ANNE SE YMO UR DAME R

A

1 7 4 8 - 1 8 2 8

B Y

P E R C Y N O B L E

L O N D O N

'

A L R H T NE R LTD. K E GA P U T E C RUB co . N , N ,

D DE HO S E RRARD S E E W N E G T T . RY U , R , 1 9 0 8 E inb ur h and A CO NST AB LE Pri nters to His Ma e st d g T . j y RED ERI CK RSK I N J O H NSTO N MRS . F E E

I N T R O D U C T I O N

NNE E M UR WA b e tte r A S Y O CON Y , or as she is k n wn r o , Anne Seymou Damer, has more than ordinary claims to live in History ; during her long and eventful life , she was the centre of a circle in which rank , wealth , fashion and science were all gathered together . She was not only the friend of artistic and literary people , but was a sculptor of no mean repute , and , although she w a s has left no literary record , she a well

u read woman , a st dent of Herodotus , Pliny , and

Virgil , and possessed one of the finest libraries in London .

n Her life is a pleasant o e to look back on .

Irreproachable in moral character , she was of a fascinating and amiable disposition showing an exemplary patience during the short period of her unhappy married life . From the date of her

’ to husband s tragic death , her life seems have been unclouded by any troubles except the death of her beloved parents .

v ii ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

At a very early age she showed strong literary

to and artistic talent . In regard her art she was extremely ambitious She is one of the few women in the history of the world who has taken up the hammer and chisel , and , although her work may n ow appear rather rough and

was unfinished , in her day her success highly praised . Whatever her rank in art may be ,

o f her position in society was , excellent ; a gay

t she and lively disposi ion , chose her friends from

s s o every clas , and not much for their rank and

a s . station , for their talents and high character

Although her father , General Conway (a man of strong character) , was devoted to her , he and her mother were prevented from taking the personal interest in her education , which they

w to other ise would have taken , owing their frequent absences from England during a great

of wa part her childhood . She s therefore con s tantl of y left under the care Horace Walpole ,

’ f who wa s her ather s devoted friend and cousin , responsible for the soundness of her early train

he r ing , and watched over dawning intellect with the greatest solicitude .

Mrs wa s f ff . . Damer a woman o strong a ection viii INTRODUCTION

For her father, whom , with her usual enthusiasm , she to she was wont magnify into a hero , had

to great admiration ; her mother, whom at her

’ a she to father s de th took live with her , and upon whom she lavished much care and atten

l she tion, until death broke the filial ink , was ff always dutiful and a ectionate . Among those

who claimed her friendship , besides Horace

Walpole , were the Misses Berry and their father ,

David Hume , the historian , Sir William and

Lady Hamilton , Lord Nelson , Napoleon and

Josephine de Beauharnais , Queen Charlotte , the

Princess of Wales , afterwards Queen Caroline ,

Charles James Fox , Georgiana , the beautiful

of Duchess Devonshire , Sir Joshua Reynolds ,

Cos wa s . Garrick and his wife , the y , Mrs Siddons , F Miss arren , who became Countess of Derby ,

Ce ra cchi and Bacon , the sculptors , from whom

u she took lessons , Erasm s Darwin , the poet ,

and Canova .

In whatever Mrs . Damer undertook , we find an amount of daring and spirit which is quite

uncommon amongst ordinary women . Although she had associated with and received some ih

struction from David Hume , then in the height ix ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER of she too n to his Toryism , was far e thusiastic

she be a Tory , and when quite young became an ardent Whig . Conceiving that a great name and even great ( work may be achieved by a

o f woman , she despised the mere distinction noble descent ; she never lost an Opportunity m of warming and exercising her enthusias , and it was this spirit that made her s o active a Whig .

r r of s o M s . Dame lived in a period history full

of she remarkable events , that in her old age was able to look back upon her life as an interesting drama which had been played before her eyes ; during this eventful time she had seen all the vicissitudes of war and revolution in other

own countries, and in her country great social changes which she had vie wed with the eyes of

a most intelligent spectator .

she Had only preserved her letters and papers , how interesting might the memoir of this remark

' she able woman have been Unfortunately , left instructions that all her papers and letters shoul d be destroyed at her death it has therefore been

difficult to trace the events of her interesting life . This short biographical sketch has been arranged INTRODUCTION from a few autograph letters a nd papers lent by

’ Dam e r s connections of Mrs . and others , and from biographies and memoirs of her contemporaries , all of whom appear to have appreciated the charm of her influence, and to have held her in great admiration . The following works have been used for reference , and in some cases extracts have been made from them

’ Hor a ce Wa l ole s Le tter s p .

’ a m L t All n Cunningha s ives of Pa in ers .

’ La d Ma r C ke s Le tt o er s . y y , edited by the Hon 1 9 8 . . . 8 J A Home , Le tters of La dy S a r a h L ennoa: to La dy

’ S usa n O B r ien , by the Countess of Ilchester

Sta v rd l o a e 1 9 0 2 . and Viscount ,

u eens o S ocie t . . Q f y, by G and P . Wharton

’ Le tter s of Ma d a me D Ar bla y (Fanny Burney) .

Le tter s a nd Dia r o Miss B err y f y, by Lady

Theresa Lewis .

The Cr eeve Pa er s y p , edited by Sir Herbert

Maxwell .

a r o M Ph li L bbe -P di The Di rs . i ow s y f p y y , e ted

lim n n . C . . e s o by Mrs E T . E R RA T A

Pa e 1 1 ne s 1 1 and 1 r 1 4 r a 4 7 o 7 1 e d 1 7 7 . g , li , f

1 1 ne 18 or 1 4 1 7 5 read 746 . , li , f

23 on a ou at the nd of arw c . C w y H se was situate d e W i k S re e now ca e ar c House S re e e a n t t, ll d W wi k t t, l di g

from C ockspur Stre et to Carlton House T errace .

56 n 26 r rs r ars e s e o o e s ea d e . , li , f h h

77 ne 1 9 or e s e rea d re e . , li , f th th

8 4 oo no e r ro hin e e ro hio o Ve c o r a d V cc . , f t t , f C O N T E N T S

CHAPTE R

INTRODUCTION ,

1 HE R . BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD,

I L HE R E FATH R,

HE R M E III . OTH R, L IV. GIR HOOD,

v S E . IN OCI TY,

HE R E VI . MARRIAG ,

’ HE R S S E VII . HU BAND D ATH ,

HE R W VIII . IDOWHOOD,

I x HE R . ART ,

T HE WE S M S E E E E E x . T IN T R L CTION AND PRIVAT TH ATRICALS

x E S W T HE M SE E 1 . FRI ND HIP ITH IS S B RRY

x11 . S LI BON,

X M E III . AT HO ,

XI V E . D ATH OF LORD ORFORD ,

xv E S E . FRI ND HIP WITH N LSON ,

XVI . S W E L TRA B RRY HIL ,

X VII . PARIS,

’

HE R M E S E . X . VIII OTH R D ATH ,

E E S E 1 . x x L AV STRAWB RRY HILL,

E xx . YORK HOUS ,

XX I . THE S E S HE R E LA T Y AR OF LIF ,

E X IND ,

XIII

I L L U S T R A T I O N S

E Fron tis iece PORTRAIT, BY ANG LICA KAUFMANN, p

E L To a ce a e 1 COOMB BANK, K NT, FROM AN O D PRINT, f p g

L AT I ME RS E 3 , BUCKINGHAMSHIR ,

E - THE E E W S . 10 FI LD MAR HAL HON H NRY S YMOUR CON AY,

E E E 1 5 PARK PLAC , B RKSHIR , FROM AN OLD PRINT,

O F E E O F AI LE S BURY BUST CAROLIN , COUNT SS , BY E S E ME ANN YMOUR DA R,

E -SE E SH LL AT AT STRAWB RRY HILL,

E W ME ANN CONWAY ITH DAVID HU ,

S I R J S E L S PORTRAIT BY O HUA R YNO D ,

T HE E SE E S E M ABB Y HOU OF MILTON, DORS T HIR , FRO

AN OLD PRINT,

E E SE S E 1 768 PORTRAIT AT CAM HOUS , DOR T HIR , , — E AS T HE SE O F E G . C E RACCHI STATU MU SCULPTUR , BY , THE SE IN BRITISH MU UM,

E E PORTRAIT, FROM A PRINT AFT R ANG LICA KAUF 18 10 MANN, , W E CO S AY R A . PORTRAIT , FROM A MINIATUR BY R . , . ,

E E E E E E STATU OF G ORG III . , BY ANN S YMOUR DAM R,

‘ ’ ‘ ’ S E S E E E MA KS OF THAM AND I IS ON H NL Y BRIDG ,

‘ ’ - E E N E S E BASSO R LI VO , CORIOLA US, BY ANN YMOUR E DAM R,

‘ ’ - E E E E BASSO R LI VO , ANTONY AND CL OPATRA , BY ANN E E S YMOUR DAM R, ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

T HE WE E E L E 178 4 M STMINST R CTION , , FRO A PRINT

O WL S To a ce a 2 BY R AND ON , f p ge 9

WA A . CO S Y R . . 8 PORTRAIT, BY R , , 9

S S E E E O ME 1 0 BU T OF MI S MARY B RRY, BY ANN S YM UR DA R, 7

- E E SI E E E 1 793 1 1 0 BOOK PLAT D GN D BY AGN S B RRY, ,

E E W 1 20 PORTRAIT , NGRAV D BY HOP OOD ,

B E E SE UST OF MISS FARR N AS THALIA, BY ANN YMOUR ME DA R,

9 E E E 190 6 UPP R BROOK STR T, LONDON, ,

T HE . E W E E W E HON HORAC ALPOL , AFT R ARDS ARL OF

ORFORD ,

S O F E E E E E E BU T ANN S YMOUR DAM R, CARV D BY H RS LF,

S O F E E E E BU T LORD N LSON, BY ANN S YMOUR DAM R,

WE E S E X O LD STRA B RRY HILL , MIDDL , FROM AN PRINT ,

E E W E PORTRAIT , NGRAV D BY ALK R,

J E E SE BUST OF SIR OS PH BANKS, BY ANN YMOUR E DAM R,

E W O F W E G E VI T ICK NHAM, INCLUDIN YORK HOUS , O LD FROM AN PRINT , SNUFF -B O X PRE SE NTE D BY NAPOLE ON BUONAPARTE 1 T o . E 8 15 MRS DAM R, ,

AGE W PORTRAIT IN OLD , ARTIST UNKNO N,

GE E E E SUNDRID CHURCH, S V NOAKS, K NT,

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

Islay family only a short time before Miss Con ’ way s birth , and in the church at Sundridge , which is situated ab out three -quarters of a mile

to from Coomb Bank , there are many tablets the

of memory of members the Campbell family .

Soon after the birth of their daughter , Mr . Conway a nd Lady Aile sb ury went to live at 1 Latim e rs , in Buckinghamshire , which they rented

Mr f r s . o furnished from Cavendish three years . At that time it does not seem to have been an

to attractive abode ; Horace Walpole , writing

e 2 8 1 74 9 : George Montagu on Septemb r , , says

‘ I saw Cheneys at a visit I was making to Ha rry

L time rs Conway at a . This house which they have

is old of hired , large and bad and , but a bad age , finely situated on a hill in a beech -wood with a

of river at the bottom , and a range hills and woods on the opposite Side belonging to the Duk e

f is of . o Bedford They are fond it , but the View

Mr el . m ancholy . In the Church at Cheneys , Conway put on an old helmet we found there ;

how you cannot imagine it suited him , how antique and handsome he looked you wo u ld have taken him for Rinaldo

on 5 1 7 5 5 After a subsequent Visit , July , , Walpole described it to Richard Bentley

Latime rs . belongs to Mrs Cavendish , I have

1 NOW ca e La mer the res ence of Lor e s am. ll d ti , id d Ch h 2

HER BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD

i it lived there formerly w th Mr . Conway , but is much improved since ; yet the river stops short at a hundred yards just under your eye, and the house has u ndergone a Batty - Langley discipline half the ornaments are of bastard Gothic , and l ’ half are Hal e t s mongrel Chinese . I want to write over the doors of most modern edifices ,

' b e au tifie d Repaired and , Langley and Hallet ,

n - Churchwardens . The great dini g room is

w n ot hung ith a paper like mine , but shaded ’ properly . At Latime rs Anne Conway remained for three years , under the care of her parents , and with her

- who half Sister, Lady Mary Bruce , was Lady ’ Aile sb ury s daughter by her former marriage with

Ail sb u r e . Charles , third Earl of y

Early in 1 7 5 1 Mr . Conway was ordered to

Minorca , where he stayed some time , making a trip to Italy on his way home . He wrote con s tantl y to his wife , who during his absence stayed ’ hi . s n at her father s place, Coomb Bank On retur

Mr . Conway brought with him presents to his

W . ife and daughters Among them , Horace Wal

’ was a n e rib o o i e pole says , animal called a J ( . . probably a jerboa) : which he described in his

to 2 8 1 52 letter George Montagu , August , 7

Aile sb u r Mr . Conway has brought Lady y from ” A J e rib o o Minorca , but originally from frica , a , 3 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

’ to ou be sure y know what that is , if you don t , I

ou ou will tell y , and then I believe y will scarce

know any better . It is the composition of a

a l squirrel , a hare , a rat , and a monkey , which together looks very like a bird . In that it is about the size of the first , with much such a head ,

m off except that the top of the nose see s Shaved , and the remains are like a human hair-lip ; the a h ears and its timidity are like hare . It as two

Short little feet before like a rat , but which it

for to never uses walking , I believe , never but h ’ old its food , the tail is naked like a monkey s , W ith a tuft of hair at the end striped black and i white in rings . The two h nd legs are as long as Granville ’ s with feet more like a bird than any

S O other animal , and upon these it hops immensely fa ou st and upright , that at a distance y might i take it for a large thrush . It l es in cotton and W is brisk at night , eats heat and never drinks ;

to . is it would , but drinking is fatal them Such ’ 1 i o a Je r b o . That must have been a delightful pe t for little Anne Conway who throughout her life Showe d

of great devotion to all sorts animals .

was not to Mr . Conway allowed remain long at home after his return from Minorca ; in the fol lowing year ( 1 7 52) he was ordered to join his

1 Le er to Ge or e Mon a u Au us 28 1 752 tt g t g , g t , . 4 HER BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD

regiment in Ireland, whither he was accompanied

by Lady Aile sb u ry . On their departure they left

Anne Conway , then five years old , in the charge

of her godfather, Horace Walpole , under whose

care She remained for some time . Her parents were much distressed at leaving their little

no t W daughter , and did ish to be away from

home at this time , as Mr . Conway had just pur chased from the Princess Dowager of Wales the

beautiful estate of Park Place in Berkshire , where

they did not settle until 1 7 56 . Horace Walpole

‘ to 1 5 1 7 5 2 : writes Sir Horace Mann , May , I

‘ to Mr . cannot deliver your message Conway, for he and Lady Aile sb u ry are gone with his regiment

to Ireland , which is more especially unpleasant

n ow , as they have just bought one of the most

charming places in England , Park Place , which

to belonged Lord Archibald Hamilton , and then ’ to the Prince . During the time Anne Conway was under the

n care of Horace Walpole , he frequently mentio s in t C her his le ters to Mr. onway and to Lady

Ail s b u r l e y . In one etter he writes You know how courteous a Knight I am to distressed Virgins

- of five years old , and my Castle gates are always open to them in another I Shall tell you some stories of her understanding that will please i ou y . 5 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

The following verses were addressed by him to

of her , accompanied by a present shells

O n m h com are W ose oun oom y p , p d with h y g bl ’ Hebe s herse lf an ancient fright May these gay sh ells find gra ce a nd room Both in your baby-house and Sight ' S e s a are S e s ? ou ask a m r n h ll Wh t h ll y d i i g, s are a easure a sur r se With t , h lf pl , h lf p i ’ And fl Na ure s art n u r n y with t , i q i i g ’ I n e ar ama s all- a n e s d M spe ki g ye . S e s a re s Anne are a n s ma e h ll , f i t , pl ythi g , d B a rav e God ca e a er Ocean y b ll d F th , ose ro n rom o e to o e o e e Wh f w , f p l p l b y d,

Command s the wav e s and stills the mo tion . rom a old s re and au er came F th t i d ght , AS e ama a s u e is ue lik M , bl bl And e ama the s ea - orn ame lik M , b d An n n t un e ou urc ore o . hi b , lik y For him fond Gra nd-papa comp els The floods to furnish s uch a s tate O cora s and of coc e S e s f l kl h ll , ’ u urn a Wo ld t little lady s pate . The chit ha s tons of bawbl e s m ore His nurse ry s tuff e d with birds and Sparrows And littere d in its a zure floor

a n e u v ers o s a nd arro s . With p i t d q i , b w w S re a s re a our roc ou mu s b e r e n s p d, p d y f k, y t f i d His toys Shall fill your lap and breast Tod ay the b oy this sample s e nds ’ ’ And some y ears h ence he ll s e nd the rest .

