactions. Lady Mary Montagu
observed the practice when living in Istanbul (then Constantinople) and had her son inoculated. On her
return to London in about 1720 she enthusiastically advocated its use. The 1770s and 1780s seem to have
been bad years for smallpox in Hampshire. Inoculation was practised in Winchester, but limited by the
corporation due to the risks of inoculees infecting others (South, 2013; Lefroy and Turner, 2007, p. 9;
HRO/W/B6/28/5-8). There was about a 1 in 50 chance of death after such an inoculation: one victim
was a 10-year-old daughter of the Winchester College head Joseph Warton. Winchester prebendary John
Mulso, in a letter of November 1773 to Gilbert White, reported his plans for the inoculation of his family:
101
…Mrs Mulso is gone to settle with Dr Smith (an inoculating Dr) about taking Charge of my 4
Children and 5 Serv[an]ts for this critical Event. They will all be together in my House: Jack
[presumably his younger son, John, aged 14] is not now apprized of it, but as soon as Dr Smith
has judged for him, he shall have his choice.
Mr John Smith (his doctorate was a courtesy title), mentioned in this letter, and his namesake son, were
celebrated for his inoculations, with premises on St Giles’s Hill, Winchester, where inoculees could stay
‘in isolation’ (South, 2013). In 1771 he was practising in ‘a very convenient house by Weyhill’, near
Andover, where he inoculated ‘servants at two guineas; coffee, tea and sugar excepted.’ (Carpenter
Turner, 1986, pp. 50, 167). Subsequently, of course, Edward Jenner introduced inoculation with cowpox
to protect against smallpox. A pioneer of the technique and a friend of Jenner was John Ring (c 17521821), who attended Winchester College for two years before going to London to train as a surgeon. His
major work was a Treatise on Cow-Pox (1801-3), but he also wrote Latin verse and published a celebrated
translation of Virgil.
Obviously a neighbour of some kind, mentioned in the next letter (Letter 35) and possibly the 'Mr
Watkins' with whom Lord Wallingford was 'reading Latin' when he wrote to his parents in April 1779,
detailing his expenses; he also sought to impress them by saying that he was 'thinking of joining the
circulating library' (HRO/1M44/83/5). A 'Revd Mr Watkins' also preached at Compton in 1819, but
Philip Williams's slightly embarassed comments do not sound like those of a neighbour
(WCA/M/PW/156).
7
8It
had just been agreed that the parsonage would be let to her sister Elizabeth and future husband
Jeremiah Dyson, who were to be married in July (Letter 29).
9In
1781, Easter Sunday fell on 15 April.
10This
statement conflicts with one in an earlier letter (Letter 32); perhaps Mr St John had been delayed in
London, en route to Margate and Ostend.
11Philip
Williams lived in the house of his patron, Speaker Charles Wolfran Cornwall, which was in a part
of the Palace of Whitehall called Privy Garden, named after a garden - at one time very large - that
adjoined it to the south and west. Cornwall died here on 2 January 1789.
12See
Note 6, Letter 23.
102
Letter 35: Friday, [9 March 1781]1 – Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams at
the Somerset Coffee House,2 The Strand, London (WCA/M/PW/37)
Address panel: The Revnd Mr Williams Somerset Coffee House Strand London. Postmark: MR.
WINCHES/TER
Mr dearest Sir,
I am much obliged to Mr. and Mrs. Cornwall for their very kind offer, but whilst the
small pox is confined to Mr.Jenkinson’s house3 only (for Mrs. Watkins’s children are to be
moved to Giles’s hill [Winchester] tomorrow, and I have not heard that they have begun in any
other family yet) I think with proper care our dear children will be in no danger of infection. If it
should spread I think it would be most advisable to have them inoculated or to remove them; it
has been in two or three houses in the town I find, but I don’t hear that it is about at present. I
keep the children entirely out of the town, and as soon as I hear that Master Jenkinson has
sickened I shall not suffer them to go into the street, but send them the back way through the
college for their walks. You are too good to indulge my whimsies so far as to say that you will
come down immediately if I desire it; indeed you may believe me when I say that so far from
wishing you to come home a moment sooner on that account, you will make me very uneasy if
you do not stay in town to the full extent of the time you had before purposed. I should not
perhaps have been so much terrifyed when I wrote to you last, if Mr. [Joseph] Barker when he
called upon me, had not desired me to send for [Dr John] Smith the inoculating doctor, and
advise with him about the propriety of inoculating the foetids. Now I think with all his caution
he would not have said so much without reason; however let this rest, for the present I flatter
myself we are safe enough. I shall take all possible care, and if it is the will of providence that we
do not escape, I shall be contented with having done my duty.
I had a letter last night from Gonzago, whom before this time you must have seen and
talked with upon the subject with which this place is agog.4 You need not scruple to say that I
have strained to you, as all the world know it.
There is nothing going forward here, except the bustle occasioned by the assizes, 1and
which does not tend much to produce masquerades or bal-pare’s5 or any of the more refined
amusements. Mr Smith as you know is the high sheriff and, to the surprise and satisfaction of all
his friends, a thorough reformation has taken place in his behaviour and disposition which
happily shews itself as much at home as abroad; and I cannot give you a more convincing proof
of it than that he was ready to meet the judges a quarter of an hour before the time. The girls
have had the nomination of the Javelin Men6 and I am happy to inform you that your friend
Pompey Harding was not forgot; he has got by it a new coat and about fifteen shillings and Papa
has equip’d him with wig etc. for the occasion. They would have confered the honour upon
Elcock, b{ut} he decided {against} it for so good a reason that I can{not} omit it: being aware
of his own infirmity he said he knew he should be drunk ‘till the money was gone and in
consequence thereof lose his work for a fortnight.
The Sherif and Sustern gr.7 have had a sort of spar, the latter having received a visit from
Mr. S{mith} and an invitation to dine, sent him a note to say that he could not wait upon him
‘till he had first seen him in a certain place, meaning the church. This, [William] Mence tells me,
as might have reasonably been expected, produced a very fierce answer. I hope they will make it
up, as our friend Sustern7 is a well-meaning man with more zeal than judgement.
103
Poor Squigg is very indifferent; Papa talks of sending her to Sir R[ichard] Jebb; she
fainted away yesterday three times, but I have yet hopes that she will do without going to
London.
Adieu my dearest and believe me eternally your ever affectionate SW
Don’t forget my watch at Ellicots.
I have nothing for you to do in town except to pay Siscoti £2 2s. for me - George knows
where he lives - and to call upon the old Chigger and pay her for the mounting and mending of a
fan for me when I was last in London, and which I am sorry to find she has had some trouble
from the people about.8
The pert bulbuses are in full bloom and vigour and by no means, as you expected,
extirpated, but rather increased. Remember me to all friends, Dr [Henry] Bathurst in particular,
if he is in town. Write to me as soon as you have this and don’t think me, who loves [you] so
well as I do, unreasonable.
[At the head of the letter]: My calamity quite well.9
1The
letter can be dated from the assizes in Winchester, which were held on Tuesday 6 March 1781.
There were death sentences for rape, highway robbery, and sheep-stealing, but the guilty 'were all
reprieved before the judge left town' (Hampshire Chronicle, 5 and 12 March 1781).
2See
Note 2, Letter 34.
3See
Notes 4 and 7, Letter 34.
4Probably
a reference to Henry Penton Jr MP, who absconded with his wife’s maid. There are many other
gossipy references to the affair in the Letters (see 72-3, 90, 106-7, 117 and 123). A spoof advertisement
placed in the Hampshire Chronicle after race week, on 28 July 1783, suggests that it was public knowledge by
that date.
5Fr.
Bal paré, a sort of carnival, literally an ‘adorned ball’ with fancy dress.
6The
Javelin Men were those in the sheriff’s retinue who carried pikes and escorted the judges at the
assizes. Pompey Harding and Elcock sound like men known to the College (see the index to Himsworth,
Vol I, 1976). A Richard Elcock was active as a locksmith in Winchester in mid-18th century and a Thomas
Elcock was buried at Compton in 1786 (Letter 68), but seems not to have been known by Sarah Williams.
7Probably
the governor of the Sistern Chapel, College Street, sometimes spelt ‘Sustern’, or even ‘Cistern’,
which was leased (usually by the second master) from the Dean and Chapter of Winchester Cathedral (see,
for example, in 1793, HRO/11M59/E2/59387).
8She
is reeling off the errands she expect her husband to do in London, with which she was evidently well
acquainted. Ellicots were goldsmiths (Edgcumbe, 2000). But 'Siscoti', 'George' and 'Chigger' are
unidentified.
104
9Probably
her breast-feeding problem (Letter 32).
105
Letter 36: Wednesday, 6 June 1781 – from Dr John Gordon at Lincoln, to his stepson,
Philip Williams, at Winchester (WCA/M/PW/374)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
Dear Phil,
Your favor of yesterday,1 as far as it respects my Son G[eorge] distresses me exceedingly.
I know not how to refuse your kindness to him; and yet under the present circumstances I
cannot think it right to accept it. There is no doubt of the pleasure and advantage it woud be to
him in every point of view – and he certainly deserves at my hands every accommodation and
encouragement, that I can with propriety give him. But yet to enter on a regular system of
amusement, when a Parent lies in the situation his poor Mother does, is a lesson I do not wish to
have him learn. It has been my anxious desire that his Mother might hold out to see him once
more. His term is over, and had it not been for a course of Examinations2 which are held at St
John’s [College, Cambridge] twice a year towards the end of this and the October Term, he
woud have been with us by this time. The days of Examination were not exactly fixd, when he
wrote last, but it was expected to begin on the 4th or 5th instant and continue to the 11th or 12th –
on which latter day he hoped to be able to set out for Lincoln; but promised to be more exact as
soon as it was in his power. So we have been counting upon seeing him by the 13 th or 14th. It is
true your poor Mother pays so little attention to any outward occurrence, that is not immediately
connected with her own pain and sufferings, that it is possible, if she shoud hold out so long, a
plausible tale might be invented to excuse his absence: and perhaps it may seem cruel to bring
him into such a scene of woe, when he might have so fair an opportunity of enjoying a
pleasurable excursion. Yet the time for his coming home presses so close that there is scarce
interval enough left to plan an alteration of measures, if it was prudent to adopt it. On which I
own, as I said before, I have strong misgivings. I take it for granted by the manner of your
mentioning the thing now, you did not open at all upon it, when you were at Cambridge. If you
had, all but the last part might have been in train; and I was in hopes you woud have found him
to be of that manly turn of mind, that you need not have been under any concern for the
disappointment, if any thing had arisen afterwards to render the scheme less feasible. A line then
from you to him about the time etc with another from him to me expressive of his own wishes
or intentions rather (for as to his wishes it is pretty evident what they must be) woud have settled
the whole matter, and I shoud either have had the satisfaction of finding him judge as I might
think prudently; or, if otherwise, I shoud have set it down to a little youthful inattention in a
point perfectly innocent at least, if not strictly justifiable. But I own it hurts me to decide for
him; as, I am afraid, I now almost necessarily must. For if I was to write to him on the subject,
there must be such a deal of pro’ing and con’ing about it, that there woud be no settling it, till it
was time to act. So that unless any thing shoud happen to delay the time of your journey, and to
make his setting off from hence to meet you less objectionable, I doubt I must, though with
extreme reluctance decline your profferd kindness for him and heartily wish you all the pleasure
and benefit you can propose to yourself from such a jaunt.1
I suspected that the demise of your late Prelate at W[inchester]3 woud throw a bar in the
way to your views upon any thing in that Church – but I cannot say I lay much stress on the
circumstances, as I trust some better thing will be the consequence. And if you are so extremely
partial to the patronage of the Bishop of [Winchester] I dare say any Bishop of that see will be so
106
indulgent to you as to suffer you to change a better thing for a worse – with some friend, whom
he may thereby oblige.
I am very sorry that Lana Caprina4 shoud be latin for Ransommoor at present – but I still
trust that something may be done to make it a more marketable commodity. And I trust that Mr
Hollist’s5 very deliberate statement of the case will ransom it from Mr Cole’s6 friendly attempt to
lessen our trouble in letting it. This I know, that he shoud not with my consent have a hair of
the Goat’s beard, if he attempted to pluck it in derogation of my right.
As the Rental, Receipts etc of the valuable Living of Gosberton,7 I have to observe, that
there never was sager maxim, than that every man shoud do his own business – because as why,
another man may not be able to do it for him – as we all very well know; and as was precisely the
case with me in the present instance. Your Mother coud not without extreme uneasiness bear
the thoughts of my being absent so long a time as the Visitation woud take up – and so I was
obliged to give up all thoughts of it. The charge of collecting your Rents etc of course devolved
upon honest Fardell,8 who does every thing that every body else shoud do. But as he was a
stranger, had no powers etc the Receipts perhaps are less than they shoud have been. The
Tenants in first place found it I suppose more convenient to account for half a year than a whole
one. In the next place Mrs Francis had eased you of the trouble of receiving the Lady Day Rent
in 1780, as she had taken that herself. And it seems not without some pretence from Sta 11 th G.
1st 9 which entitles executors etc of Tenants for life to receive a proportionable share of Rent up
to the day of the demise of [the] said Tenant. Still however she took more than she shoud have
done, as Mr F[rancis] died 9 or 10 days before the Quarter day. There will be the same difficulty
about Dilapidations as I shall not have it in my power this year to go [on] any Parochial rounds.
So that I think it woud not be amiss for either you or your deputy to write to her on that subject,
stating to her the condition of the buildings, but submitting if you thought fit, the quantum of
the summe to be paid by her towards their repair to the valuation of any skillfull Clergyman or
other person in the neighbourhood. And this before you set about any repairs, in which I think
you cannot do better than avail yourself of the offer of Mr Calthrop10 to superintend. I shoud
have remitted the Ballance but for what you mentiond about Mr Lombe’s demand 11. I gave
George orders to discharge it – and though I certainly never shoud have been at the expence, yet
if it was an omission which I ought not to have sufferd to incurre, I will readily still stand to the
charge of it.
From your observation about the effect of the color of Seals,12 I dare not seal this with
black, though the Girls have put on black Ribbons etc on account of poor Mrs Bickham’s
demise.
You say you are to augur well from my silence as to the state of my poor Wife - health is
out of the question – I wish therefor I coud be silent still. I told you the very alarming thoughts
we had about her in one Letter13 and when the immediate hazard of that attack seemd to be
abated, I wrote again to acquaint you with the change for the better: an opportunity I am afraid I
shall never have again, though even in her extreme reduced state, where the best appears as bad
as the worst well could do, there are ebbs and flows – the latter not indeed in proportion to the
former, but yet such, that when one thinks every thing is almost gone, there is a little appearance
of reviviscence, but this much less of late. She now is not weak but weakness, both in body and
mind – though in the latter she can correct herself, when calld upon. Last Sunday se’nnight she
appeard to be in extremis, and made me faulter out the Prayer appointed to be said on such
occasions – but she came about again a little towards the evening. Her dropsical complaint is at
107
times very bad – and then in a day or two almost disappears again. She seems to have had no
return of her original complaint – but appears to be wearing away not by inches but by hair
breadths; and is alive only, if a living death be to be calld life. She has for 2 or 3 days refused
almost all kind of sustenance except a little brandy and water, and is prevailed upon with
difficulty to take her Opiate Pills, which she till lately woud not have omitted on any account.
Her two attendants are obliged to turn her ten times in as many minutes – constant uneasiness,
pain, and sores requiring this temporary relief. You will not accuse me of silence now, I doubt
you will think me too minute in such detail. But if you form uncomfortable notions from the
description, I assure you still have much the advantage of those who experience the reality. Pray
God to give us of his goodness some abatement in her sufferings or endue14 her and us with
strength and powers to support them! With every good wish to you and yours,
I am,
Dear Phil,
With most true regards,
Your affectionate J. Gordon
P.S. I have enclosed Mr Fardell’s15 statement of your account for your perusal and information.
Mr Calthrop’s name makes no item in it. You know best how you adjusted that matter with him
on the spot – but from your agreement with your Curate there shoud be some little surplusage
due from him.
1Philip
Williams had presumably written to his step-father, who was replying with unusual promptness,
but typical wordiness. The nature of the ‘regular system of amusement’ or ‘jaunt’ offered to his son
George is unknown, but he clearly did not want him to be away if his mother, who was very ill, should
die. Even so, Gordon does not seem to want to dissuade Philip from his ‘jaunt’, even though the dying
woman is also his mother.
2Examinations
at Cambridge only date from 1765, when St John’s College held them in Mathematics and
Classics. Oxford followed decades later.
3Philip
Williams no doubt held high hopes of preferment from John Thomas, who became bishop of
Winchester in 1761 and died at Winchester House, Chelsea, on 1 May 1781. During his life Thomas (not
to be confused with three other namesake Protestant bishops, Cassan, 1827, Vol. II, p. 270) enjoyed
much royal patronage (George III visited him annually at Farnham Castle, Cassan, ibid, p. 276) and ‘did
nothing to redress the administrative laxity [which]...had become deeply rooted in the time of his
predecessor’ (W.R. Ward, ‘Benjamin Hoadly’, ODNB).
Bishop Thomas and Thomas Mulso of Tagwell, Northants, married one of each other’s sisters. One of
the bishop’s nephews, John Mulso, became a prebendary of both Salisbury and Winchester, and is
remembered as a friend and correspondent of the naturalist Gilbert White of Selborne (Letter 24, Note
5). The bishop’s niece, Hester Mulso (later Mrs Chapone), was an author in her own right and a confidant
of the novelist Samuel Richardson (Cassan, ibid, 273; Rhoda Zuk, ‘Hester Chapone’, ODNB). Thomas’s
three daughters all married men who appear in the Letters, namely Newton Ogle, dean of Winchester,
William Buller, bishop of Exeter, and Admiral Sir Chaloner Ogle of Worthy Park, near Winchester.
108
4Goat’s
wool, apparently a low-value product of his mother’s estate at Ransome Moor, near Doddington,
Cambridgeshire. See also Letter 10.
5Richard
Hollist, family lawyer and friend of Philip.
6See
Note 2, Letter 27.
7See
Note 6, Letter 26.
8See
Note 9, Letter 26.
9A
statute passed in the 11th year of the reign of George II, which commenced in June 1727.
10The
steward at Gosberton, where Philip Williams was presumably concerned with repairs to the
parsonage house for his curate.
11Probably
Thomas Lombe (1719-1800), a Cambridge attorney and solicitor (see, for example, Norfolk
Record Office/MC257; TNA/PROB11/1348/252).
12Obscure.
13See
Letter 26.
14To
invest with a power...nearly synonymous with ‘endow’ (OED)
109
Letter 37: Monday, 14 January, 1782 – from Dr John Gordon at Lincoln, to his stepson,
Philip Williams, at Winchester (WCA/M/PW/375)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
Dear Phil,
I think the Epic Rule of dashing directly into the middle of things must be as convenient
in business as in Poetry; and therefor with Aristotle’s leave, or rather, I am afraid, without it, I
shall adopt it. You must not do me the injustice to suspect, when I transmitted to you a State of
Master Ingle’s expensive repairs,1 that I coud possibly mean to tax your generosity with any share
of them – no not a farthing can I permitt either you or your Sisters to pay towards any thing that
was either done or ordered before a late event.2 The wood however may seem naturally destined
to repairs, and if sold to purchase more convenient materials still keeps within the spirit if not
the letter of the law – and therefor I shall have no scruple of applying this as far as it will go
towards liquidating the expence – and there’s an end of that affair.
As to being your Steward Manager or Receiver1 I certainly cannot object to the office on
account of any trouble, if I coud be of use – but really as to the two first characters in my present
situation it is impossible for me to execute them properly. That of Receiver woud be easy
enough, where the Lands are let upon settled terms; but this Ransommoore [Ransome Moor]
vexes me heartily. If I coud not let it for myself, how shoud I be able to let it for you? And yet
another person upon the spot, or more conversant with Fen Estates might be able to procure a
Tenant. This hurts me. I cannot bear to think that you or your Sisters shoud suffer either
through my indolence or ignorance. And yet I profess I know not what steps to take, that I have
not already tried without success. Mr Waddington3 made a tender of his services to the Girls (I
must use the phrase I believe till they become Matrons). He woud however I think have let the
lands for me, if he coud. But he may do more perhaps, though not the politest man in the world
or at present in a state to attend properly either to their affairs or his own, as I understand, for
the Ladies. Why didn’t they try his powers in this instance?
The consideration of giving way to C[harles Nelson] Cole’s claim I have only one
objection to – which I think I stated before. If I did not [say it] to you, I certainly did to your
Sisters. It is the effect such a concession must have upon your Father’s Will. If the Sisters had a
Fee Simple in the Estate, I cannot see, how he coud devise the reversion. And what other claim
have your Sisters to a share, whereas in the case of Aunt Eliza no Will was made to that effect by
the Party in possession! This might not strike you perhaps – but I apprehend woud deserve
some attention. Especially, as perhaps you in your present circumstances coud not cover the
defect by your own acts. But certainly, if the legal right be, as the Cole claim makes it, some act
of yours must be necessary to entitle your Sisters to any share of Aunt Eliza’s Portion, which
never vested in your Father; and consequently to indemnify me for the Receipt of the Rents
under your Father’s Will since the time of her demise etc. It is a puzzled skein. But yet Mrs
Williams’s Will is such a Note Explanatory on the meaning of her Husband that I have not a
doubt, it was fully understood then that he had bequeathed only an Estate for life to the
Daughters. She who willed that her pecuniary Legacy (in addition to the bequest of her
Husband) shoud be reversible to the Heir at Law woud certainly have put the landed property
under the same condition, (which she was empowerd by his Will to do) if she had not thought
that was already provided for. And it is farther evident, that this Part in particular claimd by the
110
Coles woud never have vested in them at all, if it had not been for Mrs Williams’s Will; as the
claim under the Father’s Will had been surrendered for a valuable consideration. In short I am
so possessed of the fact being so, that I am not at all clear, that I shall not try it myself out of
pure curiosity. I certainly do not feel at all disposed to give up the rent now in Mr Waddington’s
hands; trifling as it is; but on the contrary am almost determined to make a legal demand of it:
and if Mr Cole thinks fit to support his refusal, to bring it to a trial. Indeed what you say woud
be almost sufficient to decide my conduct. For if it be a case so equally poised, that a Judge may
throw his opinion into either scale, what is to induce me to relinquish my chance. If it be a
Toss-up as the Gambling Code has it, let a Toss-up decide it. I am for seeing the money spin at
least. I cannot see a shadow of reason for my receding a single inch, except the smallness of the
stake – but I have playd for small stakes as well as large before now, and the amusement is much
the same. But why not try a reference? If you are disposed to be complaisant, won’t that be
carrying your complaisance, as far as it is necessary? A reference will cost little or nothing; and I
shoud suppose the other Parties woud be ready to meet you upon that ground. But the subject
is detestable: it quite wears me to rags whenever I think of it.
The Catlidge matter may rest – my offer was principally to remove difficulties. I certainly
do not mean to make a bargain in that quarter. If that were my object I woud look out
somewhere else. I woud here rather give more than another woud for several reasons. If
however you shoud think it prudent to make an offer of it to the North Family, hadn’t you
better try Lord North?4 He may not be a Jew,5 though the Father is. And the treaty might open
some circumstances of Family Relationship that might lead him to make it a good bargain to you
at least. The taking up the Copyhold I spoke merely at random about I am almost sure however
that it was not held in your name. I apprehend the last settlement of it will point out that. The
Fine I am afraid is arbitrary, and I rather think, I have heard your poor Mo[ther] complain, that
she felt the Jew’s finger5 in that instance, and I recollect seeing a Copy of a very handsome Letter
she wrote on the occasion to plead with his L[ordshi]p. It strikes me upon memory, that the
Fine to Dr Dighton6 and Ux[orius] had only been about £40 and that in this other instance about
[£]80 was charged, and I am afraid no abatement obtaind. But possibly your name might be
joined. It will be a good thing if it is. If it is not, we shall hear of it. There will be Proclamations
etc made, which will doubtless be transmitted to some of us. It will be time enough then to be
more particular. I dare say I can recover some Mem[orandum]s of the transaction. Barrington 1
Lease was renewed Michaelmas [29 September] 1776. Fine about £40 including Fees. Copyhold
there you took up the other day, I think.
[written at the top of the letter] N. B. It is too much both to write and to read such a Letter as I here
send you – therefor you must be content to take the latter part entirely yourself, and make such
allowances for mistakes, as you can!
1Much
of this letter concerns the Fenland estates of his late wife, Philip Williams’s mother, Mrs Anne
Gordon (for details, see, Letter 10).
2Probably
3Note
the death of his wife, at some time after 6 June 1781 (Letter 36)
7, Letter 28.
111
4The
first earl of Guilford, 7th baron North of Kirtling, Cambridgeshire, where Gordon’s wife held a small
estate. Between about 1500 and 1900 the modern civil parish of Kirtling, which lies a few miles south of
Newmarket, and includes the village of Upend, was known as Catlidge (www.kirklingandupend.org.uk).
Guilford’s son was the prime minister Frederick North (1732-1792).
5See
Note 6, Letter 126.
6His
late wife was a daughter of Dr John Dighton, rector of Newmarket.
112
Letter 38 Thursday, 6 June, 1782– from Dr John Gordon at Lincoln, to his stepson, Philip
Williams, at Winchester (WCA/M/PW/376)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
Dear Phil,
I have been favord with both your Letters of the 9th and 31st of May, and heartily give
you joy of the two acquisitions, which they announce; the first, of the addition to your family; 1
and the other, of what I trust will hereafter be an addition to the means of providing for it. 2 It
was not, you will believe me, any want of taking a sincere share in the former event, that made
me deferre my congratulations so long; but your indulgence and my own laziness or business (for
I set out upon my Visitation on the 12th May and did not return to L[incoln] till the 18th) made
me willing to procrastinate a little, especially as I had an opportunity of desiring Fanny to
forward my good wishes etc along with Mr Prime’s Letter etc. I was sorry to learn from her, that
Mrs W[illiam]s had sufferd more on this occasion, than usual: but I hope from your accounts,
that in the Church Wardens language, which I have been much used to of late “All is Well”, and
upon better grounds, than they sometimes tell me so. I coud perhaps rather have wishd, that
this young Rose-bud1 (for I utterly reject the appellative you have given it) had been of the
gender to have made in time a Fellow to the Pr[o]vost. And I shoud have liked this Legacy
somewhat the better, if there had been no disinheriting, or contesting of the Will likely to ensue!
But still with these abatements the events are both of a very pleasing kind; and I hope little
Quellyna (or if you please, Euphon: grat: as the Grammarians have it, Squallina) Williams may be
at least a subwarden or by-fellow or Bed-fellow, 3 if you will have it so, to as great a Man: and
that the Welch Estate after Mrs Q[uellyn] 4 shall be pleased to resign it and Aunt Bell [Heleonara
Theabella Williams] has had her 40 years tug at it may make you some amends for the loss of the
Burnell prospect.5 I hope you have made proper acknowledgments to our noble minded
Coz.[cousin] C[harles Nalson] C[ole] for his great disinterestness; to which you see you entirely
owe this bequest! I suppose T Rutherford6 was equally indebted to him for the reversion of the
Abdy estate, as undoubtedly from his great intimacy with Sir A[nthony] A[bdy] if he had not
made known his disposition on this head, he must have come in for a great share of his fortune.
What a happiness it is to be connected with people of such self-denying principles! If it had not
been for his Sisters he woud never have given you the least trouble about Ransommoor
[Ransome Moor]. For though he had declared, if his Mo[ther] woud leave her right to him, he
woud contest it, it must only have been just to shew in what a handsome way he woud have
made a Compl[imen]t of it to you – just as his equally generous Bro[ther] W has done in another
matter to your Sisters. However as these contingencies will not pay for present beef and
pudding, I herewith enclose you one of Lincoln B.B.s [bank bills] for £28 the residuum of your
great Lincolns Living, 7 which I received of 3 different Tenants at Boston on your account, whilst
I was picking up my own Procurations. I treated your Tenants with a dinner, which they told me
(that is, the inferior ones) Mr Francis always did – and your superior one being also a Tenant to
the Dean and Chapter I invited to dine with the Archdeacon. This of course I shall not charge
you with, nor the other neither – as I did it without orders, and it came but to 3s. 6d. I shall state
the account below – and have in future made over the Stewardship to Mr Calthrop, who is upon
the spot and seems perfectly disposed to do you justice; he had engaged to see to the repairs of
the Vic[ara]ge House, which I authorised him to do in your name as far as 30 or 40 shillings –
113
perhaps it may come to £3. And I also allowd Master Jennings, partly for the namesake, but
more at his most pressing instances, 2 new gates value 14s. So that you must count upon these
deductions next year. There is I believe a little account open between you and me and perhaps a
few pounds in my favor for money advanced to Aunt Bell etc. But I woud have this stay till the
Estates turn out something. And in the mean time hope this will pay for pap sauce at least, if
not for a Christening Dinner for young Quellyna. I know not how this Doddington8 business
will turn out – I have desired Mr Waddington to settle with the Tenants; I expect the result at his
good leisure, or their good pleasure. I have commissioned him to allow Mr Ingle’s Bills on my
account, all except the carriage and the glass windows, which I have told him I consider as
belonging to the Tenant. So there will go about £45 exclusive of the wood, for what I doubt will
not mend the Estates a single shilling. But that is a tax one pays for living at a distance and
putting confidence in persons disposed to encroach upon your good nature - £15 I paid besides
for surveying and valuing. This is one of the few things I have done which have not quite
answerd expectation. It is a disagreeable business. Waddington must have given it up. He can’t
let his own Land and the mere circumstance of draining this Estate to get manure for his own
coud never have answerd. He paid about £3 annually to his own loss. This, I own, I did not
suspect. Dobito’s9 have sent word they are ready to pay their ½ years rent up to Lady Day 1781.
So that the next payment will be one in common – but I guess that will not happen till next
November. The same will be the case with the Tenant at Barrington10 – but he will not pay till
Christmas. I think Prime a good Tenant. He has not I am persuaded too great a bargain. The
last man gave it up because I woud not abate – and Prime was afraid to venture upon more, than
a 6 years Lease. He now has found it will answer, which I told him at the time woud be the case
and advised him to take for a longer term. He is pressed however a little in another part, that he
rented; which has quickend his application for this renewal. I dare say the Rent is as much as can
fairly be set upon it. I have raised it since it has been in my hands about £15 a year. I shall
therefor tell him he may apply to Mr [Thomas] Lombe11 as soon as he pleases, for a new Lease
upon the terms and covenants in the old one. I think it right to have Mr L employed, both for
the security of having no change slipt in, and because he will know best, in whose name to draw
it: which I am sure I do not. I suppose it must be in the names of yourself and Sisters – and yet
the subsisting Lease from the Coll[ege] 10 is in mine. But I imagine, I shall stand in the light of a
nominal Trustee. The Lease shoud perhaps in strictness have contained a Clause “subject to the
limitations etc in Dr W[illiam]s’s Will[”]12 – but I believe there is nonesuch. As to Catlidge, 13 I
think you had better sell your Welch Estate and buy it. Or if you don’t choose that, as it has
been so long in the family, I woud rather buy it, than have it go to a stranger. I apprehend I coud
easily manage raising the money, if you woud employ somebody to value it and set a price! I
don’t understand the law of your informants at Winchester, nor indeed any law – but I shoud
have thought a Fine woud hardly have defeated the reversionary right of parties in being at the
time it was formd, without their consent. But if there is no other bar but my Sons perhaps by
my being a Purchaser the expence of a Fine might be saved. I have written to the Dobitos 9 to
know if there has been any Proclamation.
I have not been entirely without my share of luck lately in the money way myself. The
only subsisting Life in one of our Dean and Chapter Leases has lately made a vacancy – and so
the Chancellor [of Lincoln], Subdean and Self have granted a new Lease in Trust for our use as
Tenants in common etc. The Estates lets for £90 a year: and will, I shoud think, sell for £1200
114
at least. It is the better for dividing only by 3, as we do all profits till the next Audit in
September.
I heartily congratulate with you on the late public News, 2 which is indeed truly great! I
only wish it had happend a little sooner. I am afraid these confounded Reformers14 will dissolve
the Parliament if not the Government. Only they are a most dangerous race – they know
nothing but the art of cajoling the dupes the People. A contemptible system!
With my best regards to Mrs Williams, the Infant Don Philip and his Sisters,
I am with great sincerity,
Dear Phil, most truly thine,
J.G.
Particulars of the Vic[arage] of Gosberton for the year 1781
Received on Mr W[illiam]s the Vic[ar]s Account at Boston, May 16th, 1782
Of Mr Calthrop balance of Rent for year ending at Lady Day 1781 £2 10s 0d and of Do for Do
at Do at Lady Day 1782 £5 0s 0d
£7. 10. 0
Of Mr Jennings a year’s Rent up to Michaelmas 1781, taxes deducted
£16 . 10. 0
Of Wid[ow] Groves Do to Do
£2. 15. 0
Of Thomas Maidens Do to Do
£1. 5. 0
In all £28. 0. 0.
Remitted to Mr W[illiams]s by Bill, June 6th 1782
N.B. I have enclosed the Vouchers for Taxes etc. You remember Mr Fardell 15 received 10
guineas which was transferd to me last year. Your Sisters [Anne and Frances Williams] say they
have escaped the Influenza!
P.S. I am obliged to you for your kind enquiries after C[harles] and G[eorge] 16 – the latter is
prosecuting his studies with great zeal at Cambridge. I wonder how his verses slipt through
before. He has since made a Declamation in Chap[el] with great credit and is now fagging in the
midst of the ½ yearly examination – after which he means to stay at the advice of his Tutor for
about 3 weeks to study fluxions.17 So that I do not expect to see him till the beginning of next
month. As to Ch[arles] I really know nothing of him – he wrote me a sort of penitential Letter
after his late peice of nonsense – which I did not immediately answer, thinking, that a repetition
of contrition woud do him no harm, before a restoration to favor, but I have heard not a word
since. I sent the money to Capt Carleton – but was favord with no answer even from him. By
your asking I almost suspect you have enquired and found them decampd from Portsmouth
[Hampshire] – perhaps on board some part of the Fleet doing duty as Marines. If you can learn
any thing, I shall be obliged to you for the communication. I expect to hear of course when the
Finances require a supply. I beg leave to thank you and Mrs Williams for your notice of
115
Hannah.18 She has been absent from me for near a month. She wishd to see her Friends, and I
thought I owed her the indulgence, as she had never seen London, she took that in her way,
where your Sisters I believe have been very kind to her. I had a Letter from each of them from
Nanny [Anne Williams] last saying that she had seen every thing but the Tower and Sadler Wells,
and was set out for Cambridge, on the 22nd of May. I have since heard from herself, that she
means to be at Lincoln on the 7th instant tomorrow. Nanny talkd at one time of coming down to
help to keep residence – but since seems disposed to pay you a visit to express her thanks for
your kindness at Win[chester]. I really have had so many Letters to write, that I am quite
oppressed with it. I hope I have made myself intelligible – but I have my doubts in the hurry I
write.
Adieu.
Pray favor with half a line to say you have receivd the Bill etc.
1Charlotte,
Philip Williams’s third child, was born on 7 May 1782.
2Obscure.
It is is too late to be congratulating him on his rectorship of Compton, to which he was
collated in February 1781, and too early for his appointment as chaplain to the Speaker, which he
exercised from May 1784, though reference later in the latter to ‘public news’ may suggest it. It could
refer to his Lincoln prebend, to which he was instituted in November 1783, but the wording is odd for a
favour given by Gordon.
3Gordon
at his chauvinistic worst.
4Anne
Williams, sister of Philip Williams’s namesake paternal grand-father, had married into the Quellyn
family of Caernarvon, in North Wales. It was through this link that a small estate at Llanwnda was
inherited.
5Clearly
a farm or small estate near Lincoln, but not now traceable, unless he perhaps meant Burwell,
which is unlikely.
6This
concerns the family of Dr Thomas Rutherford (1712-1771), moral philosopher of St John’s College,
Cambridge, who in 1752 married Charlotte Elizabeth Abdy, daughter of Sir William Abdy, 4th bt (from
one of three lines of Abdy baronets!) of Albyns, Essex (J. Gascoigne, ‘Thomas Rutherford’, ODNB). A
son, the Revd Thomas Abdy Rutherford, subsequently inherited the Abdy estates.
7His
rectorship of Gosberton, near Boston, Lincolnshire, where Mr Calthrop acted as a steward. The
Calthrops are said to have been seated here since the Norman Conquest (White, 1842, p. 198).
8Near
March, Cambridgeshire, where his paternal grandfather had been rector and a small estate
administered by a neighbouring farmer Mr Waddington was still in the family.
9Tenants,
10A
probably by copyhold, at the small estate at Catlidge, Cambridgeshire. (see WCA/M/PW/239).
small Cambridgeshire estate held from Trinity College, Cambridge (see WCA/M/PW/222).
11See
Note 11, Letter 36.
116
12Of
13A
his father, Dr Philip Williams.
small estate in Cambridgeshire, at a place today known as Kirtling (www.kirtlingandupend.org.uk).
14Sentiments
no doubt heartily endorsed by Philip Williams (see Chapter 10 of the book associated with
these transcripts, The Speaker’s Chaplain & The Master’s Daughter).
15A
steward, rent collector, employed by Gordon.
16Gordon’s
two sons: George followed closely in his footsteps, but Charles initially chose a military
career, only later to follow in Charles’s wake. See also Note 11, Letter 39 and Note 8, Letter 113..
17Calculus.
18Probably
a Winchester girl working as a maid in Gordon’s household.
117
Letter 39: Thursday, 8 May, 1783 – from Dr John Gordon at Lincoln, to his stepson,
Philip Williams, at Winchester (WCA/M/PW/377)
Address panel: Revd Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
Dear Phil,
I was favord with your Letter of the 19th of March and shoud sooner have paid my
acknowledgments, but have waited for this last fortnight or three weeks, in hopes of being able
to communicate some intelligence about that vile business of Ransommoor [ Ransome Moor];1
the drainage tax of which alone last year amounted to £48. 4s. 7 ½d. and the rent of the half that
was let to £36. Land tax to be added to deductions £4. 16s. 0d. Anne 1 however suggests a hope
that this drainage tax in future is to be considerably lessened. It will bear that at least, if it will
bear nothing else, which at present is said to be its property. This one of those improvements,
which stamps so much credit on modern art! Whilst it was sufferd to be occasionally
overflowed, the loss of a crop now and then was compensated by the coat of manure, which the
water in its retreat left behind it; and it never went untenanted. But now, since it has been
effectually drained, and secured against floods, there is no finding a Tenant for it! There is a
mystery in this, which I cannot clear up. Willing to see what coud be done, I suggested to your
Sisters [Anne and Frances Williams] the idea of trying to get a Steward (as a John Howard,2
whose name you may have heard mentioned, was for many years) upon the spot, to keep a look
out as times and seasons varied, whose interest in it shoud be to get a Tenant and a fair rent, by
an allowance of so much in the pound for his troubles. Mr Wad[dingto]n had also given us the
comfortable intimation, that there was a great flood in the country (some 2 months ago) and that
if any banks broke, we shoud certainly be able to let the Estate. Your Sisters also wishd to know,
whether there was any likelihood of selling the land, whilst it was untenanted. These and some
other matters were submitted to Mr Wad[dingto]n3 with a request to be favord with his
sentiments and assistance, as soon as convenient. But not a word of answer has yet arrived.
Aunt Bell [Heleonara Theabella Williams] also was consulted on the subject. And she aukwardly
enough has referrd the Girls (as I cannot help calling them) to Charles [Nalson] Cole (by the by,
my pen has made his name as black as a coal [the pen flooded when he wrote ‘Cole’], with less
resentment on my part, than I might have shewn in another instance) which shews her to be
more under the guidance of that worthy Relative, than I coud have wishd.
The Renewal of [the] Barrington Lease with Trinity College [,Cambridge,]4 will amount
only to about £40 – and that need not be paid till about Christmas. Surely ways and means may
be found for raising such a summe without being driven to the necessity of selling the estate for
it! I myself have engaged so deeply in purchases, that I am afraid I shall not be very flush of
money for sometime, if I live – but yet I think I dare venture to be sponsor for such a summe as
that against such a distant day. I was tempted by a sale here the other day of a part of the
Burnell Property5 to become a Bidder from the name and recollection of the chance there had
been of coming on for a share of it by other means; and I am the highest upon the list, and of
course the Purchaser, if the Court of Chancery confirms the bargain. I am not very anxious. I
believe the Farm is worth the money I am to give – but it has been sadly used, and is miserably
out of repair. So if the bargain is superseded, I shall comfort myself with these words.
Catlidge6 will speak and pay for itself – I send you Messrs Dobitos6 Letters, instead of
entering into any other detail. I suppose Mr Pennystone, and his Employers may have made up
118
their mind by this time. It seems to be their place to write. You have applied, and shewn a
readiness to be admitted, when terms were settled.
I am glad to my heart that the Polybius7 is going to be launchd. I wish it happily off the
stocks, and that it may make in these peacefull times a prosperous cruise. Dr W[illiam]s
Commander I think will add to the eclats, and I hope secure a good birth as the Seamen phrase
it. I am sorry it is likely to be deprived of the benefit of the Toupian Carronades. 8 It’s a pity,
you had not made a provisional treaty upon that head – to change the metaphor, I conceive no
difficulty or even delay need arise about the correcting of the press by your living at a distance.
Where there is a sufficient stock of types (as is, I dare say, the case, at the University Press) they
can easily be going on with another sheet whilst the first is transmitted to you, and so on. It will
be easy for any Corrector at Oxford both to make that fit for your last inspection and also to see
that your corrections are properly attended to.
I see the Speaker’s Chaplain has lost his Bro[ther]. 9 Won’t that make him wish to get out
of his present situation as soon as possible? I am glad to find all talk of a dissolution dropt.
The Papers will have told you, that we have a vacancy here in our Chapter by the very
unexpected demise of Dr S10 – I neither know not [nor can] guess, who will succede – I only
have my wish that it may not be a disagreeable fellow of the name of a certain participle, that has
done much mischief in its day. “Seldom comes a Better” I believe woud in that case be fully
verified in this instance. “De mortuis nil nisi bonum” ends that chapter.
You are kind enough to think of C[harles] and George. 11 The latter I thank God, is all
that a Parent coud wish; and I hope is well. The latter12 is a ruind young man, that nothing but
providence can save. After every folly (to use the softest term) that he coud be guilty of he has
without consulting me or any friend gone and sold his Commission and is now living in a scene
of the lowest debauchery in London. Oh! Phil keep my little Godson, 13 if possible from the sight
of a red coat! With my blessing and best prayers for young and old (if Mrs Williams will submitt
under that comparison to be included in either of the terms) in your house.
I am Dear Phil,
With great sincerity most affectionately,
Thine J.G. – in the utmost hurry!
1One
of the small estates Philip Williams held in Cambridgeshire. ‘Anne’ is probably his sister.
2Unidentified.
3See
Note 7, Letter 28.
4See
Note 10, Letter 38.
5See
Note 5, Letter 38.
6See
Note 9, Letter 38. ‘Mr Pennystone’ is some kind of steward acting on their behalf for the Catlidge
estate (see Letter 40).
7See
Chapter 4 of the book associated with these transcripts, The Speaker’s Chaplain & The Master’s
Daughter). By ‘launched’ he meant that typesetting was to start.
119
8‘Carronade’,
large calibre ship’s ordnance, like a mortar, first recorded in the OED in 1779. ‘Toupian’ is
a reference to Jonathan Toup, a classical scholar (1713-1785), who presumably did not suffer fools gladly.
He spent the last 25 years of his life as a near-recluse in Cornwall. After his death, Philip Williams was in
fact able to use his ‘notes on Polybius’, which he had left to the Clarendon Press, Oxford.
9Frederick
Cornewall, MP for Ludlow, had died in March 1783 and his brother, the Speaker’s chaplain,
Folliott Herbert [Walker] Cornewall, thereby inherited the estates of a relative, Francis Walker, and
changed his name accordingly. A year later, on 20 May, Philip Williams in succession started his stint as
the Speaker’s chaplain.
10Dr
George Stinton, Chancellor of Lincoln, died on 30 April 1783. His widow was part of the London
circle in which Philip Williams later moved (see WCA/M/PW/19).
11Gordon’s
12He
sons (see Note 16, Letter 38).
has obviously made a slip, and intended to write ‘the former’ (see Note 16, Letter 38).
13Philip
Williams’s namesake son.
120
Letter 40: Monday, 16 June, 1783 – from Dr John Gordon at Lincoln, to his stepson,
Philip Williams, at Winchester (WCA/M/PW/378)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
Dear Phil,
The enclosed1 arrived about 3 hours ago and I have ever since been engaged –
first at Church; and next with an old Friend, a fellow Collegian at Peterhouse 2 in the days of
other times; who has only left me for ½ an hour to make a Call or two and do some little
errands, and is to eat his Commons with me at 3; and consequently lay me fast by the ears till
after Post time.
It is a very singular treatment, that my Lord and his Steward1 have shewn to us in this
instance. I know not what to do. To write to commission Dobito3 to pay under such uncertaint
of demand, revolts me. It seems to have been the very plan they have been aiming at to prevent
all remonstrance, and make it necessary to accede to their terms, be they what they may; not very
favourable I ominate4 from the mode in which they are announced, or rather from the deep
secrecy in which they are kept! And yet to have a Court calld, merely, as it shoud seem, on this
account and have nobody prepared to appear on our behalf, is equally incompatible with any
idea of the regular course of business.
In this dilemma I can think of nothing but to write to my Principal5 – I guess there is just
time for you to signify to Mr Pennystone6 your opinion on the subject. And I must of course
write to my Correspondent at Catlidge dereekedly also by this Post, to give him his Cue. It must
be, I think, after expressing my surprise at not hearing from Mr Pennystone, according to your
desire, about the Fine, when it was settled, to authorise him to pay their demands, on the
supposition that they will be reasonable and moderate, and trusting entirely to the candor of my
Lord and his Agent, in behalf of those, who have some little claim (from drawing their blood
from the same stream) to be favorably treated; and hoping as by their own delay and want of
communication, they have put it entirely out of our power to be prepared on the occasion, or to
instruct any one properly to act for us, that they will bear him harmless, and be ready to repay
any thing that may be overcharged, if such case upon enquiry shoud happen. I can see nothing
else to be done; for renewd I suppose the Estate must be, and they may, I imagine legally take 2
years rent, though whether inclusive or exclusive of Stewards Fees, which sometimes amount to
almost as much more, I cannot tell. It is very unpleasant to be driven into all these hurries etc –
but it seems a fate bound upon me, and all that are connected with me.
I coud say abundance upon new Brother (or rather old Brother) Chancellor Dr Smith7
etc but I have no time. I am sorry, that the Speaker’s Letter was so silent upon what I most
wishd to hear and see no mention in the votes of any Application to the Crown for Preferment
to the present Chap[ter].8 But that perhaps comes at the close of the Session. I am rather
impatient in expectations, and heartily wish to see things in train, that I have so strong an interest
in. I trust however no disappointment can arise. God bless you and yours!
I am, Dear Phil,
Most sincerely and affectionately thine
J. Gordon
121
P.S. I had a Letter yesterday from G[eorge] and another from his Tutor. He has appeard, as I
hoped, to great advantage upon their examination – and though not absolutely first upon the list,
yet nobody is before him. 9
I was askd the other day by a message from Mr Ford, 10 if there was any chance of seeing
Dr Williams in Yorks[hire?] this summer. What shoud I have said? I said he had a pressing call
another way.
1Clearly,
Gordon had received an ultimatum regarding the terms for renewing rights to Philip Williams’s
small holding at Catlidge, Cambridgeshire. The ‘Lord’ is presumably the lord of the local manor.
2As
a young man of 19, Gordon went up to Peterhouse, Cambridge, as a sizar, i.e. an undergraduate
supported by a college allowance. He matriculated there in 1745, before migrating to Emmanuel College
two years later.
3See
Notes 9 and 13, Letter 38.
4To
interpret as a divine omen (OED)
5Obscure.
6See
Note 13, Letter 39.
7It
sounds as if the paths of Gordon and Dr John Smith, the new chancellor of Lincoln, had crossed
before. See also Note 9, Letter 39.
8Clearly,
Philip Williams had heard from Speaker Cornwall, but without any mention of his appointment
as chaplain to the House of Commons. Gordon was obviously angling for a Lincoln prebend for his
stepson, which he was to gain the following November.
9George
Gordon, who was an undergraduate at St John’s College, Cambridge, was clearly high on the list
of examinees. He graduated as a wrangler (equivalent to a first class degree) two years later, ranking 14th
on the list.
10A
friend of Philip Williams from Doncaster (see also Letters 20 and 31).
122
Letter 41: Sunday 27 July [1783]1 – Sarah Williams at Midhurst2 to Philip Williams,
probably at New College, Oxford (WCA/M/PW/39)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dear Sir,
I have but one objection to your accepting the Bishop’s favour,3 which is the journey you
will be obliged to take, and consequently the long abscence I must endure. It will not be possible
for me to engage in such an expedition for many reasons. It would be more convenient could
you postpone your installment ‘till after the Speaker [C.W. Cornwall] was gone, if it does not
interfere with other things. I am very eager to be acquainted with your plans, for how long you
will manage matters I cannot guess. I am afraid you will feel the loss of poor Dr. [Benjamin]
Wheeler very materially in your publication, but I can pity no one so much as the Bishop of
London, one shock to be followed by another, allmost as severe will be too much for him, I
{don’t} doubt. I don’t know whether you are provided with a corrector and you will perhaps be
surprised at my venturing to mention the name of one; but young [Charles] Ballard of
Christchurch [Christ Church, Oxford] told Papa that there was a Mr. Robinson of his College,
who besides being very equal to the business, was extremely attentive and diligent in whatever he
undertook.4 I hope if you have not seen him, that you have by this time made that matter
perfectly comfortable. I dare not mention a word of returning, but as soon as you can at all
judge of the time you must stay, do let me know that I may regulate my motions accordingly.
I am very happy here, though allways thinking of those that are absent, and so dear to
me; Papa brought me a good account of the sweet little one5 etc. and he tells me that Betsy [Mrs
Elizabeth Dyson] has mispetred, which is what I can scarcely believe, as she was at the Ball on
Thursday.1 Mrs. [John] Sargent has spent two days here, and looks quite well, though she is
drinking porter by way of avoiding a consumption, which she is in hourly dread of. I trusted
myself in a whisky6 with her twice to the Hammer Pond, which is in all it’s beauty, and to Bexly
Hill, and luckily returned without any broken bone. If her horse had the smallest inclination to
run away, or kick up, or to do anything he should not, he has every temptation in the world, for
she has no more power over him than Bess or Phill [their children] would have. He is the shaft
horse in a team every day, or you may be sure I should never have hazarded myself in such a
perilous situation.
We go to Miss Bridger’s7 to-morrow to stay ‘till Tuesday to meet the Sargents. We dined
Friday at Cowdray with the Winterton family; Lady Winterton is quite a prodigy; you would
never guess that she had been any thing but a countess her whole life, she comports herself with
so much good humour and such good manners.2 She could never have received any advantage
from the family into which she is transplanted, whatever she may have done from her situation,
such a tribe as attended her I believe you never saw collected together. We had no other
company except a Mr. Shindleside, a pocket friend of [Thomas] Lear’s.8
I send you besides your own letter one I had from your sister, which will speak for itself.
I suppose you will hardly see great Brickhill9 as you will meet your sisters at Lincoln. Oh that
Lincoln! I don’t like it, but I must not be ungrateful; it was I am sure a very great civility to you
and an attention to Dr. [John] Gordon,3 and if he [Thomas Thurlow] is not the most learned
bishop upon the bench, I am sure he knows how to confer a favour with the wisest of them.
123
I long to hear more of you so pray write soon, which will make me more easy in your
abscence; I wish to be back again because I saw you last at Winchester, but I fear I shall not meet
you there so soon as I should hope to do. God bless you, and forgive the anxiety of her {who} is
entirely your affectionate S. Williams
The children are tolerably good this hot weather. Don’t you ride about in the heat and
get a coup de soleil.
1Dated
from the Hampshire Chronicle of Monday, 21 July 1783, which carried an advertisement for the
Steward’s Ball, to be held during race week on the following Thursday at St John’s House, Winchester, by
W. Powlett Powlett, Esq, steward. Sarah Williams mentions that her sister Betsy has 'mispetred' at the
ball, a word not recorded in the Oxford English Dictionary, but obviously meaning 'miscarried'. Elsewhere in
the Letters the grammatically connected, but slightly differently spelt word 'paitring' is used in the sense
of 'giving birth' (see Letter 63).
2Sarah
Williams is staying in the town in which her father, Thomas Collins, grew up, possibly staying with
his sister, Charlotte, who was nearly 20 years younger than him and only about 10 years older than her. In
1784 he retired as second master at Winchester and went to live at Midhurst. She mentions visiting the
Sargents, who lived at East Lavington, near Midhurst: Thomas Collins's mother and John Sargent's wife
both had the maiden name Bettesworth (albeit with a slight difference in spelling) and were probably
related. Sarah Williams presumably dined with Edward Turnour, 2nd earl Winterton, who had married
Jane Chapman in November 1781. Cowdray House, which was the seat of the viscounts Montague, was
destroyed by fire in 1793; the ruins still stand on the edge of the town. In 1787, Thomas Collins,
succeeded the 7th viscount as a trustee of Midhurst Grammar School.
3Philip
Williams was collated to the prebend of Stow St Mary (also called Stow-in-Lindsey) of the diocese
of Lincoln on 10 November 1783, following the death of Dr William Stafford Done, who had only held
the appointment for three years (and was the person from whom he had taken on the task of editing an
edition of the works of Polybius). Done was archdeacon of Bedford and is commemorated there in St
Mary's church (R.B. Hankin, An Account of the Public Charities of the Town of Bedford [etc], London, 1828). The
preferment, which Philip Williams held until his death, came through the influence of his stepfather, Dr
John Gordon, archdeacon of Lincoln.
4Dr
Benjamin Wheeler was regius professor of divinity at Oxford between 1776 and his death on 22 July
1783, only eleven days after becoming a prebendary of St Paul's Cathedral, London. He was also a canon
of Christ Church and a delegate of the university press at Oxford and may have been helping Philip
Williams with his edition of the works of Polybius (see Chapter 4 of the book associated with these
transcripts, The Speaker’s Chaplain & The Master’s Daughter). Charles Ballard, who was elected a scholar of
Winchester in 1771 and went on to Christ Church College, was presumably termed 'young' to distinguish
him from John Ballard, an exact contemporary of Philip Williams at the school. 'Mr Robinson' cannot be
identified with certainty (but may have been the Robert Robinson who matriculated at Christ Church in
December 1782) and it is not known if the suggestion to employ him as a proof reader was taken up. The
sufferings of Dr Robert Lowth (1710-1787), bishop of London, are hinted at: several of his children died
at an early age and he himself suffered from problems of bladder and gall stones towards the end of his
life. On one occasion in 1777 the bishop of Chester, Dr Beilby Porteus, who in 1776 became master of St
Cross, Winchester, and was known to the Williamses, acted for Lowth, when he was incapacitated, by
steering legislation through the House of Lords. Lowth was a son of a Winchester prebendary and a
product of Winchester and New College. He published a celebrated Life of Wykeham in 1758 and a much
124
more widely read Short Introduction to English Grammar a few years later. He was highly successful in pursuit
of preferment and a notable Hebrew scholar and Philip Williams may have seen in him something of a
role model.
5Sarah
Williams's father, Thomas Collins, seems to have brought news to Midhurst from Winchester,
where she had probably left the 'sweet little one' Charlotte - born in the previous May - and their two
other children with a nurse.
6A
light carriage. Bexley Hill, near Fernhurst, is about 4 miles north of Midhurst. Hammer ponds were
formerly used for ironworkings in the Weald.
7An
acquaintance of Sarah Williams living near Midhurst, presumably 'Bet Bridger' mentioned elsewhere
(e.g. Letter 48), who also seems to have lived in London.
8The
Lear and Collins families probably knew each other. Thomas Lear came from Angmering, near
Littlehampton, West Sussex. He was two years younger than Philip Williams and had a similar career:
Wykehamist, fellow of New College, Oxford, ordained, and a fellow of Winchester College until his death
in 1828.
9At
the time of this letter, the lord of the manor of Great Brickhill, Buckinghamshire, was the Revd Philip
Barton, who died three years later. He also held the advowson, but until 1781 had been rector of
Sherrington, Buckinghamshire, the Great Brickhill living being held by John Pitts between 1761 and his
death in 1793. Barton may be the person referred to in a letter from Philip Williams written in 1785
(Letter 93). The village of Great Brickhill struggles to keep its identity a few miles south of Milton
Keynes.
125
Letter 42: Wednesday, 13 August 1783 − Philip Williams at New College, Oxford, to
Sarah Williams at Mrs John Sargent’s,1 East Lavington, Sussex (WCA/M/PW/5)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
[No salutation]
Why do I answer your letters so soon; but that I love you, and you know it, and why
don’t I mention the children, but that I love them and they don’t know it? Depend upon it that
yourself and them possess my mind more than ever will appear, ‘till you can dissect it, and so
much for that business.
Here I am, with the single difference of being much more tired than when I wrote to you
last, and I think I shall see Mrs. Diddles2 before you. This very day I have launched into the
press,3 and as soon as that business is got into the right channel, I shall set my face southwards,
and probably pluck a grape before the old Lady.4 I trust that ten days will carry me through the
experiment, and I mean to pay no visits northward, and give [Lovelace] Bigg[-Wither] only one
day in my way homewards. I this morning read an account of the death of the Windsor Canon,
Dr. [John James] Majendie, which will probably ascertain my winter excursion, 5 and make me
still more desirous of revisiting the residence of my dear Sally Collins.
I dined with [Martin] Wall on Friday, and by being pre-engaged on the Sunday, mist
falling in with [Francis Paul] Stratford, who dined with him in his way to Gloucester assize. I
spent a tolerable day, and met with a very pleasing young man indeed of Corpus [Christi College,
Oxford] by the name of Burgess. He is a very deep {scholar}, and what is more extraordinary,
(not in [William Henry] Reynell’s sense of the word6) a very pretty fellow. The President7 is soon
to bring a real old woman to his lodgings, whom every body is prepared and determined to
dislike before her arrival.
His honour [Charles] Jenkinson, Lady Cope and company are to arrive this day at Sir
Banks’s [Sir Banks Jenkinson],8 where they are to remain sometime, and then to separate for
their respective schemes into Huntingdon and Hampshire. I suppose I shall be favoured with an
invitation to meet them there. All this part of the world are mad with the plan of going to the
wood meeting, which is a festine in Lord Bathurst’s woods at Cirencester,9 the intermediate day
of the races. I saw an harpsichord, with a violincello and other accompanyments set out this
morning. I hope I shall see what is much more worth seeing, the nativity fixed in its right place
in the chappel.10 It is arrived safe and Jarvis has been here to attend the unpacking, but in
consequence of some other repairs it cannot be put up under some days. I wrote to Charlotte
[Mrs St John, later Lady Bolingbroke] to day to inquire if she was alive, and if she did not mean
to give life likewise to others in due time.11 Why are you such an infidel about Alphonso? You
remember old Hare’s observation to Courtney. The weather has suddenly changed (I think) for
the worse, and has been very cold these last two days. A fine time it has been for the
thermometer merchants, of which number I believe your host is one.12 What has been the matter
with you? You wanted somebody to tell you that nothing was; at least I flatter myself so. You
are got into the land of fruit; remember that lawful may be as bad in its consequences as
forbidden. I send you the Dervise’s letter13 as an excuse for my not writing more, which I
cannot without having recourse to the sentimental, no facts having happened out of the ordinary
way, except that [Harry] Peckham put £560 in his pocket from the last sittings at Guildhall
126
[London]. Remember me to those you are with, and make my acknowledgements (I believe I
spell the word right though I could not pronounce it so) to Mrs. Sargent for being troubled with
the brats, and believe me more than ever if possible,
Your’s Ph. Williams.
[On the verso, in the hand of SW, are the following jottings]
pd. Parr
Miss Hooper
Lace for Charlotte
Do for Tucker
Mrs Curral
Mrs Tripp’s Man
Johnny’s hat
Gauze
pd. Miss Elyott
Thread
Larding pin14
16-0
15-4
5-4
1-10
5-0
1-0
_______
[£]2-4 -6
8-9
3-0
4-4 ¾
2-0
0 -8
1The
families of John Sargent and Sarah’s father, Thomas Collins, were close, presumably because both
Sargent himself and Collins's father, Christopher, had married a Bettesworth.
2Their
daughter Charlotte (see Letter 44)
3Concerning
his new edition of Polybius (see Chapter 4 of the book associated with these transcripts, The
Speaker’s Chaplain & The Master’s Daughter). This accords with the fact that the delegates of the Oxford
Press accepted a type specimen on 4 July, and agreed to print 450 copies on a ‘small’ size and 50 on ‘large’
size of ‘Mr Durham’s Royal Paper’ (OUP Archives, pers. comm., Dr C.A. Stray) .
4 See
Note 6, Letter 23.
5It
is not clear why his death should have taken Philip Williams to Windsor, unless he was prospecting for
a preferment.
6Perhaps
a homosexual.
7Obscure.
Perhaps the Senior Fellow of New College, Oxford (cf. the President of St John's College,
Cambridge).
8A
cousin of Rt Hon. Charles Charles Jenkinson, 6th baronet (Gash, 1984). Jenkinson’s first wife died in
1770 a month after giving birth to a son, Robert Banks Jenkinson, the future prime minister, Lord
Liverpool, and on 22 June 1782 he married Lady Catherine Cope, the widow of Sir Charles Cope (17431781) of Bruern Abbey, Bruern, Oxfordshire, who was a relative. Early in Jenkinson's career, Sir Charles's
127
father, Sir Jonathan Cope (1692-1765), had offered him the living of Hanwell, near Banbury, though he
decided not to enter the church and turned to politics.
9An
'entertainment or feast' at Cirencester, Gloucestershire, the family seat of Henry, 2nd earl Bathurst
(1714-1794)
10The
west window of the chapel of New College was designed by Sir Joshua Reynolds and executed by
Thomas Jarvis (or Jervis), a Dubliner who painted on glass (www.libraryireland.com/irishartists, citing A
Dictionary of Irish Artists, 1913; see also Note 14, Letter 43).
11In
the previous February, Philip Williams had performed the marriage ceremony for Sarah Williams's
sister, Charlotte, and the Hon. George Richard St John (later 4th viscount Bolingbroke) in a private
ceremony at Compton, Hampshire, where he was rector.
12Obscure.
13From
his sister Anne Williams.
14A
‘larding needle’ was made with a split, like a cleft stick, to take strips of bacon, apparently for inserting
into a chicken etc (OED).
128
Letter 43: Tuesday, 9 September, 1783 – from Dr John Gordon at Lincoln, to his stepson,
Philip Williams, at Winchester (WCA/M/PW/379)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My Dear Phil,
I am extremely obliged to you for the favor of both your Letters, one received just as I
was upon the point of setting out upon my progress1 through that English peice of Dutch Land,
which has by some mistake or other got on the wrong side of the water; and the other on the 3 rd
Instant after my safe return home again, after my tour through this strange country, not attended
with much pleasure, though I trust with some use, and I thank God with no accident, which
considering some of the roads etc we had to pass through, a Female Traveller like your sister
Fanny [Frances Williams] at least woud have gone in some fear of.
I of course saw the B[isho]p[ric]k of Gosberton2 in my passage; and surveyd with some
attention the Vic[arage] House etc as well as the Church and Chancel to which in general my
chief care is confined. The result of my enquiries, I guess are by this time laid before you, as well
as the Rents, Issues and Profits of the year by Mr Calthrop,2 which I thought woud have been
transmitted long ago; or otherwise I think I shoud have been the better Steward of the two by
receiving and remitting them at the Easter Visitation. But as he had offerd his services and was
upon the spot, and I had always other matters enough to attend to in the bustle of a Visitation, I
really thought you woud be better and more expeditiously served through his assistance than
mine. I really think bricking the remainder of the wall (for a part is of those materials already)
woud be the most effectual, and I apprehend upon the whole the cheapest mode of making the
repair, if it comes, as I guess it will within a moderate summe. I desired Mr C[althrop] to get it
measured, and an Estimate made. The roof I apprehend will stand some years with a little repair,
though it has got a thrust a little towards the S.E Gable; which may be stopt I conceive by
making a pitchd roof to the hovel at the end instead of a flat one which it has at present. There
is another deficiency too, which the delicacy of your Female Tenant, a Mantua maker, 3 woud
hardly suffer her to mention, and yet is in an article of such necessary use, even amongst the
more refined part of the species, as scarcely to be dispensed with, I mean a place of retirement in
the Garden. 4 This I ventured to give her some hopes I shoud recommend to you to consider of.
You will be more able to determine on a view of the Estimate.
On this same subject of Gosberton I guess you woud be advised by the same packet
from Mr C[althrop] that you were become a Patron, or rather that you had the gift of a School5
in a District lying in the Parishes of Surfleet and Gosberton, calld Russgate (whether from the
Russ-ians, or the Rus-hes, that grow there, let the learned settle) value (as it is said) about £10 or
£12 a year, for which a Robt Smith, Brother-in-law, it seems, to your Tenant Jennings has applied
as a Candidate. He was formerly Coachman to Dr Buckworth6 who, satisfied I suppose with his
flogging attainments at least, gave him a school in his own Parish value £10 a year. But he thinks
he coud [woud?] better himself at Russgate, where they keep a shop in commendam 7 with the
school, as indeed he does at Washingbrough but the other is his native place, and affords a
brisker trade etc. It is well, there are some inducements to carry men into such situations, for
certainly the face of the country does not appear inviting. You will easily suppose I take no
interest in this matter. I only undertook to acquaint you with particulars: and said I coud not tell
what Servants or dependents of your own you might have to think of on such an occasion. I
129
forgot to ask what time you had allowd to present in. It is an alternate nomination, I find,
between you and your neighbour, with a pretty brisk succession I understand.
As to literature, I really know so little about Books and especially about Editions, Print
8
etc that I am a most incompetent Judge of the Specimen you have favord me with; but think it
promises to do credit both to the Editor and his Employees. I hope you shewd yourself duly
sensible of the honor you received from my old Schoolfellow the Dean of Hereford. 9 What a
pitifull Fellow! Pray Phil take care how you suffer yourself to be made a Dean or a Bishop. I
suspect there is much hazard in it to the liberality of sentiment etc which one woud wish to see
in a Friend. What a peice of Lignum Vitae have you furnished us here with from your famous
University to support the first of these characters! He has found out a corner in our Churchyard
(leveld and made decent 4 or 5 years ago) which he thinks woud make a convenient lawn
paddock or some such appendix to the Deanery – and that therefor shut up the Church door, to
which there was a path through it, on the pretence of its being intended only for the use of the
Dean; is putting up a pallisade to secure it, which I am cutting down! Such is the state of our
Chap[ter]. He has had the sagacity to find out that Sub-y10 woud be a proper tool and therefor
purchased him by giving him a place vacant by Dr St’s death, 11 which I thought of right belongd
to me. Our Audit is this week – and post finitum computum Brother Smith our new Chancellor
has a right of voting etc. He is to be here – and a fine bustle we shall have. Under the character
of Provost (or Bursar) for the year, I yesterday had 4 Dinners dressd in my house, entertained
between 80 and 90 people of one sort or other, and including Fruit had nearly as many dishes.
We tired the Jack, broke down the Spits, and almost burnt out the Kitchen grate etc. What a
stew! However it is over, and we live to tell of it. Tomorrow our Races begin, on Sunday [we]
have our Hospital sermon, and I have invited the Governors Mayor and Aldermen etc to dine
with me. Charming circumstances! Who woud not be a Canon Residentiary? Pray get into the
catalogue before Bishop Watson’s levelling Plan12 takes place. I shall be heartily glad if you can
contrive to take the Parliament House in your way hither. But yet I conceive, when you enter
upon that duty, 13 your time will be still more occupied than at present, and of course will
promise us less of your company, than we might hope for now. What a dreadful while do you
talk of sweating and groaning under that instrument of torture the Press! 8 I wish you well over
it.
I take it that your Friend, the Right Honorable has sang froid enough to hazard his “W”
[?] catching a shaking fit, rather than himself. I think the less of his discernment for having taken
up the patronage of such a hero as the Prophet Nathan.
I always admired Jarvis’s Productions, 14 and am glad he has got such a field for
displaying his abilities, as the window at Windsor will afford. I am in hopes too, that such an
example will bring back painted glass to its due credit.
You will conclude from the Premisses, that though I really took a sincere share with you
in the mistake Mrs W[illiam]s has lately made, 15 I was led by the latter part of your relation to
hope, that all real danger was over. And though it is an aukward circumstance, yet if things go
right there will be time and opportunity enough, I trust, to repair the damage. I heartily hope,
that long before this you have been set free from every apprehension of danger with regard to
Mrs W[illiam]s and that she will soon be restored to bed and board. George [Gordon] desires
best love. We hope to see Ann [Williams] next week. Fanny will stay to come with you, I
apprehend. Charles I doubt antiquum obtinet.
I am most truly, with love to Mrs Williams and Babes,
130
Dear Phil,
Your affectionate,
J. Gordon.
P.S. Are you upon terms of ease enough to have the Right Honorable16 make any enquiries after
his eleve your Brother Cha[rle]s. If you are, pray take an opportunity to say, that I have not less
gratitude on account of the young man’s having defeated, in some degree, Mr J’s kindness?
1As
archdeacon of Lincoln.
2Sardonic.This
was the ‘large respectable village’ (White, 1842, p. 198) near Boston, Lincolnshire, where
Philip Williams had been collated rector in 1780. Here, and elsewhere, for ‘Bishop’ or ‘Bishopric’ Gordon
writes Bp or Bpk, i.e. letters struck through.
3Dressmaker
4An
(OED).
outside toilet.
5For
‘Russgate’ read ‘Risegate’. Gosberton contained the ‘navigable drain Risegate Eau’ and the hamlet of
Risegate, where in 1681 Robert Marjorum had founded a free school (White, 1842, p.198). He left a small
legacy ‘for a master to teach the poor children of “Rysegate and about the Fen Ends” in the parishes of
Gosberton and Surfleet’ (ibid).
6Probably
the Revd Dr Everard Buckworth (ob. 1792), prebendary of Lincoln and Canterbury, and rector
of Washingborough with Heighington, villages near Lincoln (TNA/PROB11/1225/284).
7A
Latin phrase usually applied to churchmen, meaning ‘pending the appointment of a proper
incumbent’.
8Concerning
Philip Williams’s edition of Polybius (see Chapter 4 of the book associated with these
transcripts, The Speaker’s Chaplain & The Master’s Daughter).
9This
is Nathan Wetherell (1726-1808), who grew up in Durham, and apparently went to school with
Gordon, who came from the village of Whitworth, nearby. He became dean of Hereford, master of
University College, Oxford, and vice-chancellor of the university (Tomlinson, 2000, pp. 126-7). He
married Richarda Croke and it was through her that two of his sons, Robert and James, had the privilege
of Founder's Kin at Winchester College (WCM21024), in 1780 and 1789, respectively. See also Letter 63.
10Probably
he means ‘Subdeanery’, though the holder of the office, the Revd Robert Dowbiggin, is not
shown as receiving any preferment at Lincoln or elsewhere at this date.
11See
Note 10, Letter 39.
12In
1783 in a letter to the archbishop of Canterbury, the controversial churchman (and chemist!) Richard
Watson (1713-1816), who had recently been appointed bishop of Llandaff, proposed that all episcopal
revenues be made equal and that the lower clergy be better rewarded (R. Hole, ‘Richard Watson’,
ODNB).
131
13As
the Speaker’s chaplain (see Chapter 9 of the book associated with these transcripts, The Speaker’s
Chaplain & The Master’s Daughter).
14Between
1779 and 1801 the US-born artist Benjamin West worked on St George’s Chapel, Windsor,
where the Irish glass-painter Thomas Jarvis executed The Resurrection for him. He also painted the west
window of the chapel of New College, Oxford, Philip Williams’s alma mater (see Note 10, Letter 42).
15It
sounds as if Sarah Williams had a miscarriage, between the births of Charlotte in May 1782 and
Charles in November 1784.
16‘The
Right Honorable’ might be the Rt Hon. Charles Jenkinson, Philip Williams’s erstwhile patron, and
the ‘eleve’ Charles Gordon, though the link is obscure. The reference to a ‘Mr J’ supports the idea.
Whatever this means, it seems clear that Gordon’s younger son is living up to his image as a scatter
brained young man!
132
Letter 44: Wednesday, 3 December, [1783] − Sarah Williams at Moor Crichel,1 Dorset, to
Philip Williams en route from Lincoln, or at Winchester (WCA/M/PW/40)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dear Sir,
Your letter gave me great pleasure, but I cannot yet be satisfied and therefore I must
hope there is a letter on the road to tell me that you are safe and well at Winchester. You will
not surely be a worse correspondent to me than Rachel [Landy], who has written every Sunday
and Wednesday since I came here. If you are going out, or have not time, I beg you will direct
some covers here for her and she will fill them up on the days above mentioned.
We go on quite well here, and as far as I can judge at present I think I shall be at home
about Saturday fortnight, which will I assure you be an age to me; but when I reflect that I am
here, not for my own gratification but for the comfort of those whom I love better than myself,
it is a great relief to me. I feel that I cannot a second time endure to be separated from you and
the dear children too. Tell little Bess that her Aunt [Charlotte] St. John cannot part with the little
boy yet,2 but she will send her when I return something instead of the baby which she will like
better; a silk coat which if she is a good girl she shall have made up when I come home. I shall
get Phill some stuffage3 at Salisbury and Diddles4 shall not be forgot. Let me know whether you
go to Mr. [Lovelace] Bigg’s,5 how long you stay, whether I am to write to you there, and how I
am to direct. Also, what papers this week in the [Winchester] College Divan? 6 Nothing to vex
Papa [Thomas Collins] I hope.
We live like hermits here, never go out, or see any body; the coach horses are gone to be
sold, but I have a fund of amusement in my friend Massinger,7 not that I can think him at all
equal to my old favorite, though there are some good things {in} him and many very coarse
ones. Books are books you know to me and, such as they are, I think we have enough here.
Mr. [George Richard] St. John is at Lord Powis’s8 for some days; he (Lord P.) has taken
Lydiatt [Lydiard House, Lydiard Tregoze, Wiltshire], a house that Mr. St {John} was about
formerly.9
Adieu, God bless you and my dear, dear little ones, and don’t make me miserable by not
writing on the days I have named above. Charlotte never was better in her life, and I have no
rhumatism, or any other complaint except the old one.
Your ever affectionate SW.
Kiss the sweet ones.
1A
village 5 miles east of Blandford Forum, Dorset, also spelt in other ways, including 'More Critchill'.
The Hon. George Richard St John MP (see Note 2, Letter 46) and his wife Charlotte, Sarah’s sister, were
presumably renting Crichel House, which was built here by fellow parliamentarian Sir Humphrey Sturt (ca
1725-1786), member for Dorset, who inherited the estate in 1765 (H Colvin, 1995, A Biographical
Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, 3 ed). He created a lake on the site of the original village, which
was rebuilt a mile to the south.
2Charlotte
married the Hon. George Richard St John on 26 February 1783. Their first child, George, was
baptised at 'More-Critchill' on 4 January 1784 (B. Carne, pers. comm.).
133
3Not
recorded in the OED.
4Their
daughter Charlotte.
5At
this time Philip’s friend had a small estate at Chilton Foliat, Wiltshire, but in 1789 took the surname
'Bigg-Wither' on inheriting the much larger Manydown estate at Wootton St Lawrence, near Basingstoke,
Hampshire.
6Ironic,
7Philip
literally an oriental council of state.
Massinger (1583-1640), playwright.
8George
Edward Henry Arthur Herbert, 2nd earl of Powis (1755-1801), of the second creation of the title
in 1748 for his father, Henry Arthur Herbert, Lord Lieutenant of Mongomeryshire and Shropshire.
9A
huge understatement: this was the seat of an arm of the St John family for 500 years until it was sold in
1943 for £4,500, to Swindon Borough Council, together with 750 acres of land and opened to the public
(B. Carne, Reports of the Friends of Lydiard Tregoz, 2001, No. 34, pp 34-55).
134
Letter 45: Tuesday, 16 December, 1783 – from Dr John Gordon at Lincoln, to his stepson,
Philip Williams, at Winchester (WCA/M/PW/380)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
Dear Phil,
I hope this will find you safe and well by your own fireside after your long, and I doubt
in many respects disagreeable journey; lighter at least in pocket, if not in person, I guess by
several pounds. I was glad to find however, that we had not so entirely stript you at Lincoln, but
that you had cash enough left to pay Mr Hodgson1 the balance of his demand. I never thought
of your doing any more than merely enquiring how far we had trespassd upon H’s good nature,
and in what manner and how soon he woud wish to have the summe replaced. I shoud sooner
(indeed immediately) have remitted the £14 you deposited; but I was willing to stay till I coud
give you some account of our new Dean: 2 Nanny [Anne Williams] too told me, that you could
be in no want of money now, as the Audit was just in hand: and laziness perhaps was ready to
listen to these reasons with opener ears and more attention than they deserved. We flatter
ourselves, that the unfavorable impressions given you of our new superior were derived from
some prejudiced quarters. What the depth of his information may be, or how he might answer
the soundings of the Plumb line either as a Scholar, Philosopher, or Divine, I pretend not to
guess. But in externals, as far as a little common intercourse is concerned, we are perfectly
satisfied with him, and persuade ourselves, that he will turn out an easy good humord
Neighbour. I have endeavoured to shew him all the little marks of respect in my power, and he
expresses himself as highly pleased with his reception. He stays with us till after Christmass day,
on purpose to preach his Turn at the Minster: which with less sense of Duty he might easily have
declined.
We were much obliged to you for the Print you gave yourself the trouble of sending us. 3
I coud not help thinking the Author shoud have thrown in a Porter’s Hod on the shoulders; for
to say nothing of the weight, the edges of the stones etc of the Building must press, one shoud
suppose, very unpleasantly on the Bearer. If there had been a prop or two in the way for a little
occasional rest, there might also have been good use made of them. As it is if he gets fairly
through with his load, he may rank with the Dii [sic] faciles, who heretofore evertere domos
totas etc. A Speaker’s Chap[lain] 5 I guess is not expected to speak his sentiments, but having no
restraint of that kind upon my lips I cannot avoid expressing my utter abhorrence of the
measure. They talkd in the House of C[ommons] of the Principle of the Bill, but I think it the
most unprincipled Bill that ever was attempted since the days of good King Hal. And if one may
sport a Pun on such a serious subject, I suspect, that interest had a great deal more to do with it
than principle. I am sorry you did not hear the Debates, at least I shoud have been so in your
situation; but possibly after your loss of sleep upon the road, you might be as well content with
a good night’s rest, as with the rattling noise of the most specious and audacious eloquence. By
the by, what a figure your new Member for Winton [Winchester]4 cuts – Aposiopesis5 has to be
sure a fine effect, when it is voluntary – but there is an aukwardness in it, that must be very
unpleasant when it is forced. If the torrent coud not roll back to its spring head, I think your
Flood had best cross the channel again as fast as it can.