1 6 1 6 to . o on 7 5 Writing Mr C nway April , ,

‘ ’ Walpole says L You never tell me now of Missy s

- hO e he not b on mots . I p S has resided in Ireland 6

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

honour of his approaching wedding with Lady r ’ Mary B uce . Tis the prettiest marriage in the

a world ; youth , be uty , riches , and all the blood

o f all the kings from Robert Bruce to Charles II .

They are the prettiest couple in England , ex ’ ce tin - i - p g the father h law and mother . This b Duchess of Richmond was a great eauty , and,

judging by her portraits , was certainly better

he r n looking than Sister , An e Conway , but Horace Walpole considered that Lady Ail e sb u ry ’ was more handsome than her pretty daughter .

Great devotion existed between the Sisters , which ’ lasted till the Duchess s death in 1 7 9 6 .

A Short time after her marriage , the Duchess

to w e returned Park Place , here She stay d with

of her mother and Sister, during the absence the

who on to Duke , had gone an expedition the

of of . coast France , under the Duke Marlborough

’ The Conways were n ot permitted to remain

long at Park Place, the home in which they were S O interested ; in 1 7 6 1 Genera l Conway was in command of the British forces in Germany , under

Prince Frederick of Brunswick . During the campaign Lady Aile sb u ry and her daughter 2 0 Anne remained at the Hague . On July ,

1 7 6 1 to Aile sb ur , Horace Walpole wrote Lady y Could I have believed that the Hague would s o ? — easily compensate for England nay for Park 8 HER BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD

’ 5 Place , and in the following year , on March

We and the new Czar (Peter III . ) are the best

sort of people on the earth . I am sure , Madam , you must adore him ; he is willing to resign all his conquests, that you and Mr. Conway may be again settled at Park Place . If Miss Conway does n ot come back with soixa nte e t d ouze

ua r tiers q , and the hauteur of a Landgravine, I think I shall still be able to run down the

su precipices at Park Place with her, this is p ’ posing we have any summer .

Aile sb u r On leaving the Hague , Lady y took

to of her daughter Paris , where , at the close the campaign they were j oined by General Conway ; it was on this visit to Paris that they became

d u ff acquainted with Madame De and , a dear friend of Horace Walpole, who introduced Lady

Aile sb u r Ail b u r to . e s y her To Lady y , when in

: Paris , he wrote If Miss Conway has a mind to be in the fashion on her return , She must take some David or other to teach her the new twang ,

’ twin g , twang of the guitar . This musical instrument had just come into great vogue in London , while the Conways had

n been absent o the Continent . ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

C H A P T E R I I

HER FATHE R

ANNE CONWAY inherited a good deal of her ability from her father , Henry Seymour Conway

1 7 1 9 s on of born in , he was the second Francis Seymour who had assumed the name and arms of to a s Conway , and was elevated the peerage ’ Baron Conway . Henry Seymour Conway s mother (Lord Conway’ s third wife) was Charlotte

d of Shorter , a aughter Alderman Sir John

of Shorter, Lord Mayor London .

Mr . Conway was a remarkably handsome man , a fu skil l and gallant soldier , a clever statesman,

of n a man of great taste , and possessed a stro g n understa ding . He wa s educated at Eton at the same time as

who his brother Francis, became the first Marquis of was a Hertford , and for some time Amb ssador at the Court of France and also Lord-Lieutenant

of . . Ireland On leaving Eton , Mr Conway

on travelled the Continent with his cousin ,

Horace Walpole . Between them there was a life 1 0 FIE LD -MARSHAL T HE HONOURABLE HE NRY SE YMOUR CONWAY

From a rin e n ra ve 1 798 p t , g d

HER FATHER

’ long devotion , which lasted till Conway s death . The poet Gray also accompanied them on this

u jo rney . 1 7 4 1 In he began his military career , joining the British Army in Flanders he was present at

of the battle Fontenoy , where he was taken prisoner, but , as Horace Walpole writes at the b ’ e . time , distinguished himself very highly In several other engagements he appears to have

for hi s attracted much notice his bravery . On release towards the end of the year 1 7 4 1 he

to returned home console his fair widow , as Horace Walpole remarks in a letter to George

Montagu . The widow referred to was Lady C Caroline ampbell , widow of Charles Bruce , Earl of Aile sb u r 1 9 y, whom he married on December ,

’ ’

1 7 4 1 his wife . , retaining her first husband s title 1 7 45 n In he was present at the Battle of Cullode , where he was given the command of a regiment . 1 4 C 7 9 . In Mr onway went to Minorca , and

Aile sb u r visited Italy on his way home . Lady y remained at home with her parents and her

daughter, Anne Conway , who was only a

O ld year . Two years after he went to j oin his regiment

d Ail u r e sb . in Irelan , and Lady y went with him 1 7 59 - In he became Lieutenant General , and 1 7 7 2 2 2 General in , when (October ) he was 1 1 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

of d of appointed Governor the Islan Jersey .

Horace Walpole , writing of this appointment , says : He acted in his diminutive Islet with a s much virtue and popularity as Cicero in his larger Sicily ; the zeal indeed with which he entered upon the discharge of his n e w military duties kept pace with the ardour with which he had fulfilled his previous and more important ’ 1 9 3 obligations to the State . In 7 he became a

- Field Marshal .

He was equally well known as a statesman .

1 4 1 f r F rrar 7 wa s MP . o e s In he elected Higham ,

subsequently representing Penrhyn , St . Maws ,

Thetford , Bury St . Edmunds , and finally Wend 1 ff over in 77 5 . One of his earliest e orts in the House of Commons was his opposition to the Government on the question of the legality of general warrants ; for s upporting this measure he was dismissed f rom his post as Groom of the

to Bedchamber His Majesty , and also from the f command o his regiment. This treatment he

to felt be both harsh and unjust , but he bore it with his accustomed philosophy . Horace Walpole i on 1 4 1 7 6 4 . s writes May , Mr Conway turned

’ ou t Of the King s Bed-chamber and ou t of his i . H s Regiment temper , patience , and resigna tion are beyond example . His calmness and content prove ho w much his mind is at ease . I 2

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

’ not benignly , a circumstance you will dislike ,

e to f writes Horace Walpol Lord Hert ord . He

f of of 1 resigned his o fice Secretary State in 7 6 8 . During his Governorship of Jersey in 1 7 7 5 the

m out A erican War of Independence had broken . To Conway it was res e rved to point out in the House of Commons that the pe ople of England were convinced of the folly of continuing this 1 8 2 war . In 7 he therefore moved an Add ress to

on Con : the Throne, praying that the war the tin e nt of North America might n o longer be pursued for the impracticable purpose of re du c

of to ing the inhabitants that country obedience . In 1 7 66 he had foretold the mischief that Gren ’ an d ville s fatal Stamp Act would occasion , the ’ ff his e ect of speech was incredible, wrote Wal ’ I t a dmin i pole . proved fatal to Lord North s ’ stration as , on this motion Lord North s majority was to of on e reduced the extraordinary figure , 1 4 1 9 the numbers being 9 to 3 . On the decision

a d Com Lord North resigned , n in November the

of missioners Signed the preliminaries peace , Great Britain reserving only Canada and New

dlan d n foun o the American continent .

The American colonies were irrevocably gone , and the creation of the United States was a ’ - turning point in the world s history . After this

Fox brilliant success , which Charles James de 1 4

HER FATHER

’ scribed as saving his country , General Conway

his retired altogether from public life, passing

i i rema n ng years in peaceful tranquillity , in beauti

’ f in his y g charming estate, Park Place , at Henley , and in cultivating science and literature . He wrote a comedy entitled Fa lse Appe a r a noes , which was performed by a talented com pany of amateurs at the Duke of Richmond ’ s

u . ho se , his daughter , Mrs Damer , speaking the ’ epilogue with inimitable spirit and grace . This play was afterwards produced at Drury Lane , where it met with some success . 9 1 7 9 5 He died at Park Place on July , , having only returned from hi s London house (Conway

House , Soho) on the preceding day ; he was deeply mourned by his widow and daughter and his large circle of friends . Writing to Miss

Berry , Mrs . Damer expresses her apprehension as to how Horace Walpole would bear the bad news He never seemed to apprehend it ’ He did not

O ld n ot long survive his friend , dying in London

two 2 1 9 7 . quite years afterwards , on March , 7 Miss Berry sums up General Conway ’ s char a ctor in the following words It is only those who have had the oppor tunity of penetrating into the most secret motives of his public career, and into the inmost recesses

his to of private life, who can do real justice the 1 5 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

of who saw unsullied purity his character, and

in of knew him the evening his days , retired from the honourable activity of a soldier and of a

to of Statesman , the calm enj oyment private life happy in the resources of his own mind and in

of the cultivation useful knowledge , in the bosom of n or domestic peace , unenriched by pe sions

or places , undistinguished by titles ribbons , unsophisticated by public life , and unwearied by ’ retirement .

Such was the father of Anne Conway .

16

S L E E SS O F AI LE SB URY BU T O F CARO IN , COUNT

By Anne Seymou r Da mer

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

f mother three years before , and her ather was very often away from home ; hence she seems to

ha d n n o have o o e t advise her . She wa s considered a great beauty at the time f o . her wedding Horace Walpole states that , f Her ace and person were charming , lively She ’ to etour d erie so she was, almost , and agreeable wa s that I never heard her mentioned afterwards by one of her contemporaries who did n ot prefer ’ her as the most perfect creature they ever saw .

Aile sb ur who Lady y , was an only daughter,

f : had our brothers John , who succeeded his t father as fif h Duke of Argyll , and married the

of one of f Duchess Hamilton , the beauti ul

who was 1 747 Gunnings ; Henry , killed in ;

who of William , married Miss Sarah Izard

who South Carolina ; and Frederick , married the widow of the Lord Ferrers who was hanged f at Tyburn or the murder of his steward . Her

Aile sb ur 1 7 47 first husband , Lord y , died in ,

a le ving her a very handsome j ointure , and charge

of who f w m their only child , Mary , a ter ards arried f o . Charles , third Duke Richmond Lady Ailes bury did n ot long remain a widow towards the

of n end the same year , She married the Ho ourable

To Henry Seymour Conway . Horace Walpole , this marriage was no surprise he wrote of it in 1 7 47 July Harry Conway , whom nature always 1 8 HER MOTHER

for of who designed a hero romance , and is

’ ’ d e la ce p in ordinary life , did wonders but was afterwards taken prisoner , is since released

hi s on parole , and may come home to console fair ’ widow . Lady Aile sb u ry was very much in love with

her second husband , and the marriage proved to

be o n e of unalloyed happiness . Her charming disposition was much appreciated by her friends Lady Luxborough writes to the poet Shenstone

‘ You sir , , have also had an agreeable lady at

Aile sb ur your house , I mean the Countess of y whose charms and whose conduct have always been equally admired by those I have heard

was Speak of her . I have been told she a lover of retirement in her old Lord ’ s time I do not know ’ what She may be in her young Colonel s . She

is , you know , daughter to General Campbell and

who s o l Miss Bellenden , was ce ebrated when She

-of- no was Maid honour to Queen Caroline . It is ’ wonder then that she is pleasing . Horace Walpole in recommending Conway to

‘ : Sir Horace Mann , at Florence , writes For the Florentine ladies he is the finest person and the

s aw . s a handsomest face I ever No , I cannot y that all this will be quite for them 'he will not think any of them quite s o handsome as my ’ Ail sb u r w Lady e y. Years after ards (on September 1 9 ANNE SE YMOUR DAMER

‘ 2 8 to : , he wrote Conway Your Countess is handsomer than fame ; your daughter improves ’ r every day , and writing from Strawber y Hill Strawberry Hill is grown a perfect Paphos ; it is the land of beauties ; on Wednesday Lady Aile sb u ry and the Duchesses of Hamilton and

two Richmond dined here , the latter stayed all

o night . There never was s pretty a Sight a s to 1 s e e them all Sitting in the shell . A thousand

to old years hence , when I begin grow , if that can l ever be , I shall ta k of that event , and tell the young people how much handsomer the women f W were o my time than they ill be then . I Shall

' s ay women alter now . I remember Lady

Aile sb u r y looking handsomer than her daughter ,

as the pretty Duchess of Richmond , they were sitting in the Shell on my terrace with the

u of one of f D chess Hamilton, the amous ’ Gunnings .

’ Aile sb ur - who Lady y was a well read woman , enjoyed the society of the literary men of her

wa s day . She much interested in Rousseau , who through her and General Conway obtained his pension o f £ 1 0 0 a year . Among her intimate

he his friends s numbered David Hume , the

o t rian , Gray , Thomson , and Shenstone , the

1 e e t This she ll was a carv e d seat designe d by Mr. B ntl y a

Strawberry Hill . 2 0 SHE LL -SE AT AT ST RA\VB E RRY HILL

‘ HER MOTHER

poets ; the last Of whom wrote the following lines to her But what can courts discov er more an e se ru e aun s av e se e n e ore Th th d h t h b f , Each fount a nd shady tre e 2 Hav e not the se tre e s and fountain se en The r e of cour s the nn n m e n p id t , wi i g i ’ Of pe erl e ss Ailesb ury 2 Amongst her artistic acquaintances were Sir i f Joshua Reynolds , Angel ca Kau fmann , Mr . and

Mrs . Garrick, Miss Farren , and Mrs . Siddons .

No l mean artist herself, her wonderfu em broidered and worked pictures were much

admire d . Some of these are still in existence

of and remain beautiful schemes colour . She

- imitated such well known artists as Cuyp , Rosa

n de Tivoli , Vandyck , and Gai sborough . A writer of the time describes these worked pictures as

‘ being little inferior to the originals : they are

SO worked in worsteds, with much taste, and S O happily managed in the various tints as to

deceive at a small distance ; one in particular , a portrait from Vandyck , in which the colours are s o artfully blended as to appear across the room ’ a sketch of that great artist .

Aile sb u r Lady y was very fond of society , and, according to her cousin Lady Mary Coke ’ s account , gambled a good deal both at her own house and when she was at the houses of her 2 1 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

for she friends , and was extraordinarily lucky ,

won Lou to generally at , which seems have been

the game chiefly played at this time . She b e ’ friended many of the French emigr es who came

to England during the Revolution , and whom

he on to s had met before her visits Paris . The last entertainments that Lady Aile sb ury probably attended were the marriage procession

of I of the Prince Wales (George V . ) and the of Princess Caroline Brunswick, and the Drawing ’ room held afterwards at St . James s Palace after

- the drawing room , she and her nieces, the Ladies

Mr s . Maria and Louisa Stuart , had supper with

of - Herbert , one the ladies of the bed chamber , from which they did not reach home till past one ’ - fifth o clock . She was at this time in her seventy

old year , but a wonderful lady ; as Miss Berry writes ° The picture of what an old woman ’ ought t o be and s o seldom is .

2 2

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

one of Conway, the best men in every respect 1 of this country. In the same year he wrote to Blake My way of life here is very uniform and l by no means disagreeab e . I pass all the fore ’ noon at the Secretary s house , from ten till three , where there arrive from time to time messengers

t of tha bring me all the secrets the kingdom , and

of . indeed Europe , Asia , Africa, and America I am seldom hurried, but have leisure at intervals to or o r co n take a book , write a private letter ,

f who for verse with any riend may call me .

d - I own From dinner to b e time s all my . If you add to this that the person (General Conway) f if with whom I have the chie , not only , trans

- action , is the most reasonable , equal tempered , and gentlemanlike man imaginable , and Lady

Aile sb u r ou n o y the same , y will think I have

to com reason complain , and I am far from i plainin g . I shall only regret when my duty s

to over , because to me the situation can lead o n thing , and reading and sauntering , and loung ing and dozing , which I call thinking , is my f supreme happiness , I mean my ull content ’ ment . It was to Hume that Jean Jacques Rousseau was indebted for his introduction to Lady

1 rom the Priva te Corres ondence o Da vid Hu me 1 761 - 17 76 F p f , , u s e 18 20 p bli h d . 2 4 GIRLHOOD

Aile s b ury ; he had always treated Rousseau d with great elicacy and generosity , but was ill-requited by the morbid sensitiveness and ’ suspiciousness of the philosopher of Geneva . Hume retired from his post a s Deputy Secretary in 1 7 69 and settled in Scotland with an income of £1 0 0 0 a year ; nine years sub sequently he published a Short autobiography in which he mentions his appointment under 1 General Conway : In 7 67 I received from Mr .

a to - a nd Conway , an invit tion be under secretary ,

c this invitation , both the chara ter of the person and my connect ions with Lord Hertford pre vented me from declining . I returned to E dinb orou gh in 1 7 67 very opulent (for I

s £ 1 0 0 0 posse sed a revenue of a year) , healthy , though somewhat stricken in years , with the prospect of enjoying long my ease and of seeing f the increase o my reputation . My company

n ot to was unacceptable the young and careless , as well as to the studious and literary ; as I took particular pleasure in the company of modest ’ women . ’ But to return to Hume s intimacy with Anne Conway during his appointment as Secretary under her father . She was still almost a child , and in her playful moods was wont to banter the historian . One day , when they were walking 2 5 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

together in the London streets , they met a small Italian b oy carrying on his head a large tray which contained several plaster figures . Hume stopped the lad and entered into conversation

how his with him , asking him he modelled f images , and praising their orm . He gave the boy a shilling and dismissed him . Anne Conway seems to have been annoyed with Hume for wasting his time talking to this poor ignorant ” b o h little y as s e called him . Hume remarked

the b o f that y was far rom ignorant , and that She had no right to sneer at him or the images that he had modelled with such Science and art , and that She should learn to be less severe in her

. u n o w criticisms With all yo r attainments , you ’ u m of cannot produce s ch works . This re ark ’ Hume s seems to have fired her with the deter mination to take up sculpture as the main object of for f m s et to w her life , rom that oment she ork on sculpture, giving up the society into which s he wa s just entering and in which she was

m n ot s o m for already much ad ired , uch her good

a s for looks her gay and witty conversation . This charming girl might have been content with the ordinary ambitions of other young

of women her world , but with her usual impetu osity she immediately procured wax and model

n - m e li g tools , and worked hard at her self i pos d 2 6 ANN E CONWAY \VITH DAVID HUME

GIRLHOOD

she to task , until was able present Hume with a

—a bust portrait of himself. She had quite hoped to astound the historian with her complete d

she work , but instead of astonishment was met with the remark It is clever enough for a first ’ Nor to attempt . does it seem have deserved

u was higher praise, though H me always rather

sparing of encomiums . He also told her it was easy enough to work In soft material but quite

another matter to handle a chisel .

she f to Although felt the rebu f, it incited her further work having obtained a block of marble

she se t he r a nd to work with tools , in a short time was able to present Hume with a rough f copy o the head in marble . Surprised at her energy and the force of character she had dis played in her self-imposed task and at the talent

She to had acquired , he was no longer able with

hold his praise and astonishment . He considered her achievement great in a branch of art s o rarely

taken up by women , and which demands labour

as well as Skill . Though this first attempt wa s nothing very

remarkable , Anne Conway , having once started d on her career of art , eveloped a taste for

u sc lpture , in which she determined to excel . From Horace Walpole she received high praise and great encouragement ; he saw nothing 2 7 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER degrading in his young cousin handling the

e hammer and chis l , but it was thought at the ’ time that had he n ot admired his cousin s work so prodigiously it would never have acquired the success it attained . In reference to her modelling he wrote to her

e : - i to ou to fath r Good n ght y , her Ladyship ,

to n a ro and the I fant (Miss Conway) , whose p

s o f gress in waxen statuary. advances ast that by ’ k tr w ld next winter She may rival Ra c s o s o man .