By a Letter from Cambridge yesterday the Bursar of Trin[ity] Coll[ege] informs me, that
he was just dispatching the Counterpart of the Lease of Barrington Hall [?] Lands6 to
135
Win[chester] for your signature.8 When you have properly performed that ceremony, you may
send it back to G[eorge Gordon] at St John’s [College], to whom I will endeavour to remitt the
preceding Leases, that he may tender both together with the Fine (£39.13s.0d. including Fees
etc) to the College. I tried to argue with the Bursar upon the idea that in the case where Filius
succedit Patri, 7 there was no new interest created etc and that the £5 Fee for [the] new name etc
shoud be remitted. But neither that, nor the insertion of you Sisters names, I found, coud be
inserted [sic], without this payment of £5 per head. So I thought it woud be best to have it made
out to you alone, and their security to rest either upon their Father’s Will, or upon any other
agreement amongst yourselves.
I enclose a Bill drawn by our Bank upon their Correspondents in Town for £14 payable
at 7 days sight – which I hope will come safe to hand, and replace the credit you gave me with
Mr Hodgson. 1
I hope you have by this time got Mrs Williams safe and well at home again after her
excursion, 8 which I shall be glad to hear was attended with all the good effects both to herself
and others that might be expected.
As to the matter of Ransom[e Moor]9 which I had almost forgot to speak to you [about],
your Sisters will probably inform you, that I have no other objections to close with the proposal
of exonerating the Catlidge Estate of the £1000 secured to the Boys, and taking upon me the
payment of Aunt Bell’s share during her life, by myself or Heirs with all other incumbrances etc
except that I am unwilling to have the matter concluded without your trying the market for a
better bargain.10 I shoud really feel uncomfortable at having it, if it shoud appear afterwards, that
you might have made more of it. If you will either write to Mr Waddington 11 to know whether
he woud choose to buy it; or if not, what he shoud think it worth; or advertise it by Mr Lombe 12
or any one else to see what can be made of it; and if it shoud appear you coud not get more than
the abovementioned terms, I shall be ready to take it as soon as a proper conveyance can be
made. As I cannot have a wish to put money into my pocket at your expence, I cannot but
seriously wish you to try what can be done. A tenantless Estate with a disputed title to part of it
etc are not certainly circumstances that promise to invite purchasers. But still there is a great
deal of Land etc, and it must be worth while to make the trial, if only for satisfaction.
With love etc to yourself Mrs Williams and Babes,
I am Dear Phill etc,
J. Gordon
1An
acquaintance of Philip Williams in London, probably the Hodson of Letter 123.
2Richard
Kaye FRS (1736-1809), churchman and scientist who experimented with electricity. Well known
to Joseph Banks and James Cook, who in May 1778 named an island in the Gulf of Alaska after him, now
called Kayak Island (www.captaincooksociety.com)! He patronised artists, including Samuel Hieronymus
Grimm. In 1789 he inherited a title, becoming the 6th baronet Kaye.
3From
Juvenal’s Satires (X,5): Evertere domos totas optantibus ipsis/Di faciles: Whole houses at the
master’s own request (too) compliant gods o’erturn. The quote was well chosen, as the East India Bill,
which Gordon is commenting on, did in fact end the ministry of Fox and usher in Pitt the Younger
(Hague, 2004, Chapter 8). It is clear that Philip Williams, six months before he took up his post as the
136
Speaker’s chaplain, might have used the opportunity of being in London, en route back to Winchester
from Lincoln, to have sat in on the debates, but fatigue overcame enthusiasm.
4Winchester
was unlucky with its MPs. Henry Penton was ostracised for his public affair with his wife’s
maid (see, for example, Note 4, Letter 35) and Henry Flood, an illegitimate son of the Chief Justice of
Ireland, had just been parachuted into Westminster by the Duke of Chandos. Only eight days before this
letter he had given a dismal maiden speech. Reporting on it to Lord Northington, John Burgoyne, MP for
Preston, wrote (Namier & Brooke, History of Parliament, 1754-1790).
At four in the morning when the House had been long in clamour for the question [Flood] rose
to speak ... He began unluckily professing himself unattached to any party, and equally
unconnected with ministry and Opposition; this created a diversion in the House, and whether
that circumstance diverted him, or the fatigue of his journey, or the heat of the House had
exhausted him, it is certain from the avowal of all parties that his speech was not only below
mediocrity, but upon a class with the very lowest form in parliamentary speaking ... In short
Flood has made adébut ... of the most discouraging kind.
Flood was in any case only a stooge for Chandos and a year later had been replaced by Richard Grace
Gamon.
5Aposiopesis,
a rhetorical artifice, in which the speaker comes to a sudden halt, as if unable or unwilling
to proceed (OED).
6See
Note 10, Letter 38.
7Son
succeeds father.
8She
stayed at Moor Crichel, Dorset, to support her sister Charlotte during childbirth (see Letter 44).
9See
Note 4, Letter 36.
10A
small estate inherited by Philip Williams which he clearly wants to sell. Gordon is offering to take it
on, agreeing to honour the share of ‘Aunt Bell’ (Heleonara Theabella Williams), sister of Philip’s father,
provided a better offer cannot be obtained on the open market. The £1000 probably relates to a similar
sum that Philip’s father failed to pay to his mother under the terms of his marriage settlement. See Letter
10; also Note 4, Letter 37 and Note 1, Letter 40.
11See
Note 8, Letter 38.
12See
Note 11, Letter 36.
137
Letter 46: Monday, [22 December, 1783]1 − Sarah Williams at Moor Crichel,2 Dorset, to
Philip Williams at Winchester (WCA/M/PW/41)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My dear Sir,
Mr. [George Richard] St. John being from home and of course no frank to be had,2 I did
not think it worth while to write without one, especially as there was a letter of mine [Letter 44]
upon the road when I received yours. I have news now that will perhaps surprize you, but I hope
it will not alarm you, as I am very well, though you have lost another something, whether boy or
girl I can’t tell. This adventure happened to me yesterday afternoon, not owing to any fright or
over exercise, for I have not been out of the house above four times since I came, and that but
short walks. I am afraid it might be the hurry of Charlotte’s accouchement,3 and sitting in a
crump4 by her the whole time; be it what it will, I am not otherwise hurt by it, than that there is a
propensity in my constitution to these affairs, which is not pleasant to me. It was at so early a
period that at present I do not think it will make any difference as to my plan of returning, at
least if I’m pretty well. You shall hear farther from me on Friday and you will have the letter
Sunday or Saturday and I shall then be able to adjust all plans. I must now leave off, being afraid
to tire myself by writing longer.
God bless you and my sweet little ones. Write to me upon the receipt of this. My aunt 5
and Charlotte, who goes on quite well, desire love, and I am entirely yours SW
Don’t mention this adventure to every body, but tell Papa and the Dysons and you may
tell it to the old Lady.6 It is not possible to tell you how I long to be at home; and when I am
there I shall be in no hurry to leave it. How sorry I am for our poor friend Mrs C[ornwall] 6 the
person that I most valued in our whole circle of acquaintance, but it is the lot of those who live
long, I was going into the sentimental strain so I have scratched it out.
God bless and preserve you etc.
1Mrs
Rose Cornwall, mother of the Speaker, died in her house in Kingsgate Street, Winchester, on
Saturday 13 December 1783 (Hampshire Chronicle, 15 December 1783) and is commemorated in St
Thomas's church, Winchester (Gibson, 1958, p. 45). This letter, written whilst Sarah Williams was away
from home, supporting her sister after childbirth, probably dates from a week after the Monday following
the death.
2He
was elected member of parliament for Cricklade in June 1782 and therefore eligible for franks to send
up to 10 letters a day free of charge. See also Note 2, Letter 44 and Note 4, Letter 51.
3See
Note 2, Letter 44.
4Deformed,
like a hunchback (OED).
5
Probably her father’s spinster sister, Charlotte Collins.
6
See Note 6, Letter 23.
138
Letter 47: Sunday, probably late May 17841 − Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip
Williams in London (WCA/M/PW/46)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
[Beginning of letter missing]
...you will be so good as to desire [Francis Paul] Stratford to write to Papa as soon as he can. I
am very sorry for poor Miss May; I am afraid vexation, and trouble have been the ruin of her
constitution. There is a book come from [John] Burdon’s for you, the Diary of Lord Melcombe,
which I was very glad to open and read.1 We had yesterday a most sultry day, which brought on a
thunder storm in the night with a great deal of rain; I have been looking at my garden with
pleasure this {mor}ning, every thing looks so gr{and} and deli{gh}tful, the roses and pinks
ar{e} just ready to come forth. Papa has just sent me word that he has written himself to Mr
[Richard] Hollist about [William Stanley] Goddard’s insurance. Papa is very much hurt about the
shocking business he wrote to you; Mr R2 sends his son to school again and I {h}ope things will
soon be settled; I don’t know upon what motives your intemperate friend acts, but of all men
surely he has the least judgment and the least feeling; I have not myself been a little hurt at all
this; besides the enormity of the thing, which is horrible, I do not love to see Papa in such a state
of anxiety as is the case at present; there were some expressions in your friend’s letter to Mr D 3
which are shockingly indelicate and altogether unpardonable; but don’t take any notice that I
mentioned this matter at all; I had rather see my poor Phill a country curate his whole life with
some feeling and humanity, than at the top of his profession in Westminster hall if it is to be
purchased by the sacrifice of every amiable virtue and sentiment. Once more God bless you,
remember me to all friends. No news from Midhurst which is good news.4
[In another hand in pencil on the outside]
Saunders Taylors3
Buckingham Street
Adelphi
[London]
Her mention of the diaries of Dodington seems to date this before Letter 52 (see Note 13 in that letter).
By ‘open and read’ she may have meant that the folded signatures of the book needed cutting, to open
the pages.
1
2
Possibly 'Ruddock' ; see Note 9, Letter 52.
3Unidentified.
4
Probably concerning her aunt, her father’s sister, Charlotte Collins.
139
Letter 48: Saturday [15 May 1784] − Philip Williams in London to Sarah Williams at
Winchester (WCA/M/PW/6)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dearest woman,
I am returned home1 on purpose to write to you, and tell you once for all that you and
my children are scarcely ever out of my thoughts, and that it will ever be the case 'till we meet
again, and so much for sentiment, or what is a better thing, real affection and friendship.
Myself and companion had a very pleasant journey and to make up for a disappointment
about veal-cutlets at Alton, regaled upon a sp{i}t fowl at Bagshot; we parted at Stain[e]s, and I
got here, safely and pleasantly seated upon your father’s bounty,2 at three o’clock, and spent the
remainder of the day in a quiet domestic way, the captain3 making a fourth man at shilling whist.
Yesterday I sallied forth to Mr. Stone’s who is to furnish me with a gown and cassock,
and as good luck would have it he supplied my predecessor and the Speaker, and therefore knew
the trim of it, and insists upon my having weepers, as he says it is not like going to dine with a
bishop, for you will dine, Sir, with the greatest men of the kingdom.4 I called upon [Lovelace]
Bigg [Wither], whose boy is recovering, but it was so long a doubtful case, that it has laid up Mrs.
Bigg with a violent nervous fever.5 We set out to see the exhibition,6 but were prevented by his
wearing his coat in such a scrambling manner that a gentleman inadvertently run the hook of a
large stick into his pocket hole, turned him round with the jerk, and reduced his tunic
instantaneously to one lappet,7 in consequence of which he returned home laughing to refit, and
I saw no more of him. I then called upon the Coles; he has been laid up with a fit of the gout,
but is almost recovered, and has an accession of income by being appointed court keeper to the
Bishop and church of Ely in consequence of a Mr. Pemberton’s being killed by a fall from his
horse.8 I then returned home, and the Captain3 being on duty at the play, we were reduced to a
pool at cribbage. This morning (Saturday), I have been into the city on [Winchester] college
business,9 called at Mrs. Shandy’s, who enquired much after you, and was well. Bet Bridger was
gone to Mrs. Dorset’s who is nursing Michael who is in a very dreadful state of health, where I
mean to ride over to morrow. I then left my name at the Bishop of Lincoln’s10 and called upon
Matty, where I had a tete of [sic] tete with Lady Clerk ‘till Mrs. Matty appeared, who was less
dingy than usual - he very dirty and one of his eyes inflamed. Invited to a rout there on Monday
sen’night to meet the Coles and the Jennings.11 Lady C[lerk]. something in the Hunter stile. To
morrow I dine with [Michael] Wodhul[l], and breakfast at the Cocoa tree12 with Russell.
Adieu and believe me ever your’s,
Ph. Williams
I hope you recieved the key of the little cellar which I sent by a man who probably never
delivered it. Remember me to your father and etc. Take care of your health, and whip Phil and
Bess once a week for my sake, if not for your own – turn over [on verso] In my hurry I forgot
Casaubon’s Folio Polybius,13 and your bills which are in my waistcoat pocket, and may be sent by
the coach.
1He
means his lodgings with the Speaker at the Privy Garden, Westminster.
140
2He
had ridden from Winchester to London on a horse belonging to Sarah's father, Thomas Collins.
3Presumably
a doorkeeper cum security guard/attendant, for the Speaker.
4He
was about to take up his duties as the Speaker's chaplain at a point of political high drama. Only three
days after the date of this letter the first session of parliament commenced after the famous general
election in which Pitt the Younger, aged only 24, triumphed over the whig Fox. The previous two years
had seen five changes of government, with Fox and North joining forces in a manifestly disingenuous
alliance that disgusted the people and did much to bring defeat to the many 'Fox's Martyrs' who lost their
seats. Central to Fox's campaign was the very whiggish issue as to whether parliament should be run
without interference from the throne, or with the so-called 'secret influence' of George III. At a time
when politicians could be candidates for more than one seat in the same election (Pitt stood for the
University of Cambridge, which he won, as well as Bath, as a longstop), Fox attended the new parliament
as member for Orkney and Shetland (a rotten borough with 12 voters) rather than for the constituency of
Westminster, where the voting was so close to call that a scrutiny lasting until the following March was
required before he (and Lord Hood, a Pittite) regained the seat (Hague, 2004, pp. 173, 190). But
meanwhile, Philip Williams, had to attend to his dress as the Speaker's chaplain. This apparently included
'weepers', which were strips of cloth worn on the cuff's of a man's sleeve, sometimes as a mark of
mourning, but at this time an outdated item of clothing worn mainly by churchmen.
5The
year after the death of his first wife in childbed in 1765, Lovelace Bigg, as he was still called, married
Margaret Blachford, who gave him six daughters. Then in 1780 she gave birth to Lovelace and the year
after to Harris (who later was to propose to the novelist Jane Austen). The boy in question could have
been either of these two; Harris was later viewed as less than strong, though Lovelace was perhaps the
weaker as he only survived to age of 14. Margaret died later in the year, two days after Christmas.
6Probably
the Summer Exhibition of the Royal Academy of Arts, founded by George III in 1768. In
1784 the president, Sir Joshua Reynolds, exhibited no less than 17 new pictures, mostly portraits,
including one of a person that Philip Williams probably knew, namely, Thomas Warton, brother of the
head master of Winchester College. Also on show was the well-known picture of the actress Mrs Sarah
Siddons as The Tragic Muse (Graves, A, 1905, pp. 274-5). Nathaniel Dance (later Sir Nathaniel Holland)
was a founder member of the Academy: in 1782 he had moved to live near Winchester, at Cranbury Park,
Hursley, and in the following year married the owner, widow Mrs Harriet Dummer, who had an income
of £18,000 a year. Philip Williams rubbed shoulders with the Dances on a number of occasions.
7A
loose or overhanging part of a garment, a lapel (OED).
8Probably
a reference to Charles Nalson Cole (1722-1804), who was a barrister of the Inner Temple and
legal antiquary. He went to school in Ely and was a cousin of Philip Williams. A court-keeper was a
steward who kept courts leet or courts baron.
9He
was one of the two annual bursars of Winchester College for many of the years between 1771 and
1810, often serving jointly with Charles Blackstone, as he did in 1783-4 (Himsworth, vol I, 1976).
10He
had been instituted to a Lincoln prebend the previous year (see Letter 41) by the bishop, Thomas
Thurlow. He and his brother, Edward, the lord chancellor, were, like Philip Williams, sons of a East
Anglian clergyman, with small livings in Norfolk and Suffolk.
141
11Perhaps
Sir Philip Jennings, MP for Totnes, Devon.
12No.
64, St James’s Street, [SW1], a famous London coffee house built in 1700 and named after an iron
tube encased in wood, carved with tropical leaves, that supported its joists. A political venue, at some
time a haunt of Jacobites and later Tories. On account of a number of notorious duels, swords had to be
left in the entrance hall (www.nwe.ufl.edu, citing A. Ellis, 1956, and L. J. Colley, 1977).
13To
prepare his own ill-fated edition of the works of the historian Polybius (see Chapter 4 of the book
associated with these transcripts, The Speaker’s Chaplain & The Master’s Daughter) he used the edition of the
French Huguenot scholar Isaac Casaubon (1559-1614), whose preface was highly praised by Joseph
Warton, the Winchester head master. Casaubon lived for the last few years of his life in London, and died
without finishing his commentary on Polybius.
142
Letter 49: Sunday 16 May to Saturday 22 May 1784 − Philip Williams in London to Sarah
Williams at Winchester (WCA/M/PW/7)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My best,
Sunday, I rode down to Shuter’s hill, met Dorset1 upon the road, and turned back with
him. He appeared much the same scabby figure, complained of an asthmatic complain disorder,
and talked of the south of France for the winter. They have a pleasant house with a delightful
bow. The Goddess looked well, as did B. Bridger who inquired much after you. She is at
present at Barnet, where Miss May by all accounts tire vers son [sic] fin. I dined at [Michael]
Wodhull’s, and met [John] Russell. M[ary] Ingram unfortunately engaged; Mrs W[odhull] looked
extremely old.2 I had breakfasted with Russell in the morning (who by the by has been grossly
decieved and misused by Lord Northington)3 and we both looked into the German chapel,4
where they were singing psalms, and the oddness of the appearance with the strangeness of the
sound made me laugh and he burst too, so that we were obliged to run out abruptly. Mr and
Mrs C[ornwall] dined at Lord Macclesfields.5
Monday. Dined with [Lovelace] Bigg [Wither], and met him by appointment at the
exhibition, an hour too late, in consequence of the great mob in the Strand, expecting the
breaking up of the Covent Garden hustings; many people insist upon having seen St John in Mr
Fox’s cavalcade.6 I suppose they must have mistaken his brother for him. The exhibition very
indifferent, if you except Sir J[oshua Reynolds’s] productions, and especially his Siddons.7 Mr
and Mrs Makenzie inhabit the house in Norfolk Street,8 jointly with Bigg. Mrs Bigg confined to
her bed with a nervous fever, and remains so still.9 We had a prodigious fine turbot, which I
mention for the sake of introducing the landlady, who is an excellent purveyor and Bigg says a
smuggler. She rises at two o’clock, goes to Billingsgate,10 executes her own and her neighbours
commissions and then goes to bed again. Mr C[ornwall] dined at the minister’s.11
Tuesday. The morning spent in leaving cards, and paying visits. Silence dined with us,
and a game at whist in the evening.
Wednesday passed in the same manner as the preceding, except that his honour [Charles]
J[enkinson] dined with us. I rode over to Hampstead and was ushered up to Mrs Keighley who
was without a cap, and endeavouring to fix on a tete12 over her grey hairs. I desired not to
interrupt the business of the toilet, and sat near an hour with the old lady who seems to me (and
Mrs Butterfield confirmed my opinion) very hearty and likely to continue. She lamented not
seeing her sister before her death. Stevens told her of the event in the shop, and talked very
brutally to her. Hayes is very kind and attentive to her. I don’t find she has any thing to object
to her landlady except her not calling upon her, when she was ill, and confined to her bed. She
made me accept of a present for the foetid, a filligree smelling bottle, which Charlotte [St John]
gave her some years ago, and she says ought not to go out of the family. I shall pay her another
visit when the weather grows cooler, and carry her some tea, or chocolate, or something of that
kind.
Thursday. I took possession of my office, rode down with my colleague Mr Man,
backwards, and read prayers to about five people; was in a funk from the novelty of the scene,
and hearing my own voice in the h[ouse] of commons.13 My master14 had been in the same
apprehensions the day before in the H[ouse] of Lords where the heat and crowd was so great,
143
that he and the chancellor bawled at one another without being able to exchange a look. It is
very convenient going with the Speaker to the House, as his carriage waits ‘till I have done, and
then brings me home without any trouble, when I lay aside my robes, and am a free agent for the
remainder of the day. Sir Banks [Jenkinson] arrived before dinner; he is come to town to have
his ears syringed and then to partake of the next week’s festivity,15 where I believe I shall be
extravagant enough to expend one guinea.
Friday. I called upon the B[ishop] of Chester,16 where Dr [Robert] Finch one of the
Prebends [sic] of Westminster happened to be, and as we went out at the same time, he took me
into the abbey which is shut up, and shewed me the scaffolding, and if I had not been obliged to
attend at the house, I should have heard the rehearsal,15 which was then beginning. The
[Cornwall] family went down to Adscombe [Addiscombe] this evening. I was much sollicited to
be of the party, but have cut it under the promise of going down the next time. One reason was,
that I might write a long letter to you, the other that I have been so exceedingly hurried, and the
weather remains so very hot that I panted after a little solitude. When they went to tea, I strolled
down to the Temple, saw [Francis] Stratford, and [Richard] Hollist, and upon my return took
half a crown’s worth [2s. 6d.] of the Flitch of Bacon at Covent Garden.17 I love sing-song things
better than the other entertainments.
Saturday. I am going to dine with Miss [Elizabeth] Pyke to day, and propose looking in at
the opera in the evening, and to morrow I am to be with T[homas] Heathcote.
I remain perfectly well, and trust I shall have an equally good account of yourself and the
dear foetids. I would give something to exchange at this instant the beautiful prospect of the
Thames, Surry hills, and Westminster Bridge, for the Itchin, Catharine Hill, and Black-bridge.
When I see [Paul Henry] Matty [Maty] next I will remember your father’s commission. 18 Hollist
told me Stratford had written a full account 3 months ago about the mode of [William]
Goddard’s ensuring his life,19 to your father, and that nothing remained but to put it into
execution.
You will order the blacksmith at Compton to make two casements in the two chancel
windows, and that instantaneously.20 I am as much as it is possible for man to be, your’s most
dearly and affectionately, Ph. Williams.
What is this story about Mak’s [Dr John Makkitrick] advertising a 5 guinea reward for some
chickens he has had stolen?21
Saturday, 22 May 1784. Remember to send your bills, which are in some of my waistcoat
pockets. Who takes care of Pam? don’t starve him. From a letter of Ekins to Fol. Cornwall, 22 I
should suspect that negotiation is at an end, and that he will take the bishopric himself.
Shooter's Hill, a high point in East London, north-east of Eltham, presumably near the home of the
Dorset family, who were lifelong friends of Philip Williams. Mr Dorset suffered from asthma and planned
to spend the winter of 1784-5 in the South of France (Letters 49 and 67), which the middling classes
seemed able to do (see, for example, Letter 13). Mrs Dorset was well known to other friends of the family,
including Bet Bridger and Mrs Hollist, who was presumably the wife of the lawyer Richard Hollist, who
lived at Barnet, Hertfordshire. Much later, in 1814, Mrs Dorset was a companion to Philip Williams's
daughters at Tunbridge Wells and Brighton (WCA/M/PW/135-6).
1
144
Michael Wodhull, now remembered as book collector and minor poet, went to Winchester from
Twyford School, Buckinghamshire, a few years before Philip Williams, but only for one year. He is listed
for 1756-57 as 'Woodhall, Michael' in 'Winchester Commoners on Long Rolls, 1653-1880' by CW
Holgate, rev. H Chitty (MS, Winchester College Archives). He went up to Brasenose College, Oxford, but
left without a degree. Two months after his 21st birthday, already possessed of his late father's estates in
Northamptonshire, he married Catherine, a daughter of the Revd John Ingram of Wolford, Warwickshire.
In 1780 a Miss Ingram is mentioned by Sarah Williams in the Letters (Letter 24): she is probably Mary
Ingram (c.1747-1824) the youngest sister of Catherine, who lived with the Wodhulls and appears
elsewhere in the correspondence (Letters 49 and 73). It seems that at one time Philip Williams found her
difficult company (Letter 73).
2
Wodhull was an extremely wealth man and built a grand mansion at Thenford, Northamptonshire. It is
only two miles from the village of Helmdon, where the rector for 19 years, until his death in 1802, was
John Russell, for whom Wodhull acted as a trustee. In January 1785 Russell was one of the sponsors at
the baptism of Philip Williams's son Charles (WCA/M/PW/418) and is often mentioned in the Letters.
His namesake son, Dr John Russell (1786-1863), became a notable master of Charterhouse School, then
in London. Mary Ingram inherited the Thenford estate from her brother-in-law, but after her death a
claim was made in chancery - subsequently dismissed - that he had died an imbecile and she had forged
the will.
It is not clear what had gone wrong here: Robert Henley, second earl of Northington (1747-1786) was a
politician who, at this time, had lost all hope of power after the demise of the Fox-North coalition and
the election victory of Pitt the Younger. He had resigned in February 1784 as lord lieutenant of Ireland
after a less-than-successful 6-month stint. A member for the county of Southampton (Hampshire) from
1768 to 1774, he was said to be 'unwieldy in person, wanting in grace, and not brilliant' (GFR Barker,
‘Robert Henley’, ODNB, citing Wraxall). After his death, the family estate at The Grange, near Alresford,
was sold (see also Letter 24).
3
The Royal German Chapel at St James's Palace was founded in about 1700 by Queen Anne and her
consort for the use of the royal family. It held protestant Lutheran services in German and after the
coronation of George I in 1714 was made more widely available to 'Hanoverians' and other German
speakers at court.
4
Thomas Parker, 3rd earl of Macclesfield (1723-1795), was a politician who had represented, at different
times, the constituencies of Newcastle-under-Lyme, the county of Oxfordshire and Rochester. In 1764 he
succeeded his father to the earldom and thereafter sat in the House of Lords. The dinner with Speaker
Cornwall may have been a social call, as the Parkers intermarried with the Heathcotes of Hursley, near
Winchester. In 1720 Sir William Heathcote, the 1st baronet, married Lady Elizabeth Parker, daughter of
the 1st earl, and in 1749 the 3rd earl married his cousin Mary, a daughter of Sir William.
5
6
See Note 4, Letter 48.
7
See Note 6, Letter 48.
8In
London’s Mayfair district, W1, later called New Norfolk Street and renamed Dunraven Street in 1939
(British History Online).
9
See Note 5, Letter 48.
145
10
London’s fish market, originally on the banks of the Thames in the southeast quarter of the City.
The minister in question was Pitt the Younger, as the term 'prime minister' did not become current
until the last quarter of the 19th century (OED). No doubt Pitt wanted to discuss with the Speaker how to
manage proceedings in parliament, which resumed on 18 May, following his historic defeat of the
opposition of Fox (Hague, 2004, 174).
11
12
An elaborately ornate wig, typical of the period, obviously from Fr. la tête.
13 His
first appearance as the Speaker's chaplain. For some reason this was on 20 May, two days after the
start of the new session of parliament (see Note 11 above).
14
Speaker Cornwall.
The first of the Handel Festivals, which are still held each year in London, was about to take place in
Westminster Abbey. It was supposedly a centennial commemoration of the composer's birth, but a mixup with the change of the calendar from Julian to Gregorian in 1752, meant that it was a year too early.
The first of five concerts took place on 26 May 1784 and the event was recorded on a stone placed on
Handel's memorial in the abbey.
15
Dr Beilby Porteus (1731-1809) was appointed master of St Cross Hospital, Winchester in 1773, bishop
of Chester in 1776, and bishop of London in 1787 (see also Note 4, Letter 41). Sarah Williams records the
huge popularity of his sermons in Winchester (Letters 91-2, 95 and 100). Elsewhere Philip Williams gives
his opinion of Dr Porteus and his wife: 'I like them very well, notwithstanding they are shabby in some
respects' (Letter 88).
16
The Flitch of Bacon, a comic opera by William Shield, with words by Henry Bate, the newspaper editor
and 'fighting parson', was first produced for the Haymarket Little Theatre in 1778 and later moved to
Covent Garden (Annals of Covent Garden from 1732 to 1897, London, 1906, vol I).
17
To get a book for him from Maty (sometimes spelt Matty), who was a librarian on a grand scale (see
ODNB; Letter 50).
18
19
'Ensure' an obselete form of 'insure', meaning to protect risks by payment of a premium.
As requested by his wife on behalf of the parishioners of Shawford and Compton on 17 May (Letter
50). The harsh tone of the husbandly command stands out in the letter, but the sweetness of the next
sentence suggests it may have been part of their intimate banter.
20
21 See
Letter 51.
Two days before this part of the letter was written Philip Williams had read prayers for the first time in
the House of Commons, in succession to Folliott Herbert Cornewall [sic] (1754-1831), second cousin of
Charles Wolfran Cornwall and his chaplain from 1780. 'Ekins' may have been Jeffery Ekins (1731-1791),
dean of Carlisle from 1782, who never attained a bishopric and died after 'a lingering illness' at Parsons
Green, Middlesex. Alternatively, it may have been his brother John Ekins (1732-1808), who also never
became a bishop, but was appointed dean of Salisbury in 1786]
22
146
Letter 50: Monday, [17 May 1784]1 − Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/43)1
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dear sir,
Your letter gave me great pleasure, as it brought me the welcome news of your being
safely settled in town. I own I had some fears that as you and your horse were strangers to each
other, he might not like the noise of Piccadilly and that you might not yet understand his
humour enough to manage him;2 you know my nerves are not proof against a slipping up upon
the stones at any time. My children and myself I thank God, continue perfectly well, and I only
tell you the truth, when I say that they are very good; I have made a resolution never to give up
any-thing to them, and what is more I have kept it; they dine with me, little one and all, every
day. I dined yesterday at Compton and had a sentimental walk home with Mr Goddard in the
evening; I am charged with a petition to you from Shawford and Compton to have a casement or
two opened in the church, which I think perfectly right and necessary, but I could say nothing
‘till I had your orders; you will be so good as to signify your consent in you next letter. Charlotte
[St John] is still at Compton, but intends leaving it tomorrow for Leckford, where Mrs Booth is
in waiting. The Blade,3 (who you know is never out of his way) is to attend Mr [Jeremiah] Dyson
to the Montem at Eton;4 they are to set out the 31st of this month, that is if Betsy is confirmed by
that time, which it is most probable she will. Papa is very good, and spends more time with me
than I believe he can well spare, because he thinks that I am not quite comfortable. I have one
thing to say to you upon that subject, which is, that you would omit no opportunity of getting
information about the price rents of houses and lodgings in town, in the different parts of it; and
also the price of furniture, that is the rent of hire of furniture.5 You know our house at
Winchester will in future stand us in £50 per annum; butcher’s meat and bread are the same in
London that they are with us, and we can easily dispense with luxuries, many articles such as tea
and sugar will be cheaper. I wish therefore you would make these enquiries against your return,
that we may calculate the possibility of such an arangement. You will I am sure do me the justice
to believe that I have as little inclination as you can have to involve you in expence, for in fact I
should only injure my dear children and myself; but I look forward with horror to a three year
banishment, and what with your engagements at Oxford, and other occurrences that may arrive,
it will be little short of it. Your letter of last night, though it gave me infinite satisfaction, yet it
prevented my having any sleep ‘till near the morning. I am upon the whole tolerably composed,
when I do not go from home or see any body; except my father who is the only person I wish to
see ‘till your return. I have got some Italian books from Compton, by the help of which I hope
to recover what I have lost these last five years,6 in hopes that in future I may be of some service
to my dear little ones. I made an effort yesterday and called upon Mrs Duthy and the Miss
Breretons,7 and to day I hope to finish my visits. I shall then get into my drawing room and shut
myself up with my family for the summer, except now and then a visit to Mrs [Lucy] Elyott. I
hope you will not be displeased at what I have said above, or mention it to any one; if I am
disappointed and things turn out different from my wishes, I have a never failing resource in my
religion, which will always prevent my fretting and repining to the prejudice of my health. I have
every reason to thank the almighty that we are in a way to provide for those his goodness has
sent us but the life of man is so short and uncertain that I would not unwillingly spend a
147
moment of it out of your company - we are here to day and gone to morrow. May God bless
you and my dear children is the constant prayer of your entirely affectionate SW.
You were to get a book for Papa of Mr [Paul Henry] Maty, and he has written something
about it, which I enclose. Your Causabon8 etc. shall be sent to morrow. In future I shall write to
you on a Tuesday, because Monday is [a] 12 o’clock day,9 and if I am interrupted you will be
disappointed; and if I answer your letter Sunday evening, my spirits will be too much affected by
the receipt of yours to wri{te} any {thin}g but nonsense, which can {only} make {you} uneasy.
We have charm{ing} accounts from Midhurst of the old man.10 Mrs [John] Sargent wants the
children and myself to spend the summer at [East] Lavington. I think I am better at home,
though I sh{ould} be very happy with her; and I cannot give up the short time Papa stays
here.11My best compliments to your household. Love to Miss [Elizabeth] Pyke, and B[et]
B[ridger] Don’t fo{rget} to write on the appointed day, and remember me kindly to Mrs
Keighley.
1Dated
from the start of Philip’s role as chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons (see Letters
48-9)
2
See Note 2, Letter 48.
Their nickname for the Revd John Monk Newbolt. He was the son of a Winchester 'druggist' Philip
Newbolt, deemed a gentleman.
3
Jeremiah Dyson was going back to his old school, where the Montem ceremony took place on Salt Hill,
Chalvey, Slough, two miles from Eton College. It started as an annual initiation ceremony for new boys,
who had salt scattered over them, but by the 18th century it had become a social occasion. Before 1758 it
was held in January, thereafter it moved to Whit Tuesday, and from 1778 it was held every three years: in
1784, Whit Tuesday fell on 1 June .
4
In both the transcript of this letter made by JS Drew and that held in Winchester College archives, and
catalogued in the class WCA/M/PW, the phrase ‘that is the rent of hire of furniture’ is missed out. This
is one of many examples in which the same errors are made, which suggests that one was copied from the
other, though there are differences of punctuation. Drew’s transcripts are sometimes abbreviated (for
example, he does not list the names of people at parliamentary dinners attended by Philip Williams),
suggesting further that he copied the College transcripts. It therefore seems highly likely that the College
transcripts were made first, probably from the efforts of Mrs Edwyn Williams in her research into the
history of her family, and that Drew then copied the Letters between Philip and Sarah in his research for
Compton, a village near Winchester, published in 1939.
5
Clearly, she knew Italian and since their marriage in March 1779 had stored some of their belongings in
the rectory at Compton.
6
John Brereton, a Winchester apothecary, died on or about 26 April 1784 (Winchester Research Unit,
Hampshire Chronicle Index 1773 et seq, HRO, ND; Gibson, 1958, p. 90) and perhaps Sarah's visit to the 'Miss
Breretons' was to pay her respects.
7
8
See Letter 51 and Note 13, Letter 48.
148
In 1784, according to Sadler's Hampshire Directory, which was published in Winchester, there were two
postal services between London and Winchester. One came in via Hartford Bridge and Alton at about 6
pm on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday, and went out at the 'fixed hour' of 2 pm on Saturday, Tuesday and
Thursday. The other came in via Petersfield at about 7 pm on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and went
out at the 'fixed hour' of noon on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
9
10
Possibly her grandfather, the apothecary Christopher Collins, who would have been in his 80s.
11
See Note 2, Letter 51.
149
Letter 51: Monday [24] May [1784]1 − Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/42)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My dear sir,
I am much obliged to you for your budget which was better worth examining than I fear
the m{onies}s will be; the only comfort I have in your absence (except the seeing my father and
the little ones) is the hearing that you are well; I wish I could send you a journal of myself that
would give you half the pleasure that your’s did me. My days are so much alike that, when I tell
you I get up and breakfast at the usual time; work till dinner, dine with my children, and walk out
with them in the evening, you have my whole history since your departure. Papa spends an hour
with me every night.2 Dr Mak[kitrick]2 has asked me to a party, which I declined on account of
the heat and if it had been a frost I should have done the same; Mrs [Lucy] Elyott I’m afraid
looks a little askance at me for not coming near her, but I cannot yet bring myself to leave my
own den where only I find my mind at all at ease. I am for the present shut out from all
communication with Compton, their chaise being in dock at Rogers’s.3 Betsy in statu quo,
Charlotte etc. happily disposed of at Leckford, from which place I believe Mr [George Richard]
St John has not been absent an hour except in fishing since they first came; so that it certainly
was not him who assisted at Mr Fox’s triumph.4 I wish it had been him, any thing is better than
this trout-hunting. I have had notice from [Thomas] Lear that he shall be with me on Monday
without a companion, his goods are now removing to Nunton.5 You have not looked at your
Causabon6 (which I sent last Tuesday) as you would have found the bills pinned on to the first
leaf, and I wish you would pay the mercer’s bill particularly, without loss of time, as Mrs Bishop
goes to town in a few days and she is to chuse me a black silk. Mr [Richard] Hollis[t] is mistaken
about [Francis Paul] Stratford’s having written to Papa for he has not to his great surprize heard
from him this age. I am glad you are going to Westminster Abbey; I would sooner go without a
new gown than you should be deprived of such hearing and seeing; and if you think it
extravagant put it down to Sally. The foetids, the heat considered, are as well and good as can be
expected; Sordida has sold four night’s lodging with me, to Phill for his little spoon, and he has
accordingly had his thre{e} nights. I have heard something of the chicken story, which is too
long a one and too absurd for me to enter into the detail of it; besides the Dr 1 is so bountiful to
me of asparagus and cucumbers, that I should feel I was acting a most treacherous part, if I
reported any of the numberless anecdotes that are continuously circulating about him. My
neighbours over that way drank tea with me yesterday, and I introduced him to the grand tour,
wishing all the way that I could have sent him off in an air balloon and fetched you to supply his
place, though he is very well behaved. What is said about the length of the sitting of Parliament?
Is there any chance of your being down before August?7 But what is this all to me, you will only
be down for a short time to go away again for a very long one, for I clearly anticipate what is to
be my fate from your total silence upon a certain subject, I believe I dwelt too much upon in my
last. Oh! that I had less feeling than I have, or that I could get a little sang froid. God bless you,
may you be happy and comfortable, whatever becomes of me. G. Elyott is going to town
tomorrow or the next day, to endeavour to get a passage to the West Indies. I am boiling up
some green apricots, of which there is a great profusion, for you against you come home.
Remember me to Miss [Elizabeth] Pyke etc. and believe me your entirely affectionate SW.
150
Remember to write next Saturday if you do go out, because I shall otherwise have no
letter ‘till Tuesday which would half kill me.
Probably written on the 22nd and posted on the 24th, as ‘22’ seems to have been changed to ’24th’. JS
Drew treated the odd sheet Letter 62 as a continuation, but internal evidence in that dates it later in the
year, at the time of the Winchester Races.
1
She was about to lose the company of both men: the doctor, who kept her supplied with vegetables,
died in July and her father retired as second master of Winchester College in the same month.
2
Her sister Elizabeth and husband Jeremiah Dyson Jr rented the parsonage house at Compton from
Philip Williams. 'Roger's' was probably the workshop of Roger's Southampton coach, which went to
London via Winchester on weekdays (Sadler's Hampshire Directory, Winchester, 1784).
3
Only four days before this letter, parliament resumed after a general election in which Pitt the Younger
triumphed over Charles James Fox, whose party fought in an unpopular coalition with Lord North. Fox
himself was, however, returned initially as the member for Orkney and Shetland. It was not until 4 March
1785 that he was finally declared elected for the prestigious City of Westminster, following a lengthy
scrutiny of the vote. One of 'Fox's Martyrs' not returned was Sarah's brother-in-law, the Hon. George
Richard St John. In 1782 at the age of 21 he had been elected member for Cricklade, Wiltshire, but seems
to have been more interested in fishing than politics (Namier L & Brooke J, 1964, vol III, 383-99).
4
Thomas Lear was a scholar at Winchester three years after Philip Williams and was admitted a fellow
four years after him. In 1777 he became the non-resident vicar of Downton, near Salisbury and in 1783
he rebuilt the vicarage house in the neighbouring hamlet of Nunton, after which he took up residence
(VCH Wiltshire, vol 11, 19-77, via British History Online).
5
6A
7
misspelling of 'Casaubon' (see Note 13, Letter 48).
Parliament rose on 20 August 1784.
151
Letter 52: Monday, 31 May [1784] − Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/44)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My dear sir,
I believe I need not tell you that your letter as usual gave me the greatest pleasure; you
are very good to charge your memory with so many trifles for my entertainment. Mr [John
Monk] Newbolt will tell you (probably before you receive this) that he saw us all well yesterday
morning, when he was kind enough to call to know if I had any commands for you; Mr
[Jeremiah] Dyson is disappointed at his share in the scheme by Betsy’s putting it off so terribly;
he does not care to leave her in such an uncertain state;1 I was to have tryed the new painting
yesterday if the weather had not been so very bad.2 Mr [Thomas] Lear spent Monday and
Tuesday with me, and went home to Salisbury in the evening; he was to remove to his new
habitation at Nunton the latter end of the week.3 Mrs L[ear] talks of accompanying him to
Winchester at the meeting in July;4 every body thinks that Lear looks dreadfully, and I do not
think he is quite well; I am afraid he is, and has been a good deal harassed by Sir J[ohn] Shelly’s
affairs;5 he told me that Miss Grant6 (who is gone to a relation in the West Indies) got about
2000£ by the Dr’s death, for that he had paid off a considerable mortgage upon her estate, which
he has left to her.6 Papa desires me to say that Mr Faithful has applyed to him for your curacy
after Mr Goddard and if you have no other person in your eye, he (Papa) will be glad if you will
accept of his services, that is when you return again to town, for you will of course serve it
yourself ‘till that time.7 I am truly sorry that I have given you any uneasiness by what I said in
my last letter; whatever I may suffer, in future, I will say nothing more of the matter; but as I am
going to take leave of the subject, I will just tell you what my thoughts are upon it: that I am not
very easy or comfortable without you is out of all dispute, but that I will gratify myself at any rate
and at the expence of my poor children is a thing the farthest from my thoughts; we live up to
the full of our income at present and whilst we live in Winchester most continue to do so; now if
I could have a small house that would just hold me and my children in the neighbourhood of
London, within four or five miles, you could come to me every Saturday and stay ‘till Monday;
besides many other days that you would be wanted and as you would be so much from home, I
could live in a very frugal manner and I daresay spend less than we do at present; in this case
our house at Winchester might be sold, if we can get a purchaser, which would get rid of that
incumbrance, and we should have Compton to return to, at the time we wanted it, and our
furniture ‘till such time might be deposited in the College; remember I want nothing to be done
rashly, but I would wish you to enquire what the price of a small ready furnished house will be in
one of the villages near London, that I may state the expense in my own mind – and so like your
old antagonist I say fiat.8
Papa is still very unhappy about the shocking business at College, and he will write to you
about it in two or three days; there are two [boys] to go away which he and every other
reasonable person thinks sufficient, especially as there is more come out, which will justify the
saving the others; but he is afraid that what has been done will not satisfy either the W[arden] of
N[ew] Col[lege] or the zeal of the furious champion P.9 However, he is determined to do
nothing more, let them do as they please. It is a circumstance much in favour of one of the poor
152
boys that are to go, though it makes the matter more burthensome to Papa, that he is affected by
it to a degree, which can hardly be conceived.
The enclosed came from Jones,10 I send it that you may do as you please with it. I am
glad you went to the Abbey,11 I should have been hurt if you had not. We hear nothing from
Charlotte [St John] but that she is well. We had a thunder storm here on Tuesday last, which
was not very violent but it continued the whole night, since that the weather has been cool and
comfortable, but it was so burning hot before that I was obliged to sit al fresco in my bed gown;
the heat of the bombazine12 being intolerable. The children are thank God well, t{hey} have
been to tea with Mrs Courtene{y} who was very good and gave them noth{ing} that could make
them sick. Mr Doddington’s book was for Mr Dyson; I think it is very entertaining, but I want
to know a little of his private history; how he came by that odious sirname, it must have been for
a good estate and that a very good one; it is ridiculous to observe in it the names of the present
heroes Fox and Pit[t] in continual apposition to each other; I am sorry any part of it has been
curtailed; I think it as good as a graduate’s books to know where people dined and who they had
with them.13 Don’t forget to write as usual and believe me to be your’s entirely. My
compliments to all. SW
1Dyson
is confined to Winchester by his wife's pregnancy. Their son Henry was baptised at Compton on
5 September 1784 (Kirby, 1888, p. 285).
2
Not meant literally; it is difficult to believe that she intended to paint the house herself.
3
See Note 5, Letter 51.
4
A music festival was held at this time of the year in Winchester cathedral.
The 5th baronet, a privy councillor, a member of parliament for several pocket boroughs and a
successful harvester of sinecures. In 1771 he succeeded to his father's title and the estate at Michelgrove,
in the parish of Burpham, Sussex (postal address, Clapham, Sussex). His will written in May 1770
(TNA/11/1109) includes a bequest of £100 to 'John Lear of Dover' for a mourning ring for assisting
Shelley's wife Wilhelmina in the administration of the will. In fact, by the time of Shelley's death, at the
relatively young age of about 53 on 11 September 1783, his first wife, who gave him a male heir, was dead
and he had remarried. The administration of his estate was granted to 'Robert Mackreth Esquire a
creditor by bond', who was the owner of White's Club in the West End, a notorious gambling haunt. It is
likely that Shelley owed him a great deal of money and it this that occupied Thomas Lear Jr, who was
presumably related in some way to 'John Lear of Dover'. It was not the only prize gained in this way by
Mackreth: six years later the Hon. George Richard St John 4th viscount Bolinbroke, husband of Sarah’s
sister Charlotte, sold the estate of Purley Park, Berkshire, allegedly to settle a gambling debt, probably one
incurred by his father, who had died two years earlier.
5
She is perhaps related to 'Mr and Mrs Grant', unidentified acquaintances of the Williamses (see
WCA/M/PW/ 17, 359).
6
Philip Williams was in need of a curate to cover for his absence in London, where he made his first
appearance in the House of Commons as the Speaker's chaplain in May 1784 (Letter 49). 'Mr Goddard' is
almost certainly William Stanley Goddard who in July 1784 succeeded Sarah Williams's father as second
master of Winchester College, but the parish records of Compton show no trace of his curacy. On the
7
153
other hand, 'Mr Faithful' does appear, as curate in June 1785. He is probably John Faithfull, who
graduated BA at Oxford in 1773, the son of William of Overton, keeper of a coaching inn, the Poyntz
Arms (as recorded in a manuscript note in the Winchester College copy of Holgate, Winchester Commoners
1800-1835, 1893, Winchester, p.259). He did not serve long, as a year later Thomas Brereton is the
'assistant minister' (HRO/1M76/PR2).
8
Let it be done.
Disturbances at Winchester College that merit the words 'riot' or 'rebellion' were not uncommon. An
oft-quoted letter written in November 1774 by pupil Thomas Woods Knollys to his aunt, Lady
Wallingford, details a rebellion that had just occurred (Kirby, 1892, p.404), whilst in 1783, when he styled
himself the 7th earl of Banbury (in 1813 the title was ruled to be extinct by the House of Lords), he was
called upon in his capacity as chairman of the Hampshire quarter sessions to quell a 'town and gown' fight
(HRO/1M44/44/1). This letter is about another disturbance that took place in the following year, but
does not seem to be recorded in the histories. ‘P’ is unidentified. In corroboration, Kirby's Scholars (1888)
shows that six boys left the school in 1784 for no reason (Charles Lovell Gould, Andrew Ruddock, John
Daniel Mackinnen, Richard and Thomas Barneby and Henry Biggs) [check] and two others for unrelated
reasons. Such events must always be distressing to schoolmasters, but Thomas Collins, who was prone to
anxiety, was excessively affected, perhaps because he had 'had enough' of teaching and could see no way
in which he would ever get the headship in succession to Joseph Warton, who in the event did not retire
for almost another ten years. Like many a person facing retirement, Collins himself did think that he
might asked to stay on for a while, but that was not to be (see also Note 5, WCA/M/PW/ 47, 49, 50A, 5356).
9
10Probably
a pupil.
11
See Note 15, Letter 49.
12
A heavy material, twilled or corded, often made of silk and worsted.
George Bubb Dodington, Baron Melcombe (1690/1-1762), politician, educated at Winchester College,
born plain ‘Bubb’, something of laughing stock in his day, who is, however, remembered for diaries which
give the inside story of the politicial life in Westminster under Walpole. He took the surname of his
mother, who came from Dodington in Somerset, and he relied on the political favours of her brother
George, from whom in 1720 he inherited the estate of Eastbury, Dorset, amidst much ongoing acrimony.
The diaries were first edited by Henry Penruddock Wyndham of Salisbury and published in 1784 (and
have appeared in later editions, such as J Carswell, LA Drake, eds, The Political Journal of George Bubb
Dodington, Oxford, 1965). Writing only two years later, Sarah Williams obviously thought it 'ridiculous'
that the diaries show Pitt the Elder sparring with Henry Fox, 1st Baron Holland, whilst in contemporary
politics their sons, Pitt the Younger and Charles James Fox, were engaged in similar antics. She was,
however, disappointed that the diaries had been 'curtailed'. The phrase 'a graduate's books' refers to the
fact that at this time the books that a graduate read at university were noted; many such records have
been preserved, particularly at Christ Church College, Oxford.
13
154
Letter 53: Sunday, probably in June 17841 − Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip
Williams in London (WCA/M/PW/47)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dear sir,
The whole tribe are just landed from the Compton Diligence,2 which has to day carried
five, the three children, Molly [Strong] and myself, the former highly delighted with their jaunt
having called at half the houses in the parish and I suppose regaled at each. Nothing has yet
happened to Betsy,3 but she as well as Mr [Jeremiah] D[yson] is well. I have been engaged this
week at College, superintending the grand package to Midhurst; which was brought forward, by
Sir Charles Mill’s sending two empty waggons to fetch goods from Woolbedding [Woolbeding]
and which conveyed all his Papa’s things, except what he will be able to take in his chaise with
him, as Mr [William Stanley] Goddard is to take have the rest. I own I am not sorry that this
business is over, a month hence I should not have been so well able to have attended the
ceremony,4 and at present I am glad to have Papa’s thoughts diverted by any means from the
distressing affair which hangs about him and which he cannot manage so as to satisfy the
clamours of ill-judging zealots, and his own feeling at the same time. Tomorrow something will
I hope come out that may relieve every body here, at least those who are as much hurt as Papa is,
and I may add myself. In consequence of two most furious letters from the head of the other
College [New College, Oxford] (which it does not become me to comment upon, or I could say,
what perhaps you would be sorry to hear) the Sub-Warden is to proceed to a very strict scrutiny
tomorrow, when they hope from the train of things that something will come out, which will
enable them to find out and get rid of the obnoxious boys; for the W[arden] refuses to give any
information himself, at the same time saying that if they are not removed he shall proceed
against them at the election, when if he meets with opposition, he shall go to the visitor [bishop
of Winchester], and telling them that they may get at their information the same way by which
they got at the other and and which in consequence of which they have got rid of two boys.
You would suppose if you were to see the letters that the love of Justice was banished from the
society here, and that it only resided in his own breast and that of his immaculate advisers. Our
own Warden entirely approves of every thing that has been done, and so does every body here; if
nothing appears upon the scrutiny, then it is to be brought before the society when they meet.5 I
should not be at all surprized if my father was to remain here ‘till Christmas out of it. 6 There are
to be some new regulations made, which it has been hinted to him, that they would be glad if he
would stay to inforce; and he says, if they pressed it, he shall not resist. I am sorry to take up
your time with this odious and truly vexatious affair, but I hear of nothing else from morning till
night, and I believe it is a relief to my father that he has somebody to unburthen to.
I am sorry to tell you that Dr Mak[kitrick] is in a very dangerous way, by what I can learn,
I believe it is a stoppage, you know you have suspected a calamity there for some time. 1 He has
had a little relief but I find he is much worse again. He is attended by all the physical tribe in the
place except the strong-horseman, he is in excruciating tortures, as his man tells our maids. I
have had a solemn supper for the Elyotts and Bissets. We played at six penny whist, and Mrs
[Lucy] E[lyott] lost every rubber; I have likewise asked the Tripps, who were very civil to me
when I was in Sussex, but they had bad colds and could not come. Your horse has had his
blister and it has taken effect beyond what they expected, and they think he is in a very fine way.
155
I wish you would buy Mrs Smith’s verses7 for me, they cost only two shillings, and are published
with her name to them, and you may send them down in one or two franks. Our garden is in
high beauty, the poney8 and myself gardeners in chief, you may smell the honeysuckle into the
street; the fraxinella is as tall as Bess, and the great orange-tree in full bloom; but I would rather
live close to a pig stye with you.
Mrs [Elizabeth] Dyson has got a new maid, whose name is Dejanira9 and they call her Di,
which I have as bad an opinion of, as ever old Shandy had;10 and am the more confirmed in it as
she comes from Sir C[haloner] Ogle’s.
1The
date of this letter is apparent from the fact that Dr Makkitrick, who is clearly near his end, died on 1
July 1784 (see Note 3, Letter 60). See also Note 1, Letter 54.
2
A horse-drawn coach, a form of public stage-coach.
3Henry,
the first child of Elizabeth ('Betsy') and Jeremiah Dyson was baptised at Compton, Hampshire,
on 5 September 1784 (Kirby, 1888, p 285).
4These
arrangements are for the impending retirement as second master of Winchester College of her
father, Thomas Collins, to live, probably with his younger sister, Charlotte, at Midhurst (Letter 71). His
successor is William Stanley Goddard. He is being assisted by a near neighbour in Sussex, Sir Charles Mill.
She is pregnant with their son Charles, who was born on 29 November 1784.
5All
this upset relates to a schoolboy rebellion that had recently taken place at Winchester College.
Although other rebellions are well documented, this particular one appears to be unrecorded. It is
interesting to see how the wardens of both the school and New College, Oxford, appear to be involved in
what was obviously a delicate matter of governance of concern to the society (warden and fellows), and
one that might even have required the authority of the bishop to settle. See also Note 9, Letter 52.
6Clearly,
Sarah's father was hoping that he would not end his career as second master on such an
ignominious note, but he did: he resigned in July (WCM365) and did not come back. Perhaps he was the
scapegoat for the disorder at the school – or even the cause. Unlike Joseph Warton before him, and the
four second masters who followed him, he did not become Winchester's head master. But he did go on to
become a trustee of Midhurst Grammar Schoool.
7Elegiac
Sonnets, and other Essays by Charlotte Smith of Bignor Park, Sussex, published in June 1784, was the
first work of a poet and novelist who produced a volume a year over more than 20 years. Married at the
age of 15, and the mother of 10 children, she was propelled into authorship by her husband’s debts. Sarah
Williams must have been especially interested in the book, because of the Sussex links of Mrs Smith, who
later came to live for a while at Sir Charles Mill’s seat at Woolbeding House, 2 miles northwest of
Midhurst.
8An
uncomplimentary term used by them for a maid.
9Dejanira
was Heracles's third wife.
10Perhaps
a reference to great-aunt Dinah in Sterne’s Tristram Shandy. She ‘was involved with a coachman
and regarded as a blot on the family escutcheon’ (pers. comm., Dr W G Day). Sarah Williams may also
have been alluding to the Mrs Shandy, whom her husband visited in London (see, for example, Letter 48).
156
157
Letter 54: Monday, probably in June 17841 – Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip
Williams in London (WCA/M/PW/48)
Address panel: Mr Williams [In another hand] Compton [?collection point]. Postmark: None.
I have just had a very bad account of Dr Mak[kitrick];1 I find his disorder is the stone and the
man told Rachel [Landy] that there was an operation performed Saturday night, and that he
continued very ill. Little Charlotte’s cough is better, though not quite gone. I am afraid there
will be great contention about you[r] present, but they all behaved so well yesterday that they
really deserve it; Phill. grows very bold and of course is hardly to be managed by such a feeble
creature as myself, and they all know that I am afraid to touch them, but they have {great} dread
of being sent to College. {Notwith}standing what you say, these late nights {through to}
mornings must retard the breaking up of Parliament,2 because they are not able to raise a house
again the same day; I do not see any symptom of a wish in the leaders to part, and this cool
weather, which is so seasonable for them, will make them feel less the necessity of doing it. I
have seen Dr [William]Bull{er}3 who told me he had seen you, and I could hardly answer him,
indeed I am not fit to see any body, my spirits are in that irritable state, that the least trifle
overpowers me. Pray remember me to your sisters – and may the Almighty ever bless and
preserve you and my dear children, and I am ever yours most entirely. S.W.
1Dr
Makkitrick died on 1 July 1784 (see Note 3, Letter 60 and Note 1, Letter 53). This sheet may have
been a continuation of Letter 53.
2Parliament
rose on 20 August 1784.
In March he had been elected dean of Exeter. Since 1763, the year after he married Anne Thomas, a
daughter of the bishop, he had been a prebendary of Winchester and at this date lived at No. 3 The Close
(Crook, 1984, p. 159).
3
158
Letter 55: Monday, 21 June [1784] − Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/49)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
Winchester June 21
My dear sir,
I am got up rather earlier than common that I may not disappoint you, being prevented
from beginning my letter as usual upon Sunday night, by Mr [Richard] Keats who has been here
ever since Friday, and stays ‘till Wednesday; mine is his only house, Mrs [Mary] Bathurst of
Lainston [House, Sparsholt] being in a dying way at Bath. I suppose you meant to have told me
that you had sent the parcel by Mr Heathcote, but you forgot that part of the story; if it has been
sent by any other mode, I have not yet had it. Dr [John] Makkittrick is something better, and
there are hopes of his getting over it, from a critical circumstance that happened yesterday
evening; he has been very civil to me, and ordered his garden stuff to be sent over whilst he is
confined.1 The children are delighted with your box, and as proof of it, they are not yet tired of
it. Little Charlotte has no share in it, and Phill seems inclined to withdraw his pretensions, by
which means I hope what is left may be preserved, Phill having already disposed of handles and
spouts; he depends upon your bringing him a fiddle which I think is not a good thing; but
whenever you do come I must have a large naked jointed doll for Betsy, that I may make cloaths
for it for her to take on and off. I paid Mrs Courteney a visit the other night, and was sorry to
find that the Dr had returned to his old ways, and there appears as little probability as ever of her
affairs being settled, he offers so much less than she will be entitled to upon Lady C’s death,2 that
she at present determines to wait that event, when the arrears that will then be her right, will put
it in her power to make her brother amends. I am very sorry for her, as I see no way for her to
get anything, whilst she has to deal with such a skim-milk, white-livered creature as he is; his
poor brother ran away with all the generosity of the whole race. The idea of Papa’s staying is at
an end,3 so you will not mention it, it would interfere so much with [William Stanley] Goddards
designs that it is not to be thought of, and it would be very unpleasant to Papa you may be
certain. He is now ready to be off with his two horses (which turn out beyond expectation) as
soon as they will let him resign; as to the other business,4 he is rather more easy, because
something is now to be done, which they hope will finally settle matters, if the Warden of New
College [Oxford] does not interfere; though his spirit is not yet allayed, but as Captain Bluff
begins to relax a little, it is to be hoped that Sir Joseph [?W] will follow. 5 I am sorry to tell you
that the young couch of roses and another boy are to go at the election; they were produced on
the scrutiny as most guilty, but not a word of this to any one as it is to be done with the utmost
secrecy.4 Your horse has a spavin6 confirmed, and therefore could not be fired; he has been
blistered or something to that amount, and Dr Andrews gives a good account of him; he is
turned out in the College meadow. Mr [John Monk] Newbolt called upon me to tell me that he
had seen you; every body can see you but her, who has never an easy hour out of your company;
I have had a great cold, and a bad head-ach for which I was going to be bled in a great hurry, but
I afterwards thought better of it, and am glad that I did, for I am got pretty well again, and I
certainly do not want lowering, as I am full of nervous tremblings, and have a tickling in my
throat, which is very troublesome when I am in bed, and which must be nervous. The children I
159
thank God are quite well and in high spirits, Phill almost Master; he has found out that I am
afraid to touch him for fear of hurting myself; I have been obliged to part with my bedfellows,
though they were very quiet, but I was afraid they might kick me whilst I was asleep. I don’t
think they have used Charles well in the Westminster affair;7 I am as great a politician as ever and
have not yet had any reason to alter my opinion, when does the costive Minister intend to open
his budget?8 I hope you will then be able to give a little guess at the time when you can come
home; which would appear an age to me if it was but a week. Papa begs that you will hurry Mr
[Richard] Hollist about Goddard’s and his settlement, because the {time} draws on and he
cannot go, ‘till {it} is finished.3 I am entirely y{ours} as ever, SW.
We have very indifferent cold weather, which is seasonable enough for you, but quite
otherwise for the gardens; we want sun for the green house. Sir C[haloner] Ogle has the offer of
the Jamaica station and he is not yet determined about whether he shall accept of it or not, so be
sure it cannot be worth having, or it would not have been offered to him.9
Be so good to send the enclosed to Davison10 the first opportunity.
1He
seems to have lived at 68 Kingsgate Street, Winchester (Carpenter Turner, 1986, p. 46).
2Mrs
Courteney seems to be related to ‘the Dr’, who was probably the Scottish physician Dr James
Makittrick Adair (1728-1801), who in 1783 took his wife’s name Adair. He was the brother of Dr John
Makkitrick (see Note 1 above) and after spending his early years as a doctor in Antigua practised in
Andover, Guildford and Bath. He is recalled as a person who ‘could provoke animosity’ and at one time
was incarcerated in the gaol at Winchester for ‘sending a challenge to a duel’ (W.P. Courtney rev. Michael
Bevan, ODNB, 2004). He may also have been the ‘Dr Adair and the bigamous lady hoopmaker’
mentioned by Lord Wallingford in 1791 in a gossipy letter to his sister Lady Amelia Knollis
(HRO/1M44/106/13). ‘Lady C’ is unidentified, but may have been Lady Anne Chernocke (d. 1789), the
widow of Sir Villiers Chernocke, 5th bt, who died in 1779. Mrs Courteney may have been a distant relative
of some kind, as they had no children, but the link is not apparent.
3See
Note 4, Letter 53. It seems that some financial settlement was made between the outgoing second
master Thomas Collins and the incomer William Stanley Goddard.
4See
Note 9, Letter 52.
5A
character in Congreve’s The Old Bachelor, first produced in 1693. Another character was Sir Joseph
Wittol.
6A
bony tumour or excrescence on a horse's leg (OED).
7It
is tempting to identify 'Charles' as Charles James Fox, the Whig politician whose return to parliament
as the member for Westminster in the election of May 1784 was subject to a lengthy 'scrutiny'. She may,
however, have known him, as he had once served as MP for Midhurst, where her father was a native (see
also Note 3, Letter 58).
8An
unflattering reference to Pitt the Younger, who, after an election triumph, presented his budget to
parliament on 30 June 1784 (Hague, 2004, p.180).
160
9After
1780, Sir Chaloner Ogle 'saw no further active service' (Finn and Johnston, 1999, p. 168).
10Purveyors
of tea, and no doubt other commodities, in the city of London (see also Letter 70).
161
Letter 56: Monday [28 June 1784]1 − Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/50)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
Monday morn
My dear sir,
I was prevented from going to Compton yesterday, by a message which announced
Betsy’s being ill, and in the afternoon word was brought me that she had a son. 2 I am going to
dine there to day, and I take the children and Molly [Strong] with me, being afraid to leave them
at home, as we have a great wash in hand, which is an attraction Molly is not able to resist and
the children would be burnt or scalded, if I was to leave them without any body to superintend.
Papa desires that you will write to Mr [Charles] Blackstone to pay him a hundred pounds
on your account of the [Winchester College] Bursars money.3 He has not enough to send the
boys off with, and you will receive it again after the holy days.
Sophy Elyott begs that you will pay Mrs Parr for her before you come out of town.
The doll is expected with more impatience by Bess, than myself, for I shall be put upon
immediate duty to clothe her; Phill says he will have a fiddle when you come down, and he
deserves it; I am happy to tell you that I think he will soon be as good a scholar as his sister. I
have by dint of perseverance got him to attend and he comes on very well.
I wish I could send better news of the poor Dr [John Makkitrick]; he is so averse to
taking medicine, and even nourishment that there is nothing to be done for him; there were
some favourable symptoms appeared yesterday, from which his brother4 (who is here with his
wife) and the physical tribe conceived great hopes, but they are all vanished, from the utter
impossibility of making him do any thing that he is ordered. He says he is certain that nothing
can cure him, and does not wish to prolong his existance a few wretched hours; I expect to hear
of his death every hour, [and] I thought it right to call upon Mrs Adair.4
I believe Sir C.5 did not say more of his governess than she deserves, for I have
accidentally lately heard a great deal of her, and by all accounts if Mrs Powys has no objection to
her being a Roman Catholick, she cannot be better off; the ladies of the family particularly like
her, for her modest and unassuming behaviour, and though a pretty woman, she has never been
scandalized about the knight.5 If Mrs Powys thinks at all of having her, I will enquire more
particularly, for I do think she has great merit.
The Spooners are settled here, Mrs Spooner dresses a turtle6 herself to day, which it
seems she is very famous for, and does not chuse that her servants should have anything to do
with it; it will be a great day for her, as she bespeaks a play in the evening, which I have happily
got myself excused from attending, by not seeing her when I paid my visit; I called yesterday
upon Mrs Pitt, who seems to feel the increase of taxes7 already, for she has got rid of all
superfluous garments, being I believe, except for some very light drapery, perfectly in fresco; I
did not tell her, that I did not approve of the new tax; it is not that I have an objection to taxes;
you know it is my maxim to pay them without grudging, but I think this comes so home to
people in a middling station; and is so advantageous to the great that I cannot like it, and I could
give you my reasons for it, if you were here and I could tell you why I do not like W[illiam] P[itt]
162
too, but this I leave for future discussions at breakfast. I beg when you hear of our poor friend’s
departure that you will un-order the news-paper, except I can make any other alliance.8
I thank you for the pamphlet, and sonnets which were as good, as that species of poetry
is in general I think;9 not over correct though, but I am no judge of these matters not having
anything sonnet-like; the pamphlet gave me some entertainment though it contained nothing
new, as they must be the sentiments of every person who thinks calmly upon the subject; it is
whipt up into a pleasing dress, for those that love syllabubs.
Charlotte and Mr [George Richard] St Jo{hn} come to me next week for the races.1,10 I
shall take as much care of myself as the nature of the thing will admit of.
God bless you ever my dearest love, and send you well to yours, SW.
Mr Gooch is come with his boys to lodge at Miles’s in College Street.11
My best love to your sisters.12
Pam is amongst the living.
1Dated
from the start of the Winchester race week, 6 July 1784.
Note 3, Letter 53.
2 See
3Philip
Williams and Charles Blackstone were often the two annual bursars for Winchester College,
including the years 1782/3 and 1784/5 (Himsworth, 1976, vol I). No doubt Blackstone needed the cash
for various purposes at the end of term.
Dr James Makittrick [sic] Adair (1728-1801), who in 1783 took the maiden name of his mother, who
was the daughter of Robert Adair from the Mull of Galloway. Makittrick married Anne Barter.
4
5Probably
Philip Williams's sometime pupil Sir Charles Watson. Possibly Sir Chaloner Ogle, though his
name is usually mentioned with a sneer (see Letter 53).
6Turtles
occasionally visit British shores, though they must also have been brought from continental
Europe. Mrs Beeton’s Household Management gives a recipe for clear turtle soup with instructions such as
‘soak the turtle for 3 days’.
7New
taxes introduced by Pitt in his June budget were listed in detail by the Hampshire Chronicle (12
July1784) and included:
½d per lb tallow candles
3s.per chaldron of coals, or 2s. per ton
1/6d. per yard, printed silks and linen, stained [dyed] in GB
4d. per yd, square silk handkerchiefs
3d. per yd, cotton stuffs
8She
9See
later arranged with Mrs Hume to take the Morning Herald (see, for example, Letter 63).
Note 7, Letter 53.
10See
Note 1, Letter 61.
163
11Probably
a member of the family from Fen Ditton, near Cambridge, well known to Dr John Gordon
(see, for example, Letter 13).
12Philip
Williams's sisters, Anne and Frances, were probably visiting London.
164
Letter 57: Unknown date [before July 1784]1 − Sarah Williams in Winchester to Philip
Williams, probably in London (WCA/M/PW/45)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
[Part of a letter]
...and I hope you will not be from home, Mrs [Lucy] Elyott has her house full, all the Bissets, the
youngest daughter extremely ill, and under Dr Mak[kitrick]’s1 care, she seems to be far gone in a
consumption. Mr Dove has lost his little girl that was ill so long, which has given them great
affliction, but the child was so very unpromising, that it is a very happy turn. Mr [William]
Mence did part of his duty at {St} Michael’s [Winchester] yesterday; he looks very p{oorly} and
I thought he faultered a good deal in his speech. The children are pretty well; Charlotte has a
trifling cough which may possibly turn out to be the hooping cough; Phil has not been quite well
from having eat too much gooseberry fool, but he is happily relieved and quite stout again, little
brisket as strong as a house, dear little creatures, my only comfort though they give me a great
deal of trouble.
God bless you and our dear children and believe me to be your entirely affectionate S. W.
I do not intend to have the room painted at all, my reasons for it, you shall
know when you come home.
1Because
Dr Makkitrick is alive; see Note 3, Letter 60.
165
Letter 58: Sunday and Monday, [11 and 12 July 1784]1 − Sarah Williams at Winchester to
Philip Williams in London (WCA/M/PW/52)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
Sunday night
My dear sir,
I am alive, and surprized to find myself so, after the fatigues of the last week,1 which
were not a little encreased by the extreme heat of the weather; Charlotte came to me Tuesday
morn, and [George Richard] St John in the evening with a most dreadful hoarseness and fever,
which he got in the old way by standing all day up to his knees in the river;2 by the help of Dr
[John] Littlehales he is got quite well, and was able to go to the last ball. He has made a hundred
promises not to do so again, but I doubt whether he will keep them; Charlotte and myself,
chaperoned Lucy Elyott, and a friend of her’s from Fareham, who though a very good natured
girl, was no addition to our party; the races1 upon the whole were rather thin, and the
appearance of gentlemen of the county at the member’s ball remarkably so, a proof I fear of the
decline of Charles’s interest3 in these parts; Lord Northington and Sir W[illoughby] Aston,
Captain Luttrel[l], Colonel Sheriff and a few more stragling people were all that I recollect of any
note, except Sir W Gardener and his Bacchanals, though there was a tolerable appearance of
West-Indians and promiscuous people from Southampton;4 the member’s supper was very
elegant indeed, the ornamental part extremely admired by those who understand such matters;
for mye part, I was so hungry that I was glad to attack the more substantial part, and both
Charlotte and myself thought ourselves much obliged to Mrs Littlehales, who did for us what we
should never have done for ourselves, [namely], seated us in two very good places, and provided
us with every thing in the eatable and drinkable way we could want. At the steward’s ball we
were still more fortunate, by means of our good friend fatty Leeke we got seated at supper
before the doors were opened; there was a great deal of wine, whether good or bad I cannot tell,
but the gentlemen seemed so well pleased with it, that there was hardly a man who could stand
in the room by two o’clock. I wish these orgies could be put an end to, but where there are wine
and men, the effect will I fear be allways the same; there was an Assembly on the Wednesday,
which we had nothing to do with; we went that day to the course, and saw a horse beaten that
Sir H Featherstone had given six hundred guineas for not long before; I was not much interested
about the race, my attention being called off by the most dreadful appearance of the heavens,
which seemed to threaten a violent storm every moment. We luckily had not much thunder ‘till
we got home, when it lightened [lightning struck] in a terrible manner and I hear it was much
worse about us, than at this place. Friday we all dined at Compton and Saturday morning Mr St
John went home; Charlotte staid ‘till this evening; I had not much hurry in my house, Charlotte
you know is a mouse and Mrs Booth was here to make all Mr St John’s broths and sago.5 Mr
[Thomas] Bargus did your duty at Compton to day, and I carried Papa and him over there, and
went to church there, and was surprized to find that nothing had been done to the window,
though I gave Mr [Jeremiah] Dyson your orders two months ago.6 Betsy [Mrs Dyson] and the
child very well, Mr Dyson has got the Rhumatism in his arm and at present means to go to town
with old Ricketts on Friday. G[eorge] Dyson has been lucky enough to get a vacancy and save at
Kings [College, Cambridge], and save his money. Mrs Hume has desided to have the news in the
166
same way that Dr [John] Makkitrick had; I have accordingly accepted the proposal, and you will
continue to send it as usual.7 The Adairs [Dr James Makittrick Adair and family] are here still,
and I have not yet been to see them since the poor Dr was earthed; I shall watch them out,
before I go; there was the old wretched vehicle with the family at the races, before he had been
dead a week. You may bring Phill any trifle that is cheap, and a shilling business for the little
one; she has had nothing but I doubt you will have too much time to think of this, for I see no
prospect of a release for you,8 and still loss of happiness for me. There should seem by Dr B’s
letter9 to be a pressing call for your presence at Oxford, which I would by no means have you
neglect; I never had any opinion of this broken reed, and now I am uneasy about the matter; do,
if you spend what you are to receive let it be done decently; though it is a melancholy
consideration to me that the little money which you are to have should {be} spent in this
manner, and which I could dispose of with so much satisfaction in lodgings in London in the
winter; if you lose me out of it, I hope to God you will take care of the poor children.10 I cannot
tell you what will become of me, I have been, and am still so wretched that I cannot think well of
myself, but at all events I would not have you lose your credit in the world, for your own sake
and our dear little ones. I wish I could forget the happy hours I have spent with you, a sad
contrast to those I now drag on. God bless you, good night.
Monday morn. I hear Papa has got the Gout; I hope not, for I am not equal to College
conversations. Before you come home, I shall have a ribbon commission at Sages11 for you. I
have just written to Mr Heathcote for his assistance at Compton; there is to be a sermon I
suppose on the thanksgiving day.12 I take Eastbourn to be about twenty miles beyong
Brighthelmstone, and from thence to Midhurst you know the road as well as I do. 13 The
children are pretty well and at present a little riotous from the licentiousness of the last week.
Ever yours entirely, SW
In 1784 Winchester ‘race week’ started on Tuesday 6 July. The Hampshire Chronicle (12 July 1784)
reported: ‘Though we cannot boast of so numerous a meeting this season as at many former races, yet the
company was very respectable indeed. Our balls were honoured with the first rank of Ladies in the
county, who for beauty and elegance of dress might vie with the first courts in Europe, - and expressed
the highest satisfaction at the magnificence of their entertainments.’
1
Fishing for trout with fly in the river Test at Leckford, near Stockbridge, Hampshire (see Note 1, Letter
62).
2
3She
may mean the Whig politician Charles James Fox; although her language is very intimate for such a
figure, it is possible that she knew him, as he had once served as MP for Midhurst, of which her father
was a native.
She is referring to white planters and their families, 'promiscuous' in the sense of 'confusedly mingled',
showing less concern for rank and social station than others might (OED). The way of life of such people
is well illustrated in the quirky Diary of John Baker, written in 'Franglais' by a barrister and Solicitor-General
of the Leeward Islands. Two of his sons, Robert and Joseph, were at Winchester College as commoners
1761-1763, but it was not a happy experience. On one occasion 'Bob was found at a turnpike, having run
away the day he was sent back to school, and Jo escaped and got as far as Romsey [10 miles away], and
was taken back by Jack Beef, the black servant, next day' (Yorke, 1931, p. 23). Whilst his sons were at
school, Baker rented Grove Place, at Nursling, near Southampton, and was appointed to the county's
4
167
Grand Jury. The Diary contains his pithy assessment of his fellow jurors, sitting in what is now called the
Great Hall, Winchester, in March 1763 (Yorke, 1931, pp. 165-6).
5Treatment
6
for St John's 'dreadful hoarseness and fever'.
To lighten the church at Compton (see Letter 50).
Dr John Makkitrick died about 10 days before this letter; she has made an arrangement with a neighbour
Mrs Hume to continue with the same arrangement to share a newspaper that she had with him. She
expresses disgust with what she regards as the insensitive behaviour of his de facto executor Dr James
Makittrick [sic] Adair (see ODNB) and family. His nominal executors were Dr Buller and Mr Lee,
according to Carpenter Turner (1986, p. 46), who misrenders 'Buller' as 'Butler'. The same source says
there is a memorial to him in the churchyard of St Michael's church, off Kingsgate Street, Winchester.
7
8
Parliament rose on 20 August.
Probably from Dr Henry Bathurst, a contemporary of Philip Williams at Winchester and New College,
Oxford, though he migrated to Christ Church College.
9
10
Especially poignant comments, as she would be dead within three years.
11
A London emporium.
1229
July 1784.
Philip Williams's sisters were on their way to stay at Eastbourne, Sussex, a seaside town (see also Letter
63). Perhaps they were drawn to the place by the visit in 1780 of four of George III's children.
13
168
Letter 59: Thursday, 22 July [1784] − Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/54)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My dear sir,
I write only at present to tell you that I am surprized you should think of your
sister’s staying any where but here when they found find convenient to leave their present
abode; when I objected to their coming whilst you were from home, it was merely from charity
to them, because I thought it would not be pleasant to them to stay at home for ever, and I did
not think it would be in my power to go out with them so often as they would wish; as to their
going to Midhurst, for more than a visit of two or three days en passant, I don’t think in the
present situation of things there, it would be advisable, there are a number of things to be
adjusted between Papa [Thomas Collins] and my aunt;2 and you know Papa does not come to a
conclusion hastily, I would not therefore have any thing more thought of, than a visit of two or
three days, which your sisters will be kind enough to apprize the my aunt of, as soon as they
have fixed their day, and at the same t I am certain she will be very happy to receive them, at the
same time I wish they would let me know, when I am to have the pleasure of seeing them here.
You said something to Papa in your letter, which put him out of humour, about his
going to the Warden [of Winchester College] concerning a fellowship;3 it happened to come very
inopportune; as he had just had a recent instance of very uncivil treatment from the Warden,
proceeding merely I believe from his having the misfortune of not being a gentleman, I shall tell
you more of this matter when I write on Monday; in the mean time let me intreat you never to
mention the subject above to him again, from what you have already said, you have been the
innocent cause of great uneasiness to me, but thank God I have got over it, and am tolerably
well; I am speaking in riddles to you, which you know you were never remarkably ingenious in
the solution of, when I see you, I will explain the whole, God bless you my dearest love, you may
depend upon hearing from me again on {the following}g Monday.
The children are w{ell} and I am entirely yours SW.
1
You will be so good as to write to your sisters with my love to them, for I have several
matters upon my hands which will put it out of my power to do it.
1Frances
and Anne Williams.
2This
letter was written two days before her father formally resigned as second master of Winchester
College (WCM365). He went to live in Midhurst, probably with his sister Charlotte.
3She
means a fellowship of Winchester College, whose warden at the time was Harry Lee. Her father was
seeking a fellowship for himself, to ease his life in retirement (see also Letter 82). He already held
preferment in the gift of the school as a canon and bursal prebend of Chichester Cathedral, to which he
had been installed on 23 December 1775.
169
Letter 60: Tuesday, 3 July 17845 − Philip Williams at Privy Garden,1 Whitehall, London, to
Sarah Williams at Winchester (WCA/M/PW/8)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
[Part of letter]
[went with Mr] Cornwall [the Speaker] last night to the Little Theatre, as Volpone was the play,
and we both are very eager to see it, which if my sisters had acquainted me with their intention,
we might have accomplished.2 However we shall have probably many more opportunities.