Do ou of y know that , though apprised what I was to s e e going , it deceived me , and made such

on a s an impression my mind that , thinking on it

I came home in my chariot , and seeing a woman f stead astly at work in a window in Pall Mall , it ’ to s e e v made me start her mo e . By this it is

e for presum d he mistook the woman a statue, having been s o lately impressed by Anne C on ’ way s models . ’ to she to Owing her father s position , was able obtain the best instructors . Her earliest lessons in handling the chisel she received from John

Bacon , then a young man just coming into fashion as a sculptor ; he himself had only begun to 1 7 60 work in marble in , having invented a machine for transferring the design in plaster with mechanical accuracy to the marble . Later

on 1 7 69 , in the year , Bacon first exhibited at the 2 8

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER happily preserved the graceful lightness of her form .

Ce ra cchi to to went America , hoping erect a

of statue Liberty , but returned disappointed ; he

t to w to then wen Rome and after ards Paris ,

e f con wher , being a republican anatic , he was 1 cerned in a plot to murder Napoleon in 1 8 0 . He was condemned and guillotined in the same

to ff year , being dragged the sca old in the habit

of on a Roman Emperor, a car which he himself 1 r th had designed fo e purpose . Although the instruction which she received from these three men took up most of Anne

’ we was to Conway s time, hear that She able

make several expeditions to Strawberry Hill .

e to Horace Walpol , writing George Montagu ,

of s mentions some these visits . She al o found

’ time to have her portrait painted by Angelica

Kauffmann . Lady Mary Coke writing to her 2 of ff on 22 Sister, the Countess Sta ord , August , ‘ ’ 1 7 66 : to Aile sb u r s , says I went Lady y and

to found her and Mr . Conway were going a painter who is just arrived from Italy (Angelica Kauffmann who came from I taly in 1 7 and was

who brought over by Lady Wentworth , the same

1 ir J os ua Re no s sat to eracchi s was the on us in S h y ld C . Thi ly b t r ecu e of a u r u marble e v e ex t d th t ill st io s painter. ) ’ 2 ile b ur s cous n La dy A s y i s. 30 GI RLHO OD

drew a picture of Mr. Garrick , which was shown , I w am told, in the Exhibition . I ent with them and s a She wthe picture was painting of Miss Conway ,

to w ll it was like , and appeared me e done but too ’ 1

o u t . large , as y would ake it for a very big woman During this year Anne Conway must have

, been going out in society , for Lady Sarah Lennox ,

or Lady Sarah Bunbury as she was then , a sister of the Duke of Richmond who had married Miss ’ - to S Conway s half sister, writes Lady usan ’ 2 O Brie n on January 9 th : Miss Conway is come h ’ s e . about , is grown very pretty and agreeable

1 This picture is the beautiful portrait painted by Ange lica K au mann so e no n the numerous co oure rin s t ere are ff , w ll k w by l d p t h f it The c ure is now 190 8 in the osse on of Mr r o ss s . e er c . pi t ( ) p i F d i k J o ns on ose us an a a n Fre er c J o ns on R N in h t , wh h b d, C pt i d i k h t , . . , herited it rom his a er Sir A e an er J o ns on to w om it was f f th , l x d h t , h a e Mr D amer be que th d by s. . 2 rac rom the Li e a nd Letters o L a d Sa ra h Lenn ox e e Ext t f f f y , dit d un e of er and Lor l the o ss I c es Stav orda e 190 2 . by C t l h t d ,

3 1 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

C H A P T E R V

IN SOCIE TY

1 THE Lady Mary Coke who is mentioned in the

s o preceding chapter, and who kept interesting a diary and wrote such graphic letters to her

of e Sister , was the fourth daughter John , s cond

u of D ke of Argyll, and therefore a cousin Miss ’

. 1 7 4 1 Conway s mother She had married, in ,

of Edward , Viscount Coke , heir to the Earl ’ f Leicester ; he , however, died in his father s li e

time .

of Lady Mary Coke was possessed great beauty , which She preserved to an advanced age ; she

3 0 1 8 1 1 . died October , Horace Walpole wrote of her to Sir Horace Mann : I have regard an d

esteem for her good qualities , which are many , but I doubt her genius will ever suffer her t o be

’ on quite happy . She was at one time most intimate terms with Horace Walpole , but in

1 ’ These and othe r e xtra cts from Lady Mary C oke s letters are me and m the our v o ume s of her e ers e e J . A. Ho taken fro f l l tt dit d by , publishe d private ly 18 8 9 . 3 2

PORTRAIT

By S ir J oshu a Reynolds IN SOCIETY

an evident coolness in their friendship had arisen ,

to as we read in the following letter her Sister, which refers to a visit she had intended paying the Conways at Park Place .

‘ — I J u l 2 4 1 7 8 0 . y , mentioned in my journal my intention of going to Park Place this week , but having wrote to Lady Aile sb u ry on Satu rday to know if they would be at home , I this day received her answer to beg me to fix some other time , for this week their house was full , though when s he named them there was not so many a s t here was last year when I was there ; but I suppose there is one She did not name , who to never chooses meet me , and that is ’ Mr . Walpole .

The following lines were written by Lady Temple as a complimentary portrait of Lady Mary

She some mes au s b ut ne v e r ou ti l gh , l d ’ S e s an some too b ut s ome a rou h h d , wh t p d A Cour She e ars a a the e t t b w y b ll, She dresses fine and figure s well ’ With de cency she s gay a nd airy ’ Who can this b e b ut Lady Mary 2

2 1 7 8 4 Horace Walpole writes on December , ,

to the Hon . Thomas Walpole : But I will consult

u Lady Mary Coke , who is better acq ainted than C 33 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

’ f viva nte e t the Herald s O ficer with Europe, m ur a te o n .

It was reported at one time that Lady Mary

a to of Coke was priv tely married Edward , Duke

of l York , brother George III . in ater years She considered herself to be the widow of the Duke of York , and the story goes that one day her mother found the Duke in her apartment, when , upon being rated for the impropriety of her

she ff conduct , drew herself up with ine able

d o ou to dignity , and replied, Madam , y know ? whom you are Speaking You are talking to the ’ 2 Duchess of York . She was a great friend of the Duke and Duchess of Richmond ; she writes in her diary :

of R I have heard from the Duchess ichmond , she sent me a very kind message to pass a month 3 is too with them at Aubigny , but the season far ’ advanced . In 1 7 6 1 she went with Lady Aile s b u ry and

to Miss Conway the Hague , where they were

there joined by Mr . Conway .

1 rac rom un u s e e ers of Horace a o e e Ext t f p bli h d l tt W lp l . Edit d ir S encer a o e by S p W lp l . i ’ ’ 2 n irn f or e I V La ar o e am From Life a d T es o Ge g . dy Ch l tt C pbell s l J ourn a . 3 A ro er in rance n er e the D u e of R c mon rom p p ty F , i h it d by k i h d f his ran mo er Lou se Renée de Perrencourt of uerouai le g d th , i Q l , ’ crea e Duc esse d Aub i n Lou s x1v . and D uc ess of Por s ( t d h g y by i , h t mou th by Charles 34

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

sum may imagine by the , the company is chosen

h r old t ough , efined as it is , it will scarce put 1 ’ Soho out of countenance, the men s tickets are n ot s o d o n ot transferable , if the ladies like us ,

e n o of u s th y have opportunity changing , but ’ e fo r must s e the same persons ever. In the same month Lady Mary writes Lady Aile sb u ry told me she had come to se e me to speak on a subject that gave her much uneasiness

sic and that was her daughter , who ( ) the Duke of Buccleuch had been f or some time particularly

to or civil , and that for the last four five days he

to to had seemed afraid Speak her, which together ’ with Lady Dalk e ith s (his mother) never asking

to or of her her house, taking the least notice ’ fanc d her , made her conclude that She y they had some design upon the Duke and though she said no doubt they would all be extremely happy

is s if he liked M Conway , yet she could assure me neither General Conway or her (sic) was in any

to She hurry marry her , (and though said it very modestly) She gave me to understand there were

she h many that liked her , and mentioned t at She would have a very considerable fortune She told me that Lady Berkeley had said She wished very

for much Lord Berkeley , and though She owned

one it , if they liked another , there could be

’ 1 m u r r orne s asse es in So o S a e . M s . C li bli h q 36 IN SOCIETY

nothing against it , yet the alliance with Lady

n Berkeley was ot what She wished . My answer was that the Duke of Buccleuch was his own

not hi s master, and I did believe that any one of

relations would interfere in his choice of a wife , as I was persuaded he would never d o anything

t o disgrace his family , that I had heard Lady

l s on Da keith say very often , that provided her made choice of a lady of good family ; and one

n o that had been well educated , she should have

objection , that I was persuaded these were her i sent ments . I was sure that if the Duke of

Buccleuch fixed upon Miss Conway , She would not be her enemy ; that her not having asked her

to m her house see ed peculiar , but that I fancied

proceeded from some mistake , and that I would

to She endeavour set the matter right , then ’ left me . In the following month she mentions that she took Miss Conway to the opera : She had Lady ’ b ox Harrington s , as the King being present she had lost her own ; She goes on to s ay the Duke of Buccleuch never came near us , I think it was because Miss Conway was with me , for we met

f to him as we came out, and he never o fered call o ur servants , though his natural civility would ,

v I think , ha e inclined him to do so , if he had not

’ ’ how had some particular reason ; it is I don t know . 3 7 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

At the end of this month Lady Mary Coke stated that the D uke of Buccleuch was deter mined to marry and had made a choice of Lady

of Betty Montagu , only daughter George , Duke of u r Montag , and that his mothe , Lady Dalkeith , was hi delighted , as Lady Betty was everyt ng

b e f that could wished or.

O n 5 s o March , Lady Mary stayed late at ’ Dalk e ith s She f she Lady house , that quite orgot ’ had promised to go to Lady Aile sb ury s to se e

Miss Conway dance ; however , the following week She took Miss Conway to the opera again ’

. s on to Mr Damer, Lord Milton s eldest , came

b ox u wa s to our , which made me concl de he marry Miss Conway . Before the opera was over I wa s persuaded my conj ectures were well

’ ‘

. she grounded The next day writes , The w W marriage was o ned , and everybody ished ’ on 6 General Conway joy, and again April that

Mr . Damer and Miss Conway danced together a

Almack s Aile s b ur good deal at , and that Lady y had

a party at which the Princess Amelia was present .

AS won usual they played Lou , and Lady Mary

six and forty guineas . On one occasion She states that Lady Aile sb ury could not have won less

or v than four five hundred guineas , but She ne er t owned o her winnings . She also describes a ’ party at Lady Milton s where the D uchess of 3 8 IN SOCIETY

for Richmond was conspicuous her beauty , and a

she dinner at Holland House , where met Lady

Sarah Bunbury , and where You may be certain ’ Lord Carlisle came soon after . She averred that s he n o t she was censorious , yet could not help saying that She thought Lady Sarah’ s conduct

s a highly imprudent to y nothing worse , and that her Grace of Richmond was almost as particular with Mr . Sackville (afterwards Duke of Dorset) she did not believe the Duchess capable of in

to she fidelity the Duke , though observed that the Duchess was flattered with a lover in attend ance . The only other reference that Lady Mary Coke

to makes Mr . Damer before their marriage is respecting a breakfast with Adam Smith . The author of We a lth of Na tions appears to have - h been a very absent minded person , for on t is occasion he took a piece of bread and butter, which he rolled round and round and put in the

- ot tea p ; he then poured water on it , and after waiting a little while poured out the tea as he

thought , remarking that it was the very worst

tea he had ever tasted . Mr . Damer told him he

did not in the least doubt it, for he had made it

of bread and butter, which he had been rolling

round his fingers . Before the wedding Lady Aile sb u ry gave 39 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

of another party , at which a natural daughter

’ or of Lord Pigott s , nine ten years age, sang songs

- from comic operas , and imitated well known

actors, an accomplishment which Lady Mary thought more extraordinary than desirable ; she says that there were between forty and fifty persons present the music was followed by cards

t to and supper . Lady Mary ook Miss Conway the opera on one other occasion before her

on 2 2nd marriage May . She says that when She

b ox arrived at her with Lady Jane Scott, She

’ ISS she found not only M Conway, whom had

s invited, but al o her Sister , the Duchess of

Richmond , was with her , though Lady Mary

not remarks, She was sorry , as the box held four ladies .

40

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

Coun e ss of Aile sb ur a nd sev era e rs n f di t y, l p o s o s nc on se t out a morn n to b e rese n at the ti ti , th t i g p t ’ marr a e ceremon i g y . There were also notices of the marriage in ’ E ve nin Pos t Lond on Chr onicle Lloyd s g and the . The following is an exact copy of the marriage

of register , in the Parish Church Remenham , at which church the Conways attended service , as Park Place is situated in the Parish of Remen ham

‘ The H n l f the o b e . o n Damer Bac e or e e s son o J h , h l , ld t R Honoura e ose Lor on and the ight bl J ph, d Milt , onoura e Anne Se mour Con a S ns e r H bl y w y, pi t , nr S e mour Daughte r of the Right Honb le . He y y ’ Con a one of His a e s s Pr nc a S ecre ar s w y, M j ty i ip l t y of S a e and his con sen ere a rr e in t t , with t, w M i d this Parish by Special Licence at his Se a t at Park P ace s o ur e e n d a of une in the Ye ar O ne l , thi F t th y J , ousan sev en un re a nd s -sev e n me th d h d d ixty , by ,

am S oc woo Rec or of en e o ame s . Willi t k d, t H l y n Th

s arr a e was J OHN E Thi M i g DAM R,

so e mn se e e e n Us A ONW . S . l i d b tw , . C AY

I n the pre sence of MI TON L .