I suppose the poor Dr.[John Makkitrick] 3 is long before this released from this mortal
coil – I much lament him on many accounts – I foresee what you will not be sorry for, the
downfall of the Sun-club. 4 How do you like these new taxes? Ribbons, gauzes and callicoes for
the ladies, and horses for the men;5 it is supposed the window tax will be modified in some shape
or other – I sincerely wish it.
Adieu, my dearest and believe me,
Ever your’s Ph. Williams.
A country fellow followed close at our heels yesterday when going into the house, and
upon the door-keeper’s putting him by, he said he would look into the room, where so much
money was given away.6
Take care of yourself next week. 7
1Once
a large open space in Westminster, London, north of the Bowling Green and west of the Palace of
Whitehall, the latter of which was destroyed by fire in 1698. During the late 18th century the area was
developed and the garden became much smaller.
2His
sisters, Anne and Frances Williams. had presumably come to London, or at least to the Speaker's
house, on a surprise visit. The Little Theatre stood on the site of the present Theatre Royal Haymarket,
London, and was first built in 1720 as ‘The Little Theatre in the Hay’. It was licensed as a ‘theatre royal’
in 1766 and demolished in 1820. Volpone or The Fox, by Ben Jonson, was first produced in 1606.
3A
neighbour. As reported in the Hampshire Chronicle, he died, aged 53, in Winchester on 1 July 1784 ‘after
a most severe illness.' The obituary commented: 'He had a mind richly furnished with a variety of solid
and curious erudition. As a physician he was singularly acute in discerning, and successfull in treating, the
diseases of the human body. To this testimony of his merit, multitudes, both in foreign countries, and in
various parts of Great-Britain, will heartily and gratefully subscribe.’
4Obscure.
5On
June 30, 1784, Pitt had delivered his budget, including measures for increasing taxes, to contribute to
the costs of the war against France (Hague, 2004, p180). See also Letter 62, which dates this letter to 3 not
13 July; it seems that Philip Williams had originally written ‘1’, then struck it through and added ‘3’.
6Probably
a reference to the Speaker’s apartments in Westminster, where his responsibilities with respect
to the administration of the House of Commons, including the payment of staff, were carried out.
170
7He
is referring to the week of the Assizes, when Winchester thronged with strangers. It started on
Tuesday 20 July (Hampshire Chronicle, 12 July 1784).
171
Letter 61: Sunday, [4 July 1784]1 − Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/50A)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dear sir,
I have not been at Compton to day, though I much wished to have gone, having
staid at home to pay a debt, I thought I owed the Binghams, by sending for their boy to dine
with me at two o’clock.
You have heard before this time I dare say that we have lost our poor friend. 1 He died
on Thursday between two and three and was buried the next morning at twelve, an indecency
which they pretend to justify by saying that they could not keep him longer, though I do not find
that there was any very urgent reason for such dispatch; they had been providing all the aparatus
for his interment two days before his death, and had he been sensible he might have heard the
preparations; there is something something so shocking in the whole of this transaction, that it
has quite overpowered me, and my spirits, which were bad enough before, are now so depressed
that I walk about like the picture of care; I probably send you nothing new, when I tell you that
he has left about five and twenty hundred pounds, five hundred of which he has left to Mr Lee,2
the Turkey merchant that you saw at his house, 100£ to the son of the apothecary at Sutton
[Scotney] by the name of Wickham,3 and the rest, Dr a few legacies to his servants excepted, to
Dr [James Makittrick] Adair’s children; he likewise ordered that Colonel Hume should have the
offer of his house at 1200£ which he means to accept of I hear; Dr [William]Buller and Mr
[Harry] Lee are the executors; Dr Adair of course does not mean to stay here, and they talk of
Dr Fraser’s coming from Southampton.4
I have had a busy week; went to the play which Lady Rivers5 bespoke on Wednesday,
though much against the grain; and yesterday I dined at Mrs [Carew] Mildmay’s with all the
Ricketts’s, Mr [Jeremiah] Dyson and Mr [John Monk] Newbolt, all the company except myself in
very high spirits; tomorrow I go to Mrs Hume’s play;6 and on Tuesday I expect the St Johns7 but
I think it doubtful whether they will come; if they do not, I shall remain very quietly at home. I
have promised to chaperon Lucy Elyott to the ball on Thursday, which will probably oblige me
to go at all events; I do not expect to suffer any inconvenience from it but a little fatigue which
will be soon worn off, and those who will not go a little out of their way to serve their friends do
not deserve any; amongst my faults I do not reckon selfishness.
I thank you for my little Bess for the doll, which brought a trifling expense upon me, for
Phill and Charlotte teized me out of a shilling to buy playthings; God bless them, dear children, I
hope they will be good and serve God better than their poor mother does, who has a most
ungrateful heart, for all his blessings to her, indeed she hardly knows a happy moment, but she
cannot help it, so take no notice of it.
I despair of a coalition at so you may unorder the paper as soon as you please.8
I have three guineas in hand, one of which I am afraid the expences of next week may
run away with, the taxes and insurance are paid, so that as Rachel [Landy] is pretty high in cash I
hope to scramble on ’till I have the unspeakable satisfaction of seeing you.
The W[arden] of New College [Oxford]9 has acquiesced in what has been done and is
satsifyed; there are many alterations to be made, which will bring expence upon the College
[Winchester], and to which Mr Taylor’s money is to be applyed.10 [Thomas] Lear was here
172
without his Spasa,11 who has had a small misfortune in the way of us married ladies, so that I give
up all pretensions to any sagacity in these matters for the future.
Mrs Biddulph has taken Mr Courteney’s house and the goods are to be sold immediately;
oh! that brotherly love, that means nothing; for my part I love no one that does not speak truth,
and if every lady was of the same opinion we might perhaps be a happy people.12
I must go to bed, [it is] past eleven.
[At the head of the letter] I have exchanged visits with the Spooners who are very civil
indeed.
[Unfinished]
Race week in Winchester in 1784 started on Tuesday 6 July, the Hampshire Chronicle of 5 July 1784
opining that, 'when (the [late] meeting of Parliament [is] considered) as respectable a meeting is expected,
as has been known here for many years.’ Also, Dr John Makkitrick died on 1 July 1784 (see Note 3, Letter
60).
1
2 Presumably
someone who traded with Turkey, but perhaps a poultry merchant. The bird was introduced
into England from about the mid-16th century.
3She
may have meant Jacob Wickham of Sutton Scotney, though he was actually a surgeon
(HRO/2M37/355; Carpenter Turner, 1986, Note 17, p. 167).
4Perhaps
a reference to the fact that Dr Makkitrick’s position at the hospital in Winchester would need to
be filled. The Hampshire Chronicle of 9 and 23 August 1784 reported that, at a meeting of the General
Court of Governors, ‘in place of Dr Makittrick, Dr Robert Scott was re-elected, and Dr T Waller elected
“Physicians to the Hospital”.’
5Probably
the wife of Sir Peter Rivers Gay, cathedral prebendary 1766-1790.
6The
Hampshire Chronicle of 5 July 1784 reported: ‘It is with pleasure we hear our Theatre was honoured
with the Company of the most genteel Inhabitants of the Close and City during last week’s performance.
The Comedians have in general merit in their departments, and fill their several characters with that spirit
and propriety, rarely to be met with in any company out of the metropolis; their attention in bringing
forward the newest and most celebrated pieces, seems to have attracted the notice of the inhabitants; and
we find Mrs Hume has made choice of the Silent Woman, with the Agreeable Surprize, for Monday evening,
being Mr & Mrs Davies’s benefit.’
7Her
sister Charlotte St John and family.
8She
was probably referring to a personal hope that Pitt and Fox would form a joint administration,
whereas the fact was that Fox and his party had been decimated in the general election in March and
would never again wield any significant power.
9John
Oglander, who served from 1768 to 1794.
10John
Taylor (d. 1777), a native of Petworth, Sussex, was a scholar and fellow of Winchester with a
benevolent turn of mind. His generosity enabled the sickhouse and the scholars' accommodation to be
improved (Kirby, 1788, pp. 15, 226). He also left a legacy to Petworth School, in the town of that name
in Sussex. The only entry in the minute book of the warden and fellows of the school, in the hand of
173
Philip Williams, dated 5 December 1781, when he and Charles Blackstone were the annual bursars,
scarcely reads to their credit (WCM23216):
It was resolved at the annual meeting that in consequence of the additional trouble occasion'd by Mr
Taylor's legacy to Petworth School, ten pounds should be added to the stipend of the bursars.
11Presumably
his wife, perhaps after a miscarriage, but obscure.
12 The
'Courteney' family was probably involved in some way with Winchester College. The name appears
several times in Himsworth (Vol 1, 1976) variously spelt (Courtenay, Courtney, and even Curtney). See
also Letters 52, 55, 88 and 99.
174
Letter 62: Monday [5 July 1784]1 − Sarah Williams in Winchester to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/51)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
[An odd sheet]
Waked this morning by a messenger from Leckford, to announce their coming tomorrow, Parr is
just arrived, so I am fairly launched for the pleasure of this week.1 Betsy would I believe be very
glad to change situations with me, she is quite well and takes to the suckling business very kindly.
I say not a word to encourage it least [sic] she should not go on. The child is a Harry, like the
other two, who are grown very fine children indeed.2 Mr [Jeremiah] {Dy}son will I think
certainly be in {to}wn the next week, [a] great part of which {I} shall spend at Compton. I have
{n}o objection to the new taxes, as taxes we must have, [though] the coals seems the hardest of
digestion as it affects the manufactures, [but] candles is such a very trifle that it does not much
signify.3 After the East India business,4 what is there to be done? [William Stanley] Goddard will
be in town in a day or two and I desired him to call upon you – he will be glad to leave the cure
of Compton, and I shall speak to Mr Heathcote when I see him at the Balls.1 The small pox is
very bad still in our street. I bless God a hundred times that my little dears have had it. We are
to have the silent woman5 to night for the ladies, which I suppose will not please any body. Mr
Otter and his Bears and his Bulls is scarcely intelligible in these days.
God ever help and protect you my dearest, and believe me ever yours S. Williams.
Your sisters are gone by this time I suppose. Remember me to Miss [Elizabeth] Pyke.
1Race
Week in Winchester in 1784 started on Tuesday 6 July (Hampshire Chronicle, 5 July 1784). See also
Note 5, Letter 60. Her sister Mrs Charlotte St John and family, who spent the summer in a cottage at
Leckford, beside the river Test, were obviously coming for the fun, which included musical concerts and
balls.
2Henry
Dyson was baptised at Compton, Hampshire, on 5 September 1784 and in 1795 became a scholar
at Winchester College, but left after only three years.
3In
his budget presented to parliament on 30 June 1784 William Pitt had introduced taxes on candles,
coal, bricks, linens, calicoes and much else, to help to pay for a long war against France (Hague, 2004, pp.
180-81). See also Note 5, Letter 60.
4The
same phrase was used in a letter from Pitt to his mother, Lady Chatham, written in November 1783:
his first attempt to reform the East Indies Company and its territories had been defeated by Fox. But
after the general election of 1784, which Pitt won handsomely, he was able, on 6 July, to bring essentially
the same bill before the House, and see it voted in with a large majority (Hague, 2004, pp. 137, 144-5,
182-3)
5The
Silent Woman, or Epicœne, a comedy by Ben Jonson, with a character called Captain Otter, ‘who always
speaks under correction when his wife is present’ (Harvey, 1967, p.274). It was one of his most popular
plays, although it did not always succeed on stage. When revived in 1752 by Garrick and Colman, with
175
Sarah Siddons as Epicœne, it was a flop. It was the basis of Richard Strauss's opera, Die schweigsame Frau,
premiered in 1935. Sarah Williams also mentions the character of Captain Otter later (Letter 102).
176
Letter 63: Saturday, 17 July 1784 − Philip Williams in London to Sarah Williams at
Winchester (WCA/M/PW/9)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
[No salutation]
Sat[urday 10 July]. Rode down to Addescombe [Addiscombe]; no company except a Mrs
Price (widow of Chase Price) and her daughter, who dined there in their way to town. In the
afternoon Lady Harry Beauclerk1 (like Sophy Harris) and her daughter the maid of honour (a
virgin of 50) drank tea. We sauntered in the gardens ‘till supper time. Lady [Catherine] Cope2
quite recovered from her paitring; the eldest Miss much improved, and will I think make the
finer woman; Catharine getting very fat and coarse.2
Sun[day 11 July]. I read prayers, and after breakfast his honour3 carried me a very fine
ride over a very fine country, and was very communicative and very entertaining. Poynte
Ricketts4 and his wife, with a Mr Winch5 (son of an East India governor) dined there. We had a
pleasant day, as she is a very good-natured woman, and seemed happy to see a Winchester
inhabitant.
Mon[day 12 July]. I rode up before breakfast, and called upon Miss [Elizabeth] Pyke,
who is to leave town to day. I have promised to spend a day with her in the country. She tells
me young Marsham6 is to have preferment from Lord Egremont [George O'Brien Wyndham],
when any becomes vacant. People talk about nothing but this worsted stocking 7 Mrs Thrale’s
marriage with Piozzi the singer, and leaving her children (3 or 4 daughters) to take care of
themselves. They have very large fortunes, and it is well poor things that they have. Take care
not to instill too much learning into the foetid.8 Called upon Smicy,5 who is going this week to
Southampton, where his mother has taken an house for the summer. I was sorry to see, though
not surprized at it, Bob [Robert] Mitford’s name in the list of todays bankrupts.
Tues[day 13 July]. Mr [Charles] Jenkinson dined here, and I walked in the park in the
evening by myself, Mrs C[ornwall] having tired herself with walking there the night before. I
recieved my dear Sal’s letter,9 which though I am impatient, I dread to see, when she talks so
despondently of herself, but I trust without reason. In consequence of this late session,
parliament will not meet ‘till after Christmas, and I shall have some holidays at Easter, and they
will not sit so late another year. I won’t send you other peoples letters again, if you croak upon
every article so. I hold Bathurst10 one broken reed was better than two, and if I was to go to
Oxford I could not mend the matter. I shall not wish Heathcote to take any notice of the
thanksgiving;11 in so small a place n’importe,12 and pray tell him so. Miss Pyke goes to Oxford
races where the bride is to shew off, as her father is steward. The Rat catcher drank tea here this
afternoon. He said the Cowdray folks are going forthwith to the Spa.13 I am glad you have got a
partner in the paper, which I shall change for the Herald, if agreeable to your new associate.
Who is to be our neighbour? I am outraged at the consistent brutality of this Dr [John
Makittrick] Adair.
Wed[nesday 14 July]. I have recieved a letter from my sisters who are safe housed at
Eastbourn[e]. I had a congratulatory visit this morning from the Dean of Hereford [Nathan
Wetherell], the history of which was that he wants to put another son into the college
[Winchester].14 Dyson’s Uncle called upon me yesterday; it is a long way to Cateaton street; I was
177
out, which I was sorry for; shall wait for the arrival of his shatter-brained nephew before I return
his visit.15 Only think of his being too lazy to order the blacksmith to make a casement!16 Desire
Mrs [Carew] Mildmay to speak to Wareham16 herself. We took an airing to Dulwich (the
residence of Miss Thorp)5 and walked about a college founded by one Allen [Edward Alleyn] a
player.17
Thurs[day 15 July]. Mrs C[ornwall] and myself went in the morning to see Copleys
picture of the death of poor Pierson in the defence of Jersey,18 which I think has very great merit,
and only wish to have had you with us. In the evening we went to Kensington Gardens, which
were very refreshing, and not over-crowded. I picked up in the Park, that [Richard Brinsley]
Sheridan has a considerable hand in the Morning Herald.
Friday [16 July]. I spent the day, that is from four ‘till one, in the house of commons,
and am just returned home to day (Saturday morn) from paying visits, and playing at chess with
the automaton,19 who beat me after a struggle of near an hour by my mistaking an Hungarian
knight for a bishop. It is a wonderful piece of mechanism, and very well worth a crown to play
with him. I had a bishop and knight to his rook; so that there were no great odds.
You say nothing about the tea-pot, so that I shall have just such an one as Mrs
Cornwall’s, unless you give me some directions. The Speaker was very near taken in to meet the
French Ambassador who dines and sleeps at Addescombe to night, but the cat was let out of the
bag by the communicativeness of Christopher,5 which I am sorry for as it is a disappointment to
Mrs C[ornwall] who was to have been of the party, and begged me to say nothing of the matter.
Write me an account of the election,20and believe me to be more than I can express.
Your’s, Ph. Williams.
You will not mention the last anecdote. Banks is to be married to Miss Woodley,21when
the parliament is prorogued. Adieu, my dearest.
1Martha,
née Lovelace (ca.1710-1788), the wife of Lord Henry Beauclerk, a son of the 1st duke of St
Albans. She was a courtier and a persistent seeker of patronage for herself and her children. Philip
Williams's mischievous comments are about her eldest daughter Diana, who became a maid of honour
through the influence of John Stuart, 3rd earl of Bute, prime minister 1761-66. At the time of this letter
Bute was living at his seaside mansion, Highcliffe, in Christchurch, Hampshire.
2Née
Catherine Bisshopp, widow of Sir Charles Cope, who in 1782 became the second wife of the Rt
Hon. Charles Jenkinson (later 1st earl of Liverpool). They had children of their own, including Charles
Cecil Cope Jenkinson, 3rd earl of Liverpool, who was born on 29 May, nearly two months before this
letter was written; hence the comment that Lady Cope has 'recovered from her paitring', using a word
that is not in the OED but clearly means 'giving birth'. Elsewhere in the Letters appears the
grammatically connected word 'mispetring' (Letter 41) or 'mispaitring' (Letter 73), meaning 'having a
miscarriage'.
Philip Williams refers in the letter to Lady Cope's two daughters by Sir Charles, though he may have
muddled up their ages, as Catherine seems to have been older than her sister Arabella Diana.
3Probably
his former patron the Rt Hon. Charles Jenkinson (see Note 2 above).
178
4It
is not clear who exactly this was, but the Ricketts family were well known to the Williamses. In about
1791, George William Rickets married Letitia, daughter of Carew Mildmay of Shawford House, Shawford,
near Winchester and they seem to have lived as tenants in Lainston House, Lainston (now a hotel). A
branch of the Ricketts family occupied Twyford House, Twyford, near Winchester, and are
commemorated in memorials in the church (see HRO/8M49/F79 for a pedigree). Also, Mr William Henry
Ricketts and his wife Mary (née Jervis) lived at nearby Longwood; she died in 1828 aged 91, and in
Blackwoods Magazine (Vol 24) is described as the ‘mother of viscount St Vincent [Edward Jervis Ricketts]
and Countess of Northesk [wife of the 7th earl, née Mary Jervis]’.
5Unidentified.
6Perhaps
the same person to whom Dr Tripp promised his living (see Letter 106).
7A
variant (not in the OED) on 'blue-stocking', a slightly perjorative word, generally used by men for
women with literary tastes. The stockings in question were in blue worsted, instead of the traditional
black, and came into fashion in the salons of intellectual women like Mrs Elizabeth Montagu and Mrs
Hester Thrale, a close friend of Dr Samuel Johnson, and the widow of a brewer, for whom she bore
many children, and ‘abandoned’ them all when she married the Italian musician, Gabriel Mario Piozzi.
They went through Catholic and Anglican ceremonies shortly after this letter on 23 and 25 July 1784.
8See
Note 3, Letter 23
9His
pet name for Sarah.
10Probably
Henry Bathurst, one year junior to Philip Williams at Winchester College and a fellow at New
Collge, Oxford for much of the same time, who went on to become bishop of Norwich, though it is not
clear what the comment in the letter refers to (see also Letter 64).
11Thanksgiving
days were a regularly called in Britain (and later of course in the United States). Thursday,
29 July 1784, was declared a day of national thanksgiving for the ending of hostilities against the United
States, France, Spain and Holland and special services with appropriate sermons were held in many
churches. The Hampshire Chronicle of 26 July 1784 noted: ‘Thursday next [29 July] is the day appointed for
a General Fast and Thanksgiving, for the conclusion of the late bloody and extended war. The Forms of
Prayer appointed to be used on this occasion may be had of the Agents for and Distributors of this
paper.’ The following week it reported that the event ‘was observed in this city with the highest degree of
decency and solemnity. The shops were entirely shut up. The Mayor and Corporation went in
procession, with their formalities, &c and heard divine service at the Cathedral Church. And to the
honour of the inhabitants, the evening was not disgraced by illuminations, fireworks, or any riotous
demonstrations of joy, ill befitting, in our opinion, the solemnity of the occasion.’
12Meaning
'it doesn't matter', from Fr. importer, to matter.
13The
Winterton family, who were known to Sarah and Philip Williams, and lived at Cowdray, near
Midhurst (see Letter 41), are going to one of the resorts of the day, such as Bath or Tunbridge Wells.
14Robert
Wetherell was a Winchester scholar in 1780 and his brother James in 1797. This son may have
been Charles, later Sir Charles, the politician and lawyer, though he seems to have entered to St Paul's
School, London, in the previous year. In 1815 James Wetherell married Lucy Huntingford, a niece of
179
warden GI Huntingford. The Wetherell boys were granted the privileges of Founder’s Kin through their
mother Richarda Croke (WCM/21024).
15This
is all about Jeremiah Dyson jr, who was married to Elizabeth, a sister of Sarah Williams, and lived
in the parsonage house at Compton, Hampshire, where Philip Williams was rector. The 'uncle' was
probably Samuel Dyson, a brother of his mother and co-executor of his father’s will (TNA/Prob
11/1023). His father had married the daughter of a cousin, Ely Dyson. Cateaton Street was part of what
is now Gresham Street, in the City of London (EC2). For details of their financial problems, see Letter 75.
16The
'casement' in question was for the church at Compton, Hampshire (see Letter 50), where ‘Wareham’
was probably the blacksmith.
17Dulwich
College, Dulwich, south-east London, opened in 1619 for 12 poor scholars and 12 poor
pensioners.
18In
the previous year the American painter John Singleton Copley, who had been working in London
since 1774, exhibited The Death of Major Pierson, an epic picture of an incident in the Battle of Jersey, 1781,
when the French tried to seize the island, acting as an American ally during the Revolutionary War. Used
as a base by British privateers, it threatened American shipping.
19The
Mechanical Turk or Automatic Chess Player was an ingenious, but fake mechanism invented by
Wolfgang von Kempelen and first exhibited in 1770. It toured Europe and was in London at the date of
this letter. It consisted of a large box surmounted by a lifelike model in Turkish dress. People were
invited to pit their wits against the 'automaton' for 5s. (about £15 in today's money), after being shown
what looked like a complicated machine to move the pieces automatically. In fact, the game was played
by a chess master cooped up inside the apparatus, moving the pieces by means of magnets. The hoax
endured until the early 1820s.
20He
means the election held at Winchester College at the end of the summer term, when scholars were
(and still are) are elected to the school, and similarly scholars from the school were elected scholars of
New College, Oxford. Thereafter, their aim at Oxford would be to proceed to holy orders and gain
election as one of the 70 fellows of New College, who were restricted by the statutes of William of
Wykeham to the scholars of Winchester College. According to Penry Williams (Buxton and Williams,
1979, p.64):
Essentially an eighteenth-century fellow used the college as a base, from which he could hold
curacies, and as a source of patronage, which would ultimately supply him with a permanent
living. Life was a matter largely of filling in the time and deciding by vote upon the disposal of
offices in the gift of the college.
In the years after the setting up of first University Commission in 1850, the privileged position of
Winchester with regard to New College was gradually reduced. The rights of Founder’s Kin were
abolished and undergraduate admission and the fellowship were opened to competition. ‘By 1866 open
scholarships had been created: this was both for the sake of keeping Wykehamists up to scratch, and in
order to induce non-Wykehamists to come to New College as commoners’ (A. Ryan, In: Buxton and
Williams, 1979, p. 84).
21Henry
Bankes (1756-1834) of Kingston Hall (later called Kingston Lacy), was MP for Corfe Castle,
Dorset, between 1780 and January 1826, after which he sat for the County of Dorset. In 1784 he married
180
Frances, daughter of William Woodley. Although he sat for a borough in the pocket of his family, he was
by all accounts a man of principle and independence of mind.
181
Letter 64: Sunday,[ 18 July 1784]1 − Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/53)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My dear sir,
Papa [Thomas Collins] has been confined this last week with the gout, and intended to
have gone out to day to Leckford2 for the first time, and Mr Dyson’s chais{e} [Jeremiah Dyson
jr] was appointed early for that purpose, but upon getting up this morning, he found his well
foot grumbling, and himself in other respects so very indifferent; and that he thought it more
prudent to put himself into corded wool, and flannel, and to unorder the chaise. All this has
occasioned so much confusion that the whole day has been a chapter of mistakes and I have
been prevented from going to Compton out of it, and of course seeing Mr Heathcote, but I have
written to him about the thanksgiving,3 and if her cannot do the duty I shall get it done, if I make
a sermon myself; as I think the obligation indispensable upon you to take care that there shall be
no relaxation in the attendance upon you flock in your absence, and particularly on such a
remarkable occasion as this in question it is no excuse to the Comptonites, that you have bought
some oxen and must go to prove them; it is very audacious in me to say this, but I trust you will
not be angry, and so in spite of you there shall be [a] service on the 29th.
The old Dowager Goldfinch is dead,1 and Mr [John Monk] Newbolt was kind enough to
bury her yesterday. We have had an exhibition in the same way here, which has roused the
attention of young and old, and all those who love sights that cost nothing, a Mrs Philips
(formerly Mrs Ames), who was brought here on Friday morning morning with prodigious
funereal pomp, and lay in state all that day at the flower de luce,4 previous to her interment the
next day at St Michael’s church,5 Winchester]; the room where she lay, was hung with black
cloth, and lighted up with an infinity of wax lights, the pulpit, and Mr [William] Mence’s seat at
church were likewise hung with black cloth, a good thing for Mr Mence, the maids and children
saw the whole, for my own part there I don’t love these sights; I should tell you that our friend
Mrs Pryce6 ventured to the flower de luce through all the terrors of the small pox, though there
was an old woman died of it, but a little before, just by, and our neighbour [Christian] Schmit’s
maid was carried to Gile’s hill [St Giles's Hill, Winchester] with it full out upon her but the day
before; she [Mrs Price] is returned out of Wales, she tells me, loaded with table linnen that
belonged to her sister; she has made a trading voyage of it I believe.
Dr [John] Makk[itrick]’s sale is to be next week, Monday and Tuesday, and I am told
there is to be some choice rum sold in small lots, which will go under their value. Would you
chuse that I should get any one to buy a small quantity for you? I think it would be better than
going on at Charker’s;7 I shall wait your orders, the next time you write you will let me know; I
thought I had told you that Colonel Hume had bought the house. You must let me know what
the newspaper account comes to, as there is an advertisement in the paper desiring every body to
make their demands, and Dr [William] Buller (for Dean I never can call him) has resigned the
management of the whole to Dr [James Makittrick] Adair, who seems to be ready for a straight
waistcoat; I shall mention the matter of the newspaper to Mrs Hume, but I know she prefers
ours to any other.
You are very good to remember a brief word I drop’d about a silver teapot, which I
assure [you] I do not want, for I am past the age of ostentation and vanity, but if you intend to
182
have one, as a useful piece of furniture, let it be as plain as possible, and large enough to make
tea for us, when we are in a domestick way, we will say for our two sisters you and myself and
one more, which is as many as our private parties generally consist of. I daresay that what would
suit Mrs [Charles Wolfran] Cornwall, would do for us, because their family parties are not large.
It is too true about Bob [Robert] Mitford, there has been a sad catastrophe, they say of
50-000£ [£50,000], but there is only one child, which must be in the end, tolerably provided for,
and Charlotte [Mitford] will I daresay take care of her sister [Sarah, Mrs Robert Mitford]; I am
heartily sorry for poor Sally [Sarah], who has one of the best hearts in the world.
[Inserted in Philip Williams’s hand] I joked about the learned worsted’s (Mrs Thrail [Hester
Thrale]) marriage to Piozzi.8
You need not be afraid that poor [Elizabeth] Bess will be over-learned; I hope to make
her in the first place a good Christian and that foundation no learning or folly will I trust
undermine. It is my opinion that neither men or women can know too much. I lament that I
haved not otherwise employed many idle years, which have been given up to vanity, I should
then have been more better qualifyed to instruct my dear children, however if they are not very
dull, what I know, they shall know.
I am not very uneasy about Papa’s second gout; I am almost certain that it was
occasioned by a disagreeable circumstance that happened at college with respect to one of the
boys, that I will tell you some other time; I have borrowed ten pounds of Papa, which will last
me I hope ‘till you come home, unless you should stay in London the whole summer, and I
begin to thin{k} you will; I should be much better and {happier a} woman if I could keep my
uneasiness to my{self}, but as {ma}tters are at present, I am very un{hap}py, and seeing no
prospect of alteration, I am not apprehensive without reason; I strive to get other ideas, and
make a point of never refusing any engagement, whether agreeable or otherwise; hoping that it
may be a means of giving another train to my thoughts, but it is just the same, the same object
returns incessantly, and in the end I fear it may be too much for my constitution, good as it is;
you may be sure I take all the care I can of myself; I have every reason to wish to live, and by no
means think myself fit to die. You are of a happier constitution than I am, you love me with
reason, and I love you without; but enough of a subject that must be irksome to you. I will do as
well as I can and trust to providence for the rest, and I intreat that you say nothing of all this to
any one, particularly to Papa for reasons that I shall give you when we meet, which I look
forward to, with the most heartfelt satisfaction, let what will happen afterwards.
I am going to Mrs [Lucy] Elyott’s9 this afternoon to meet the Gowers.
I should tell you that I think myself remarkably well in my way at present, better than I
remember before to have been.10 I get large and fussy, but not stuffed up to the eyes, the
children very well and good; adieu my dearest love and think not harshly of her, who is eternally
yours, SW.
Don’t say any thing in future tending to harshness about those I love, I know you mean
nothing and that you love them as well as I do.
Ruth Goldfinch (née Blake, b. 1707), wife of the schoolmaster Richard Goldfinch (d.1789; Drew, 1939,
p. 128), from a family long resident at Compton, Hampshire, was buried there on 17 July 1784, thereby
enabling this letter to be dated.
1
183
A village on the banks of the River Test in Hampshire, one of the premier trout streams in the country,
where Dyson's brother-in-law, the Hon. George Richard St John, and family stayed to enjoy the sport of
fly fishing in the summer..
2
3See
Note 11 Letter 63. Sarah Williams shows in this Letter that, although her husband was indifferent to
celebrating thanksgiving day at Compton, Hampshire, she was determined to try to arrange it (see also
Letter 68).
4A
name given at this time to the public house in Kingsgate Street, Winchester, now called The Wykeham
Arms.
5Mrs
Philips was buried at St Michael's church, Winchester, by William Mence on???? [FIND]
6Probably
‘Price’ mispelt.
7Possibly
a reference to a sale of goods of Edward Charker, a tallow chandler who came from the parish
of St Michael, Winchester, and had died the previous year (HRO/1783A/025).
A note written by Sarah's husband at some time after her death (see also Note 7, Letter 63). By ‘worsted’
he meant a ‘blue stocking’.
8
9A
Mrs Lucy Elyott was one of the representatives for the sponsors at the baptism of Charlotte Williams
on 4 June 1782 (WCA/M/PW/418). The Elyott family were well known to the Williamses and probably
related to Philip. An Abbé T. Elyott living in Italy frequently corresponded with his sister, Anne Williams,
later Mrs Gould (WCA/M/PW/180-193; see also Note 8, Letter 71).
10She
was pregnant with their son Charles, who was born later in the year, on 29 November.
184
Letter 65: Saturday, [24 July 1784]1 − Philip Williams in London to Sarah Williams at
Winchester (WCA/M/PW/10)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
[Incomplete letter]
Sunday. I went down and dined with [Richard] Hollist at Barnet. The party was Bob
[Robert] Steel[e], and [James Upton] Tripp, Lord Egremont’s steward, who said he had seen you
at Winchester a month before, and unless you are better pleased with him than myself, I hope
your next meeting will be at some distance, as he is a very ordinary, vulgar man.
The Justice [of the Peace] came over from the house his sisters have taken on Finchley
common to consult Hollist about this bankruptcy.2 I understand he has broke for £50,000, but
that the creditors expect a dividend of near 15s. in the pound. His own relations who will be
considerable sufferers, insisted upon his surrendering his books, whilst there was any thing
remaining. They hope to send him out to India; he wishes to be reinstated in his shop, which
they are too wise to consent to. It appears that he made near £2400 a year of his business. He is
perfectly unconcerned, and as Mrs Hollist says, amuses himself with weeding potatoes, and
riding out with Charlotte Mitford.3 She it seems was too prudent to vest any of her money in his
hands. Mrs Shandy will have towards £300 a year, and seems rather pleased with the certainty of
enjoying more of her husband’s company. She wants to retire into Sussex. The young justice has
behaved with the greatest affection to his sister. Dorset’s health is much improved by the sea air.
Monday. It rained almost the whole day, and in the evening I went to see Tancred and
Sigismund4 (the latter particularly) barbarously murdered; and the genius of nonsence,5 which is a
very capital pantomime, especially that part of it which consists in Harlequins shamming
madness from the bite of a dog, to an agreeable companion he had advertised for in a postchaise.
Tuesday. I rode down to Clapham in quest of G[eorge] Dyson who had called here, and
was, I found, gone to Compton. As I was straitened for time, I did not get off my horse, but
shall the next time I go. I recieved your letter, as you know before this time, and am only sorry
that your peace of mind does not keep pace with the health of your body, which latter I sincerely
thank God for, and in regard to the former, it is of too great importance to me as well as
yourself, not to be purchased if money can procure it, or any other method that you may be able
to suggest. I am afraid the old Compton Dowager’s remembrances did not amount to a scarf.6 I
have written to my sisters, and told them, as I did here indeed, that it would not be convenient
for you to recieve them till after my arrival. I walked in the park, and played at cribbage with
Mrs C[ornwall] till the S[peaker] returned from the house, which he now hardly ever does before
11 or 12; a proof, that business is driving on, and will I trust in time come to an end, though I
doubt not much before the 20th of next month.
Wednesday. A rainy day. I paddled into the city, and called upon Sam[uel] Dyson,
whom I have promised to dine with one day next week. Mrs C[ornwall] was engaged at Lady
Englefields and as the weather was bad, I went to the play, and saw the Mogul tale, 7 which has
not much to brag of, though it cannot but make you laugh. You have had an account of it in
your paper. I am not very extravagant; the pit or 2s. gallery answers my purpose.
185
Thursday. Just returned from the house, where [William] Jolliffe chose to congratulate
me, and condole in the same breath about poor Mack [Dr John Makkitrick]; I wish I could have
sent this senator in his room. The Copes8 dine here to day, Mrs C[ornwall] and her Ladyship
having been at court. We all went to Colman’s in the evening, and were well entertained with the
son in law; the Spanish Barber is but flat.9
Friday. Spent the morning as usual in riding and reading; and in the evening, as the
Copes were to drink tea in their way to Addescomb [Addiscombe], I thought it would be but
poor sport to remain at home, and therefore went to the royal circus to see Hughes’s
performances, which are much inferiour to Astleys.10 You have the singing fireworks, and the
other jeux de theatre in a much superiour style.
Saturday. We are going to dine at Addescombe, and to morrow I go to Miss [Elizabeth]
Pyke’s, and return to town on Monday.
[Unfinished.]
1This
seems to precede Letter 67, dated 31 July on the original, though the date of 24 July is problematic.
For example, the reference within it to his wife’s views on the putative visit of his sisters to Winchester,
mentioned in her letter of 22 July (dated on the original), would seem to have been known to him on
Tuesday 20 July. Perhaps it was her habitual response!
2In
1803 Richard Hollist and and another acted for Robert Mitford's wife, when she was involved after
his death in Mitford v. Mitford in the High Court of Chancery (Vesey, 1827, p. 87).
3Sister-in-law
of Robert Mitford (d. 1790), who was a draper of Cornhill, London. In October 1777 he
married Sarah Mitford at Tillingon, Sussex, where her father had an estate called Pitshill (see The Mitford
Archives, West Sussex Record Office, Chichester). In July 1784 Mitford went bankrupt, which later led
to a case in the High Court of Chancery, concerning a sum of £2000 left by Catharine (or Catherine)
Mitford (PROB11/1099), a spinster sister of Sarah Mitford, in trust for another sister Charlotte. Philip
and Sarah Williams may have known the Mitfords through Jeremiah Dyson jr, who married Sarah
Williams's sister Elizabeth. His namesake father was in government service and at one time rented New
Grove, Petworth, Sussex, which was also once rented by Sarah Mitford's father, William, who served in
the Treasury. Much later, in 1804, Philip encountered another William Mitford, the classical author, who
lived at Exbury, in the New Forest (WCA/M/PW/106).
4A
tragedy by James Thomson published in 1745 and first produced at the Drury Lane Theatre in 1752
with David Garrick as Tancred. It created a stir at the time and was regularly performed until the end of
the century (Stone, 1981, pp. 34-5).
5The
Genius of nonsense was written by George Colman the Elder (ca 1732-1794) - though published
anonymously, in 1780 - and performed at the Little Theatre in the Haymarket, London, which he
managed. It was advertised as 'An Original, Whimsical. Operatical, Pantomimical, Farcical, Electric,
Naval, Military, Temporary, Local Extravaganza. The Overture and Musick by Dr Arnold', who was
presumably the composer Samuel Arnold (1740-1802), musical director at the Little Theatre.
6Scarves
of black crêpe or silk were worn by mourners at funerals. An elderly lady, Ruth Goldfinch, the
wife of schoolmaster cum farmer Richard Goldfinch, had been buried recently at Compton, near
Winchester (see Letter 64).
186
The Mogul Tale was a two-act farce, the first successful play written by actress Elizabeth Inchbald (17531821), who went on to write many others. Submitted under an assumed name to George Colman the
Elder, it was put on at the Little Theatre during July and August 1784 and ran to eleven performances.
Written only a year after the Montgolfier brothers' first flight, it featured three English characters who
flew to the Orient in a hot-air balloon.
7
8Possibly
Sir Richard Cope and his wife. He was, amongst other things, rector of Eversley, Hampshire,
(as was his father, Galen) and had been given a prebend of Westminster after serving as the Speaker's
chaplain between 1751 and 1754 (Gray, 1991, p.64). The appointment was acquired because of a family
link between his mother, Jane née Onslow, and Speaker Onslow. He succeeded his cousin, Sir John, in
1779, when he acquired the family estates at Bramshill in the parish of Eversley.
9The
Son-in-Law was a comic opera by the Irish playwright John O'Keeffe (1747-1833), with music by
Samuel Arnold, put on at the Little Theatre by George Colman the Elder, who paid O'Keeffe £40 for the
copyright. The Spanish Barber was Colman's adaptation of Pierre Beaumarchais's Le barbier de Séville, first
performed in Paris in 1775.
10In
1769 Philip Astley (1742-1814), equestrian performer and circus owner, set up premises on the Surrey
side of the Thames, at the foot of Westminster Bridge, London, and here performed to large audiences
for more than a decade, despite repeated attempts by magistrates to close down the show on the grounds
that it infringed the monopoly of the theatres on the other bank of the river. In 1782 Charles Dibdin (ca
1745-1814), the writer, composer and actor, originally from Southampton, set up a new entertainment
venue nearby, called The Royal Circus and Philharmonic Academy. It was an incredibly ambitious
project and failed for a variety of reasons, including disputes between Dibdin and a partner and actions of
the the Surrey magistrates, who closed it down after two years. Eventually, the affair played some part in
reform of the law on the licensing of public performances.
187
Letter 66: Sunday and Monday [25 and 26 July 1784] − Sarah Williams at Winchester to
Philip Williams in London (WCA/M/PW/55)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dear sir,
Papa has written to you and has I suppose told you in full his intentions respecting the
matter you wrote to him about, which is with him very tender ground, and therefore you had
never better in future say nothing upon the subject; his gout was much better, and he could get
his shoes on, and though he was not to return again, he could not resist the pleasure of being off
as soon as the boys;1 the election went off very quietly to me, for except stucklin and huff,2
(which my friends at [Winchester] College took care to supply me amply with, as a Bursar’s wife3)
I saw no other symptoms of the confusion that I am told was going forward at College; Worsley
is sent upon [the] Roll, which will half kill his father with joy, as he has another year to stay, and
it is hard if he does not get to New College; our little friend Wetherell 4 I understand made the
best figure in the election chamber; there was a very good appearance of candidates, 18 in
number, about ten of them admitted;4 nothing said about the old matter; the Warden of New
College [John Oglander] perfectly satisfied; he behaved extremely well to Papa indeed upon
taking leave. I harboured a suspicion of him from his behaviour in a certain affair, which I am
happy to retract as I am persuaded from some circumstances that have come out, that he was
not influenced by the motive I suspected, which I will tell you another time; he looks like an
withered old wash leather glove, I think worse than when I saw him last, though most people
think he is much better than he has been for some time. He sat half an hour with me, the
children shewed him their doll’s things, and I thought he looked upon them with a wishful eye;
he was very kind in his enquiries after you.
I have been to Compton to day with the three cherubims, where I left the St Johns and
old Ricketts.5 Mr Heathcote did your duty and dined there too. It is now settled that Mr
[Jeremiah]Dyson, and his brother6 and Mr [George William] Ricketts go to London on
Wednesday, and from thence to Cambridge to settle George [Dyson]. We are all going
tomorrow, with Mrs [Carew] Mildmay and her daughter to the cricket match upon Stoke Down, 7
which I thought I might safely venture to, as I am pretty well; I had the Mildmays with me at the
Domum8 too, Miss Mildmay very much improved, Letitia getting rather fat; Betsy [Mrs
Elizabeth Dyson] has been obliged to part with her other self Mrs Wander [?Vander], to Mrs
[John] Ballard before the usual time, and the very day she went away her nurse maid found out,
that she could not stay with her, and she would have been left without a creature if I had not
spared Molly [Strong] to her, which I could very well do not having a young child myself at
present.
Monday morn, a dreadful wet day, and of course no cricket, which Charlotte [St John]
and I are very glad of; it is curious that we were both going to a place we disliked, out of civility
to the rest of the party.
Mrs [Lucy] Elyo{tt} and her daughters are gone to Major Bowers for two months; one
of the young Bowers9 was admitted this election at College, I am afraid very stupid, as he could
say nothing for his task but two lines out of the accidence;10 he is designed for the sea so it does
not much signify.
188
The franking tax will fall very heavy upon you from Oxford;11 pray what do they say
about the Minister’s retracting his taxes at this rate;12 it is difficult to propose any that will not be
objected to, and therefore I think they should be given up with great caution; the black cherry
merchant13 would not have done so;
[end of letter missing]
1Her
father, Thomas Collins, had just retired as second master of Winchester College.
Words from the slang or ‘notions’ of Winchester College. Stuckling was ‘a kind of pudding or mincepie, always served at Election Dinner and subsequently at Domum Dinner’ and huff was ‘strong ale
brewed in College at Audit time’, as well as other times, such as Election and Domum (Stevens, 1998, pp.
154, 275; S. Foster, pers. comm.). Thomas Adolphus Trollope, brother of the novelist, remarked: ‘…I do
not think anybody ate much “stuckling” beyond a mouthful pro forma. It was a sort of flat pastry made of
chopped apples and currants. And the speciality of it was that the apples must be that year’s apples. They
used to be sent up from Devonshire or Cornwall, and sometimes were with difficulty obtained.’
(Trollope, 1887, cited by Locke, 1912, p. 177)
2
3Whilst
he was a fellow of Winchester College, Philip Williams served many times as one of the two
annual bursars, including a continuous period from 1782 to 1786. During 1784-5 he served with a junior
fellow, Daniel Williams (no relative).
4Robert
and James, sons of Nathan Wetherell (sometime master of University College, Oxford, and vicechancellor of the university), were admitted to Winchester College as Founder’s Kin in 1780 and 1789,
respectively. Another son may have been considered for admission in 1784 (see Letter 63), possibly
Charles (later Sir Charles), who became a notable politician and lawyer, though in 1783 he is recorded as
going to St Paul’s School, London; perhaps he was not happy there. In the event, it seems that he was
not admitted to Winchester.
5She
probably means her sister Charlotte and her husband, George Richard. ‘Old Ricketts’ may have been
the father of George William Ricketts, who married Letitia, a daughter of Carew Mildmay.
6In
fact George Dyson and his brother Henry were both admitted to King’s College, Cambridge, on the
same day, namely, 31 July 1784. George (d. 1829) became a lawyer and Henry (1765-1846) went into the
church and became rector of Baughurst, Hampshire, and vicar of Wexham, Buckinghamshire. JamesEdward Austen-Leigh, a nephew of the novelist Jane Austen, recalled him as hunting man with 'the most
wooden and inexpressive countenance imaginable' (Le Faye, 1995, p. 519).
7Between
1778 and 1784, and perhaps at other times, cricket matches were regularly played on Itchen
Stoke Down, on the northeast edge of the village of Itchen Stoke, beside the river Itchen, above
Winchester. Games included those between an England side and the Hambledon Cricket Club. Other
popular venues near Winchester were Twyford Down and Compton Down. On 12 May 1788, for
example, on Compton Down, 'Todd's Club in Compton [played] Clark's Club in Winchester', and on 22
August 1796, on Twyford Down, 'the tradesmen of Southampton beat those of Winchester by 6 wickets',
though the return match on 29 August was won by Winchester (Hampshire Chronicle, 5 May 1788, 27
August and 3 September, 1796, quoted in Buckley, 1935, pp. 123, 179). The atmosphere of these
occasions can be guessed from the following announcement of the game on 'Stoke Down' that is referred
to in this letter, but was rained off:
189
Tom Taylor has laid in a stock of wines, tea etc. at his booth and marquees on the Down, and humbly
begs to solicit the protection of the public in this his first essay (Salisbury Journal, 19 July 1784, quoted
in Buckley, 1935, p. 101).
The organiser was presumably Thomas Taylor, a Hampshire man, one of the most talented players of his
age, and a member of the Hambledon Club. He was born in 1753 at Ropley and died in 1806 at
Alresford, where he kept The Globe on the Lake pub.
Play was often followed in the evening by singing for prizes, as in 1782 at Odiham, when a 'silver punch
ladle' was given for the best performance of 'three songs and a catch in two or more parts' (Hampshire
Chronicle, 20 May 1782, quoted by Ashley-Cooper, 1924). The Revd Charles Powlett, or Paulet, sr, (17281809) was ‘regarded, if not the actual founder, at least as the chief patron of the [Hambledon] Club’ (ibid,
1924, p. 155) and early cricket in general. He was curate of Itchen Abbas 1763-1792, and son of the 3rd
duke of Bolton and his wife and former mistress, actress Lavinia Fenton.
8See
Note 3, Letter 4.
9Her
assessment of the boy seems wide of the mark. Henry Bower (1773-1840), a son of Thomas Bowyer
Bower and his first wife Anna Catherina Bower (who died after her next pregnancy), was admitted a
scholar at Winchester in this year, and went on to Queen's College, Oxford. Amongst other things, he
was vicar of Taunton and chaplain to an earl of Rosebery (www.kittybrewster.com/bower/bower.htm).
10A
book of the rudiments of (Latin) grammar (OED).
11See
12On
Note 16, Letter 67.
23 July 1784, Pitt had proposed new taxes in lieu of a tax on coal (Hampshire Chronicle, 26 July 1784).
13Obscure,
but seemingly a member of a previous administration.
190
Letter 67: Saturday, 31 July 1784 − Philip Williams, Privy Garden,1 London, to Sarah
Williams at Winchester (WCA/M/PW/11)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
[No salutation]
Saturday. I rode down to Addescombe[ Addiscombe2], where our party was a Mr Sayer a lawyer,3
Mr [Matthew] Lewis deputy secretary at war, and [Lieutenant-] General [William] Fawcett. We
plaid at whist, and Miss Cope4 sung and plaid to us, which I should think in time she will excell
in, and on
Sunday Morning I made an early breakfast, and rode 23 miles to spend the day with Miss
[Elizabeth] Pyke, who left her house that very morning for Oxford, the races beginning a day
sooner on account of the thanks giving. She wrote to prevent my coming, but as I left town on
Saturday, I mist her letter – so dined at Egham very sulkyly by myself, and returned home in the
evening after a fruitless bump of 45 miles at least. In my way from Croydon to Englefield green 5
I went through Hampton court, and by the Toy,6 where I recollected with pleasure former times,
the awning, foul clothes room, and our jaunt to the rododendrons in the evening.
Monday. I have this morning been to call on some Miss Manners’s 7 who are rich old
maids, great acquaintances of the Sybils;7 they are in treats with Brereton about Mrs Caverley’s
house at Stoke,8 and sent a note to me, to desire to know if I canould give them any information
about it, which as I was totally ignorant of, knowing nothing of the house or village, I could only
offer my services, if they could delay giving a decided answer to that time, when I come down
into the country. So what they will do I don’t know, or I believe they themselves. They almost
made me laugh by an intention they have of removing some favourite cows and other cattle
from Lincolnshire into Hampshire, if the scheme succeeds. George I should think would make a
good Ciceroni9 to the lowing strangers. The day proved so wet in the afternoon that I could not
stir out, even to the house which sat late, and the Sp[eaker]10 eat nothing but a slight breakfast till
1 o’clock on Tuesday morning, which made him very unwell.
Tuesday. I dined with Matty, where I met Mr and Mrs Wilson,7 a sister of Mr W. and
Miss Le Grand,7 who with Mr Hawkins Brown11 (a great friend of T[homas] Heathcote’s, who
spoke in the house on Monday night, tell him when you see him) was our party. In the evening
the Allixes12 came to us, and after playing two rubbers at Whist, I dropt in at a coffee house,
where I met Sir C[harles] Watson13 and young Buller14 who is just imported from Brussels, and
going to join his regiment at Worcester. I hurried from home to read your letter which, without
any nonsence, is a period I look forward to with impatience, as soon as one Tuesday is over; it is
a thanksgiving day to me, and the five minutes I am reading it give me much more real comfort
than I shall experience on Thursday with the immaculate,15 his chaplain etc, etc, who are to dine
here. The franking being withdrawn will not affect me, as I shall have my Oxford packet sent
under cover to Mr [Charles Wolfran] C[ornwall].16 Don’t let Molly [Strong] be absent too long; I
know what you are at, making yourself a maid to accommodate other people – beware of
overfatiguing yourself.
Wednesday. I met Dorset7 in my ride, who is just returned from Hastings to Shooter’s
hill, a perfect skeleton and shadow. She, Steel[e]17 tells me, is very much altered, partly from
191
regard to him, partly from some embarassments in the money way. He means to go to the South
of France.
Thursday. I went in the lumbring state coach to hear Dr Prettyman [George Pretyman]
at St Margaret’s,18 and was not much pleased either with the matter or manner. We had a superb
entertainment; soups, removed by fish, removed by venison and veal, two courses of 18 dishes
each and a desert. We sat down to table just before six, and rose from it about nine. The
company19 were in order as they sat, the Speaker, Dr Prettyman, the immaculate, attorney
general, [William] Wilberforce, [George] Rose, sollicitor-general, myself, [Thomas] Steele,
[Joseph] Banks, [Charles] Jenkinson, Master of the Rolls [Sir Lloyd Kenyon bt.], [Henry] Dundas,
Lord Graham [James, 3rd duke of Montrose]. Rose expressed himself very highly obliged to your
father, and perfectly satisfied with what had been done.20 T[h]om[as] Steel[e] as good-natured
and joyous as ever. Banks but a poor soul.21 Wilberforce very pleasant and the life of the
company.
[Jeremiah] Dyson called upon me in the morning, and I walked with him and George
[Dyson] part of the way to Clapham. He goes to Cambridge to morrow, and is to dine here
upon his return.22
Friday. I rode this morning by appointment with Dr (he is now) [Thomas] Drake, 23 the
Archbishop’s Chaplain, who is a very good sort of man, and as we are both much restricted in
our time, and take our airings pretty regularly, we have made an agreement to accompany each
other, as often as we can make it convenient. It proved a rainy evening and I went to see
Summer’s Amusements at the little theatre.24
Saturday. We are going down to Addescombe, and I trust there is to be no party of any
consequence.
As the time of my seeing you approaches, it appears to be at a greater distance. However
I am happy in seeing an end to our separation, and rejoice upon all accounts in the parliament’s
not meeting till after Christmas; and especially as it will give me full opportunity of attending to
[Winchester] College accounts.25 By a letter last night from my sisters I find they mean to be with
you on Friday – pray, let Molly be restored to you before that time, and do not think of going
out upon their account; they beg and intreat that you will not, as they come to visit you merely
and the children. Adieu my dearest, and believe me
Ever your’s
Ph. Williams.
What must I bring Phil down? How does the old horse go on in the College meadow?
1See
Note 11, Letter 34.
2In
Croydon, which was then in the county of Surrey, but is now a borough of London. Philip Williams's
erstwhile patron the Rt Hon. Charles Jenkinson resided at Addiscombe Place when he was in London. In
1809 the house was sold to the East India Company, which established a military college there.
3Possibly
James Sayer (or Sayers; 1748-1823), who was an articled clerk in an attorney's office in
Yarmouth, Norfolk, but in 1780, after inheriting a fortune from his father, went to London and published
a series of devastating political cartoons in favour of Pitt, who rewarded him with the sinecure of marshal
of the court of the Exchequer.
192
4Probably
a daughter of Lady Catherine Cope, who was widowed in 1781 and in the following year
became the second wife of the Rt Hon. Charles Jenkinson.
5 See
Note 6, Letter 29.
Perhaps a reference to a 'snug little area' at a ball they attended before they were married. 'Toys' is
Winchester slang, or 'notions' for a 'tall narrow cupboard and writing-bureau combined, which stood
beside each boy's bed in College, until the mid-mineteenth century' (Stevens, 1998, pp.292-295).
6
7Possibly
of the family of that name who came to prominence in Cambridge politics from about 1780
(Roach, 1959, pp. 68-76). The name Sybil is also found in Letter 110, in connection with a planned
departure from Margate of Captain Rumbold and others.
8Hester
Calverley leased the manor of Bishopstoke (now near Eastleigh, Hampshire) from the Winchester
Bishopric Estates in 1783 (HRO/11M59/E2/155498. p.361). Thomas Yale Calverley, rector of Fawley,
who died in about 1770, had holdings at Bishopstoke (see, for example, HRO/89A06) and 'Mrs Caverley'
may have been his widow. The Misses Manners seem to be negotiating with a member of the Brereton
family, which well established in Winchester (Shurlock, 2008, p. 70), but they eventually decided on a
house at Northampton (see Letter 83).
9Mispelling
of 'Cicerone', a guide who shows and explains the antiquities and curiosities of a place to
strangers (OED). ‘Ciceroni’ may have been a horse (see also Letter 99), and 'George' was probably Philip
Williams’s half-brother George Gordon.
10Charles
Wolfran Cornwall.
11Isaac
Hawkins Browne the younger (1745-1818) was a politician, colliery owner and ironmaster, seated
at Badger, Shropshire. Two months before this letter, on Monday 10 May, he had dined with Dr Samuel
Johnson and others (Womersley, 2008, p. 914).
12See
Note 12, Letter 6.
13See
Letter 14.
14Perhaps
Francis Buller, who was educated as Founder's Kin at Winchester College between 1777 and
1782, when he left and changed his name to Buller-Yarde by adding his mother's maiden name. He was
the son of Sir Francis Buller Bt, a judge born at the family seat of Downes, near Crediton, and took his
father's name a second time, when he inherited the title in 1800, thus dying as Sir Francis Buller-YardeBuller. Alternatively, 'young Buller' may have been Richard, the surviving son of William Buller, bishop of
Exeter (see Note 3, Letter 54).
15Probably
a nickname for the archbishop of Canterbury, who at the time was John Moore (ca.17301805), who had only been enthroned in the previous year. The prelate’s retreat, Croydon Palace, was close
to Addiscombe House, the country house of Philip Williams’s patron, the Rt Hon. Charles Jenkinson.
16A
resolution by the Committee of Ways and Means concerning new regulations for franking was passed
on 30 July (House of Commons Journal, General Index XXXV-LV (1774-1800), p. 772, no. 2559). He was
probably regularly receiving packets from the press at Oxford for his edition of Polybius (see Chapter 4 of
the book associated with these transcripts, The Speaker’s Chaplain & The Master’s Daughter, and Note 5,
193
Letter 6), but could avoid postage charged on receipt by using the privilege accorded to all members of
parliament.
17Probably
Thomas Steele, who is mentioned later in the letter, rather than his brother Robert, both of
whom were members of parliament (see Note 19 below).
18Each
year on 29 July parliament celebrates the Restoration of Charles II with a service at St Margaret's
church, the parish church of Westminster (Gray, 1991). His sermon obviously did not accord with Philip
Williams's Tory sentiments. Five years later, on 30 January 1789, Pretyman delivered another of the
Westminster setpiece sermons, showing on this occasion that he 'shared Pitt's Whiggish opinions by
denouncing Charles I and praising those who had resisted him' (G. M. Ditchfield, 'Sir George Pretyman
Tomline', ODNB).
19Although
Philip Williams does not express it, at this dinner he was sitting with some of the most
powerful people in the country, newly secured by the patronage of William Pitt, following his triumph in
the general election of the previous March. In addition to the churchmen, there were the attorney general
Richard Pepper Arden; the slave abolitionist and Pittite William Wilberforce; George Rose MP for
Launceston and later for Lymington, Hampshire; the solicitor-general, Archibald Macdonald; Thomas
Steele MP for Chichester and secretary to the Treasury; Sir Joseph Banks, president of the Royal Society;
the Rt Hon. Charles Jenkinson, Philip Williams’s patron and an honorary member of the Board of Trade;
Sir Lloyd Kenyon master of the rolls (three days before this letter he had been created a baronet); Henry
Dundas, 1st viscount Melville, architect of the India Act of 1784; and James Graham, 3rd duke of
Montrose and lord of the Treasury.
20George
Henry Rose (1770-1855), the eldest son of George Rose, the statesman and political writer, had
been admitted a scholar to Winchester in 1781, though the ODNB says he was ‘educated at Geneva’.
When this letter was written Sarah's father, Thomas Collins, had just retired as second master of the
school. The son went on to sit at Westminster for Southampton, and later Christchurch, Hampshire, and
to become a government minister himself.
21This
was probably Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820), who at about this time underwent a change in his
personality. Apparently, his marriage in 1779 and his election to the presidency of the Royal Society
'marked the end of his life as a free-living and youthful adventurer' (Gascoigne, ODNB, 2004). A less
likely possibility is that it was Sir Banks Jenkinson, a relative of the Rt Hon. Charles Jenkinson, Philip’s
patron, but he is usually called ‘Sir Banks’ (for example, see Letter 42).
22George
and Henry Dyson, aged 18 and 17, respectively, younger brothers of Jeremiah, were both
admitted to Kings’ College, Cambridge on 31 July 1784 and matriculated the following Michaelmas. See
also Note 6, Letter 66.
23This
‘very good sort of man’ was to marry Eleanore Yate at Bromsberrow, Gloucestershire, in August
1788 (Gentleman’s Magazine, 58, Part 2, p. 751; www.familysearch.org).
24The
25See
Little Theatre was in Haymarket, London.
Note 3, Letter 66.
194
Letter 68: Sunday and Monday, [1 and 2 August 1784]1 − Sarah Williams at Winchester to
Philip Williams in London (WCA/M/PW/56)
Address panel: Mr Williams. [Added in Philip’s hand]£11. May 22. 1784. Seven days after sight.
To: mefs. Smith, Payne & Smiths.2 Postmark: None.
My dear sir,
Just returned from Compton, with a great deal of business upon my hands, so
much that I am afraid I shall hardly have time to finish this letter before the post goes out
tomorrow; an order just arrived from Papa [Thomas Collins] to send his things tomorrow by
some of the fair waggons, and both [James] Wells and myself are puzzled how to manage
matters, the notice being so short; we have been employed this last week in clearing the lodgings,
but there are a number of things sent for, that we do not know where to find.
Mr Heathcote, Charlotte [St John], Betsy [Elizabeth Dyson] and myself spent a snug day
together, we did not want conversation at all, he is an excellent gossip, and has found out a
nurse-maid for Mrs [Elizabeth] Dyson; there is a man dead at Compton by the name of Elcock,1
and Mr H[eathcote] insists upon burying him, which there is no occasion for, as Mr Westcombe 3
came in the handsomest manner to me some time ago, and offered to take the charge of any
occasional duty that might happen at Compton. When I (that is when you are) am Bishop of
Winton [Winchester] I shall remember him; there were prayers only at Compton at the thanks
giving,34and a very good congregation, which I am glad of, as it is a proof that they deserve to be
attended to; I see there are some sarcasms upon Dr Prettyman’s [Sir George Pretyman Tomline]
sermon in the newspaper; beware of the martyrdom of poor King Charles; get your sermon
ready that you may submit it to the inspection of the wise ones;5 upon the strength of
parliament’s not meeting till after Christmas I suppose they intend to make it September before
they depart;6 I am however glad that it is, as it is, for I could not at all bear the idea of your being
from home, at the time of my lying in;7 I don’t think I should have had strength or spirits, to
have gone through the fatigue of it, with nurse Spencer alone just dropping into her gro[o]ve; 8 if
you do know by the next time you write next the day, you are likely to be at home, do set my
tortured heart at rest, and if you are to stay two or three months longer, let me know the worst;
for my patience is quite exhausted.
I dined at Sir P[eter] Rivers’s on Thursday, with Mrs Lee and Mrs Spooner etc 9 their two
spouses were both ill at home, so that our party run short, but we had no cards, which pleased
me, as I should have lost my money, and it was a wet day, which had obliged me to be
extravagant enough to have a chair; I am sorry to tell you that I am a Bankrupt, not being
possessed at present of a farthing; I did not like to borrow more of Papa; if you can spare it, a
small recruit by Mr [Jeremiah] Dyson will be very acceptable.
I went to look over poor Mak’s [Dr John Makkitrick’s] things for Mr [William Stanley]
Goddard, but every thing we fixed upon went for double it’s value, as indeed did allmost the
whole of the furniture which was very indifferent. I am uncharitable enough to be sorry for it, as
I am sure they are people that know how to make a little go a great way, and the stingyest, most
wretched crew I ever heard of. I have not got my money yet, and they are by this time in France;
I sent James Wells over with their share of the bill, which brought the young Adair 10 over to me,
to know if it was a true bill, and whether they were to pay the whole, upon which I told him
what he was to pay, and he sent over the next day to let me know that he would call and pay me
195
and if I was not at home he would leave the money with Mrs Home [Hume], which is the last I
have heard of this scurvy affair and I begin to think I shall hear no more of it.
I met with a circumstance the other day that has given me a little uneasiness, in
rummaging out Papa’s papers, I saw a letter in your hand writing, which a little of my mother
Eve, tempted me to look at; I found it to be that you wrote to Papa a great many years ago, and
which I never saw before, wherein you gave up all thoughts of being connected with me; but
there was so much tenderness expressed for me in it, that I cannot now forgive myself for being
so foolishly shy, as to be afraid of saying that I liked you; the idea of what you then endured
affects me at this moment, and I have done nothing but think of it ever since; but I thank heaven
that my folly did not go any farther, and that I am now happy, in one of the best husbands that
ever woman was blessed with.
Monday morn. [2 August] eleven o’clock. I have been so hurryed this morning with
getting Papa’s things ready, that I can say but little more; your sisters are to be here Friday by
dinner; they spend Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Midhurst; I hope it will not be ver{y}
long before we have the pleasure of seeing y{ou} in the meantime be assured I will con{struct}
my own ease; as much as my nature will permit me to do; you are mistaken about Molly [Strong],
I can manage very tolerably without her, and the child at Compton might be lost,11 if I was to
have her home; in about ten days they will be able to spare her.
Mrs Hume’s last paper which she disliked of all things, was the herald; so we had better
go on as usual. Adieu, God bless you my best and greatest comfort; our dear little ones are well
and so is your ever affectionate SW.
[Written on the address panel in Philip Williams’s hand]
£15 May 22 1784. Seven days after sight. To Mess. Smith, Payne and Smith’s
1Dated
from the burial of Thomas Ellcock was at Compton on 3 August 1784.
2’Seven
days after sight’ refers to the terms for settlement of a bill of exchange (Bayley, 1830). Smith,
Payne & Smiths was a bank established in the City of London in 1758 that merged in 1902 with the
Union Bank of London (Leighton-Boyce, 1958; www.heritagearchives.rbs.com).
3Probably
Nicholas Westcombe (d. 1813), who went up to Trinity College, then New College, Oxford,
was ordained in 1768/9 and in 1797 presented with the living of Barton Stacey, Hampshire, by the dean
and chapter of Winchester, in succession to Robert Hare (HRO/35M48/6/1006). He was also vicar of
Collingbourne, Wiltshire, and a minor canon of Winchester. He died tragically on or about 28 August
1813, when he was robbed and murdered in Winchester, ‘in a pathway leading to the Andover road’. The
suspect was a soldier of the 102nd regiment (CS Ruddle, Wiltshire Notes & Queries, V, 1905-7, 5-9, citing the
Winchester Journal).
4See
Note 11, Letter 63 and Note 3, Letter 64.
5One
of the duties of the Speaker's chaplain was to ensure that state sermons were presented in St
Margaret's church, the parish church of the Palace of Westminster, on key dates in the year, namely, 30
January for the 'martyrdom' of Charles I, 29 July for the Restoration of Charles II, and 5 November for
196
the Gunpowder Plot. In 1770 the House of Commons had resolved to place certain restrictions on the
preacher, which should have excluded Philip Williams from preaching himself (but see Letter 73), namely:
That, for the future, no Person be recommended to preach before this House, who is under the
dignity of a Dean in the Church, or hath taken his Degree of Divinity' (Commons Journal, xiii, 162, cited
in Gray, 1991, p.15).
Dr George Pretyman had preached the sermon on 29 July 1784 (see Letter 67).
6The
session actually ended on 20 August 1784.
7Their
son Charles was born on 29 November 1784.
8The
reading here is difficult and ‘gro[o]ve’ could be ‘grave’. But mention of ‘nurse Spencer’ in April
1785 (Letter 87) suggests that ‘groove’ is correct.
9Sir
Peter Rivers Gay was a Winchester prebendary from 1766 until his death in 1790. Mrs Lee is
unidentified: she could not have been Caroline, the wife of Harry Lee, warden of Winchester College, as
she died in 1772, nor the wife of his namesake son, who married in 1790. Mrs Spooner has not been
identified, but the death a person of this name is mentioned in a letter of 1790 from Lord Wallingford to
his mother, the 7th countess of Banbury (HRO/1M44/93/8), and ‘Spooner’s inhospitality’ in another of
their letters of 1785 (HRO/1M44/89/4).
10All
this is about the family of Dr Makkitrick’s brother, Dr James Makittrick [sic] Adair, who appears to
have gone to France, leaving in Winchester his son, who had the same name and also became a physician.
He studied at Geneva and Edinburgh and is remembered for accompanying the poet Robert Burns on a
tour of Stirlingshire in the autumn of 1787.
11Henry
Dyson was born in June and baptised at Compton on 5 September 1784. See Letters 56 and 66.
197
Letter 69: Monday, [9 August 1784] − Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/57)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My dear sir,
We came home rather late from Compton, last night, so I could not begin your
letter till this morning; I am glad to find we are to meet again some time or other, that every
account I have from you seems to put the period of it at a greater distance, the last time you said
any thing upon the subject, which was a fortnight ago, you talked of Wednesday three weeks,
you now talk of a fortnight more, which I fear will be three weeks at least; but whatever it is, I
have no remedy.1
I thank you for your seasonable supply2 by Mr [Jeremiah] Dyson, which I shall take good
care of.
Your sisters got here to dinner Friday last, Miss Anne very well, your eldest sister3 with a
little of the rhumatism, which she seems to be getting rid of. They staid two days at Midhurst,
and saw Cowdray and Petworth; the Webb4 is set a going again, which was a snug conveyance
for the ladies about the park; they admire Sussex, that is our part of it, as much as I do; the great
folks are to set out for Paris, and the spa this day, a very good move for Miss Brown I think.
This Dr Adair has been shabby enough to go off without taking any notice of your debt,
for I have seen Mrs Hume and find there was nothing deposited with her; but the payment of
lawful debts is left in Mr Hillman’s hands,5 and I have applied to him, but as yet have had no
answer as he is not returned from Avington where he has been for some days, you had better
therefore postpone writing till you hear from me again, I am as much determined to have the
money as you are. What will be the fate of the rum I know not; I suppose Mr Jenkinson6 has told
you the dilemma respecting it; I rather think that no part of it will become our property, as I
hear the Dr7 is determined to have as much for it as it cost and more if he can get it.
There are three doctors come, I hear, by the names of Wallis, Jones and Scott, the same
Dr Scott who formerly lived here,8I know nothing of the history of the two former.
It is a Mr D’Aguilar who has taken Burdon’s house,9 he is in the artillery and has brought
children to school, and farther I am not acquainted with.
We spent a comfortable a comfortable day yesterday at Compton; there is a Mr Talbot a
clergyman who came down with Mr Dyson; Mr Heathcote full of civility and good humour, his
nurse comes to Betsy to day, and Molly [Strong] horse is to be returned forthwith, for the ease of
your mind, more than of mine as we have gone on very well without her. Betsy’s little boy 10 is
weaned from her, and they have got a wet nurse; the usual train of things you know at that
house, but don’t say any thing about it.
I suppose Mr Dyson told you that we were going to have a play house in Winchester; the
11
Blade is so indefatigable in the pursuit, that I believe he will bring it to bear, there are only one
and twenty subscribers already and there are only four and twenty required;12 it is not of much
consequence to me, if I like any amusement it is a play, but my avaccations13 in a different way
are so many that I shall have little leisure or money for any thing of that kind; your sisters say I
look very well; and I don’t think myself that I either am or look amiss towards the latter end of
the week, when I am looking forward to your dear letter and have recovered [from] the agitation
that the preceding letter has thrown me into; they are charmed with little Charlotte [Williams]
198
who has been in a course of Physick for a breaking out on her bottom. I was advised to physick
her, least it might be some remains of the small pox, she is in other respects quite well as are the
other two; I enclose a letter to you from Phill which I believe conveys his wishes to you. I
desired him to indite and little Molly [Strong] to be his {secre}tary so whether you will be able to
understand it is doubtful I think.
You may carry Mrs Keighley any thing that is useful in the eatable way, either chocolate,
or sugar, not tea, and remember me to her.
I have sent for some second mourning things to Sage’s14 before the new tax takes place,
which come to about two guineas; if you can pay it I will send the bill in my next, and if you have
about thirty shillings more to spare {I} will have a new gown for the winter like {one} your
sister has which I will send a pattern of in my next, with directions where to get it; but if you
cannot afford it I shall very readily go without it.
Your sisters desire their love, God bless you my dearest love and I am ever yours SW.
1Parliament
2She
rose on 20 August 1784.
means money.
3Frances
('Fanny') Williams was born in about 1743, a year after Philip Williams and four years before her
sister Anne.
4A
'Webb' was presumably a form of light carriage.
5A
local lawyer. A William Hillman was made a freeman of Winchester in 1774 and in the 1780s gave an
opinion that the 'goods of convicted felons should be forfeited to the Corporation [of Winchester]'
(HRO/W/K5/8, p/ 191).
6Probably
Colonel John Jenkinson, brother of Philip’s patron, the Rt Hon. Charles Jenkinson.
7Dr
James Makittrick Adair sr. See Note 10, Letter 68.
8Dr
Robert Scott died intestate in 1798 (Carpenter Turner, 1986, pp. 46 and 167).
9Probably
the house of John Burdon, bookseller, leased from the dean and chapter and adjoining the
Catherine Wheel Inn, College Street, Winchester (see, for example, HRO/M59/E2/58974). The D'Aguilar
family seemed to stay for only three years (Letter 125).
10Henry
Dyson, born in June 1784 and baptised the following September.
11A
nickname for the Revd John Monk Newbolt, who, as she says, is one of the subscribers listed in the
articles of agreement for the theatre (HRO/106A10W).
12The
theatre historian Paul Ranger has used the Letters to demonstrate ‘the hullabaloo surrounding the
building of Winchester’s New Theatre in 1785 and the attempts of a solicitor to prevent it opening until
an effigy of him was publicly burned’ (Kenneth Pickering and Mark Woolgar 2009, Theatre Studies
(companion website), Chapter 8, ‘Undertaking a research project’, Macmillan Publishers Ltd:
www.palgrave.com/theatre; see also Ranger, 1976, 1996).
199
13She
means 'avocations'.
14Apparently
one of her favourite shops in London, mentioned several times in the Letters.
200
Letter 70: Monday, [16 August 1784] − Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams
in London (WCA/M/PW/58)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dear sir,
I am happy to find that at last there is something like a certainty of seeing you,
though the day is doubtful still, yet I flatter myself it cannot be later than next Tuesday or
Wednesday.1 When you do know for certain, write immediately without waiting till Sunday and
acquaint us with the day and hour on which we are to be so happy as to meet; should you come
sooner than you mentioned, which you hinted might be the case, the surprize of seeing you
without notice might be more prejudicial to my harassed mind than even the disappointment of
not seeing you so soon; the weather is so burning hot that your dismission will be doubly
welcome; I wish that you may come down with Mr Jenkinson,2 rather than ride over the Arabian
sands of Hounslow and Bagshot.
We are going to Leckford, Charlotte sends for us to day, and we return Wednesday to
dinner; Mr Churchill3 is gone for a time and we are to have his room, if I had guessed that it
would have been so hot, I believe I should never have entered into the engagement, for I have
besides my natural infirmities of mind and body another inconvenience to struggle with at
present, the harvest bugs which I have scratched and my gown has fretted in such a manner
upon my elbow, that I have been obliged to have recourse to Turner’s white, 4 and it is become a
regular sore; but I have had a great desire to see Charlotte and her little boy [George St John],
she has been so good to me in a hundred instances that I can tell you, that if it is possible I love
her better than ever; they stay at Leckford till October, and if she could lie in there I believe they
would spend the Winter there, they find the sweets of living in a small house in the difference of
expence, which is very great.
We dined yesterday as usual at Compton, and were to have met Sir C[harles] Watson in
addition to the party, but his servant arrived at the time we did with an excuse that I was sorry
for; his being obliged to set out immediately to Weymouth for his health, by the advice of Dr
[William] Heberden. Mr Talbot went this morning to meet him there.
Enclosed is a letter to the the man where the gown is to be bought; Betsy chuses to have
one the same, so you will be so good as to pay for them and bring them with you – if they are
ready, if not they are to be sent and you are to give him a direction.
Mr [Jeremiah] Dyson begs if you have time you will call at Jones’s and tell him that Mr D
wishes to receive the english Chronicle and not the general evening, or St James’s which have
come two or three times this last fortnight in lieu of it.
I should be glad of some tea from Davison’s, if the duty is taken off, you may bring three
pounds of what was 8s. Souchong, and the same quantity of what was 12s. green; if not, only one
pound of 8s. Souchong.6
I have put in Sage’s bill which you will pay.
I can tell you nothing of your horse but that he is alive, as I cannot get at James Wells
who lives in the harvest field; what a glorious load there is this year, I never saw any thing so fine
as the wheat the people who glean carry along.
Your Sisters are both well, and desire their love; the dear children are quite well, and I
hope I shall be so, when I have the comfort of once more beholding you; I am so sorry to be
201
obliged to take my leave of you so abruptly, as it is, I shall but just save my distance; God protect
and send you safe to your ever af[fectionat]e SW.
William’s father7 is better you will tell him.
1In
fact, parliament rose fours days after this letter was written.
2Probably
the Rt Hon. Charles Jenkinson, though it could have been his brother John. Whoever it was,
she was hoping that Philip would come back in a carriage, rather than riding down on horseback.
3Unidentified,
though apparently a lodger at the house at Leckford in the Test valley that the St Johns
rented. It was probably a relative of the Hon. George Richard St John who, through his mother, Lady
Diana Spencer, was related to the dukes of Marlborough and therefore the Spencer and Churchill
families. See also Letter 123.
4Presumably
a medicine effective against the ticks and mites encountered in the fields.
5Her
daughter Mary was baptised at ‘Critchell-Moore’, Dorset, (today called Moor Crichel) on 7
December (www.familysearch.org).
6Lapsang
Souchong and Hyson or Lucky Dragon were, and still are, types of black and green teas,
respectively.
7A
servant of Philip Williams, whose father apparently lived in Winchester. He may have been attached
to the Speaker's retinue.
202
Letter 71: Monday, 31 January 17851 − Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/59)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,1
I am much in the same situation you left me,2 I mean as to company, I am
entirely alone, and so am likely to remain till I enjoy again that greatest of all blessings to me,
your dear society; I had a very kind letter from Papa [Thomas Collins] the day after you went, in
which he said that my aunt3 was ready to come whenever I liked, but that their household was in
such disorder that in consequence of Molly’s4 frailty, that he wished her to stay a little to arange
matters, and Miss [Bet] Bridger is done up with a sick mother, and two whimsical aunts, so that
there is little to be expected from that quarter, all this gives me no concern, I have lived one
week by myself, and I trust, I may pass twenty in the same manner, I don’t know that I should be
[better] if I had a companion, I rather think I might be worse, therefore I have written to Papa to
desire that the Veteran4 may remain where I am sure she is more wanted, it is not in my power to
contribute to the amusement of any one who may be with me, and I wish not to see any one, if I
could get out for my walks without meeting or seeing a creature I could be well content; I am on
the whole much better than when you left me, the children in high health, except little Charles
[Williams]5 who has not been quite what I could wish for this week past though I do not perceive
that he has got any particular complaint, I flatter myself he is rather mending.
Monday I was agreably surprized by a visit from Charlotte [St John] in her way to
Compton, where she has been till this day, she looks better than I ever saw her, and has tryed to
persuade me to go to Critchill [Moor Crichel]6 with her and my whole suite; but this I could not
by any means think of, Mr [George Richard] St John and Mr [Jeremiah] Dyson will give you an
account of themselves before you receive this.
Mr [Lovelace] Bigg [Wither]7 was kind enough to sit half an hour with me on Monday, he
seemed tolerably well, in spirits, and health, in spite of the black dye, which he had smeared
about his hands and face, in such a manner that I could hardly tell how he looked, he will be in
town with his girls in a few days, but does not mean to make any stay there, till about Easter
when he sends his eldest daughter to the Isle of Wight.7
The Bowers8 came to Mrs [Lucy] Elyott on Saturday se’nnight [sic], which has roused her
attention, and she seems to have recovered herself wonderfully since they have been here, Mrs
Bower looks very ill and has theat lamentable, dejected countenance of her poor father exactly.
I have seen Mrs [William Stanley] Goddard and she has returned my visit, she is very
civil, and well behaved, and tolerably well-looking, though not of the first order of females in any
respect, Goddard very fussy, has been down to consult me several times; he last night told me
that his wife had a cold, but he hoped it would not last, for of all things he dreaded the idea of a
sick wife, L’Ingenu9 exactly. He is the oddest compound I ever saw, to which his education
under Papa has not a little contributed.
Our sleeping encampment10 succeeds to a charm; the old foetid and myself in the great
bed, and the Poney and Chatty in the little bed, I have not had one bad night, and have slept
what you call a round robbin, which is more than I did any one night, when you were last absent.
Tell Mrs [Charles Wolfran] Cornwall that I have acquitted myself better of her apology to Mr
[Matthew] Woodford than I have of Mrs [John] Hatsell’s to Mrs [Joseph] Warton who sat with
203
me half an hour the other morning, without my thinking of the matter till she was gone; I
condole with you upon your losses,11 and to qualify yours as much as I can, I have taken care of
the beavers12 that hung up in the passage, they have been {w}ell brushed, and deposited in a
place of security, as well as our more valua{ble} furniture, but I think no one will attack such a
poor creature as myself, with four helpless children.
If there is any news in the place, Mr Jenkinson13 will tell it you for I know nothing of that
sort, eating and cards I believe go on as usual, there is never a stagnation of either here, and there
is to be a celestial party at the Warden’s on Monday, which I am happy enough to have nothing
to do with “enough of musick” have I had already.
I work very hard for little Charles, and Phill’s shirts are begun, may every blessing attend
you, my best and dearest love, and our dear children, and may the the Almighty ever protect and
guard you, yours entirely SW.
Be so good to get the enclosed sent to Davison the first moment William is at leisure, I
am going on with ounces of smouch14 which makes me sick. I will get the Book for Mr [Paul
Henry] Maty of Dr [Joseph] Warton and send it by the Blade.
1Unusually,
she has dated this letter, which is also the first of those surviving in which she uses such a
warm salutation.
2He
had left on 21 January (see Letter 105) to resume his position as the Speaker's chaplain. Parliament
resumed on 25 January 1785.
3Probably
Charlotte Collins, her father's maiden sister.
4Molly
Strong, their maid, seemingly nicknamed ‘the Veteran’ (see also Note 3, Letter 31), was apparently
helping out in Midhurst, where Thomas Collins had gone to live with his sister in July 1784, after retiring
as second master of Winchester College.
5Born
two months earlier.
6Sarah's
sister, Charlotte, and her husband, the Hon. George Richard St John, were renting property at
Moor Crichel, Dorset (see Note 1, Letter 44).
7He
added 'Wither' to his surname when he inherited the estate at Wootton St Lawrence, Hampshire, in
1789. Her comments reflect the fact that his second wife, Margaret, née Blachford (1739-1784), had died
aged 45 only a month before this letter. They had a family of six girls (friends of the novelist Jane
Austen), followed by the sons Lovelace and Harris, born in 1780 and 1781, respectively. The eldest
daughter, Margaret, aged about 17, was presumably going to the Isle of Wight to stay with her uncle,
Robert Pope Blachford, and his wife Winifred, at Osborne House, where her mother had been brought
up and which was later bought by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
8The
Bower family was seated for many years at Iwerne (sometimes spelt Ewerne) Minster, north of
Blandford Forum, Dorset. Thomas Bowyer Bower’s second wife Dorothy Elizabeth Elyott (sometimes
spelt Elliott), was a daughter of the Revd Edmund Elyott (ca1725-1781), rector of Litchfield, Hampshire,
1757-1781 and Mrs Lucy Elyott, who was well known to Sarah and Philip Williams (see Note 8, Letter 64).
204
In the previous year Henry Bower, a son of Thomas by his first wife, had entered Winchester as a scholar
(see Note 9, Letter 66).
9A
satirical novella by Voltaire, first published in 1767.
10By
this time Sarah had four children under the age of five. Elizabeth was 'the old foetid', 'Chatty' was
presumably Charlotte, and Charles would have been in a cot. 'Poney' was an unattractive term used by
her for a maidservant, so that leaves Philip unaccounted for.
11The
Speaker's house in Westminster had been burgled and amongst the items stolen was Philip
Williams's hat (see Letter 73).
12Expensive
hats made from the fur of the beaver, which was once native to England but became extinct
in the 16th century.
13She
could have meant either the Rt Hon. Charles Jenkinson, or his brother John, both of whom were
MPs and both lived in Winchester.
14This
word cannot be read with certainty. But 'smouch' was slang for the dried leaves of the ash tree,
used to adulterate tea, but not recorded as a medicine (OED).
205
Letter 72: Probably written in February 1785 − Philip Williams in London to Sarah
Williams at Winchester (WCA/M/PW/13)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
[An odd sheet]
..the world with Cap[tain]1Wallis. In the afternoon we had Lady [Elizabeth] Yates, Lady Clive
(widow of a judge)2 and the Reeves’s, who are very musical, as well as Miss Yates, and [they] gave
us some pleasant songs. You would like Lady Abdy much.3
I had promised young Keates to place him in the gallery [of the House of Commons],
and gave instructions for that purpose, when I recieved a very civil excuse from him, that
Ad[miral] [Robert] Digby had insisted upon his going into the country with him.
Poor [Henry] Penton has, I hear, bedevilled himself – he and his new associate already
quarrel like cat and dog; they are at present in lodgings in Kensington, where she has miscarried.4
He never goes into public, and was shamefully absent from the H[ouse] of Commons the other
night.
Saturday afternoon. I have been at Cateaton Street, and talked over all this business with
the uncle.5 Would you believe it, that since August [17]82, they have spent £3,700, and run in
debt £800. How they are to raise a sum to discharge the creditors is more than I can devise at
present, and I have only time to desire you not to be vexed about it. Their prospect is a good
one, and their present hardship will be, to live upon £600 a year6 – great difficulty doubtless.
Adieu my dearest love, and take care of yourself. P.W.
1See
Note 3, Letter 48
2Two
years later she seems to be thinking of moving to Hampshire (see Letter 119).
3See
Note 12, Letter 73.
4See
Note 4, Letter 35.
5Samuel
6See
Dyson (see Note 15, Letter 63).
Letter 73.
206
Letter 73: Saturday, [5 February 1785] − Philip Williams in London to Sarah Williams at
Winchester (WCA/M/PW/12)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
On Sunday I breakfasted with [Francis Paul] Stratford, who is very well and getting
business; went to Lincoln’s Inn Chappel, paid some Temple Visits, and dined with [Michael]
Wodhull, where I met Bragg1, [Thomas] Le Mesurier, and Dr [Euseby] Cleaver (who was
frightened away by the frank from Sussex).2 Mrs W[odhull] looked sadly, Mary Ingram3 better
than I expected to find her. In the evening I sat with [Harry] Peckham, who seemed rather in
better spirits than when I saw him last.
Monday I performed at the abbey, as the Morning Chronicle told you, 4 to a set of lazars,
people without noses, and the dregs of hospitals; afterwards paid Davison’s bill in the city;
settled some matters with the [Winchester] College banker,5 and the patent stove man,6 and
returned home and was quietly inhumed for the remainder of the day.
Tuesday – The Cap[tain]7 who came time enough for dinner the day before, said he had
met you out a walking, which I was very glad to hear – his wife it seems has mispaitred8 in
consequence of her fright about the child that was burnt. I called upon Dr [Thomas] Balguy
who told me Dr [Joseph] Warton had disgraced himself by revoking9 at Whist at Mr [George]
Rose’s where he dined. Upon my return from the house received your last letter, which gave me
great pleasure, and made me think more of you than I wished to do. God bless you and sleep
sounder if possible than the old Foet[id]. [Jeremiah] Dyson has been here and tells me something
is to be done about Charlotte’s settlement – I wish it may be so.10 He and [the Hon. George
Richard] St John are to go to Mrs [Sarah] Siddons benefit to morrow night and dine in the
neighbourhood of the playhouse.11 I did not offer myself upon the occasion, being too old for
tavern dinners, at least with such young stuff. I went in the evening to a party at Lady Abdy’s,
from whom I recieved a very polite card, which consisted only of C[harles Nalson] and Mrs
Cole, Lady [Elizabeth] Yates (who married the Bishop of Rochester) and her daughter, a Mrs
Abdy widow of a clergyman, a brother of Mrs Coles, and a Mrs Bever and her two daughters. 12 I
staid supper and did not get home till past 12, but I never walk at that time of night.
Wednesday. I have been and left my name at Mrs [Richard] Hollists, and upon my return
from the house, have had a boring visit from my friend the Serjeant.13 I looked into the court of
chancery, where Mrs Dance and Chamberlaynes trial is hearing.14 We have and are to have a
watch, who is constantly to sit up all night in the lower part of the house; but the misfortune is,
that the steed is stolen. However it makes us not apprehensive of a second visit. Some of the
S[peaker’s] wearing apparel has been discovered in an empty house at Lambeth, and one man
taken up whose boot corresponded exactly with the print of his foot in the garden, but that is
not sufficient evidence to try him upon – no tidings of my hat.15
I am afraid that [Henry] Penton is much playing the fool; he pays visits I hear with her in
the carriage; than which nothing can be well more silly – [inserted by PW] ‘I have since seen them
riding together.’16 I called upon Miss [Elizabeth] Pyke to day, who is very happy to hear so good
an account of you and Charlotte. George Gordon17 is come up from Lincoln, and a very fine
young man he is; the image of his father, but I trust with a better temper.
207
Thursday. Dyson dined with us to day, and engaged me to meet him and [George
Richard] St John at Miss Pyke’s to morrow, which I did, and spent rather an heavy day, as she
had asked a Major Warburton18 (a dead stupid fellow) and a Mr Greenhill19 to meet us, which
corked us up, and prevented that kind of conversation which we should otherwise have fallen
into. We expected a long day upon the Westminster scrutiny,20 but Carlo19 has sprained his
tendo Achillis, and it is postponed till Tuesday. The ministry dine with us to day, and the
opposition to morrow.21 Mrs Powys is released from her Cheshire squires; I recieved a note from
her yesterday, desiring a cover to my sister. I have called upon old Flabby 19 and Mrs Forrester
[Forester] who both inquired after you. In consequence of the Maid of honour’s22 being revived,
I have read one or two of Massinger’s plays which I like exceedingly.
Am just returned home from a long walk – found Mrs Powys at home and Sir G[eorge]
Shuckburgh with her, of whom no man need be jealous – her husband is still hunting in
Cheshire. Had a tete a tete with Mary Ingram, a much more composed one than I should have
had some years back.
I found a letter from Dyson, intimating his necessity of relinquishing Compton and his
present idle way of life – that he is come up by way of getting the arrears of his Irish pension, 23
£800, which will clear him and leave a neat £600 a year regularly paid. I have sent his letter
down stairs to the Speaker,24 but must seal up this before I have any conversation with him – he
wishes me to decide for him about the future place of his residence – an hard task.
Ever your’s most dearly etc.
Ph. Williams
Dyson will bring down two almanacks25 – you may give the Old Foet[id] one if it won’t
prove the source of quarrelling.
1There
were two boys named Bragge who were scholars at Winchester College, Charles, admitted in 1770,
who went on to New College, Oxford, and became a Commissioner of Bankrupts, and William, who
followed him four years later and became a barrister.
2Perhaps
a jocular reference to the fact that Cleaver could use his parliamentary friends in London to
avoid postage, now that he had left his Sussex livings of Tillington and Petworth.
3See
Note 2, Letter 49.
4Although
not strictly qualified by parliament to preach state sermons (see Note 1, Letter 83, and Note 5,
Letter 68), he had apparently delivered the sermon for the 'martyrdom' of Charles I in St Margaret's
church, Westminster, which was given every year at this time. Nor do his disparaging remarks suggest that
it went well. Even so, a report of parliament on Tuesday 1 February 1785 in the Hampshire Chronicle (7
February) noted: ‘[It was] ordered that the thanks of this House be given to their Chaplain, for his sermon
preached before them on Monday [31 Jan], and the same to be printed.’ In the following year the Journal
of the House of Commons (Vol 41, p. 155) noted that the Reverend Thomas Heathcote (a close Winchester
friend of Philip’s) was the preacher and had ‘officiated during the illness of the Reverend Mr Williams’.
See also Note 1, Letter 113.
5In
1785/6 he was an annual bursar of the school, together with Samuel Gauntlett.
208
6Perhaps
he was on an errand for Sarah, as two years later her father was ‘very impatient’ that she have an
‘Iron Oven’ (see Letter 116). The use of cast iron for stoves and ovens dates from about 1730, on the
Continent, and designs were progressively improved throughout the century.
7See
Note 3, Letter 48.
8See
Note 2, Letter 63.
9Failing
or neglecting to follow suit when a card of the required suit is held (OED).
10See
also WCA/M/PW/ 20. Whereas marriage settlements for aristocrats like the Hon. George Richard St
John were normally drawn up and signed before the ceremony, in this case it was not done until two years
after the ceremony (see Letter 90, 63), perhaps reflecting the dysfunctional nature of the St John family.
112
February 1785 was the night of Sarah Siddons’s first performance of her celebrated role as Lady
Macbeth after her return to the London stage (ODNB).
12'Lady
Abdy' was probably the widow of Sir Anthony Thomas Abdy, 5th bt (c.1720-1775). 'C' was
Charles Nalson Cole, a cousin, who had married a sister of Sir Anthony (WCA/M/PW/418; Cole's
Bletchley Diary). 'Lady Yates' was Elizabeth, widow of Sir Joseph Yates, judge, who in 1775 married John
Thomas (c.1712-1793), bishop of Rochester.
Probably the Serjeant at Arms, an officer of the House of Commons (or Lords, until 1971) charged
with the duty of enforcing the commands of the House, the arrest of offenders etc (OED).
13
14This
probably concerned the estate at Cranbury Park, Hursley, near Winchester. An owner Thomas
Dummer had died in 1781 without heirs, leaving it to his widow Harriet, with reversion to Thomas
Chamberlayne. She had an income of £18,000 a year and on 17 July 1783 had married the painter
Nathaniel Dance (later Sir Nathaniel Holland bt).
A burglary of the Speaker’s Westminster house had taken place. The Hampshire Chronicle (7 February)
reported: ‘Friday se’nnight [28 Jan], or very early on the Saturday morning, the house of Woolfran
[Wolfran] Cornwall, Esq, Speaker of the House of Commons, in Privy Garden, was broken into at the
back part, next the Thames. They cut a hole in the window-shutter of the dining parlour, and having
entered the house, took from thence the Speaker’s rich gold gown, or robe of state, several suits of
clothes, silk breeches, a number of silk stockings, about two dozen silk handkerchiefs, two gold snuffboxes, one of which had been made a present to the Speaker by Mr [Henry] Flood [Winchester’s MP for
one year, 1783], and was remarkably elegant: They took likewise a small sum of money in a purse, which,
we have been informed, was rather under seven pounds: They afterwards had the audacity to break open
the next house, but being disturbed, made a hasty retreat to their boat, and got clear off. It is said they
were seen to come from Lambeth, and were eight in number.’ The Times later (26 February) reported that
a William Sharp suspected of the crime had been acquitted after a trial at the Old Bailey, even though
boots matching impressions in the Speaker's garden had matched those found in his house.
15
16See
Note 4, Letter 35.
17His
elder step-brother, then about 21 years of age.
209
18Unidentified,
though possibly related to a 'Miss Warburton', who is described by Philip Williams as 'not
very acute' and at one time was living in a house, probably at Englefield Green, Egham, owned by Miss
[Elizabeth] Pyke (WCA/M/PW//24, 26).
19Unidentified.
20The
disputed election in March 1784 of the leading Whig politician Charles James Fox to the
constituency of the City of Westminster, though he was finally elected by a vote in the House a year later
(Hague, 2004, pp.190-191).
21The
Times (8 February) reported that on 'Sunday night the Speaker of the House of Commons had a
numerous levee at his house in Privy-gardens'.
22Philip
Massinger's tragicomedy, published in 1632.
23Inherited
from his father, Jeremiah Dyson sr, who had been Clerk to the House of Commons.
24Probably
a reference to the fact that he could use the Speaker's privilege to send letters free of charge.
The passage suggests that he lived on an upstairs floor in the Speaker's house in Privy Garden,
Westminster.
25Almanacs
were avidly sought by PhilipWilliams and his family, as no doubt they were by other members
of the educated classes (see Letters 77, 84-5, 115 and 117). Perhaps more useful to a farmer’s wife (Facer,
2010, pp. 121-142), almanacs of various kinds have been produced virtually since the invention of
printing. In the eighteenth century, as well including the usual pocketbook items of astrology and
predictions of the future, they provided snippets of information on a huge range of subjects, including
astronomy, politics, history, the Classics and religion (Capp, 1979).
210
Letter 74: Sunday ‘ten o’clock’, [6 February 1785] − Sarah Williams at Winchester to
Philip Williams in London (WCA/M/PW/60)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
I have been in the utmost anxiety for these last two hours expecting your dear
letter which as it brings me the only pleasant moments I spend in the week, you will not be
surprized at; since I wrote last, little Charles is so much mended that I have lost my fears on his
account, he was much worse than I cared to tell you, and I did not know what to think of him, as
I could not find out what was the matter with him; but, I thank God, he is now as well as it is
possible for a child to be.
The only topick in circulation here is the Speaker’s losses,1 I met Dr [Joseph] Warton in
one of my walks, he had heard something of the matter and made me repeat all I knew of it to
him, which he was so eager to communicate to Mr Baker,2 whom he spyed at some distance that
he would hardly give me time to attack him for Mr [Paul Henry] Maty’s book, but I shall send to
him for it before the Blade sets out.3
Mrs Lee4 asked me to dine, and have the child brought to me to morrow, I went to her
and made my apology, which I think she deserved, as it was very civil, I have had numberless
invitations to cards; which of course I have refused, and shall continue to do so, not meaning to
drink tea out of my own house, except once with Mrs [William Stanley] Goddard,5 and at Mrs
[Lucy] Elyott’s, I sit a compleat Grooby, hard at work with my nose into the fire all the day, that
I am not eating, or suckling, or walking, the latter I have not omitted to do one day, not
withstanding the very unfavourable weather, I am very sensible of the good effects of constant
exercise, for I was never better, in spite of the wretched state of my mind, than which nothing
can be more unpleasant. I had company yesterday to dine: Mr and Mrs Goddard, Miss and Mrs
Dyson,6 and Mr [Thomas] Bargus, to say the truth I do not think the Bride5 improves much
upon acquaintance, new married people never know how to behave; they are too apt to think
and talk only of, and to each other, and he is so queer an animal that it is a difficult task for her
to manage him, she is too much at home for me, though she is not forward, but there is no
embarassment in her behaviour which one would rather expect at first amongst strangers, she is
to receive her company this week, and I believe I have spoiled a great deal of sport for their
guests; for it seems he intended not only to have sat tup [sic] with her, (as the phrase is) but to
have returned his visits at the same time that she did hers, full dressed, which was so ridiculous
that I could not help telling them I thought so.
I am glad you like Massenger [Philip Massinger], because I do myself next to Shakespear,
if you have not read it before, look at the fatal Dowry, and I am sure you will agree with me that
it is far superior to the fair Penitent which is a copy of it.7
I had a letter last night from Charlotte, who says that Mr [George Richard] St John has
sent her word that he certainly shall have it in his power to make a settlement upon her; I wish it
may be so, but I am not too sanguine in this matter from the embarassed state of his father’s
affairs.8
Poor Molly’s disaster has quite overturned the politicks of the house at Midhurst, I hear
they are in great confusion, and I believe Papa is made very unhappy by it at present. 9 I have not
yet been able to get to church, but I hope to make a beginning on Wednesday if the weather is
211
tolerable, and Charles continues as he is at this time, for one of his compl{aints} (and the most
tiresome to me), has been such a whimsical way of sucking, that he never came to me without
putting himself in a tantrum and it was just the same if he was offered Pap; you have had enough
of domestick matters I believe, but as I never see any body, I have nothing else to write about,
and you may anticipate every letter you will receive from me; would to God I could conver{se}
myself to you! you are the last thing {I think} of when I go to bed, and the first when I {aw}ake
in the morning, I bless God that it is the only uneasiness you give me, and whilst you and my
children are well, it is of little consequence what becomes of so poor a creature as I am. Your
sermon was perhaps of more use where it was bestowed, than if you had been attended by a
more illustrious audience, though I think it was a great affront to the memory of poor Charles.10
God ever bless you my dearest life, so prays your ever affectionate SW.
We are in the height of glory in the lower regions, Polly Hort11 and a wet wash; the
children passably good, but very noisy, which you will say is my own fault.
I am rather glad that my aunt cannot come, I take the children out with me when it is
dry, and when it is wet I return my visits.
[No sign-off. Letter incomplete.]
1See
Note 15, Letter 73.
2Unidentified,
though a 'Mr Baker' is also mentioned later in the year (see Letter 93).
3See
also Letter 71.
4See
Note 9, Letter 68.
5Née
Henrietta Gale, whom William Stanley Goddard married at Kingsclere, Hampshire, in 1785
(www.familysearch.org) or 1784 (ODNB).
6Her
sister Elizabeth, the wife of Jeremiah Dyson; ‘Miss Dyson’ was probably a relative.
7Philip
Massinger (1583-1640) wrote The Fatal Dowry with Nathan Field, the plot of which was in 1702
reworked in blank verse by Nicholas Rowe as The Fair Penitent. It was a huge success and frequently staged
until the early 19th century. The character of Lothario was the model for Richardson's Lovelace in
Clarissa.
8See
Note 10, Letter 73. The Hon. George Richard St John's father, the 3rd viscount Bolingbroke, was a
notorious and dissolute aristocrat.
9The
nature of the 'disaster' of their maid, Molly Strong, doing a turn for Sarah Williams's father at
Midhurst, is not clear, but it may not have been much, as he was something of a 'drama queen'.
10Charles
I; see Note 4, Letter 73.
11Unidentified,
but perhaps Philip Williams’s ‘friend Polly’ (see Letter 124).
212
Letter 75: Sunday, [13 February 1785] − Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams
in London (WCA/M/PW/61)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
I have this moment your kind letter which is allways welcome to me, whatever
it’s contents may be; the intelligence respecting the Dysons1 though not the most agreable in the
world, I am not at all surprized at; I cannot see that there is any reason for their leaving
Compton at present, if he gets any thing,2 they must live in London, and they would then have to
move again; why should they not sell their carriage and horses, and hire for the few times they
want to go out, Betsy is in a way to have another child,3 which will necessarily confine her a great
deal, and he can take his horse when he wants to go from home, they may live better at
Compton upon 600£ (getting rid of all incumbrances), than we can at Winchester upon 500£
surely, they could not live cheaper at Midhurst,4 provisions are to the full as dear there as they are
with us, he has nothing to do, but to say that he has no room for useless men, horses, and dogs,
and he might then have every comfort as I think, that this life can give, we have done nothing
but talk of this matter every time Betsy has come over, so that I think the first time I see him, he
will say something upon the subject to me, and I shall certainly tell him what he must give up, to
enable him to live within his income; this [is] a vexatious business to think that they should have
frittered away such a sum of money, without any pursuit to justify it in the least; if they will enter
heartily into the cause, I am not without hopes that they have it yet in their power to retrieve all;
indeed I have too many concerns of my own to brood over theirs, so much as at any other time I
should have done, as it is, I fear I feel more for them than [that] they do for themselves.
Now for domestick matters. Charles has a cold and is a little pulled down again with it,
Betsy has a cough, otherwise we are all tolerably well, the children in high spirits with the
prospect of tomorrow when they are to have sixpence each to spend at the fair. Papa has made
them and their mother happy with a bushel at least of Rolls,5 and in return he has sent me an
order for I am to send him fifty Ippecaa powders,6 which if he lives to a hundred he will hardly
make use of; Miss [Bet] Bridger7 talks of being here soon he says, but I make no dependance
upon it, though I should be most happy to see her.
We are turning Lent8 into the carnival here, nothing but balls and concerts, to morrow
there is one at the George9 under the auspices of Mrs Hare,10 who has pressed a number of
gentlemen into her service and obliged them to subscribe a guinea each to a ball and supper, to
the utter discomfiture of allmost the whole town, I heard that she had put Mr Dyson’s name
down, upon which I sent immediate intelligence to Betsy, who was in a rage, and declared she
would have nothing to do with it, which was what I wanted; wonders will never cease! for on
Tuesday Mr Rennel [Thomas Rennell] gives a ball in honour of Miss [Sarah] Blackstone, he has
had a room new painted upon the occasion, it is to be a very famous affair and happy are the
people who are so lucky as to be in the number of his favorites, I think he is in a fair way to wipe
off the rust of his black letter binding, I am told that he puts on a clean shirt every day.11
I cannot help feeling a little glad, at the idea of things in the political world remaining as
they are,12 as it must be a means of shortening the Session of Parliament, after my purgatory is at
an end I don’t care...
[No sign-off. Letter incomplete]
213
1Jeremiah
and Elizabeth Dyson.
2Meaning
a position of some kind obtained by influence, 'a place'.
3Francis
4Her
Dyson was baptised at Compton, Hampshire, on 1 October 1785.
father had retired to this Sussex town.
5A
'roll' is a small quantity of a soft substance formed into a cyclindrical mass (OED), used for
pharmaceutical preparations. But a bushel is a measure of 8 gallons. Does she therefore mean bread
rolls?
6Ipecacuanha
7See
8In
9A
is the root of a South American plant with medicinal properties (OED).
Note 7, Letter 41.
this year Lent started on 15 February, six weeks before Easter.
Winchester hostelry that stood in the place now occupied by Barclay's Bank in the High Street.
10Probably
Henrietta (née Henckell) the second wife of Robert Hare (also known as Hare-Naylor), a
prebendary of Winchester 1777-1797 and the father of Francis Hare-Naylor.
11In
1786, Thomas Rennell, a prebendary of Winchester (later to be dean), married Sarah Blackstone,
eldest daughter of the famous jurist, Sir William Blackstone.
12She
probably means that Pitt's administration stay in place, in the face of the opposition of Fox, whose
seat for Westminster had not yet even been confirmed after the general election in the previous spring.
214
Letter 76: Saturday, [19 February 1785] − Philip Williams in London to Sarah Williams at
Winchester (WCA/M/PW/15)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
I waited for your letter till I almost lost my dinner and read it in my way to the Chaplain’s
table, where I dined with [John] Sturges, and spent a very dull afternoon; our company was his
brother Majendie, (a Cambridge prig) an officer in the guards,1 and a son of J. Buller’s, a captain
in the navy, and a solemn little ugly coxcomb.2 We broke up before six, a time when in London
you can call no where, which drove me to the play, where I saw the new actor Holman perform
Halmlet for his benefit, and really very tolerably.3 I shall now carry you back to our two state
dinners,4 which consisted the first day of Lord Courtown, Lord Arden, Mr Hopkins, Noel
Edwards, Curzon, Caswall, Stephens, on one side, and on the other, Lord Apsley, Mr Pratt,
Phelipps, James Gordon (who very civilly asked after you) [Joseph] Banks, Ja[mes] Luttrel, and
Brett. Our next days party consisted of Mr Pye, Sir W. Codrington, Mr Viner, Sir H. Dashwood,
Mr Gammon, and Mr H[awkins] Brown on one side, and on the other, Sir J. Wodehouse, Mr
Bastard, Vansittart, Nat. Smith, Rolle, Thistlethwayte, and Jervois Clarke. Our party this day
gave me much trouble in helping them to roast-beef, which will be a growing evil, as we have got
through the number of those who eat like statesmen.
Monday night I sat with [Harry] Peckham, whose spirits are better, and his looks – the
discharge continues the same in quantity, but of a thicker and more consistent quality. 5 He lost
only ½ a pound in the course of the last month.
Wednesday I rode out for the second time only since I have been in town, and was
joined by Lord Aylesbury [Ailesbury], who rode with me as far as Clapham, and was for him
wonderfully communicative. Clapham puts me in mind of the Dysons.6 I wrote him7 a long
letter on Monday, containing such advice, as I was really too much affected to give him in
conversation. They have not spent so much as I thought they had, as great part of their furniture
was not paid for in August 1782 - and therefore is to be included in that sum. Your ideas about
the possibility of their remaining at Compton without a carriage will never do, and if they did,
Bisset [Alex Bissett] and such idle fellows have already been too sensible of the sweets of living
upon him, not to repeat the dose upon every opportunity. However you will have talked the
matter over with them I imagine long before this time, and find out what plan they incline to, if
they can be brought to think seriously of any.
You will be glad to hear that Russell has succeeded in negotiating his exchange,8 and not
sorry to find he paid me two guineas without being dunned. [William] Buller has been here
cackling, and boasts of having intimidated the Warden [of Winchester College] from appealing to
the commissioners of the windows upon the grounds I left with him to put into [Charles]
Knott’s hands.9 I doubt the fact. I have recieved a note from Matty [Paul Henry Maty] this
morning to inform me that Warton has sent him the wrong book10 - what he promised him was
a collection of blank verses in Italian by Algarotti,11 and if the Blade12 is coming up soon, you
may manage it, I should think. How did the balls go off, at the George, and in the close? This
reminds me of an anecdote which happened last week. Lady [Catherine] Cope13 and the family
were going to bed about 12 o’clock one night, when a message came from the [Alexander 4 th]
Duke of Gordon desiring their company immediately at a ball, and upon their refusing, a note
215
came from the Duke intimating that Florizel14 was at his house and much wished it. However
they had resolution enough to resist the invitation, which we ascribe here rather to the male of
the family15 than those more immediately concerned. Lord have mercy upon me, I hear the old
Lady exclaiming, and well she may – however, that does not alter the case.
Friday. I called upon Miss [Elizabeth][ Pyke, who talks of writing to you. She was at the
ancient music last Monday,16 and frightened to death almost at the croud and bustle in getting
away, added to the pickpockets and rogues who tore the diamonds from several ladies heads
whilst getting into their carriage. She very quietly pulled out a few pins she had and put them
into her muff. I dined at Ch[arles Nalson] Cole’s, very comfortably, except that our mutton was
raw, owing to the frost; our party was a Mrs Wray,17 widow of Daniel ...
[end of letter missing]
1Majendie
was a French Huguenot family (Majendie, 1878). Elsewhere Philip Williams mentioned Dr
John James Majendie (1709-1783), tutor to Queen Charlotte, wife of George III, and canon of Windsor
from 1774 until his death, following canonries at Salisbury and Worcester (Letter 42).
2A
foolish, conceited, showy person (OED).
3Joseph
George Holman (1764-1817), educated at Oxford (but without a degree), had first appeared on
the London stage at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, in the previous October. Hamlet with him in the
title role was advertised in The Times to be played for his benefit on Tuesday 15 February 1785.
4As
well as some of the leading parliamentarians of the day, the dinner parties he attended included the
Hampshire worthies Thistlethwayte and Jervois Clarke. Did he really ‘help them to roast beef’?
5His
illness was probably the result of a hunting accident, in which he broke his neck (Nicolson, 1968,
Vol 1). It is obvious that at the time of this letter he is seriously ill and died two years later, on 1 January
1787. A mutual friend was the Derbyshire squire and poet Francis NC Mundy, who briefly went to
Winchester after Repton, before matriculating at New College, Oxford. In later life Philip Williams visited
him at Markeaton Hall, Derbyshire, and they corresponded (WCA/M/PW/390-395; Clark-Maxwell,
1932). Peckham was one of six members of the Markeaton Hunt painted in a series of portraits by
Joseph Wright of Derby commissioned by Mundy. His travelogue of a visit to the Continent, first
published in 1772, has recently been published in a new edition as Harry Peckham’s Tour (Brayne, 2008).
George Dyson, a brother of his brother-in-law, Jeremiah Dyson jr, lived at Clapham (see Note 22, Letter
67)
6
7Jeremiah
Dyson jr.
8Probably
John Russell (see Note 2, Letter 49); the 'exchange' may refer to church livings.
9Lawyer,
involved with the business of Winchester College, at least between 1760 and 1790 (Himsworth,
1976, Vol. I, p. 367).
10See
also Letters 60 and 71.
216
11Italian
12John
philosopher and art critic.
Monk Newbolt.
13Second
wife of the Rt Hon. Charles Jenkinson, later 1st Lord Liverpool.
14Perdita's
lover in Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale.
15Perhaps
meaning the Prince of Wales, as suggested by JS Drew.
16Public
performances of the Academy of Ancient Music in London were started by its musical director
Benjamin Cooke (1734-1793) in 1784 (www.aam.co.uk). A report in The Times of 15 February 1785 of the
concert mentioned here, held on the previous evening, confirms the scene sketched in the letter and
comments: 'On the next night it is to be hoped that there will be some rules established, and rigidly
enforced for the better disposal of carriages.' The Academy of Ancient Music was refounded in 1973.
17Her
husband had died in December 1783.
217
Letter 77: Sunday, [20 February 1785]1 − Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams
in London (WCA/M/PW/62)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
I am hurt to give you the uneasiness which I know you will feel on my account,
when I tell you that I have experienced a most vexatious, and cruel disappointment, in being
obliged to wean my dear little boy [in another hand: ‘Charles, my father, born 1784’], the history of
which is this, for these last five weeks1 he has thrown himself into terrible passions at particular
times when he has been brought to suck, at others sucking perfectly well, but latterly it has got
quite intolerable, and he would seldom suck without Molly [Strong] and myself patting, and
jogging him the whole time, and that after crying till he had frightened me out of my senses. By
this whimsical mode of going on, and a great failure of appetite for my dinner on my side, my
milk has decreased continually which has made me a little doubtful for some time past that I
should be under the necessity of parting with the child; last Wednesday he was brought to me
early in the morning, and with some difficulty he sucked. After breakfast I went to him again, he
was in such a tantorum2 that he turned as white as a sheet, and terrified me in such a manner that
when he attempted to suck, I found the milk was gone, it returned again after a little time, but I
was not long in resolving upon what it was right for me to do, I therefore immediately gave it up
and he has not sucked since; I have the comfort of seeing him look, (so far from worse) better
than he did before; upon the whole I believe it is best as it is, and I feel myself more at ease in
my mind since I have taken this step than before, for I had the constant dread upon me of
injuring the child, every time I thought of you (which I could never do without great agitation)
and how often that has happened I need not tell you; it is very certain that since that dreadful
cold I had before you went away, I have hardly cared to eat any-thing, though I have never
omitted to take a long walk every day in hopes of procuring some appetite, in all other respects I
have been perfectly well; this unlucky event may probably lead to another disappointment at a
greater distance, but my present comfort is, that my dear child goes on as I could wish; and in
future let the worst come to the worst I shall be the only sufferer; the weather is most
unpleasant, I have now a cold in my head that allmost deprives me of sense and feeling, and the
children’s noses are raw, may God in his goodness keep you from all sickness.
I have had no conversation yet with Mr [Jeremiah] Dyson, my own affairs have been as
much as I could away with the last week, there is something that I like worse than their
circumstances, which is a disposition rather to snap each other and which I never perceived
before, but say nothing of this, for it is only my suspicion.
They affect to speak highly of the George Ball,3 but I believe if they were to own the
truth it was very flat, they could not manage to get the number of subscribers (15) without a
coalition between the houses of Mildmay and Pyott: there were 2 Ricketts, 2 Hares, 2 Ferrers’s,
the Blade, Woodford, my opposite neighbour, 2 Gauntlet[t]s, Sir C[haloner] Ogle, Parry, Pyott,
and Mrs [Carew] Mildmay I fancy paid as a man, I daresay they have more than double the
intended subscription to pay.
You will think we are all run mad when I tell you that Mr [Matthew] Woodford dances,
and Rennel [Thomas Rennell jr] goes a fox-hunting which he really did the day after his ball, I
gave Mrs [Lucy] Elyott one of the Almanacks and have promised my own to Bess when she is
218
five years old. I was to have gone to Compton to-day, but I found my cold so very bad this
morning that I sent an excuse.
I have had many invitations, and amongst the rest one from Mrs [Robert] Hare to sup,
which I refused supposing it might be a convivial affair, but I had a still greater escape, for I have
since found out that it is to be a solemn for Mrs [William] Buller and Mrs [John] Sturges; I am
determined not to leave my own fire-side, where I am su{re} of being warm and of having
company that I lo{ve} in my beloved children; I wish I was out of this place that I might not be
in the way of being questioned for ever about staying at home so much.
I have been in the green-house but once since you went, but I believe everything is in a
bad state there, the myrtles on the outside of the house are dead, this affects not me, I have too
many cares of another sort.
God bless you my dearest,
Ever yours, SW.
1A
period of five weeks referred to in this letter, reckoned from the time her husband left Winchester on
21 January (Letter 105), for the resumption of parliament on 25 January, suggests that it was written on
about 25 February. But it was clearly written before Letter 78 (see also Note 1 for that letter), in which
Philip Williams refers to the fact that she has 'weaned [the] little boy', so it has been assigned a date of 20
February, a Sunday, the day on which she wrote the letter.
2Other
spellings were 'tanterum' and 'tantarum' (OED).
3This
list of the people who attended the ball at the George Inn, Winchester, probably indicates her circle
of friends and acquaintances. The Pyott family were merchants with interests in the Itchen canal at
Winchester (see, for example, the will of Edward Pyott, TNA/Prob11/1098, dated 23 December 1782).
219
Letter 78: Saturday, [26 February 1785] − Philip Williams in London to Sarah Williams at
Winchester (WCA/M/PW/16)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
You will be surprized when I tell you that your letter did not reach me till
Wednesday, which I can only account for by it’s being put too late into the post on Monday
morning.1 Pray, inquire about it – I was so confident of having one, that I broke open a letter to
the speaker, which appeared to me to be [Jeremiah] Dyson’s hand, upon the presumption of it’s
containing one for me, whereas upon examination it came from Hereford. However I soon got
over my chagrin, and imputed it to the true cause, and depended upon having one to day, as it
has turned out. I am sorry at the contents of yours, merely because you are so, and as to any
future disappointment, let me adjure you not to anticipate what, if it should happen, we shall, I
trust be able somehow or other to render less unpalatable than you may suppose. But let us
attend to the present, and I expect to hear a better account of your health and spirits, now you
have weaned your little boy, as I am convinced that drain was too much for you in that state of
mind which I left you in. If you would follow my advice you should return with me to London,
and spend some time with Miss [Elizabeth] Pyke who much wishes it, and return, whenever Miss
[Bet] Bridger will promise you the meeting at Winchester. Consider of it, and vary the scene, if
only for a fortnight. If your appetite does not return, venture upon a little puke, and keep back
one of those papers you are to send to Midhurst.2
We had our parties3 as usual on Saturday, Mr Bearcroft, Calvert, Adam, Captain Bowyer,
Mr Hunt, and Graves on one side, and on the other Sir G. Collier, Colonel Norton, Mr Calvert
Jun, Dempster, Sir Al. Hood, Addington (who is a very promising young man, and asked after
you) and Mr Call. On Sunday, Lord Delaval, Mr Lascelles, Sir H. Houghton, Mr Selwyn,
Kynaston, Penruddock (whose wife lies in the country of the 8th alive) and on the other side Sir
H Mackworth, Sir J. Rushout, Mr Pulteney, Howard, Jennings, George Selwyn, and Sir W.
Lemon.
On Monday [John] Sturges and [Bradnam] Tawney breakfasted here, but like two
affirmatives they produced a negative,4 and not being well paired checked each other. Tawney
condoled with me on the loss of several pair of silk breeches, which he understood from Dr
[Joseph] Warton I had lost.5 In the evening I attended the debate about the old bore, the
Westminster Election, where if they dont put an end to it some how or other, the ministry will
be foiled, and so they ought to be.6
On Tuesday I called on the Bishop of St Asaph [Jonathan Shipley], who looked sadly and
mentioned Elizabeth7 as getting worse and worse. I called likewise on Mrs Stinton,8 (of whom I
got intelligence by Mr Graves) who has lodgings in Sackville Street; she is still in mourning, but
grown as fat as a pig – a Lady Jane Lyon,9 sister of the late Lord Strathmore, lives with her. In
the evening I went to the Bishop of Chester [Beilby Porteus], who sees company (as it is called)
that night, and met Dr [William] Heberden and [Michael] Lort; sat about ½ an hour, and a flight
of Cantabs being announced, I fled the Pit.
On Wednesday I drank tea with [Harry] Peckham, who was seized that morning with
most acute pains in his whole body, which were relieved by hot flannels, but he was not able to
220
be carried into his coach, and could only lyie at his length on a sopha – his spirits however were
tolerably good.10
Thursday. [Lovelace] Bigg [Wither] is in town, and I think the same as usual; he tempted
me to mob it into the pit, to see Mrs [Sarah] Siddons in Zara,11 which character she sustained in a
very great stile, and was recieved with the applause she deserved.
Friday. I dined this day at a tavern to meet Russell, Isham, and Wodehouse. 12 The latter
has two children and another forth-coming. So the world goes on, you see. I forgot to tell you
that I heard at Whitehall last Sunday, Cook the Dean of Ely’s son,13 who preached an hour, and
poured forth a rhapsody of methodistical nonsence, and had the appearance both of an
enthusiast and madman. He ought to be silenced and punished into the bargain if there was a
possibility of it, as I am told that in the afternoon, when he has little or no audience, he preaches
and is as passive as other men. I must mention a ridiculous circumstance which happened
yesterday morning. I was wakened with a ringing of the bell, and all the servants in confusion
and disorder, about a quarter before seven in the morning. As it was broad day-light, I was
convinced there could not be a second burglary, and was apprehensive that Mr or Mrs [Charles
Wolfran] C[ornwall] was siezed with a fit. The fact was that some accident had set the alarum
patent bells in our neighbour’s Mrs Mavillon’s house, a going, which waked Mr and Mrs
C[ornwall] whose windows being shut, they jumped out of bed and loudly rung their own bell,
when upon opening the shutters they percieved the day-light, and Mansbridge standing at his
window with a charged blunderbuss. You may suppose we laughed sufficiently at breakfast.
I inclose you Dyson’s letter. A note from his uncle14 mentions the extent of his debts to
amount to £1550. I want to know more particulars about them, what are likely to embarrass
him, and what not. Sam. Dyson declares his inability to assist him. What is your objection to
Midhurst? at Compton they must not stay. Long letters from Lincoln, about the sale of this fen
estate. The Dr gives up the £50.15 I have only time to desire you to attend your health, and
remember how much my comfort and existence are coupled with your’s. Am returned from a
long walk to Kensington, to call upon Mrs Makenzie, who sent me word she was upon a visit
there to a Scotch aunt of her husband’s, and such was the old womans hospitality and
importunity, that I have been obliged to drink a glass of sweet wine and eat a biscuit this
morning. Once more adieu. I long to see you – which will be on good Friday. P.W.
1Evidence
2See
of the general punctuality of the post, though on this occasion it seems to have failed
Note 6, Letter 75.
3Amongst
the string of names listed here almost all are politicians. Many can be found in the ODNB and
the History of Parliament, notably Henry Addington, later Speaker and then Prime Minister. 'Sir Al. Hood'
seems to be Sir Alexander Hood, Viscount Bridport, but at the date of the letter he had not yet apparently
been knighted, according to the ODNB.
4He
5In
means that two negatives make an affirmative.
the burglary at the Speaker’s house; see Note 15, Letter 73.
6Fox
was finally elected to represent the City of Westminster by a vote in the house on 3 March 1785
(Hague, 2005, p.190).
221
7A
daughter of Jonathan Shipley, she died in 1796, according to a memorial inscription in Twyford
church, Hampshire (Blore, 1944).
8Probably
Charlotte, the widow of Dr George Stinton, chancellor of Lincoln, who had died in 1783.
There is, however, some confusion, as by this date she had become the second wife of Sir William
Fawcett, according to the ODNB, whilst in April 1785 Philip Williams writes that she 'has refused Dr
Davis' (Letter 88). The Fawcetts lived at 31 Great George Street, London SW1, now demolished (British
History Online).
9Lady
Jane Lyon (ca 1756-1836; from a family that later adopted the name Bowes-Lyon) was a daughter
of the 8th earl of Strathmore and Keyhorne.
10See
11In
Note 5, Letter 76.
Congreve's The Mourning Bride.
12Probably
John Russell, Edmund Isham, warden of All Souls' College, Oxford, 1793-1813 , and Sir John
Wodehouse, 6th Bt (ca 1742-1834), MP for Nofolk 1784-1797 and afterwards created Baron Wodehouse
(also mentioned in Letter 76).
13The
father, William Cooke, became provost of King's College, Cambridge, in 1772 and dean of Ely in
1780 (see also Letter 83).
14Samuel
Dyson, mentioned later in the letter (see also Note 15, Letter 63).
15The
31 letters from his stepfather, Dr John Gordon, contain much information on the small family
estates in East Anglia that Philip Williams inherited from his mother. He clearly is rather fed up with the
process of selling, and with his stepfather in general. Writing elsewhere about his step-brother George, he
comments that he is ‘the image of his father, but I trust with a better temper’ (Letter 73).
222
Letter 79: Sunday, [27 February 1785] − Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams
in London (WCA/M/PW/63)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My dear love,
I am sorry you had any uneasiness about my letter, and why you had it [the letter] not
sooner I am unable to find out, as I gave it to James Wells who was going up into the town
between ten and eleven. Should the like happen again, you may be very certain that there is no
cause for it, but some neglect in the post-office, you and my children have my whole and sole
attention in this life, and wherever you are concerned I am scrupulously punctual, my letter is
always ready by half after ten;1 I thank you for your anxious concern about me, I am very well,
bating2 a dreadful cold which I have had these ten days, though I have not been out of my own
house but one morning for a walk since I wrote last; my appetite is much better, and as it is less
an object to me whether I eat or not, I am the more likely to recover it, I have taken a good deal
of Physick, which has rummaged3 me and done me good; so that as far as health is concerned
there is nothing to be feared, for my spirits, there is not much amendment to be expected from
that quarter, the cause remaining (which it must do for some years) and my unhappy feelings
continuing to the full as acute as when you left me, I own that I feel a relief from the idea that I
shall now be the only sufferer, as my little boy I thank God takes his weaning perfectly well and
has no complaint but crossness; I am much obliged to Miss [Elizabeth] Pyke and you for the
scheme you have suggested, but it is better as it is, for that I can ever tear myself away from a
place where you are, is more than I fear I could prevail upon myself to do, setting aside the four
dear children I have at home, the only thing I have to rely upon, is the strength of my
constitution which may probably enable me to indure4 what otherwise I am confident I could
not be equal to.
There is a letter come for you to night from Mr Snell though he has not put his name to
it (lost I suppose in Comus’s cup5) which I shall keep till the next time I write to you, as there is a
commission for me which I shall forget, if I send it away.
Mr [Jeremiah] Dyson has been gone this week to Critchill [Moor Crichel],6 and was to
have returned to night, he has not yet said a word to me upon the subject of their removal,
though Betsy tells me that they are all harmony again and he has promised to pay his bills with
his income instead of throwing it away upon nonsense; there is nothing to be dreaded for them
from Alex Bissett,7 as he is proscribed at Southampton and is at hide-and-seek somewhere in
London, he and his wife have contrived between them almost to kill Mrs [Lucy] Elyott, who has
been obliged to consent to call in Dr [John] Littlehales, and is now somewhat relieved; to return
again to the Dysons, my objection to their going to Midhurst is the great expense attending their
removal which is to be only temporary, and therefore when they do move, they had better go to
their final home at once; another thing, knowing the Vet[era]n8 and Betsy, I don’t think the
males would ever have any comfort of their lifes, but something will I trust be soon settled
about them, they have heard from Mr Talbot that they cannot have Kensington, of which I
never thought they had the smallest chance; I was to have gone to Compton to day but one of
the horses is lame, which I was not sorry for, as James9 was so drunk the last time he drove them
from my house that he went out of the road, and threw down one of the horses, and he has not
223
had a word said to him upon the subject, he is one of the things I am glad they will be obliged to
part with.
I was invited to a route and ball at Mrs Home’s [Hume’s] last night but I sent an excuse,
the Jungs are to have a benefit concert and ball on Wednesday;10 I thought it right to take a ticket
for their encouragement, but I am sorry to say that the Dilletanti do not flourish in this soil.
Your President is really dub’d a Doctor and has resigned the hospital, I called yesterday
upon Lady Charnock [Chernocke] who asked me if I had sent to the new physician yet. 11 She
told me so much news and scandal that I was tempted to promise her to come and drink tea
with her.
[George Richard] St John has settled 500£ per annum on Charlotte on the Wiltshire
estate, Frederick and his family having joined with him to do it.12
There is a very old friend of mine in this neighbourhood, whom I hope to get to me for
a day or two before she leaves it, a Joan Smith who was concubine (as she called herself) to Mr
[Nicholas] Preston at Alton Barnes.
I expect Miss Dyson to sleep here to night in order to set off with Mr [John Monk]
Newbolt to morrow, it is now ten o’clock and I hear nothing of her, my mind misgives me that
she will not go at all. Adieu my dearest love may God ever bless you.
Yours affectionately,
SW.
Bess and Phill will write next Sunday, I had a letter last night from Miss Pyke full of good-nature,
give my love to her and I will write soon.
You see Mr [John] Sargent’s poem (the Mine)13 is advertised, I lament this metromania14
that has infected my Sussex friends.
1In
time for the Monday post, after writing the letter on the Sunday.
2Beating
back or blunting the edge of something (OED).
3Arranged
or put in order (OED).
4Obsolete
form of 'endure' (OED).
5In
Roman mythology, Comus was the son and cup-bearer of Bacchus and Circe.
6The
village in Dorset where the Hon. George Richard St John and his family had rented a house, at least
since December 1783 (see Letter 46).
7He
and possibly his wife were servants of some kind with Jeremiah Dyson at Compton (see also Letter
76). In this context, 'proscribed' means outlawed (OED).
8Probably
her maid and companion, Molly Strong.
9Presumably
the Winchester College ostler, James Wells, but possibly another servant.
10The
Salisbury and Winchester Journal of 28 February 1785 carried this notice (freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.
ancestry.com):
224
CONCERT and BALL,
FOR the BENEFIT of Messrs. JUNG, will be on Wednesday next, the 2d of March. - The
CONCERT to begin at seven o'clock, and to be over at half past eight, when the BALL will
commence.
Tickets at 3s. 6d. to be had of Mr. Jung, St. Peters-street; and of Mess. Robbins and Gilmour.Tea and Cards as usual.
Winchester, Feb. 26, 1785.
11Obscure.
It might just have been Charles Blackstone sr, who had been the senior fellow of Winchester
College (hence ‘the president’) when he resigned in 1783. He also served as chairman of the Court of
Governors of the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Parchment Street, Winchester, between 1776 and
1778, when he handed over to Colonel John Jenkinson (Carpenter Turner, 1986 p. 555); perhaps at the
time of this letter he resigned from the court itself. It has been suggested that the 'new physician' was Dr
John Littlehales (ibid, p. 46), but the letter reads oddly, as he is mentioned earlier in it and the Williams
family had known him since at least July 1784, when he was treating the Hon. George Richard St John
(Letter 42).
12See
Note 10, Letter 73. The estate entailed was Lydiard Tregoze, near Swindon. 'Frederick', was
presumably Charlotte's brother-in-law, the Hon. Frederick St John, although he was only 20 years of age.
Her father-in-law, Frederick 2nd viscount Bolingbroke (1732-1787), was a libertine who was said to be
insane for the last six years of his life.
13The
Mine, A Dramatic Poem, first published in 1785, celebrated 'fossil life in quicksilver mines' (‘John
Sargent’ by R. Thorne in ODNB) and went to several editions. The third edition of 1796 included poems
on Stonehenge and Mary Queen of Scots and has in recent years been republished. It includes such lines
as:
Each devious cleft, each secret cell explore,
And from its fissures draw the ductile ore.
14A
mania for writing poetry (OED), first recorded in print in 1791.
225
Letter 80: Saturday, [5 March 1785] − Philip Williams in London to Sarah Williams at
Winchester (WCA/M/PW/14)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
[No salutation]
Sat[urday]. Dined with C. Cole1 and his wife; in my way home looked into the little
theatre, where I saw an occurrence, which I believe, never happened before. Whilst Wilson was
singing one of the airs in Gretna green, a man leaped over the stage box, went and seized him in
the king’s name, and forced him off the stage.2 This you may suppose occasioned a great tumult,
and Wilson was called for by the audience to give an account of the proceeding; who said this
bailiff had arrested him for a debt he was not conscious of; that his affairs about four months
ago were very derangé, when the manager of Covent Garden had advanced him a sum of money,
which he had deposited in the hands of an attorney by name Turner No. 7 Spring Gardens, who
had appropriated it to his own use, and had now seized his person under the pretence of his
having fled from bail. The bailiff however had the prudence to make a precipitate retreat,
otherwise he would have been torn to pieces, and Wilson resumed his part as quietly as if
nothing unusual had happened.
Sun[day]. Got up and made an early breakfast, intending to ride down to Sir Th[omas]
Parker’s;3 but it has rained incessantly the whole morning, and I have been no farther than
White-hall chappel, where I have heard a most execrable sermon. Have invited myself to the
B[ishop] of St Asaph’s to dinner – where was their own family including the Dean, his wife, and
her sister, Robert Hare and a very fat sister of his.4 In the afternoon Lady Corke, young Lady
Milner, and the Leveret, whose appearance is I think in his favour – The Scrawmy as usual. They
go into Wales this year, though Elizabeth is recommended to try Tunbridge [Wells] waters. 5
Called upon Miss [Elizabeth] Pyke in my way home, found a room full of tabbies and Mrs
[Timothy] Neve;6 must except the Lovers.
Mon[day]. Dined at home with the Cap[tain] and Sir Banks [Jenkinson]7 – we went to
Astley’s in the evening, and were highly entertained with the feats of agility and horsemanship. 8
The little Captain terrified by the fireworks, and sunk down into the bottom of the box.
Tues[day]. Sir Banks left us this morning. I have been pestered with a miserable copy of
verses addressed to the Speaker and intended to be printed in the papers, from your father’s old
schoolfellow Dan. Chaunler9 – however as he submitted it to my judgement, I have roundly told
him the verses would reflect no credit upon the poet, or the subject of his panegyric and advised
him to suppress them. He sent me a lampoon upon the Dutchess of Devonshire, the publication
of which I am quite indifferent to as well as an epigram upon Lord North – Dan’s muse takes
fire at the Dutchess, and he exclaims, “who would not gladly seize, that more than paradise
within her stays[”]. I was afraid of affronting him or else I should have suggested knees to him
as a better rhyme, and [a] less vulgar word than stays. I have laid out four shillings this morning
in an house of furniture for the children, which I am afraid must be in common; and will of
course create endless quarrels. I mean to send it down by the Blade10 or Silence.11 In the
afternoon Bob. Jenkinson12 offered me a ticket to Texier’s reading [Le Texier], which I accepted
and we went together. He himself did not exhibit, and the whole entertainment was very
miserable indeed; the repetition of some French petite piece, and the mimicry of a little girl of
226
about 12 years of age. Not underrstanding the French I was very near asleep and should have
been quite so if it had not been for the conversation of Mr and Mrs [Nathaniel] Dance 13 whom I
sat next to. And yet there were 60 people at ½ a guinea an head. One half hour was consumed
in handing about tea and lemonade.
Wed[nesday]. The Speaker came home at seven o’clock this morning; thank God, the
business of the Westminster election14 is at last over; but you may be satisfied that these late
nights by no means retard the ordinary business, as that comes on previous to the debate. I have
breakfasted at the coffee-house;15 nobody stirring – I am going to call upon my sisters, who came
last night to Mrs Powys. I paid yesterday...
[No sign-off. Letter incomplete]
1Probably
his cousin, Charles Nalson Cole, a barrister and Registrar (or Register) of the Bedford Level
Corporation. See also Note 12, Letter 73.
2In
1783 the afterpiece Gretna Green, by Charles Stuart and John O'Keeffe, with a score by Samuel Arnold,
opened in London at the Little Theatre in the Haymarket. The role of Rory, the parson in this musical
farce, was played by Richard Wilson (1744-1796), an actor born in Durham who had a colorful life. He
had at least five 'wives', was frequently in debt and died in the king's bench prison (see Geraldine Cousin,
'Sarah Maria Wilson', ODNB).
3This
was Rochetts, South Weald, Essex, where Sir Thomas had died the previous December. He was a
lifelong friend of Philip Yorke, later Lord Hardwicke, the Cambridgeshire politician who was well known
to Philip Williams’s step-father, Dr John Gordon, and he was no doubt curious to view his house.
4This
seems to have been a Winchester gathering: Jonathan Shipley, the bishop of St Asaph, lived at
Twyford; Newton Ogle was the dean of Winchester, and his wife was a daughter of the bishop of
Winchester; and Robert Hare was a prebendary of Winchester.
5These
people have not been identified. 'Scrawmy' may be from 'to scrawm', meaning to scratch (OED).
6Ann
Neve outlived her husband in Oxford, where she was described as 'a gay old lady' (see WP Courtney
and Emma Major in 'Timothy Neve', ODNB; see also Note 10, WCA/M/PW/359).
A cousin of the Rt Hon. Charles Jenkinson, Philip Williams’s patron, the 6th baronet, who died without
issue in 1789 (Gash, 1984). By coincidence, the similarly named naturalist Sir Joseph Banks, President of
the Royal Society, whose name also appears in the Letters, was close to Charles Jenkinson and advised the
privy council committee on trade.
7
8See
Note 10, Letter 65.
9Possibly
John Chaunter (or Chaunler, as Foster’s Oxford Alumni has it), admitted a scholar to
Winchester College in 1745, the year after Sarah Williams’s father, Thomas Collins. He became rector of
Coates, Gloucestershire. A more likely alternative is Daniel Chandler, who was slightly older, a commoner
at the school, matriculated at Brasenose College, Oxford, in 1744, later ordained and held church
appointments at Thames Ditton, and Hascombe, Surrey (Holgate CW, revised Chitty C, Winchester
Commoners on Long Roll, 1653-1800, Vol 1, Winchester College Archives).
227
10John
Monk Newbolt.
11Unidentified,
but possibly related to 'Sillence', a name which appears in Hampshire records (Benjamin
Sillence was farmer at Compton in the mid-nineteenth century; White, 1859, p. 127). A 'Mrs Silence' is
mentioned in WCA/M/PW/21.
12Possibly
Robert Banks Jenkinson, the future prime minister, son of the Rt Hon. Charles Jenkinson and
at this time 15 years of age. Four years later he spent several months in Paris perfecting his French
(Norman Gash, ‘Robert Banks Jenkinson', ODNB).
13 See
Note 6, Letter 48
14The
contested Westminster seat in the general election of 1784 was settled in favour of Fox by a motion
in the House on Thursday 3 March 1785 (Hague, 2005, p.190).
15His
usual haunt was the Somerset Coffee House in The Strand (see Letter 35).
228
Letter 81: Sunday and Monday, [6 and 7 March 1785] − Sarah Williams at Winchester to
Philip Williams in London (WCA/M/PW/64)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My dear love,
I am just returned from Compton with my Bess and Phill the latter of whom slept there
the night before, we walked over there yesterday,1 and I was afraid he would not be equal to
return walking back again which his sister and I did, without feeling ourselves at all the worse for
it; I need not after this say any thing upon the subject of health, and if you have any
apprehensions about the good-friday face, you had better remain where you are; I wish I did not
love you half so well as I do, I might then feel that peace and quiet, which at present I never
know.
What the Dysons intend to do I cannot guess, he told me the other day that he should
wait for his uncle’s answer,2 before he determined, but I am afraid they will linger on and do
nothing, I say all that I can possibly think of to induce them to set about something for
themselves; but I have been cassandra-ing3 for these three years, and at present I do not find that
I am more attended to, however I will try again the next time we meet, Papa [Thomas Collins]
knows something of the matter from Mr [Jeremiah] Dyson himself and it would not have been
an easy matter to keep him out of it, I have had a letter from him tonight full of anxiety about
me, having heard by some round about way that I had weaned my child which I did not think it
worth while to plague him with.
The town has been remarkably full this week from the great number of law-suits;4 the
suit between Mr Smith and Mrs Dance is determined in favour of the former, with costs of suit
etc. to the loser, I am told that Sergeant Rook complains of having been deceived by the
attorney, there was a special jury, many of whom were well disposed to Mr Smith; Judge
[Beaumont] Hotham was taken ill, and Sergeant Kerby acted as locum tenens the beginning of
the week, no small gratification one may presume; Mr [Robert Pope] Blachford was here but he
did not call, neither did [Thomas] Le Mesurier.
[George Isaac] Huntingford is to succeed the Hook, and to remain with Dr [Joseph]
Warton till Christmas, the living of course goes to your namesake, and is to be disposed of the
30th of this month,5 Dr W[arton] has been manoevring for his son Tom for the next vacancy, and
I believe he has met with a repulse;6 if any man was prepared to leave the world at such short
notice it was the Hook, there is some provision for his mother and sister; but his Eleve 7 is the
most pitiable object; I own this event has a little shocked me, as, to our short-sighted judgements
there was little prospect of a vacancy in your society for some years, and when I consider that
you are almost the senior, I feel with redoubled weight the misery of our present separation.
One thing I will just mention before you come home; would you think it worth while for the few
days you are at home to have the sleeping system altered? I must turn out the children, and I am
so wretched that I may not be able to sleep, or what is of more consequence, I may prevent your
having any rest, I will do as you please, only tell me in your next what you would like; you will I
suppose come home in the Dilly;8 for if you come on horseback it will be two days lost to me;
they seem to be very tiresome in their proceedings in your house, this scrutiny business has9 now
lasted 5 weeks, and if they do not get on faster with their other business, I may have as little of
your company this year as I had the last.
229
Phill talks of writing to you, he is a good boy and comes on with his book, but he will
not be dressed en homme to see you – his nankins10 are yet in tolerable condition and the
weather is so cold, Charles is very well; rather a delicate child and crosser than I wish; for Bess
and the dorumite [Charlotte Williams] they never ail anything.
Monday morn. Mr [William Stanley] Goddard will be obliged to you to order half a
moderate sized chest of oranges to be sent to him at Winchester, and to pay for them,
Huntingford, and [Thomas] Bargus, and he are to divide them between them, he says they
should be bought in Botolph Lane.11 William12 I suppose can manage the matter, th{e} enclosed
to Mr G’s sister desire13 W. to put in the penny post, and don’t forget the stump candlesticks.
I have enclosed a note for Sage14 for some things which I should be glad if William might
get as soon as may be, and you will keep it in the dry till you come home, my reason for wishing
to have it bought so soon is that I am afraid the things will be gone.
Dr Warton has lent me Mr [John] Sargent’s mine which I do not like better in print than
I did in manuscript; Dr W says he likes it (which I don’t believe) and that it is equal to Comus; 15
the sentiments of the Heroine of the tale are so exactly my own that I could not help being a
little affected with it. Mr [John Monk] Newbolt did take Miss Dyson after all.16
There is a long letter I find for you from Phill. I wrote last Thursday to Lady Montague,
says nothing of BB.17 there is no chance of her being here before Easter, if at all. God bless you
my best and dearest life and I am ever yours SW.
Dreadful cold weather;18 I wish it was warmer for I am quite tired of it, I contrived to get
to church yesterday for the second time only. God bless you again, and again, I am sure you will
think the children improved, Bess reads as well as you can.
1Today
2See
it takes 30-45 minutes to walk to Compton from Kingsgate Street, Winchester, via St Cross.
Note 15, Letter 63, and Note 14, Letter 78.
3After
4The
Cassandra, from Greek legend, the prophetess of doom.
assizes were held in Winchester on Tuesday 1 March (Hampshire Chronicle, 7 February 1785).
5'The
Hook' was apparently a nickname for John Lucas, who came from Tingewick, Buckinghamshire,
entered Winchester College as Founder's Kin in 1754, was elected a fellow in 1775 and became vicar of
Milborne Port, Somerset, a living in the gift of the college. He died unexpectedly on 25 February, scarcely
a week before this letter was written, and on 15 March the vacancy in 'the society' had been filled by
George Huntingford, later to be the warden of the school, and successively bishop of Gloucester and
Hereford. Unlike most fellows, he resided in the school, but 'planned to spend three years as a private
tutor in Salisbury', though events intervened (A. Robinson, 'George Isaac Huntingford', ODNB).
Milborne Port went to another fellow, Daniel Williams (no relative of Philip), who had been admitted in
1781 and was instituted to the living on 30 July 1785. Three years later he resigned it in favour the more
lucrative one of Andover and Foxcotte, Hampshire, the advowson of which was also owned by the
school.
6This
did not happen. His son Thomas died suddenly two years later (see Letter 118).
230
7Fr.
pupil or trainee. Obscure; possibly John Lucas's wife.
8Slang
9See
for Diligence, a public stage-coach.
Note 20, Letter 73.
10Nankeens,
11London,
12See
trousers of 'nankeen', a pale yellowish cloth (OED).
EC3.
Note 7, Letter 70.
13Presumably
14A
William Stanley Goddards's sister.
London shop.
15To
be compared to Milton's Comus is no faint praise from a man who is still remembered as a literary
critic. See also Note 13, Letter 79.
16Probably
Elizabeth Dyson, the only sister of Jeremiah Dyson still alive at this time (Manning and Bray,
1804-1814, Vol I, p. 179).
17'BB'
is probably Bet Bridger. 'Lady Montague' is probably the wife of viscount Montague of Cowdray
House, Midhurst (see Note 7, Letter 41)
18The
eruption of the Laki fissure in Iceland in 1783-1784, which killed 25 per cent of the island's
population (Karlsson, 2000, p. 188), may have perturbed the weather in England the following year.
231
Letter 82: Sunday, [13 March 1785] − Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/65)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
Sunday night
My dearest love,
Mr [Jeremiah] Dyson goes to town tomorrow and will probably see you as soon
as you receive this, I shall therefore say nothing about myself and children, as I am sure he will
give you a good account of us, I hardly know what his errand is, and for a thorough reform in
their affairs I despair of it, I do talk to Betsy about them whenever I see her, her constant answer
is that she spends nothing, and is ready to do whatever he desires, but when I tell her what
particular things she must give up, she does not listen to me, and I have found out that you and I
are more in earnest in the matter than they are, notwithstanding I hope you will assist him as
much as lies in your power, and goad him on to take some resolution before they are finally
ruined, at present I go to Compton with great reluctance and great uneasiness, and I shall be
heartily glad when they are settled in a less expensive situation. Mr [Thomas] Rennel[l] goes on
at a great rate in the road to matrimony; he has made his offer, and has been accepted, the old
man1 (a bad appendage for the Lady) is so charmed with the idea, that he has sent him word, he
will give him 600£ per annum at present, and leave him 20 000£ at his death. My authority for
all this is Mrs Price through the medium of the Tripps, the offer was first made to your ex
socius,2 before any thing of the kind was even hinted to the Lady, which may be the more
classical way of making love, but it is certainly not the most gallant; the scandalous chronicle says
he has used Miss Brereton3 ill, which I rather doubt, as he seems to have an excellent heart.
Your new fellow is to be elected on Wednesday,4 and he talks of taking your lodgings,
and keeping an elderly lady to attend him, which I suppose the College will have no objection to,
his being entitled to a share in the back staircase is rather an objection to eye-sore to Mrs
[William Stanley] Goddard I find; I was invited last night to a route [rout] at Mr Goddard’s
which I could not accept, for fear of being killed with the cold in those rooms, and besides I had
before refused going to the Dean’s,5 I shall not move from home whilst this bitter weather lasts,6
if I do when it is over, I now get on after a manner; am glad when the time comes to go to bed,
and am sorry when I am to get up in the morning, the children read, and we then walk out for
about two hours, the rest of the day, that is not employed in eating, I work very hard for the
children, and I think of you twenty times in the day till my heart achs, I look forwards, and I look
backwards without seeing any thing but wretchedness for me.
Mr [Godfrey Woodward] Vane died yesterday of a dropsy, for which he had been
tap[p]ed7 and I suppose the operation was too much for him; he had offered his house to be sold
first for some time, without a chance of disposing of it, at the price (6000£) he set upon it.
Mrs Joan Smith dined with me one day last week and we had great satisfaction in talking
over ancient matters; she remembers me when I was a foetid,8 and is besides a very sensible,
pleasant woman, I wanted her to stay some days with me, but that was not in her power.
I think Papa [Thomas Collins] is in the right to hold back the money till he is assured of
the business being duly settled,9 and so I told him when I wrote to him; I believe Papa is
perfectly easy upon the subject of the fellowship,10 he does not abound in wealth, but he has
232
enough for his comfort, and he has what is better than twenty fellowships, a consciousness of
having done his duty, and injured no man, I wish I may be able to feel the same if I live to be as
old as he is.
Monday morn. I brought home your Deputy11 last night in the chaise from Compton
which I was glad to do by way of Horte,12 Miss Dyson13 was to get me a pocket book, {by} my
own desire which was to cost 10-6 or there-abouts, I know Mr Dyson intends to give it me, but I
had rather you would pay Miss Dyson for it; if she will permit it.
Mr [William] Mence is I think very bad; he could hardly get through the duty yesterday,
and looks bloated and puffed up. We have a charming fine day and I hope to get a good walk
with my dear children, God bless you and them, and I am ever yours most affectionately SW.
Phill was disappointed at not having a letter from you.
1Possibly
James Clitherow, brother-in-law and executor of the jurist Sir William Blackstone (1723-1780),
whose daughter Sarah was to marry Winchester prebendary, Thomas Rennell.
2Probably
meaning that the dowry was negotiated via Charles Blackstone (1720-ca 1804), a brother of the
late Sir William Blackstone (see Note 1 above). He had recently, in 1783, resigned his Winchester College
fellowship in favour of his namesake son (but was readmitted in 1788). Another interpretation is that the
go-between was a contemporary of Philip Williams when he was at the college, since in Winchester
notions, or slang, ‘socius’ can mean ‘a companion, without whom no junior was allowed to walk to or
from Cathedral or Hills…,or Chapel’, and was current in the 19th century, but also earlier (Stevens, 1998,
p. 268; pers. comm. S Foster).
3The
Brereton family was quite extensive in Winchester at this time. The lady in question may have been
Mary Brereton (1750-1841), daughter of the apothecary John Brereton (ca 1717-1784), whose sister
Elizabeth had married Francis Wickham Swanton in 1783 (Shurlock, 2008). Mary never married, and
lived in later life with her sister in Kings Worthy, near Winchester, where she is buried.
4George
Isaac Huntingford seems to have been admitted a fellow of Winchester on Tuesday 15 March
1785 (Kirby, 1888, p. 16).
5Newton
Ogle was dean of Winchester at this time.
6See
Note 18, Letter 81.
7To
pierce the body-wall and draw off accumulated fluid (OED).
8Implies
9See
that Joan Smith lived near Thomas Collins in his early married life, perhaps at Midhurst, Sussex.
Note 3, Letter 55.
10Thomas
Collins obviously hoped that he would be elected a fellow of Winchester College on his
retirement as second master, but it did not happen (see also Letter 59).
11His
curate at Compton, Hampshire.
12Possibly
the home of Polly Hort, though the geography may be against it (see Letters 74 and 124)
233
13See
Note 16, Letter 81.
234
Letter 83: Saturday, [19 March 1785] − Philip Williams in London to Sarah Williams at
Winchester (WCA/M/PW/17)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
Our two great days passed off in the usual stile - Sir C. Preston, Mr Bridgeman,
Mr C. Dundas, Cotsford, Fitzherbert, Cricket, B. Hopkins, - on the other side Mr J. Bridgeman,
Colonel Dundas, Baron Dimsdale, Mr Keen, Brandling, Rawlinson. On Sunday, Sir Dav.
Carnegie, Sir S. Gideon, Mr R. Burton, Metcalfe, Browne, (who exposed himself much without
knowing it) Le Fevre, Mainwaring, and on the other side, Sir Ph. Hales, Sir Ja. Johnston, Sir Jos.
Mawby, Sir Ph. Clarke, Mr R. Beckford, G. Knight, Sir T. Halifax, Mr Macnamara.1
On Monday I dined en famille with C. [Charles Nalson] Cole, and drank tea with [Harry]
Peckham, who is certainly not worse, and I think in better spirits.
Tuesday brought me your letter which always brings me some uneasiness, when you
speak of yourself, and the more so, as it is not in my power to remedy it, or your own either, and
yet as it proceeds only from your affection for me, I cannot but love you the better for it. Of
this, something too much. I went in the evening to old Flabby’s, where were four whist tables,
and a commerce2 one. I met with the Miss Manners there, who took an house near
Northampton, finding that the house at Stoke would by no means answer their purpose. 3 I
played at crown whist4 with a conceited little puss, who seemed to have nothing good about her
but her diamonds, Sir Matthew [White] Ridley’s wife.5
Wednesday imported [Jeremiah] Dyson here, who dined with us, and in the evening I
had a good deal of conversation with him, which ended in his determination to consult his friend
Talbot6 about the Welsh towns, and which he would recommend to him - I suppose he can
know nothing of what ought to sway Dyson’s choice, the cheapness of provisions, and house
rent – but however that may be, any place is preferable to Compton.
Tom Warton’s publication of Milton is, I think, errant trumpery,7 and the Lavington
mine I should be sorry to call mine.8
I forgot to tell you I preached for Mrs Forrester [Forester] on Sunday, who has an
interest as I supposed in Park-Street chapel, her husband having built it.9 I sat in the same pew
with Dean [Charles] Coote and his wife10 - the latter paid me high compliments upon my
sermon, which I believe was a better [one] than the Dean could have put together.
Friday I dined with Tom Heathcote, where was Mr and Mrs Grant, Mrs Ricketts, her
Oxford son, and daughter, and the little Newbolt. The Blade’s bellows were so oppressed, that
he was obliged to leave town on Thursday afternoon at two o’clock, and I never saw any thing of
him.11
This abominable Irish business12 will, I fear, abridge our recess at Easter, and I have
written to the Warden [of Winchester College, Harry Lee] in consequence of it, either to
postpone the giving away the living13 till Midsummer, or to summons the people on the Monday,
instead of the Thursday, as I am apprehensive I shall be obliged to return to town on the
Tuesday. The comfort is that the shorter the vacation at Easter is, the sooner we shall be
dismissed for the summer.
As to Mrs [William Stanley] Goddard’s apprehensions, they are groundless about her
being interrupted by any future inhabitant of my old rooms; Dr [John] Burton would not permit
235
of any intercourse between [William] Bowles and himself, and it is in the schoolmaster’s option
to shut up the door whenever he pleases.14
Dyson tells me, Payne15 has offered him £40 for a list of books which he means to part
with upon leaving Compton. Dyson has left me this instant, and prevents my writing to Phil or
to you so much as I meant. He has seen [Hon George Richard] St John this morning, and talks
of settling at Stockbridge.16 This will I think be the ruin of both parties.
I trust to see you on Friday by dinner,17and if you hear nothing, you may depend upon it
– there is a bare possibility of my not being able to come at all, but it is so improbable that it is
folly to mention it. I will bring Bess and Phil a book, and the Doreamite [Charlotte Williams]
shall have something at Winchester. Ever your’s in a very great hurry. P.W.
1A
dull opening to a letter! He enjoyed frequent dinners with the great and good of Westminster, as listed
here, many of whom can be found in the ODNB or the History of Parliament. His phrase ‘our two great
days’ sounds sardonic; the three really great days for the Speaker’s chaplain were those on which state
sermons were delivered, namely, 30 January for the 'martyrdom of Charles I', 29 May for the Restoration
of Charles II and 5 November for the Gunpowder Plot. Strictly, he was not qualified to perform on these
occasions, since a resolution of the House made in 1700 required the preacher to be either a DD or to
have at least the 'dignity of a Dean of the Church' (Gray, 1991, p.15), but he did so at least once (see Note
4, Letter 73).
2A
card game, in which exchange or barter is the chief feature (OED).
3See
Note 8, Letter 67.
4Presumably
a crown (five shillings) was the stake.
5Née
Sarah Colborne, 'not the Pink of gentility, but very good humoured' (J.M. Ellis, 'Sir Matthew White
Ridley', ODNB).
6Jeremiah
Dyson is obviously thinking about moving to Wales, to live more cheaply (see also Letter 93). Mr
Talbot was probably a clergyman (see, for example, Letters 69, 70 and 79).
7Deceit,
fraud, imposture, trickery (OED). In fact, the publication of Thomas Warton's edition of
Milton's poetry in 1785 was greeted with great critical acclaim.
8See
Note 13, Letter 79.
9Now
demolished, this was St Mary’s chapel, located in Mayfair, at the southeast corner of Park Street
and Green Street, described as a ‘modest Georgian preaching box’ (Sheppard, 1980, pp. 252-56). It was
built in 1762-3, half the cost being borne by the Revd Pulter Forester of Cosgrove, Northamptonshire,
and half by the builders.
Dr Charles Coote (d. 1796), dean of Kilfenora, County Clare, was the brother of Sir Eyre Coote (ca
1759-1823). He married twice. His daughter Grace married Henry Bathurst, fellow Wykehamist of Philip
Williams, who became the bishop of Norwich.
10
236
11This
was a gathering in London of a clique of people who lived near Winchester: Thomas Heathcote,
son of Sir Thomas, from Hursley Park, Mrs Ricketts and children from Twyford House, and the 'little
Newbolt' and the Blade (John Monk Newbolt), rector of St Maurice's, St Mary Calendre and Chilcomb,
who seems not to have been able to tolerate the London smogs. Mr and Mrs Grant are unidentified; they
are perhaps related to 'Miss Grant' (see also Letter 52).
12Pitt's
attempt to reform trade between England and Ireland, a long-running sore.
13Probably
the rectorship of Milborne Port, Somerset, in the gift of Winchester College, to which one of
its fellows, Daniel Williams, was instituted on 30 July.
14George
Isaac Huntingford had been elected a fellow on 15 March (see Letter 82) and taken the rooms
once occupied by Philip Williams, who is recalling the arrangements about privacy formerly made by exhead master Dr John Burton and the fellow William Bowles.
15Presumably
a local Bookseller.
16In
the same letter, Jeremiah Dyson, regarded by Philip Williams as ‘scatter brained’ is contemplating
moving either to Wales, or to the Hampshire village of Stockbridge, whilst at the same time seeking a
place at Westminster, which finally materialised in July (Letter 105).
17In
this year, Good Friday fell on 25 March.
237
Letter 84: Sunday, [20 March 1785] − Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/66)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
Mr [Jeremiah] Dyson and myself got to Compton at the same time to day, he
seems to be in better spirits than before he went, which is I hope the result of his having made
up his mind to alter his way of life without loss of time, I suppose when I next see Betsy I shall
have their whole plan; people have an idea here that he certainly went to London for something,
and I yesterday met Mr [Matthew] Woodford whose curiosity got the better of his politeness, for
he wished me joy at the good place1 Mr Dyson had got, without being certain that it was so,
merely to find out how it was; by his simpering and distortions I thought it was somewhat that
concerned myself ( by myself I mean my dearer self), I forgive him, little minds will be occupied
with little things.
Mr [Lovelace] Bigg brought Mrs Williams2 home on Monday, and called upon me, he
looks and I believe is much better than he has been for some time,3 not at all black or stuffy,
which I thought he rather did, when I saw him before; he lamented very much the impatience of
our neighbour to get his son of your brotherhood, as what has been lately transacted here is a
plain proof that he might have done it without retiring himself,4 it is said that Mary Blackstone is
to have the Dess.5
I had a long letter from Miss [Bet] Bridger the other day, full of fears least I should take
it ill, that it was not in her power to come to me; just as she was preparing to set out to me, she
had a letter from Miss May desiring to be taken in at River6 for some months, as she found she
could not live in London, which was so urgent a case, that there was nothing for BB. to do, but
to put me by; I am not sorry for her sake, as I am sure her loss will be nothing; Mrs [John]
Sargent has just brought a little girl into the world and is quite well.
I had a letter from Mrs [??Charlotte] St John the other day, and a present of woodcocks
and a snipe, which would not keep, or I should have sent them to you, one of the birds I gave to
Miss Jenkinson7 for her mother, two of them I had last night for supper for Mrs Blackstone and
Mrs Smith, whom I persuaded to take their bread and cheese with me, and I had the
mortification of being obliged to eat the snipe myself; Bess had an attic, 8 and gave tea and cake
to the Miss Blackstones, and behaved very well, so that she deserves any thing you may have for
her.