’

S . H . . CONWAY

Lady Mary Coke once attended service at

Remenham , when staying with the Conways at

of Park Place , and her account it is best told in

1 th You own . 7 her words Sunday , July know

is is . that Mr . Hume as good as an infidel This 42 HER MARRIAGE

the only thing I d o not like about him . I have

n o had some conversation with him , but I have hope of converting him from his erroneous way of

li not thinking , and , thank God, his infide ty does

on e the invalidate my belief. I was the only of

to company that went church it rained terribly , and I repented having dressed myself in a new

for o hat , new gloves , etc . , the chaise could not g into the churchyard , which almost lay under

was u water , and I obliged to walk thro gh the rain and water judge my condition when I came 1 into the church , quite wet, I do assure you . The

not sermon was worth it , and the prayers I might hi have read at home . Upon the whole I t nk the others were wiser that did not go . The rain begins to be a more serious condition than con

fining one to the house and being disagreeable . Notwithstanding all the rain that fell this morn ing, we walked two hours this evening . Pope Joan was not s o favourable to -night (Sunday) as

3 os . no last night, I lost I drank ale at supper ; I thought it was the occasion of dismal dreams

o the night before . We retired t our rooms at 1 2 ’ ’ o clock .

u Of the marriage , which began nder such happy

to auspices , Horace Walpole wrote Sir Horace

1 ere is no ou s was Re men am urc it es c ose to the Th d bt thi h Ch h, li l r ve r and the a i ome di s anc r - or e s s e om the c urc o . i , g t t f h h d 4 3 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

1 7 67 Mann , in March , j ust before the wedding

Mr . Conway is in great felicity going to marry ’ to s on his only daughter Lord Milton s eldest . The estate in Lord Milton ’ s possession is already f a year, seven more just coming rom the ld o . author of their wealth , an uncle in Ireland Lord Milton gives £50 0 0 a year and settles the

rest . Miss Conway is to have a j ointure of £2 50 0 ’ 50 0 - a year and £ pin money . Lady Mary Coke w ’ f writes , Miss Con ay s ortune is which ’ u n goes in j ewels , equipages , and f r iture . At first this newly -married couple were much

so in love with each other, and , being richly

dowered , were quite free from any financial cares ,

s o of that, from every point view , the marriage d appeare likely to prove a happy one . They soon

went a great deal into society , living a most t extravagant life , and enter aining at their house f s in Tilney Street the great world of a hion , litera

Mrs . ture and art , but ere long Damer appeared at entertainments without her husband , some times with her mother , but often alone . Her ’ o w his husband s time was ther ise occupied , favourite pursuits being horse- racing and gamb

not to ling , which did in the least appeal his artistic wife . n Of their extravaga ce , Lady Mary Coke writes , on 1 9 1 7 67 fe w f June , , a days a ter their marriage 4 4 HER MARRIAGE

‘ Lady Aile sb u ry came to town yesterday with

she . Mr . and Mrs . Damer told me that Mrs ’ Da me r s e a r -rings had cost £4 0 0 0 ; She laments ' m n the Court being in ourni g , as it prevents her

finery being seen , I think it has been the case of ’ most brides this year .

This year Mr . and Mrs . Damer visited at Park W Place , here General Conway and Lady Ailes bury were staying for the summer months they ’ Da me r s also paid several visits to Mr . parents at the Abbey House of Milton in Dorsetshire .

From the first, Lord Milton did not treat his

-in — ff daughter law with much a ection , and he evidently saw that the marriage would not lead to much happiness . Lady Sarah Lennox writes of the marriage to

’ ‘ Lady Susan O Brie n : I think one has no right to blame her more than him ; he had no busin ess to t marry a girl he did not like, han She to accept t ff a man she was to ally indi erent to , and he was as much to blame in giving her the example of

she never living at home, as was to make all her

to . life opposite his In Short , I cannot think it

to fair blame one more than the other, but as it is evident love was out of the question, I must ’ give her credit for her present conduct . 1 7 4 5 Lady Sarah Lennox was born in , and had a charming and romantic disposition having lost 4 5 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

a e she b both her parents at an early g , was rought up by her grandmother , Lady Cadogan , and lived

t on a e Fox . time with her sister, Lady Caroline

She was a very beautiful young woman , and when She was about Sixteen years of age the Prince of

f . Wales , a terwards George III , conceived a passion f or . her As King he still admired her greatly ,

n ot to m or his but , wishing ake her his wife

u mistress , he s bdued his passion by the strength o f his reason, his principles and sense of public duty . She acted as bridesmaid at his marriage

of 1 1 with Princess Charlotte Mecklenburg in 7 6 .

hus Shortly after this She herself married , her f band being Mr. (a terwards Sir) Thomas Charles

of i ff Bunbury Barton and Milden n Su olk . In 1 7 69 She left her husband , living for some months

of under the protection her cousin , Lord William w of Gordon . She ho ever soon tired him , and ’ to went with her child her brother s place , Good f wood , where She led a perfectly blameless li e .

di v 1 7 7 6 she Her husband having orced her in ,

1 7 8 1 Honb le . married in the George Napier , by whom She had a large family ; She lived to the a ge of eighty-on e and was greatly respected by all who knew her . The romantic episode in her own career which happened at about the same time as the disagree ment which arose between Mrs . Damer and her 4 6 HER MARRIAGE

husband , made Lady Sarah take a more lenient view of the situation than did other friends and relations . ’ Dame r s Mr . chief grievance against his wife

she so was that was constantly away from home , but he seems to have been a difficult person to

to live with . Heir a fortune of not less than

s u an a year , which he seemed bent on q

was i dering before it came to him , he one of a w ld,

s e t foolish about London, whose whole glory in life was centred in the curl of a coat-collar and f the brim o a hat . These young fops made up for want of wit b y the most extravagant display of ridiculous eccentricity ; their chief delight seems to to have been astonish their friends , and Damer found an added satisfaction in thus annoying his amiable wife . He appeared three times a day in a new suit . The extent of his wardrobe may be imagined from the statement that at his death it was sold for which appears a large

for s o amount even one extravagant, but it must be remembered that these were the days of Silk , ’ lace , and embroidery , and that men s clothes then could cost as much as or even more than did those of the ladies . All this folly and extravagance could only end

and in ruin , Damer, like most Spendthrifts , borrowed largely from the Jews . His wife bore 4 7 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

his with folly as patiently as possible , but at the ff cost of all a ection for him .

The year following her marriage Mrs . Damer f was much concerned for her ather , whose house 1 s e t on on e of was fire and robbed by his servants . Lady Mary Coke writes of the incident in her Dia r 2 1 7 68 y on March , I received a note from

Lady Harrington , to desire I would tell her some Ail . e sb ur for thing about Mr Conway and Lady y, she could not rest a moment easy till She knew they were safe, after the terrible accident that happened last night . You may guess how greatly

was surprised and alarmed I with such a note . I dare n ot send to their house for fear of some

of thing bad , but inquired the servants if they

n had heard if anythi g had happened at Mr . Con ’ on way s . They told me the house had been

n o fire , but that it was extinguished with little or

to to damage . This gave me courage write Lady

Aile sb u r to how she to y know did, and tell her

on I would wait her, which I did in about an hour , and found it a very bad affair . The inside of the

his library is quite demolished all military books ,

t u that he has been collec ing all his life , all b rned , every picture in the room and most of his papers , and though the drawers o f the library were n ot

of destroyed , only the middle the table , yet bills

1 u The portion damage d was re b ilt by General C onway in 1 772 . 48

HER MARRIAGE to u of £9 0 0 the val e are gone , and the drawers

e th y found open . This circumstance , with some

too n others , gives much suspicion to its bei g a

s e t robbery , and that this room was on fire on purpose . This makes the event (melancholy

v enough in itself) still more dreadful , yet I ne er

His s aw people behave with SO much philosophy .

his books and pictures he laments , but bears the ’ loss of the money with patience . On March 8 th Lady Mary went to the opera

Mrs . with Lady Thanet and Damer the latter , she states , gave her the following account of the

‘ : ff robbery The person , as Lady Stra ord will

was . have wrote you word , recommended to Mr

Conway by the Duke of Richmond , and he carried him G to to ermany draw plans , and he remained with him till he came home , and by that means became s o familiar in his family that there were few days that he was not in his house . He was ’ m r to . Da e s married Mrs maid , and had been with ’ the servants till ten o clock , when he pretended

to go away , but privately went into the garrets ,

that he knew were not made use of, where he

’ locked himself in and continued till two o clock , h and thinking t at everybody was asleep, came out

and went downstairs, and by the ashes that remained in the grate of the hall he lighted a candle he brought in his pocket for the wicked D 49 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

to not purpose he put it . He says he did know

s u m of there was a large money in the drawers ,

wa s on but was sure that the place where Mr . C

way always kept what money he had in the house .

He accordingly took the bills , and then , putting

u the candle upon the table , put all the papers pon

saw on ou t it , and when he it was fire , he went ,

out of of letting himself the door the court , where

b of y the help the trees, he got over the wall , but

s aw stayed, as I understand , till he the smoke

wa s on and sure the house was fire . The next

to day he went very calmly the house , and finding

not the drawers were burned, he thought it would w be suspected the bills ere stolen, upon which he immediately went to the bank to get them changed , Signing his name as Thomas Williams .

fo r Mr . Conway sent the writing and immediately

w to of kne it be his , upon which the Duke Rich mond and him (sic) contrived the following plan ’ they sent for him to the Duke s house to look at some plans about which they pretended to be Very busy ; the two Clerks from the bank who had changed the bills were ordered to come into

on b ut the room as if business with the Duke ,

to with the motive consider him well, and if they could take their oath that he was the person who

to wa s had brought the bills the bank , then it agreed on that one of them was to gi v e the Duke 50 HER MARRIAGE

to b e to . a paper, which was a Sign Mr Conway to You lay hold of him, which he did , saying, are the man that robbed me and set my house

on . fire At first he denied it, but in a few moments he owned it all , and was immediately

n ow committed to prison . He has acknowledged ’ that he robbed one of the King s messengers

uin at Paris of twenty gg e as . This account I

Mrs had from . Damer and Lord Frederick

’ Campbell .

to . Next month , She goes on say , that Mr Con way told her he had received s o melancholy a letter from the wife of the man who had robbed

s e t and his house on fire , that he owned it had

Aile s ur moved him . Lady b y wrote to the same

’ ff : m e ect I don t wonder at the , and yet I fear they are in the wrong , as crimes like his ought to be punished . I was told that when the story was first mentioned to the King , His Majesty said , Now I am sure that when this man is

to condemned , Conway will be teasing us pardon

to him, but I am determined hang him . The

King , it seems , knew him (Mr . Conway) , for I think he will try to have his sentence changed to ’ r r a i t a nSpo t t o n . ’ ff In Spite of Mr . Conway s e orts the m an was eventually hanged , and the execution took place on 1 2th May , when Lady Mary writes General 5 1 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

’ Conway s man was not hanged till this morning .

Two of to s e e my servants went him , a curiosity

I much disapproved of, as I think it shows great hardness of heart , but one of them told me he only waited till the rope was pu t about his neck he said he appeared terribly dejected , and seemed h - alf dead before he got to Tyburn . There were ,

the they told me, very few spectators ; mob has

s The at present other amu ements . riots , I am told , continue , and several people have been killed . ’ I think the times are growing unquiet .

f r There are a e w other references to M s . Damer

’ 2 rd r in Lady Mary Coke s Dia ry : On May 3 M s . ’ Aile sb u r to Damer and Lady y came me here , and on March 9 th of the following year is the

f r entry : AS I came out o the Opera with M s .

Damer , Lord Gower was handing Lady Susan ’ Stuart to her chair ; perhaps he will marry her .

h Mrs On May 9 th She states that s e met Mr . and . ’ Damer at dinner at the Spanish Ambassador s ; at this date they were appa rently going out

Ail u r not together . Lady e sb y was well at this

to to time , and came from Park Place London consult Sir William Duncan , but when Lady Mary

in Coke was staying at Park Place July, she

‘ ’ found her disorder better , and said She must indeed be a good walker to keep company with

an d Aile sb u r Mr . Conway Lady y , the hills being 52 HER MARRIAGE

’ steep at that delightful place . On this visit they passed their days in playing bowls and fish ing, and their evenings generally in playing a game called Pope Joan . 3 1 7 69 On February , , Lady Mary Coke writes

‘ o Lady Lyttelton and Mrs . Damer are s great

of admirers the French Ambassadress , that they both insisted she was wellbred , though few people ’ are of that opinion . In the following week , after ’ having dined at the Portuguese Minister s , Lady ’ to Aile sb u r s Mary went Lady y , where She found

ff r M s . Lord Stra ord , Damer, and the Dowager l Lady W a d e grav e . She was greatly annoyed ’ ’ Wald ra v e s with Lady e g and Mrs . Dame r s b e haviour, as they whispered to each other while

' She was telling Lady Aile sb u ry and Lord Stra flord of a fire she had seen while She was dining at the ’ Minis te r s b u t Portuguese , She was still more angry because Lady Wald e grav e won fiv e -and- twenty

off s he n o guineas her at Lou , and said could t stay

to v longer give her her re enge . On February ’ 1 7 she th went to play Lou at Lady Milton s house , where she again noticed that the Duke of Dorset

(formerly Mr . Sackville) Showed an undue admira A tion for the Duchess of Richmond . S he was staying at Richmond House during the Duke ’ s

w s absence , Lady Mary a anxious lest reports

to Should arise the disadvantage of the Duchess , 53 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER whom she considered imprudent rather than guilty .

e 9 th Mrs On Jun we hear that . Damer was at

Strawberry Hill, and though in an English

- night gown, had her head dressed like her French ’ friends .

Mr . a In September both Mr and s . D mer were a t to vi n Park Place , his mother , Lady Mil n , ha g

to . 4 1 7 69 gone Bath for her health On July , ,

George Selwyn met Lady Harrington, Lady

Barrymore , and Mrs . Damer at Vauxhall , where there was fine music ; he had to pay thirty -Six ’ for 1 5 shillings these fine doings . On June , 1 7 7 1 , Lady Harrington , Lady Harriet Stanhope

Mrs - to s e e and . Damer came on horse back Lady N - Mary Coke at otting Hill , arriving at half past ’ two as she o clock , a most inconvenient hour , always dined at three o ’ clock when She was alone

s o a s She was only half dressed when they arrived,

n ot they were kept waiting . They did stay very r long , but went over the house and garden , gathe n m ing some roses before leavi g . During this sa e year Lady Aile sb ury and the Dam e rs were in Scotland while General Conway was at Ports

a of . mouth , directing scheme fortifications Lady Mary recounts a very unpleasant incident which

happened to him in the foll owing year . At a w C who wa s Revie held by the King, onway , 54

HER MARRIAGE standing by his Majesty and had an order to

his hi s to m give , touched horse with spur ake it f hi . o s advance Instead advancing , horse kicked ’ the King s horse so severely that the King wa s

to obliged dismount . Every one was sorry for

who was General Conway , much distressed , but

- u the King behaved with great good nat re , and ’ did all in his power to relieve the General s uneasiness .

In 1 7 72 Mrs . Damer travelled for some time on the Continent for her health , which was always

s o to rather delicate and particularly now , owing the anxiety caused by her husband’ s extravagant

was life . She returned in October, and presented

n 8 at Court o October th .

30 1 774 she On January , , visited Lady Mary Coke in the company of Lady Harrington and

Lady Harriet Stanhope ; but this , like the former

visit , was an interruption, for Lady Mary was

worried with her bills . Subsequently , She went with her mother and Lady Harriet Stanhope to

Paris , where they passed the whole winter , and towards the end of the year were present at a

ball given by Louis XVI . and Marie Antoinette , at which Norwegian and Lapland peasant dress

d e r i u eur was g . They were joined in Paris on

5th on November by General Conway, his return

his to from mission Frederick the Great, who had 55 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

received him with much distinction . While in

Paris Mrs . Damer became acquainted with the

s who w beautiful Prince se de Lamballe , after ards visited her in London ; She also became intimate ’ old d u with Horace Walpole s friend, Madame

ff e on was De and , whos salon a Sunday evening filled with her faithful admirers and all the most f brilliant celebrities o Paris . This wonderful old lady had been at one time ’ of d O rléan s mistress the famous Regent , Duke , but this did n ot in any way degrade her in the

f f Mr eyes o her riends . At the time s . Damer

was intimate with her , She was totally blind but very fa r-seeing in the manner in which She directed

of the conversation her matchless company .

to At the time of their visit Paris , Lord Hert ’ m r w s f Mrs . Da e s a ord ( uncle) Ambassador there . General Conway and his party returned to Eng in 1 5 land early 7 7 . The ladies brought back all f the latest ashions , including some magnificent

- on plumes as head dresses . But their return to London they found that the Duchess of Devon

r f so shire had highe eathers than they had, they tried to get some even higher, but without ’ success , until they applied at an undertaker s , who promised that when his horses returned he hoped to be able to supply the ladies with the feathers they desired . 56 HER MARRIAGE

Ail e sb u r Of this Visit to Paris , Lady y wrote

she of with much enthusiasm ; says Conway , Sav ez -vous combien il c onnait dej a de personnes ’ ? - - I l n dans Paris Quatre vingt dix . n est ulle ’ ment sauvage . M It was on their return to England that rs . ’ Damer found her husband s behaviour so re pre he nsib le that she decided finally to separate from

To him . a woman of her refined and delicate

u temperament , bro ght up as She had been by such devoted parents , with such a careful moral training from her earliest childhood , this must have been most galling . ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

C H A P T E R V I I

’ HE R HUSBAND S DE ATH

IN July 1 7 7 6 General Conway had an attack of f s was acial paraly is , which it supposed had been ’ brought on by worry concerning his daughter s

off unhappy marriage , but which passed without

ff was leaving any ill e ects . It alleged that he had settled upon his daughter as her f ortune , and that this provision had gone with

’ Dame rs the rest towards paying the debts , which now amounted to over At this period General Conway must have been pressed for money ; he was spending large sums in beautifying his estate at Park Place , and with such expensive works in hand he felt unable to assist his daughter further . That Lord Milton did not attempt to help his daughter -in -law in f ’ the payment o his son s debts seems strange .

ma n He was a very rich , but a most unpopular 1 ’on his landlord , and had spent large sums place ,

1 His o n ouse was in Par Lane and s oo on the s e of the t w h k , t d it resen D orc es er H ous e u f r Mr Ho or in 18 52-4 ro o . f m p t h t , b ilt lf d e n b Mr m s s . Le Vullia d ig y wis y . 58 HER HUSBAND ’ S DEATH

Milton Abbey House in Dorsetshire , where a few years later (in 1 7 8 6) he pulled down the whole o f of the ancient town Milton , which had grown

too to up around the Abbey , because it was close his residence and proved an annoyance to him . The present village of Milton was built with the materials which he obtained from the buildings

of the Old town . He , however, preserved the

ancient Abbey Church , and employed James

W to s o yatt restore it ; expending , it is stated ,

u pon this restoration alone , over When

con he decided to pull down the old town , he l verted the graveyard into his awns , destroying the graves and treating the bones of the

parishioners with much irreverence . There is a tradition in the village that he died from a most

gruesome disease , contracted owing to the dis

turb ance to of these bodies , but , according the

v of account of an old parishioner , the remo al the

town , which was situated in a most unhealthy

spot and usually flooded in the winter, was of

great advantage to the inhabitants .

o T return to John Damer . Having gone from

bad to worse , he at last became totally immersed

to in debt , and again tried to persuade his father pay his liabilities ; this Lord Milton absolutely

n declined to do , refusi g even to see him . His

t who e bro hers , w re also at this time in the same 59 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

to plight , were unable help him . Finding that

was n o of there hope extricating himself, and that

matters had reached a climax , Damer formed the

of x unhappy resolve depriving himself of e istence . 1 5 1 7 7 6 ’ On August , , at three o clock in the

morning, he shot himself at the Bedford Arms in Covent Garden ; having had supper with four

no common women , a blind fiddler, and other

man , he dismissed his seraglio , Orpheus being

to ordered come up again in half an hour . When the fiddler returned he found a dead silence and

of smelt gunpowder . He called , the master the

e d . house cam up , and foun Mr Damer sitting in

his a chair dead , with a pistol by Side and another in his pocket the ball had not gone through his head or made any report on the table lay a scrap of of paper with these words , The people the

n ot to for house are blame what has happened , ” which was my own act . This was the sole ’ tribute he paid to justice and decency . Thus wrote Horace Walpole to Sir Horace Mann on 2 0th August , describing the tragedy that had

f i r h s M s . be allen beloved cousin, Damer , whom , ’ u hi wn l to se own a s s o . his words , he loved chi d

‘ ’ ‘ cata stro h for of What a p y, he writes , a man 1 -two to two - - thirty , heir and twenty thousand

1 J o n Dame r was orn on J une 25 1 742 and was ere ore h b , , th f - thirty four at the time of his death . 60

HE R HUSBAND ’S DEATH W . e a year are persuaded that lunacy , not

of . distress , was the sole cause his fate Lord

Milton , whom nothing can soften , wreaks his

she fury on Mrs . Damer, though deserves only

pity and shows no resentment . He insists on

selling her jewels , this is all the hurt he can do ’ her .

Lord Carlisle , writing to George Selwyn on

‘ ’ 1 7 1 77 6 : August , , says A coroner s inquest ’ Dame r s sat on Mr . body and a verdict of lunacy D ’ was returned . What were Mr . am e r s motives ? for so dreadful an action There was no man ff more indi erent to me , but the account shocked

to me extremely . It is a bad example others in

misery . It makes people think of having recourse

to of in l that method finish g their ca amities , with it out which , perhaps , had never entered their

s o heads . If it was not selfish an action , it would f be di ficult to condemn it in some cases . There

never appeared anything like madness in him , yet the company he kept seemed indeed but a ’ bad preparation for eternity .

Mr was s . Damer herself away from London , and Charles James Fox went to meet her to

break the news to her .

. to The Hon Thomas Townshend , also writing

a George Selwyn at the same d te , says

‘ Mary was in some measure prepared for the 6 1 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

’ of D m r . a e s a s melancholy story Mr death , we had last night some account (though a less circumstantiated on e than you give) of that

terrible and Shocking event , we all feel extremely for what Lord Milton particularly must suffer for the loss of a s on (whom he had upon the whole s o much reason to esteem and to love) in so d e plor ’ able a way .

to Lady Sarah Lennox, writing Lady Susan ’ O Brie n 1 9 1 7 7 6 on September , , gives the ’ Dame r following gossip anent Mr . s death and ’ ‘ r Mrs . Dame s straitened circumstances Wa s

’ Dam r ? not you surprised at Mr . e s death I had

n o m adish idea that he was even , and in my mind

fo r he has proved that he was quite mad, I cannot account for his death and the manner of it . I am provoked at Lord Milton , for I was

n ot throwing away my pity for him , and behold , even the death of his s on has softened him about

o r . his family in general , taught him generosity

has e b He b en very Shab y about Lionel Damer ,

who to Mrs . and quite brutal Damer , by the way , behaves with all propriety in the world ; when on e e comm nds a widow for behaving well , it is a was out of llowing that love the question , which

to il is be sure in her case . Lord M ton has taken her diamonds , furniture , carriages , and every

to thing away pay the debts with , and he abused 62

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

all h w them , into a ackney coach , ith a firmness

is for she that quite heroic , though may be

of n ot she accused loving her husband , cannot be accused of not loving her house and all its ’ grandeur . To one of s o proud a nature this must have

sad is ffi to how been a trial , and it di cult realise h Mrs . Damer managed to g o through it all ; s e

el was , however , fortunate in having her b oved

of w Sister, the Duchess Richmond , ith her during

of f all this time stress and anxiety . Her ather was at Jersey and her mother must have been

had she k with him ; otherwise , been at Par

she Place , would have come immediately to her ’ daughter s assistance . After all this trouble it is n ot surprising to c hear that she was very unwell . Hora e Walpole

to 3 1 1 7 7 6 writes General Conway on August , ’ f Mr Dame r s I am glad I did not know o s . sore

i of throat till it s almost well . Pray take care ’ her and d o n ot catch it . From this letter it may be presumed that she had then joined her parents

in Jersey . o f £2 50 0 Mrs . Damer was left with a jointure ’ she a year , but gave up the first year s income ’ towards paying her husband s debts . That her j ointure was not very regularly paid is evident

from the following autograph letter , written to 64 HER HUSBAND ’ S DEATH

. 2 0 Mr Sharpe, her man of business , on August ,

1 7 8 0 :

R —I to SI , must trouble you write a very pressing letter to my Lord Milton about my

money , as the irregularity of his payments , which

n ot was what I expected from him , and which he

promised should be otherwise , puts me under the

greatest diffi culties . I have not had any money

s o sent for some time , and people are pressing with me to be paid that I do not know what to d o . to If I could but get what is due me , which ’ is a year s jointure , I Should be able to satisfy

as everybody and have money in my pocket , and

it is I am distressed , and now at any rate I

suppose I Shall have the Christmas quarter, though the Midsummer one is almost two m onths passed— one thing I beg you will insist upon

from his Lordship , that is , that he will let me

to know what I am depend upon , as I must take m easures in consequence , for there is no going

s o w on , as in these times , as he must kno himself.

to s o I am sorry give you much trouble , but I fancy Mr. Clementson does not venture to s a y

to much his Lordship on this subj ect , which t — I i a . S r indeed I do not at all wonder am , NN yours most truly, A E D A ME R .

K CE Au ust 20 PAR PLA , g , 6 5 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

C H A P T E R V I I I

HER WIDOWHOOD

NO W was that Mrs . Damer left a childless widow , She was able to turn her attention to the on e subject that really gave her more interest than — any other her desire to excel in the art of

D of sculpture . uring the nine years her married life she does not seem to have had much time to

pursue this occupation , although She had made

to she several trips the Continent , where had learnt much in the famous galleries and studios f o France and Italy . ’ Pressure for money to pay her late husband s

for debts , as well as her health , led her a while

to Spend her time abroad . She was at this date

- of n otwith about twenty eight years age, and ,

to standing her many accomplishments, anxious f improve herself in the knowledge o art . During

st the fir winter of her widowhood , accompanied

by her aunt , Lady William Campbell, She

travelled through Spain , Portugal , and Italy ,

and spent some time in Paris . On this expedi 6 6

HER WIDOWHOOD

r t tion M s . Damer was able o study the best models and to obtain the best instruction in sculpture . Horace Walpole wrote to Sir Horace G ’ Mann Mrs . Damer, eneral Conway s daughter , is going abroad to confirm a very delicate con stitu tion ; She has one of the most solid under standings I ever knew ; astonishingly improved , but with so much reserve and modesty , that I have often told Mr . Conway he does not know the extent of her capacity and the solidity of her reason . We have by accident discovered that

She writes Latin like Pliny, and is learning

she h Greek . In Italy will be a prodigy ; s e models like Bernini ; has excelled the moderns in the Similitudes of her busts, and has lately ’ begun on marble . th In e following year Mrs . Damer returned to

. 7 1 7 7 8 England On September , , Horace Wal

to pole wrote her father , who was then at Jersey

ou The only thing y will care for knowing is , m that I never saw Mrs . Da er better in her life , nor s o ou so look well , y may trust me , who am ’ to apt be frightened about her . In another letter , written about the same time from Paris , he says : Tell Mrs . Damer that the fashion n ow is to erect the toupee into a high detached tuft ’ of t e hair, like a cocka oo s crest ; and this toup e

’ ’

l la h sionomie . they cal p y I don t know why . 67 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

1 7 7 7 Aile sb u r In General Conway , Lady y and

Mr s . Damer paid a visit to Mount Edgecumbe in

Devonshire , where they were entertained by

Lord Mount Edgecumbe . They admired this

t . Mr beautiful place vas ly Walpole writes to . Conway To be sure Mount Edgecumbe has put ’ ou ou t of y humour with Park Place . Madame ’ d Arb lay (Fanny Burney) gives a good d e s crip

of tion Mount Edgecumbe , which she visited in 1 7 8 7 A very beautiful flowe r -garden is enclosed

of in a part the grounds ; and huts , seats , and ornaments in general were well adapted to the scenery of the place ; a seat is consecrated to

on Mrs . Damer with an acrostic her name by ’ Lord Va lle tort.

The following is the acrostic, which was carved in gilt letters on this stone bench

’ ’ D av n e e r a e the ar e e e id pl y d h p lik th , ’ ’ A n son ne e r oun e a t sea f d thy lik , ’ ara had not a m e o e ne M l dy lik thi , ’ E e cum e who n s e e all v ne dg b , thi k th di i , ’ ’ R r ort in e v e r ne e co ds thy w h y li .

5 1 7 7 7 to On October , , Horace Walpole writes

: Yo u General Conway are exceeding good , and I Shall assuredly accept your proposal in the

f to . ullest sense , and ensure Mrs Damer , I beg I 1 1th f m ay expect you on Saturday the . I Lord and Lady William Campbell will d o me the 6 8

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER easily loses the moment one returns among them ’ again . The small house to which Lady Sarah refers was one Mrs probably the that . Damer occupied

and f for some time in Sackville Street, rom which She wrote the following autograph letter to the Earl of Buchan

MY O RD — — to L , Nothing but ill health which

I am subject , would have prevented me from answering sooner the letter with which I was honoured by your Lordship . I shall think myself fortunate if any assistance in my power can ’ second your Lordship s ideas on the subject you ” see th for mention , and would willingly make a ’ your Lordship s approbation , were I not engaged at present in some considerable works that demand my whole attention . Should your Lord ship not have in View the immediate execution of your plans, I Shall be happy at some future ‘ - I period of time to offer my services . have the h ’ onour to be , my Lord , your Lordship s most obedient and most humble servant , ’ E AME R ANN D .

1 me t u In 7 7 9 Mrs . Damer with an advent re that to any other woman would have proved an

1 The state of her he alth at the time prev ente d her from under on taking his commissi . 7 0 HER WIDOWHOOD

of experience great alarm , but with her usual coolness and intrepidity she thought little of it . She was crossing the Channel on a visit to her

who n . father, was then the Gover or of Jersey At this time the War of Independence was at its C height, and the hannel being full of American

-of - to and French men war , it was necessary run ’ the gauntlet of the enemy s ships . The packet

r on which M s . Damer sailed was challenged by a

French vessel . AS it was totally u n fitte d to

n engage in action , and had little chance of maki g its a escape, a s iling match took place between

two the vessels , and several shots were fired .

Mr s . This did not in the least alarm Damer, who appears to have thoroughly enj oyed the e xpe ri ’ ence . After a four hours fight the excitement culminated in the victory of the French Ship the

u English vessel str ck its colours , and the sailors and passengers were taken prisoners . La belle ’

Mrs . dis Anglaise, as the French called Damer ,

s o played much bravery , and they much admired her for it that She was speedily liberated and

to on enabled proceed her journey , having gained much renown for her courage .

Mrs . Damer herself was delighted at the Opportunity and excitement of witnessing a naval engagement , but Horace Walpole was greatly alarmed at the danger She had been 7 1 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

to through . He writes her mother from Straw

i on 1 7 7 9 : berry H ll Friday night , July I am

n ot at all surprised , my dear Madam , at the

of r She intrepidity M s . Damer ; always was the

and heroic daughter of a hero . Her sense cool

who n ot ness never forsake her . I , am firm , ’ ow shuddered at your Ladyship s account . N

for that she has stood fire four hours , I hope She

u s of will give clear proofs of her understanding ,

as which I have high an opinion as her courage, ’ and n ot return in any danger .

Lady Aile sb u ry had written to , Walpole in ’ great alarm about General Conway s position in

Jersey . She desired Walpole to d o all in his

t to power with the au horities , urge that a larger garrison Should be kept there in these trouble some times ; but this he told her would n ot be

advisable , as it would tempt the French thither , and might encourage General Conway to make

. a s was an impracticable defence If left it , the

not for French would trouble about Jersey ,

to should they be successful, they fully intended

pour vast thousands of troops into England, and

had already threatened to burn the capital itself.

‘ on to s a : You He goes y have too much sense , m t Madam, to be imposed upon by my argu en s , if they are insubstantial . You do know that I have

for Mr my terrors . Conway ; but at present they 7 2

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

n to owi g the unsettled state of France, and her father did not wish her to run the risk of any

v wa w further ad entures . She s very intimate ith

i who both Sir Will am and Lady Hamilton , had

stayed at Park Place . General Conway had W known Sir illiam for many years , and also his

first wife . ’ r Dam r f A few days after M s . e s return rom

to ' Jersey , General Conway wrote his brother ,

to z Lord Hertford , with regard the Pri e Com m i ssi n o at Jersey . He was annoyed that the Government had appointed to act on this Com

a s for who mission agents him , certain persons

n o t were not inhabitants of the island . He had been consulted by Lord Hertford or Lord Am herst ; had he been , he would have suggested

e of who s several peopl the island , hould have i been nominated to serve on the Comm ssion . He trusted that his brother would s e e his way to

to ffi arrange something get over this di culty , and said that he hoped to obtain his leave during

to the following week , if he could get a Ship sail

to in . He was anxious at this time be at home

was SO at Park Place , where he then carrying out m many improve ents .

S UE O F E E TAT G ORG III .

By An ne Sey mou r Da mer

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER peculiarity of a woman in her position devoting herself to a pursuit s o rarely followed by her

s e x .

Horace Walpole in his Anecd otes of Pa inting

Mr s . describes the art of Damer with enthusiasm .

i r s M s . A third female genius Damer, daughter

of ffi General Conway , in a work more di cult and

far more uncommon than painting , the annals of

of se x statuary record few artists the fair , and

n n f ot o e o . Mr that I recollect any celebrity s . ’ Dame r s of f n ot to busts li e are inferior the antique , ’ n ot and their s , we are sure , are more like . Her

- d o shock g , large as life , and only not alive , has a looseness and softness in the curls that seemed — impossible In terra cotta it rivals the marble of

As Bernini in the Royal collection . the ancients have left u s five animals of equal merit with

their human figures , namely the Barberini goat ,

the Tuscan boar , the Mattei eagle , the eagle ’ e nnin s s at Strawberry Hill, and Mr . J g , now ’ to Mr . Duncombe s dog (Mr . Jennings sold this

for of Mrs Mr . Duncombe the talent . Damer must appear in the most distinguished d light . Aide by some instructions from that

she masterly statuary Mr . Bacon , has attempted

Ce rrachi f and executed a bust in marble . , rom w or hom she received four five lessons , has given

of as of a whole figure her the Muse Sculpture , 7 6 HER ART in which he has happily preserved the graceful f ’ lightness o her form . ’ Madame d Arb lay (Fanny Burney) on the other hand depreciated the works of Mrs . Damer . Her performances in sculpture were of n o great

‘ merit, but were prodigiously admired by Horace

who ' Walpole , had a notorious weakness for the f ’ works of persons o quality . ’ ’ This remark of Madame d Arb lay s is illus trate d by the following extracts from Horace Walpole ’ s letters

S e t 1 8 4 — . 7 7 . p , Met Sir William Hamilton at ’ r i k to . Ga r c s dinner at Mrs , he was returning the

. W l in kingdom of Cinders (Naples) A Mrs . a s g

s on ham was there with her and daughter ; She , the daughter, is an imitation of Mrs . Damer , and

of who modelled a bust her brother , is a good looking young man . The daughter is Miss Boyle ,

she and a real genius , has carved these tablets in marble , with boys designed by herself ; these are ’ for a chimney piece .