Mr Ricketts9 has lent me Mrs Bellamy’s Apology,10 which seems to be full of nonsense
and l-es [lies], but it is a sort of light reading that suits my light head very well.
Mr [John Monk] Newbolt is very indifferent, and if he does not stop his career a little,
will I doubt be worse, there must come a time of reckoning, for all the lazy mornings, and
convivial evenings he has spent, I shall advise him to stick to tea and cards only, for the
remainder of the winter, if he would follow old Parr’s maxims,11 which I saw in the almanack you
sent me, he might live to be as old; I am sure I am the better for following them in a degree, I
don’t eat above a third part of what I used to do, and I seldom walk less than two hours every
day, and I was never better in my life, I take my three dear children upon the St Cross road 12
every day without fear of being molested, which gives the Poney13 time to do a little needle work,
238
a thing that is at present much wanted with us; Charles is become very good to the comfort of
poor Molly Horse,13 who has been worn to death with him.
Mr Goddard’s oranges are arrived,14 but so very bad, as to be scarcely eatable, and in
general very small, we get as good here for a penny a piece, they flatter themselves they can make
wine of them, which they might do if they could metamorphose them into Seville oranges.
Betsy [Dyson] will be obliged to you to bring her two yards of callico, like the enclosed
patt{ern} from Gatty & Gildort’s in New Bond Street.
I need not tell you, that I long to see you, if I am disappointed, I shall comfort myself
with thinking that it is best for you not to see me, except you could stay longer, as to myself I am
already too wretched for it to make much difference; however it may happen, I pray to God to
help and protect you, that my dear children may at least have one friend to look up to.
Ever your affectionate SW.
You must bring the Dorumite [Charlotte Williams] a 6d. business or there will be woeful
lamentations.
1A
position of paid employment in government business obtained by favour, often involving little effort,
and generally in London. Due to the influence of Sir Francis Drake, Dyson appears to have obtained an
appointment at Westminster, where his father was an influential Clerk of the House of Commons, (see, for
example, Letter 101).
2Probably
the wife of Dr Daniel Williams, admitted a fellow of Winchester College in 1781. She was a
daughter of Charles Blackstone sr, another fellow, whose son Charles was in 1792 to marry Margaret, the
eldest daughter of Philip’s friend, Lovelace Bigg-Wither.
3Lovelace
Bigg-Wither's second wife had died only three months earlier. See also Note 7, Letter 71.
4Perhaps
meaning the wish of Winchester’s head master Joseph Warton to have his son Thomas elected
to the fellowship of Winchester College (see Note 6, Letter 81), though the head stayed in post for another
seven years. More plausibly, it involved Charles Blackstone sr (see Note 2 above), who had resigned his
fellowship two years earlier in order to admit his namesake son. In fact, Blackstone sr was admitted
again, but not until 1788.
5Mary
is probably the daughter of Sir William Blackstone, who in 1795 married Dr William Cole, a
prebendary of Westminster (Bigg-Wither, 1907, p. 149). 'Dess' is an obsolete word meaning a dias or desk
(OED), perhaps meaning that Mary was next in line for marriage.
6A
village between Midhurst and Petworth, in the county of Sussex. As a girl Sarah Williams had plenty to
opportunities to make friends such as Bet Bridger. Her father, Thomas Collins, was brought up in
Midhurst and as a young clergyman enjoyed livings at Coombes and Graffham in the county.
7Probably
8Perhaps
a daughter of John Jenkinson, the brother of Philip’s patron, the Rt Hon. Charles Jenkinson.
a clever idea, a brainstorm. One meaning of ‘attic’ is the brain (OED).
9Probably
George Williams Ricketts, who married Letitia, a daughter of Carew Mildmay and his wife of
Twyford House, Twyford.
239
10An
Apology for the Life of George Anne Bellamy was published in 1785, by a well-known but impecunious
actress of that name (?1731-1788) whose parents had meant to christen her Georgiane.
11Probably
12St
by Bartholomew Parr (1750-1810), physician and medical author.
Cross Hospital is about 15 minutes from Winchester College on foot.
13These
14See
unattractive terms for servants seem to be being used affectionately.
Letter 81.
240
Letter 85: Sunday, [March/April 1785] − Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams
at Soissons,1 France (WCA/M/PW/68)
Address panel: Mr Williams [In another hand in pencil] a la Croix d’or Soifsons, France (par
Paris). Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
I was much obliged by your note to James Wells which he sent over this
morning, though I was very easy before upon the subject from James’s report last night after
having been at the Warehouse, the fact is, that the Southampton Waggon did not get to
Winchester till after the other was set out, which is wrong, but so it was.2
You had a great bore in your companion indeed,3 as I find by Ann Mildmay who is
acquainted with her.
I was greatly pleased with your account of Mr [Jeremiah] Dyson’s affairs, in the first
place that there are people in the world capable of such acts of friendship,4 and in the next that it
should fall to the lot of one every way so deserving5 as is Mr D[yson] to meet with them; I flatter
myself it will be an additional spur to him, to induce him to curtail every superfluous expence
that he may trespass as short a time as possible upon the generosity of his friend; I hope you
have instilled this idea with proper emphasis; no one has the principles of doing right more than
he has, but he is apt to be tardy in the practice; especially where œconomy is concerned.
I felt disappointed at your letter, I did not expect that you would get anything in the
present scramble,6 but I had pleased myself with the hopes that it might lead to a certain promise
at the next thing that falls; for till that is the case I do not look upon your advancement as more
at all forwarded by any vacancy that may happen; for if the whole bench of Bishops were to go
off, competitors would start up like Hydra’s heads; you see what my poor head is roaming upon,
and I have an additional reason to wish to be with you, in my present situation,7 which becomes
very oppressive to me, from unusual sickness and countless inconveniences which I could
support with chearfulness, had I the comfort of your society, I have slept very well since you
went except last night when I hardly got any rest from Fanny’s8 having forgot to peg the
windows and it was so cold I was afraid to get out; we had quite a storm of wind and snow. In
the middle of the day came on a thaw and now it is freezing very hard, which is the comfort of
our climate, which after all is I believe the best in the world.
Mrs [Joseph] Warton brought Charlotte [St John] home on Tuesday,9 was much obliged
by your note and said a great deal about paying rent for the house, which I said as much against,
Colonel Morgan was to come yesterday and then she was to let me know what they determined
upon;10 I should not think it unlikely that they may take Dr Hodson’s11 house which is ready
furnished, and he is going to quit it forthwith; meaning as he gives out never to practise for
money in a country town again; Mrs H[odson]’s health is become so indifferent, that he is going
to remove to London for the best advice, and he is dayly exposing himself by uttering a jargon of
nonsense wherever he goes, well! peace go with him, we shall never dine with him, that’s my
comfort.
Miss [Elizabeth] Beauclerk breakfasted with me on Wednesday in her way to London
from Lord Palmerston’s,12 she set out early in the morning and was to join Lady Pembroke13
again at Hertford-bridge;14 she looked very pretty and is too good and too pleasing for the set
she belongs to. The Fœtid and I dined with Mrs [Carew] Mildmay on Thursday, and we went to
241
Winchester with her on Friday, did some errants, and called at Mrs [John] Ballard’s and Mrs
[Lucy] Elyott’s; all this I did contrary to inclination because you should not say that I wanted to
would make myself uneasy, I am willing to do all that I can and if the consequence is not what
you would wish, I intreat you not to blame me, I suffer enough every hour in the day.
I have had a letter from Papa, in which he desires if I have such an Almanack as I gave
the Vet[era]n15 last year that I will let him have one for a friend of his and send it at the Lent fair;
I wish therefore you would seek for an opportunity and send one down directed for my father,
because he desires it may be a secret; you may hear of Mr J[ohn] Sargent (who will put you in a
way of conveying it) at his father’s house in Powis place Ormond Street.16
Taskins10 performed this morning to about a dozen people besides myself, and I made
Old Cole10 ring the bell earlier this afternoon, that we might dine time enough for him to get to
College Chapel; that chatter-box Phil told him he preached in an o{dd way} and frightened me
for what he might {say} next, so I sent him away crying the moment Mr [Bradnam] Tawney left
us; they all observed to him that his articles and coat were very dirty and shabby (and to be sure
they did not smell very strong of the cranberry) which he excused by the badness of the day.
I have hired a maid, vice mugerum,17upwards of thirty, and have recommended Molly’s15
friend, to whom there was no objection but her being only 20, to Mrs [Robert] Hare.
Have you forgot to pay Mrs [Charles Wolfran] C[ornwall] for the lamp? By the by we
trim our lamps better than the maritato.18 I have sent a basket of things to Mrs Keighley for
which you will remember to pay for her carriage when you see her, and let William put the
enclosed into the penny-post for her.
The children are quite well I thank God and I hope it will not be long before something
more comfortable is thought of for your affectionate S Williams. May God bless you my dearest,
dearest life.
1This
is a mysterious letter of uncertain date. Mention of ‘Dyson’s affairs’ and ‘acts of friendship’ suggest
that at the time Jeremiah Dyson was making arrangements for his ‘place’ at Westminster, which came to
fruition in the summer of 1785 (Letters 97, 102 and 105). However, the destination of the letter suggests
that the business of Philip Williams on this occasion - his only known foray across the Channel concerned his brother-in-law, the Hon. George Richard St John and his wife, Sarah’s sister, Charlotte.
Soissons, a sizeable town in France, is about 100 km (60 miles) north-east of Paris. Nearby is the village
of Saint-Pierre-Aigle, where Charlotte, and perhaps St John, two years later were to await the death of his
father Frederic St John, 2nd viscount Bolingbroke (see Letter 122). Philip may have been visiting him,
perhaps in connection with the settlement that his brother-in-law, the future 3rd viscount, was making for
Charlotte (see Letters 74 and 90; also Note 9 below).
2Probably
concerning the dispatch of some plates to 'Mr Snell', which were apparently delayed by the
Southampton Waggon missing the onward stage to London (see Letter 87).
3Perhaps
Lady Sarah Ridley (see Letter 83), which would date the letter to late March.
4Possibly
concerning Jeremiah Dyson jr’s expectation of obtaining a place, due to the influence of Sir
Francis Henry Drake (see, for example, Letter 101).
5
Surely sardonic.
242
6For
preferment. Several chaplains to the Speaker of the House of Commons did in fact gain a bishopric,
but not until much later in their careers. The gift of a prebend at the end of their term of service was the
norm, and in fact this was what Philip Williams attained. Sarah Williams seems here to be exhibiting
enthusiastic naïveté.
7Already
the mother of four children, the last being Charles, born at ‘2.30 AM, November 29, 1784’
(WCA/M/PW/418), a few months later she seems to be pregnant again.
8Her
sister-in-law, Frances Williams, was always called ‘Fanny’.
9This
imples that Sarah’s sister Charlotte was considering moving into their house in Kingsgate Street,
Winchester, which was not now required by them as they were moving into the rectory at Compton (see
Note 10 below). This might suggest that all was not well with Charlotte’s husband, the Hon. George
Richard St John, who was to start an incestuous affair with his half-sister, Mary Beauclerk (Carne, 2006,
p.30). The couple later moved to Paris, where they lived as Mr & Mrs Barton, and had four illegitimate
sons, until St John moved on to this third partner in about May 1794. In 1797 Mary Beauclerk married
Franz Raugraf von Jenison-Walworth Graf von Heidelberg, grand chamberlain of the household of the
king of Wurttemburg, now in Germany. He was the son of Francis Jenison- Walworth, seated at
Walworth, County Durham. At the time of this letter Mary’s twin sister, Elizabeth, was being lined up for
a marriage to Lord Herbert (see Note 13 below).
10Now
that the Dysons are expecting to leave Compton Rectory, Sarah Williams is making arrangements
to let their own house in Kingsgate Street. It seems as if Colonel Morgan did not after all take the house
(see Letter 115).
It seems clear from this that a ‘doctor’ (probably a divine) in Winchester and his wife are moving to
better pastures elsewhere. In a letter from London dated 23 March 1787 (Letter 123) Philip Williams
refers ‘our old friend Dr Hodson’ whom he had met in ‘the park’ and says that he had heard, ‘though not
from himself’, that he is to be ordained. This accords with the record that a Septimus Hodson (ca 17631833) was ordained deacon on 25 April 1787 and priest on 3 June and later became perpetual curate of
Little Raveley, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire (ODNB). However, this man’s year of birth was ca 1763,
not the 1768 given in the ODNB, according to Venn’s Alumni Cantabridgienses: (venn.lib.cam.ac.uk.)
Septimus had obvious concern for the poor, which is what perhaps Sarah Williams meant by Dr
Hodson’s ‘jargon of nonsense’. The collection of the Jervoise family of Herriard in the Hampshire Record
Office contains a copy of one of his sermons, An address to persons of different classes of persons in Great Britain
on the present scarcity and high price of provisions, published in 1795 (HRO/44M69/K10/2/3). However, there
remains some uncertainty about ‘Dr Hodson’ and although he certainly seems to have moved to London,
perhaps Philip Williams wrongly assumed that it was him and not Septimus Hodson who was to be
ordained. Also, although Septimus wed three times, his first marriage was not until 15 March 1786
(ODNB).
11
12Henry
Temple 2nd viscount Palmerston (1739-1802) was seated at Broadlands House, Romsey,
Hampshire.
13In
April 1787 Elizabeth Beauclerk married her first cousin, Lord Herbert (1759-1827), the only son of
the 10th earl of Pembroke. They had three sons and a daughter before she died at the age of 26 in 1793.
14Hartford
Bridge is the name of a village on the A30, where the route to the west from Basingstoke
crosses the river Hart.
243
15Probably
a nickname for Molly Strong, their trusty servant.
16On
the site of Powis House, near the north-west end of Great Ormond Street, London WC1. John
Sargent's namesake father was a merchant and a close friend of Benjamin Franklin and sat for the
constituency of Midhurst, Sussex, after arranging a loan for Lord Montague, seated at Cowdray House,
Midhurst.
17Latin:
18It.
in place of hubbub?
married, but the sense is obscure.
244
Letter 86: [Early April 1785] − Philip Williams at The Red Lion, Bagshot, and in London
to Sarah Williams at Winchester (WCA/M/PW/18)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dearest love will be glad to hear that I write this after having enjoyed what the Blade
[John Monk Newbolt] calls the sweets of a quiet conscience, and I shall add the consequence of
a little more than ordinary exercise. I got here (the red Lion at Bagshot) about ½ past four,
having had one of the finest spring days I ever felt, eat a broiled fowl, and slumbered over
newspapers and Carver’s travels through America1 till near 10 o’clock. I breakfasted at Popham
Lane,2 where there was no fresh butter, and the substitute, some bad currant jelly, gave me the
gripes. I fell in there with Dehany3 who came to inquire about the hunter’s dinner, and wanted
me to go home with him. I met old Keates4 in one of the Exeter Dillys5; his son meant to go
from Portsmouth to Midhurst next Tuesday. I shall finish when I get to Privy Garden, 6 and I
hope with a better pen.
I write this after a most pleasant ride, the day being one of the finest spring ones I ever
was out in. The speaker dined with his honour7 at a state dinner, and I have had a tete a tete
with Mrs [Charles Wolfran] C[ornwall] who appears more than ordinarily sollicitous about you. I
met Dr [Joseph] Warton upon the road, who I believe is travelling down with almost as heavy an
heart as one that was coming up - but of all this let there my dearest dearest soul be an entire
oblivion – it will never happen again.8 God Almighty bless you and the children. Ever your’s till
death Ph. Williams.
Tell [Jeremiah] Dyson that I met the President9 in an hackney coach in Petty France,10
such is his attachment to the language he delights in.
1The
American explorer Jonathan Carver (1710-1780) wrote an immensely popular book, Travels Through
America in the Years 1766, 1767, and 1768, first published in London in 1778, later editions of which are
still in print. Much of it is now known to have been 'invented' and taken from other works, but it is still
regarded as a classic account of the Amerindian peoples in the early years of colonialisation.
2Runs
to Oxdown Gate, which was the northern limit of the turnpike from Winchester constructed in the
1760s and now part of the A33 road to Basingstoke. Near here stood the Wheatsheaf Inn, which is still in
business. It marked the first stage of the coach journey from Winchester to London, starting at the Fleurde-Lys (now the Wykeham Arms), The George or the White Hart (Finn, 2009, p.5).
3Probably
Philip Dehany of Farleigh Wallop, near Basingstoke, who in about 1770 had bought the manor
of nearby Kempshott and rebuilt the manor house as a hunting-box. He sold it in 1795 and, under a later
owner, it was used by the Prince of Wales (later George IV) on honeymoon with his ill-fated wife
Caroline, daughter of the duke of Brunswick.
4Possibly
5
Richard Keats, sometime rector of Sparsholt, near Winchester.
See Note 8, Letter 81.
6See
Note 11, Letter 34.
7The
Rt Hon Charles Jenkinson, his former patron.
245
8He
probably means that in the future Sarah will be going up to live in London with him when he is there,
but it may not have happened. See Note 17, Letter 118 for further evaluation of the evidence.
9See
10
11, Letter 79.
London SW1.
246
Letter 87: Sunday, [April 1785] − Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/67)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
I have this moment your dear letter which though short is sweet, as it assures me
that you do not love me the less for the extreme uneasiness I gave you whilst you was at home; I
have the pleasure of telling you that I am tolerably composed and have no doubt but that I shall
go on very well till we meet again, the day you left me1 I could not go out of my own house, I felt
so many achs of body and mind that I may set it down as the most wretched day I have yet
known, but it is gone and may I never spend such another; I have been since not a little agitated
from a different cause, I have at last plucked up spirits enough to consult Mr [Charles] Lyford
about what I told you, and have great reason to rejoice that I have had resolution enough to do
it, for he tells me that had it been neglected much longer it might have been of bad consequence,
and now he can put me in a method to prevent farther mischief; he says the sole cause of it is the
having had children who were larger than my frame would admit of; I thank God that it is no
worse; my mind has been cruelly wounded altogether of late, but I have never lost my rest, which
supports me through all, I have managed this last business in such a manner that no one but
nurse Spencer2 knows any thing of the matter.
Mrs Gilpin and her children three have been in chaise and pair "to Compton" to day, 3
where all remains in statu quo, the children are to be inoculated4 to morrow, and he goes to
Midhurst which will I doubt produce nothing;5 I have had a long letter from Papa, full of fears
on my account, having taken it for granted that you could not be spared at Easter.
I have done more than you could expect, Pewsey has not only been spoken to, but the
room is painted and looks very neat, the cracks are hardly to be seen, and there is some of the
paint reserved, in case any of the pannels should crack again, which the wise ones do not think
will be the case, as they are well filled with putty, and painted over before the room was done,
the outside of the house too is to be painted tomorrow which is absolutely necessary and ought
to have been done two years before, the expence will be very trifling.
I shall write to Mr Snell myself, by means of James Wells the plates are forth coming and
I mean to dispatch them, and a letter by the post to announce their departure from hence.
You have had a present of the mine from the Author, and I shall send thanks accordingly
when I write to Papa.6
I am going to Mrs Blackstone’s7 on Tuesday and am to have my hair cumel’d,8 though I
do not like it, I was ashamed to say I was engaged.
You will have seen Mrs [Charlotte] St John before this time; I had a letter from her on
Sunday, pressing me much to go with her, and the poor little girl,9 who is to be taken to town for
advice, but of this say nothing, I need not tell you my reasons for refusing her offer, had it been
any where but to London I would have gone with the greatest pleasure with her.
Dr [William] Buller goes to town to morrow for a week or more, and will bring down
your shirts that want repairing, if William will pack them up in a small compass. We think from
your partiality to [Thomas] Gainsborough that you wrote the paragraph the paragraph in the
morning chronicle came from your inspired pen.10
247
The old sordido11 is arrived and I hear he intends to live with the young people at least in
the winter, I put up the Lovers12 in one of my solitary walks and I don’t think his coat had been
brushed this last month, Mrs [Carew] Mildmay and he happened to sit next each other at a card
party one evening, and with his usual naïvté, he told her that he preferred the character of
Hotspur in Shakespear to most others, and quoted some passages speeches of his, which made
the good Lady retreat to the other side of the room.
There is a great contest at Oxford it seems for the professorship and as you are a
Wykehamist, it is expected that you influence as many of your friends as you can for Dr [Martin]
Wall.13
Don’t curtail my next letter, I cannot abate you a line of it, consider it is all the comfort I
have. Charles is wonderfully well and quiet. You are to have a letter of thanks for John Gilpin, 3
which is dull enough.
God preserve you my best and dearest love S Williams.
Mrs [John] Littlehales has a girl.
I do not expect to see you sooner than the beginning of June, it will be well if it is at the
latter end.14
his way to serve as the Speaker's chaplain at Westminster (see Letter 86).
1On
2See
also Note 8, Letter 68.
3The
Diverting History of John Gilpin by William Cowper was published in The Task in 1785. It involves a
ride, he on a borrowed horse and Mrs Gilpin and family in a chaise and pair.
4For
smallpox (see Note 6, Letter 34).
5She
means the opposite: Jeremiah Dyson, married to her sister Elizabeth and living at Compton Rectory,
seems to be going to consult his former tutor, her father Thomas Collins, now living in retirement at
Midhurst, about his financial difficulties, but she thinks nothing will come of it.
6John
Sargent, the author of The Mine, was related by marriage to her father and lived near him at East
Lavington, Sussex (see also Note 13, Letter 79).
7Sarah
(née Cooke), the wife of Charles Blackstone sr, a sometime fellow of Winchester College (his
namesake son did not marry until 1792).
8Perhaps
she meant cumulated, 'gathered in a heap' (OED).
9This
seems to be a reference to Mary, the second child of Charlotte and her husband, though there is
some doubt about the dates: according to one source (Brian Carne, pers. comm), a Mary St John was
baptised at Lytchett Matravers, Dorset, on 9 March 1786 (after this letter), and buried at Lydiard Tregoz
on 2 June 1804. But other sources gives the date of baptism of Henry St John (the second son) as 6
March 1786 (www.thepeerage.com) and the burial of a Lady Mary St John at Lydiard Tregoz, Wiltshire,
on 12 February 1791 (www.familysearch.com). Their first child, George, had been baptised on 4 January
1784, at Moor Crichel, Dorset. For details of the London consultation, see Letter 88.
248
10His
response to this (see Letter 88) is rather ambiguous, but implies that he did not in fact write the
paragraph.
Obscure; perhaps she means 'Sordello', a poet, a hero of romance, though it is not clear who has
arrived.
11
Probably Thomas Rennell and Sarah Blackstone, who were to marry in 1786. She uses 'put up' in the
sense of making pheasants and other game rise from cover (OED).
12
13Wykehamist,
he was elected Lichfield professor of clinical medicine in 1785, after serving as a physician
at the Radcliffe Infirmary and a reader in chemistry at the university. The year before this letter had
drunk tea with Dr Samuel Johnson who, Boswell records, thought him a ‘learned, ingenious and pleasing
gentleman’ (Womersley, 2008, p. 926).
14This
bitter sounding comment means that the earliest she expects to see him after parliament rises is 1
June, and she will be pleased if it is before the end of that month. In fact, it rose on 2 August 1785.
249
Letter 88: Saturday, [16 April 1785]1 − Philip Williams in London to Sarah Williams at
Winchester (WCA/M/PW/19)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
I wrote you a shorter letter than I wished, least I should not come back in time, and so it
proved, for I was pinned down to a card-table till near eleven.
Our party at the Bishop’s2 was a small one, as they were disappointed of Sir G[eorge]
Baker,3 and Master Graves,3 and very well it was that they were so, as there was literally nothing
to eat, and I am sure Silence4 would have disposed of the whole first course to his own share,
which was not at all mended by sour champaigne and cypress. 5
Our party consisted of Mrs Stinton, and her friend (who lives with her) Lady Jane Lyon, 6
Lady Twysden, 3 and a Mr Hawley, 3 and after tea I played 3 rubbers of Whist.
Mrs S[tinton] it is said has refused Dr Davis. 7
The B[ishop] and Mrs Porteus2 go to [the Hospital of] St Cross [Winchester] next week
for some time. I like them very well, notwithstanding they are shabby in some respects.
On Sunday I dined with Ch[arles Nalson] Cole, who leaves town on Monday for a
month to attend the Ely progress, and drank tea with [Harry] Peckham, who I really believe will
recover, as his discharge lessens, and his spirits and looks are wonderfully improved.
Monday I dined with T[om] Heathcote, and met a large party, Sir J[ohn] and Lady Jervis,
Sir Ed[ward] Lyttleton, Sir J[ohn] Chetwode, General Bainsford,3 and a Mr and Mrs Broadley3
who are staying with them. Too mixed a party to be very agreeable, so I called upon Matty in the
evening, who is recovering, but looks wofully.
Tuesday brought me your letter, and I rejoice to find you speak so well of yourself, and
pray God every thing and body will remain so till my return. What has Lyford8 prescribed for
you? This evening I went to rout at Mrs Stinton’s, where were all nations and languages, not a
soul of which I knew, except Mrs Forrester [Forester], and the room was hot enough to
suffocate one. By the by we have had three or four days of very hot weather, but are all burnt up
and choaked for want of rain, and every thing is so dry and ready to catch, that few nights pass
by without producing a fire. However we are so detached and so regular a family, that I have no
apprehensions on that score.
Wednesday; I had two escapes this morning, one of very narrowly missing the sight of an
execution of nine men at Kennington9 as I returned from my ride, through the turnpike, ignorant
of what was going forward; the crowd of spectators was inconcievable, and had I been a quarter
of an hour later I had plumped into the midst of it – it reminded me of poor Courtnay. 10 My
other escape was from hurting myself by a fall down stairs, my heels flying up, which very
slightly sprained my wrist, and bruised my hip, but not enough to prevent my going with
T[homas] Heathcote in his carriage who was waiting at the door for me, to the Wykehamist’s
meeting,1 which was of all stupid assemblies by far the stupidest, and very thin, the numbers not
exceeding 73 – and by the old Wykehamical notions not keeping pace with the rest of the world,
dinner was on the table precisely at four, the consequence of which was that one third of the
company came too late, and Tommy [Heathcote] and myself were distanced.
250
I moved off so as to see a very stupid farce, Arthur and Emmeline, 11 and with
submission to the Founder [of Winchester College], I never saw a greater collection of raff, or
less good manners going forward.
Thursday made up for it, as I dined with Charlotte at Miss [Elizabeth] Pyke’s, who looks
very well, and is in good spirits, and seeing his relations, which I am glad of, as the more she is
known and seen, the more she must be liked.12 Tuesday she spent at Twickenham, Wednesday at
Lord Bagots; last night Lady Bagot carried her to the Pantheon, and today she spends at General
St John’s, and on Sunday night goes to Marlborough house. Pott13 says she has no reason to be
alarmed about the little girl which is a very handsome child, I think. I called in the morning and
desired Charlotte to go to [Thomas] Gainsborough’s, which she did and very much approves of
the picture and the painter in spite of what you say. I told Mrs C[ornwall] that if you saw the
paragraph in the morning chronicle, you would father it upon me.14 She drank tea with Miss
Pyke, but the Squigg’s infernal hairdresser came at 5 o’clock, and did not release her till a few
minutes before Lady Bagot called.
Mrs C[ornwall] and I went to a rout at Mrs Porteus’s where I met the Dean of Exeter,
who breakfasted here this Friday morning, and if I was as communicative as him I should get
him tossed in a blanket, for saying that [Jeremiah] Dyson [jr], [John Monk] Newbolt, and
Ricketts,15 and Mrs [Henrietta] Hare[-Naylor], played so high, that they made a party of their
own, and he never saw any thing of them but at the club.16 Of this you will of course take no
notice.
[Thomas] Burgess of Corpus called on me in the course of the week with some papers of
Lord Monboddo’s relative to Polybius, not worth a great deal.17
Lord Beauchamp18 brought the Speaker [Charles Wolfran Cornwall] upon his back the
other day by proposing that instead of transporting the felons to Africa, the king’s palace19 at
Winchester should be converted into a place of confinement for them; he bullyragged him very
handsomely, and said he might with as much propriety desire it to be p the convicts might have a
castle built for them in Ragley Park,18 as in a city, the residence of a bishop, the seat of a great
public school, with a church and college in it, and filled with inhabitants of opulence and
gentility. In short he made him look very silly, and ashamed of the absurdity of his proposition.
Saturday Morn. I went last night to see a very pretty woman act Macheath, and who, I
think, has great merit out of the singing line; Mrs Wells.20 The playhouses begin to grow hot.
I am happy in having no vote for Oxford; pestered every day about it; as [Martin] Wall
has a family, I wish him success.21
Whilst I think of it, have you sent [William] Mence his guinea?
I am glad you have had the parlour painted.
I did not seal up this till I returned from my ride, and I may add a very hot dinner – we
are just broke up, and I have only time to add, that I sat with Squigg an hour this morning; she is
perfectly well, and going to the play to night – has had a letter from Midhurst,22 wishing to see
her, and that the Dysons and St Johns12 may be situated near each other – which she reprobates
as must your father in his hours of recollection.
Ever my dearest dear’s, not forgetting the blessed children. P.W.
1The
letter is dated from the mention in it of the meeting of the Wykehamist Society in London, which is
1785 was held on Wednesday 13 April, at the usual venue of the Crown and Anchor in the Strand
(WCM/G8/1/1-2). The list of names on this occasion, which may have reflected ‘table order’ shows him
251
in what looks like a Winchester City clique of clerics: he was next to Thomas Heathcote (later rector of
Stone, Kent), in whose coach he had come, and then John Brereton, A. Milton, Wm Hayes, Henry
Stephens (rector of St Thomas’s, Winchester), Lascelles Iremonger (Winchester prebendary), George
Huddesford, Charles Bathurst etc. Although he calls the meeting ‘thin’ there were in fact 64 members,
plus 7 stewards, ‘the thinnest year ever known, owing to the negligence of the stewards’ being 1787, when
only 57 attended.
2See
Note 16, Letter 49.
3Unidentified.
4See
Note 11, Letter 80.
5Probably
meaning Cypriot wine, which was regarded as being of poor quality.
6See
Note 9, Letter 78.
7See
Note 8, Letter 78.
8Probably
Charles Lyford (1743-1805), Winchester surgeon, whose son Giles-King Lyford attended the
novelist Jane austen in her final illness (Le Faye, 1995, p. 552).
9Executions
were held on Kennington Common, London, near the site of St Martin's church, until about
1800. The same ground was used for cricket matches.
10Probably
meaning 'Courteney', an unidentified person whose fate is hinted at, but not expressed at
several places in the Letters (see Letters 52, 55, 61 and 104).
11A
two-act afterpiece, an ‘old’ semi-opera (a play with music but no singing), reworked by the actor John
Kemble, with music by Thomas Linley, first performed at Drury Lane, London, in 1784. It was a
transformation of King Arthur, by Henry Purcell, with libretto by John Dryden, first performed in 1691.
His sister-in-law Charlotte St John (née Collins, nicknamed 'Squigg') was visiting the relatives of her
husband, the Hon. George Richard St John, later 3rd viscount Bolingbroke, whose mother was the 3rd
daughter of the duke of Marlborough (though at this time she was styled Lady Diana Beauclerk, after her
2nd husband). Marlborough House, Pall Mall, was the London residence of the dukes and still stands.
William 1st Baron Bagot (1728-1798) was married to Elizabeth Louisa St John. The visit to 'Twickenham'
was probably to see Charlotte's sister, Elizabeth, who had married Jeremiah Dyson, a close friend of St
John. Clearly, as the latter part of the letter shows, Philip Williams and his father-in-law disapproved of
the behaviour of the two friends when they got together.
12
13Probably
Percivall Pott (1714-1788), a celebrated London surgeon of the day, still remembered in a
string of medical terms, including Pott’s disease and Pott’s fracture (MacNalty, 1965, p 1150). For details
of the ‘little girl’, see Note 9, Letter 87.
14See
Note 10, Letter 87. Tempting though it is to think that Charlotte was painted by the master, there is
no evidence of it.
252
15Probably
George William Ricketts, who was to marry Letitia Mildmay, a daughter of Carew Mildmay
and his wife of Shawford House, Shawford, near Winchester. See Note 4, Letter 63.
William Buller, formerly a canon of Winchester, had been appointed dean of Exeter the previous year.
Clearly he and 'the Winchester set' frequented a London gaming club, perhaps Almack's, which admitted
both men and women.
16
17James
Burnett, Lord Monboddo (ca1714-1799) was a member of the Scottish Enlightenment and the
first to recognise the affinity between Greek and Sanskrit. Presumably in the course of his studies he had
obtained material that might have been helpful to Philip Williams in his preparation of the edition of
Polybius. The link between them was presumably Thomas Burgess (1756-1837), a Wykehamist and a
Greek scholar at Oxford (later bishop of Salisbury), who must have known Monboddo.
18The
stateley home Ragley Hall, in Warwickshire, was at the time of this letter owned by Francis
Seymour-Conway (1718-1794), viscount Beauchamp, later created the 1st marquess of Hertford (2nd
creation).
19The
King's House, Winchester, was intended to be a country seat for Charles II, but was uncompleted
at his death. It later became a place of refuge for clergy fleeing the French Revolution, and thereafter an
army barracks. Rebuilt after a spectacular fire, Peninsular Barracks has in recent times been converted
into private apartments.
20Mary
Stephens Wells, née Davies (1762-1829) first appeared on the London stage to great acclaim at the
Haymarket in 1781. She took the part of Macheath during the next season in the theatre, replacing an
actress who had eloped, in a production of The Beggar's Opera, with women playing male parts and vice
versa.
21See
Note 13, Letter 87.
22His
father-in-law, Thomas Collins, had retired to live in this Sussex town.
253
Letter 89: Sunday, [17 April 1785] − Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/69)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
I have this moment your letter, and am glad to find you have seen so much of
Charlotte, who is now where she ought to have been some time ago, I left Mr [George Richard]
St John at Compton where he stays a short time and as soon as she comes home, they are to be
at Leckford for the summer, which as I may now and then see them will be a comfort to me, and
I really stand in need of something to help me on in my tedious journey towards you; I have
been out, (for me) a great deal this week, and have not found the advantage or happiness from it,
you seemed to think I should; Tuesday I went to a route at Mrs Blackstone’s1 my neighbour,
both their rooms as full as they could hold and as hot as ovens, I played two rubbers at whist
and lost my money, how weary, stale, and (I may truly say) unprofitable is all this, 2 it is the first
meeting of the kind I have been at, and it shall be the last, unless I go with you. Wednesday Mr
and Mrs [Jeremiah] Dyson dined with me, and Mr [George Williams] Ricketts, who was very
nervous with the idea of his exhibition3 the next day, we dined in the drawing room and found it
most comfortable this hot weather; Thursday the day of Mr Hayne’s ball and the race,3 Mrs
Dyson being employed in hair-dressing,4 the chaise carried Sophy Elyott, little Bess [Elizabeth
Williams], and myself to the course, where I had the pleasure of seeing Mr Ricketts not
victorious, but with his head neck safe upon his shoulders, which was more than I expected, he
and his other competitor looked like like two towers without elephants to support them
compared with the Auditor, who very soon put the matter out of doubt; there were two other
matches one of which Mr Ridge5 won, and as many carriages as are usually at our races, all the
people from the Alresford side of the country were there and formed a considerable party at Mr
Haynes ball, at which there were about 200 people, and it is supposed he got about seventy
pounds. I remained quiet upon the occasion and saved my money, had Mr Ricketts won, he
intended to have given a dance and of course I could not have avoided going, which would have
obliged a Lady of my spirit to have taken a ticket for of Mr Haynes, so that I was as well pleased
that matters took the turn they did, the beauty Miss Shakspear [Shakespeare] was at the race and
ball, with her brother, the possessor of Lys, no more, but Brockwood lodge, 6 she is very
handsome and one of the faces you so often see in Bunburys drawings7 Friday I drank tea at the
Tripps with Mrs Price who sets out to-morrow upon her Welch [Welsh] expedition with your
beauty and name-sake,4 we had no cards which I heartily rejoiced in; yesterday I spent at home,
and was indifferent all day in consequence of having eat pork two days together, by the
assistance of Dr Cawte8 I am pretty well to day and have been at Compton, with my darling
children – they are writing you a true history of themselves, Mr St John is grown fat and looks
very well indeed, is happy that Charlotte is going out so much. He and the Dysons dine here on
Wednesday, the boys are removed to Giles’s hill9 and are beginning to droop, the weather is
rather too hot for them, and Mrs Seymour4 who is in herself a bagaglio,10 is there with her
children; Dyson’s visit to Midhurst produced nothing as I guessed, but a letter the next day from
Papa to me desiring I would urge them to quit Compton immediately; Papa took him to
Grafham which he says will be a pretty place and there are three good rooms, which are to be
ready from for them by Michaelmas, when the Midhurst family are to remov{e}.9
254
I have sent Mr Snell’s p[ayment?]12 and a letter to him; Mr [William] Mence has had his
guinea. The parlour looks very smart the cracks are quite hid, I have not ventured to put up your
father’s picture whilst you were absent and it is locked up in your study. If the Dean [of
Winchester]13 had a little of the discipline you mention it would not be amiss, I don’t think the
party he talks of have met not above three times this winter. God bless my dear love, oh! how I
feel our most wretched, and endless separation as it appears to me.
Yours entirely SW.
The children are perfectly well and tolerably good.
I see old Iron5 is gone, sentimental5 will now be an heiress.
1She
means a 'rout', probably at the home of Charles Blackstone, fellow of Winchester 1783-1801, whose
namesake father made way for him in 1783, only to be readmitted to the fellowship himself five years
later.
2After
Hamlet, Act I, Scene ii, but she omitted 'flat' from the quotation.
3This
was a meeting of the ‘Hampshire Fox Hunt Society’ held on the Winchester racecourse on 14 April.
The contests were no mean feat. According to the newspaper report (Hampshire Chronicle, 18 April 1785),
‘Mr Ridge’s chestnut horse, [was pitched] against Mr Winstanley’s bay horse, the best of three two-mile
heats …. [and there was a] match between hunters, rode by the owners, Mr Ricketts, Mr Yalden and Mr
Winstanley one four-mile heat… won by Mr Yalden.’ The report continued: ‘The serenity of the day, and
the rage for the noble diversion, brought a numerous and unexpected assemblage of ladies and gentlemen
to the spot. ... The gentlemen of the hunt, and their friends, returned to the White Hart Inn [Winchester],
where an excellent dinner was provided. Mirth and conviviality, sprightly wit, and generous wine,
dignified the hospitable board. The evening concluded with a Ball at St John’s House, [The Broadway,
Winchester] for the Master of Ceremonies, where elegance and taste, were conspiculously displayed.’
Winchester Racecourse was situated on Worthy Down to the north of the city and appears as an oval
with posts on Cary’s map of 1789. In 1917 it was requisitioned by the War Office for use by the Royal
Flying Corps.
4Meaning
that her sister Elizabeth was having her hair dressed.
5Unidentified.
6Between
1784 and 1789 Brockwood Park (which she mispells), Bramdean, Hampshire, was owned by T.
Shakespeare and the estate included a property called Lys Farm (www.krishnamurticentre.org.uk).
7Henry
William Bunbury (1750-1811) was a gentleman artist renowned for his inoffensive caricatures of
polite society and inept horsemen.
8A
common name in Hampshire: perhaps Henry Cawte, a Winchester apothecary who died in 1803
(HRO/1803A/021).
9St
Giles's Hill is a steep bluff that looks down upon the city of Winchester and in an unseasonably hot
April was apparently more comfortable for the boys of the College than the soke.
10In
Italian, which she knew, a bagaglio di esperienza is a fund of experience.
255
11Her
father, Thomas Collins, was rector of Graffham, Sussex, from 1764 until his death in 1804, but may
never have lived there (but see Letter 116). He had been presented to the living by a minor, a daughter of
Richard Bettesworth. This led to litigation, as it was claimed that an ancestor had sold the living in 1750,
but Thomas Collins seems to have survived the claim (West Sussex Record Office, Lavington Estate
Archives). The East Lavington estate of John Sargent, a family friend, was nearby. Jeremiah Dyson seems
to have been considering renting the parsonage house at Graffham, to enable him and his wife Elizabeth,
Sarah's sister, to move out of the rectory at Compton, which was in the gift of Philip Williams. But a later
letter (Letter 116) suggests that after all Thomas Collins and his sister may have lived at Graffham, at least
after his retirement.
12See
Letters 79 and 87.
13Probably
Newton Ogle; see Note 6, Letter 31.
256
Letter 90: Saturday, [23 April 1785] − Philip Williams in London to Sarah Williams at
Winchester (WCA/M/PW/20)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
Saturday produced the following worthies, Sir J. Thorold, Mr Montgomery, Wrightson,
Weatherstone, Wil. Smith, and S. Thornton on one side, and on the other Mr Wilmot, Moor,
Howell, Sotheron, Salt, Young and H. Thornton.
Sunday, which closes the scene, gave us Lord Waltham, Sir G. Turner, Sir Ch. Sykes, Sir
H. Peyton, Mr Wynne, Martin, and on the opposite Mr Yorke, Sir J. Wrottesley, Sir W. Williams,
Mr Waller, Morant, Amyott, and Annesley.1
In the morning I breakfasted with an old rural Wykehamical Divine and his wife, by the
name of Parrot [Parratt],2 such good kind of people that I have ventured to promise when you
make the Norfolk tour, you shall spend some time with them.
Monday brought on the great and long expected debate of reform, and the house was
filled so early that I suppose I had an audience of 200 members.3 I sat there near 10 hours, and I
desired John to wake me when the house broke up with an account of the division, which he did
at 20 minutes past four on Tuesday morning, with, ‘Sir, Mr Pitt has lost it by 74.’ I thanked God
for it, and slept very heartily after the news, and trust that this cursed spirit of reform is laid
during my time at least. I never saw the Speaker [Charles Wolfran Cornwall] so interested about
any political measure, or so exhilarated by the event, and I trust my old Lady though no great
politician, will join the majority with a satisfied countenance.
Tuesday we were all asleep, and I shewed but few signs of vigilance except at the receipt
of your letter, and your account of the diversions of the week. [William] Buller has a story of my
little uncle’s being obliged to pull up, to prevent his riding over a man that rode before the
auditor (to prevent his horse running rusty) and that it was contrary to the laws of the turf to
have such a guide precede you him.4
On Wednesday I went to the play, and was better entertained with the farce than most
things I ever saw, Sancho in his new government of Barataria, which is acted incomparably well
all throughout, particularly by [John] Quick.5 The various delays to Sancho’s meal, who enters
upon his government very sharp set, first his recieving the keys of the city and the corporation in
their formalities, secondly his being obliged to hear causes, next the etiquette of Mrs and Miss
Sancho’s dining before the governour at a different table in his presence; then, when his own
table is served, the appearance of the physician with his wands to remove every dish he attempts
to taste, exhibit a most ridiculous scene of hunger and impatience; and when he by force seizes a
cold fowl, he is obliged to relinquish it, from an alarm being given of pirates having invaded the
island, who are in quest of the governour, and to prevent being put at the head of his own army,
he hides himself under the table-cloth. Mem[orandum]: to read Don Quixote, when I return, to
you, though you know it by heart already.
Thursday, I dined with Miss [Elizabeth] Pyke and Charlotte, 6 who lasts out very well, and
is much pleased with her reception at Marlborough house. The Dutchess and her daughters
returned the visit the next day, but of course were not admitted.7 She vows she will spend two
months in the autumn at Lord Bagot’s, and I am sure she judges rightly. She and Miss Pyke
went to the opera, and I was engaged to a rout at Miss Manners’s, 8 where were nine tables, and
257
many more people than the rooms would hold. Amongst the rest, Smicy9 called in, in his way to
the opera, and Mrs Powys looking most beautifully, in her way to Almack’s. [John] Ballard made
a very short stay in town; he came on the Wednesday, and returned on the Friday, in
consequence of his cloaths not being sent after him. Do the Dysons talk of decamping? Why
should not they succeed to the house at Midhurst? I should commend them for it, but I fear
they have not resolution or sense enough for it.
I called upon the St Asaphs10 this morning, who have recieved good accounts from India
of Lady Jones.11 Old Young9 is dead and they are in mourning for him. You will rejoice to hear
that William13 was mistaken about the chapter of shirts, and that upon another review, they all
appear perfectly sound. Mrs [Henry] Penton13 was at the drawing room on Thursday,
accompanied by the Digbys.14 Sloan9 wrote to him desiring him to attend the house on last
Monday, but he neither came, or answered his letter.13 I am sorry for him. George [Gordon]
dines here to day. I am going to ride, and if I pick up any news, I will add a postscript when I
return. Tell the old Fœt[id]15 I will write to her soon. Charlotte tells me that [Richard] Hollist has
pronounced her settlement valid, so that there is an end to that part of your father’s
apprehensions16 – if [George Richard] St John is still at Compton, tell him the Wootton Bassett
petition expired this day at noon.17
Ever my most dearest womans [sic], Ph. Williams
1Many
of these names can be found in the History of Parliament.
Probably Charles Parratt, who was admitted as Founder's Kin to Winchester College in 1728, and went
up to New College, Oxford, four years later. He was vicar of Heckfield, Hampshire, 1753-57, and then
rector of Saham Tony, Norfolk, until his death in about 1787. Kirby (1888) notes that he 'succeeded to
property'.
2
3The
reform debate started in the House of Commons on Monday 18 April. The vote was 174 against
248, with 500 members present by the end of the debate (Hague, 2004, p. 192).
4See
Letter 89. In the setting of horses, 'rusty' means 'restive' (OED).
5In
Cervantes's Don Quixote, Sancho Panza is appointed governor for a few days of the fictional island of
Barataria as a prank. The style of burlesque described was the forte of actor John Quick (1748-1831). It
seems that Sarah Williams knew the work 'by heart', and perhaps she therefore knew Spanish, as well as
Italian (see Note 6, Letter 50).
6See
Note 12, Letter 88.
7Presumably
she was honoured by the return visit, but could not admit the duchess to what was probably
a relatively humble situation.
8Unidentified;
see Note 8, Letter 67.
9Unidentified.
10Jonathan
Shipley, bishop of St Asaph, and his family were neighbours, who lived at Twyford, near
Winchester.
258
11Née
Anne Maria Shipley, a daughter of Johnathan Shipley, and wife of the orientalist Sir William Jones,
who two years before this letter had been appointed a judge to the supreme court of judicature at Fort
William, Bengal. For health reasons, she came back from India in 1793, but he stayed on, only to die of an
infection the next year.
12His
manservant.
13Her
husband, MP for Winchester, had run away with her maid; see Note 4, Letter 35.
14Probably
15Their
Admiral and Mrs Robert Digby.
elder daughter, Elizabeth; see also Note 3, Letter 23.
Thomas Collins, Charlotte and Sarah’s father, obviously did not trust the Hon. George Richard St John
to agree to a post-marital ‘marriage’ settlement with Charlotte. See also Letter 74, Note 10, Letter 73 and
Note 1, Letter 85.
16
17Until
the previous year, the Hon. George Richard St John had been an MP for Wootton Bassett,
Wiltshire, in which constituency his family had been seated for a long time. But in the general election of
that year, together with many other 'Fox's Martyrs', he lost his seat.
259
Letter 91: Sunday and Monday, [24 and 25 April 1785] − Sarah Williams at Winchester to
Philip Williams in London (WCA/M/PW/70)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
All intercourse for the present between the Comptonites1 and myself being at an end, I
have spent the day very comfortably at home with my children and little May,2who is a good, and
pleasant boy, without being the least troublesome, and I shall have him again the first
opportunity, we dined in the new painted parlour for the first time. I thought the fire would
help to get rid of the smell.
This day has been productive of a very great event in our quiet family, that of Phill’s
introduction that first step towards manhood, and it is the opinion of every body that he looks
better en cavalier than he did in his Ankees’s as he calls them,3 little Molly [Strong] took him out
to shew him, and he came home with eight pence which had been given him by different people,
6d of he is to spend upon what he chooses to morrow, and the rest he gave away to a black sailor
to day, he is a generous boy and I am proud of his disposition I own, had you been with me I
should have enjoyed the seeing him so perfectly happy as this day has made him, but wanting
you, I appear to want all things every comfort under heaven.
The young Dysons are going on very well, and the worst is quite over, poor Jerry has had
it rather heavy, though not near so full as Charlotte; but he increased his fever so much by
fretting incessantly for his Mama, which likewise prevented his sleeping, that [Dr John] Smith
was obliged to desire she would not see him, which she has not done for some days, though it
has hurt her extremely, and she is very indifferent in consequence thereof, a matter not to be
wondered at, I think she has done great things in complying with Smith’s wishes upon the
subject.4
I have had a companion part of the week in Brown5 who is very much improved indeed,
and a very good tete-a-tete; Mr [William Stanley] Goddard was obliged to go to Oxford, to vote
for Dr [Martin] Wall, and by way of going as expeditiously as possible he took Mrs G[oddard] in
a whisky6 with him, he came to me to know what he should do with Brown and not thinking it
just the thing for him to be left with two Damsels at [Winchester] College, I offered to take him,
and very regular and good he has been; I am glad Goddard went, as otherwise the votes would
have been exactly even, for though there was a majority of two for Dr Wall, one of them was
objected to, and has been since found to have been no vote.
The Dean of Exeter [William Buller] is a chatter-box to say the best of him, there was a
country fellow rode across the course, and threw White Ricketts out a little, but neither he or his
friends attribute his defeat to that, and Mr Yalden’s horse was addicted to running rusty, 7 farther
I have not heard of the matter, the Dean [of Exeter?] will not be much flattered to hear upon his
arrival on Wednesday, that they have smuggled a dinner at the Sun on the Monday before to get
rid of him, I find they are only going to Exeter for three months, so that the window tax 8
adjustment will not sleep next winter except some fresh game is started.
I am heartily pleased with the denouement of the reform business, which has ended as I
guessed it would, for it could never be expected that those gentlemen, of respectable names,
would vote themselves out of the house; let them act up to the spirit of the present constitution
and they will find it needs no amendment, strict honesty of principle, and constant attention to
260
the good of the publick, will alone be sufficient to correct every abuse and place things upon a
firm footing, but (without reflecting upon the present times), such a reform is not to be expected
in any times, when we consider the frailty of human nature.
The Bishop of Chester [Beilby Porteus] is arrived at St Cross, and the mania for
attending his sermons is already begun, I have not yet been to see Mrs P[orteus] but will do it the
first opportunity9
My pale-faced Poney10 is going to be nurse-maid to Mrs D[aniel] Williams, a great
treasure to her, and as great a loss to me, for of all the ponies she is the best I ever met with, but
I have another in my eye.
I am heartily glad that your wardro{be} is not in so crazy a state as the constitution, for it
might have met with the same fate perhaps, and I have not more time to attend to a reform, than
the Premier.
The children are quite well, Bess in measureless content with a cast-off cloak of Miss
Dyson’s,11 the Dorumite [Charlotte Williams] grows every day more like old Goldfinch,12 and the
little fellow [Charles Williams] , is a very little pale-face, but quite well and lively, and Phill can
know no uneasiness of body or mind whilst the new of his articles3 lasts; God bless you and my
dear children, and may we once more live together again, as in former times, and a greater
blessing I cannot know.
Every yours,
SW.
As you had thoughts of writing a postscript, why did you forget it? But one sheet of
paper! I used to have half another.
Don’t forget when you have time to call at Hampstead13 and Clapham;14so you have sold
the estate15 without my consent, and will spend the money too, I suppose.
I am rejoiced that you intend to read the first book of its kind,16and hope to have the
pleasure of convincing you that you have lost a great many pleasant ideas from having so long
delayed it.
Monday. Paid six pounds in taxes this morning and £2 the other day.
1Her
sister and husband, Jeremiah and Elizabeth Dyson.
2Perhaps
this was Thomas May, elected a scholar in 1787 (who sadly died the next year), baptised at
Ticehurst, now in East Sussex, on 12 October 1774. There is no other trace in the record of a boy called
May, either as scholar, quirister or commoner (S. Foster, pers. comm.). See also Letter 123.
3He
was growing out of diapers (which he called 'hankies'?) and wearing trousers.
4This
paragraph is concerned with the response to a smallpox inoculation, performed by Mr John Smith
(his doctorate was ‘assumed’) – either the father or his namesake son – though his attitude to Elizabeth
Dyson is surprising, as elsewhere mothers were allowed to stay with their children after inoculation (M.
South, pers. comm.) – (see Note 6, Letter 34, and Letter 92). 'Jerry' (Jeremiah) was a son of Jeremiah and
Elizabeth Dyson, baptised at Compton on 14 April 1782.
5Unidentified;
6A
perhaps a quirister or young Wykehamist in waiting.
two-wheeled one-horse carriage (OED).
261
7See
Note 4, Letter 90.
8A
tax that, in various forms, was levied in England between 1696 and 1851 on the basis of the number
of windows possessed by a house.
9See
Note 16, Letter 49.
10An
unattractive term used by her for a maidservant.
11Probably
Elizabeth, a sister of Jeremiah Dyson jr. His other sisters, Dorothy, Charlotte and Frances, had
all died by this date (TNA/Prob 11/1023; Manning and Bray, 1804-14, Vol I, p. 179).
12Probably
recalling Mrs Ruth Goldfinch, 'Dowager Goldfinch', from a family long established at
Compton, who had died the previous year (see Letter 64).
13Where
their elderly friend Mrs Keighley lived (see Letter 49), then a popular village with 'medicinal wells',
a few miles from central London.
14Then
a country district near central London, where it seems that George Dyson, the second son of
Jeremiah Dyson sr, resided (see Letter 65).
15She
is referring to one of the small estates in the Fens that Philip Williams inherited from his mother.
There is much about them in the letters between him and his step-father, John Gordon (see, for example,
Letter 10).
16Don
Quixote (see Letter 90).
262
Letter 92: Sunday, [1 May 1785] − Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/71)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
The young Dyson’s being quite well, and removed to George’s1 under [St] Giles’s
hill [Winchester] to be aired, I have ventured to Compton to day, without my own tribe, least
they should hang upon their aunt, where Jerry and George2 had been hanging before, and infect
Charles [Williams]; nothing said upon the subject of a remove, a very pressing letter to that
purpose arrived from my father whilst I was there, I cannot say any more than I have already
done, and wish I could not think of it, so they must follow their own inventions; the children
have had the small pox in the most favourable way that can be, though I believe Betsy [Elizabeth
Dyson] thinks Jerry has been in great danger; the country looks less parched than I expected, the
hedges and corn are green notwithstanding. I have had a thorough rummage in the greenhouse,
and find that I am not worth a single geranium, the myrtles and oranges are in tolerable
condition, except Mrs Balgrey’s3 (as Steevens the gardener called her) tree, which like it’s mistress
is withering; the myrtles before the house are coming forth at the root, my beautiful cypress
(which perhaps you might call Cyprus vid. cypress vine in a former letter of yours4) quite dead, at
least down to the root, I have planted a Virginia cedar to succeed it, but I hope we shall be in
possession of the 550£5 before it reaches half way.
Old [Henry] Taylor of Crawley is dead, which is lucky enough for your namesake, as he
will now be able to fix himself for life, Brush I understand has given up all thoughts of Milbourn
Port, the business will now of course be settled at the midsummer meeting; Mr [Edmund]
Poulter has his reasons to be pleased, as I hear that Crawley is worth 500£ which is no bad
beginning.6
Monday Bess and myself paid a visit at St Cross, the Bishop [of Chester] and Mrs
P[orteus] we found well, and very civil and pleasant, their tone rather altered, upon the subject of
a certain Dignitary [William Buller], of whom they were very fond when they were last here,
wondered how it was possible that he could so ill understand the window tax act, we see what
trifles turn the scale.7
Thursday I dined at Mr [John Monk] Newbolt’s to meet the Dysons only and Mr
[George William] Ricketts; the young Newbolts shocked me by drinking so much Madeira, I
flatter myself my boys at their age will not know that there is such a thing, they were agog with
the idea of Mrs [Sarah] Siddons’s playing at our Theatre for three nights, which Kernot 8 has
assured them she would do in her way to Edinburgh which as it is all in her way road she is very
likely to think it worth her while.
Mr [Jeremiah] Dyson desires you will look in the herald for the account of the candidates
for the Laureatship, which rests where it ought to do, and where it is wanted, Sir Cecil Wray’s
probationary ode is a good one and is to be followed by several others.9
I am to dine with the Blade10 again tomorrow with the Dysons, he wanted me to go there
on Thursday to meet the St Cross party etc, etc, but I desired to be excused for fear of being
asked else where, and as I accept of no invitations I give no offence and people have given up
the point.
263
Mrs [Lucy] Elyott has had a dreadful attack indeed, Dr [John] Littlehales thinks her at
present out of danger but hardly knows what to make of her disorder.
I was rather in a hurry when I wrote last, so said nothing touching your sister’s letter; do
tell them when they come to town, that I am much gratified by it, and obliged to them for their
proposal, but I cannot think of indulging myself at their expence, however desirable that
indulgence might be to me, especially as their situation must be so very irksome to them, when
they come I have a commission for them, to buy som{e} table cloths for us, but I must write
particular directions about size etc. You have my sanction for the half crown you gave to the
Scot[c]h girl, I wish you had had it in your power to have relie{ved} her from a worse situation
which from her own account I fear awaits her.11
Do you remember the poor woman Mrs Ashby alias Dutton1 of suspicious character,
who used to go by every day whilst we were at dinner to church? She and her daughter and a
maid have contrived to run in debt near three hundred pounds, great part for eating and
drinking, and after watching for her for some time one of her creditors has at last got at her and
carried her to prison where it seems she is quite penny-less, Mr [William] Lowth [jr] I hear has
been to her to see whether any thing can be done for her, the result will I suppose be a
subscription.
Mrs [Carew] Mildmay rapped Mr Dyson up this morning at seven o’clock to know
whether he went to St Cross church, because if he did, she could not.12
Phill does indeed look better in Articles,13 he exhibited a piddling before the Miss Tripps
this morning, do what I could to prevent him, to shew them how cleverly he could manage
matters; he disdains the idea of getting up in lap and defies me.
The children are all well I thank God, I wish I could say that Charles was not cross, God
bless you my dearest, if it is possible I love you better every hour, I am upon the eve of setting
out to you for ever, take care of yourself for her who is every hour thinking of you. Once more
God bless you.
Ever yours,
SW.
A letter from Lady M14 which I send you, I don’t think either you or myself can assist her
friend much.
1Unidentified.
2During
the time they rented the parsonage house at Compton, near Winchester, Jeremiah and Elizabeth
Dyson (née Collins) had four children baptised, according to the parish register, including Jeremiah (14
April 1782) and George (14 April 1783), mentioned here, and Henry (5 September 1784) and Francis (1
October 1785).
3Possibly
Sarah Drake, housekeeper and cousin of the cathedral prebendary, Dr Thomas Balguy (Isabel
Rivers, ‘Thomas Balguy’, ODNB).
4See
Note 6, Letter 83.
5This
probably refers to the proceeds from selling one of the small estates he held in the Fens (see Letters
91 and 45 et seq.).
264
6This
paragraph comments on the 'musical chairs' of clerical appointments in the gift of the bishop of
Winchester and Winchester College. Thus, when Henry Taylor died his living at Crawley, with Hunton
chapel, near Winchester, went to Edmund Poulter, whilst that at Portsmouth went to Henry Oglander,
and Daniel Williams obtained Milbourn Port, Somerset, following the death of John Lucas. All but
Taylor and Poulter were Winchester fellows and Portsmouth and Milbourn Port, Somerset, were
Winchester College livings. Thus it sounds as if Oglander was in line for Milbourn Port, but after the
death of Taylor he took Portsmouth, leaving Daniel Williams free to take his place. Poulter later became
a cathedral prebendary. The list of livings held at one time or another by Poulter and Taylor is a plangent
demonstration of the life of cleric of the period. ‘Brush’ is perhaps a nickname: the Church of England
Clergy Database contains no-one of that name at anything like a reasonable date.
7See
Letter 91.
8Unidentified,
but a fairly common name in Winchester, and Hampshire in general, according to the
catalogue of the Hampshire Record Office.
9Sir
Cecil Wray (1734-1805) was the MP who lost to Fox in the notorious fight for the seat of
Westminster in the general election of 1784. The Poet Laureate William Whitehead (ca 1715-1785), a
Wykehamist of humble origins (who wrote 'My education rose above my birth') had died on 14 April. He
was followed by Thomas Warton (brother of the Winchester head master Joseph Warton), who was
championed by Joshua Reynolds. Pitt the Younger's choice had apparently been William Mason (17251797), the 'gardener poet', who refused the appointment, though this is not mentioned in his entry in the
ODNB.
10Their
nickname for John Monk Newbolt.
11Obscure,
but the implication is that donations to the desperate were rare.
12Dyson
lived at Compton and Mrs [Carew] Mildmay at Twyford, but it seems as if they regularly
attended the church of the Hospital of St Cross in Winchester. The wording is curious, implying some
sort of dispute between them – or did they share a carriage?
13See
Note 3, Letter 91.
14Probably
Lady Montague of Cowdray House, Midhurst (see Note 2, Letter 41, and Note 17, Letter 81).
265
Letter 93: Sunday, [8 May 1785] − Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/72)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
You will probably see Mr [Jeremiah] Dyson who goes to town to-morrow, before
you receive this, upon the subject of remove, a great deal has been said to day, and the result is
that he will remain at Compton till after she has petred,1 upon the whole I think he does right,
because he has more than a little reason to expect something in the course of a few months, the
expence of moving is very great, for which reason it is not advisable to do it twice, but the thing
which makes his stay at Compton less injurious is his immediate determination to part with
James and the horses, Andrew Cale is already dismissed, the nursery bed is taken down to be
washed, and not to be put up again till she lies in, so that there is no house-room for any body,
and to speak the truth, I do not know of a creature that is likely to hang upon them; 2 all this; all
this premised where can they live cheaper? Short of Wales3 and I do not surely it cannot be
thought right for him to be buried4 whilst he has any thing in mind, if he was certain of not
getting an addition of income these five or three years, I grant it would be the only part he would
have to act, and he must go where he could live cheapest, the expence of taking removing so
young and large a family for a short time, would eat out all the savings.
I expect Charlotte [St John] to-morrow for a week, they have been at Leckford for some
5
time, but her chaise was new painting at Salisbury, so she had no means of getting to me.
Mrs Harris is dead, and I should think Dr [John] Ballard will most likely get into that
house, any thing is preferable to building, at any rate, but building at the end of Portsmouth
common is of all things the most to be avoided, though I doubt whether he thinks so; 6 the
Warden [of Winchester College] came to me the other morning to know whether I thought you
would be at home by the 30th of June on which day he had fixed the meeting,7 I told him I
thought there was little room to doubt it; if you know to the contrary, or that there is an
uncertainty in the case - you had better write forthwith that the day may be altered before our
Head has the trouble of summoning the socii,7 and as to me I must bear it as I can, which God
knows is ill enough.
Mr Heathcote8 called upon me as smiling and good-humoured as ever, he promised to
call again if he had time, which I am sorry he had not, he is a great favourite.
Monday last I dined at Mr [John Monk] Newbolt’s with the Dyson’s [sic] only, after
dinner Betsy [Mrs Jeremiah Dyson] went to her children, the Blade and Mr Dyson adjourned to
the five’s court9 at College in consequence of an imprudent engagement, the latter had entered
into with the young Newbolts, and the men (for I would not admit Mr Dyson) drank tea with
me; since which, like Mrs Shandy,10 nothing has happened to me worth recording.
Mr Baker is rather fussy about Barton;11 least the Speaker should think him too favoured
in having applied for it, which I told him I did not believe to be the case, and he desired, when I
wrote to you, that I would say, he had understood, there had been a negotiation of this kind
between the Speaker and Mr Hougham12 which was broken off on account of the stables,
otherwise he should never have thought of making the application; I must now employ you for
another fussy person Mrs [Lucy] Elyott, who has no peace about some houses of her’s at New
market, which she has been informed were let by a Mr Weatherby (the racing callender man)13
266
but after repeated letters to him she can get no answer, I find he lives at No. 6 Bury Street St
James’s, and not at New-market where her letters were directed; if in your walks you would call
upon him and inquire about these houses or what is more material the rent of them you would
gratify her very much and relieve me not a little I assure you.
Mr [William] Mence has obtained the long contended for prize of Mrs Pyle’s house, 14
which is a most desirable situation for him.
They [the children] are writing a letter to you and to that I must refer you for family
anecdotes, the Blade will give you a good account of us, they travelled through the dressing
room whilst he was in a state of almost nothing to their bed, whilst he was with me, I thank God
for the great blessings I enjoy with in you and them, and wish we could live as we are
recommended, and as we ought to do, like the old Patriarchs and their wives;15 Charlotte was
yesterday three years old,16 to-morrow she begins learning her letters, which is an increase of
employment for me.
The weather is delightful, I venture to walk by myself with the children in the fields, I
think I am more courageous, since I have lost the only guard I ever wished for, we set out at six
o’clock and walked till eight.
I am as usual my dearest love, your faithful and I may add well beloved SW.
God bless you. Where do you go at Whitsuntide? I could not wish you to come home
were you so inclined, I thought I should never have recovered your last visit,- if B[et] B[rewer] is
in town give my best love to her and Miss [Elizabeth] Pyke.
I should like of all things to go to the Messiah in the Abby,17 as I cannot, I wish you
would not let œconomical notions interfere, and go for me, which will give me as much pleasure
as going myself.
1The
context show that this word means to go to term in a pregnancy. It is recorded in the OED as
meaning ‘to apply cosmetics’, but this is clearly not its sense here. Elsewhere in the Letters 'mispetred' is
used to mean having a miscarriage (see, for example, Letter 41).
2Literally
to be a hanger-on.
3See
Note 6, Letter 83.
4To
be consigned to oblivion (OED).
5A
village near Stockbridge, Hampshire, where the St Johns spent the summer. See, for example, Note 1,
Letter 62.
6In
May 1783, John Ballard, who was a fellow of Winchester, had been instituted vicar of Portsea (St
Mary), which was in the gift of Winchester College. Mrs Harris was possibly the widow of Richard Harris
(née Elizabeth Carpenter), who had been rector of Widley and vicar of Wymering, near Portsmouth, until
his death in 1768.
7She
is referring to a meeting of the warden and fellows (the socii).
8Probably
Thomas Heathcote, son of Sir Thomas Heathclore of Hursley Park and rector of Stone, Kent .
267
9Winchester
Fives is still recognised as one of the many forms of this game, played with a ball against a
wall. It is not clear what Jeremiah Dyson did to upset her, but it sounds as if he was encouraging the
young Newbolts to drink (see Letter 92).
10The
mother of narrator of The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy by Laurence Sterne, published in nine
volumes from 1759. It is interesting that Sarah Williams seems to be familiar with this comic novel, since
in her day it was not generally highly regarded.
11The
Speaker, Charles Wolfran Cornwall, who lived at Prior’s Barton House, in the St Cross district of
Winchester, seems to be trying to sublet it.
12 Unidentified.
13British
horseracing still depends for its central administration and registration of thoroughbreeds on the
enterprise founded by James Weatherby.
14The
house, which was in Kingsgate Street and therefore convenient for St Michael's, where William
Mence was rector until his death in 1789, after which the lease was taken by the Revd Philip Pyle of
Norwich. (HRO/11M59/E2/59365).
15She
is clearly referring to the fact the Philip is away a good deal. But in hoping to emulate the Patriarchs
(Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) she is implying, no doubt unintentionally, a non-monogamous marriage,
though no doubt she would have been the primary wife or Matriarch.
16Her
date of birth is given elsewhere (WCA/M/PW/418) as 7 May 1782, which confirms the date
assigned to this letter.
17See
Note 15, Letter 49; see also Letter 98.
268
Letter 94: Monday, [between 8 May and 25 June 1785]1 − Sarah Williams at Winchester to
Philip Williams in London (WCA/M/PW/80)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
[An odd sheet]
Monday, morn
Slept better last night than I have done any Sunday for some time past.
[William] Mence is removed to Mrs Pyle’s house to the great envy of half the town. 2 I
hear nothing from Mrs Williams,3 who is quite out in her reckoning, so I have yet the comfort of
keeping little Molly [Strong], who is to be succeeded by a St Cross nymph a daughter of Mrs
Cornwall’s4 wash{er woma}n.
I flatter myself you will find the children improved, in their books I mean, (thank God
they are always healthy). I have begun with Chatty[ Charlotte], who is a sensible little hussy and
knows above half her letters already; Bess is reading Job and by way of recreation a 1s. Gil blas 5
that I have bought; Phil does as well as his idle disposition will permit him, and I don’t find but
that he is full as capable of learning as the girls, the little darling is got wonderfully quiet and for
his months uncommonly forward; we have given Bess the new name of Crabb, which angers her
much, don’t bring them play-things, suppose a knife and fork each to eat their dinner with, Phill
has 6s. that you are to spend for him and he wants a knife with a silver blade.
I’m out of all patience with our great Dictator;6 oh! my dearest love that our next meeting
was to part no more. God ever bless and protect you and our dear children.
Ever yours,
SW.
1Mention
of Mrs Pyle's house makes this fragment later than Letter 93, which is confidently dated to 8
May, whilst Bess’s nickname ‘Crabb’ is referred to in Letter 103, assigned the date 25 June.
2See
Note 14, Letter 93.
3See
Note 2, Letter 84.
4The
wife of the Speaker Charles Wolfran Cornwell.
5The
Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane, a picaresque novel by Le Sage, originally published in 1715-35 in
French, and subsequently in a variety of English translations.
6Probably
a reference to William Pitt the Younger.
269
Letter 95: Tuesday, [17 May 1785] − Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/73)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
According to order I did not write on Sunday, which will I am afraid oblige me to
shorten this, having an appointment with Mrs Bishop1 this morning of long-standing.
Charlotte [St John] has been with me ever since yesterday se’nnight. Sunday we both
went to Leckford2 with little Bess, slept there and returned yesterday to dinner the next day, the
little girl is almost as handsome as her brother, but not quite, Bess was I believe at the summit of
happiness, and she has yet more in store, for if our plan of going to Midhurst takes place she is
to go with us, and I hope nothing will prevent our setting out for that place on Monday
se’nnight, but a little depends upon Mr [George Richard] St John who is at present shooting, I
don’t know what, in the Isle of Portland and does not come home till Thursday when Charlotte
leaves me.
I find Mr [Jeremiah] Dyson does not return till to day, as we have not seen Betsy[Mrs
Dyson] since Saturday, we have some fears that he may have seen met with embarassments
(which I pray to heaven to avert) to detain him, now they have it in their power to spend their
present income, and pay their debts with the profits of the place, and I cannot but think they are
in high luck however his time may be taken up; think only of their getting that at once, which
will not fall to our lot till after four years, I will say slavery,3 for I cannot know a greater.
You have had fine weather for your scheme, I wish it may rain hard for the next week,
we are smothered with dust, and every place is so parched, the gardens have nothing green in
them and the face of the country begins to have a very dismal prospect appearance.
The tax on maid servants4 is as little relished here as with you, it will fall, except in some
degree qualified, particularly hard upon us little people with large families, but I am sick of taxes,
debates and every thing thereunto belonging, when they bring in a bill to oblige husbands and
wives to live together, they shall have my hearty concurrence, these last three days we might have
spent together, without an act of parliament, but I dared not to think of it.
Your sisters are before this time settled in their respective abodes in town as they
informed me by letter, give my love to them and desire them not to say anything to any one
upon the subject they mentioned, touching my future removal, the less that business is talked of
the better and the more agreable to me, the next packet shall carry a letter to them.
We are all well, except Charles who is about cutting teeth and in consequence has a
dreadful sore mouth, which puts him in agonies every time he eats or that it is touched, he has
had a good deal of fever, but that I thank God is abated, and so I hope will the other complaint,
for at present I am very uneasy about him, though I do not believe there is any reason to be
alarmed.
Your horse is in the College meadow, where there is for his comfort more grass than in
other places. News, there is none, at least none reaches me, they are killing the B[ishop] of
Chester [Beilby Porteus] with eating, they sent to me to go there on Thursday, but the Sisterhood
dined together, which was much better sport than meeting Whity and Sir Peter,5 I shall however
make an attempt to tea there before they go.
270
God bless you my dearest love and grant that we may soon have the happiness of once
more seeing each other.
Ever yours,
SW
The shortness of this must not be an excuse for you. Mrs Bishop1 you know cannot be
put by.
1A
Winchester dressmaker (see, for example, Letter 125).
2See
Note 1, Letter 62.
3Her
brother-in-law Jeremiah Dyson is in the process of seeking patronage in Westminster and she is
referring to the expectation that, after four years serving as the Speaker’s chaplain, her husband will gain
a similar favour.
4A
measure in William Pitt’s second budget presented to parliament on Monday 7 May 1785 (Hague,
2004, p.194). It involved ‘sliding scales of payment and a bewildering range of exemptions’, such that
Sarah Williams would have been exempt as she had ‘two or more’ children living with her. The tax was
extremely unpopular and was repealed within seven years, whereas an analogous tax on manservants,
introduced in 1777, lasted until 1937 (Steedman, 2007, p.16).
5Almost
certainly Sir Peter Rivers Gay (see Note 9, Letter 68)
271
Letter 96: Sunday, [22 May 1785] − Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/74)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
I am rejoiced to hear that you are safely landed from your excursion,1 Papa has
told me how well you looked, would to God I could myself be a witness of it, but I begin to
think that we shall never meet again, if the remainder of the Irish Propositions2 are each to
produce a debate of the same length as the last, when are we to expect an end?, (the other
business considered), not in the next month I fear.
Charlotte [St John] left me on Thursday and as yet we have not been able to come to any
determination about Midhurst, for very cogent reasons, the first that she has not yet got her
chaise home, and secondly it depends upon Mr [George Richard] St John, who is very variable in
his motions; however I hope we shall not set out later than tomorrow se’nnight fortnight, as we
are both bent upon going and do not mean to be put by, we shall be no less than four in the
chaise, for we take Mrs Booth and Bess [Elizabeth Dyson] to boot.
Mr [Lovelace] Bigg [Wither] called here in his way to the Island [Isle of Wight] with his
eldest daughter, who is a very elegant figure and bating3 her mouth has a charming countenance,
and seems to have a very pleasing manners, but I was afraid of distressing her by saying much to
her, our room being quite full at the time they called, he was kind enough to bring me some
pidgeons, he talks of being at the Abby musick;4 you will scarcely believe me when I tell you that
our neighbours are going to remove bag and baggage to Wimmering [Wymering], and to sell
their house in Winchester, a scheme of politicks, that no one here can fathom or unravel; they
have given Dr [John] Ballard notice to quit and he removes over the way to Mr Bigg’s house; 5 Dr
and Mrs Ballard have been here this last week, I drank tea with them on Thursday last, they told
me that Mrs Harris has left Miss Freeman for her life6 every thing she could dispose of, which is
about 30£ per annum and her furniture live stock etc, which with what she has already will make
her an income of about a hundred a year, and enable her to be at the top of things at Fareham,
where she means to fix her abode.
Dyson thinks he is certain of the place, which is 300 guinneas a year, he is to have four
months clear to himself every year, and the attendance is only from 12 to half after two; very
easy terms indeed! I wish I could as easily earn the same sum, I would begin learning to write a
good hand immediately.7 He did not see Mr [Thomas] Steel[e], he found that the treasury had
nothing to do with the security business, and till that is settled he could not get possession of the
place, I believe but am not quite certain that he wrote to Mr Steel[e].8
My friend Joan alias Anne Smith is again in Winchester, she supped with us twice when
Charlotte was here, and drankly deeply of the nectar in your letter; Mrs [Charles] Blackstone [sr]
and the aforesaid Joan drank tea with me last night and spent the evening; they told me amongst
other things, that a Miss Richmond an heiress, whom you have often heard of in the Blackstone
family,9 and who is only 65, is going to dispose of herself to an old veteran, a General somebody
whose name I did not hear and therefore cannot remember.
Poor Tommy [Heathcote] has picked up one of his low fevers, and is obliged to get old
Sturdy to undertake the out-rider-ship10 for him, this somebody has announced to the Warden,
but who no one can tell, old misterious in everything.
272
The Warden’s nephew sine shirt11 has contrived to make a Shropshire heiress a Miss
Hodges fall in love with him, which is rather to be wondered at.
I shall not write to your sisters this time, I must send a small parcel to them by the
12
Hares who are going again to town for the musick,4 some things to be matched, give my love to
them and Miss [Elizabeth] Pyke.
The children, (except Charles, who has begun teething), are perfectly well and Phill
allways beyond me; charming weather for evening walks, which I cannot enjoy, when every step
I take brings to my remembrance the happy, happy evenings I have spent with you in the same
manner.
I am as ever yours entirely,
SW
1This
may be a reference to the mysterious visit of Philip to France earlier in the year (see Letter 85).
2Reported
in: Parliamentary History, Vol xxv, February 1785-May 1786, p. 778, cited by Hague, 2004, p.
195. See also Note 5, Letter 98.
3This
was Margaret Bigg, who in 1792 married Charles Blackstone jr (Bigg-Wither, 1907, Pedigree VI),
admitted a fellow of Winchester College in 1783. She was perhaps too old to be a close friend of the
novelist of Jane Austen, who lived nearby, and frequently saw her sisters Elizabeth, Catherine and
Alethea. To bate is ‘to let down’ (OED)’, but Sarah Williams may have meant ‘barring’.
4See
Note 15, Letter 49.
5'The
neighbours' were probably Charles Blackstone, sr, and family. He was a fellow of Winchester and
had been rector of Widley and vicar of Wymering (a joint benefice), near Portsmouth, since 1777. Dr
John Ballard, another fellow, had held Portsea (St Mary) since 1783 but seems to have been living in the
parsonage house at Wymering (see also Note 6, Letter 93). 'Mr Bigg's house' was probably on the small
estate he held at Wymering, later held by his son Harris, the man who proposed to Jane Austen, was
accepted and then quickly rejected. Although now subsumed in urban sprawl, at the time it was a
pleasant rural location high above Portsmouth harbour.
6See
Note 6, Letter 93.
A ‘place’ is a position, especially in government service, to which someone is appointed for personal
profit, often as a reward for political support (OED). Dyson had little political influence, but no doubt
was appointed on the strength of the long service to the House of Commons of his late father. See also
Note 3, Letter 95.
7
8 MP
for Chichester 1780-1807, Secretary to the Treasury, but not responsible for patronage. It seems that
Dyson had to make some cash payment to secure the place. Perhaps a contact that came from Sarah's
father and Dyson's father-in-law, Thomas Collins, a native of Midhurst, near Chichester.
9Unidentified.
An outrider was used in the annual progress around the estates of Winchester College (S. Foster, pers.
comm). With that almost obsessional interest in recording details, the muniments of the college includes,
at the back of Register of Quiristers, a ‘cycle of Sub Wardens, Bursars, Sacrists and Librarians,
10
273
Woodwards, Outriders and Clavigers [one who carries key or a club, OED]’ (WCM/21490Ea,b), but
unfortunately it only starts in 1789, when ‘Mr Lee’ had the post. This was probably Harry Lee, namesake
son of the warden who died in the same year. He was admitted a fellow of Winchester College on 22
December 1789, not long after GI Huntingford had been elected to take his father’s place.
11Harry
Lee was warden of Winchester College at the time, but the ‘nephew’ is unidentified. The family
had been seated at Coton Hall, Bridgenorth, Shropshire, since the 1300s and its offspring would have
been a suitable match for an heiress. The family emigrated to the US in the 1600s and prospered there,
two of its descendants signing the Declaration of Independence.