The moment I enter Strawberry Hill , I hasten into the little parlour, which I have now hung for the reception of ' The Death of Wolsey

’ (painted by Miss Agnes Berry) , with Lady Di s

’

Mrs . Dame r s (Lady Diana Beauclerk) gipsies , and 77 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER f dogs . I de y your favourite Italy to produce f ’ 1 three such monuments of emale genius . ’ Dame r s f s Mrs . works consisted chiefly o group 1 8 of animals and busts of her friends . In 7 7 s he of f carved a bust hersel , which She presented to of was the Royal Gallery Florence , where it placed in the Hall of ancient and modern painters .

The poet, Erasmus Darwin , although he cannot

of be taken as a great judge art , sings her powers in the following lines

‘ ’ Long with soft tou ch shall Damer s chise l charm With grace delight us and with be auty warm ’ ’ Fost er s fine form shall h earts u nborn e ngage ’ ’ And e ourne s sm e e nc an ano e r a e M lb il h t th g .

t The bust of Lady Elizabe h Foster , afterwards

of to the Duchess Devonshire , which Darwin

f now n of here re ers , is in the possessio the Duke of of Devonshire , and that Viscountess Mel bou rne is in the collection of the Earl Cowper t a Panshanger . Among other busts that she carved from life and Imaginary heads may be mentioned that

‘ of m Sir Joseph Banks in the British Museu , and

of of f that Thalia , a portrait her riend , Miss

- who 1 7 9 7 Farren, the well known actress, in married the twelfth . Earl of Derbyas his second f h wi e . Another important work is t e colossal

1 E xtra c rom a e er A r 1 8 179 1 to M ss Mar Be rr . t f l tt , p il , , i y y 7 8

HER ART

Statue of George III . , which stands over eight f feet high , and is placed in the Register O fice f o . Scotland at Edinburgh Her uncle, Lord

Frederick Campbell , was at the time Lord Clerk

of to his fl t Register Scotland , and in uence, ra her

to than its value as a work of art, the statue

owes the distinguished place which it occupies .

is was It roughly carved , but a gigantic work

for a woman to undertake . A model of an osprey in terra -cotta was highly

prized by Horace Walpole , in whose possession it

was at Strawberry Hill . Concerning this gift he

‘ wrote to Lady Ossory : I hO pe your ladyship

of D will approve the motto I design for it . o you remember the statue at Milan with this legend : ' ” n fi No u nxit A ra ti. me Praxiteles , sed Marc s g He therefore had the following pentameter engraved beneath the group

’ Non me Pra e e s finxit t Anna Da a me r. xit l , ‘ ’ ’ Not me Pra e es b ut Dam r s n m e a a or e . , xit l , h d h th f d

two She also executed a bust of her father, and of d busts her mother ; one in Portlan stone, which

she m placed on her onument in Sundridge Church ,

the other in marble , which She bequeathed with to a other heirlooms L dy Johnston .

The most widely known , perhaps , of Mrs . ’ Dame r s s works , are the two large mask of Thame 7 9 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER a nd - s of n Isis, which form the key stone the ce tre

of - — arch the beautiful bridge at Henley on Thames .

one to The the north represents Thame , with

of fishes playing in the waves his beard, and bulrushes inserted in the fillet which binds his

. to temples The mask the south represents Isis , ’ and is said to be a portrait of Mrs . Dam e r s

of intimate friend and neighbour, Miss Freeman

Fawley Court . 1 7 8 7 This beautiful bridge was built in , from

of designs a Mr . Hayward ; it cost and consists of five elliptical arches with bal ustrades

of to of stone . Horace Walpole wrote the Earl ff 7 1 7 8 4 Stra ord , September ,

‘ two Mrs . Damer herself is modelling masks ’ for - of the key stones the new bridge at Henley , and in another letter about the same date he

to of wrote the Countess Ossory, he says that General Conway himself regulated the curve of the arch of this bridge , and he likens its beauty to the Ponte di Trinita at Florence . On another s d occasion he state the bri ge is perfect , as if bridges were natural productions , and the masks , ’ as if the Romans had left them there . A statue projected but never carried o u t was

n of o e her uncle , Lord William Campbell, a man of undaunted courage a nd great strength . The s tatue was to represent him in the act o f 8 0

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

in The bust stone of her mother , Lady

r Aile sb u y.

s1z e of Ne lSOn A bust , heroic , Lord , in the

n Common Cou cil Chamber at the Guildhall . Model in terra -cotta of the bust of Sir Joseph

d of Banks , Presi ent the Royal Society .

of of A head young Bacchus , a portrait Prince

Lu b om e rski of , placed in the Museum the Univer s ity of Oxford . f o . a A bust Mrs Siddons s the Tragic Muse . A bust of herself in marble at the Royal

Gallery of Florence .

A to nother bust of herself in marble , presented 1 in cri . s R . P . Knight , Esq , with the following p tion Hanc sui ipsius e ffigiem at v ita v e teris amici Richardi Pa ne K n sua manu e c Anna y ight, f it ’ am r S eymour D e .

r of Isis , a bust in Greek ma ble ; the property

T . Hope, Esq .

of i The bust V scountess Melbourne .

of The bust Lady Elizabeth Foster .

f n as o Ho . A bust the Peniston Lamb , ’ Mercury , in marble .

of A bust in marble Sir Humphry Davy , late

President of the Royal Society .

Two - b a SS O - models in terra cotta , relievo , from

1 ’ s us is now a e Mr K n s co ec on in the Thi b t pl c d with . ight ll ti r s Mu um B iti h se . 8 2

HER ART

Coriolanus and Mark Antony , for the Shake speare Gallery .

A bust in marble of the late Princess Caroline .

i r A bust of Lady A le sb u y in marble .

A bust of her father , General Conway , in

- terra cotta .

A bust of Miss Mary Berry . ’ A Muse s head in bronze .

A bust of Lord Nelson , model for a cast in bronze .

Another bust of Lord Nelson in bronze , made by desire of the Duke of Clarence , and presented ’

m r . to him at Mrs . Da e s death It was after wards placed in Windsor Castle . The Duke of Clarence also desired to have the cast which she ’ had made of Mrs . Jordan s leg .

A small bust of Paris , in marble .

A bust in marble , representing Thalia , a por trait of Miss Farren . A model of a Greyhound was exhibited in the

1 7 9 9 in Royal Academy , , with the following scription ‘ ANNA E E I MO PI E E HO I E I AAMHP TO YTI HI E TO N AYTHI K YNAPI O N ’ .

’

. Dam e r s In the description of Mrs works , ’ Dallawa s Ane cd otes o Ar t taken from y f , occurs

° the following passage A head , in the style of

is l the antique , of a young Bacchanal singu ar , 8 3 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER n ot of only for its beauty , but as the work the

H n Mr o s . . . Damer

‘ Among the ancients n o other female sculptor had attained the excellence suffi cient to be re warded ; but on the revival of the arts , we have ’ one very extraordinary instance . Mrs . Siddons as the Tragic Muse is a work upon the merit o f which a professional artist might securely rest

o f m his fame . This Singular proof genius will co

as its mand the admiration of posterity , well for grandeur as eloquence ; nor will the observations of Quintilian upon Polycletus be applicable , even to f a e tate m rav iore m dicitu r a emale sculptor, g

. AS resurgisse, nihil ansus praeter leves genas a

Mrs . statuary Damer is unrivalled, but in model

l n ot of as ling a so, an inferior branch art it respects 1 f a s to e xe cu design , but only the point of di ficulty

She own s e x tion , has several competitors of her .

. n Concerning the works of Mrs Damer , Alla

Live s 0 P a in ters Cunningham , in his f , remarks that

is to . of little be said He speaks her as a vain ,

who f enterprising woman , was constantly ailing in all attempts and was constantly imagining she

on had succeeded . A quotation from some e

w to called Smith , is also brought for ard assist his supposition that some of the finest touches

1 An rea Verochino who e in 148 8 was the firs who nv en e d , di d , t i t d n o h ea ure of the ace in as er the method of taki g ff t e f t s f pl t . 8 4

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER of s he wax, which manipulated with extraordinary skill , and Mrs . Damer. Charles James Fox said that he v alued her

his talent more than own ancient descent .

She worked with wonderful rapidity , and was

to s o n ot therefore able execute many works , withstanding the fact that owing to her posi tion in Society she was much occupied with other

on to pursuits . She carried her work almost the

f of end of her life ; in act , the bronze replica her bust of Nelson wa s finished only a few days before her death . This bust , which was a replica o f a bronze cast made two years previously for

of to the King Tanjore , was presented the Duke of Clarence , by her executors and Lady Johnston , two days after her death . They themselves took

to to it Bushy Park , and the Duke , in order show hi s respect for the artist , had the bust placed in his dining -room on a pedestal formed from a piece of Victor f the mast of, the y, where ormerly the

to plaster cast had stood . When he came the throne the bust was removed to Windsor Castle . At the same t ime Lady Johnston presented to the Duke the coat which Nelson had worn at the

of to Battle the Nile, and which he had given

rs at to . M . Damer when he s her for the bust This coat was afterwards placed in the Painted l Hal at Greenwich Hospital . 8 6 HE R ART

m Mrs . Damer had ade another bronze cast of

of this bust Nelson , which She sent as a present to the King of Tanjore : it was on seeing this cast that the Duke of Clarence besought her to make him a copy of it . ’ It was at the suggestion of her cousin s

husband , Sir Alexander Johnston , that she made f ‘ this presentation to the King o Tanjore . As the most appropriate mark she could Show him of

she e the admiration which , as an artist, ent rtained

of his Royal Highness , in consequence of the liberal and enlightened manner in which he had encouraged the introduction and cultivation of European arts and sciences among his subjects ; and in consequence of the respect which he had paid to the Naval and Military Heroes of Great

his Britain , by erecting a Splendid monument in

to country, commemorate the great achievements which they performed during the last arduous and protracted contest which prevailed between ’ France and England . The following are the circumstances which led

to this transaction, and are taken from the

O rienta l Her a ld

The King of Tanjore was a Hindoo Sovereign

of rank , influence , and wealth , who had been

educated by a European Missionary , and had acquired a knowledge of the arts and sciences 8 7 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

of Europe . His country was Situated in the f southern division o the peninsula o f India .

Sir - Alexander Johnston , while Chief Justice

’ and first member of His Majesty s Council of the

of Island Ceylon , was anxious that the natives Should have a voice in the government ; he wa s

of assisted in his scheme by the King Tanjore , whose knowledge of the Hindoo character was of

great assistance . Sir Alexander paid him a visit

oh and was received with great attention . He

a s w served what great progress the King , ell as the persons of the highest caste and rank at his

of court , had made in acquiring a knowledge

con European arts and Sciences, and was fully v ince d that it would be of the greatest advantage to the British interests in India to seize this favourable opportunity to introduce a taste for

these arts among the Hindoo inhabitants of India . O n his return to England he mentioned the

to . subject his cousin , the Hon Anne Seymour

who Damer , with the liberality peculiar to her

character , and with the zeal which She displayed on every occasion when she could promote know

of own n otwith ledge art , proposed of her accord , standing the expense and labour which she would

to inevitably incur, execute , with her own hands , the bust in bronze of Nelson and to send it as a

to of who S O present the King Tanj ore , had been 8 8

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

e for e be admir d their excellenc , even did they not excite a peculiar interest from the subjects

to they represent , and I propose myself much pleasure at a future moment in perusing the

to the work which v belong . Allow me to take this opportunity of expressing my grateful sense of the flattering manner in which you have dis tinguishe d me as an artist in your O rien tal

Her a ld to ou , and assure y how sincerely I feel — gratified by your praise s I have the honour to be , Sir , your obliged ’ A M R AME R NNE S E Y OU D .

of The drawing by Mrs . Damer the metope of

she the Parthenon was copied , writes, from a drawing in the possession of, and by the favour

f 1 he o 8 0 8 . s , General Miranda , in Whether

ou is ever carried t this design not stated . It

u for would have been a heavy ndertaking her , as she was then ( 1 8 0 8 ) about sixty years of aged1

r Before ending this chapter on the art of M s .

e of Damer , another remarkable exampl her work , the b eautiful decoration of the Library at Fawley

d. Court , near Henley , must be mentione The whole Of the highly artistic inlaid woodwork of

1 r ze A metope is the space between the triglyphs of a D oric f ie . 9 0 HER ART

the bookcases and doorways , as well as the frieze w and other mural ornaments of this room, ere designed an d executed by her. Fawley Court b i elonged at the t me to the Freeman family , l with whom , particu arly Miss Freeman , Mrs .

Damer was most intimate .

9 1 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

C H A P T E R X

THE WE STMINSTE R E LE CTION AND PRIVATE THE ATRICALS

I N 1 8 1 Mr for 7 s . Damer went abroad , staying

to some time in Rome . Horace Walpole writes the Earl of Strafford from Strawberry Hill on

3 1 1 7 8 1 . August , Mrs Damer certainly goes abroad this winter ; I am glad of it for every

reason but for her absence . I am certain it

s o will be essential to her health , and She has

is s o eminently a classic genius , and herself

superior an artist , that I enj oy the pleasure She ’ will have in visiting Italy . She returned from the Continent in time to

take part in the Westminster Election of 1 7 8 4 . All the most celebrated beauties of England

to seem have taken part in this election , which

to to Fo x was send Parliament Charles James ,

of whom Mrs . Damer was a most ardent sup

one porter and a connection . Mrs . Damer was of the three ladies who were celebrated for the

’ two famous lady s canvass , the other being

of h the beautiful Georgiana , Duchess Devons ire , 9 2

THE WESTMINSTER ELECTION

- and the well known Mrs . Crewe . The great beauty of the Duchess of Devonshire entirely eclipsed the talent and charm of her associates in

n their memorable canvass , which was lo g talked

s o of by the electors, and which attracted much

s public attention , no les for its fights , bribery , and drunkenness, than for its political interest . On the eighth day the poll was considerably against Fox . He therefore rallied his friends

o f around him t make a great e fort on his behalf.

Accordingly , Mrs . Damer , in the company of the Duchess of Devonshire and Mrs . Crewe , ’

f . dressed in blue and bu f, Mr Fox s colours ,

adopted from the American Independents , set ou t to canvass the electors of Westminster . The electors were not content with only i a handshake with these ladies , but, in the r

enthusiasm , insisted on receiving kisses . The Duchess of Devonshire submitted even to a kiss ff from a butcher, and the other ladies o ered

their fair cheeks to clamouring voters . An old

‘ : S ir elector is reported to have said Lord , , it wa s a fine Sight to see a grand lady come right w smack up to us hard orking mortals , with a ” how- - hand held out and a Master , dye do , and

s o S O a laugh loud , and talk kind , and Shake us

' s a by the hand , and y , Give us your vote , ’ worthy sir, a plumper for the people s friend , 9 3 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

’ ” o ur f riend , everybody s friend, and then, sir,

h for we hummed and hawed , t ey would ask us ’ our if d o wives and families, and that didn t , ’ of i of they d think nothing a k ss , aye , a dozen

s ir i to them . Lord , , k ssing was nothing them , ’ 1 and it came all natural . Owing to this activity and zeal displayed by the fair canvassers , the election , after lasting for

- F x . m . o forty seven days , ter inated in favour of Mr By character and education Fox was opposed to all despotic institutions ; and had n ow taken

G . up the cry of democracy . eorge III had always strongly disapproved of him ; on the other hand his son of , the Prince Wales , was a great believer

Fo x in , and took an active part in the West minster Election .