12Probably
the Winchester prebendary Robert Hare and his wife.
274
Letter 97: Sunday, [29 May 1785]1 − Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/75)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
Our scheme to Midhurst2 (which I have been unwise enough to build upon) like
all sublunary things is vanished, Charlotte [St John] has not got her chaise home, and what is
worse, she has one of the Miss Beauclercks3 with her, which effectually puts it out of her power
to go, and of course mine, for I should not chuse to be at the expence, and if I did I have no
servant to go with me, so for the present there is an end of that business, and a great
disappointment to all parties.
If Mr [Lovelace] Bigg [Wither] is in town at the musick,4 say what you please about
yourself, but do not promise for me; the pleasure I shall receive from such an excursion will not
answer the expence of it, and I will not deprive myself of every comfort, and live in the wretched
manner I do, to whirl my money away in chaise hire.
Mrs [Joan] Smith, the children and myself have been to Compton to day, and were very
glad to be obliged to chaise it home in consequence of the hard rain, which it is to be hoped will
continue, as we have had none to signify before; I have nothing to tell you about the Dysons,
every thing is at a stand, till he hears from Sir Francis Drake, and the coach horse brought us
home. [George Richard] St John has had one of his colds, after his shooting scheme in Portland
Island, but with the assistance of Dr [John] Littlehales he is got pretty well again; this last week
has allmost emptied the close,5 the Bullers and Sturges’s gone, the Mulsos upon the eve of going;
Dr [Thomas] Balguy and his fair associate6 are arrived and I have had the unpleasing task of
being obliged to announce to the latter the loss of her orange tree; the Dr is much rejuvenated by
the Bath waters, I believe I forgot to tell you, that I have had a visit from Miss Charlotte Isted 7
who is at Bev[o]is Mount,8 and who surprized me by a volubility of speech I did think she had in
her, the children were brought in review and behaved well.
Mr [Jeremiah] Dyson entirely forgot Mrs [Lucy] Elyott’s business, 9 do for my peace sake
endeavour to send some information upon the subject when you next write, I sent you a
direction to [James] Weatherby, who is the person concerned and not Pond.
I shall be a Bankrupt I’m afraid before you come home, what with taxes, insurances,
hospital etc. money has flown at a strong rate lately, I never spend upon myself you may be
certain.
Tomorrow the Winchester Theatre opens,10 not to a crowded audience I guess, the great
Patrons of the stage Mrs Hume and the Blade [John Monk Newbolt] being absent, some people
think it will be damp, others prophesy that it will tumble down, as being built in too slight a
manner, and if neither of these dreadful calamities take place, in about a fortnight, by which time
people will begin bespeaking,11 I may venture thither perhaps and try to drive away care; there is
a sad bill against that said Blade, but as it was mentioned to me by way of a secret don’t say any
thing about it; he has had the weakness to leave the key of his cellar with the boys and given
them leave to invite their friends if they would run the risque of being found and you may be
sure they availed themselves of this permission and to the full extent of it, there must be some
explanation with him upon the subject when he comes down, Dr [Joseph] Warton knows
275
nothing of it, but the boys were in a shocking condition. Oh! the times when boys are brought so
forward.
The Rennels [Thomas Rennell and Sarah Blackstone] don’t seem to be in a hurry, the
Chariot is building, the wedding trappings prepared, and what they wait for I suppose they know,
but we who are most desirous of knowing, cannot find out.
The Races are fixed for the 27th June.10 If you come home, I shall like to go with you, if
you do not, there is no happiness for me, and I shall stay at home, unless I can add to the
comfort of Mrs [Charlotte] St John by going. I intended to have written to your sister{s} but
{s}omehow or other I am woefully disp{i}rited about the uncertainty of seeing you which I
begin to fear is at will be at a later period than you think; I shall send a parcel for them, to you by
Mrs [Henrietta] Hare [Naylor], who goes to town for the musick4 and at the same time I will
write.
The children are all well, Charles is put into short coats to day, God bless you and them,
my dearest, dearest love, yours as ever
SW
I should be glad to have the enclosed carried to Sage,12 and let William wait for what I
have sent, and you will put it into the next frank.
I wish you may be able to do any-thing for the Creeper,13 his case seems to be a pitiable
one.
James Wells desires me to say that your old horse has been a little indisposed with the
fret, and it has been thought expedient to bleed him which has done him good, he grows very fat
and has the whole range of the meadow. James will be obliged to you just to say whether Mrs
[Charles Wolfran] Cornwall’s horse and its accoutrements got safe to London.
1The
assigned date is based on the anticipated opening of the new theatre on Monday 30 May (Hampshire
Chronicle 30 May 1785), though it did not actually open until two days later. See also Note 10 below.
2Where
her father lived in retirement.
3Usually
spelt ‘Beauclerk’, one of the two illegitimate twin daughters of the former wife of the 2nd
viscount Bolingbroke, Lady Diana (née Spencer), by Topham Beauclerk, who became her second
husband in 18 months later. The girls were both born on 20 August 1766, though elsewhere (Letter 100)
there is a reference to ‘the youngest Miss Beauclerk’, which could technically be the case, even for twins.
Mary Day Beauclerk had a scandalous affair with her half-brother, the Hon. George Richard St John (later
the 3rd viscount Bolingbroke), Lady Diana’s son and Sarah Williams’s brother-in-law. Betsy Sheridan, the
playwright’s sister wrote in June 1786 (Le Fanu, 1960, pp. 176-7, cited in Report of the Friends of Lydiard
Tregoz, 7, 82-85):
We heard a most shocking story … .The present Lord Bolingbroke …has been married about six
years to a very charming Woman [Charlotte née Collins]. Miss B- was invited to spend some time
with her Brother [actually her half-brother] and the consequence was a most infamous
connection between them: So completely criminal that the Young Lady was with child: Lady
Bolingbroke to prevent if possible the horrid story getting wind, went abroad with her and
nursed her in her lying-in.
276
4See
Note 15, Letter 49.
5She
is reciting news of several cathedral prebendaries and their families, namely, William Buller, John
Sturges, John Mulso and Thomas Balguy.
6His
cousin, Sarah Drake (I. River, ‘Thomas Balguy’, ODNB, 2004).
7Possibly
a sister of Samuel Isted, whose tutor at New College, Oxford, had been PhilipWilliams (see Note
4, Letter 10).
8The
site of a ‘maritime residence’ to the east of Southampton built by the 3rd earl of Peterborough (16581735; White, 1859, p.153 ).
9See
Letter 102.
10The
Winchester New Theatre, as it was called, opened on Wednesday 1 June 1985 (Hampshire Chronicle, 6
June 1985), at a time when regional theatre was on the rise (Hare, 1958). An advertisement in the previous
edition of the paper declared that it would open on the Monday, but in the event a dispute with local
attorney delayed the opening by two days (see Note 5, Letter 99). It was built according to the dimensions
of the Southampton theatre ‘with commodious dressing rooms’ for £600 by local builders and coal
merchants, Messrs William Kernott and John and Thomas Dowling (HRO/106A10W/1; Ranger, 1976).
It stood opposite the County Gaol in Jewry Street (then called Gaol Street) and resulted from of the
enterprise of the theatre manager Thomas Collins (a namesake of Sarah’s father) who also ran theatres in
Salisbury, Southampton, Portsmouth and Chichester (Ranger, 1987). A long list of subscribers included
local MPs and local worthies, John Monk Ricketts (The Blade), Carew Gauntlett, Peter Gauntlett and
James Searle. Later called the Theatre Royal, it closed in 1861, though the remains stood on the east side
of Jewry Street until the 1980s, when an appropriately named office building, Sheridan House, was built.
Previously, theatrical performances in Winchester had taken place in a hall above the meat market.
Amongst the writings of the poet Thomas Warton, brother of the Winchester headmaster Joseph Warton,
is Prologue on the old Winchester Play-House (Turley, 1975, p. 198). The Hampshire Chronicle (6 June 1785)
reported: ‘Our New Theatre opened on Wednesday evening with the celebrated Comedy of The Rivals,
which was performed to a brilliant audience with universal applause.’ See also Note 5, Letter 99.
11Sponsoring
a play. For example, on 27 June, at the start of Winchester’s race week, Mrs Powlett Powlett
bespoke The Provoked Husband by Vanbrugh.
12A
London shop.
13Obscure.
277
Letter 98: Saturday, [4 June 1785]1 − Philip Williams in London to Sarah Williams at
Winchester (WCA/M/PW/21)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
Whilst it is fresh in my memory, recover a white handkerchief from [Jeremiah] Dyson, if
it is yet in being, which I lent him whilst in town.
I have just recieved your’s and am very much hurt about your Midhurst journey’s coming
to nothing, and as to the Chilton [Foliat] one, I say nothing about it, till I see you.
Sunday morning I heard the Stuarts called over the coals by a pragmatical preacher at
Whitehall,1 and dined at my little Uncles;2 the party consisted of the Blade [John Monk Newbolt],
Spooner, Colonel Deburgh [?de Burgh], a Colonel Thomas, Major Gage, Dehaney, and myself.
We did not dine till six, and I left them at nine, when I dare say they had recourse to the four
kings,3 as they were very stupid, and had drank wine enough.
I am very angry with Newbolt4 and have been debating with myself about writing him a
note, but have determined against it, as not knowing the goodness of your information, and
thinking it better to let the evil cure itself, by the boys getting into some confounded scrape,
which I flatter myself they will before their father’s return.
Monday closed the scene of these Irish propositions,5or rather Tuesday morning 5
o’clock, at which time the Speaker returned home. If Mr [William] Pitt chuses to have them pass
into a bill this sessions, it will take up probably 5 weeks longer before they can pass the Irish
house and be returned back again; and in that case it is supposed when the other remaining
business is got through, that our parliament will be adjourned for 9 or 10 days, and meet again
for that single purpose. If so, I shall come down to Winchester, and return for that day – but
nothing at present is known for certain.
Tuesday I met my sisters and George [Gordon] at a solemn at C[harles Nalson] Cole’s,
where were Dr [John] and Miss Gooch, Mr and Mrs Keen, Mr [Samuel] Whitbread, Mr [James]
Gordon member for Stockbridge, and a Mr Davies – too crowded and uncomfortable, with an
influx in the afternoon.6
Wednesday, Folliot[t] [Herbert] Corn[e]wall7 came up from Windsor to us for two days,
for the sake of the music, which Sir Banks [Jenkinson], who arrived here for that purpose, gives
up at last, having catched cold at the rehearsal on Monday. Folliot[t] and Mrs C[ornwall] went to
the abby on Thursday, which was crowded, and from some mismanagement more tickets were
sold than could be admitted, which occasioned some confusion. I met H[enry] Oglander
returning from thence sine watch.8 They talk of an additional day, very much to the disquiet of
Silence,9 who goes to see and hear peeping Tom at the Haymarket one night,10 and the Messiah
in the abby the next morning.
The talk at present is about Mr [Richard] Atkinson the contractor’s will, who has died
worth £25,000 and left his friend Mr [John] Robinson £700 annuity for his life, and remitted him
a debt of [£]12,000. He has left Lady Margaret Fordyce [£]5,000, and her sister Lady Ann[e]
Lindsey [Lindsay] [£]30,000. All these riches were acquired by impositions upon Lord North, or
at least the greatest part of them.11
278
Saturday morn. Tell James Wells, Mr Cornwall’s mare and accoutrements arrived safe. I
forgot to tell you, that the old B[ishop] of London12 ventured to the rehearsal on Monday, and
has suffered much by it, which his family foresaw, but could not prevent.
I am sorry to find [John] Downes13 has exposed himself so much as Mrs Silence’s9 letter
represents; let me have your account of the business.
I must finish my letter for the present, with an uncertainty of adding any more, as I am to
be lugged to court in the state coach, and am to dine afterwards at Sir T[homas] Rumbold’s, and
it is uncertain what time we shall return from St James’s.
Acknowledge the receipt of the inclosed draught.
Ever your’s most affectionately,
Ph. Williams
I have only time to add that I have been tired to death, both at court and Sir [Thomas]
Rumbold’s, and have stopped at a coffee house merely to seal this, and again repeat how much I
am my ever dearest’s most etc.
1Every
year a sermon was preached during a state service held on 29 May to commemorate the
Restoration of Charles II. Although state sermons were often delivered by the speaker’s chaplain, Philip
Williams was not strictly qualified to do so as a resolution of the House of Commons made in 1700
required the preacher to either be a Doctor of Divinity or at least hold the 'dignity of a Dean of the
Church' (Gray, 1991, p.15). Nonetheless, he did so on at least one occasion, a few months before this
letter, when he delivered the sermon for the 'martyrdom' of Charles I (see Note 4, Letter 73).
‘little uncle’was probably George William Ricketts (see also Letter 90).
2The
3He
is concerned about his friend allowing his sons to drink heavily, as reported by Sarah (see Letters 92,
97 and 99).
4Gambling
with cards.
Pitt’s ambitions for reforming trade with Ireland were actually abandoned after it was clear that they
would not be passed by the Irish House of Commons in Dublin (Hague, 2004, pp. 195-6).
5
6This
7His
is a party of friends and family from East Anglia mixing with parliamentary acquaintances.
predecessor as chaplain to the Speaker.
8Apparently
9See
the victim of a pickpocket.
Note 11, Letter 80.
10Peeping
Tom of Coventry, a comic opera by John O’Keeffe (1747-1833) taken from the story of Lady
Godiva, was first performed, as an afterpiece, at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, in 1784 and continued to
be staged for two generations. The tone of the piece can be gauged from a verse in a song that appears
near the end (Donoghue, 2003, p. 98):
When I was a yonker and liv’d with my dad
279
The neighbours all thought me a smart little lad
My Mammy she call’d me a white-headed boy
Because with girls I lik’d to toy.
11Richard
Atkinson (1738-1785) was a merchant and director of the East India Company and was ‘called
on by the government of Lord North to support its efforts to reform the company’s administration’ (JG
Parker, ‘Atkinson, Richard’, ODNB, 2004). A self-made man, he was said to be worth £300,000 when he
died at the age of 57 of consumption (tuberculosis) at Brighton a few days before this letter, on 28 May
1785. John Robinson was North’s secretary to the treasury. The Lindsay sisters, Margaret (Lady Margaret
Fordyce) and Anne (after 1793, Lady Anne Barnard), were daughters of James Lindsay, 5 th earl of
Balcarres, of a Scottish family that suffered for being Jacobites. ‘From 1781 the sisters lived together in
London, and played hostess to leading figures of the day, including Pitt, Burke and Sheridan’ (Catalogue,
John Rylands University Library, University of Manchester, Ref. GB 133 Eng MS 1135, accessed via
www.archives.li.man.ac.uk).
12Dr
Robert Lowth; see Note 4, Letter 41.
13A
solicitor involved in a public disagreement concerning the opening of the new theatre in Winchester;
see Letter 99. He was only silenced by a public burning of his effigy (Pickering and Woolgar, 2009,
companion website, p. 63). See also Note 6, Letter 99.
280
Letter 99: Sunday, [5 June 1785]1 – Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/76)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
I do not at all like the tone of your letter, at all it seems to promise though you do
not speak out, a long season of anxiety for me, every week removes my object to a greater
distance; you may say what you will of our sapient Premier, but at best he is a very corked
business, and he must take care, or he may find himself stuck in the Irish mire after all.
We have as usual been to Compton today, where we found all tolerably well, and I have
the promise of the chaise tomorrow to take me and mine to Leckford tomorrow, if wind and
weather permit, of which I am rather doubtful, at present it rains very hard; James Wells is to
attend us by way of Ciceroni, and the Poney,2 with the three elder fœtids and myself are to go in
the chaise, we must come home at night as they have not the least hole to put us into; your white
handkerchief is forthcoming and in my possession.3
You desire an account of the follies of the week, I wish they had been only the follies of
a day, but there is a set of people at the head of whom are our worthy Sherif 4 and C[arew]
Gauntlett5 whose business it is to keep the ball up, and they are determined to worry poor [John]
Downes to death;6 the business as far as I can collect, (after making proper allowance for the
thousand lies that are every moment coming forth) is this; when the thing was first proposed last
year, it seems that [William] Kernot[t] and Mr Downes had a dispute, and the which became so
violent, that the latter bound himself by an oath to inform against the players if they acted, and
his mother and sister were too rigid to suffer him to break it, and the spirits of these good ladies
being once raised they have been incessantly goading the poor man, till they have obliged him to
take the very injudicious step he has done, to which Silver-tongue has not a little contributed by
defying them to put their threats in execution etc. At one o’clock last Monday Mr Downes
announced his intention, and a number of people met together at the Theatre in the evening,
when it was agreed that there should be no play, and if they had pulled the old Keats house
down at the time, she deserved it, but they did not make much riot that night but since I am told
they have burnt him in effigy, and they have been all round the town with musick singing the
enclosed ballad, which is said to be the joint production of Sir W. Gardner and C. Gauntlett;
[William] Kernot[t] was obliged to make some trifling apology, upon which the triple alliance,
(for there is it seems an aunt who possesses the family spirit in a high degree,) a bated something
of their rigour and the players were permitted to proceed without farther molestation on
Wednesday, he has put an advertisement in the Winchester paper that I hope to send you, but
they are so much in request that I am afraid it will hardly be in my power to get one, Mrs
Courteney I am hurt to say has behaved in a shocking manner, has made use of the most abusive
and vulgar language, such as would have been beneath a Bil[l]ingsgate fish woman; for the sake
of our poor friend that is gone, I shall continue to visit her, but I suppose no one else will.
I am very glad you thought better of your intended note7 to the Blade [John Monk
Newbolt], because I particularly desired you to say nothing about it, though I am sorry to add,
the fact is as undoubted, as my authority, which when I see you, I will tell you.
I sent a parcel for your sister to your care by Mrs [Henrietta] Hare [Naylor]; you say
nothing of Mrs [Lucy] Elyott’s business,8 indeed you do not say a great deal of any sort, it is very
281
hard to deprive me of the least part of the very little comfort I have, write more next time, I am
very wretched at the idea of a mu{ch} longer separation which I fear must {be} the case, the
birth day which is no{w} past, was to be the utmost period of my misery, and there is now no
time mentioned, I am so full that I cannot help speaking, two more years of it! I shall never see
the end of it I doubt; God bless you and the dear, dear children, and whatever I lose, may you
and they enjoy tenfold.
Ever yours,
SW
The note came safe.
My friend Joan [Smith] is still here, she and I spent a very pleasant afternoon on Friday
with the Ladies St John and Charnock [Chernocke].9
Phill has got his pocket book full of money which amounts to a crown and you are to lay
it out for him – he talks of a knife with a silver blade to eat his dinner with.
The specimen the new Laureate10 has given us, is in my humble opinion nothing to boast
of.
I have had a long letter from Papa, by which I do not think he will meet you at Chilton
[Foliat, Wiltshire].11
1Internal
evidence concerning the opening of the new theatre in Winchester enables this letter, written on
‘Sunday night’ to be dated (Hampshire Chronicle, 6 June 1785).
2‘Ciceroni’
was probably a horse (see Note 9, Letter 67.) She uses ‘Poney’ elsewhere as an unflattering
name for a maid, but may have meant it literally here!
3See
Letter 98.
4Unidentified,
possibly the sheriff of Hampshire, but probably the ‘Mr Sherriff’ whose horse Katerfelto
came second in the sweepstakes run on Tuesday 28 June 1985 during Winchester race week (Hampshire
Chronicle, 4 July 1985). .
5One
of the subscribers for the new theatre (HRO/106A10W/1), of a family of merchants long
established in Winchester. His parents, John and Mary (née Prior) had nine girls and eight boys, including
Samuel Gauntlett, a scholar at Winchester College who become, amongst other things, warden of New
College, Oxford, where his memorial can still be seen.
6This
upset at the opening of the new theatre (see Note 10, Letter 97) concerned Mr John Downes, an
attorney, who lived on the opposite side of Gaol Street (now called Jewry Street). His side of the story is
given in the Hampshire Chronicle of 6 June 1785:
Mr DOWNES of this city, having been very unjustly ridiculed and vilified in consequence of
some inveterate enemies, he begs leave to solicit the attention of the public to a printed account,
intended to be circulated to his vindication, containing the true state of his conduct from the
time the New Theatre was first proposed to be built opposite his Dwelling-house, the particulars
thereof being too long to be inserted by way of [a] paragraph in a newspaper.
The ‘advertisement’ that Sarah hoped to send to her husband was therefore probably a printed sheet
circulated (for a fee) with the newspaper. The nature of the dispute is not clear, but Downes and ‘the
triple alliance’ may have been objecting to the placing of the theatre opposite their house, at a time when
282
‘planning applications’ had not yet been devised. William Kernott, who with others had been
commissioned to build the theatre, seems to have persuaded John Downes to back down. The woman
‘old Keats’ is unidentified.
7Concerning
8See
the drinking by Newbolt’s sons (see also Letters 92 and 97-8).
Letter 102.
9Jane,
Lady St John, was a daughter of Roger Harris of Silkstead, Compton, near Winchester. In 1728 she
first married the lawyer William Pescod (Carpenter Turner, 1978, p.42, 44) and then after his death
married Sir Paulet St John, Bt of Dogmersfield Park, Dogmersfield, Hampshire. She was the sister of
Lady Chernocke (née Sophie Harris), who was the widow of Sir Villiers Chernocke (Bigg-Wither, 1907, p.
145; A Genealogical and Heraldic History of Great Britain, Vol 2, p. 401). Lady St John was the grandmother of
another Jane, Lady St John, née Mildmay, who in 1786 married Sir Henry Paulet St John of Dogmersfield,
obliging him to add her maiden name to his (see also Note 2, Letter 117). The St John families of
Dogmersfield and Lydiard Tregoze (the seat of the family of the Williamses’s brother-in-law, the Hon.
George Richard St John) both traced their roots to the Norman Conquest but had long been separate.
10Thomas
11The
Warton; see Note 9, Letter 92.
home of Philip Williams’s friend, Lovelace Bigg-Wither.
283
Letter 100: Sunday, [12 June 1785] – Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/77)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
I am not at all relieved by your letter as you may guess; I had flattered myself that
you would have been able to have said something decisive about that most desired event, your
coming home, I am sensible that you cannot command events, but I cannot help looking up to
you for relief in all my distresses and I need not tell you that this is one of the most afflicting
kind, indeed I can hardly bear up against it, and if I knew of any wretched hovel where I could
hide myself with my children in the country till you come home, I should be glad to do it, merely
to avoid being asked by every person I meet when you can come home. If there is to be an
adjournment for ten days, it may give you an opportunity of attending the [Winchester] College
meeting,1 otherwise I cannot wish to see you again in the way you came at Easter, when you can
stay I shall rejoice to have you, you know not half the love I have for you or half my misery.
We went to Leckford on Monday, five in the chaise, had a most charming day, and the
children were highly delighted; one of the youngest Miss Beauclerck2 is with Mrs [Charlotte] St
John, and a very pleasing, well behaved girl indeed and would be pretty if she had a colour, I
believe they will all come to the races; and I expect them Ladies before for a day; we got home
all dead asleep not before ten o’clock. The Blade [John Monk Newbolt] called at Compton
today, gave a good account of you, as I thank God every one does, and invited me to dine
tomorrow with the Dysons etc. which I promised to do, and wish I may feel myself equal to, but
as I am at present I do not think of it; Mr Woodbourn3 who officiated for your Deputy attended
me home this evening; Mrs Price is returned from her Welch [Welsh] expedition very well, 4
though I believe not so richly freighted as before, except that she has brought your favorite5 back
with her, and whom she corrected this morning when I called upon upon [sic] her, for saying St
Crosses instead of the singular number. By the way of St Cross, we had at St Michael’s this
morning Mr Rawlins6 who gave us a sermon that had it came from the Bishop of Chester [Beilby
Porteus] would have been talked of for this next month. I do not say this of my own judgment
but my friend Joan Smith who was with me, agreed that it was a very excellent discourse; after
church we went to poke out the pictures of Wardens [of Winchester College] that she had heard
of in the Warden’s gallery,7 she loves digging into antiquity as well as myself, and you would
adore her for stopping to read the names of all the Benefactors; she is kind enough to call upon
me often and she is the only consolation I have, she has an extraordinary good understanding,
improved by good substantial kind of reading which I love, and the most chearful temper that it
is possible for any one to be possessed of – she is going away very soon, for which I am heartily
sorry.
Bess is delighted with her figures, but poor Phil is sadly affronted that you have never
thought of him though I am sure he deserves it best, of you for the pleasant epistles he is always
sending.
The players are now permitted to go on without molestation, I suppose I shall be obliged
to go, when they bespeak and if I can bear any amusement it is a play.8
Give my best love to your sisters, if they find any difficulty or trouble in the commission
I have employed them in {I} beg they will have nothing to do with it, as it is not of the least
284
consequence. The St Asaph family9 are come down, but I have not yet seen them, and having no
chaise I must make an apology for not going, Betsy [Mrs Elizabeth Dyson] has been there; you
will be glad to hear that the Postillion has got a place with Admiral Rowley,10 there must be an
end of him in about a fortnight, one of the horses is good-for-nothing and the other is to be sold
to the first purchaser James Wells can find.
The children are as usual in the best health and spirits; Charles begins to get on very fast,
but the crossest of all children.
I am my best and dearest love as ever yours
SW
Charles is now crying ready to kill himself for nothing that I can find out, I am with it
altogether half dead, and one of the most wretched creatures.
1See
Note 7, Letter 93.
2See
Note 3, Letter 97.
3Probably
John Woodburn (ca 1751-1807), who was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, and
ordained in York and Durham. In 1780 he was curate, and later perpetual curate, at Littleton, near
Winchester, before soon being given the substantial living of Romsey, which he seems to have left in the
hands of a curate in 1788 to go himself as a curate to Morestead, near Winchester. His namesake son was
later perpetual curate of Littleton.
4She
had previously returned with table linen (see Letter 64; also Letters 82 and 89).
5Obscure.
6Possibly
William Rawlins, ordained priest at Winchester in 1778. The Church of England clergy database
gives no further information on his church career.
7Somewhere
in the Warden’s Lodgings, perhaps a gallery that predated the existing Long Gallery, built in
the 1830s (S. Foster, pers. comm).
8See
Note 10, Letter 97 and Note 6, Letter 99.
9Jonathan
Shipley (1713-1788) was bishop of Asaph. He and his family lived at Twyford, near Winchester.
10Jeremiah
Dyson, Sarah Williams’s brother-in-law, was in the process of winding down his household at
Compton, near Winchester, to move to the vicinity of London and take up a place at Westminster. His
postilion, James (see Letter 102), (who is not to be confused with James Wells the ostler) probably went to
work with Admiral Joshua Rowley (1734-1790) at his Suffolk seat, Tendring Hall. After an illustrious
naval career he had returned to England in 1783 and three years later was created a baronet.
285
Letter 101: Saturday, [18 June 1785] – Philip Williams in London to Sarah Williams at
Winchester (WCA/M/PW/22)1
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
[First part of letter missing]
[Jeremiah] Dyson will, I trust, come to town soon, see Sir F[rancis] Drake, and settle some plan
for his family against the winter.
I sent you a parcel by J. Rivers,2 which I am to pay something for, I suppose – let me
know where.
I am sorry your old friend Joan [Smith] is going from Winchester.
In regard to Mrs [Lucy] Elyott, I don’t know enough of her business to call upon the
man (whose name I have forgot) in the capacity of a dun. Dyson owes him money, and when he
pays him, it would be a very good opportunity to talk to him about it.3
My love to the children – tell Phil. I have not forgot him; but I don’t know what to buy
for him. You must prompt me. Adieu my dearest and best.
Ph. Williams.
I am sorry for Lady [Mary] Broughton’s death, who though a vulgar woman, must be
missed in a family of 13 children.4
1An
especially disinterested fragment, written with obvious boredom. He had not even bothered to
consult her earlier letters about Mrs Elyott’s debtor, nor Phil’s wish that he buy a knife for him to eat
with.
2Probably
James Rivers, aged about 13 at the date of this letter, the second son of Sir Peter Rivers Gay,
the Winchester prebendary
3See
Letter 93.
4The
subject of these chillingly offhand remarks was Mary (née Wicker), the first wife of the Revd Sir
Thomas Broughton, 6th Bt (ca 1744-1813), seated at Broughton, Staffordshire. After giving birth to 13
children, the first in 1767, she died after the birth of a stillborn child on 9 June 1785.
286
Letter 102: Sunday, [19 June 1785] – Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/78)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dear love,
Just landed from the Compton Dilly1 for the last time, as Admiral [Joshua]
Rowley has sent for James to be with him by the 25th, and somebody else has sent for the horses,
so there is an end of that business.2 [Jeremiah] Dyson would be very glad to settle his future
plan, and to do it immediately, but Sir Francis Drake is such an oddity, that he does not think it
would be wise to attack him again, and he is told that, the plan most be disposed of soon; the
children at Compton are not very well, the eldest and youngest, one has worms and the other
they think has an ague, but I hope there is no great deal the matter with either; my friend Joan
[Smith] accompanied me today, and I have prevailed upon her to take up her abode for a few
days under my chearless roof, after which the St Johns and Miss Beauclerck come to me for the
[Winchester] Races; Wednesday next for the first time, I am to be dragged to the Maid of the
Oaks,3 Lady Rivers’s choice,4 and a wretched choice it is, but that makes no difference to me for
I am under such a dejection of spirits that nothing gives me pleasure.
You seem to have forgot the [Winchester] College meeting,5 which is to be the first week
in July, consequently it is not above a fortnight to it, and therefore you should send timely notice
to the Warden [Harry Lee] to get it post-poned, of all things be civil to him in your
correspondence upon the subject, you know that you are more than his match and therefore
however smart you may be to him it can be no triumph to you; every trifle is canvassed in such a
place as this, which makes me hope you will excuse this hint. The abundance of affection I have
for you, never suffers me to be at rest, I don’t think you are absent from my thoughts ten
minutes in the day, and too often you are present at night.
I thank your sister for her letter, the parcel you sent from her by Mr Rivers, 6 contained
some table clothes, which you will speak to your sister Anne about the payment, and if she
knows nothing of the matter let me know and I will direct you where to go as I shall have
another commission for you at the same place before you come down; I am hurt that you have
done nothing yet for Mrs [Lucy] Elyott, as it appears to be the easiest thing in the world, for you
to call upon Mr Weatherby No. 20 Bury Street St James’s, and ask him who the person is to
whom he has let Mrs Elyott’s houses at Newmarket, because she has never yet received any rent,
and Mr Weatherby was the person who let the houses for her.7 Was I in London myself, I
should fly to do it; consider her helpless situation, and do stir your stumps in her cause and
endeavour to get some intelligence for her, that it may not turn out a fen estate business,8 if you
will not, say so at once.
Mr Jenkinson9 gave me a good account of you, but I thought I should have burst out a
crying, whilst he was in the room, and I did before he got down the stairs, all this, because he
came to tell me that he had seen you.
I am not surprized at what you tell me about Parliament’s being up so late, my
expectations have never been very sanguine upon that head, whatever my wishes may have been,
and I allways like to know the worst; you are very good to me, and I am sensible that I have
every thing to expect from your affection to me; I long to see you more than I can express, and I
287
hope the blessed time is not now far distant, God in his mercy, bless and preserve you to her
who is your entirely affectionate SW.
The children are all well, Phill has been a little out of order, in consequence of too much
diet-bread,10and I was obliged to give him an emetic, which has quite set him up again; Aunt
[Charlotte] St John has made Bess’s doll as fine as a queen. Phill talks of nothing but his cow
and his horse which he says you are to bring him, he is so fond of animals that he will be
qualified for nothing but to act Captain Otter.11
[Written upside down at the head of the letter] I forgot to say that I shall be happy your
Brother,12 I doubt my money will hardly hold out till you come home.
1Short
for a ‘Diligence’, a horsedrawn coach of a kind apparently owned by Jeremiah Dyson before he
was obliged to cut his expenses.
2See
Note 10, Letter 100.
3The
Maid of the Oaks, a play by General John Burgoyne, first performed in 1774, that ran for 21 years in
London at Drury Lane Theatre under David Garrick. It is described as a ‘cheerful comedy of country life’
and was based on a real-life fête champêtre that the author held at his home ‘The Oaks’, near Epsom, that
later gave its name to the famous horse race (Thomson, 2006, p. 120).
4This
is difficult to interpret, as ‘Wednesday next’ could be 22 or 29 June. The wife of Sir Peter Rivers
Gay, prebendary of Winchester, appears to be bespeaking a play, but perhaps ‘choice’ refers to her
persuading Sarah to accompany her. Certainly, for the period in question the local newspaper, the
Hampshire Chronicle, makes no mention of Lady Rivers; neither does it mention The Maid of the Oaks. In the
early days of the New Theatre in Winchester, which had only been open a fortnight, it was customary to
present performances on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, but in the week commencing Sunday 19
June, Monday is the only day on which any mention of a performance is made in the newspaper, which
announced a play, More Ways Than One, and an entertainment, Deaf Lover. On the following Monday,
which was the start of race week in Winchester, Mrs Powlett Powlett bespoke The Provoked Husband,
followed by a comedy, High Life Below Stairs, whilst performances of other works on Wednesday and
Friday were bespoken by Colonel Sherriffe and Mrs Thistlethwayte, respectively.
5See
Note 7, Letter 93.
6See
Note 2, Letter 101.
7See
Letter 93.
8She
was probably referring to the fact that Philip Williams inherited from his mother a number of small
country estates in the Fens, for which it was often difficult to collect rents (see, for example, Letters 36-9).
9Probably
Col. John Jenkinson, brother of Philip Williams’s former patron, the Rt Hon Charles
Jenkinson.
10A
special kind of bread prepared for invalids and others (OED).
11See
Note 5, Letter 62.
288
12She
has clearly not finished the sentence, but may have been referring to one of Phillip Williams’s two
half-brothers, Charles and George Gordon.
289
Letter 103: Saturday, [25 June 1785] – Philip Williams in London to Sarah Williams at
Winchester (WCA/M/PW/23)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
On Sunday I spent a very agreeable day at T[homas] Heathcote’s, where I met Mr and
Mrs [John] Eames, and Fitzwilliams and his wife, who is something like Mrs Littlehales, and
asked me a great deal about her, and thinks her everything that you do not. 1 In the evening Lady
Heathcote2 called and we went to Kensington gardens.3 T. Heathcote tells me that Ch[arles]
Blackstone is to marry a daughter of Serj[eant-at-Law] Fosters,4 which may perhaps account for
the migration of the elder part of the family – it is added that the young lady must be married,
before she is 25, or forfeits great part of her fortune (which is about £5000) by her father’s will.
On Monday I dined with my sister5 and George [Gordon] at Mrs Forresters [Forester's],
and in the evening paid a visit of charity to the Allixes6 and plaid myself stone blind at Quadrille.7
George is very happy in having recieved an account of the classical prize at Cambridge – for a
Latin declamation being adjudged to him.8 Fanny is safely landed at Margate with Lady [Thomas]
Rumbold, and when the latter goes abroad, visits Mrs Powys. I forgot to tell you that Dyson’s
friend, Nicoll,9 saved Dr Prettyman [Sir George Pretyman Tomline] from the mob last week – he
was walking home after his ride, and overtook a great croud following three clergymen, one of
whom seemed very much distressed and frightened upon which as Nicoll tells me, he accosted
him with saying, I don’t like to see any gentleman used ill, and I desire you will take refuge in my
house. He with some difficulty got him in, and his maid let down the chain, which prevented the
mob forcing the door, and they soon after went to the house of commons. Nicoll made the Dr
take a large glass of madeira, which he stood much in need of, his face being whiter than his wig,
and conducted him afterwards safe home. He had endeavoured to get into the house through
Mrs Bennets chamber, but found the mob in possession of the door-way, who followed him
back and prevented his going home into George Street, and hustled him down new palace yard
towards the water when his deliverer appeared and saved him probably from much ill usage, if
not a ducking. The Dr called the next day upon Nicoll, and was very thankful indeed for his
civilities.10
Tuesday I recieved your letter, and love to be scolded and lectured by you.11 I have
written a letter to the Warden [of Winchester College, Harry Lee] as ordered, and of as genteel a
cast as I was capable of; I am only sorry to be obliged to write at all – it seems now to be the
opinion that parliament will rise about the [Winchester College] election week, and I trust it will
be prorogued, instead of being adjourned.12 However, nobody can answer for Wil: Wilful
[William Pitt] and I believe he has got into an Irish bog, and is not at present determined how to
extricate himself.13
I called upon [James] Weatherby, who is at Newmarket; I saw his son, who promised to
write to his father immediately, and let me know the result. Mem[orandum]: he lives at No. 6
instead of 20, Bury Street.14
I recieved a note from [Jeremiah] Dyson, and according to his statement of the case, he
has nothing to do but to remain quiet till he has a summons from Sir Francis [Drake].
Friday afternoon. I am just returned from the house, where I saw Gamon,15 who goes
down on Monday to the races, and talks of three brides who are to make their appearance
290
there.16 I am afraid the weather is growing hot; let me lecture you in return, and don’t fuss
yourself and Martha17 into a fever - at the same time to go to every thing, but drink your
champaigne out of a glass, and not by half-pints.
I breakfasted with the Dervise5 this morning, who decamps on Monday, as does George
for Cambridge, to speak his own composition there.8 He and I are going a scheme to morrow to
spend the day at the awning place.18 I shall avoid going through the foul clothes room again; and
on Sunday I dine with the S[peaker] and Mrs Cornwall at Addiscombe.19 She took leave at the
drawing room yesterday, and was complimented by the princesses upon her nephews preaching
so well at Windsor, which the second said was the more welcome as they had but three good
ones, though her sister said four, and Mrs C rejoined that she was worse off at Whitehall. So I
think the clergy were tolerably slabbed.20 Mrs Adams and her daughter (the American
ambassador’s wife) were the chief objects of notice, and had a fashionable appearance, owing to
his having succeeded Silas Dean at Paris.21
I went to Coleman’s on Tuesday to see the suicide, and peeping Tom – wonderful good
acting22 – the farce has not much to boast of and yet I defy any crab (love to the fœtid) 23 to keep
his countenance when Edwyn who acts the taylor is first acquainted with Godiva’s intended
expedition through the streets. A little nephew of Wenman’s24 whom he brought there, would I
thought have at least and I dare say did bep—25 himself with laughter.
Let me know how much you can make shift with till the 21st of July, for that is my
imaginary period of the sessions,12 and I will send it you, or desire Blackstone if he can spare it to
remit it you.4 If we should break up earlier, perhaps you will go to Chilton [Foliat]; I shan’t go
without you, and I hate and fly from an election week.26 You have never told me what I shall do
about lodgings next year.27 If the Warden is not at Winchester, my letter should be sent to him,
or if [George Isaac] Huntingford is there, he may open it, and send to prevent Berkley [Henry
Rowland Berkeley] and Daubeny’s [Charles Daubeney] coming. Protect my old black cloaths
from the inundation of marischal that awaits them.28 Adieu and I trust I shall soon add for the
last time, remember me to the St Johns [the Hon. George Richard St John and his wife
Charlotte] and thank Mrs [Joan] Smith in my name for her kind visit - no tidings of the letter of
the attorney.29 I shall blunder about Phil’s silver knife; is it to be a fruit one?30 God bless you,
Ever your’s,
P. Williams.
I hope you either tear, or lock up my letters. Beware of thieves and fire these races when
the street door is never shut.31
1Later
letters from Sarah Williams (see Letters 119 and 120) describing Mrs [Dorothea Mary] Fitzwilliam as
a ‘deformity both of body and mind’ refer to a lawsuit heard at Winchester in March 1787 concerning the
Fitzwilliam and Eames families. It seems likely the people referred to here are of this set, Mr [John]
Eames being ‘one of the Masters in Chancery’ (Hampshire Chronicle, 12 March 1787), as well as Recorder of
Portsmouth 1760-1773 (TNA/JER/GPS; catalogue notes).
In 1812 Sir Henry Rivers, a son of the Winchester canon Sir Peter Rivers-Gay, who was well known to
the Williamses, married Charlotte Eames, daughter of Samuel Eames of Cranbury, near Winchester, but it
is not clear whether he was related to John Eames.
2Possibly
a courtesy title for Frances (née Thorpe of Embley Park, Hampshire), wife of William
Heathcote (1746-1819), as genealogical data show that at this date none of the wives of the Heathcote
291
baronetcy qualified, as the first Lady Heathcote died in 1747, the second in 1749 and Frances’s husband
did not inherit until 1787 (Bigg-Wither, 1907, p. 151).
3Kensington
Gardens were created in the western part of Hyde Park by Queen Caroline during 1728-38
and had many fashionable features, including the Serpentine, a curved lake made by damming a stream.
They were gradually opened to the public, ‘but only to the respectably dressed’ (www.royalparks.org.uk).
4This
did not transpire. Charles Blackstone was admitted a fellow of Winchester College in 1783 and did
not marry until 1792, when he wed Margaret Bigg, a daughter of Philip Williams’s friend Lovelace BiggWither (Bigg-Wither, 1907, Pedigree VI). Blackstone was one of the bursars of Winchester College, and
in 1782/84 served with Philip Williams, which is presumably why he is suggesting later in this letter that
Blackstone advance Sarah funds until he return from Westminster, though at the date of this letter Philip
Williams was co-bursar with Daniel Williams (Himsworth, Vol 1, 1976, p. l).
5His
6See
younger sister, Anne, nicknamed the ‘Dervise’.
Note 12, Letter 6.
7Speaking
of this card game, his stepfather John Gordon once advised him to ‘temper severer studies with
a poule at Quadrille by way of relaxation’ (Letter 6).
8He
matriculated at St John’s College, Cambridge, at the age of 16 on 22 June 1780. He is shown in The
Cambridge University Calendar (for 1807) as one of the two Chancellor’s Medallists for 1784, the other being
James Tunstall, who was at Christ’s College, the sister college of St John’s. The medals were in gold,
valued at 15 guineas, and given each year to ‘commencing Bachelors of Arts, who … acquit themselves
best in Classical Learning. The successful Candidates declaim on the second Tripos day, upon a subject
appointed by the Vice-Chancellor’ (ibid, p. 61).
9Unidentified.
10George
Pretyman (subsequently Sir George Pretyman Tomline), who was a former tutor of Pitt the
Younger at Cambridge and a close adviser, had been appointed a canon of Westminster the previous year.
He seems to have lived in the ‘Westminster village’ near Philip Williams, perhaps even in the same house
in Privy Garden. Later in life he became bishop of Winchester.
11See
12In
Letter 102.
fact, this session of parliament ended on 2 August 1785 (Namier and Brooke, I, 1754-1790, 536).
13He
is referring to Pitt the Younger’s controversial plans for Ireland (see Letter 98).
14See
Letter 102.
15Richard
Grace Gamon of Michenden House, Middlesex, MP for Winchester 1784-1807, created a
baronet in 1795. His sister Anna-Eliza married James Brydges, 3rd duke of Chandos, an influential
aristocrat seated at Avington House, near Winchester. Their daughter, her mother’s namesake, and a
formidable woman, married the politician Grenville, 1st duke of Buckingham and Chandos (1776-1839).
16See
Note 4, Letter 105, and Note 31 below.
292
17See
Note 3, Letter 34.
18Obscure,
19See
but perhaps something to do with horseriding.
Note 2, Letter 67.
20He
means that the disparagement of the clergy was relatively mild. ‘To slab timber’ was to take off its
bark and throw it aside as useless, though the OED only records the usage for the USA in 1835.
21John
Adams (1735-1826), one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and its 2nd President,
replaced Silas Deane, who suffered from allegations of financial irregularities, in Paris in 1771 and in 1785
became the first US Minister to the Court of St James’s (ambassador to Great Britain). Adams and his
wife Abigail were greeted at Court with some hostility. Philip Williams took a great interest in the
American question, as evidenced by the existence in the Fellows’ Library at Winchester College (BB12,
Burke) of a heavily annotated copy of the 2nd edition of Edmund Burke’s Parliamentary Speech on
American Taxation, delivered on 19 April 1774. This was published in 1775 and Williams obviously
studied it intensely, combing through the Journal of the House of Commons in order to develop arguments
that, in contrast to Burke, were generally in favour of Britain’s right to tax its American colonies.
22See
Note 10, Letter 98. George Colman the Elder (ca. 1732-1794) was a playwright and theatre manager
who transformed opportunitities for regular entertainment in London, after taking on the Theatre Royal
Haymarket in 1776.
23Their
daughter Elizabeth was sometimes called ‘Crabb’ (see Letter 94).
24Probably
Thomas Francis Wenman (1745-1796), a lawyer, who life had some tragicomic aspects. He
was an MP for six years, but made only one speech; he was appointed regius professor of civil law at
Oxford, but gave up lecturing ‘for want of an audience’; so he took to natural history, and drowned whilst
botanising beside the river Cherwell. According to the inscription on his tomb in All Souls chapel, ‘the
whole university wept when he died’.
25He
has truncated a word that is difficult to imagine, but perhaps it was family talk. He intimates that
Wenman’s nephew wet himself, or worse.
26He
is referring to the week at Winchester College in the summer when scholars were elected to the
school and New College, Oxford. He clearly had plans to go to visit his friend Lovelace Bigg-Wither at
Chilton Foliat, Wiltshire.
27Sarah
Williams wanted to take lodgings in London (see Letter 104).
28Obscure;
a marischal was a person who tended horses, especially for disease, often a farrier (OED).
29He
is referring to a power of attorney for Joan Smith that perhaps he and Sarah were prepared to accept
(see Letter 104).
30See
Letter 99.
293
31Race
Week in Winchester no doubt brought a large number of dubious characters into the city at a time
when many people were not at home. To judge by the relatively small number of his letters to her that
survive (only 24), she perhaps took his advice to tear them up. On the other hand, though living in
London in lodgings, he did not do the same with hers, as 65 of them survive. See also Note 7, Letter 105.
294
Letter 104: Sunday, [26 June 1785] – Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/79)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
I told you last Sunday that I should go to Compton no more, but I knew nothing
of the matter, it seems the horses are to be kept till after the [Winchester] Races, but they are
absolutely sold to Mr Eyre of Brickworth near Salisbury who is to send for them tomorrow
se’nnight. James is gone but his place is supplied by another for the remaining time; 1 Mrs [Joan]
Smith and the fœtids went with me to Compton to day. There we dined with your Deputy2 who
is I believe not displeased at your long abscence; I found the St John baggage when we came
home and they are to be here tomorrow and to begin the week with the play, 3 whether I shall go
myself depends upon how I am tomorrow; your caution is unnecessary, I am totally without
inclination either for eating or drinking, I am afraid it is not in my power to avoid fussing; hot
weather, intractable children, hair dressing, family concerns, added to uneasiness of mind, one
not to be encountered with composure, but I trust I shall survive it all, and once more have the
happiness of seeing my greatest blessing in this life. The Warden [of Winchester College, Harry
Lee] comes home on Tuesday, and I suppose your not coming will cause great consternation.4
I went last Wednesday to the play for the first time, the new play house is very neat, and
by far too capacious for the company, but the players appear to a much greater advantage, than
in the other wretched hovel;5 we drank tea on Thursday at Lady St John’s6 where we could not
fail of entertainment; Friday I had a party of boys by my father’s desire, 7 you have I suppose
heard that [William] Sturges has the gold medal; he wrote his task (which is a very good one) in a
great hurry and without the assistance of any one; he will probably be as learned as his father. 8 I
wish he may be as good and more agreable.
Yesterday we spent quietly at home and walked out with the fœtid{s}, I have been very
busy, not making, but new trimming, my finery for the races, which will cost me nothing but for
hair-dressing, a circumstance that makes the hurry a little more supportable to me; I shall be able
to rub on perhaps another fortnight without any remittance and then you need not trouble
yourself as I know where to get a supply and without having recourse to illicit practices.
If you break up earlier (or if that there is no chance of) than you at present imagine, I will
go to Midhurst if I go any where, because I want much to see my father and there is no chance
of his coming here;7 neither do I think Mrs [Charlotte] St John will have it in her power to go
with me this summer, as she is to keep Miss Beauclerck as long as she possibly can, and Miss B
will never go away if she can help it, so if I go, it must be by myself.9
With regard to lodgings for next Winter, I can do nothing at this distance, but you must
enquire the price of lodgings, in different places that are not very distant from you, one room to
sleep in with a large bed and a tent bed would hold me and co., the two girls, myself and the
maid, we must have the use of a kitchen, for to have a scragg of mutton11 dressed in; this is all
that I can say, for I look upon the scheme to be quite visionary and not {more} likely to take
place next year that {it} did {th}is, we shall not be richer, and {t}herefore the impediments will
not be fewer, if it has not been practicable for me to go this year, what will make it more so
hereafter?10 I must send you full instructions in my next [letter] touching commissions. If Mrs
295
Smith’s letters of attorney come, post them off to me immediately, she leaves me tomorrow, and
goes to Mrs Blackstone,12 till this business is done.
God bless and protect you, my dearest life and soul and send you well, to you
affectionate SW.
1See
Note 10, Letter 100.
2The
Compton parish register of banns show two 'deputies' in June 1785, namely, 'Mr [John] Faithful[l]',
who is described as a curate, and Thomas Brereton 'Assistant Minister'. Faithful, a Wykehamist, was
ordained priest at Salisbury in 1776, but seems not to have had any appointment at this time. He was a
son of William of Overton, Hampshire, keeper of the Poyntz Arms. Brereton was from a local family,
ordained priest at Winchester in 1781, and at this time curate at Littleton. In 1789 he became rector of St
Michael’s, the parish in which Sarah resided, a position which he held until his death in 1796.
3At
the start of race week, on Monday 27 June, the theatre programme included two popular pieces,
namely, the comedy The Provoked Husband by Sir John Vanbrugh, first performed in 1697, and the comedy
High Life Below Stairs by clergyman James Townley, first performed in 1759 (see also Note 3, Letter 102).
4She
means his not coming to the annual meeting of the socii, the warden and fellows of Winchester
College.
5The
6See
previous theatre in Winchester was located in the meat shambles, near Market Street.
Note 9, Letter 99.
7As
her father, Thomas Collins, had retired as second master at Winchester and was now living at
Midhurst, the ‘party of boys’ were perhaps boys he had previously taught being given an ‘end of term’
jolly by Sarah.
8William
Sturges-Bourne (1769-1845) was the only son of the Winchester prebendary John Sturges (17361807) and his wife Judith, née Bourne. In the year after this letter he went on from Winchester College to
Christ Church College, Oxford. He gained the nickname ‘Scroggs’, when he added Bourne to his
surname after an inheritance from an uncle. A close friend of George Canning, who himself was educated
at Hyde Abbey School in Winchester, he is remembered for the Sturges-Bourne Acts that reformed the
poor law. In 1827, with huge reluctance, he served for two months as Home Secretary, but resisted all
attempts to foist on him the office of Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Sturges-Bourne Dyson
Correspondence (HRO/9M55) is a large collection of letters between Sturges Bourne’s daughter, Anne,
and Marianne Dyson, a daughter of Jeremiah Dyson jr by his second wife.
9See
Note 3, Letter 97.
10There
is evidence, albeit scant, in a later letter that she did in fact spent some time with him in or near
London (see Note 17, Letter 118). A ‘tent bed’ is camp-bed or a bed with an arched canopy and covered
sides (OED), rather like a room within a room.
11The
lean and inferior end (OED).
12Sarah,
the wife of Charles Blackstone sr.
296
297
Letter 105: Sunday, [3 July 1785] – Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/81)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
I am just alive and that is all, for I never in my life endured the fatigue I have
gone through this last week, and I hope I shall not know the like again; I have been to Compton
to day and you will rejoice to hear not in the usual stile, the horses are disposed of, and the day
being over-cast, I ventured to walk there at my leisure1 after church escorted by Rachel [Landy]
and Bess, (Phill having behaved so ill at church that I left him at home), and am just returned to
my desolate cloyster, in Kingsgate street;2 Mr [Jeremiah] Dyson received before I came away the
welcome tidings of his appointment being confirmed by Sir Francis Drake, he will be in town in
about ten days to take possession, he has a fortnight allowed him, before his attendance is
required.3
Our Races have been very full; the balls crowded, and particularly the last, with good
company; the brides4 were two of the Clanrikarde [Clanricarde] family and a Mrs Osborn (Miss
Adeane) of some place near Romsey who is married to a Major Osborn who got a good deal of
money the last war, I believe in the East, who is nothing very famous, got extremely in liquor
and is to be Steward the next year; Lady C[lanricarde] is I dare say a good kind of woman but
very plain and awkward, ditto Mrs Osborn; the St Johns [George Richard and Charlotte] came to
me on Monday and went to the play, but I stayed at home; Tuesday and we all went to the Ball.
Mr Dyson [George Richard] St John danced with Miss Mildmay,5 Mr Dyson with Miss
Beauclerck and Charlotte [St John] with Mr Streatfield6 and of course Mrs Dyson and myself
joined Mrs [Carew] Mildmay in the window. Wednesday we went to the Race and did nothing
more. Thursday to the Ball again; which if I was not the flattest of human beings I should call a
very pleasant one indeed. We had a very good-natured couple who were of our party from
Wherwell a Mr and Mrs Pitt, (he is a son of a Mr J Pitt). Mr St John danced with Letitia
Mildmay, Charlotte with with Mr Pitt and Miss B[eauclerck] with Mr Parry. Mr Dyson retired to
a whist party and was seen no more till four o’clock; there were a number of pretty women, but
Mrs Fitzroy (Miss Keppel), Arabella Ogle, and Miss Beauclerck were the reigning favorites;
Friday we were persuaded to meet the Shawford party at the Blade’s [John Monk Newbolt] and
go to the play which compleatly did me up, and yesterday the St Johns left me, in order to
prepare for a Fete at Lord Radnor’s on Thursday, which is to be given in honour of the Prince of
Wales who is to be at Salisbury Races in compliment to the Steward Mr Bouverie, who is it
seems an intimate of his; I don’t think his Lordship can be much delighted with the thing, as he
has been obliged to put up 25 new beds at Longford in addition to what he had before in order
to receive his Royal Highness; I exhorted the St Johns to go, as they are to meet many of their
friends there, and it will be a splendid business.7
Mr Gordon your acquaintance8 was at the races, looks very ill, and is become from a fine
fresh-looking young man an old formal senator, I say this this only of his exsternal, as he was
extremely civil; Mr Snell came to have the mortification as usual of being beat, we were rejoiced
to see him, he looks old and shrivelled but is quite an old sentimental still, and yesterday morning
who should make their appearance but Miss Bridger9 with her aunts and their Chichester chaise
from Bath; I endeavoured to persuade her to stay, without success, she went to Fanny 10 to
298
borrow a hat of mine before she would come in, she has promised to come to me in a fortnight
to stay a little while, but I do not depend upon it.
I cannot go to Midhurst as you must know because I have nobody to go with me, and I
will not go by myself [via] those crossroads, so you will in all probability have the mortification
of going with me, however you may wish to avoid it; Mr [Lovelace ] Bigg [Wither] called here on
Monday, when I told him that you would certainly be with him some time or other, but I could
promise nothing for myself.
I am so tired that I can hardly hold my pen, so God bless you my dearest,
Your’s,
SW
How many months are there from the 21st of January11 to I suppose the same day in
August? More than four I doubt – think of this and never be positive again, had you for once
given up your opinion12 I should at this moment have had the happiness of being with you we
should have been just as rich and I don’t think your dignity would have suffered in the eyes of
the world, because you lived with wife and family.
The children are well and good enough.
1Today
it takes 30-45 minutes to walk to Compton from Kingsgate Street, Winchester, via St Cross.
2The
road that runs south from the Kingsgate, one of the medieval gates of Winchester, with the main
campus of Winchester College to the east, and boarding houses and other buildings belonging to the
college to the west, to join Kingsgate Road further south.
3The
‘place’ at Westminster that Dyson so much needed to secure his finances.
4It
seems that newly married women ‘came out’ during Winchester race week (see Letter 103). The 11th
earl of Clanricarde (1742-1797), an Irish peer, had married Lady Urania Anne Paulet, a daughter of
George Paulett, the 11th Marquis of Winchester, MP for Winchester 1765-74, only a few months before
this letter, on 17 March. The earl was one of the subscribers for the new theatre (HRO/106A10W/1).
5Probably
Jane, the eldest daughter of Carew Mildmay and his wife Jane (née Pescod) of Shawford House,
near Winchester, who on 22 June 1786 was to marry Sir Henry St John, who added Mildmay to his name.
Later in the letter her younger sister Letitia is referred to by her christian name, as was the custom for all
but the eldest.
6Usually
spelt ‘Streatfeild’, a family with Hampshire connections.
7This
long paragraph sketches out the local scene during Race Week, an important landmark in the social
calendar (Finn, 2007). In fact, this was busy time for anyone with an interest in the turf, with major
meetings held at Basingstoke, Stockbridge, Salisbury and elsewhere. Events were originally scheduled at
Winchester for the week commencing Monday 20 June, but only two weeks before the meeting it was
decided to put it back for a week to avoid a clash with the meeting at Stockbridge (Hampshire Chronicle, 6
June 1785). No doubt to puff the event, the local press reported on 20 June:
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, it is said, intends paying us a visit…whence he is
expected to go through Southampton, on a visit to the Earl of Radnor at Radnor Castle, in
Wiltshire, where he will remain until the Salisbury Races commence.
299
In fact he did not come to Winchester, though, as this letter relates, he did stay at Longford Castle, which
is still the seat of the earls of Radnor (Old and New Radnor Castles once stood in mid-Wales).
Despite the postponement, the Winchester Races were well attended. The Hampshire Chronicle reported (4
July 1785): ‘Our Races, which were held last week, were the most crouded we remember for many years
past.’ The events, which started on the Tuesday, included the King’s Plate, the City Purse, and the
Subcription Plate, with the odds varying as the races went on. ‘Lord Grosvenor’s bay mare Latona’ won
the King’s Plate, which was run in two heats, with evens before the race started and four-to-one after the
first heat. Originally five horses were entered in the race, but two were withdrawn lame, leaving only
Latona, ‘Lord Derby’s Peru and Mr Ladd’s True blue’. The Subscription Plate was won by ‘Mr
Tetherington’s Marplot’, brother to a horse that the Prince of Wales had recently bought for 2000 guineas.
The newspaper reported: ‘The ball on Tuesday night, given in compliment to our county members [of
parliament, Robert Thistlethwayte and Jervoise Clarke Jervoise], was the most splendid meeting ever
remembered on such an occasion.’ Two days later the Steward’s ball ‘was much more crouded; and
consisted of an assemblage of the most brilliant and sprightly company.’ The newly opened theatre was
also, it seems a great success (see Note 5, Letter 99). ‘The Theatre on Monday, Wednesday and Friday was
remarkably crouded. The amusements of these evenings were named by Mrs Powlett Powlett, Col.
Sherriffe, and Miss Thistlethwayte – The performances gave general satisfaction, and went off with spirit
and vivacity.’ Mrs Powlett Powlett had bespoken The Provoked Husband, or A Journey to London, by
Vanbrugh, with ‘A SONG by Miss Sharrock’ at the end of the play, followed by ‘A Comedy on two Acts,
High Life Below Stairs’ by playwright clergyman James Townley (1714-1778). First performed at Drury
Lane in 1759, it was a huge success and translated into French and German, according to Townley’s
ODNB entry (L. Lynnette Eckersley). It involved ‘the standard plot of a master who dons the functional
yet humorous disguise of a servant to witness and to assess the behaviour of his employees’, which must
have raised a frisson of excitement in a city whose MP, Henry Penton, had recently deserted his wife for
her lady’s maid (see Note 4, Letter 35).
Sarah Williams attended the various events in the company of her sisters Mrs Charlotte St John and Mrs
Elizabeth Dyson and their husbands, as well as her wealthy friend Mrs Jane Mildmay of Shawford House,
Shawford, near Winchester. She is clearly not comfortable with the ‘Prince of Wales set’, which included
the Hon. George Richard St John and his half-sister,’Miss Beauclerk’, probably Mary, who were to have or perhaps were already having - an incestuous relationship (see Note 3, Letter 97). There was Miss
Arabella Ogle, who became the third wife of the Hon Edward Bouverie (1760-1824), son of the 1st earl
of Radnor. The ceremony took place on 20 December following the ball – an odd month for a wedding at Martyr Worthy, near Winchester, where her father, admiral Sir Chaloner Ogle, was seated. In his letters
to the naturalist Gilbert White, the Winchester prebendary John Mulso told of the family’s approval and
wrote that the wedding ‘promises much happiness, as the young folks are affectionate and worthy’
(Moore, In: Finn and Johnston, 1999, p. 169; Holt-White, 1907).
8Unidentified,
9Probably
but probably not from the family of Philip Williams’s step-father Dr John Gordon.
Sarah’s friend from Sussex, Bet Bridger.
10Probably
Philip Williams’s sister, Frances, who seems to be staying in Winchester.
11He
went up to London on this day and since then had not been back home, or even, it seems, met his
wife, who within 10 days of his leaving was missing him (Letter 71).
300
12She
is probably referring to a view of his that being chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons
would bring its rewards, though it is possible that he had some notion, rightly or wrongly, that his
‘opinion’ was of value at Westminster, where he might have felt part of ‘the club’ (see also Note 21, Letter
103).
301
Letter 106: Saturday, [9 July 1785] – Philip Williams in London to Sarah Williams at
Winchester (WCA/M/PW/24)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
London grows so insufferably stupid, and every body is running away except him who
most wishes it, so that I shall have nothing and nobody to write about. As proof of it, I shall
begin quarelling with you for your last paragraph.1 If I have any dignity it is derived from you,
and if I have any pride, it is in exhibiting you to my acquaintance, and you know as well as I do,
that I look forward with the utmost impatience to the time when my whole life and existence will
be devoted to you and my family, and our domesticity be separated only by the sisters three.
Every day produces a new report about the rising of parliament and the times of our assembling
again. The general opinion of to day (Wednesday) [6 July] seems to be for the 26 th, and croakers2
say we shall be summoned again in October.3 I believe only the former, and in case of the worst,
we must contrive against that event, which I at present cannot see the least probability of; so you
will not Martha4 about it, or mention or think any more of it.
I rejoice much in [Jeremiah] Dyson’s success,5 and trust they are both now sufficiently
convinced of the value of money, and the expences of an increasing family, as to make a right
use of the blessings of providence, and go down upon their marrow-bones6 by way of returning
thanks.
I hope this will find you cool again, and restored to yourself. The fatigue of people in
your house during such public times is too great for our premises or establishment, and I shall
vote them lodgings another year close by,7 so as to make the victualling with us not inconvenient,
and the same at the music meeting,8 for the being all squeezed together like brenbutter9 destroys
all the pleasure, if there is any, of such festivities.
Friday morning. I breakfasted yesterday with Miss [Elizabeth] Pyke, who is just returned
from an excursion to Mr [John] Bullock’s.10 As usual, she fell into distresses at the theatre at
Oxford, during the bustle about Mara,11 which alarmed her so much as to make her leave the
room, where she had got a very bad place, with some young men behind her, who desired her
not to be frightened, and then almost stunned her with their hisses and catcalls.
The Marshams are going to morrow for the first time to sleep in their own house, having
spent the year with Mr Bullock and [Robert Marsham] Lord Romney. Miss Pyke was godmother
to their fœtid, which is but weak from disappointments and change of nurses, as it is not
fashionable to suckle your own children12 – out upon it – he has no preferment, and has the
promise of Dr Tripp’s living when he dies.13 Miss Warburton, who is not very acute, could not
help asking if the Marsham family were famous for their understanding.
Lord Trentham is certainly to be married to Lady Sutherland,14 and there is a report of
T[homas] Steel[e]’s going to be connected with a Miss Lindsey [Charlotte Amelia Lindsay].15
Pray what is the history of [Henry] Penton;16 is he gone abroad or not?
Saturday morning. I dined yesterday with [Richard] Hollist, and met [Francis Paul]
Stratford, who talks of spending a day at Winchester in his way to Cheltenham [Spa]. She and
her sister are at Barnet.17
302
I am going to Addiscombe this morning, and return to morrow with Mr and Mrs
C[ornwall] who are engaged to day to a christening at Sir G[eorge] Corn[e]wall’s, where he is to
be one of the sponsors. I met Spooner the other day, who is still detained in town by lawyers.
I played nine rubbers at Cribbage on Tuesday here with Mrs Ellis, [John] Hatsell, and
Lady [Mary] Copley, who is grown an old woman. She is to be at Alresford when the Dean
returns from Exeter.18
The Lords have come in for a little dose of Irish politics; they rose at four this morning,
with a majority for government of 58 to 27. They resume the debate next week, and then return
the proposition to the commons, which if altered, may occasion another bustle of a day with us.
The talk is of parliament’s rising the latter end of the week after this;19 I hope in my next to speak
positively about it, for though I feel enough anxiety on my own account, believe me that I feel
doubly on your’s. God bless you, my dearest love,
Ever your’s,
Ph. Williams.
Have you paid the servants and horses (here I was interrupted by the most cursed boar
that ever plagued a man in an hot day, [John Monk] Newbolt’s friend, whom you must
remember, Crowther) tax – it is due at Midsummer. Tell Phil if he does not behave well at
church, I shall buy him an iron knife instead of a silver one.
1See
Letter 105.
2Someone
3In
who talks dismally on some subject (OED).
fact, parliament did not resume until 24 January 1786 (Namier and Brooke, I, 1754-1790, 536).
4See
note 3, Letter 34.
5See
Note 3, Letter 105.
6Jocular
term for the knees, recorded in the OED.
7He
is referring to the visit during race week of the family of Sarah Williams’s sister Charlotte and her
husband, the Hon. George Richard St John.
8He
means the music meetings held in the Winchester cathedral close during the summer.
9Childish
10Of
rendering of ‘bread and butter’.
a family long seated at Faulkbourne, near Braintree, Essex.
11Obscure.
12Actually
there seems to have been an upward national trend in breast-feeding in Britain between 1760
and 1850, with the duchess of Devonshire promoting the cause, though there were considerable local
variations (Vickery, 1998, p.107).
303
13He
is probably referring to ‘young Marsham’, who had previously been promised a preferment by Lord
Egremont, seated at Petworth House, Sussex (see Letter 63). Clergyman Dr Tripp had also promised his
living to a member of the Marsham family when he died (M/PW/24). And James Upton Tripp acted as
steward to the 3ed earl of Egremont, at least between 1778 and 1801 (WSRO/PHA8643/ Letter 65). The
Tripps were acquaintances of Sarah and Philip Williams, perhaps through her father, Thomas Collins,
who came from Sussex. The Miss Tripps seem to have lived in Winchester, where Philip Williams jr
'exhibited a piddling' to them after being given his first pair of trousers (M/PW/71). ‘Lord Romney’ is
Robert Marsham (1712-1794), 2nd baron Romney, and ‘the Marshams’ were probably the family of his son
Jacob. Whether Jacob is also ‘young Marsham’ is not clear; he subsequently had a pluralistic clerical
career, starting with a prebend at Wells Cathedral in 1787.
14George
Leveson-Gower (1758-1833), viscount Trentham, married Elizabeth the 19th Countess of
Sutherland on 4 September 1785, thereby acquiring huge estates in Scotland, on which he later exercised
the notorious practice of Highland clearances. He is reckoned to have been one of the wealthiest men of
the 19th century.
15The
marriage took place later in the year, on 3 September (see also Note 8, Letter 96). She was the
daughter of a Scottish baronet, Sir David Lindsay of Evelick, near Perth.
16There
are many references in the Letters to this love affair of one of Winchester’s MPs (see Note 4,
Letter 35).
17Now
on the northern outskirts of London, where the Hollists lived (see Letter 65).
18Probably
a reference to a close acquaintance of the Williamses, William Buller, dean of Exeter, and his
relative, Lady Mary Copley, the wife of Sir Joseph Buller lst Bt.
19In
fact, this session of parliament ended on 2 August 1785 (Namier and Brooke, I, 1754-1790, 536).
Although adoption by the House of Lords of the resolutions on Ireland of the administration of Pitt the
Younger was regarded as a triumph, a vote on 13 August in Dublin dashed hopes that they would
succeed (Hague, 2004, p. 196). See also Note 5, Letter 108.
304
Letter 107: [Sunday], 10 July [1785] – Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/82)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
I am hurt at the idea of having given you any uneasiness, but when you consider
my unhappy situation, you must forget the petulancies that in spight of myself will escape me;
when I married you I thought myself th one of the happiest of the human kind, and at present
circumstances being so much the reverse, I cannot bear up with that composure of mind I ought
to do, and to say the truth I’m afraid my temper is not quite so good as heretofore, but enough
of this heart-breaking business.
The Assizes last week1 were remarkably thin of gentlemen, and law, and what is better of
prisoners, one Judge Buller went to Southampton to try that poor man Sawyer, who formerly
lived with Mr Blackstone; and of course he had no chance of escaping before such a Jefferies
[Jeffreys] as his Lordship, though I believe his case really did not merit it;2 [Thomas] Le Mesurier
called upon me for a minute or two in a great hurry.
I have spent this day at home, with some Wiltshire acquaintance in College - of Mrs
[Joan] Smith’s, and mine, she is still in Winchester and was kind enough to meet them. She goes
to Southampton to-morrow to take a fortnights dipping,3 then into Wiltshire for a few months
and then she returns to Lady St John4 – to spend the winter.
I have heard such accounts of Lord Radnor’s ball,5 that he will not forget feel the effects
of it as long as he lives, but I shall say nothing to you of it, till I have had the whole history from
the St Johns [George Richard and Charlotte], whom I am to meet to-morrow at Mrs [Carew]
Mildmay’s, she very civilly called to night to beg I would come, which I shall certainly do [even]
if I hire a carriage on purpose, because she has been so very obliging.
Mrs [Daniel] Williams has produced a little girl, after being about six months mistaken,
and Mr Williams took the Poney off in a whisky on Friday last, which had I been somewhat
more wealthy I would never have consented to, as I do not expect to meet with her like again, I
have got a girl, who is much recommended to me, who seems good natured and in time will do
very well, but for obvious reasons can never be a Poney as you will see when you come home.
Mr [Henry] Penton goes on in such a way that there is little to be said for him, he is
certainly abroad and for some months (he has left his ice house etc. for Mr [John Monk]
Newbolt) he drove her in the Phaeton down Winchester Street, and whatever she proposes he
implicitly complys with, whenever he has friends with him, she never leaves the room for a
moment, abuses him in the grossest terms before the servants, and is quite frantick; it is said that
she really is disordered in her senses and has attempted to destroy herself but such is his
infatuation that he will not part with her; I have heard a story of him which is so shocking that, I
cannot repeat it by letter, the very idea of it quite chills my blood, and I shall never see him again
without shuddering, I hope it is not true.6
Mrs [Lucy] Elyott is much obliged to you, but she is not a bit forwarder than she was
before, I wish you would attack Mr [James] Weatherby7 again to tell you the name of the man to
whom her house is let, because she is determined to employ a lawyer, and moreover if she can
meet with a purchaser, she will sell the house Lucy [Elyott jr] being now of age, do bestir
yourself in this matter
305
What are Miss [Elizabethh] Pyke’s motions for this summer? They have expected her at
Leckford.
I have paid the servant’s tax, horses I know nothing about, but will employ James Wells
immediately.
I have been very indifferent all this week and rather apprehensive that I was going to
have a fever, but I find myself much better this evening; I have had a kind of heat ab{out
me}that with the assistance of balm and barly water I might have cooked up into a fever, but as I
am guilty of no excess I hope in a little time I shall be myself again.
If by next Sunday you should not be pretty certain of the time of Parliament’s rising, you
had better write a civil letter to our Inky Head,8 desiring him to put off the meeting for a longer
time, in case of accidents, the second of August is in three weeks you know, and by the time
these Irish propositions have been handed from the Lord’s to Commons, some fresh spectre
may be raised for them to stare at.
God bless you, the joy of my heart, my best and dearest love, the love I have for you will
kill me I believe.
Your’s
SW
The dear children are quite well, Betsy somewhat crabbish,9 Phill very rude and quite
beyond me, indeed you are much wanted at home, pray God that you may be soon here;
Dorumite [Charlotte Williams] grows handsome again and little Charles though not the sinewy
Charles is a fine little fellow, all life and spirits.
1At
Winchester.
2A
reference to George Jeffreys, 1st Baron Jeffreys (1645-1689), who earned the sobriquet ‘the hanging
judge’, after the Monmouth Rebellion, when he condemned 300 rebels to death at trials held at Taunton,
Devon.
3At
this time the eastern shores of Southampton Water were a ‘spa’ destination.
4Probably
Lady Jane St John, the wife of Sir Paulet St John of Dogmersfield, Hampshire.
5See
Note 7, Letter 105.
6See
Note 4, Letter 35.
7See
Letter 93.
8She
means either Dr Joseph Warton, the head master of Winchester College, or more probably the
warden, Henry Lee.
9It
seems that their daughter, Elizabeth, who later in life suffered from serious mental health problems
(the whole story unfolds in the letters of Philip Williams to his daughters written over the period 1795 to
1828; see WCA/M/PW/94-177), was a difficult child from an early age and was rather unkindly
nicknamed Crabb (see Letter 94).
306
Letter 108: Saturday, [16 July 1785] – Philip Williams in London to Sarah Williams at
Winchester (WCA/M/PW/25)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
I have this instant recieved your letter,1and have half a mind to write to you to night to
inquire about your health, but as you say you are better, and I expect [Jeremiah] Dyson in the
course of the week, I shall rest though with some impatience, till I either see him, or hear again
from you, when if you don’t feel as you should do, I beg you will have recourse to Dr [John]
Littlehales without any scruple. As you are getting so ill-tempered, I beg you will vent a certain
portion of it upon Phil; to prepare him for a change of manners against my arrival.
On Saturday, I rode down to Addiscombe, where his honour [Charles Jenkinson] had
asked the three clergymen of Croydon, a Dr Apthorpe2 and his curate Mr Smith, and a
schoolmaster by the name of Hudson to meet me. He was unexpectedly summoned the next
morning to a cabinet meeting at Mr [William] Pitt’s, so that I went with Lady Cope 3 and her
daughters to Croydon church (the use of which I had been offered the day before). It is an
handsome room, and the chancel is graced with the monuments of some old archbishops,
Grindal, and Whitgift, and a very noble one of Sheldon.4 After church I took my ride, and Mr
J[enkinson] brought back the Chancellour5 with him, who with Mr and Mrs [Charles Wolfran]
C[ornwall] made our party. I enjoyed old swashbuckler5 amazingly, whom I had long wanted to
see. The goosberries were damned musty, he preferred beef to mutton which was not good at
this time of the year, and after the women were gone, he talked of blowing somebody to hell.
I returned home in the coach in the evening.
You will smile, cross as you are, at an accident of yesterday. Mrs C[ornwall] had forgot
to lock the water-closet door, and seeing it a-jar, in I bolted, and catched her sitting upright as a
dart, reading the news-paper.
In the evening I went to Colman’s to see the new piece of his son’s, Turn and no Turk,
which has but little merit, exclusive of the music and its being well acted. It is little more than a
string of puns and double entendres, both of which have their respective admirers. 6 As I was
going through St George’s fields7 on Saturday I met the guards returning from the review,8 and I
could not get my mare by, upon which I was afraid I should have been obliged to have returned
to town with them, and the men observed the chaplain9 [change of ink] was come just in time to
march before them into London. A second attempt however proved more successful, and I left
a charming corps of officers at the next turning.
Saturday morn. What have I done with myself since Tuesday? The Speaker never gets
home till towards 8, and therefore to vary the scene, [I] have been extravagant enough to go to
another play on Wednesday night, which I am sure I should have been better pleased with at
Winchester, Hamlet acted by a man in a consumption, which was followed by the best
pantomime I ever saw, called the giant’s causeway.10
On Friday I walked late in the park and picked up that miserable business, C Bathurst –
his brother is gone into Nottinghamshire, and he tired of his connection, is going to quit Sir
Watkin’s family, and return to Oxford.11
So much for myself, except that in return for fever I have had a cold and pain in my
teeth, which induced me to buy a quack medicine, which smelt so formidably of pitch, that I was
307
afraid to use it, but shall bring it down with me. My cold however is gone, and please God, I
shall tell you so towards Wednesday sen’night, for that seems to be the period every body assigns
to this very fatiguing sessions.12
I hope you went to Shawford and saw Charlotte13 who I hear danced with the Prince [of
Wales] – this comes through Mustard,14 who refers us to you, so you must give us a long
account, and how Miss Parkhurst15 came to be included in the invitation.
I saw in the papers that there was cause tried at Winchester for crim: com: and £300
damages given – who were the parties? I have just read their name in the paper – Seafolks.16
The old lady is at last going at the top of the street, all putrefaction and ulcers.17
We had a glorious rain here yesterday, which began to be terribly wanted. I was to have
dined at Barnet18 to morrow, which I have put off till the next and last Sunday, as I have had a
very civil invitation from Mr and Mrs Ellis to accompany Mr and Mrs C[ornwall] to
Twickenham, and I have some curiosity to see Pope’s [house].19
I am obliged to correspond with young Weatherby20 as he is only visible early in the
morning.
I hope in my next I shall desire to be troubled with no more of your letters.
God bless my ever best and dearest,
P.W.
1Clearly,
it was his habit to start his letters to Sarah early in the week and add to them as events unfolded.
2Between
1774 and his death in 1791, Dr Stephen Apthorp had a living within the diocese of Winchester,
at Worplesdon, near Guildford, Surrey, where it seems he appointed a curate, preferring to live in
Croydon.
3The
second wife of the Rt Hon. Charles Jenkinson.
4Croydon
Palace had for more than 500 years been the summer residence of the archbishops of
Canterbury, although by this time was becoming dilapidated. The medieval church of St John the Baptist,
Croydon, was almost entirely destroyed by fire in 1867. The tombs that Philip Williams saw were those
of Edmund Grindel (d.1583), John Whitgift (d.1604) and Gilbert Sheldon (d.1677).
5Edward
Thurlow, 1st Baron Thurlow (1731-1806), a lawyer of relatively humble birth, served as lord
chancellor, for the second time in his career, during Pitt’s administration and gained a reputation for a
formidable appearance, crushing retorts and insolence. He was also a clergyman and held several livings.
Commenting on debates of the time on Irish affairs, the Rt Hon. Charles Jenkinson wrote: ‘In carrying
the business through the House of Lords, the chancellor is the most firm and able person that
government has… .’ (Buckingham MSS, 187, quoted in the ODNB entry for Thurlow.)
6At
this time, George Colman (1732-1794) and his namesake son (1762-1836) dominated the London
stage with productions at the Theatre Royal Hammersmith. Turk And No Turk.was Colman jr’s third play,
premiered only seven days before this letter, on 9 July. It lasted for 10 performances.
7On
the north side of Hyde Park, London.
8Presumably
at Buckingham Palace.
308
9He
is referring to himself, as chaplain to the Speaker.
10Harlequin
Teague or The Giant’s Causeway was written by George Colman the Elder and John O’Keeffe
and first appeared at the Theatre Royal Hammersmith in 1782.
11He
is probably referring to Charles William Bathurst (ca1753-), son of Benjamin Bathurst of Mixbury,
Oxfordshire, who was admitted to Winchester College as Founder’s Kin in 1767 and was a fellow of New
College, Oxford, 1772-97. He became curate of Romford, Essex, and rector of Barcombe, near Lewes,
Sussex. This letter was written between him graduating MA in 1781 and, after a long interval, graduating
BD in 1794. ‘Sir Watkin’ was probably Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn, 4th Bt (1749-1789), a great patron of
the arts (the National Museum of Wales has an eponymous collection of his) with estates in north Wales
and Shropshire, where Bathurst may have been a tutor, before turning to the church.
12His
surmise put the end of the current session of Parliament at 3 August, but in fact it finished a day
earlier (Namier & Brooke).
13He
probably means her sister Charlotte St John, though it is not clear why she was at Shawford, where
Shawford House was the seat of Mildmay family (see Letter 109). Five months later, on 15 December, the
Prince of Wales, later to become George IV, secretly and illegally married the widow Mrs Maria
Fitzherbert, who had Hampshire connections. It was believed, at least locally, that they had married on
her father’s estate, in the Catholic chapel of Brambridge House, Twyford, near Winchester (see, for
example, White’s Directory of Hampshire, 1859, p. 125), but the record says that the ceremony took place in
the drawing room of her house in Park Street, London W1 (ODNB entry for George IV).
14Unidentified,
but clearly a woman of some rank (see also Note 10, Letter 123).
15Possibly
Susanna Parkhurst, the daughter of the biblical lexicographer John Parkhurst (1728-1797), who
married James Altham, a clergyman. In Letter 109, Sarah Williams answers a query of his.
16Until
the establishment of the Divorce Court in 1857, husbands could bring actions againster adulterers
for trespass at common law, refered to as ‘criminal conversation’.
s17The
18See
unfortunate woman has not been unidentified.
Note 17, Letter 106.
19His
interest in Alexander Pope, ‘the bard of Twickenham’, might have been sharpened by the fact that
his head master at Winchester College, Dr Joseph Warton, was – and is still is – regarded as an important
critic of the works of Pope, who spent time as a young boy at a small Catholic school in Twyford, near
Winchester.
20See
Letters 93 and 102.
309
Letter 109: Sunday, [17 July 1785] – Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/83)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
My fever ended as all my complaints do, in a violent cold, which I have happily
almost got rid of, at least the only alarming part of it, the cough is gone; and I hope we shall both
meet well at the time you expect; you will by the latter end of this week be a judge whether that
event is likely to take place so soon as you at present think it will, and in case there should be the
least doubt, do write to the Warden [of Winchester College] to get the meeting 1 put off a little
longer, because you are to recollect that Tuesday fortnight is the day appointed, you will laugh at
my fussyness, and you are very welcome so to do.
You have before this time seen Mr [Jeremiah] Dyson I daresay, as he left Compton
yesterday, and he has anticipated Lord Radnor’s Ball2 of course, but having nothing better to say,
I may as well tell you what I have heard; I dined at Shawford on Monday and on Wednesday Mrs
[Charlotte] St John and Miss B[eauclerk] the Dysons and Mr [George Williams] Ricketts dined
with me, and the Mildmays and Mr [John Monk] Newbolt drank tea and we all went to see Rule
a wife and have a Wife most wretchedly performed, as I have formerly seen [David] Garrick and
Mrs [Frances ‘Fanny’] Abington in the same play, which is rather a favorite of mine. 3 The Ball at
Lord Radnor’s was not very full, owing to the London party’s having fallen very short of the
numbers that were expected; the preparations extremely splendid and elegant; the gentlemen did
not rise from dinner till eleven o’clock, and their situation is easily to be guessed; the Prince [of
Wales] danced country dances first with Lady Bampfylde;4 then Mrs [Charlotte] St John, Miss
Beauclerck [Beauclerk], and Miss Arabella Ogle; Charlotte got to bed with Miss Beauclerck
[Beauclerk] about three o’clock, and the Prince and his associates made a great riot, and I believe
did not get to bed all night; the next day there was a very fine breakfast, after which they went to
the Race [at Salisbury] (which was in the morning) from whence his Royal Highness departed,
telling Lord Radnor that he should come again and hoped to be treated the next time with less
ceremony, though by Charlotte’s account every thing like order was forgot the moment he
entered the house; the St Johns went home and dined at Longford [Castle] and went with Lady
Radnor to the Salisbury Ball though much against their inclination, as they did not think it right
to desert her Ladyship,5 because the Prince was gone, and they were extremely civil to them and
kept them in the house the whole time; Miss Parkhurst is acquainted with Mr C d Bouverie, and
through Mrs Bisset she got Mrs Noel to take her there; Mrs [Charlotte] St John saw the
Penruddocks at the Balls, and they were extre who were very civil in their enquiries about us all;6
a most grooby business at Salisbury, the company very indifferent; [Thomas] Lear7 crept out to
the [race] course looking very ill, and gave a worse account of Mrs Lear, who has been confined
three weeks to her bed with a bilious fever, and expects to be confined in September.
The wedding trappings for our neighbour8 are all to be finished by to-morrow night so
that Mrs Price may begin looking out her whites of various tints which will be wanted I daresay
in a few days, they only wait for Mrs Blackstone’s return from Lasham, which has been a little
impeded by some difficulties that have arisen in the Milky Way.9 I have taken ten pounds of the
Charity Money,10 which will I trust carry me on till you come and that is as much as it will do.
310
Tomorrow begins the election week,11 which you are so fortunate as to miss; the Bowers
are at Mrs [Lucy] Elyott’s, and the Binghams are to be here and to dine one day with me;
Charlotte [St John] and Miss B[eauclerk] are to dine with me on Friday for the Domum11 and I
suppose we shall go to the play as the Superannuates bespeak it;12 to morrow, (being afraid to say
no) I have engaged to go to Miss Woodford’s play;13 so that I shall not want {em}ployment this
week.
Phill behaves [better], was very good to day at church and you will bring them
something, as they are all recovering the lawless time they had in the race week and promise very
fair, God bless them, and my dearest, dearest life, my first and last prayer every day; I can hardly
believe that we shall meet again, though the time is I now flatter myself advancing.
Ever your affectionate SW.
Mrs [Lucy] Elyott is much obliged to you indeed, and happy with the name of the man.14
You will be kind enough to let William take the enclosed to Sage’s and call again at the
same place about Saturday for the things I have sent for, which will not be ready before; and
bring them with you when you come home; I have nothing else for you to do.
I don’t know anything of the business (or of the parties) that was tried at Winchester.15
The horse tax is to be collected in future, and it is not due till September.
We have had a fine rain this afternoon but we want more [as the] vegetation is quite at a
stand for want of it.
1See
Note 7, Letter 93.
2See
Note 7, Letter 105.
Rule a Wife and Have a Wife, a comedy by John Fletcher, was first produced in 1624 (Harvey, 1967, p.
304). The plot revolves around marital politics and the wiles of wives who trick husbands and vice versa.
3
4Catherine,
the eldest daughter of Admiral Sir Charles Moore, 1st Bt, married Sir Charles Warwick
Bampfylde, MP for Exeter, in 1776. He died in 1823, two weeks after being shot by an ex-servant with a
grudge, who was more successful in shooting himself.
5She
probably means that the St Johns kept Lady Radnor company at the ball, held during race week in
Salisbury, because her husband was elsewhere.
6The
society tittle-tattle dispensed here mentions a number of people, whose identity is uncertain. ‘Miss
Parkhurst’ may have been Susanna, the daughter of the biblical lexicographer John Parkhurst (1728-1797).
There are also mentions in the Letters of ‘C. Parkhurst’ (see Note 5, Letter 115). The earls of Radnor had
the family name Bouverie, but ‘Cd Bouverie’ is unknown; perhaps it was a slip for ‘Ed Bouverie’ (see Note
7, Letter 105.) The Bissets were a family apparently living in Winchester and well known to the
Williamses (see Letter 53). ‘Mrs Noel’ is unidentified. The Penruddock(e) family were seated at Compton
Chamberlayne, near Wilton, Wiltshire.
7He
was vicar of Downton, Wiltshire, about six miles south of Salisbury.
8In
the following year, Thomas Rennell jr (1754-1780) married Sarah, a daughter of the late Sir William
Blackstone (see Letters 97 and 111).
311
9Her
reference to ‘the Milky Way’ is probably sardonic, in the sense of the ‘road to heaven’ (OED).
10This
was no doubt money borrowed from charitable funds for Compton, near Winchester, where Philip
Williams was rector.
11She
is describing the week at Winchester College in the summer when elections to the school and also
to New College, Oxford, were made, followed by celebrations of the end of term, with the singing of
Dulce Domum (see Note 3, Letter 4).
12‘Superannuates’
were pupils at Winchester College who were obliged to leave because of their age,
whether or not they had secured a suitable place at University. They were sponsoring a play, presumably
at Winchester New Theatre (see Note 10, Letter 97).
13Probably
‘Miss S Woodford’, who was possibly a daughter of the Winchester prebendary Mr Matthew
Woodford. ‘The play’ may have been a home theatrical, like that performed two years later at Worthy
Park House (Letter 122, Shurlock, 2010, p. 13).
14See
Note 13, Letter 93.
15Involving
people called Seafolks; see Letter 108.
312
Letter 110: Saturday, 23 July 1785 – Philip Williams in London to Sarah Williams at
Winchester (WCA/M/PW/26)
Address panel: To: Mrs Williams Kings-gate Street Winchester Hants. C.W. Cornwall London July
ye Twenty Third 1785. Postmark: 23/IY
My dearest love,
We went on Sunday to Twickenham, the drive to which through Richmond Park, and
down Richmond hill, I had never been before, and indeed it beggars all description, as does Mr
[Welbore] Ellis’s villa, and the ground behind it, which is so well contrasted to the Thames and
the ground before it. What was Pope’s habitation serves as merely rooms of passage to the two
wings which have been added, and the field which is likewise added to the pleasure ground is one
third more than the original, and is sweetly retired and planted with great variety of shrubs.1
Mrs Ellis is a great florist, and has a great collection of exotics. A carnation tree with
more than 50 upon it in full bloom struck me more than any thing.2 Mrs C[ornwall] and myself
wished you to have been of the party, and who knows but another year may accomplish it. Our
party was very small and comfortable, only Mr and Mrs [John] Hatsel, and Miss Agar, sister of
the Archbishop’s.3
Sunday morning I breakfasted with Miss [Elizabeth] Pyke, as you will know before you
recieve this.4
I forgot to mention Pope’s grotto, which goes under the turnpike road and admits you to
the shrubbery, at your return from which you are struck with the Thames which catches the eye
at the end of this souterrain cavern, and is at once unexpected and noble – it is a most
enchanting place.1
[Jeremiah] Dyson dined here on Monday, and I have seen nothing of him since
(Thursday morning). I dissuaded him from staying here at present, if he could avoid it, but I
believe in vain; and I dare say he does not live for as little as a guinea a day. Miss Pyke offered
him her house upon Miss Warburton’s decampment,5 which he has likewise refused. He now
means to take an house in London – I very much tremble for him.
On Tuesday I dined with Sir C[harles] Watson,6 and met only the Allix7 family in the
evening. Dyson was engaged or was to have been there.
The Sybil8 is returned from Margate in consequence of Captain Rumbold’s being too ill
to remain there any longer. She is never out of her way, and as the Rumbolds are going abroad,
is going to spend six weeks with a Mrs Swinfort and her husband, or some such name, at Buxton
and Matlock.
Saturday. At last thank God, the Gordian knot is cut, and Tuesday or Wednesday
sen’night will certainly put an end to the session9 – this event was known only last night, and I
wrote by the post to the Warden [of Winchester College, Harry Lee] that he might take his
measures accordingly. It is some pleasure to see land though at a distance, and there was a plan
in agitation which might have kept us here till September. Never was a being more tired, and
almost wearied of existence, thank God for it; it is in consequence of having so good and so dear
a woman, that he has I have been so long separated from, otherwise every possible attention and
kindness have been shewn me, and which in a state of celibacy would have rendered my present
situation not only palatable, but agreeable.
313
By a forced march in the h[ouse] of Lords last night it is not impossible for parliament to
be up this day sen’night; and you may send a note to the Warden [of Winchester College] that I
think nothing can prevent my return to Winchester by Thursday sen’night if it should not suit his
convenience to postpone the meeting, or he has not already done it.
You must tell me what I am to bring the children. My genius does not go beyond an
house of furniture, which I have some thoughts of buying for the Doreamite;10 and I believe the
two others must be contented with books.
I trust you have come in for your share of rain; we have had a great deal, yet as it comes
too late for the hay, and they are equally burnt up in France, a bill is to be passed to prevent the
exportation of it.
Dyson I have seen nothing of, since he dined here; I hear what I don’t like to hear, that
he has been after an house in St James’s place, and is going to take up £600. I mean to breakfast
with him to morrow, and if he had been disengaged would have dined with him, as the inclosed
will shew, as I am upon the pave11 to day, Mr and Mrs C[ornwall] going down to Addiscomb[e],
and (in consequence of my having promised Jubilee to dine with him at Barnet12 to morrow, and
having disappointed him last Sunday) my not being able to join the party.
Adieu, God preserve you and the fœtids.
P.W.
1The
poet’s house at Cross Deep, Twickenham, was purchased after his death and the two wings added
by Sir William Stanhope, brother of the earl of Chesterfield, whose daughter Elizabeth married the
politician Rt Hon Welbore Ellis (later 1st baron Mendip). The house was demolished in 1808, but the
grotto survives beneath buildings of Radnor House School, where it can be seen by special arrangement.
See also Note 19, Letter 108.
2Alternative
name for the Cabbage Tree, native of the Canary Islands, from the genus Kleinia (Royal
Botanic Gardens, Kew; Philip Miller, The Gardeners Dictionary, 1754).
3Charles
Agar (1736-1809) was archbishop of Cashel, County Tipperary, Ireland, from 1779 to 1801, after
which he was translated to Dublin. He belonged to the family of the earls of Normanton, seated at
Somerley, Harbridge, Hampshire (HRO/21M57/C3-C20). In 1838 the archbishopric of Cashel was
downgraded to a bishopric.
4She
was about to visit his wife in Winchester (see Letter 111).
5See
Note 18, Letter 73.
6See
Letter 14.
7See
Note 12, Letter 6.
8Possibly
9As
a member of the family of that name, mentioned in Letter 67.
he surmised, parliament finally rose on Wednesday 2 August.
10Nickname
for their daughter Charlotte, elsewhere written ‘Dorumite’.
314
11
‘On the pavé’, walking the streets (OED).
12His
friend, the lawyer Richard Hollist, lived at Barnet, Hertfordshire; perhaps ‘Jubilee’ was a nickname.
315
Letter 111: Monday, [25 July 1785] – Sarah Williams at Winchester to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/84)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
Contrary to custom I have not been able to begin this letter till this morning, we
stayed so late at Compton last night that we had but just time to eat our suppers before we went
to bed, though you may be certain I did not eat with more appetite after the disappointment your
letter brought me; that promised time will never come and I believe it will be better for you if it
does not, you will meet one of the most wretched creatures, whenever you are permitted to see
home again, my spirit is harassed to death and I cannot fight up at all; the Warden [of
Winchester College] is gone out of town and what orders he has left I know not, for he
mumbled something to me at the Domum,1 the purport of which I collected to be that you must
come, and he should not put off the meeting, he wants to go out himself; had you taken my
advice and at once had the meeting fixed for a late day in August, all this would have been
avoided.
Miss [Elizabeth] Pyke arrived Saturday to dine, agreable and good-humoured as usual,
she goes to-morrow to Leckford,2 and to day we are going a scheme to Southampton, which is
particularly pleasing to me as I avoid going to Mrs Homes [Hume’s3] play to night and we shall
call upon friend Joan [Smith] who is there.
I have been rather in a bustle this last week, Wednesday I went with Mrs Bingham to
Leckford, Thursday Friday they dined with me and we went after the Domum to the play; the
Warden [of Winchester, Harry Lee] and Harry4 called upon me, the former looking very ill, but
was very civil about you; there was a great scarcity of Sticklin at the election, and the Huff5 was
barely drinkable for any but such topers as Mrs [Charlotte] St John and myself.
So your friend [Thomas] Rennell is married at last, they are gone to his father’s near
Stamford6 for six months and the old man is to bring up the train forthwith, it is said that by the
time the chaise got to the Flower de Luce,7 he kissed her at such a rate as to be heard by the
people in the street, I think in such a case myself, I should have stopped the chaise and left him
to himself, like a pig as he deserved.
I envy you every part of your Twickenham scheme8 except the pawing and palaver of
Mrs [John] H[atsel] which would have made me wish myself away without a sight even of the
carnation tree, though I must tell you I have had a present of a very fine one from Mr King, Mrs
St John’s good man in Dorsetshire,9 and it is now in full bloom, but they have it at Leckford and
they will not let me have it till it has done blowing.
Miss Pyke has brought the two girls caps and sashes, you must therefore remember Phill
in an especial manner, as he was a very good boy about it, and did not murmur; he must have a
knife with a silver blade, or a knife and fork to eat his dinner with, he has six shillings in part of
payment; don’t spend much money upon them, any trifles will do.
You may buy some tea-spoons, we have none fit to use, the others must rest or we shall
go beyond the mark, I have not had a penny for above this week past, I am now wholly upon
tick;10 there are some table cloths, two at 14s.-6[d] each and three napkins but what they were I
never heard, owing for at Gatty’s11 and a yard of linen at 5s.
I am my dearest life yours entirely,
316
S. Will[iams]
I am obliged to send this immediately, so no more.
1See
Note 11, Letter 109.
2See
Note 1, Letter 62.
3A
neighbour with theatrical inclinations, probably related to Colonel Hume and perhaps to the
Williamses’ neighbour Dr John Makkitrick, who had died in the previous year. One of the organisers of
the masquerade held in Winchester in 1781, with a heart 'not made of very breakable materials', according
to William Knollis (HRO/1M544/81/12). In 1805 she was breaking up her ménage.
4Harry
Lee was warden of Winchester College from 1763 to 1789. After his death his namesake son was
admitted a fellow of Winchester, and his namesake grandson in 1827.
5See
Note 2, Letter 66.
6Thomas
Rennell was born at Barnack, Northamptonshire, where his namesake father was rector. It lies 2
miles southeast of Stamford, Lincolnshire.
7A
public house in Kingsgate Street, Winchester, today called The Wykeham Arms.
8See
Letter 110.
9Probably
10Bought
11Gatty
at Moor Crichel, where the St Johns rented a house.
on credit.
& Gildort, New Bond Street, London (see Letter 84).
317
Letter 112: Probably in early July 1785 –Philip Williams in London to Sarah Williams at
Winchester (WCA/M/PW/28)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
[An odd sheet]
... sixteenth of the £10 000 prize,1 and William claims some merit as having bought it for him at
the office.
Your last letter gave me infinite pleasure, and I hope your domestic grievances of
whatsoever nature they were, are allayed.
I have only time to add how much I build upon seeing you this day 3 weeks at the
farthest.
Adieu, my dearest love – don’t stay out too long in the garden this tempting weather.
Ever your’s,
Ph. Williams
1A
prize in the National Lottery won by someone close to the Speaker’s office in London, where William
was a servant.
318
Letter 113: Sunday, 2 April, 1786 – from Dr John Gordon at Lincoln, to his stepson, Philip
Williams, at Winchester (WCA/M/PW/381)
Address panel: To: The Reverend Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My Dear Phil,
It is with the most heartfelt satisfaction I take this opportunity of expressing my
congratulations on your recovery from your late alarming malady.1 I can with truth say, that you
almost contrived to make me forget all concern either for my Son G[eorge] or myself: and I
think it woud be scarce too much to add, that my anxiety for his health was greater than for my
own. The circumstances altogether certainly afforded ample exercise for the benevolent feelings:
though Mrs Williams undoubtedly at first managed to underwrite your case so much, as to keep
down our solicitude. It appeard aukward and unlucky to be detaind in the country just at that
critical point of time; but the attack appeard neither dangerous, nor likely to last long. It lasted
however too long for disguise, and the danger began to appear perhaps more formidable through
the very attempt to conceal it. God be thankd for his mercy in giving so favorable an issue to so
threatening an appearance! May the same good Providence keep you long under his mercifull
protection in health and wealth for the benefit and comfort of those, who love you, and take an
interest in your welfare, whether within a nearer or more enlarged circle! For, Dear Phil, what
avail prudence, temperance, air and exercise, unless we are guarded by some superior aid from
[“]the arrow, that flieth by day; and from the pestilence, that walketh in darkness. In the midst of
life we are in death!”2 But somewhat perhaps too much of this. Only they are the natural
reflections that result from a bed of sickness. If returning health brings with it a more chearfull
train, the others shoud not be entirely forgotten, lest the neglect shoud render a repetition of the
former discipline necessary to teach us our duty.
Perhaps you may be disposed to think meanly of such a disorder as St Anthony’s fire; 3 as
I myself once did. But I have learnt better; and I woud rather wish you to take my word, than
put it upon your own experience. How it got the name of saint I know not, but surely not from
it’s [sic] nature, which believe me, has nothing saintlike in it. How in particular St Anthony
shoud be sponser to it, or give it his name, I am equally at a loss to guess. I know not his legend.
I remember a print of St Anthony4 and such a set of Devils, as the most feverish imagination,
one shoud think, coud never have bodied forth. But whether besides he experienced all the fires
they coud raise both within and without, I never heard. It is said this is a sort of burning, that
you commonly survive. Possibly it may not be so immediately destructive of life as some other
disorders are. But I suppose if a candle is often lighted, more especially if it burns long at a time,
it will in time be burnt out, though it may be sometimes extinguished. I have the embers of the
fire still about me; though, I thank God, I am so far recoverd as to go abroad again, and have
been at the Minster several times.
George [Gordon], the other Invalid, gives a tolerable account of himself at Cambridge.
He says he feels himself better inwardly, and his Friends tell him he looks better outwardly. He
says he has been weighd (I am not very fond of such experiments) and has lost only one stone
weight since he was last at Lincoln in the Autumn. However his journey to Bath has greatly
relieved my apprehensions about the nature of his disorder. I was afraid he had had a
consumptive tendency. I now am told it cannot be a disorder of that kind – if it had, the Bath
air as well as waters, woud instead of doing him any service, have been extremely prejudicial and
319
dangerous. He and I are much obliged to your friend Dr [John] Littlehales5 for his advice, as
well as you are for his effectual care and attention, and successfull assistance: for which he
cannot easily be paid too much, though your generosity seems to bid fair to try the experiment.
George’s fate as to his success in a Fellowship at St John’s [College, Cambridge] is to be
determined tomorrow, 6 he is of course, I suppose, in a state of considerable anxiety at present –
his last accounts seemd favorable – but in that society there is always a deal of management
about sides. I wish he may not hurt his health by too much attention to this and other matters.
He has taken a young man to dry nurse7 for a time, whom he attends two hours every day – two
other hours are dedicated to two Courses of public Lectures, which he goes to – and then with
preparing for examination in College for Fellowship and assisting Master Charles [Gordon],8
who is to keep his Act for his Degree of L.L.B [sic] this week (though he will not be of standing
to be admitted these 2 years) will altogether, I doubt, be rather too much for his state of health
to cope with. He9 has an offer of being Tutor to Lord Weymouths two younger sons, one 12 the
other 14 years old – to lodge and board himself in Town, and to receive his Pupils at his
Lodgings – Terms not very explicit. I know not how to advise him. He will probably write to
you, when Fellowship time is over. If you know anything pro or con, I shoud be glad if you
woud throw it in.
I hope Mrs W[illiam]s holds well after all the trouble anxiety and fears etc which she has
had to encounter, and that honest Rachel10 your faithfull Nurse has quite recoverd.
With best love and wishes to you all top and bottom,
I am Dear Phil,
Yours most truly and affectionately,
J. G.
P.S. I shoud have written long ago both to have congratulated you and to express my thanks for
yours and Mrs W[illiam]s’s kind enquiries after myself but indeed writing is not very pleasant to
me – and I thought you woud have something better to do than to attend to fiddle faddle Letters
– I trusted too, that Anne [Williams] woud do me justice in both respects – How fortunate it
was, you had such a Friend in Town? Poor Compton11 too I coud enlarge on that, if time woud
allow.
[calculation in Philip Williams’s hand, correct for all but 2d.]
[£]272.7[s].2[d]
[£]177.4[s.0d]
[£]95.3[s. 0d.]
1In
the previous January he had been too ill to deliver a sermon at Westminster (see Note 3, Letter 73).
The nature of the illness is not known.
2From
Psalms 91:5-6 and the Common Book of Prayer.
3A
distressing skin disease, generally reckoned to be erysipelas, but otherwise ergotism or herpes zoster.
4St
Anthony of Padua was a medieval Franciscan.
320
5Dr
John Littlehales (c1753-1810) a Winchester physician, commemorated in its cathedral, who forged a
successful career in the city from about 1784 until his death in 1810 at the age of 57. His obituary in the
Hampshire Chronicle says: 'Eminent as a scholar, he united together [the] desirable qualifications [of],
generosity, sincerity and benevolence'. He was the son of a namesake father from Bridgnorth, Shropshire,
and a mother who was sister to Harry Lee, a warden of Winchester College. Littlehales succeeded to the
hospital practice of the Williamses’ neighbour Dr John Makkitrick, as well as having many lucrative
private patients (Carpenter Turner, 1986, p 46 et seq.). Philip Williams took him to task, in verse, for
giving a maid of Sarah Williams, Molly Strong, ineffective medicine (WCA/M/PW/249).
6He
became a fellow the following year (see Letter 127).
7He
means acting as a tutor.
8A
younger son, who had at first been attracted by the soldier’s life, but was now conforming to his
father’s wishes (see Note 6, Letter 38)
9He
is probably referring to his elder son, George. Thomas Thynne (1734-1796), 3rd viscount Weymouth,
and later Marquess of Bath, who was educated at St John’s College, Cambridge, and had three sons; the
younger two, George and John, were in fact aged 16 and 13 at the time. In January 1792 he was appointed
Weymouth’s domestic chaplain (CCED).
10Rachel
Landy, a servant and companion of Sarah Williams (see Note 9, Letter 29).
11Obscure.
‘Compton’ seems to be a person rather than the village where Philip Williams was rector.
321
Letter 114: Saturday 20 May, 1786 – from Dr John Gordon at Lincoln, to his stepson,
Philip Williams, in London (WCA/M/PW/382)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My Dear Phil,
I hope this will find you going on from strength to strength, and that you are by this time
capable of bearing even the fumes of a crouded room, if need requires, without inconvenience,
and of not flinching even from the House of Commons when you think the debate is worth
attending.1 The severe disorder you have undergone, and the consequent clearance, may promise
I trust, many, many years of health and comfort. There will at least, I am persuaded, be no
occasion to repete the experiment for the purpose of trying the sincerity of your Friends
attachment. I heartily wish Mrs Williams had been more comfortably situated for enjoying your
recovery, than, I fear, her great affection woud allow her to be either at home without you, or in
the imperfect state of domesticity, which your divided habitations constitute at present. She
must console herself with the thoughts, that the present Session is drawing fast towards a
conclusion, and that another will, it is to be hoped, produce the means of a less interrupted
union in future. May it happen to the full completion of both your wishes!
I take the first opportunity after my return from the Visitation2 to transmitt to you one of
our Lincoln B[ank] Bills value eleven pounds, payable 10 days after sight at Messrs “Smith Payne
& Smiths” Bankers London, 3 being the summe I received on your account from your Lessee Mr
Hen[ry] Hare Hart, at Boston, 4 this Day se’nnight, for a year’s Reserved Rents on the Preb[end
of Stowe, due at Lady day last; which I shall be glad to hear comes safe to hand.
Mrs W[illiams]’s opinion on the Dod[dingto]n5 Business, a copy of which you favord us
with, does not strike me in that divided point of view, which you see it in. The intention of the
Testator, conjectured at by Mr W6 as favorable to the conveyance of a Fee, woud, I am
persuaded, appear in quite another light, if the circumstances, either plainly expressd in his
widow’s Will, to which his referres, or clearly to be collected from it, were made a part of the
Case. Of these I once gave a pretty ample detail. But, as they might not be deemd so
satisfactory to others, as they seemd to me, it woud be useless to repete them: though I cannot
help thinking that in Equity they must carry a principal weight.
I thank your [sic] heartily for the kind concern you take in George’s affairs. Driven from
the Bar, you see, he has launchd his Boat on another adventure. 7 May the Winds and Waves be
favorable! I think his present connection promises to place him in more day light, than a
Residence in College might afford. How far it may answer in a lucrative view, time only can
discover, As I understand you meet pretty frequently, especially at Breakfast times, I shall beg of
you to give my love to him, in which F[anny] and A[nne] 8 desire to be made parties, and tell him,
as present profit may not flow in very fast, if he suffers himself to want any supplies, that he
might expect from hence, it will be entirely his own fault in not letting his wants be known. I
mean to write to him, as soon as I feel myself a little more at leisure after the arrearage 9 of
business accumulated by the Visitation is discharged. I am glad to find he is at present free from
the annoyance of those nocturnal bloodsuckers [fleas], which infested him so much before. I
wish Mrs Williams, who, it seems, is a fellow sufferer in this way, coud be equally fortunate.
You were so obliging as to enquire after my state of health. That malignant disorder,
which I lately experienced is not yet out of my habit. I feel both it and some other complaints,
322
that threaten to stick by me, as long as I live; and will hardly tend to lengthen that space. But I
rub on, as well as I can, and got through my Visitation better than I expected. I tried in the
course of it to have pickd up a few Dottrel10 for you; but my Friend, that used to supply me, has
not been able this year to get more than three. However, as he apprehends the Season is not yet
over from the few, that have appeard, there may yet be a chance of his having better success; in
which case he has a Direction to forward a taste to Privy Garden. 11 They are chiefly found in a
distant part of the County. Poor Fanny, who, Nanny woud tell you, was not very well, when I
left her, was not better at my return – she has been trying to cleanse a foul stomach by Emetics
etc to little good purpose. Some Boluses yesterday and today seem to have had a better effect.
But she is much reduced, and in a very uncomfortable way. Anne, the quiet, is perfectly well; as
is a character of a different kind, Master Charles [Gordon], 12 who may venture to eat drink and
sleep with most men of his inches. We all, sick and well, join in best love and kindest wishes to
you and Mrs W[illiam]s and all the Babes. I hope you are all well, in which number I beg leave to
include the worthy Rachel, 13 whom though I do not know, I highly respect for her uncommon
merit and labor of love.
I am,
Dear Phil,
Thine most sincerely and affectionately,
J. Gordon
P.S. Pray how has Poly[bius] proceded during all these interruptions? 14
1Philip
Williams commenced his appointment as chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons
exactly two years before the date of this letter (see Note 13, Letter 39).
2As
archdeacon of Lincoln.
3See
Note 2, Letter 68.
4He
died at Boston, Lincolnshire, in about 1793 ‘after a very lingering illness’ (Gents. Mag., 1793, Vol. 73,
p. 283). A man of the same name was a lieutenant in the Royal Navy with Captain James Cook on HMS
Jersey (www.captaincooksociety.com), having received his commission in 1756.
5A
long drawn out affair: see, for example, Note 8, Letter 38. ‘Mr W’ is probably Mr Waddington.
6George
Gordon had to wait until the following year for his fellowship at St John’s College, Cambridge,
and meanwhile was toying with the idea of becoming a lawyer, and may also have been in London as a
tutor to Lord Weymouth’s sons (see Note 9, Letter 113).
7Philip
Williams’s sisters.
8Obsolete,
even at this date (OED).
9The
dotterel is a bird of passage, now relatively rare, that is easily approached (hence a pejorative term
for ‘a silly person’, OED). For centuries it has migrated north in late April/early May via parts of East
Anglia, especially the borders of west Suffolk and south Cambridgeshire. The event is marked by such
place names as Dotterel Inn and Dotterel Farm (www.birdsofbritain.co.uk).
323
10Where
Philip Williams lodged when at Westminster (see Note 11, Letter 34).
11See
Note 8, Letter 113.
12See
Note 9, Letter 29.
13See
Chapter 4 of the book associated with these transcripts, The Speaker’s Chaplain & The Master’s
Daughter.
324
Letter 115: Sunday, 4 February 1787 – Sarah Williams at Compton to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/85)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
I thank you for your the good account you send me of yourself and our friends;
as you do not mention Miss [Elizabeth] Pyke amongst the rest, I conclude you have made
unsuccessful attempts to see her, I wish and intend to write to her soon, but I must wait till you
have see her that I may have something to write about.
Colonel Morgan has given up our house,1 and has got Barnes’s lodgings, which I am not
sorry for, because it might have been an impediment to our letting it, and though he is a very
neat quiet man himself, his servants might not have been so, and my green house things would
probably have suffered in the scramble, and as to the advantage of airing the house, that is as
well done in April and May by keeping the doors and windows open; Charker and his future
have taken Mrs Smith’s lodgings opposite, and are to be married soon.2
I dined at the Bishop’s on Tuesday,3 as they have before this time told you I dare say, for
they went to London on Thursday. I was very near sick with looking at a Hog’s harslet 4 that the
Bishop eat of with gout; there were only ourselves and I was beat half a dozen rubbers at
Cribbage I believe, for we played a great many and I lost them all.
C Parkhurst5 is supposed to have set about the report himself, in order to get time to
escape from his creditors as Mrs [Lucy] Elyott told me when I was at Winchester.
The Almanack that I gave my aunt was one of your’s that you had with your other
stationary ware; Papa did not say a word to me of your friend Molly’s adventure, 6 so I hope it is
not true; the Sargents will be soon in town, as I hear Mrs Sargent has been down stairs some
time.7
Our children have been quite well till this afternoon, when Bess has complained of
shortness of breath and has looked very clouded about the eyes, and I am in doubt, whether it
will turn out a cold, or the measles, which have made their way to Compton. The others are as
noisy as high health and spirits can make them; Betsy is to begin learning French tomorrow if
she is well enough, and Phil had prepared paper etc to write to you, but he has such an
everlasting clack8 that he must let it out to old Goldfinch,9 who made me a formal speech to day
desiring it might be put off till Easter.
I am sorry your sister is in such an indifferent state, she has but a shattered constitution
at best, though she has such enviable good spirits as almost makes her amends for any
inconveniences she feels; your brother George’s10 is a disappointment and of that sort which is
apt to make a lasting impression, upon a mind like his, that is a good deal locked up in itself; on
the other hand he is too young to marry yet and set down like the Goldfinches, and I always
deprecate long engagements, and it is to be hoped that at two and twenty he may get over it; I
cannot imagine what can be Mr [John] G[ordon]’s scruple about the settlement before marriage,
I daresay your sister can clear up this matter to your satisfaction, but I think there should be as
little cause left for uneasiness as possible after marriage; cares and anxieties will obtrude
themselves when they are least foreseen and expected; look at ourselves, who set out with every
prospect of happiness and for a time were happy as we could wish, but now with an affection
that I will venture to say has not decreased, I am a most wretched, unhappy creature, separated
325
from the only person I wish to live with, and only meet him to look forward to a repetition of
the same misery; if such then are the fruits of the happiest marriages, ought not every precaution
to be taken beforehand, that is in our power? Your sister has I doubt not fixed her affections
upon a worthy object and will meet with the reward she so justly deserves.11
My sickness is rather better, and is giving place to other inconveniences attendant on my
situation, I have had a great numbness in my fingers, pain in my head and stupor, which is
likewise better within these few days, otherwise I had determined to be bled, but am willing to
put that by, if I can, because I am already extremely nervous and I am afraid that bleeding would
increase it; may the Almighty support me for the sake of my dear children; the burthen is too
heavy for me indeed; I thank God that I can sleep pretty very well, or I do not think I could bear
it; I fear, as you say nothing to the contrary, that you will be put by, again, and again; my mind is
so distracted with continual uneasiness, that I dread to fear the worst and every thing appears to
me in the most gloomy light. If you hear of any body that is coming to Winchester soon I wish
you would let me know, for I want a few trifles from Sage’s12 which it is not worth while to pay
carriage for; you was to ask Mrs [Charles Wolfran] Cornwall about another sort of lamp for me,
and let me know what is the price of it.
My love to yo[ur] sister, I know she excuses my not writ[ing] to her, I have nothing to say
out of my own domestick circle, which is the reason why I have said already too much
concerning myself; God bless you and keep you well my dearest life for your affectionate S
Williams.
I have been obliged to send to Mr Gauntlet[t]13 for some Lisbon,14 the white port gave
me heart-burn.
1They
were now living at Compton, in the rectory, but apparently still owned their house in Kingsgate
Street, Winchester.
2There
are records of people named Charker in the parish of St Michael’s, Winchester; see, for example,
the wills of Edward Charker, tallow chandler, and Elizabeth Charker, probably his widow
(HRO/1783A/025, 1807B/06).
3This
was probably not the bishop of Winchester, Brownlow North, who was well above the social level
of the Williamses, but rather the Beilby Porteus, bishop of Chester, who lived inWinchester, in the official
residence of the master of St Cross and speaker of the House of Commons, Charles Wolfran Clornwall,
whose chaplain was PhilipWilliams.
4A
piece of meat to be roasted, especially part of the entrails of a hog (OED).
5Possibly
Charles Parkhurst (d. 1792), son of the biblical lexicographer, John Parkhurst (1728-1797). In
letters written in 1787 and 1791, respectively, to his mother and sister Laetitia in Winchester, Lord
Wallingford, son of the 7th earl of Banbury, reports ‘Parkhurst seen in Amiens’ and then ‘now in Newgate
[prison] as a “principal rioter” ’ (HRO/1M44/91/10, HRO/1M44/100/12). See also Note 6, Letter 109
6Possibly
Molly Strong, who had been their servant, though the wording in strange.
7The
Sargent family lived at East Lavington, Sussex, and were friends of Sarah’s father, Thomas Collins,
who came from and retired to Midhurst.
326
8A
din of speech or clatter of human tongues (OED).
9Richard
Goldfinch was a schoolmaster cum farmer who for many years ran a local school in Compton.
In 1772 he announced that he was giving up teaching, but subsequently took it up again (see Drew, 1939,
p. 122).
10George
Gordon (1763-1845) was Philip Williams’s half-brother, the second son of Dr John Gordon, a
man whose correspondence shows him to have been an argumentative individual. It is hardly surprising
that this trait got in the way of the desire of his son to marry only a year after his graduation at Cambridge
(as the 14th Wrangler). In 1791, at the more conventional age of 27, George married a ‘Miss Tomlinson of
Lincoln’, where he eventually was appointed the dean.
Two years later, Philip Williams was to officiate at the marriage of his sister Anne (‘Nanny’) to
Theodore Vincent Gould (see Letter 123). The marriage settlement mentioned here was probably between
them.
11
12A
London store to which Sarah often asked her husband to send his servant William to fetch a variety
of items for him to bring down to Winchester when he returned.
13Probably
Peter Gauntlett (ca 1748-1807), admitted a scholar of Winchester College in 1760, who is
referred to in a letter of 1 June 1773 from Thomas Jeans, member of the Lodge of Alfred, Oxford, to
James Heseltine, Grand Secretary of the Premier Grand Lodge of England, as follows: ‘I recommend to
you to caution all Lodges in Hampshire and indeed all near Winchester not to admit Mr Peter Gauntlett
Wine Merchant of Winchester into our Society as I am very sufficiently informed he is under an
obligation (& which he means to fulfill) of divulging our mysteries.’ (Library and Museum of
Freemasonry, London, 5/J/S).
14A
white wine of the province of Estramadura, Portugal (OED).
327
Letter 116: Sunday, 11 February [1787] – Sarah Williams at Compton to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/86)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
Bess’s illness ended in a stomach ach which was I believe owing to cold, as ever
since she has had an oppression upon her breast and a difficulty of breathing for which she is in
a course of Liquorice tea; Phil succeedinged to her stomach ach, and I was obliged to give him
Rhubarb, as Mr [Richard] Goldfinch sent him home from school ill; then Mary St John1 fell ill of
a fever, which is happily got rid of with magnesia and we are all except the Fœtid’s breath as well
as ever.
I have had another letter from Papa about the Almanack, he wishes to have it sent to me,
if you can meet with an opportunity between this and tomorrow (Monday) fortnight which is the
lent fair day at Winchester and he can tell somebody to call for it; he is likewise very impatient
for us to have an Iron Oven,2 and thinks that Mr [Jeremiah] Dyson stated the matter to us in
such a way as to make it appear perfectly ridiculous, when he is so much in earnest, that he
wishes to have the ordering of one forthwith from the same person that made his. This I had
several very obvious objections to, and so the matter rests. I fancy what you heard of friend
Molly [Strong] is as untrue as that the report about Charlotte. Papas [sic] says they are all as usual
at Graffham3 and my aunt is gone out upon some visit.
The younger part of the Bishop’s family,4 were very sorry to leave the country, which
perhaps they did not tell you; Miss Milner5 is supposed to have made a very deep impression
upon Captain Mathew,5 and could she have staid to have fanned the flame a little, by what I hear
she would most likely have completed her conquest, which would be worth pursuing, as his
mother has a large fortune at her disposal and at present allows him [£]600 per annum; but when
these matters cools as there is time for reflection, they seldom come to anything, for my part, if I
was a man and she was as handsome as Helen, with all the virtues of Penelope into the bargain,
unless she could get rid of that un-harmonious nasality she might remain a spinster all the days
of her life; I believe there is no news stirring in Winchester, for Mr [Bradnam] Tawney brought
me no intelligence of any sort to day.
I was much pleased with the newspaper account of Mr [Richard Brinsley] Sheridan’s
6
speech, which carried conviction with it even to his oponents, but why? (for I am no politician)
if they acknowledge the guilt of the man, do they at the same time declare against his
impeachment; of what use is it to convict an offender of his importance, of the most flagrant
acts of cruelty, rapine and oppression, before an Assembly of the whole nation, if he is to escape
unpunished; you remember the miserable end of Crassus amongst the Parthians, who for his
thirst of riches, had melted gold poured down his throat;7 a dose of the same sort administered
by the Begums,8 would hardly be more than he deserves; it will be a disgrace to the nation if
some notice is not taken of such enormities, and an encouragement to future Governors to
behave in the same way.
Dr [John] Ballard called on Monday, as Mrs [John] Sturges on Tuesday to ask whether I
had any thing to send you; and they are the only people I have seen these ten days out of my
own family, the weather has been so bad that I have not been out of the house except to the
little St Johns1 for several days and I have so little exertion about me, that I can hardly prevail
328
upon myself to crawl out even when it is fine; my whole employment is teaching my children all
that is in my power, and thinking of you and incessantly lamenting my own miserable condition
which is almost insupportable; my bodily inconveniences become more numerous as I advance,
my sickness is at times very bad, but I know that I am as well as most people are in my situation,
and you never heard me complain when I had the happiness of living with you as your wife; at
present my mind knows no ease and I see nothing that is likely to give me comfort; the only
satisfaction I have, is in the good accounts you send of yourself, may it please God to continue
to [give] you the blessing of health, for your own sake, and that of those who are dearer than any
other consideration and that you may be enabled to repay them for my sufferings.
The things that I thought I wanted from Sage9 I can do without and I am in no hurry for
the lamp, but the Almanack I should be glad to have.
Phil is very proud of his letter, you will not be at a loss to find out it’s author; Mr
[Richard] Gold[finc]h brought the copy to know if I approved of it.
As they were reading the bible testament to me the other day, I told them that they
should endeavour to imitate our Saviour and to do as he did; upon which the Fœtid said that if
they did try, it would not signify, for if they were to tell a blind man to see, that he would not see
for them.
The Fœtid [illeg.] French and does great things, becaus[e] ... Wareham’s wife10 is going
I’m afraid very fast, with a cancer in her tongue, which has spread every way so much that she
can hardly swallow.
The little Goldfinches11 have the measles but not at home; our garden flourishes, we have
brocoli, with largish heads, and our cucumber bed is made and the seeds put in, under my own
auspices, and I think we shall succeed; we are going to have a bed of sea cale, which is something
of the nature of asparagus and comes in earlier; I have got seeds, but I hope to get plants. I am
my dearest dearest love ever yours SW.
1783 her sister Charlotte married the Hon. George Richard St John and they had three children,
George, Mary and Henry, before the marriage went sour and he eloped with his half-sister Mary Day
Beauclerk. Mary is presumably their daughter, at a time when the children are being looked after by
nurses, whilst Charlotte is in France attending her husband’s mistress at the birth of a child (see Letter
122). This is confirmed in the journal of Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Sheridan (later Mrs Henry LeFanu), a sister of
the playwright, who in June 1789 wrote about the ‘shocking Story’, noting: ‘Lady Bolingbroke to prevent
if possible the horrid story getting wind, went abroad with her and nursed her in her lying-in’ (LeFanu,
1960, p. 176). At the time Betsy was writing, Charlotte Williams had become ‘Lady Bolingbroke’, as her
father-in-law had died in May 1787 and her husband inherited his titles. It seems that at the time of this
letter ‘Mr St John’ is still in the locality, as a letter of his is to be sent to Jeremiah Dyson in London
(Letter 117).
1In
2See
Note 6, Letter 73.
3See
Note 11, Letter 89.
4See
Note 3, Letter 115.
329
5Unidentified.
It seems unlikely that ‘Miss Milner’ was related to John Milner (1752-1826), the
controversial vicar apostolic and strict moralist who was leading the Winchester Catholic mission at this
time.
6One
of the great parliamentary speeches, delivered on 8 February 1787 and lasting for five and a half
hours. He was speaking on behalf of the prosecution of Warren Hastings, formerly governor-general of
Bengal, who later in the year was impeached by parliament for a range of alleged misdemeanors carried
out by him and the East India Company. The level of interest in the affair can be judged by the fact that
the Hampshire Chronicle of 26 February devoted almost an entire page to it. Sheridan was acting with
Edmund Burke and Charles James Fox in a business that occupied 148 days of parliamentary time and
ended with Hastings’s acquittal after six years. History has tended to view him as a something of a
scapegoat for a rotten system, but also a man whose highhandedness brought him ruination.
7Marcus
Licinius Crassus (ca 115-53BC), a Roman general who was killed and defeated in Syria by the
Parthians.
8A
queen, princess or lady of high rank in Hindustan [India] (OED), whose riches Warren Hastings was
accused of plundering (see Note 6).
9See
Note 12, Letter 115.
10Née
Symonds, she was soon to die (see Letter 118). Her husband was probably the local blacksmith (see
Letter 63).
11She
means the young children of the Goldfinch family of Compton.
330
Letter 117: Sunday, [18 February 1787] – Sarah Williams at Compton to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/87)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
We have no measles yet, but there is a something about the Fœtid [Elizabeth
Williams] that is not quite right yet, she looks quite tawney, and has still a shortness of breath;
Charlotte and she went with me yesterday to dine at Mrs [Carew] Mildmay’s. Betsy complained
all the time of what she called the tooth ach, but there is not the least appearance of decay,
neither is the tooth loose, and her nose bled too. I have sent to Mr Lyford1 to speak to him
about some of my own complaints, and I shall then speak to him about her if she is not better;
Charlotte was highly delighted with her visit, behaved exceedingly well, and could hardly contain
her joy, when she found there were two dinners, but she met with woeful disappointment in
some sweet-breads, which she expected to have answered their name; so she said very gravely, I
don’t like this stuff; she had the moderation to refuse apple-pye for supper, which the old one
with all her sickness, could not resist; I did not wish to have taken them both, but Mrs M[ildmay]
drank tea with me one day in the week and said so much about their coming that I could not be
off; she is in a great fuss preparing for Lady St John,2 has put up a bed in the drawing room for
her, because it is more airy, I think she will worry herself to death with anxiety, she has been to
Lyford, to know inhow [sic] many minutes he can get to Shawford, and feels much comfort from
his assuring her that he can be there in eleven minutes.3
I have had a man servant to offer, that by all accounts will suit us very well; I did not
speak to him myself, because I wished to write to you about him first, but I told Rachel [Landy]
to tell him every particular of our place, and our wages, all of which he liked, he is a creditable
looking man, about thirty and lives with Mr Poole Bathurst,4 the reason of his leaving them is
that he cannot dress Mr Bathurst’s hair, but he says he can dress a wig very well; I sent to Mrs
Bathurst about him and she speaks very highly of him, and the Warden’s servants give him an
excellent character for good-temper, he would wait till Easter for our place, and I should prefer
taking a servant from a distant county to one of the Winchester breed; if therefore you would
like him I will talk more to him, I know it is William’s wish to settle, as he calls it, by Easter, I
don’t believe they have any thing permanent in view just at this moment accept, but Mrs Hawkes
has been home, and I find she has got a successor and is to stay with her mistress till William can
hear of something, therefore if he should be out of place for a few weeks it would be no
disadvantage to him, because he can work at his trade; I should tell you that this man has been
used to London, you will therefore be very explicit upon this subject in your next.5
Bishop6 has sent me the Almanack, which I am glad of because Papa has set his heart
upon it – and it comes in good time for the fair.
There was a very numerous and pleasant ball at the George on Monday, 7 the gentlemen
subscribed a guinea which gave them two Ladiey’s tickets and one for themselves; Mrs Mildmay
wished me very much to go with her and Mr [John Monk] Newbolt was kind enough to reserve
a ticket for me; but my heart goes not that way and another thing I should have felt the force of
if I had been disposed to go, and my pride would have kept me at home; if you had been here I
am certain that you would not have subscribed and therefore I should have felt that I was an
intruder.
331
Miss Mulso walked over here one day, I am glad to tell you that her match is off by
mutual consent, and it is observed that she is in much better spirits since.
Mrs Birch8 is brought to bed of a daughter, and we are under great alarm in this
neighbourhood from Mrs Vane’s house9 having been attempted the night before last; it
happened very fortunate for her that the family were up remarkably late that night, and her
coachman was scarcely got to sleep before he was awaked by an uncommon noise of the dogs,
which continuing a great while, he went down stairs and found there was somebody trying to get
the door open which they had split entirely down, and upon seeing that the family were alarmed
there was a whistle heard, and they were off; I am not terrified by this, but it makes us more
vigilant, and I felicitate myself upon my vicinage to Mr Penton;10 I have lost my guard, I am not
afraid of anything when you are with me; I thank God that my health is tolerably well, but in
every other respect, I am a most wretched creature; the hours, days, and weeks that I spend, not
in dulness, for that would be supportable, but {in re}solute misery; though there is no appare{nt
explan}ation for the worse[ening] in my constitution as yet, depend upon it, that it will all be too
much for me in the long run; I have no doubt but that if I live to be sensible of it, you will make
me all the amends that you are capable of, for my sufferings; but I do not feel anything that
prompts me to look so far forward and I cannot help lamenting some years passed in
wretchedness that might have been otherwise disposed of, without injury to our finances and of
course to our children. The only thing I can charge myself with in this unhappy business is the
not being able to endure with more resignation a situation that is thought expedi{ent}; am I to
blame for doating upon the man whom I am bound to by every tie of affection and regard? No.
I am to blame for not laying up to myself treasures where moth and rust doth not corrupt; Oh!
put not your trust in Princes, nor in any child of man.”11 I wish that the distracted state of my
mind would permit me oftener to reflect upon the great comfort contained in these words; may
this find you in good health and spirits and may the great God continue these blessings to my
dearest life, the first joy I have on earth – from your’s entirely
SW.
I enclose you a letter for Mr [George Richard] St John that I wish you would give to Mr
[Jeremiah] Dyson; my best love to your sisters and to my own and to all friends.
Young Caswa [Caswell?] is married to Miss Newman7 the daughter of our tea man in
Fenchurch Street who will have an immense fortune, so I do not see the injury, for the young
man is dead flat, though quite {an Ad}onis as to external.
1Probably
Charles Lyford (1743-1805), the surgeon who served what is now the Royal Hampshire County
Hospital and lived in St Peter Street, Winchester. His son Giles-King Lyford (1764-1837) followed the
same profession and attended the novelist Jane Austen in her final days. In a letter of 1814, commenting
on ‘Lord P’, a character in a story written by her niece Anna Austen, she commented: ‘A Country Surgeon
(don’t tell Mr C. Lyford) would not be introduced to Men of their rank’, though she is probably referring
to Charles Lyford’s namesake son, a druggist (Le Faye, 1995, pp. 268, 552).
2Jane
(née Mildmay), daughter of Carew Mildmay and his wife (née Jane Pescod), who on 22 June 1786
had married Sir Henry St John of Dogmersfield Park, Dogmersfield, Hampshire (he thereby becoming Sir
Henry St John Mildmay), was expecting their first child, Henry. (See also Note 9, Letter 99).
332
3This
was more hope than reality as Shawford House, the home of the Mildmays, is more than 3 miles
from from St Peter Street, Winchester, where Charles Lyford lived.
4Seated
at Lydney, Gloucestershire. His brother Henry Bathurst had been a scholar at Winchester and
rose to be bishop of Norwich. Their father, Benjamin Bathurst, had 18 children (including Poole) with
his first wife and 13 (including Henry) with his second wife, whose father Laurence Brodrick had in about
1708, like Philip Williams, been chaplain to the House of Commons (Gray, 1991, p. 61).
5It
seems as if William, their current manservant, wants to move on, and is in some way related to ‘Mrs
Hawkes’ – perhaps she was his widowed mother.
6Probably
a bookseller, but not recorded in Printers, Booksellers and Libraries in Hampshire, 1750-1800,
(Oldfield, 1993).
7There
appears to be no mention of this event for the relevant period in the Hampshire Chronicle.
8Unidentified,
but perhaps related to Mrs Vane, whose maiden name was Birch.
9She
was probably the widow of Godfrey Woodward Vane of Twyford, who had died in 1785 (Letter
115; HRO/15M51/1/4; HRO/1M44/75/20).
10Unidentified,
11Mathew
but perhaps related to Henry Penton, the Winchester MP.
6:19 and Psalm 146:3.
333
Letter 118: Sunday, 25 February [1787] – Sarah Williams at Compton to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/88)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
The Dean of Exeter [William Buller] has before this time told you that the Fœtid
[Elizabeth Williams] and myself dined with them on Monday, he and Miss Buller very civilly
called to desire that they might send the carriage for me, to a mere family party, which was
literally the case, except two officers who added much to the pleasure of the party. I made
Prince1 come to escort me home in the evening, knowing that there are posts in Compton as well
as Shawford.
On Thursday I had an invitation from Mrs [Georgiana] Hare [Naylor], which I knew not
how to refuse, as she has been once to Compton herself upon the same errand; Mrs [Carew]
Mildmay was kind enough to take me and I went with all the horrors of a genuine Winchester
party; but owing to the accident in Dr [Joseph] Warton’s family,2 we had only Mrs Mildmay and
Miss and a Mr and Mrs Freston3 and her sister from Farly;4 she (Mrs F) the most vulgar, little
good-natured trundle5 that can be, is just recovered from her lying in of a fourth child, which she
suckles when convenient to herself, and she told us that she never knew when her children came
into the world, so little trouble did it cost her, and all this in consequence of her taking for three
months before, every night before going to bed a lent-fig6 chop soaked in oil and drinking some
oil after it, and she is persuaded that if every body would adopt the same method, the system
would be entirely changed. One lives to learn, but the remedy is as bad as the disease. Mrs
Hare’s tongue was upon full stretch all day.
Dr [Joseph] Warton is I hear much shocked at the mode of his son’s death, 2 as he was
the person who found him first, having seen him well but a few minutes before in his study he
could hardly persuade himself that he was dead; he [the son] had desired the servant to bring him
some Jelly into the parlour, which not being enough the man carried him in some more and set it
down upon the table, he observed that he leaned back in his chair, but not apprehending
anything, he left him and the Dr went in just after to wish him a good night, and finding that he
did not speak supposed that he was fainted away and immediately seized his hand, which when
the house was alarmed he could hardly be prevailed upon to quit. I sent to know how they did
and had but an indifferent account; he had done his duty but the Sunday before. I understand
Dr [John] Littlehales has pronounced it to be a lost case for some time; it has been a very lawless
time at [Winchester] College, for Mr [William Stanley] Goddard has been very ill indeed, with a
fever, which has turned out to be of the intermitting kind, so that all danger is I believe over, and
to add to all Newhouse7 was taken ill too, and the boys were certain that the Warden and Dr
[John] Ballard were to go into the school, which people believed.8
Our new man9 has been over to day and I told him of everything that he was to do, and
he objected to nothing; he has lived one year with Mr [Poole] Bathurst, and before that he lived
eight years with a Mr Willis3 an attorney at Dorchester of which place he is a native; he said that
he never dressed Mr B’s hair above six times, that it was the same with all his men servants, he
said they hurt him because he chose that her maid should dress his hair. You know they are
strange people, but Rachel Corfe10 the Warden’s housekeeper gave so good an account of him
that I was tempted to engage him and he is to come in a month, which will be about ten days
334
before you come home; I cannot summon James Wells as I used to do when I lived at
Winchester, besides he is much less discerning in these matters than he used to be, before he
entered so deeply in the oat-trade.
Mrs Wareham11 is dead, which I am not sorry for, as I believe she is released from a load
of misery; they are in a very bad plight indeed, he spends all the money he can get at the alehouse
and will soon destroy himself, and Symonds the [Winchester] College brewer who is her brother,
will do something for the children.
Old Murden12 is going at last very fast, a mortification has begun, and very luckily for his
wife, who would not otherwise have had sixpence, there is just now a vacancy in the Widows’
College,13 which is I believe secured for her.
Mrs Wool14 has had a third paralitic seizure and lies in a senseless state.
Mr [Richard] Goldfinche’s15 boys said their catechism to day in the church with Betsy at
their head; she is a queer thing,16 for I had been trying to persuade her and had given the matter
up, but when the boys were called out she marched with them, though under great trepidation
and I have given her well for it and she plumes herself not a little upon it; she is got quite well as
are all the rest; I have a most dreadful cold myself, which has perfectly froze up all my senses,
how I got it I don’t know for I have been very little in my garden; as to what you mention about
my father and Miss [Bet] Bridger, you know my thoughts upon that matter pretty well already, I
don’t want company or amusement, but I wish to live with that person whom I ought to live
with. Why should I give my father the uneasiness of seeing my unhappy situation, which he has
it not in his power to relieve{. If he} had, I am sure I should not suffe{r it for a} moment; it is
one comfort to me that {he} thinks I am as happy as he wishes me to be; with regard to my
coming to London, I shall not do it before Easter, afterwards I must try it, because my situation
of body will by that time be full enough for me, though from the experience I had last year,17 I
don’t promise myself much, except spending my money; my scheme of happiness has been
cruelly destroyed and I have no resource from which I can expect relief; my every wish, every
thought and affection is fixed on you and those dear children that belong to you, and whilst I am
deprived of you I lose all comfort of my life; my mind is quite distracted and I have not the
power of turning my thoughts to those things that might afford me ease; all I can expect is to get
on, and I thank God that as yet my health is good.
God bless you my ever dearest soul, your affectionate SW.
Our new maid is come and at present sweeps clean and I am in hopes will [continue to]
do.
My best love to your sisters, Betsy, Mrs [John] Sargent and Miss [Elizabeth] Pyke.
I forgot to enquire after Mrs [Charles Wolfran] C[ornwall]’s swelled face, I hope it is
better.
1A
servant (see also Letters 119 and 124). She presumably feared ‘posts’ (stations for post-horses; OED) as
places where travelling strangers might be encountered.
2Dr
Warton’s son Thomas died on Saturday, 17 February 1787. According to John Wooll’s Biographical
Memoirs of the Late Revd. Joseph Warton D.D., published in London in 1806, Thomas was ‘a man of high
talents and superior information, but who had long laboured under a lingering and obstinate disease, [and]
335
died whilst sitting in his chair after dinner, and was found in that situation by his father on his return from
college prayers.’ (Wooll, 1806, pp. 74-5).
3Unidentified.
4Perhaps
Farley Chamberlayne, a village near Compton, Hampshire.
5She
probably means an easy-going person, as in ‘to take one’s trundle’, a dialectual phrase meaning to
take a particular course (OED).
6Obscure,
although figs were perhaps used to break the Lenten fast.
7Possibly
Thomas Postlethwaite Newhouse, admitted a scholar at Winchester College in 1774, but who, at
the date of this letter, was a fellow of New College, Oxford. See also Note 7, Letter 23
8The
significance of the warden and a fellow entering the school (and especially the building where
scholars worked called School) was that this was contrary to normal practice and might have sparked one
of the schoolboy rebellions that occurred from time to time at Winchester College.
9See
Letter 117.
10Perhaps
11See
from the Winchester family of tailors of that name (Himsworth, 1976, Vol 1, passim).
Note 16, Letter 63.
12Cornelius
Murdin [sic] was vicar of Twyford between 1767 and 1787, when he was followed by
Liscombe Maltbe Stretch, who was instituted on 28 August. Mr Murdin was dead by 11 March 1787 and
in the interim the parish was served by a Mr Salmon (see WCA/M/PW/90).
13Bishop
Morley’s College for Widows was founded in 1672 by George Morley, bishop of Winchester, for
the sustenance of 10 widows of clergymen and still stands on the north side of the cathedral green.
Writing about it in his History and Antiquities of Winchester, published anonymously in 1773 (pp 223-224),
Thomas Warton, brother of the headmaster of Winchester College, noted that the ‘habitations are divided
into tenements, with proper conveniences’ and he depicted the ‘commodious and uniform’ buildings in a
finely engraved plate.
14Perhaps
related to John Wooll, Wykehamist, who amongst other things was the master of Midhurst
Grammar School between 1799 and 1807 (see also Note 2 above). There are several memorials to the
Wooll family on the walls of St Thomas’s church, Winchester, but none that seems to match this ‘Mrs
Wool’ (Gibson, 1958, pp. 44-45).
15Usually
spelt in her letters without the final ‘e’.
16The
sort of home truth that parents may pronounce about their children, and in this case a prophetic
comment. Their daughter Elizabeth spent her life suffering from a pychiatric disorder of some kind, as
harrowingly portrayed in Philip Williams’s later letters to his daughters (WCA/M/PW/94-177).
17She
seems to be referring to a miscarriage and an extended stay of hers of some kind in London in
1786. In June 1785 she had written to her husband in the capital concerning ‘lodgings for next winter’ (see
336
Note 10, Letter 104), which may have been the stay in question. Whether it, or the miscarriage, actually
happened or not cannot be confirmed absolutely, as there is a gap in the surviving correspondence
between July 1785 (Letter 111) and February 1787 (Letter 115). This was probably due to Philip’s illness
(WCA/M/PW/381), though it may also indicate that she did indeed go to London for a long period (see
Note 8, Letter 86). In Letter 119, written a week after this one, she lays out her requirements for lodgings
in a way that suggests she has done so before and in Letter 122, written shortly after it, she refers to an
event not happening ‘until I come [back] from London’. Then in Letter 124 she writes: ‘I shall go to
London and if I find the hustle and bustle of that place too much for me, I will either go into Sussex or
come home…’.
337
Letter 119: Monday, [5 March 1787]– Sarah Williams at Compton to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/89)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
Owing to your letter’s being carried on to Southampton on Saturday I have but
just got it; Martin has played me the same trick before with a letter of my father’s, for which
reason I have always sent by some of the people for your letter on Saturday; it seems Martin
can’t read and if Todd is not in the way to look at the letters, the maid does it, who I believe is
almost as illeterate [sic] as Martin, they assured me that they had looked at all the letters and
there was none for me; it had poured with rain and no body had gone from Compton, so I
dispatched Prince to Mrs Green,1 who said that Martin certainly had a letter for me; this
comforted me, because I knew there was nothing wrong about you, so I waited, I won’t say with
much patience his return to day; I have not been out since I wrote last, and have been very
indifferent the whole week, with a terrible cold and cough, the latter is gone, and my cold is
something better, though far from well yet; and added to all, we have nothing but incessant wind
and rain; except Mr and Mrs [Robert] Travis who drank tea here last night, I have not seen a
human creature out of my own house these ten days. so that I have little news to tell you; Mr
Munden [Cornelius Murdin] is dead, and Mr [Bradnam] Tawney supplies Twyford for the
present; Mrs Hare’s last child is dead in a fit, for the credit of dry-nursing,2 it was one of the
finest children I ever saw, and is one of the thousand that are annually destroyed by this
pernicious mode of nursing. I hear the poor little creature is to be carried to the family vault in
Buckinghamshire,3 a useless piece of vanity surely!
There is a shocking cause to be tried this week at Winchester;4 it is an action brought by a
Mr [Thomas] Dickenson [Dickinson] of the Isle of Wight against Fitzwilliam for defamation, he
(Fitzwilliam) having accused Mr D of the worst of crimes, and amongst other witnesses a Miss
Eames a cousin of Mrs W’s1 is to appear and produce a diary, which it has been discovered that
she kept ever since her cousin’s marriage. All this will be fine fun for the lawyers but sadly
distressing to the young lady; this I had from Mr [Bradnam] Tawney, who told it to me in as
plain terms, as he could have told you, thinking I believe that he was saying what was quite
decent and right. Farmer [Thomas] Houghton is going to leave his farm and a Farmer Bayly is
to have it, I hope he won’t forget to pay us the remainder, Mr Travis says he is a thousand
pounds behind hand, with Lady Charnack [Chernocke] and Lady St John,5 which is I believe a
Travis,6 for I think the weird sisters would tear him to pieces skin and all before they would
suffer it. Mrs [Godfrey Woodward] Vane’s alarms continue, her house was really once attacked,
and the servants are persuaded that it is attacked every night.7 She has removed her plate, and
valuables to Winchester which will probably allay the Phantoms. Mr Travis says his house has
been attacked but upon being cross questioned,6 the only proof he could [give] of it was that the
dogs in the inside as well as the outside of his house barked violently and the whole family got
up without being able to discover any traces of a two-legged creature’s having [been] near the
place.
James Wells has been over and he has enquired of all the Warden’s people about our new
man and he thinks he will suit us very well, the Bathursts and he quarrelled it seems before they
went away, though they had given him warning they did not like [it that] he should go at last; 8
338
George9 that lived with us, has made a conquest of a fortune who is going to set him up in an
alehouse, she has no prize I think.
Lady Clive10 has I hear made some enquiries about Mrs Vanes [Vane], but I apprehend
she wants to rent and the other to sell; Mr Spooner will not have it except he will give her price,
for I hear she is very determined. I am very sorry for Mrs Spooner, the surgeon whom she has
consulted, calls it rhumatism and scurvy, but I should fear that it is something worse, only he
does not like to say it.
You had better look at some lodgings for me,11 there is no occasion to trouble Miss
[Elizabeth] Pyke with me and my miseries, I am not nice, any garret that is tolerably quiet, will do
for me; my maid’s room must be within mine or next to it, I should like best a house that has no
other lodgers in it, quiet is all I aim at; every idea of comfort is out of the question, that is what
in this wor{ld I} never expect to know again; I am in {all} respects very indifferent; God in his
good{ness will} mend all, and take you and my children into his protection, if it is not permitted
me to have the happiness of living with you and them; they are all quite well, and on the whole as
good as can be expected, with such a feeble Governess as I am. Your cousin has cozen’d you
and will I daresay pocket whatever you may have said to him;12 however there is an end of this
odious business, which is better settled on all accounts.
My love to all friends. I should have written to Miss Pyke, but am at present straitened
for time so God bless my dearest, yours most intirely SW.
1Unidentified.
2A
dry nurse is a woman who looks after as child but does not breast feed it (OED). The issue of breastfeeding was highly controversial during the eighteenth century (and, of course, again in recent times). As
Mrs Georgiana Hare-Naylor might have known, ‘the national trend over the period [and beyond] was one
of increasing dissatisfaction with the alternatives to mother’s own breast-milk’ (Vickery, 1998, p. 107).
But, of course, not all mothers were capable of breast-feeding.
3This
was probably the vault of the family of [her mother-in-law, ]Mrs Francis Hare-Naylor, whose father,
Lister Selman, had been seated at Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire.
This involved a charge of malicious defamation brought by Thomas Dickinson, an attorney from
Newport, Isle of Wight, against ‘the Hon. Mr Fitz-william brother to Earl Fitz-william’. They had both
married relatives of John Eames, ‘one of the Masters in Chancery’ and ‘Recorder of Portsmouth 17601773’ (TNA/JER/GPS; catalogue notes), as had ‘Mr Gibbs’ a surgeon from Portsmouth. Dickinson
invited Fitzwilliam to visit him at Newport where, according to Fitzwilliam, he tried to kill him, then
begged forgiveness. This strange tale surfaced via Gibbs. The Hampshire Chronicle of 12 March 1787
reported:
4
No defence whatever was put up by the defendant, save that he was a very unhappy man in his
mind, and had been long harassed in his circumstances, and family concerns; but nothing was
said whereby the wickedness and cruelty of the scandal, could be at all diminished.’ The court
ruled that Fittzwilliams’s behaviour ‘constituted offences against civil law and moral rectitude of
the blackest die, and therefore the prosecution was entitled to a verdict.
339
Fitzwilliam was found guilty and £1000 damages awarded. Not surprisingly, his wife Dorothea was
seeking separation.
5See
Note 9, Letter 99. Travis [OK?] farmed Silkstead manor, which belonged at the time to Sir Thomas
Heathcote of Hursley Park, Hursley, near Winchester (Drew, 1939, p. 127).
6It
seems that Sarah Williams thought Robert Travis a romancer. This disparaging view of him might have
been a side wipe at his views on social reform. Amongst other things, he set up a local cottage industry in
Compton, with the women ‘carding and spinning yarn and knitting stockings’ and ‘a system of industry
for employing the infant poor …from four years old… spinning flax’, which is woven into ‘linen and
woolseys’ for the use of the parish (Hampshire Chronicle, 18 July 1788). Drew (1939, p. 124) describes him
as ‘a young man of Winchester society, who lived [in Silkstead Manor House, Compton, Hampshire] with
his wife for 20 years.’
7As
a wealthy woman widowed two years before (see Letter 82), she was clearly a target for well-informed
thieves (see also Letter 117).
8See
Note 4, Letter 117.
9He
lived at a nearby mill and his bride-to-be was dubbed ‘the Pythoness’ (see Letter 122).
10Probably
the widow of a judge (see Letter 72). The asking price for Mrs Vane’s house was £6,000 (see
Letter 82), about £360,000 in today’s money..
11See
Note 17, Letter 118.
12Probably
a reference to the lawyer Charles Nalson Cole (1723-1804), the son of Mary, a sister of Philip
Williams’s namesake father, and therefore a cousin. It probably concerned the sale of a small estate in the
Fens that he had inherited from his mother.
340
Letter 120: Sunday, [11 March 1787] – Sarah Williams at Compton to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/90)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
We have had such dismal weather that I have spent this week as much within
doors as the last, except one day that I dined at Shawford,1indeed my cold is but just gone and I
suffer great inconvenience for want of air and exercise. We have torrents of rain with violent
winds, very hurtful to the latter lambs, and the fruit trees. We had only the women at Shawford.
Lady St John2 appears to carry off her size and situation with more ease than I ever saw a
woman, she was very pleasing and well-behaved; Sir Henry [St John] returned in the evening
from his attendance on the judges, full of F[itzwilliam]’s trial,3 which turned out to be the most
groundless and scandalous accusation that was ever forged in the human brain and they gave a
verdict for Mr [Thomas] Dickenson [Dickinson] with 1000£ damages which the judge said ought
to have been four [thousand]; it seems he [Fitzwilliam] and his wife had been upon a visit in the
summer to Mr Dickenson who is a man of very good character and 72 years old, and upon the
their separation several insinuations having been thrown out against him of this infamous sort by
her friends, by way of clearing himself he made commenced an action against Mr D charging
him with having made an attempt upon him in his own counting house and that upon his
making resistance he conjured him not to tell any one, which F[itzwilliam] promised not to do till
these insinuations were thrown out against him; Mr Jekyl was counsel for Fitzwilliam and said so
many indecent and abusive things that the judge silenced him twice and at last told him that he
would commit him if he said anything more; there was a great deal of family history came out,
amongst the rest that he used to sleep out when the family were in London for five or six nights
together, which Mr Jekyl attributed to his aversion to that greatest of all curses a wife, and he
added that he understood Mr F[itzwilliam] had the misfortune of being united to a lump of
deformity both of body and mind; by the account I hear from all parties of her temper, it is so
extremely bad, that if he had no other crimes one could half excuse him for leaving her; all the
Isle of Wight appeared to Mr Dickenson’s character, and it is added that the idea of the
accusation has had such an effect upon his mind that it is feared he will sink under it; as to
Harry Harmwood,4 he was tryed for an attempt only and was acquitted, whereas he ought to
have been tryed for the fact, in which case the judge told him he would certainly have been
hanged; he is now liable to another indictment, if the parties chuse to prosecute and therefore his
daughter has insisted upon his leaving the country with which he is to comply, and this is all I
could collect of these infamous matters from Sir H[enry St John] and Mr [Bradnam] Tawney; the
latter is in mauvaise odeur at Shawford and not without reason, though I believe he meant no ill,
but nature did not make him a gentleman, and the story is a very long one, and you are sure of
hearing it from Jemmy Rivers5 if you see him any time these ten years should you and he live so
long, he went through the whole with me the other morning which I knew before and more than
he did; Mrs [Carew] Mildmay lent Sir H[enry] her coach, which I am glad of, for I was afraid
there would have been a new one; he slept at Shawford and the old lady was in such terrors least
he should not be with the judges time enough that she had the clocks put forward, and he
thinking to be in Winchester in very good time between seven and eight, found himself in the
high street by half past six. Mr Salmon is to stay with them whilst they are at Shawford which
341
will be at least two months, and he has got the care of Twyford till there is a new vicar and he is
to give the profits to Mrs Murden [Murdin];6 when we return to London, some how or other we
are to convey Letitia [Mildmay], who is in distress for a chaperon about that time as she takes no
maid, and I shall not grudge any inconvenience to assist her; they are all so very kind and friendly
to me.
Mr Jenkinson7 called Wednesday and gave as I thought but a baddish account of Mrs
[Charles Wolfran] Cornwall, he wishes her very much to try Bath again earlier in the year and for
a longer time; I have had little John Jenkinson7 to dine to day, he has been very much broken out
since he has been at Compton, but is getting the better of it, they have been all so happy
together, that Phil had not time to write.
There is no occasion to be under any alarm about [Thomas] Houghton, though he is very
much behind hand, I believe he has a good deal of property either his or his wife’s.
I am very grumbling, and miserable, hardly able to crawl on, wretched, wretched days
that will never end, my sole reward for doating upon {you} and my children.
Betsy says her catechism ... well at the head of Mr [Richard] Goldfinch’s boys, Phil is the
only one of the party that repeats it without any tone.
I like my new maid very much as yet; I have just made a discovery that the Anointer 8
has taught the other nurse to drink, they have both quarreled and now it is come out, so one or
both must go; thank heaven the poor little children have been taken care of, I wish they were
with their own mother. I enclose a letter for Miss B.9 with which you will send William as I have
desired her to send an answer to you and you will send it the next time you write.
I shall hope to hear better news of Mrs C[ornwall]. Love to all friends, from your
entirely affectionate SW.
1Shawford
House, Shawford, near Winchester, the seat of Carew Mildmay and his family.
2See
Note 2, Letter 117.
3See
Note 4, Letter 119.
4Harry
Harmwood, who probably came from New Alresford (HRO/16M52/24), was acquitted of a
charge of assault (Hampshire Chronicle, 12 March 1787). The name Harmwood is relatively common in
Hampshire in relation to the Dogmersfield estate of the Mildmay family (see HRO/10M69/T28) and
elsewhere.
5Probably
James Rivers, a Winchester lawyer who, amongst others, acted for the Mildmay family (see, for
example, HRO/15M50/627), rather than his namesake, a son of Sir Peter Rivers, the Winchester
prebendary, who would only have been 15 years of age at the time.
6See
Note 12, Letter 118. ‘Mr Salmon’ is unidentified.
7Probably
Colonel John Jenkinson, sometime joint-secretary for Ireland, who lived in Kingsgate Street,
Winchester (HRO/11M59/E2/59270), though it may have been his brother, Charles, later 1st earl of
Liverpool, a distinguished statesman and a patron of Philip Williams. ‘Little John [Bankes] Jenkinson’ was
born on 2 September 1781 (Burke, 1832, vol 2, p. 94), the son of John and his wife Frances (née Parker)
and went on to be bishop of St David’s from 1825 until his death in 1840.
342
8A
nickname for one of the nurses of her sister’s children (see also Letter 122).
9Probably
Miss Elizabeth Beauclerk; see Letter 123.
343
Letter 121: Thursday 15 March, 1787 – from Dr John Gordon at Lincoln, to his stepson,
Philip Williams, in London (WCA/M/PW/383)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
Dear Phil,
I was favord some days ago with your long and kind Letter dated the 1st Inst. And shoud
sooner have returnd my acknowledgments, but that I was in hopes the suggestions I threw out
to George [Gordon] in answer to Anne’s enquiry about an Admission to the Copyhold at
Barrington,1 which I desired him to communicate, something might have occurred to you about
this matter, when it was under investigation on your own account, that might have cleard up this
point. A Letter however to Aunt Bell [Heleonara Theabella Williams] on the subject, if doubts
remain, will undoubtedly it to a satisfactory issue. Yours Mo[ther], I am persuaded, always
thought, that the Admission on Dr W[illiams]’s 12 demise was in Aunt B’s name; and certainly no
application from the [Trinity] College [Cambridge] was ever made on that account, as long as I
had any concern in the Estate. Whether any change was made in consequence of your
Mar[riage] Articles3 I do not perfectly recollect; though there seems to be something swimming
in my head about it. It is a pity, if that was the case, that you coud not have been admitted.
Perhaps there were objections to that. All I have to say farther on the subject is, that I am
perfectly ready and willing to advance the money for the Fine and Fees on this occasion, which I
think cannot amount to any thing near the summe you mention. There are only, as I recollect,
about 25 acres and the Homestead that are Copyhold. You will let me know, when necessary,
how and where the money is to be paid.
I am heartily glad, that the Doddington4 business is at length concluded, though upon
disagreeable terms. The whole of the transaction has been unpleasant from beginning to end.
The Estate is thrown away in a manner, and this chiefly owing to the interference of your good
Cousin, 5 who seems to have cared nothing about it, if he coud avail himself of the opportunity
to scratch up a share in the scramble. I never desire to be concernd in a transaction likely to be
attended with such uncomfortable appendages. I mentioned to Anne to hint to you, that some
regular form of discharge shoud be prepared for my Sons and probably myself to sign respecting
the £1000 and Int[erest] charged upon the Catlidge Estate6 by the receipt of this money from
Doddington, upon which Mr Hollist7 may be consulted. If a common Receipt for a specific
summe, to which the balance of the purchase money may amount to, after deductions, woud be
sufficient; the remainder might stand chargeable on the security as before, and by that means the
expence and trouble of a Bond be avoided. But I do not mention this, as having a wish about
the matter; you are welcome to the money in any way either with or without Bond or security
whatever. I am glad you laid hold of the £100 from Mr Cole the Purchaser to pay Mr Cole8 the
Seller as it saves all trouble of sending backwards and forwards. I have you are sure no favorable
opinion of our Co[u]s[ins]’ conduct in this instance. But yet I think it is almost a pity you
troubled yourself to give him a Cat o’ nine tails after the matter was over. For the only
circumstance that ever coud reconcile me to an acquiescence with his demands, was the
consideration, that there might be a time, when you or yours might receive some compensation
for the present loss you sustaind. I shoud be sorry therefor to have this expectation, distant and
uncertain as it may be, defeated by a dash of the pen. The time for resistance shoud have been, I
think, earlier to render it of any good effect.
344
I heartily wish you a portion in St Peter’s Patrimony even to the Popedom, if you affect a
journey to Rome, as speedy and as ample, as your merits may deserve or your heart can desire.9
I give you my best thanks for your kind intentions of assisting Charles with an
opportunity of obtaining an entrance into his new Profession. 10 But, as he was indebted to you
for his introduction into his former occupation, which he made so ill a use of, I wishd rather to
spare you the trouble and possibly the mortification in a second instance. Some few little rubs
were thrown in the way: but they broke no shins, and I think all for the best in the it [sic] has
taken place.