To was celebrate the victory , a procession f ormed, which started from Devonshire House , Fox being carried on a car with a flag waved

on before him , which were inscribed the words , ’ to m to Sacred Female Patriotis , in compliment the assistance given by the celebrated three

who n ladies had worked o his behalf. The carriages of the Duke of Devonshire and of the Duke of Portland attracted even less

i of Fox for attent on than that , Colonel North ,

to f b brother Lord North , acted as ootman ehind

1 ’ in t rs From Allan C unningham s Lives of Pa e . 9 4

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER sh e was much in request . The first occasion on which she took a leading part in a dramatic performance was at the house of her brother in - who law , the Duke of Richmond , , it is said , considered himself most fortunate in obtaining ’ D m r Mrs . a e s able assistance at his entertain

ment . The first performance which was g iven

on at Richmond House the evening of Friday , 2 0 1 7 8 7 April , , was the only dramatic entertain ment regulated by the nobility and personages

of distinction that had as yet taken place . At

the rehearsals , which were superintended by

Mrs . Miss Farren , Siddons gave valuable assist

who Mrs . ance . Damer , played the character

of The Wond er Violante , in a piece called , in which Lord Henry Fitzgerald took the part of

s he Sir Felix , received unbounded applause ; was

Mr The also a decided success as s . Lovemore in 1 e Him d r a ma tis er son ce Wa y to K ep . The p in this play were

Lov emore L or E B . , D R Y d Q i n n n r M . E E r Br a as o Ho . D C B S . illi t F hi , E G UM as n a or I Sir B u Cons a A N. hf l t t, M j RAB a m Sir H E FIE D N . Willi , ARRY E GL L M S e oar r . E . id b d, CAMPB LL Hon M B lmour . rs . HOB T o e . Wid w , AR

Hon . Mrs L m re . E . Mrs . ov e o , DAM R L C n a n ss BE a o s . dy t t, Mi CAMP LL Mr us n s . B CE . M li , RU

1 om h u l e r Fr t e Ann a R gi ste . 9 6 PRIVATE THEATRICALS The following description of the dresses they wore is taken from the Annu a l Regis ter — Mrs . Damer morning habit, a plain white

robe ; when dressed, an embroidered gauze on a

white ground , a diamond necklace of prodigious

- of value , wheat sheaf ornaments of diamonds in

of her hair , a girdle diamonds and Stars of the

same festoons as on her dress .

r — fir M s . Hobart s t dress a white gauze ; when

dressed , a plain white muslin , diamond flowers in

festoons, a diamond girdle , and ornaments in

her hair . — Miss Campbell an Indian muslin worked in

gold upon a red ground .

— first Lord Derby , a chintz morning gown , and

a brown morning frock ; third , as Lord Ethe

ridge , a dauphin coloured suit embroidered with l red and Silver flowers, with a very bri liant star ; fourth , another light brown , with a vest , very

rich . — Mr . Edgecumbe a rich embroidered velvet

u s it, quantities of rings, seals , and diamond pins .

— a - Major Arabin mouse coloured Spring velvet , f with silk flowers , a very large mu f and plaid , ribbons , and watches . w The band ere all dressed in scarlet uniforms , and were sixteen in number . The following was the manner of the dis G 9 7 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER trib u tion of tickets for this first perfor mance

The Duc e ss O f R c mon The Ear of D er h i h d, l by , H n a Mrs . a or n o . o r Ara H b t, M j bi ,

Hon . Mrs Da m m r Hon . Mr. e u e . e E c , dg b ss Cam Mr C m e . a e Mi pb ll, pb ll , Du e of R c mon Sir e nr E n le field k i h d , H y g , T H n . n ra on a he r f n n R . o e e C Ea o A o t G l w y , l bi gd R Hon e n era Bur o ne ss arren t . . G l g y , Mi F ,

The same numbers were issued for the succeed ing nights, with very little variation . After the t play was concluded , the company were en ertained

of of at supper , which consisted a variety covers and a dessert in the first style of elegance uni versal festivity seemed to diffuse itself through

n the company , and besides several toasts bei g drunk , some favourite and select songs were contributed n or did the company begin to move f ’ till after our o clock in the morning . This performance proved such a triumphant success that it led to others during April and

of May , and again in the winter , at all which

Mrs . Damer appeared in the leading part ; her bright and interesting face was well suited to f the demands o comedy . Having imbibed this

for di taste acting , and splayed such animated

to t talent, Mrs . Damer continued take par in f f theatrical per ormances throughout her li e , her 9 8

PRIVATE THEATRICALS self arranging some in later yea rs when living at

Strawberry Hill . The following incident is related to have occurred at one of these performances at Rich mond House . All the great world of fashion was

to m anxious be present , and tickets of ad ission

t n o were keenly sought af er, one being admitte d

to without a card , on which prevent confusion was printed this notice No one a dmitte d af ter ’ l - a s t e en ha f p s v . Pitt had received a ticket from

of on the Duke Richmond with this notice it , b e t and , knowing that he should late , wished o return the ticket but the Duke on learning this promised Pitt that he Should be made the o n e exception and be admitted at whatever time he

Fox a d pleased . , who h also been invited to the

performance , heard of this concession , and post

t t he poned his arrival until af er debate . Fo llow

of ing Pitt, he arrived at the door the great

Saloon at the same time as his opponent . The doorke eper in accordance with his instructions

to admitted Pitt , but tried exclude Fox , as it

- was now long after half past seven , and he had received an order to admit only one after that

n to time . In a swer his explanation Fox said to

- ' ” him , I know that , but to night I am a rider ’

on . . Mr Pitt He gained admission , and appears to have been greatly impressed by the brilliant 9 9 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

hi s Mrs . . talent displayed by friend , Damer Horace Walpole says he caught a violent cold at

f and t a s this per ormance , the nex was postponed

r wa M s . s o Damer ill, but this performance to k

on 1 1 8 8 . place at Richmond House June 7 , 7 l And Wa pole was particularly interested in it , as a comedy wri tten by General Conway was

given . ’ Mr . Conway s play , of which your Lordship

u s ha s suc has seen some acco nts in the paper ,

ce e d e d delightfully, both in representation and

l . app ause The language is most genteel , though translated from verse : and both Prologue and f Epilogue are charming , the ormer was delivered t most jus ly and admirably by Lord Derby , and the latter with inimitable Spirit a n d grace by

Mr . r . . s M s . Damer Mr Merry and Bruce played

But too. Mrs . excellently General Conway , r Damer, and everybody else are d owned by Mr. ’ Sheridan , whose renown has engrossed all fame s ’ tongues and trumpets . Another account of the Richmond House

Theatricals is given in the Dia ry of Mrs . Philip

L b b e who she y Powys , states that attended the ’ Fa lse first night of General Conway s play , ’ A ea r a nces of on pp , at the Duke Richmond s May

2 3 1 7 8 8 u . , , in company with her h sband The Lyb b e -Powys were neighbours of the Conways at 1 0 0

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

It would not be very easy to find the vivacity and nonchalance of the Widow B e lmou r better

Mrs . pourtrayed than by Hobart . In the Prologue She wa s n ot equally fortunate ; a manner too for ff wa s hurried , and without waiting e ect , visible .

Mrs . Damer boasts strong sensibility, but her

too f and s tones are requently depressed , ome n t times o a udible at the conclusion . This was more peculiarly felt in the delivery of the

to l Epilogue , which alluded her own ta ents for or statuary , and was written expressly f her .

n ot Miss Campbell , in Lady Constant , had

for ff was much room e ect , the best her little air on the harp . l f . The Muslin o Mrs . Bruce was excel ent ’ v Lord Derby s Lo emore had much good in it , and the concluding rhymes o f the Wa y to K eep

Him were never better spoken .

‘ ’ E d e cu m s r l was s o Mr . g b e Sir B il iant not fortunate .

‘ The Sir Bashful o f Major Arabin was e very

His of thin b tu rns bu t n othin lon . g y , g g powers

i s o of m micry are strong , that in the course a part he gives you a little of everything;

of his The management person , however , was

well . 1 0 2 PRIVATE THEATRICALS

Sir Harry E ngle field did better than the part did for him .

Perhaps, upon the whole, no private play was ever better acted , certainly none better managed in point of scene and stage management .

‘ ’ Ab in don s Lord g charming little air, given

Mrs l to . Hobart, and which she executed we l, should not pass without notice ; there was a turn of much beauty in it . The dresses of this evening were increased in magnificence , that of Mrs . Hobart in particular . Among the audience present were His Royal

Highness the Prince of Wales , Lord and Lady

Stormont , Mrs . Fitzherbert , the Duchess of

Devonshire , Mr . Dundas Sheridan , and what was most wonderful , Mr . Fox and Mr. Pitt came in together '’ f (Here follows description o Dresses . ) Some additional lines were added to the

to who Prologue , in compliment the Prince , very condescendingly noticed this attention in His

Grace .

‘ Friday , after the Play at the Duke of Rich ’ His mond s , in Privy Gardens , Grace gave a

v grand supper , which was served up about twel e ’ t o clock , and consis ed of two courses with a ff dessert . An universal festivity seemed to di use itself through the company ; and besides some 1 0 3 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

toasts drunk, some favourite and select songs were sung ; nor did the company begin to move ’ till four o clock in the morning . The Duke wa s sole attendant and Master of the Ceremonie s on A this occasion . S the company are to be different on e ach night of entertainment all the first char a cte rs in the kingdom are expected to partake of ’ ’ ét thea tr u e this f e ig at Richmond House .

wa s John Kemble , the actor , present at the performance , and was so delighted with it , that he requested permission to transplant it to Drury ff Lane , where it met with indi erent success . Fa lse Appea ra nce s was an adaptation from the

Les Dehor s Tr om eur s French Play p , by Boissy , and has been attributed by some writers to h Walpole ; this , however , can ardly be the case, for he himself mentions General Conway as the author . Horace Walpole again mentions the play when

‘ to 4 1 7 8 8 : writing Hannah More on July , I i ’ d o lament your not go ng to Mr . Conway s play both the author and the act ors deserved such an

to auditor as you , and you deserved hear them .

d o ood who o f However I not pity g people, out

a Virtue lose and miss our pleasures . Their p s

of b u t times fleet as fast as those the wicked ,

ou f on when gone , y saints can Sit down and east 1 0 4

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

tumbled by coarse applauses . But this is a s e cre tf

The following is the caste o f Fa lse Appea r a u ce s r 2 0 when produced at D ury Lane , April , 1 7 8 9

Baron W O HTON , R UG .

ar u s K E E . M q i , MBL Gov ernour d e or s SONS F li , PAR . A é B NNISTE un or bb , A R, J i . Ro e r R E b t, . PALM R . Coun ss s F E e s N. t , Mi ARR L s s E e e s O . i tt , Mi P P

Luc e Mrs . O CH il , CR U . Ce a Mrs E E . K . li , MBL

to n Taken from the French , said have bee adapted to the English stage by General Conway

on It is the whole a pretty good play, but the A é i underplot which concerns the b b s bad . The

Countess is a pleasant character .

’

ix . Acted s times . (Genest )

1 0 6

MISS MARY B E RRY

Da mer From a bust by Ann e Seymou r

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

if Friday next , except Thursday , when there is n o other illumination (for the recovery of George

e as it is threatened , we Should n ither get

or sic thither ( ) thence , especially not the latter

uid uid if the former is impracticable, Q q delirant ” le ctun tu r Reges , p Achivi . The meeting took place ; both Lady Aile sb u ry

Mrs and . Damer were charmed with the Misses

Berry and invited them to Park Place .

s had f The Mis es Berry come rom Yorkshire ,

n f and , their mother havi g died soon a ter their birth , they had been brought up by their grand

Mr. mother . Berry had been educated as a

to . barrister, but does not appear have practised On leaving Yorkshire he and his daughters and

to their grandmother removed Chiswick , where

r they lived at College House . Sho tly afterwards

n o Mr . Berry married again , but there is further

w his mention of his second ife , and daughters remained with their grandmother . A brother of his died , leaving three hundred thousand pounds and an estate worth between four and five

to thousand a year, and bequeathing another

W of brother, illiam, the whole his property , with the exception of ten thousand pounds which he ’ left to the Misses Berry s father . Both Mary and Agnes Berry received a good

f on education, and were taken by their ather 1 0 8 FRIENDSHIP WITH THE MISSES BERRY

several occasions to travel on the Continent .

of Neither them was remarkably clever, nor had

they much talent in conversation , but their art lay in promoting the conversation of others and in shedding a home -like air on the society which

met under their roof. In 1 7 8 8 they made the acquaintance of Horace

was Walpole at the house of Lady Herries , but it not till they were settled at Twickenham that the acquaintanceship ripened into an intimate

n friendship . Writi g from Strawberry Hill to

o n 1 1 1 7 8 8 Lady Ossory October , , Horace Wal pole mentions the beginning of this friendship

‘ I have made a most precious acquisition ; it is the acquaintance of two young ladies of the name of Berry , whom I first saw last winter , and who accidentally took a house here last season with ’ their father . He goes on to tell their history , and then describes them Their father , Mr.

r is t Be ry , a merry li tle man with a round face , and you would n ot suspect him of s o much d feeling and attachment . The aughters are of pleasing figures , Mary , the eldest , sweet , with

she fine dark eyes , that are very lively when s m peaks , with a sy metry of face that is more interesting from being pale ; Agnes, the younger,

to has an agreeable , sensible countenance, hardly be called handsome , but almost ; She is less ani 1 0 9 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

out e to mated than Mary , but seems of defer nce

to se for on her Sister Speak ldomer , they dote each other , and Mary is always praising her ’ Sister s talents . I must tell you they always

of dress within the bounds fashion , though fashionably , but without the excrescences and balconies with which modern hoydens overwhelm and barricade their persons , in short , good sense , information, Simplicity , and ease is characteristic ’ t o to the Berrys . Walpole apologises his corre s pond e nt fo r sending her this lengthy description ’ of two a pearls found in his p th , and three years later he tells her that they are extraordinary i i s o f h s . beings , and he proud partiality for them It was reported at the time that Horace Walpole was in love with Mary Berry and had

to proposed marriage her , but from the manner in which he writes of the Sisters this seems

wa in hi -first improbable . He s s seventy year when he first made the acquaintance of these charming girls , and, although he certainly had a

for who wa s f greater partiality Mary , his avourite ,

n ot his if the object of passion , he generally ’ i wa Spoke of them both as h s Two Wives . He s always anxious when the Sisters were abroad or

on . visits , particularly if their letters were delayed He told Lady Ossory that he cared n ot a straw for its being said that he was in love with one of 1 1 0

FRIENDSHIP WITH THE MISSES BERRY them ; the ridicule could only fall on him not on them ; people Shall choose which : it is as much

i to o old with both as either , and I am nfinitely ’ ’ - n to regard the gu en dit o . Two years after making their acquaintance he writes to Mary Berry : I am certainly not in

u love with you , yet f lly in love enough not to bear any damage done to that perfect nose (Mis s

Berry having had a carriage accident at Pisa) , or any of your beautiful features and again he

: on e of - says A lover, especially seventy three, would n ot give you these details also I have ’ O Hara seen with his face as ruddy, and black ,

his and teeth as white as ever, and as fond of

too you , and as grieved for your fall as anybody , ’ but I . 2 9 1 7 8 9 On July , , he wrote to Mary that he

Aile u . s b r expected Mr Conway , Lady y, and Mrs . to 6th Damer stay with him ; and on August , that they had all Spent Saturday to Monday at

Mr s . Strawberry Hill , and Damer had arranged

with him that Mr . Berry and his two daughters Should meet him at Park Place in the beginning

‘ of September . Now this will make me hate

that month more than ever, long evenings with ’ u t o a fire are tiresome .

In the following year , when the Misses Berry

were staying at Park Place , Mrs . Damer writes to 1 1 1 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

Walpole that Lady Aile sb ury is charmed with

‘ ’ n ot both the Sisters ; this does surprise me, he replied . Mrs . Damer goes on to s ay that Sh e never s aw two people have S O much taste for the

n T o own . o country , who had place of their which Horace Walpole replies to Miss Berry ° ’ s o he r It may be , but begging ladyship s pardon,

who and yours , I think that people have a place o f their o wn are mighty apt not to like any

Mrs other . Damer had been at Strawberry

Hill this year with her dog Fidele Mr . Wal pole says that he must celebrate the sense of ’

Mr Dam r s . e s . e Fid le , terrier Without making

n to the slightest gesture , her mistress o ly said

: e ou her Now Fid le , y may jump on any chair

ou y please , She instantly jumped on the settee and s o She did in every room in the house for the whole ten days She stayed . This is another

ou r demonstration that dogs understand language , ff so far a s it relates to their own a airs . 8 1 7 9 0 On August , , Miss Mary Berry writes

Mr Do tell me where s . Damer lives though we are not to have the pleasure o f being admitted

no to d till next week , we wish longer elay leaving

’ r Two ou name at her door . days later the f Misses Berry le t North Audley Street , their home in London , for a tour abroad . Shortly

f to a terwards Horace Walpole , being anxious 1 1 2

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

a ohn ton at least I will s y . The J s s have been at ’ Newnham and are actually at Park Place .

who n o . w Mrs Damer , was busy with her pre

a rations to p for her visit Lisbon , writes on

30 1 7 9 0 to Thursday , October , , the Berrys (they

: had by this time reached Florence) Mr . Wal

to - how pole comes day , I know melancholy he

for n o f ou will be , we have letters rom y yet , and

I fear I Shall leave London without hearing again .

rnin Je gham told me that the night Mr .

s e t . Walpole was here (he Mrs . B and him down) when he got into the coach he could n ot contain

wa s n ot himself, there nothing melancholy he did

n t e . o say , he was quit in an agony I have

to written him for fear that , seeing a letter from

me , he Should be disappointed in finding I had

n o news from France . In another letter She

‘ : writes I left Mr . Walpole , I really think in

of health , and well ; but he receives no degree

to n or comfort as his fears , will he until he hears and receives a letter from another country ; the interest and tenderness he Shows makes me feel infinitely more sensibly giving him any additional

v f pain, and depri es him of the satis action he

v of may , hea en knows , indulge with me saying ’ all he thinks . On October 3 1 st Walpole writes to Miss Berry

o n We had a hurricane Wednesday last , I said 1 1 4 FRIENDSHIP WITH THE MISSES BERRY

’ to it, Blow , blow thou winter wind, I don t mind you no w. But I had not forgotten Tues

1 2 n ow il day , the th , and I hope it w l be as calm

- on Mrs . as it is to day Wednesday next, when

is l on Damer to sai . I was in town Thursday

s o to e ou r and Friday , and were her parents , tak

on leaves , as we did Friday night ; stopping at

s e t Richmond House , She out yesterday morning and I returned hither (Strawberry

of After the departure Mrs . Damer, Walpole

to went stay with her parents at Park Place , but

ul ° wo d only remain a very few days , as he said I do not love letters taking s o many days before ’ they get in the high post road . Of the fuss

he which made about his letters Mrs . Damer

‘ remarks : He has always a horror of his letters being seen except by those they are intended

to n o for, and though I daresay he took care put

politics in them , I Should not wonder if his imagination presented them to him read aloud ’ ’ As semble Na t o a le t in the e i n . I s an age since I ’ have heard from him .