I believe, when I hinted above, that £50 woud be more than woud be wanted for the
Barrington business etc I forgot the article of Mr Grimditch’s11 Bill, which I suppose must be
paid. I took no Copy, and unless Mr Cole when he comes to pay the remainder of his Purchase
money, shoud bring a new account, I shall not know how to liquidate the matter. I believe there
is a small balance due from me out of the Purchase money to you and Sisters of about £9. Anne
has a copy of the account, as far as I know it, except of the share of arrears of Quitrent on the
Copyhold, belonging to me to pay, which I coud not ascertain, till I saw the Bill and Dates,
which Mr Cole did not produce, as it was involved in other matters about admission etc charged
to himself, till the final settlement between us. Whatever this is, which at a guess I apprehend
will leave the balance about the summe I have mentioned I will take care to bring properly to
account.
I thank you for your Politics. I cannot reconcile to my ideas of old English Laws, how
Mr Hastings a servant of the East India Co not of the Public (as the question of Territorial
Jurisdiction, if it was settled, which I apprehend it is not, would not to my thinking include his
case, unless he had born a public Commission) shoud be amenable to the House of Commons
or through their medium to the House of Lords as a Public Delinquent against the State. 12 I
might have had information on this subject, I suppose, by applying to the legal Corps, which
have just left us – but I omitted to avail myself of their aid. They may send Elijah13 after his
namesake, if they please, in any mode they may think most befitting, if they catch him tripping –
as I take it he bore a public commission under an Act of Parliament for the purpose. I dont
mean of hanging him.
Poor Maty. 14 Alass poor Maty! As to Bp Bluster, 15 if you dont know the name, George
will explain it to you, he will not easily pass by the being passed by. I like his conscientious
objections to the Commercial Treaty, which, if the Ecclesiastical Treaty had been settled to his
satisfaction, I shoud guess might have been less forcibly avowed.
I am sorry Mrs W[illiam]s cannot add philosophy enough to her other literary and
scientific acquisitions, to keep her mind more at ease during your necessary absence. I have just
received George’s Letter, which if you see him, I shall desire you to thank him for, till I can do it
for myself. I am sorry to hear of Fanny’s tumble down stairs and Anne’s swelld face. Pray tell
the latter that Mr Gally [?]16 desired particular Compl[imen]ts and seemd to take a real and
friendly interest in her new connection, from which he ominates much good as knowing both
parties - Charles comes to Town next week again to attend the new Bp of of L. 17 Adieu with
love [to] Mrs W when you write; and to S[is]ters when you see them, in which Charles joins.
I am,
Dear Phil,
Thine most sincerely,
J. Gordon – in a hurry
345
1See,
for example, Note 10, Letter 38.
2Philip
3See
Williams’s namesake father.
WCA/M/PW/223, dated 9 March 1779.
4See,
for example, Note 8, Letter 38.
5Charles
6See
Nalson Cole, a son of Philip Williams’s paternal aunt, Mary (see Note 1, Letter 80).
Letter 40.
7Richard
Hollist, lawyer.
8The
seller is presumably Charles Nalson Cole, whom Gordon thinks has muscled in on the sale of the
Doddington estate, but the purchaser is unknown, perhaps a relative.
9Obscure.
10See
There is no trace of any visit of Philip Williams to Rome; perhaps figurative.
Note 16, Letter 38.
11Probably
12All
a local attorney.
this concerns the impeachment and trial of Warren Hastings.
13Probably
a reference to the one-time Chief Justice of India, Sir Elijah Impey (1732-1809), who had
served with Warren Hastings, but ‘whose impeachment was narrowly defeated in the Commons after he
had spoken skilfully in his own defence’ (Hague, 2004, p.247; see also F.S. James, 1885, The Story of
Nuncomar and the Impeachment of Sir Elijah Impey).
14Paul
Maty (1744-1787), author and librarian extraordinaire (at the British Museum). A friend of Philip
Williams, who had died of asthma on 16 January 1787 (T. Seccombe, rev. R. Mill, ‘Paul Maty’, ODNB).
15Richard
Watson, bishop of Llandaff, a bête noire of Gordon (see Letter 15). The name Bishop Bluster
seems to come from a comic verse composed about an incident in Cambridge (see W. Oxberry, ed., 1821,
The Flowers of Literature or the Encyclopedia of Anecdotes, Vol. 3, p. 141).
16Probably
a refererence to a possible repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts, which Pitt toyed with in
1787. On consultation, only two of the sixteen bishops supported the proposal, which was defeated in the
Commons two weeks after the date of this letter (Hague, 2004, pp. 238-239). It would be another forty
years before the Sacramental Test Act of 1828 would repeal these anti-Catholic laws.
17Charles
Gordon went up to Pembroke College, Cambridge, as a sizar at the age of 15, but dropped out
and went into the military (see Note 16, Letter 38). Six years later he returned to Cambridge to study at
Trinity Hall and graduated LLB in 1788. But it seems that before he had even graduated he was ordained
deacon and three weeks later priest (by the new bishop of Lincoln, George Pretyman, consecrated two
months before this letter) and was soon enjoying the patronage of his father, the archdeacon of Lincoln,
346
as vicar of Wellingore, Lincolnshire, and of Edwinstowe with Carburton, Nottinghamshire. And in the
same year that he graduated he was given the prebend of Decem Librarum at Lincoln. He died a relatively
young man in 1802.
347
Letter 122: Sunday and Monday, [18 and 19 March 1787] – Sarah Williams at Compton to
Philip Williams in London (WCA/M/PW/91)
Address panel: Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
I am just returned from an attick1 of old [Richard] Goldfinch’s to which I was
accompanied by Mr [Bradnam] Tawney and the fœtids, and tomorrow we go to our neighbours;
I have been plagued to death this last week by Mrs [Charlotte] St John’s nurses,2 who have both
behaved very ill and one to leave Compton on Saturday; they have drank nothing but strong beer
and brandy, except when they had not money to buy it, and as long as the money would last,
they went on very lovingly, but when that cementer failed and they got in debt they did nothing
but quarrel, and one thing brought out another, till at last they came to an open feuding and
proving before me; the consequence of which is the dissmission of both, and an entire change in
the disposition of the children, who are to be consigned over to the care of Mrs G Cole 3 where I
am sure they will be taken care of, and for about half the expence; I have thought it adviseable to
remove them from under the roof of old Cole3 for reasons that I will tell you hereafter, but there
is wheel within wheel and so many intrigues in this little state, that it is quite an epitome of what
is transacting in a higher sphere; there is a misfortune for heavier yet, that has been announced in
form; the old Pythoness is going to be married to George at the Mill,4 and as this is the season
when all true hearts are gay, I expect Rachel [Landy] will follow her example; Molly [Strong] will
not leave me till after I come from London; I have been exhorting her to postpone matters till
after the next child is weaned,5 but without effect; all this together has laid very heavy upon me,
this last week, and I have many uncomfortable fells[?]6 of body, that almost make me repent of
having acquiesced in Mr Bigg’s [Lovelace Bigg Wither] very friendly proposal,7 for at present I
am not fit company for any one and am afraid least my complaints should increase upon me
when I am from home; whilst I think of it, do ask Mr [Jeremiah] Dyson whether he ever received
a letter from Sir H[enry] St John which he sent a month ago, with a twenty pounds note inclosed
and to offer him some wine and to which he has never yet had any answer.8
I had a letter from Charlotte [St John] this week, giving a good account of herself, but
[she] is angry with you for not writing. I beg you will do it the first moment you can spare,
because it will be a great satisfaction to her; you are to direct à Madame, Madame St John, chez
Monsieur Girardot Banquier, Rue Vivienne à Paris;9 they have had the same account of Lord
B[olingbroke]10 that you mention which makes their future motions very uncertain, they remain
for some time longer at St Pierre l’Aigle11 to wait the event; Miss [Elizabeth] Beauclerck’s
marriage is certain with Lord Herbert12; they had Lord Pembroke’s answer the day she wrote to
me, and she thinks herself the happiest creature in the world as indeed she ought to be, for he
bears a very good character; I am very glad of it, as I think she deserves her good-fortune, you
would like the naive and open manner in which she mentions her marriage, I have inclosed a
note to congratulate her upon it.
I went to Winchester with Mrs [Carew] Mildmay on Friday and did some errants; found
Mrs [Lucy] Elyott full of a play, that the Miss Ogles and Miss S Woodford and Lucy Elyott had
been acting at Worthy13 to a large company of females, but Mr [Matthew] Woodford was the
only male admitted, which he looked upon as a high compliment, but any other man would have
thought an affront; the ladies performed very well, particularly Miss Ogle, and Lucy Elyott
348
played her part with great judgement, which rather surprized me; the play was Douglas. 14 Mr
[Matthew] Woodford has a puppy for you which is to arrive in the course of the week to the
great annoyance of the Canaille.15
Lord Dormer has taken the house that Mr Lyford now lives in, and he has bought Mrs
Wool’s house of Mr Downes, who has reserved the upper part of the garden freeing Carew
Gauntlet’s upon which he means to build, by which he will take ample vengeance for the playhouse.16
The spring is very forward here – our trees are all out in bloom, and the ...
[new sheet] Monday morn
[...] kitchen garden things are all running to seed. There is a great plenty of hop-tops for
you, and I have had a present of a hare this morning which I should be glad to keep for you, if it
was possible; our asparagus beds are made, and we have a sea kale 17 bed, which is I think a better
thing; we do not shine in cucumber beds, owing to a scarcity of materials, my carnation trees18
are in the finest bloom and the admiration of the whole world; I fear I shall not see any of
{these} things brought to perfection, I really and truly {do not} think altogether well of myself, I
have {no ve}ry alarming complaints; but I have some internal feelings that tell me I have not
strength enough to encounter alone the situations into which I am thrown; it is astonishing how
the least trifle overcomes me; I think I could endure any thing, if I was not separated from you;
but it is tedious to dwell always upon this ever-[en]during subject, would to God that I had other
feelings or a different constitution.
The children are wild with spirits this hot weather. Charles I am sure you will not know
again he is so much improved.
God bless you my dearest, dearest life and send you safe to your affectionate SW.
I hope Mrs [Charles Wolfran] Cornwall is better, she has not much reason to complain,
having fewer diseases at sixty than most of her sex have at thirty.
1Perhaps
a humorous reference to ‘the “upper storey” the brain (OED)’, as Richard Goldfinch ran a local
preparatory school.
2See
Note 1, Letter 116 and Note 8, Letter 120.
3Probably
a local family. For example, in 1788 the parish register for Compton shows the burial of a son
of George and Elizabeth Cole (HRO/1M76/PR1).
4See
also Letter 119.
5See
Note 17, Letter 118.
6She
was pregnant and was to die in child-bed at the birth of the ‘next child’, on 19 September.
7It
seems he was suggesting that the Williamses stay with him at a house he was expecting to take in
London (see Letter 123). Perhaps by ‘fells’ she meant ‘knockdown blows’ (OED).
8Sometimes
banknotes were cut in two and sent in separate envelopes (Edgeworth, 1802, p. 198).
349
9For
some reason, the same address was also written in Philip Williams’s hand on the back of one of the
drafts in Latin of the commemoration of his wife written by him and retained in the Williams Papers
(WCA/M/PW/243).
10Frederick
St John, known as ‘Bully’, the 3rd viscount St John, 2nd viscount Bolingbroke, died in desperate
circumstances aged 54 on 5 May. He was a son of John St John, a half-brother of the philosopher and
diplomat Henry St John, the 1st viscount Bolingbroke, from whom Frederick inherited the title and
estate. ‘For the last six years of his life he was out of his mind’, according to The Complete Peerage (vol. XI,
p. 333).
11Now
written St Pierre-Aigle, a small village in Picardy, about 15 miles southeast of Compiègne and
about 40 miles northeast of Paris. See also Letter 85.
12The
impending delivery to Mary Day Beauclerk of an illegitimate child fathered by Sarah’s brother-inlaw, the Hon. George Richard St John.
12The
couple were married on April 8.
13Worthy
Park, Martyr Worthy, near Winchester, was the seat of admiral Sir Chaloner Ogle, 1st Bt (17271816). At the time, he had four unmarried daughters, namely, Susanna (died unmarried, 1790), Barbarina
(married Valentine Wilmot, 1789), Jane Hester (married Thomas Streatfeild, 1792) and Jemima Sophie
(married Sir Charles Asgill, Bt, 1790).
14An
extremely popular romantic tragedy by the Church of Scotland minister and playwright, John Home
(1722-1808), first acted in 1756. He had links with William Collins, the celebrated poet, Wykehamist and
native of Chichester, who died young and tragically (Shurlock, 2010, pp 13-14).
15A
contemptuous name given to the populace, the ‘vile herd’, the rabble (OED), though her meaning
here is not clear.
16Charles,
the 8th Baron Dormer (1725-1804), of a Catholic dynasty, who owned (amongst other things)
the manor of Idsworth in the parish of Chalton, Hampshire, which two years after this letter was sold to
the Whig MP for Hampshire, Jervoise Clarke Jervoise (VCH Hampshire, Vol 3, 102-110). Clearly, Lord
Dormer was taking a town house, probably in St Peter Street, the Catholic district of Winchester, where
the surgeon Charles Lyford lived. ‘Mrs Wool’s [or Wooll’s?] house’, which Lyford seems to have bought
in its place, was probably in Jewry Street. The reference to Mr Downes’s ‘vengeance for the play-house’
refers to a local dispute concerning the building of the new theatre at the south end of Jewry Street in
1785 (see Note 6, Letter 99).
17Crambe
18See
maritima, a ‘new Culinary Vegetable’, according to The Times of 1795 (30 April).
Note 2, Letter 110.
350
Letter 123: Friday, [23 March 1787] – Philip Williams in London to Sarah Williams at
Compton (WCA/M/PW/27)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
On Friday our party met at Miss [Elizabeth] Pykes’s [sic] according to appointment, and
a very comfortable day we spent there. George [Gordon] and myself dined with the Dysons, 1
and my sisters and the Sarjents2 came in the afternoon, and we protracted our conversation till
10 o’clock.
On Saturday I met Mr Makenzie to fix upon some house for [Lovelace] Bigg [Wither],
but have not settled any thing finally. He prefers a situation north of Oxford road, and Mr M
has sent him an account of what we looked at, which if he closes with I am afraid you will be
cramped,3and if he does not I fear he will not be able to get a larger house within his price, which
he does not chuse to extend beyond 5 guineas. He talks of coming to town about the middle of
next week.
Saturday and Sunday thank heaven have closed our public dinners, and we had a strange
hash4 each day. Mr Pringle, Colonel Hamilton, Mr Calcraft, Major Moor, Mr Brodie,
Montgomerie, Colonel Steward, and opposite Sir Sam. Hannay, Mr Brook, J Stanley, Major
Scott, Mr Watherstone, Wil. Smith, and Strachey, were our Saturday’s party, and our Sundays
consisted of Lord Penryn, Mr Ilay Campbell, Sir T Halifax, Mr Pochin, Osbaldiston, Burgess,
and Sneid [Sneyd], and opposite Captain Cornwallis, Sir P Clark, General Bathurst, Jolliffe,
Delme, Amyott, and Martin. [Walter] Sneyd confirmed what I told you about Eliz[abeth]
Beauclerck, and it was mentioned publicly at Lord Portchester’s table, that Lord Pembroke had
sent over his consent, and given up £1000 per year to Lord Herbert.5 Sneyd told me farther that
he understood from Lady Bagot6 that her brother [Frederick St John, 2nd viscount Bolingbroke]
is in a very declining way.
I had written thus far, when I recieved your’s so I need say no more on that head; I
inclosed your letter to the Lady7 with a congratulatory one of my own, having endeavoured to
see her in the course of the week, but without success.
Folliot[t Herbert] Corn[e]wall is arrived, and much better than he was last year – he
passed some gravel it seems and has been perfectly well ever since.
Tuesday I dined with old Flabby, and went to Mrs Forrester’s [Forester's] in the evening,
where were 50 people. I played a rubber at whist and cribbage, and runaway. I met our old
friend Dr Hodson8 yesterday in the park; I understand though not from himself, that he is going
into orders; a very wise resolution, and which will at least put £40 a year into his pocket.
Mustard9 dined here on Wednesday, she had spent the morning at Lever’s Musæum10 – her whist
faculties are not sharpened by the London air.
The Grange is sold by private contract to Henry Drummond.11
I have had a letter from the Warden of New College [Oxford], whom I wrote to about a
nomination for young May, in which he promises to visit us at Compton after the [Winchester
College] election.12
[Henry] Penton is pursuing the high road to destruction; [John Monk] Newbolt could
not get access to him, whilst here; he sees nobody but Churchill,13 is going to buy an house in
Piccadilly for which he is to pay £3000, to settle upon Miss Judd.14 Young Gulstone15 is returned
351
from abroad, who is his ward, and had declared he will never go into his house again, to be
witness of such unmanly treatment, as she was in her tantrums one day when he was there, and
spit in her limber-ham’s16 face.
A stall has been vacant last week at Gloucester in the Chancellor’s gift, and disposed of
immediately to Dr [Samuel] Horsley, so that poor Warton has no chance I fear of any thing
through Lord Weymouth.17
Mrs [Jeremiah] Dyson wrote to Lætitia [Mildmay] last week; I had a note from [Jeremiah]
Dyson, which I did not thoroughly understand, accounting for his not answering Sir H[enry St
John]’s letter; neither do I know what money transactions had passed between them.
Miss [Gertrude] Mahon was seized with an hysteric fit at the antient music the other
night, and attended by Dr Halifax to her carriage; when he returned the P[rince] of Wales
brutally enough came up to him, and said, Doctor we say here she is with child, and his
blackguard uncle made a coarser reflection.
This is all the news I can pick up for you. I must now recur to your own letter, and
particularly that part wherein you speak of yourself, in which you really alarm me. Surely my
dear you should have recourse to the medical people if you have those disagreeable feelings
which you express; and if they arise merely from a depression of spirits, still I would have you
represent your real state to [Dr John] Littlehales, as it will admit of some palliation.
This day fortnight I shall be upon the road to you, and consider, my love, we shall meet
to part no more. I should think Læt[itia] Mildmay will have no objection to return with us in the
diligence,18 and if so, I will secure it when I come down. You may tell [Bradnam] Tawney I will
give him an holiday on Easter Sunday, and probably the Sunday after, as I believe the house will
be adjourned to the Tuesday sen’night, but this is not quite certain.19
I am very sorry about old Molly [Strong], but your own character is so established that I
am sure you will have offers enough, and now she has got this crotchet in her head, she will
never descend from her third heaven. When does the new man come, and what is his name? If
you think he will do, should not Craddock20 make his cloaths before we return to London?
I have begun a long letter to Charlotte [St John]. Mrs [Charles Wolfran] Cornwall is far
from well; I very much dread her losing the use of her limbs. I have only time to add that
Theodore Vincent Gould has this moment introduced himself to me, and from what little I have
seen him, I rather like him. I was shaving and dressing, [and] therefore could not pay much
attention to his person. He seems to have lost some of his teeth. Tomorrow we are to go to
Doctors Commons21 for a licence, and on Wednesday I am to make use of it.22
Ever your’s,
PW
1The
family of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (née Williams).
2The
family of John Sargent and his wife, from East Lavington, Sussex, friends of Sarah’s father, Thomas
Collins.
3See
4A
Note 8, Letter 122 and Note 17, Letter 118.
mess, a ‘jumble’ (OED).
352
5See
Note 13, Letter 85.
6Lord
Bolingbroke died on 5 May. His sister was born Elizabeth Louisa St John and in 1760 married
William Bagot, 1st baron Bagot.
7Elizabeth
Beauclerk; see also Note 13, Letter 85 and Note 9, Letter 120.
8 See
Note 11, Letter 85.
9See
Note 14, Letter 108.
10It
displayed seashells and other natural objects, collected at huge expense by Sir Ashton Lever of
Alkrington Hall, near Manchester. He first set up the museum at his home in 1771 before moving it to
Leicester Square, London, in 1774, where it was called the Holophusican. The year before this letter, in
order to pay off debts, he was obliged to sell the museum as the first prize in a lottery, with disappointing
results. The site visited by ‘Mustard’ was probably on the Surrey side of Blackfriars Bridge, where the new
owners had relocated the museum.
11The
mansion which still stands near Alresford, Hampshire. The owner at the time, Robert Henley, 2 nd
earl of Northington, had died on 5 July 1786, in Paris. Drummond commissioned William Wilkins to
remodel the house in the Greek revival style.
12See
Note 2, Letter 91.
13Possibly
14His
the same person mentioned in Letter 70, see Note 3 there.
wife’s maid with whom he had eloped (RG Thorne, History of Parliament, 1790-1820, Vol IV, p. 762).
15Possibly
related to Joseph Gulston of St Annes’s, Middlesex, who, together with Thomas Lee Dummer
of Cranbury, Hampshire, had in 1763 transferred a meadow in Easton, near Winchester, to Henry
Penton the younger and Chaloner Ogle, of Worthy Park, Martyr Worthy, near Winchester
(HRO/M89/1-2; see also Note 14, Letter 122).
16Figurative,
an obsequious person, ‘a lackey’ (OED), perhaps referring to Penton.
17Clearly
Philip Williams kept a close eye on preferments: Dr Samuel Horsley (1733-1806) was presented
to the prebend at Gloucester by the king on 16 March 1787. He went on to be successively bishop of St
David's, Rochester and St Asaph's. He had played an influential role as one of the secretaries of the Royal
Society, of which he was a fellow, but it ended acrimoniously. The reference to ‘poor Warton’, probably
meant Joseph, head master of Winchester College and second master during Philip Williams’s time at the
school, though it could equally well have been his brother, Thomas, who was a frequent visitor to
Winchester and in 1785 had been appointed Poet Laureate. Joseph obtained a prebend of St Paul’s in
1782 from Wykehamist Robert Lowth, who had become bishop of London, and he soon also bestowed
on him the living of Chorley, Warwickshire, which Warton subsequently exchanged for Wickham,
Hampshire (Wool, 1806, p. 55). And the year after this letter was written he was given a prebendal stall at
Winchester by prime minster Pitt. Thomas Thynne (1734-1796), 3rd viscount Weymouth, and the 1st
marquess of Bath, an ineffective and corrupt politician and courtier, was seated at Longleat House, near
Warminster, Wiltshire, and was perhaps more likely to have been known by Joseph than Thomas.
353
18
See Note 2, Letter 53.
19Parliament
rose on 30 May, but no doubt broke for Easter, which in this year was on 8 April.
20Possibly
Robert Craddock, tailor, who lived near the Williamses, in the parish of St Swithun,
Winchester, and died in about 1790 (HRO/1790A/13).
21A
private society of lawyers in London that practised civil law and lasted into the middle of the
nineteenth century.
22He
means a licence for the wedding of his sister Anne to Theodore Vincent Gould, which took place on
28 March 1787 (WCA/M/PW/418). The marriage seems to have been a happy one: he was a clergyman
in his 50s who held the living of Fornham with Westley, near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, and she was a
40-year-old spinster. In the letters that Philip Williams wrote to his daughters after the death of Sarah,
there are many mentions of apparently joyful visits to Fornham (see, for example, Letter 126).
354
Letter 124: Sunday, [25 March 1787] – Sarah Williams at Compton to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/92)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
A great load of my cares departed yesterday with my sister’s nurses, and the
children are at last settled with Mrs G Cole much to my satisfaction and at about half the
expence.1 If your letter to Charlotte [St John]2 is not gone I would not have you say any thing of
these matters to her, because I am writing to her, and shall tell her the out-lines of the story3
only, and suppress as much of the horror of it as I can, not to burthen her with uneasiness which
she is at too great a distance to relieve; if the women have drank the quantity they are supposed
to have done, they would soon have emptied all the barrels in Compton. By the by your friend
Polly4 is dying with a dropsy, supposed to be in consequence of an attachment to the Jolly God.
Tuesday I walked to Winchester and dined with Mrs [Lucy] Elyott, and Mrs [Carew] Mildmay
brought me home in evening; they were full of the play at Worthy,5 poor Mrs [Lucy] Elyott was
so much affected with the representations which brought her own losses to her recollection that
she could not sit it out; news I picked up none, though you may suppose we did not want
conversation; people are outraged at our friend Dr [John] L[ittlehales]’s behaviour, which I am
afraid is not quite what it should be; that he and Miss Lea [Lee] are engaged I believe there is no
doubt, and why should they not?6 It is what most of their friends approve, and wish; but they
should be a little more decent and circumspect as to externals; I own it would hurt me, if I
thought you would be ready to enter into new engagements after so short a separation.
[Miss] Lucy Elyott goes this week to Mrs Luttrel’s,7 so if you take a ride to Hampstead
you may call upon her; Mr [John Monk] Newbolt was here the other day to give me a good
account of you, and to begin the campaign by an invitation to dine with him on Thursday to
meet the Shawford people are and which is the worst part of the story to go afterwards to the
Assembly;8 I pleaded an engagement with [Thomas] Lear who is to come to Compton after the
[Winchester] College meeting, but the Blade [Newbolt] with his usual good humour smoothed
that business in an instant by saying he would send to Mr Lear to come to his house; so that if
the girls go, I cannot be out of the scrape, for Mrs Mildmay sits watching every motion of Lady
St John, who does not go from home; she has a shocking cough, of quite a recent date though,
but is otherwise pretty well and does not shew any inclination to take to her bed, 9 if she puts it
off like the cow. Lætitia [Mildmay] will not go with us, but I shall certainly see them in the
course of this week and will then come to an explanation.
So the Dervise [Anne Williams] slides quietly into the matrimonial noose on
Wednesday!10 May she have all the comforts I have experienced in the state, without my
wretched appendages; as dear and excellent a husband and if she has children may they be as
healthy and promising as mine are and for the rest I hope she will be more fortunate; give my
love and best wishes to her and in some months I will write to her, long after the time of
congratulations is over, all that I leave for sentimental friends, and appoint you my substitute for
the present; you will of course tell me in your next whether they stay in town and all their future
motions; I hope I shall find your sister Fanny [Frances Williams] in town.
We have had a wretched wet day, and out of all the Sundays that you have been gone, we
have had but three that have been tolerably fine; we have eat a passover11 to day, sat down to
355
dine at something after four and had done by a little after half [an] hour; I am obliged to bolt my
dinner whole when Mr [Bradnam] Tawney is in course at the College, for before I can help him
and the children he has finished, I could excuse his dining with me at all when he has so much
duty.12
Our puppy is arrived, and a great beauty indeed, of the true Lilly Breed; 13 I would not
wish Mr [Matthew] Woodford to see him in his present state, he came to me as white as snow
and he now lives under the kitchen grate; I cannot give him a name till you come home; neither
can I tell you the name of our new man14 who is I hear upon the road and will be here in a day or
two.
My gardening has been rather checked by the indisposition of Prince,15 who tomorrow
resumes the spade – if the weather is propitious.
As to my complaints, I have none that are permanent enough to take advice about; the
truth is I breed very ill, every day produces some fresh uneasiness; and my mind is not enough at
ease to struggle against them. I shall go to London, and if I find the hurry and bustle of that
place too much for me,16 I will either go into Sussex or come home; for our future separation, if
I get over my lying in {I will?} have nothing else to look forward to; you neither get
preferment,17 or a promise of any; you know you have before said that we should never again be
separated, [but] I have lived long enough to be sensible that much more is often said than is
meant, and whilst matters can be adjusted to the satisfaction of all parties, with the sacrifice only
of my happiness, it is a trifle that must be left out of the scale.
I suppose you have not seen Mrs Keighley18 lately, I never heard whether she had my
basket. I am sorry Mrs [Charles Wolfran] Cornwall does not mend.
God bless you ever and for ever, S Williams.
Children as per last.
1See
Note 3, Letter 122 and Note 1, Letter 116.
2From
3See
Philip Williams to Charlotte St John, see Letter 123.
Note 8, Letter 120.
4Probably
Polly Hort (see Note 11, Letter 74 and Note 12, Letter 82), possibly from a family living at
Martyr Worthy (HRO/78M82/P16, P17).
5See
Letter 122.
6His
first wife, Maria Anne Parry, from a famous medical family, had died on 31 October the previous
year, 18 days after the death of a son, John (as commemorated in a memorial inscription in Winchester
Cathedral, alongside that of the novelist Jane Austen). Only five months later he was now engaged to
Frances Dorothy Lee, who was a first cousin. They were married at St Thomas’s church, Winchester, on 6
November. Her father, Lancelot Lee, was the brother of the doctor’s mother, Mary, who had married
Colonel John Littlehales of Bridgnorth, Shropshire. The ancestral seat of the Lee family was also in
Bridgnorth, at Coton Hall. Harry Lee, the warden of Winchester College from 1763 to 1789, was also
Mary’s brother and therefore the doctor’s uncle (Carpenter Turner, 1986, pp. 46-49).
356
7Perhaps
related to the two brothers who were elected MPs for the rotten borough of Stockbridge,
Hampshire, in 1780 (see Note 7, Letter 24).
8Held
at St John’s Room, St John’s House, Winchester, which had been remodelled under the terms of a
legacy left by George Brydges (d. 1751) of Avington House, Avington, Hampshire (Carpenter Turner,
1992, p. 37).
9See
Note 2, Letter 117.
10See
11A
Note 22, Letter 123.
word here used generally, for a holiday or celebration, rather than the Jewish feast (OED).
12At
this time he was holding services at Twyford and Compton (see Letters 119 and 123).
13They
had previously had a dog of this name, perhaps after its colour ‘lily-white’ (see Letters 18, 24 and
32).
14See
Letters 117 and 118..
15See
Note 1, Letter 118.
16See
Note 17, Letter 118, Note 7, Letter 122, and Letter 123.
17Although
he already held a prebend at Lincoln, was a fellow of Winchester College and rector of
Compton, she clearly was ambitious for him and is hinting at the virtually automatic preferment he could
expect as chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons. Throughout the eighteenth century all men
in his position (with the exception of one who died in post) received a dignity of some kind after
completing their stint in the chamber (Gray, 1991). Most became canons of Westminster or Windsor, but
several received preferment at Christ Church, Oxford, or Canterbury, with a few elsewhere. It was not
until after Sarah’s death, and a few months after the death of Speaker Cornwall, that Philip Williams was
to receive, on 4 May 1789, his reward, a prebend at Canterbury.
18See
Note 13, Letter 91. An elderly lady well known to both Sarah and Philip, who lived in Hampstead,
favoured as a place endowed with spa waters and close to London. Her concern that a 'filigree smelling
bottle' given to her by Sarah's sister Charlotte should not 'go out of the family' (M/PW/7) suggests that
she was related to Thomas Collins or his wife, about whom nothing is known.
357
Letter 125: Sunday, [1 April 1787] – Sarah Williams at Compton to Philip Williams in
London (WCA/M/PW/93)1
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My dearest love,
I never sat down to write in better humour, because I hope it is the last time at
least for a long season; I depend upon your coming on Friday for the house have never sat on
Good Friday even when they had more business than they have at present. I dined at Mr [John
Monk] Newbolt’s on Thursday, with what I expected to have been a family party, but found a
table filled from one end of the table to the other. We adjourned to the Assembly,2 which was
tolerably good and from thence we returned to sup at Mr Newbolt’s and in consequence I did
not get home till between two and three and have barely recovered the fatigue of it yet; I was
very glad to be of any any service to the Miss [Letitia] Mildmay’s as I believe they would not have
gone, if I had not gone with them; [Thomas] Lear did not sleep at Compton that night, but he
breakfasted with me the next morning in his way to Downton.3
Yesterday evening Mrs [Carew] Mildmay carried me to Winchester with my whole
wardrobe to Mrs Bishop4 where I spent an hour and a half in having all my gowns tried on, being
obliged to wear my great coat because all my gowns were too little for me; from Mrs Bishop’s I
went to Mrs [Lucy] Elyott’s, and found them rather out of spirits, determined as I think upon a
very rash scheme from which I endeavoured to persuade them; they are immediately going to
quit their house, and to go and live in Wales, either at Abergavenny or Monmouth, where they
certainly may live cheaper and the house-rent will be trifling; they say it is a case of absolute
necessity, Mrs Bower is now of age and of course takes away a large share of her mother’s
income, half the interest of five thousand pounds. I must think there is a great want of
generosity on the part of the Major to do it; he has now a very good income and as he has never
received this before he can more readily give it up for Mrs E[lyott]’s life which will not probably
be a long one; it is indeed a very hard case upon her;5 I wanted her to hire a couple of rooms and
then if she would part with one maid and be contented to dine upon one thing she might live
just as comfortably in my opinion as she did before and amongst her friends; but she would
sooner banish herself to the mountains than give up things which are really mere luxuries, she
has spent some idle money since poor Mr E[lyott]’s death that would now be of service to her; I
wish anything could be done for her relief, but what, and where it is to come from I know not.
The D’Aguilar family6 are likewise going into Wales having I’m afraid lived too fast, this rather
makes against our house being disposed of, thank heaven I have nothing to accuse myself of
about that and we are not going to see our Welsh estate yet.7
The children are delighted with their new uncle,8 they make sure of out-living him, for
they say now we shall have another uncle to go in mourning for, their aunt will not be much
obliged to them for this; I daresay she is as quietly and soberly settled as if she had been a wife
these ten years: I am sure it will not be her fault if they are not happy.
I like the situation of our house very much, the only objection is it’s distance from you,
which is all to me in this world; I am so impatient of our separation that it seems an age till
Friday; I don’t know how to get rid of your Deputy,9 for he has so little notion of propriety that
a hint has no effect upon him, if he shews an inclination to go, I shall not press him; but I am
the more civil to him, because he is quite odious to me and one great satisfaction I have, is his
358
not dining with me any more; I had little John Jenkinson10 to dine with me to day, who is I think
greatly improved by the Compton air.
I am plagued with light gold, I have a great number of guineas that are deficient in
weight. Our new man11 arrived on Tuesday and I see nothing to find fault with as yet, he is a
great man for church musick and will assist the Compton choir, his name is William, I believe
that suit of cloaths that Craddock12 has of ours will fit him and that he is to have [it] immediately,
the rest you know more about than I do. If Lady St John is brought to bed, 13 Miss Letitia likes
the Dilly14 as well as any other conveyance, so if you like it you may take it, because if she does
not go we must have it all for the Fœtid [Elizabeth Williams] and us. And when the time comes
the opportunity will be too good for her to lose even if her sister [Lady Jane St John jr] is not in
the straw.15
The children are as impatient as myself for their dear Papa’s return. God bless you my
dearest and send you safe to your affectionate SW.
Amongst other matches the people of Winchester have found out one for Miss
Jenkinson with Dal Campo,16 which I daresay she is unconscious of. I think if hot bathing is
recommended to Mrs [Charles Wolfran] Cornwall it is pity she does not go to the fountain head
at Bath, it certainly did her good in the winter.
1This
joyful letter is the last of Sarah Williams’s in this collection. She died in child-bed on 19 September.
Her memorial can still be seen in Compton church, Compton, Hampshire. It was probably the last letter
she wrote to Philip Williams, as he and she probably went up to Westminster after the Easter holiday, he
to resume his duties as the Speaker’s chaplain, until the end of the parliamentary session on 30 May.
2See
Note 8, Letter 124.
3Between
1775 and 1799, when Thomas Lear resigned, he was vicar of Downton, Wiltshire, which was
an appointment in the gift of Winchester College (WCM/34080-7). At first he lived away from the parish
(VCH Wiltshire, Vol 11). There is a memorial inscription to him in St Lawrence’s church, Downton.
4Dressmaker;
see also Letter 95.
5This
probably concerns the second wife of Major Bower, Mrs Dorothy Bower (née Elyott or Elliott),
whose father the Revd Edmund Elyott (ca 1725-1781) had died, leaving her mother Mrs Lucy Elyott to
live, it seems, on the interest on £5000. See also Note 9, Letter 66, Note 8, Letter 71 and the Biographical
Index.
6The
D’Aguilars (or d’Aguilars) were a family of Sephardic Jews from Lisbon, Portugal, who came to
London in about 1720. Joseph D’Aguilar was an army officer who lived for a while in Winchester, where
his son Sir George Charles D’Aguilar (1784-1855) was born.
7Philip
Williams’s family originated in North Wales, where he held a small estate, at Llanwnda,
Carnarvonshire. When, in 1832, his namesake son, a lawyer, declared his landholdings as a qualification
for being appointed to the commission of the peace in Hampshire, he declared, amongst other things, his
Welsh estate (HRO/Q27/3/3/3).
359
8Theobald
Vincent Gould; see Note 22, Letter 123.
9Bradnam
Tawney.
10Probably
11The
‘little John [Bankes] Jenkinson’. See Note 7, Letter 120.
culmination of a saga retailed in Letter 117 and later ones. Finally, she at least knows his name.
12See
Note 20, Letter 123.
13See
Note 2, Letter 117.
14See
Note 2, Letter 53.
15A
colourful phrase that apparently came from the practice of laying down straw during childbirth, to
deaden noise, according to the OED. When the birth was over the woman was said to be ‘out of the
straw’. ‘In the straw’ could also refer to corn not yet threshed, but the context here obviously refers to
childbirth.
16This
young lady was probably related to Winchester natives Colonel John Jenkinson or his brother the
Rt Hon. Charles Jenkinson, whose country house at Addiscombe, Croydon, was frequently visited by
Philip Williams. But she was too old to be Charlotte, the daughter of Charles, by his second wife, whom
he married in 1782, or Fanny, the daughter of John and his wife Frances (née Parker), who were married
in April 1778. Whoever she was, she seems to have met a soldier dal campo, ‘at the camp’, perhaps in
Winchester. In her last paragraph Sarah Williams shows off her knowledge of Italian (see Note 5, Letter
50).
360
Letter 126: Wednesday 16 May, 1787 – from Dr John Gordon at Lincoln, to his stepson,
Philip Williams, in London (WCA/M/PW/384)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
Dear Phil,
Your obliging Letter of the 12th Inst found me safe returnd from my Visitation – and I
take the first opportunity to thank you for its contents - As I had the Home Visitation to hold
the next day, and several fiddle faddle matters about the Election of a Vic[ar] Choral and other
Capitular and domestic concerns to attend to yesterday.
I received your Prebendal Rent1 for the year past at Boston, and mean to remitt it by this
Post in a Bill I must send to Son George whom I shall desire to call upon you with it as soon as
he receives [it]. It is included in a Bank Post Bill No M938 dated 19 th February 1787 and payable
to Chris Smith Esq and endorsed by him. I mention these particulars for use in case of any
failure of the Letter to him.
I shall be perfectly ready to advance the money you mention, and to accept a Bond in the
way you propose as soon as the amount can be ascertained. 2 At present, it seems as if there was
likely to be some mistake. I know not how your Sisters make the balance in my favor to be
£27.17s.6d. I make it only £7.10s.6d – and am afraid of a mistake even in that summe but upon
my word the business has been so long in hand, and there have been such a number of Items to
take into account backwards and forwards, I am far from being clear in the matter, though I
have endeavourd to be as accurate and attentive as I coud. The source from whence they draw
their statement is the same, I apprehend, which I have before me, as I desired them to take a
Copy of the Particulars as enterd in my Book. But it shoud seem as if some disagreement had
happend between the two. You are expected I find both from your account and Fanny’s to
make a visit at Fornham3 during the Whitsun Holidays – When you get them to give the
particulars from whence they form that balance I guess the difference must have arisen in part
from their charging the whole article of £25.10s.6d. brought in by Mr Cole4 for your Admissions
to Copyhold in order to give title, and arrears of Quitrents as payable by you. Whereas of the
latter Item amounting to £11.0s.6d. for 21 years arrears of Quitrents, 16 ½ years at least belong
to me, and I ought to pay 17 for my carelessness in letting my Master Cole 4 steal a March upon
me, and getting the Quitrents paid up to Michaelmas 1785 viz. half a year after the Estate was
sold to him. Mr Wilson’s5 opinion too will of course fall short of what you state it at. Another
condition I must also object to, about the interest bearing date from the payment of the £100 at
Mr Hoare’s.5 It will be time enough in all conscience for the interest to take date from the
payment of the last Item instead of the first. I woud not be a Jew6 my Dear Phil – Especially
with what I consider as my own flesh and blood – Midsummer therefor will be ample extent of
Date, if we live to complete the payments.
You and I see Landed property I perceive in a very different point of view. I think there
is scarce any thing else that deserves the name of property – and am at this moment in treaty for
an Estate in Camb[ridge]s[hire] for the sake of the connection I have had with the County. And
if I had thought you had been in earnest about selling your property at Catlidge7 etc I shoud have
preferred it to all others whatever for the sake of times past, and woud have straind a point by
selling or Mortgaging my Lincolns [sic] purchases to have enabled myself to have given as fair a
price as any one else woud have offerd. You are mistaken too, I think, about College Leases –
361
they yield the best interest of any Estates, that I know of to a purchaser, and are therefor sold to
the greatest disadvantage by the vender. But you have had no reason, I own, to be much attachd
to your property, as you have in fact had little or no benefit from it. However the circumstance,
I think, of your being able to raise Catlidge Farms £15 a year after I had so little before raised
them £25, may shew you the advantage of land. Money may sink in value but it can never rise,
except by some fortuitous or Jew-like hit, 6 which people in your situation coud not avail
themselves of. And you will hardly increase your interest for I am now offerd an Estate to clear
me 4 ½ per cent for my money – which is more than the 5 per cent yield at present the 3 per
cent Consols don’t give 4. But enough of this. You excuse my freedom and unless you can make
much better bargains than has been the case with Doddington, 8 I woud beg you not to think of
selling more Estates – you will always find some friend to save you the expence of receiving and
remitting Rents etc.
I beg leave to congratulate you and Mrs W[illiam]s coming into such near connection
with a Title – I heartily wish that you may yourself be a Lord, even though you shoud not be able
to make Mrs Ws a Lady. I am sorry you think her too brittle for carriage – as I am sure the loss
of her company will be a great drawback upon all your enjoyments at Fornham and I don’t see
where the harm woud be, if she was ever to have an opportunity of giving the Young Married
Lady a lecture on the subject even in a practical way. 3
I give you joy also upon the near prospect you have of a Dissolution; 9 I dont mean of
your body natural, but of the Body politic, with which you are at present so closely connected. I
am glad to hear, that you are so stout and well, as I am assured from all quarters you are. May
you long continue so, to enjoy the good things, which I trust are in store for you and soon likely
to repay you for all your tedious attendance, separation from Wife and family etc. When you
find a little more elbow room in finances, you will take a second thought perhaps about selling
etc.
I have written in a most vehement hurry – I am not
the less sincerely your’s,
My Dear Phil,
J. Gordon
N.B. The Dott[rel]s have been shy of appearing this year. 10
1For
2See
Philip Williams’s prebend of Stow St Mary.
Letter 121 for the details of this tedious business.
3Where
Mrs Anne Gould (née Williams), Philip’s sister, lived with her clergyman husband, whom she had
married only two months earlier; see Note 22, Letter 123. Gordon seems to have stopped calling her
‘Nanny’.
4See
Note 8, Letter 121.
5Unidentified,
but probably a lawyer and a banker.
362
6Anti-Semitic
comments such as these were, of course, commonplace at the time. Jews were seen as
driving hard bargains, but in the next paragraph Gordon shows that he was perfectly able to cut a deal
himself.
7See,
for example, Note 1, Letter 40.
8See,
for example, Note 8, Letter 121.
9He
means, of course, the dissolution of parliament, so that the chaplain Philip Williams could have a
break from opening its sessions with prayers and return to his family in Winchester.
10See
Note 9, Letter 114.
363
Letter 127: Tuesday 10 July, 1787 – from Dr John Gordon at Lincoln, to his stepson,
Philip Williams, at Compton1 (WCA/M/PW/385)
Address panel: To: The Reverend Mr Williams Compton near Winchester. Postmark: IY/12/87.
Dear Phil,
You will think this a very tardy answer to a Letter dated so far back as June 13th.
Especially, as it comes now unaccompanied with that most essential part of Letters of business,
the money remittance.
The reasons of the delay must be stated. This scrambling business about the Sale of
Doddington2 has been so long in hand, and the money had come in by so many different
payments: the outgoings too and claims respecting the same were so various; that a slight
inspection coud not satisfy any one that wishd to be accurate, how the account stood. What
you mentiond, as the supposed balance, from S[is]ter [sister] Anne, I was convinced was
erroneous; and yet as she had a Copy of the Items, to a certain period, enterd in my Book, I coud
not readily account for the difference in the balance between her and me . I saw at one glance
that she must be mistaken, and I mentiond to you, that I thought instead of £27. 10s. 6d., which
she had stated as the balance due to me, the odd summe of £7. 10s. 6d. must be the outside of
my demands, and even of that I was uncertain. Under this uncertainty I was determined to
overhaul the whole. After I had done this, and made a summary abstract of it, to prevent
mistakes I thought it woud be best to send a Copy of it to Anne to be compared with her
Statement, and to prevent the expence of Postage I sent this to G[eorge] for him to convey it to
Fornham,3 and report the result. Upon my examination it appeard, that instead of the
Partnership being indebted to me, I was £17. 12s. 6½d. indebted to it; and to this Anne has
written me word by George that she assents.
When this matter was thus dispatched, I was proceding to remitt you the summe stated
in your letter. But here fresh difficulties arose. For on examining your Statement, I coud not
satisfy myself whether I was to remitt you the money for Mr Grimditch’s4 Bill or to send it
directly to him from hence – your wording of the Item is “Mr Grimditch’s Bill (to be paid)” £16.
9s. 11d. – As by your advancing so immediately the money to Mr Lombe, 5 which I understood
you meant to draw upon me for, I guess’d cash was not directly wanted at Compton; I took the
advice of sending this rescript in order to adjust Preliminaries, or as the deliberate Mynheers6 call
it, by way of pre advice ad referendum. You will therefor give me your immediate directions,
whether I am to send you a Bill for £40. 1s. 6d. which I shall like best, as shortening trouble – or
only £23. 11s. 6d. and remitt the £16. 9s. 11d. to Mr Grimditch, which though less agreeable I
shall be ready to do.
The summe by this means, which you woud have of me, woud be only about £120 – or
accurately £122. 8s. 11d. And as I find by a Letter from Mr Lombe to F[anny] which G[eorge]
brought me, there are offers for purchasing the Estate at Barrington, 7 you may possibly have an
opportunity of selling it to advantage, and this money may be so soon discounted out of the
Price, that it will not be worth while to have the form and expence of a Bond. But if this shoud
not be the case, and you shoud persevere in the design of giving me a Bond, pray discount the
odd money in favor of my Godson8 to buy him a Bible or any other Articles which he may
choose. And at any rate remember, that I cannot accept a Bond, till some form of receipt is
given in discharge of the claim upon the Catlidge Estate9 by me and mine.
364
I sent Mr Lombe all the particulars I knew about the Estate at Barrington. But in answer
to the Query about price, I desired to be excused. I said I coud only say in generel, that I
supposed you and your S[is]ters might expect £1000 for it. I coud not say, that I woud give that
summe for it – but I did say, that if it was mine, unless I wanted money very much indeed, I
woud not part with it for less than £800. And I added a Q[uery] whether, as there were 2
persons desirous of becoming Purchasers, it might not be a promising way of disposing of it, to
put it up to Auction, taking care not to let it go for less than a certain price. I have just now
refused an Estate part Freehold and about 1/3 p[ar]t Copyhold near Barrington let to substantial
Tenants at £120 p[e]r Ann[um] clear of all deductions from Landtax, Quitrents etc which was
offerd me for £2500 or 4½ [per cent] and better clear interest for my money after all charges of
coming in etc and I am on the point of buying another, which will barely yield me 4 per cent
because I like the situation better, and think it is not so hard stretchd upon the Tenant.
I have been planning in my mind a mode of getting you into the Mastership of St Cross 10
– when you might have your wish of the fallentis semita vitae11 in a proper stile. I woud make
the Bp of C Bp of L12 in case of a Vacancy – and then I woud have the Sp[eaker] get his
Chap[lain] made his Landlord, merely to prevent his being disturbed. Woud not this do?
Your Idea of Leaseholds is a pretty general one and makes the chief reason, why
they are bought cheaper in proportion than others, and of course why they are sold cheaper.
They therefor yield better in interest to the Buyer or Holder, than to the Seller. But as it seems
to be sought after, yours may sell to advantage.
I hope Mrs W[illiam]s has happily before this got through the anxious time13 – which I
think your mode of talking of her situation seemd to point out as in expectancy now abouts: if
not yet accomplishd she has my best wishes for every favorable event. George you see above is
arrived, complete with M.A. and Fellow[ship] of St John’s [College, Cambridge] 14 – and what is
better than both, I hope in a very tolerable state of health. The Vicar of Edwinstow 15 is also still
at home. They both desire to join in love and best respects to yourself Mrs Ws and Babes.
I am Dear Phil,
most sincerely Thine,
J. Gordon
P.S. As G[eorge] brought but a bad account of Mrs Cornwall’s16 health, I was afraid to venture at
an enclosure of this under a Cover to St Cross17 - The state of health at Fornham3 is as favorable
from G’s account as one coud wish. I am at present in great anxiety about my Housekeeper,
poor Furbank, who is in a very declining way.
1
Philip Williams, rector of the parish Compton, a short distance from Winchester, has now taken
up residence with his wife Sarah in the parsonage house.
2
See, for example, Note 8, Letter 121.
3
See Note 3, Letter 126.
4
See Note 11, Letter 121.
5
See Note 11, Letter 36.
365
6
Dutch courtesy title for a man. Ad referendeum: a general agreement with details to be settled.
7
See, for example, Note 10, Letter 38.
8
Philip Williams’s namesake son.
9
See, for example, Note 4, Letter 37.
10
The mastership of St Cross Hospital, Winchester (which was like the institution depicted in Trollope’s
The Warden, 1855) was at this time held by Beilby Porteus, who was well known to the Williamses (see
Note 4, Letter 41). In the year following this letter, he became bishop of Chester and was succeeded at St
Cross by the Revd Dr John Lockman. He was an older man than Philip Williams, but otherwise his
background was not compelling. He went up to Balliol College, Oxford, and had an undistinguished
church career. His virtues may have been that he had an Oxford DD and was a canon of Windsor, the
seat of royal influence.
11
He is quoting Horace’s Epistles (Book 1, 18): An secretum iter, et fallentis semita vitae: A quiet journey on the
untrodden paths of life.
12
By this light-hearted riddle he probably means that he would translate Beilby Porteus from Chester to
London (or Lincoln?) and put Philip Williams into the mastership of St Cross, where he would thereby
become the lessor of Prior’s Barton House, Winchester, where his Westminster patron, Speaker Cornwall,
lived.
13
She was pregnant.
14
See Note 6, Letter 113.
15
See Note 17, Letter 121.
16
The wife of Speaker Cornwall, Philip Williams’s patron.
17
See Note 12 above. He is eschewing free postage.
18
See Note 3, Letter 126.
366
Letter 128: Saturday, 22 September, 1787– from Dr John Gordon at Lincoln, to his
stepson, Philip Williams, at Compton (WCA/M/PW/386)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
My Dear Phil,
What can be said to a loss like thine?1 Common topics of human comfort woud be
mockery! The Hand that gave the stroke can alone alleviate its force! May that Great Being give
you the aid of his comfort! Though He may seem at present to have forgotten to be gracious,
yet you have heretofore experienced the help of his goodness; or you might have left one still
less able than yourself to have struggled with the weight of a similar calamity! Poor worthy
woman! She appeard almost to have foreseen that she shoud not be sufferd long to be with you;
she was so loth to be a moment from you. Oh Phil, my heart bleeds for thee! May an addition
of health and life be allotted to you to keep you long in a situation to protect and provide for
those dear pledges, that are trusted to your care! Your Sisters, if that woud lessen it, will take
their full share of your sorrow. Fanny [Frances Williams] had been kind enough to promise me
her company at Lincoln this Autumn. But I take it for granted her attention will now be directed
another way, if she finds she can be of any use. If that woud do, few, I believe, woud find more
friends ready to participate their grief, than you. But, Alass! what are friends to supply the loss of
one of quite another description! Miserable comforters at best! Some grievous mischance may
seem to have preceded this event. But let me not tax your feelings. I shall learn all such
untoward circumstances fast enough another way. If I offer no interposition on my own part, it
is only because I really know not what to do. May God keep you under his mercifull protection,
and give you grace and strength to support the burthen his Providence has been pleased to lay
upon you! And may you have a more powerful Advocate, and Comforter, than such a frail
unworthy Sinner, as he who now presumes to offer up his feeble prayers for you, and yet is most
truly,
Dear Phil,
Your sincere and sympathizing Friend,
J. Gordon
P.S. Your Brother Ch[arles] who is still with me2 desires me to express his sincere concern on
this melancholy occasion. And I shall communicate the unwelcome news to G[eorge] by this
Post. I have received a very friendly answer from the Master of Xts. Coll.3 on the subject you
mentiond with a wish, that I shoud write to him about. And I was only waiting till I learnt,
under what cover I might convey his letter to you for your inspection. It is not an absolute
engagement, but it is a favorable promise to remember the application. It may now keep till
better times – sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.4
1Philip
Williams’s wife, Sarah, died aged 30 three days before this letter, on 19 September 1787, according
to her memorial in Compton church.
2He
clearly had not yet taken up residence at either of his two livings, to which he had been collated on
successive days in March. See also Note 17, Letter 121.
367
3Christ’s
College, Cambridge, whose master at the time was John Barker, who had graduated in the same
year as John Gordon (Cambridge Calendar, 1808, p. 96) and also came from the same part of country, from
the Northeast. The nature of the ‘application’ is unknown, but Barker was a friend, or became a friend, of
Philip Williams. Much later, in a letter of 1800, visiting Cambridge, he wrote (WCA/M/PW/99): ‘…I was
engaged to dine and pass the remainder of the day with my old friend the Master of Christ’s.’ Elsewhere
he refers to ‘Aunt Barker’s’, so there may have been a family link (see WCA/M/PW/118).
4Matthew
6:34.
368
Letter 129: Saturday, 26 April 1788 – from Dr John Gordon at Lincoln, to his stepson,
Philip Williams, in London (WCA/M/PW/387)
Address panel: For: The Revd Mr Williams, By favor. Postmark: None.
My Dear Phil,
You will think perhaps I have taken sufficient interest for the delay you thought it
necessary to apologize for in answering my last Letter. The interval from the 18 th of January will
bring it to Horace’s “toto non quater anno”1 if the remainder be not filld up by a shorter
measure. The fact however is, that whilst Fanny [Frances Williams] was with me her
correspondence with you amply supplied all information on either side, that coud have been
obtaind by a more direct intercourse. And since she left me, I have been able either by her or
George [Gordon] to learn and to communicate every thing either about your or myself which
seemd material. I say this, though I trust it is unnecessary, to prevent any suspicion of my not
taking a due share of interest about you. That same quotation, which you give me from
Casaubon,2 as far at least as respects the first part, “sum olii [otii?] amantissimus,” I apprehend,
might be adopted by a large proportion of mankind, and will apply to almost all the literary class
at least. But if you are too young to allow such a sentiment to lay much hold upon you, I do not
like neither to see you take so early a dislike to Kings and Courts. Instead of abandoning the
defence I attempted by way of reconciling you to the Minister’s conduct,3 however little I liked it,
I coud with great truth say, that unlearned as I am in such practices, I shoud have understood the
word practicable precisely in the sense, in which it appears the Minister meant it. Any adjective
in such a case almost necessarily implies an abatement of the promise. And this in particular
almost literally means, as soon as I have it in my power, or can do it consistently with other
claims or previous engagements; and is only a softer way of saying it cannot be in the first
instance, nor perhaps in the second. But all men as well as ministers, to give direct refusals, feel
a sort of natural reluctance. There is no occasion to make a man uneasy before we must, if we
can avoid it without encouraging false hopes. You might flatter yourself to be sure under such a
conditional term [?], that you shoud be provided for in the first instance, because you might, if
you pleased suppose the Minister to be omnipotent in such matters. But he might know
otherwise, though he did not choose to derogate from his supposed power expressly. And the
promise certainly was not direct but under condition. I shoud have understood a Dean, using
such language, though ours has no more to do in such appointments as you mention, than I
myself have, in the same sense as I shoud have done the Minister, or a Cobler if I had askd his
vote against the next election. When I say this, I woud be thought to have felt no concern at
your disappointment. I believe, except your Sisters, no person living was more anxious for your
success; or felt more uncomfortably at the late report, which I had from Friend Hodgson, and
circulated through F[anny] and G[eorge] though I had in part reconciled myself even to that, as I
had persuaded myself, that it woud not be a naked offer, but attended with a promise of
bettering it on the first opportunity: and so had planned a scheme in my own mind for meeting
you at your installation, and was calculating how many Cathedrals I might by that means contrive
to see. However I hope all is for the best. I can speculate about various advantages, that may
arise from the delay, however unpleasant it may be at present. Even the irritating your mind
against Ministers may tend to weaken other impressions. This made me think of the word
“aequam” [favorable] instead of “sanam” [healthy] as a better epithet for “mentem” [mind].
369
I am happy to hear from all quarters, that your health continues good and your spirits
improve. I heartily pray for their perfect restoration. I took a pleasure in Dr Warton’s
appointment to a Stall at Winchester,4 though a stranger, on account of his kindness to you, as
well as his other merits.
You have learnt from others, how kind Providence has been to me in the opportunities I
have had of placing both my Sons in a state of independence at least, by my own patronage, as
soon as, they were in a capacity of accepting preferment.5 And I trust under the same good
Providence Charles [Gordon] will be or rather is better impressd about his duty, than I was
afraid he woud be. As to Sunday Schools,6 I consider [them] as mere namby pamby play things
both for greater and lesser children. I of course take no share in setting them forward. However
I can truly wish them that success, which I fear they will never have, in the reformation of
manners. Something of more force will be necessary and shoud be used for this purpose.
I am greatly alarmed about George. I am afraid from his own account, as well as that of
a friend, who has seen him, that he is in a very threatening situation. I have written to desire he
woud either go down to Cambridge immediately, to try his native air, or come directly hither.
And unless some favorable turn takes place, I wish when you see him, that you woud enforce the
advice. London will not do for him – and he must not throw away his life in compliance with
punctilio.7 Pray tell him, if you call, that I have received his Letter this Evening and heartily pray,
that his advancement in the Ministry, of which I congratulate him, may be attended with an
addition of health and strength to perform the dutuies of it. I hear all things go on well at
Fornham.8 I herewith enclose you one of our Lincoln B[ank] Bills value eleven pounds, payable
at Messrs Smith etc9 in liquidation of the Year’s Rent of your Prebend of Stow [St Mary] up to
Lady Day last, which I received from your Lessee Mr [Henry Hare Hart]10 at Boston
[Lincolnshire] in the course of my late Visitation – and hope it will arrive safe – in hazard of
missing the Post, as it is just ten o’clock,
I am Dear Phil,
Most truly your’s,
J. Gordon
1He
is quoting Horace’s Satires (Book 2, No.3): Si raro scribes, ut toto non quarter anno…: If hardly once a
quarter of a year, so idle grown, a single sheet appear…
2He
is referring to Casaubon’s edition of Polybius (see Chapter 4 of the book associated with these
transcripts, The Speaker’s Chaplain & The Master’s Daughter).
3This
long passage seems to concern a request for patronage from ‘the Minister’ (Pitt the Younger?) by
Philip Williams, after serving for four years as chaplain to the House of Commons. He was almost
certainly seeking a stall at one of the more lucrative cathedrals, and was eventually rewarded with one at
Canterbury on 7 May 1789.
4Dr
Joseph Warton, Headmaster of Winchester College, had been installed a prebendary of Winchester
on the day before the date of this letter.
5His
son Charles had started to benefit from his patronage in the previous year (see Note 17, Letter 121),
and it was now George’s turn. He was ordained priest on the day before this letter, and in the following
370
July was given the rectorship of Gumley, Leicestershire, which was of course in the diocese of Lincoln. It
was the first of many such preferments engineered by his father and others.
6In
the 1780s the idea of teaching the children of the working poor on a Sunday gained ground. It was
largely the work of Robert Raikes, philanthropist and publisher of the Gloucester Journal. Gordon’s
comments probably reflect the fear that giving ordinary people the 3Rs would change the social order –
which, of course it did.
7A
minute detail, a formality (OED).
8See
Note 3, Letter 126.
9See
Note 2, Letter 68.
10See
Note 4, Letter 114.
371
Letter 130: Thursday, 12 June 1788 – from Dr John Gordon at Lincoln, to his stepson,
Philip Williams, in London (WCA/M/PW/388)
Address panel: To: The Reverend Mr Williams. Postmark: None.
My Dear Phil,
I ought to have paid an earlier acknowledgment for your last favor of the 1 st of May: and
certainly shoud not have faild to have done it, if I had had as much pleasure in writing an answer
as in reading your Letter.
The fact is, I never was very fond of writing for it’s own sake.1 And I cannot say, that my
affection for it has been encreased by having so much of it forced upon me through business of
one sort or other, which seems to be more, if it be not really so, as my alacrity for the dispatch of
it is diminishd.
I trust I was not so impertinent as to find fault with any expression of dissatisfaction,
which disappointment might not only extort, but in some degree authorise. I only wishd to
soften the edge of your feelings, and to blunt a little the sharpness of resentment.2 When one
has been sailing through a troubled sea, and had just arrived in sight of the haven, where one
woud be, to be then driven back, though in no hazard of a shipwreck, but only to experience a
little more unpleasant beating about in the road, before one can make the port, cannot but be
attended with unpleasant sensations. Only as you had had your mind sufficiently agitated before,
I was sorry to see this or any new disturbance laying such hold of the spirits, as to threaten an
inroad upon your candor and good temper: and therefor tried to mitigate matters by such
abatements, as suggested themselves. As to the Retainers of Ambition, I have no doubt, but that
they are frequently led to step aside from the direct path. It is well if the obliquity be only small,
and they turn short from getting into Cross Roads. I assure you, I have never been retaind as an
Advocate for them. And shall be most happy to see them gratify your wishes and your claims. I
cannot discover why you shoud relinquish the farther prospects, which your situation may open
to you: though probably the Plan you sketch out for your future operations may yield as ample a
return of comfort and satisfaction, as beating the hoof of expectation at the Levees of the Great.
The system of visiting 30 Families to Dinner in the Country does not exactly fall in with my ideas
of retirement.3
You have paid more attention to my critique on your verses,4 than it deserves, I am
afraid. I believe, I am rather fastidi{ous}. But my opinion is, unless such an effusion be neat
and easy, it had better be suppressed. And I have strong doubts still on severel points. As first,
whether the want of an accusative case, descriptive of the subject, can, in the language of School
Grammar, be understood after “Deflevere”. 2ndly I do not like either “Caelicolum” or “Angelico”
in the 4th line, nor indeed the whole sentiment. It does not suggest any idea in aid of “Deflevere”
which marks the topic. The sentiment after the eulogy in [the] 3rd line shoud seemingly rather be
something to this effect, that the selfish tear falls for ourselves not her. 3rdly I decidedly object to
“Tulit” in the sense of “Abstulit” I woud rather offend against the tense, and make it “idem
aufert”. 4thly I think “inanis” too tame for the following correction in the 6th line – improbus or
some such word, as “questus tamen improbus absit”, woud apparently better deserve the check,
that properly follows. 5thly I have a similar doubt about the Latinity of “Cara” without a
Substantive, either preceding or following. I believe there is the Authority of Bp Lowth5 for it:
but I recollect no other: leaving out the “aeternum” after “vale”, you might have Conjux cara
372
vale, or “Femina cara” spelt as you please; “quae” follows rather at too great a distance, and the
sentiment appears to want a little softening, as being somewhat too direct and positive: altering
the case of “soluta” and inserting “liceat” with an interjection after “Numine” or some such
contrivance might abate the strength of the affirmation, and the latter penthaminer [?] might
stand nearly as it does “jam propiore frui”. The stop after “Solere”, shoud be only a comma, for
fear of a mistaken reference in reading to a preceding Vocative case, instead of the following
one. You see what it is to submitt ones {s}entiments to such a censor. I join however most
cordially [in] the concluding Prayer for you and yours: and hope both yourself and Babes
continue well. I beg leave at the same time to congratulate with you on Dear Anne’s account
and the happy event at Fornham.6 Fanny [Frances Willliams] I fear will suffer for her too great
interest on the occasion. I had a letter from Charles [Gordon] this morning, who states his
having been not well again – but talks of coming over to attend the Bishop’s Visitation here next
week – George [Gordon] you know more about that I do: but I trust he is better.
I observe the Law arrangements, which you announced, are beginning to take place.
And the trial of Hastings seems to have overset, as he foresaw, the Chancellor.7 Was the illness
of Mr [Richard Brinsley] Sh[eridan] Theatrical or Oratorical?8 It is well, that words break no
bones, or else poor Hastings coud not have, I think, a whole one in his skin. But what a farce
after all is this hubbub? For what is to be the end? Is not the receiver as bad, as the thief?
Unless they confine the crime to private peculation, shoud not they make either the E[ast] I[ndia]
Company or the Nation at large refund: or is Hastings to pay and be punishd both for himself
and them? His crime appears to me to have been the saving of India. If he had lost it as some
other great men did America; He might have been honord and rewarded like them. As the E. I.
Company was the ruin of the Party. The Party are trying to be even with it. I wonder only that
Mr P[itt] woud suffer such a Mountebank stage be kept for a parcel of Quack Politicians and
bawling Orators at the public expence?
I suppose you are now looking for an unyoking every day. I was willing to catch you
before you broke-up. I heartily wish you every comfort both in present and in prospect! And I
am
Dear Phil,
Thine most truly and affectionately,
J. Gordon
I hope the Speaker is well and his Lady better – and I thank you for your congratulations on
Charles and George’s success.9
1An
odd statement, as all his letters are extremely wordy.
2See
Letter 129. Philip Williams, no doubt mourning the loss of his young wife, is craving advancement.
Gordon is playing the role of a father.
3Surely
a joke, or did he really have such a desperate plan, like a travelling salesman?
4Presumably
concerning verses or a dedication he was writing in memory of his wife. None of Gordon’s
comments mesh with the wording on the dedication on Sarah’s memorial tablet in Compton church,
which reads:
373
H. S. E.
Faemina si quae alia omni
Praeconio major.
Quam flevere omnes: gravius tamen ipse superstes
Cui sociam dederat connubialis amor.
O foveas. orbaeque adsis. DEUS OPTIME. proli.
Ut MATREM referant moribus. ingenio.
Obiit SARAH WILLIAMS
Die Sept. 19. 1787
Anno aetat. 30.
5Presumably
Robert Lowth (1710-1787), who was bishop of London, professor of poetry at Oxford and a
notable biblical scholar. He was a Wykehamist and his father, William, a Winchester prebendary. He
published The Life of William of Wykeham, but his most successful work was A Short Introduction to English
Grammar (see van Ostade, I. T-B., The Bishop’s Grammar, 2010, Oxford).
6The
birth of a namesake daughter to Anne Gould (née Williams), John Gordon’s step-daughter, who had
recently married Theodore Gould, rector of Fornham All Saints, Suffolk. In 1816, the year after the death
of her father, Ann Gould jr married Dr William Webb, the newly appointed master of Clare Hall (later
named Clare College), Cambridge, who had been instituted to the living of her father. See also Note 3,
Letter 126.
7Edward
Thurlow (1731-1806), 1st baron Thurlow, lord chancellor, whose company Philip Williams had
enjoyed during his time in London (see Note 5, Letter 108).
8He
was deeply involved in the long drawn out indictment of Warren Hastings, the governor-general of
Bengal, for robbing the begums of Oudh of their treasure. He was impeached in 1787 and acquitted in
1795. In February 1787, Sheridan gave a five-an-a-half hour speech in favout of impeachment and then in
June 1788 at the trial, made another speech, spread over ten days (3 to13 June). At the end of this
marathon he famously swooned into the arms of Edmund Burke, with the words: ‘My Lords, I have
done’. In 1795 Sheridan married Hester Jane Ogle (‘Hecca’), daughter of the dean of Winchester.
9He
is being economical with the truth, as their ‘success’ was almost entirely due to his influence (see, for
example, Note 5, Letter 129.
374
Letter 131: Thursday, 21 May 1789 – from Dr John Gordon at Lincoln, to his stepson,
Philip Williams, in London (WCA/M/PW/389)
Address panel: To: The Reverend Mr Williams at Compton near Winchester. LINCOLN.
Postmark: MA/23/89.
My Dear Phil,
It is with the truest pleasure I can now congratulate you on being in full possession of
the Stall at Canterbury, and the Master Honours House there.1 Long may you happily enjoy
both the profit and the honours thereunto annext! You will have heard from Fanny [Frances
Williams], long before of the joy we had in the nomination. No two people almost, out of the
K[ing]’s family, coud take a more sincere interest, than she and I did in his Majesty’s recovery. I
we had any selfish view in the event, I believe it was on your account. We had the most
thorough reliance on Mr Pitt’s performance of his promise in your favor; and we were persuaded
there woud be so many ravenous crows to satisfy on the other side, that it woud be impossible
for the new Party not to avail themselves of the pretence, that Mr Pitt’s promise was no
obligation on them. They were not bound to supply his omissions. The Regent too had not
been addressed in favor of their Chaplain by the H[ouse of Commons]. We did feel therefor
most comfortably happy at the favorable change, and consequent event. I am particularly glad
too to see the improved stile of thy letter writing. I hope it will beget a chearfullness of mind, to
which you have long been a stranger, though very congenial to thy natural feelings. I thank you
most heartily for seeing in so kind a light the observations I ventured to make on a subject in the
course of our correspondence, sufficiently irksome of itself without being made more irritating
by any apparent want of due sympathy from others. I trusted however to you experienced
goodness of temper; in which I have a sincere satisfaction at finding I was not deceived. It will
be better I am persuaded, haec olim meminisse,2 when the mind is more composed.
You give so captivating an account of you Master Honours, that if you had not a great
deal more virtue that I have, you woud not be long before you made it your own habitation.
However as virtue depends greatly upon the strength of temptation, I want to cover my own
weakness in some degree under the suspicion, that you are not so strongly impressd by pealing
organs and the long drawn aisles of a Cathedral as I am. If I like however and am well enough to
engage in such a journey, you will scarce escape a visit from me on your first residence, unless
they throw you into the depth of winter, no unlikely matter; or I shoud be tied by the leg myself
at the time I shoud indeed have liked better to have seen you at your own house, than that of
another. However as one of the pleasantest schemes I ever had in my life was to see you, I have
no doubt to make matters out very well at an Inn for a few days, especially if I can get Fanny or
George to be of the party. I do not much affect forming new acquaintance with strangers. I
have an old Friend at Canterbury too, Dr Packe,3 Physician, whom if living, I shoud be happy to
see.5 The very contemplation of such a plan will afford no mean degree of pleasure, whether it
ever be accomplished or not. I coud furnish that Gallery and study early with Books; I have
bought near 2 thousand volumes of one sort or other lately. But I must leave the reading of
them to my Heirs.
I am just returnd from a journey of another kind, not undertaken directly for pleasure,
and seldom disappointing the undertaker with more than he expected of that quality. I had an
375
opportunity of seeing your Steward Mr Calthrop,4 and inviting him to dine with me at Boston.
He tells me he means to write to you soon. He says, you have lost your tenant, but he has
procured you another very good one. I received also your Prebendal year’s rent5 for you; not
indeed quite of the amount what we may hope you will soon receive from your new Stall: though
in the mean time it may help to fill a corner of a pocket exhausted by Fees journies etc in your
approach to a better. And on that presumption I take the liberty of enclosing one of our Lincoln
Bank Bills value eleven pounds, payable at Messrs Smith Payne and Smiths Banker6 in London at
ten days after sight to me or order, not doubting you will (in the mercantile phrase) honor the
acceptance. I found your Letter and an accumulation of others on my return home, not so
pleasant to answer. Fanny, you woud know, left me a day or two before my setting out. And I
have had the pleasure of hearing from her, that she got well to Cambridge proposed visiting
Aunt Bell [Heleonara Theabella] for a Day on Monday last, and setting off the next morning for
Fornham.7 She is of the Crusoe8 Family “of a roving disposition” and has such accumulated
attentions to pay, that it is difficult for her to satisfy all demands. I however have no reason to
complain though I own, with too much selfishness I wishd to have detaind her longer. One is
particularly loth at my time of life to part with Friends, lest one shoud not see them again. I am
obliged to you for your remembrance of Charles [Gordon], which I shall not fail to
communicate, when I have an opportunity. I am afraid he is in a very precarious state of health,
though I believe now perfectly serious and well impressd. He is but an indifferent
correspondent, and not a much better visitor.
I am truly sorry for poor Hodg’s loss.9 I hope you woud find all your little folks well, or
hear at the least, that they were so. Yes, my Friend Beadon is at last a Bp and I am glad of it.
We once liked one another very well. I only thought Nanny [Mrs Anne Gould, née Williams]
shoud have been the Bishopess. But perhaps she is as happy.10 Some Friends at Cambridge
think I ought to succede him at Jesus Lodge.11 Such a situation once woud have been most highly
acceptable and to be nearer George might still perhaps have it’s temptations, if offerd
handsomely, though I shoud not be very fond of the bustle now. The Yorke Family12 certainly
owe me as much if promises were to give a title. But they have deferred payment so long
without any demand on my part, that doubt they may plead the Stature. This Mastership is in
the gift of the Bp of Ely. Pray what becomes of my friend Poly [written in large letters]13 in all this
interval? I beg my love to Godson,14 and all the little ones – kind remembrances to the Elyotts,15
when they fall in your way – and believe me to be, my Dear Phil,
Yours most sincerely and affectionately,
J. Gordon
P.S. I wish I coud have sent my dispatch to have met you in Town, but I was afraid it woud be
too late!
Philip Williams was installed as the 11th prebendary of Canterbury on 7 May. His prebendal house was
probably Meister Omer’s House, built in the 15th century and now a boarding house of the King’s
School, Canterbury. He had obtained his stall at a very turbulent time at Westminster. His patron Speaker
Cornwall died in the January and was succeeded as a stopgap by Grenville, who appointed Charles Moss
(1763-1811) his chaplain (later he became bishop of Oxford). George III was suffering one of his bouts
of insanity, but recovered in February (Hague, 2004, Chapter 13). This was much more than an awkward
event; it threatened the very government, since if the Prince of Wales had gained power he would
probably have championed Fox at the expense of Pitt. So, Philip obtained his preferment just in time.
1
376
2He
is quoting Aeneid (1.203): haec olim meminisse iuvabit: One day this will be pleasing to remember.
3Dr
Christopher Packe, the son of a namesake physician and cartographer (G. Goodwin, rev. G Hudson,
‘Christopher Packe’, ODNB), went up to Peterhouse, Cambridge, the same college as John Gordon, and
graduated MD from there in 1751.
4See
Note 7, Letter 38.
5For
6See
his stall at Lincoln.
Note 2, Letter 68.
7See,
for example, Note 3, Letter 126.
8Defoe’s
9See
classic Robinson Crusoe was published in 1719.
Note 1, Letter 45.
10See
Note 15, Letter 17.
11He
might well have had a good chance. The new master elected in July was William Pearce, an
undistinguished career churchman, later dean of Ely.
12See
Note 3, Letter 80.
13See
Note 11, Letter 74.
14Philip
15See,
Williams’s namesake son.
for example, Note 9, Letter 64.
377
Letter 132: Wednesday, 4 November 1789 - Lovelace Bigg at Chilton Foliat, Wiltshire, to
Philip Williams at an unknown place (WCA/M/PW/357)
Address panel: None. Postmark: None.
Dear Williams,
With little curiosity you have much Friendship. You will therefore be glad to hear that Mr
[William] Wither has left me [£]1500 richer than he needed to have done.1
Presuming you may hear my acquisition much magnified, assert confidently, and from
the best authority, that I have not got a year more clear spending money than I had before. The
estate is however certainly improvable, though to what extent I cant say. May I survive your
dark-named kindred2 and have it in my power to return your hearty congratulations.
That every blessing may attend you and yours is the sincere prayer of yours
L Bigg
The girls desire to be remembered.3
He inherited the Manydown estate on the death of William Wither on 31 October 1789, four days
before the date of this letter. It descended to him from his grandmother Dorothy, née Wither, due to
failure of the Wither family to produce male heirs (Bigg-Wither, 1907). See also VCH Hampshire, Vol. 3,
239-242.
1
This may be a reference to the Blackstone family, with whom the writer was connected by the marriage
of his cousin Sir William Blackstone to Sarah Clitheroe, a sister of his first wife, and Philip Williams by a
'kindred' fellow at Winchester, namely, Charles Blackstone (admitted in 1748 and again in 1788).
2
His unmarried daughters, Margaret, who in 1792 married Charles Blackstone (son of a namesake father,
mentioned in Note 2 above), Jane, who in 1795 married John Awdry, Dorothy, who in 1793 at the age of
22 died unmarried, Elizabeth, who in 1799 married William Heathcote (and, after she was widowed,
rented, with Alethea Bigg, Philip Williams's prebendal house in Winchester), Catherine, who in 1808
married the Revd A Hill, and Alethea, who died unmarried in 1847 (Bigg-Wither, 1907, Pedigree VI).
3
378
Letter 133: Thursday, 25 February 1790 - Lovelace Bigg Wither at Chilton Foliat,
Wiltshire, to Philip Williams at, Compton, near Winchester (WCA/M/PW/358)
Address panel: Revd Philip Williams Compton Winchester by London. Postmark: FE 26.
HUNGER[FORD]
Dear Williams,
I have delayed answering yours, hoping to have ascertained my motions with more
precision. That is not however quite in my power. My attendance at the Assizes remaining
fixed; from whence I ought to go to Manydown. But the day of going, & how long I shall there
be detained is uncertain. Nothing I see can keep me beyond Thursday; but that is too late in the
week to press your meeting me at Chilton, if indeed you cannot be spared from your own
Church more than one Sunday. Should this, which I doubt, be really the case, I had rather have
your company the Monday following. If you will follow my advice, you shall defer your visit to
Manydown till the Summer. Neither the place, as it is now at this season; nor its present
inhabitants will contribute much to your amusement. Some months hence, to talk over future
arrangements for the spot where my ancestors have vegetated at least four hundred years, where
I expect (no small compliments to my Ecclesiastical Landlords) to sleep out the remainder of my
days in an independant situation, will be a pleasure to me –
[verso]
I cannot conclude without forming a conjecture, which may savor somewhat of Family
vanity, that I am certainly in some degree allied to Cain.
The only two anecdotes the Heralds have preserved of the Withers1 are that a Lancashire
Knight of that name fled the Kingdom (about Edward the Second’s time) for killing Sir John
Holland; & his Grandson was finally drove out of the North for a similar exploit on a Sir Robert
Worsley. The Monks of St Swithin took compassion on their Penitent, & fixed him at
Manydown; originally, I take it, as their Steward. Gradually the family secured a firmer
possession. In the Civil War they from Tenants became Lords of the Soil. This unrighteous
purchase was however given up at the Restoration. Yet still I owe some obligation to the
sagacity if not to the integrity of my old Ancestor Vellum knocking out the brains of the Head of
the Worsleys & cheating the Church, may be even now thought rather venial offences.
Enough of this foolerey, & believe me
Ever yrs
L B Wither
My daughters join me in comp[limen]ts.2
1
See Note 1, Letter 132.
2
See Note 3, Letter 132.
THE END OF THE TRANSCRIPTS
379