It appears that Mrs . Damer did n ot start as n soon as She inte ded, the wind being contrary . Walpole complains of the dulness of London

n o to n o with South Audley Street receive him ,

Mrs . Damer, and the Conways at Park Place till

. 2 8th after Christmas On November , before he 1 1 5 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

’

, rd r Dam had he a M s . e r s s of safe arrival , he ent

‘ e was Au x the Misses Berry her addr ss , which soins de Messieurs Mellish e t de Visne a ’ Lisbon ; he subsequently heard o f her arrival f after a passage o seven days . In the following year ( 1 7 9 1 ) Walpole was

annoyed to hear . from Mrs . Damer that the Berrys had decided to remain abroad till the 1 Spring of 7 9 2 . He writes : I was extremely ’ w Mr Dam lo s . e r s weak and when letter arrived , and mentioned her supposing I Should not se e ’ you till spring twelve months . Through the intimacy that had grown up b e tween the Conway family and the Misses Berry originated the engagement between Mary Berry

' ’ O Hara who of and General , was on terms almost

ff . brotherly a ection with Mrs Damer, and most

highly esteemed by General Conway . Miss Berry ’ states in her journal that she met General O Hara at Park Place after having previously become

acquainted with him at Cheltenham , and that he proposed to her under the mulberry tree o n the

' of lawn . He was thought highly by all Miss

’ was Berry s most intimate friends , and often mentioned by Walpole with much praise . Mary loved him with that warm and generous e n thu siasm which invests its Object with every generous quality . 1 1 6

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

C H A P T E R X I I

LISBON

A S Mrs . we have seen in the last chapter , Damer left England in November 1 7 9 0 on a visit to f Lisbon . She arrived there after a passage o seven days . She was a good sailor , and found

s e a - o ne the voyage , although a long , far less fatiguing than the long land j ourne y ‘ over the

Alps to Naples . The Hamiltons had invited her to spend another winter with them at Naples . To this proposed visit and her reason for going to f f Lisbon , her ather re ers in the following autograph letter

‘ K CE 2 h ov 1 90 8i N . . PAR PLA , 7

E AR SI R I IAM —I of m D W LL , feel full sha e and contrition having s o long neglected to ac knowledge and thank you for your letter of June

ou last , the more as y asked me in it some

questions which I Should have answered . In

to w respect the latter, ho ever, my conscience

as m to acquits me , I mentioned them im ediately

Mr was of s . Damer , which indeed the main my 1 1 8 LISBON

She commission , and treated my questions as insignificant , having informed you herself of all that I could have learned .

‘ ’ n ow Being upon her subject , I ll tell you , knowing the kind interest you take about her , that She has gone to pass some of the cold months at Lisbon . She was not ill, but only not quite well , the harsh winters here generally ff a ect her, and in point of climate I believe that

to ou is among the first . It may seem odd y ,

who S O and to all know her and you , that going

she to . far, Should prefer Lisbon Naples To this her inclination would have led her , but she took

too a her resolution late , late for a j ourney cross

too the Alps, which would now have been cold ,

too and fatiguing for her. I think , besides , that however excellent and pleasing to her in most

to respects , your air was not quite adapted her

n co stitution . The voyage to Lisbon is long , but she bears the sea tolerably well ; the Paquet boats on that station are excellent ; and s he has met with the civilest captain and the best

c ac ommodations imaginable , this we heard from her at Falmouth ; from Lisbon we have not yet ’ she th heard , tho we imagine sailed on the 7

or 8 th as for , and , appeared to us , had fair winds

or ten days a fortnight afterwards . ‘ The account you give o f your intended pub 1 1 9 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

lication is very interesting , and will I daresay clear up much that was doubtful of that elegant

and beautiful fabrique . Of the Greek inhabit

n o ancy there can be doubt , and the Greek letters or inscriptions you mention with the

further details you will furnish , throw a new

light upon the subj ect , and make it altogether a

to m most acceptable work all of that ass , the wh 1 o . Publick , have any taste ‘ Our Parliament has opened with uncommon

’ ecla t by the manifest advantage and honour we

have acquired in the convention . It will cost us

w . But some money, but I think ell bestowed I have like mind to trouble you upon political matters for which I a m at this moment very ill

qualified , buried in the country , with other

u t e thoughts and occ pations , and hearing only h f tattle o the day . What is happy and comfort

in ou r t able situa ion I dwell upon with pleasure ,

u we which is the Singular tranq illity enj oy , and have a prospect of while our nearest neighbours seem preparing for themselves scenes of disquiet and calamity . I have n o conception that it can end otherwise in France : and in the Nether

if of are lands , the reports this day true ; which

1 ’ This probably re fers to one of Sir William Hamilton s contrib u ons to the Philoso hi cal Tra nsactions o the Ro a l S ociet 1 767 ti p f y y,

1 79 5 . 1 2 0

LISBON are the first we could have since the Definitive

B rab antois to day . The are going throw them

a selves , most rashly as ppears , into immediate civil war with sixty thousand fine Austrian troops in their country and four Great Powers

declared against them . If the Wilkinsons are

still with you, pray give my compliments to both . I hope She continues the improvement begun

since she was with you . I wrote to him some

time ago . I doubt our friend the Duchess does

not gain ground , and could heartily wish her

with you for the winter. She has had lately

a little fever which has thrown her back .

‘ I hope now that all is s o amicable between our sovereigns nothing will prevent your Visit to ’ il b u r us next spring . Accept Lady A e s y s best

compliments , and believe me , Dear Sir , your ff most faithful and a ectionate servant ,

‘ ’

N . . WA H . S CO Y

Mr s . On her arrival at Lisbon , Damer wrote Nothing can be more civil and attentive than

to — Mr the people in general are me here . Wal

pole , our Minister , and his wife , in particular .

1 The Honoura e Ro er a o e M n s er P en o en ar to bl b t W lp l , i i t l ip t ti y Por u a and his se con w e So a au e r of R c ar S re e of t g l, d if phi , d ght i h d t t L s on . Mr a o wa a i b . W lp le s younger s on of Lord H oratio Walpole

‘ the Di lomatist a ne e of the Pr me M n s er a nd ere ore a p , ph w i i i t , th f cous n of Horace a o i W lp le . 1 2 1 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

’ In her letters to Miss Berry she describes her impressions

‘ LISBON November 21 1 9 , , 7 0 .

‘ You cannot form to yourself an idea of the

or ff e Portuguese , their indolence indi erenc , neither money n or entreaty will bring them : till it may suit their particular convenience there is n o getting even the commonest workmen near f you . When I came I found two panes o glass

o f broken , and for five days , though the master the house and my o wn servants went twenty

not times a day after the people , I could have them put in I can divert myself with all I of . distresses this sort except cold ones . ’ o ur S dined at Minister last Thursday, with I know n ot how many English of the sort n o

— fa t m foreign tour is free from , vulgar wo en , and

of scowling , unknown men , Consuls , and some ” the Factory . In the evening we had the French Ambassadress (Madame de Chalons) and

cor s di loma ti u e to all the p p q , but I should like

of see something the Portuguese , which is not i to for . s very easy foreigners . Mr Walpole ‘ to ete carry me a grand f at a Portuguese house ,

on of who given the marriage a great heiress ,

e she l no has married her uncl , as cou d find one great enough to marry out of her own f ’ amily . 1 2 2

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

off to aqueduct some way , yet close this straggling town on one Side ; but here yo u have a cornfield , an orange garden , a church , and then a house, just as it happens , all jumbled in the w same queerest manner that I ever sa . The aqueduct may be called magnificent, but the

too : arches are , I think , close the height in one part is immense ; it looks rather thin and poor i . s than light The place wild and rocky , with

m of - so e gardens orange trees, now ripening , and d . o some olive trees I not love comparisons , but there is no seeing this pla ce without thinking o f d u the Pont Gard, and sadly indeed it loses

its by such comparison , though the one is all in h ’ glory and the ot er but a ruin .

. e s o During this Visit , Mrs Dam r went out much in society that she wa s glad of a quiet evening at home . She thus describes her room - f It is small , white washed , and a sort of arm

one - of h house chimney occupies half it it is hig , and built with large , rough stones ; there are

two a some shelves , tables , and many ch irs ; here

I have my books and my writing , and my ideas are not at least outwardly frozen ; their sub stitu te s for of fires are large cloaks , the form

o s e e y u in Florence , which they wear very grace f ully , both men and women ; they are eternally 1 24 LISBON

wrapped up in them, riding , walking , hanging

sun over a balcony when the shines , or Sitting — at home in a state of idleness a state to which

to they seem have a great propensity, by what ’ I hear and by the little I have seen . She proceeds to relate how only of recent years the nobility had given up some of their old customs , one of which was to sit on the

floor with their legs crossed . She even saw one

who lady of the highest rank , was in deep

s o of a mourning , seated at one the ssemblies .

Mr u s . Damer regrets that the Port guese had

to begun improve , and thought they would have been far more entertaining if they had continued

o t practise their good old customs . The Portuguese families kept very much to m the selves , the women living separately from the men . In fact men and women of the family seldom addressed each other , and Mrs . Damer mentions a case of a match being broken off

b s he between a young man and his cousin , ecause asked him ‘ how he did '’ It was not etiquette even for a married woman to go to the house of an unmarried man , and on this account many married women did not attend a concert given by the Duke de Cadaval , a prince of the blood , notwithstanding the fact that hi s two aunts assisted him in doing the honours . The Opening 1 2 5 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

1 9 1 Mrs of the year 7 found . Damer still at

on 2 0th Lisbon . She writes January Though there are s o many things to s e e at — Lisbon , there are some some respectable Gothic — churches which will bear seeing more than once .

to One of the most ancient is horrid look at , almost totally destroyed by the earthquake , little else but the outside walls standing . The Castle , formerly a Moorish Palace , was nearly made a

You of ruin . see here and there a bit a column ,

e tc . , stuck in little better than a mud wall , but this her Majesty does n ot think of rebuilding ; she has at immense expense built a church called

or a e s u the Convento Nuovo , the Corac o de J

of (the heart Jesus) , in the worst taste , adorned by many colossal statues in the style of Bernini

of exaggerated . The works a Portuguese artist

- in this church , the great altar piece , and several

on e others , are painted by Pompeo, and by the

Princesses . ‘ ’ f In this convent is the Queen s avourite nun , rec omme nded to her by the late confessor as a

s a she Santa ; they y is really a shrewd , sensible

of woman , and spoken well . There were , they s a y, many fine pictures in the church by the best masters ; most of them were swallowed up

r . o destroyed , some stolen and sold At the ’ is one Marquis Pamela s there called a Raphael , 1 2 6

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

to I leave Lisbon the time I reach Madrid , I shall ’ not have a Single letter . 2 i She started on February oth , travell ng with

- mules all the way , and her first stopping place

Alde a was g Galega, where she stayed at a private

she to house from there went Badajoz , the first

Spanish town she reached on her journey . She 6th arrived at Seville on March , and was greatly

i u n fatigued by her j ourney, wh ch was very

to o f pleasant owing the rough state the roads .

Men , mules , and everything were ready to die, and the expectation of seeing the carriage broken to to pieces , in an actual desert as assistance , ’ was really unpleasant . At Seville She stayed

l oth she on to till March , when went Granada , where she was much pleased with the Alcaya s

or . Palace The Moorish part is admirable , the

m not Alha bra is now all it has been , but it is ’ of to s e e well worth the sacrifice a week . On leaving Granada she stayed at Herrera and Aranjuez , travelling over dreadful roads , and sleeping at strange inns , and eventually reaching

3 she was c Madrid on March oth, where re eived by the British Minister , Lord St . Helens , and by the Consul . Horace Walpole wrote at the

‘ time t o the Berrys that She had been received w at Elvas ith all military honours and a banquet ,

of e by order Mello , formerly Ambassador her 1 2 8 LISBON

of (London) . It was handsome him , but must

who have distressed her, is void of all ostentation ’ and love of show . d After seeing all the Sights of Ma rid , Mrs .

to on l 6th Damer went on Valladolid the , where she made her way into the Cloisters of a Monas te r of y Dominican Friars, and where she saw some — fine Gothic architecture ; at I l de-Fons she also

- saw some first rate statues .

2 oth to on On April she journeyed Vittoria , the Bay of Biscay, and found the roads still very bad and the travelling rough . Of the Cathedral at Burgos she writes Wishing to see it thoroughly , and particularly the Cloister , and not being sure of the same indulgence I met with from my Dominican Friars at Valladolid , ’ I went dressed in Lady Spencer s fashion ; this dress , with the large cloak and boots , is what , l in point of dressing , the bench of Bishops cou d ’ not object to . By this means she passed almost unnoticed . On another occasion , at Seville , she

u went out dressed like a Port guese , when the ’ rance s e people called her F , and ran after her.

Not liking this publicity, she dressed herself as a vile Mantillo that is, with a piece of silk or linen thrown over the head , then crossed and

e n o twist d round the waist , without which

c an o woman in Spain g into a church ; but Mrs . I 1 2 9 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

Damer found it most uncomfortable for sight

a s she to or seeing , was unable raise turn her head .

2 4 th she was she On the at Bayonne , where ’ who met a very eccentric Maire de la Ville,

of was a great admirer Fox , and presented her with some verses he had composed in his honour .

and Here the weather was dreadful , intense cold incessant rain .

B or d e a u x A r il 2 8 th , p . Everything seems f per ectly quiet , some bustle there has been at

to ff Paris , but nothing a ect an insignificant ’ traveller .

on 3rd s he She arrived at Paris May , where

who found her friend , Madame Balbi , at home ,

ff to é o ered to take her the Assembl e Nationale .

s he f Paris at the time, says , was airly quiet ,

n a aI n I Mo sieur de la Fayette being g n power,

‘ but she did n ot escape a Visit from the Pois ’ 1 who on sardes , even insisted entering her ’ d ff to be room , despite her maid s e orts prevent B ' f them . y presenting them with twelve rancs,

she ot of however, g rid them, and they in their

of to turn gave her a bouquet , one them , much her

o consternation , embracing her . They g every

1 ‘ ’ The Po ssar es ere t he D ame s d e la Ha e who had orce i d w ll , f d the K n and u e e n to u Ve rsa e s for Par s on O c o er 6 1 78 9 . i g Q q it ill i t b , e se ome n who had arr v e the re vi ou s d a ere sa to b e Th w , i d p y, w id

he v e s re use of e r se x and e re run ne and ur . t il t f th i , w d k with wi f y 1 30

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

wa s to that she downstairs , came receive her , and wa s followed by General Conway and Lady ’ l r Ai e sb u . who she y, also dear Mr Walpole,

u tho ght was looking remarkably well . He had ’ r Da m r e of M s . e s to writt n return Miss Berry , that he had heard from her , that they might expect her on May l oth and said he would allow two or three days for disappointments : he wrote again

on 1 2th after her arrival , May , saying She came ’ to Lord Frederick Campbell s house where he and her parents were Spending the evening .

Mr m So s . ends this tour , Da er having been 1 1 abroad from November 1 7 9 0 to May 7 9 .

1 32 AT HOME

C H A P T E R X I I I

AT HOME

DURING the next fe w years Mrs . Damer remained

e to in England, wh re she continued shine in im society, and completed some of her most portant works in sculpture . She was in far better health since her visit to Lisbon and Spain , but

un 1 7 9 1 Shortly after her return , in J e , Horace W alpole wrote that , despite her having returned in Spanish health , she had soon caught an — English north eastern cold , with pains in her back and all her limbs , accompanied with a little

i to fever and she was obl ged keep her bed . He

to n says her father came him from her , havi g

o left her better, and that he should himself g

se e how or and she was . He sat with her f an hour and found her much mended . The next day the answer to his inquiry was Much ’ better. When staying with Horace Walpole at Straw 1 79 1 berry Hill in July , She repaired most skilfully with wax the beak of the famous eagle . During 1 33 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

’ 1 ‘ d Alb a n this Visit Madame y, la plus grande reine ’ d u monde, as Walpole called her , breakfasted at l Strawberry Hil . Writing o f her to Miss Berry he says : I really found she has more sense

had than I thought the first time I saw her , b u t she to for had like have undone all , when ” 2 o f W I Showed her the Death Wolsey , ith

Mr s . which Damer is anew enchanted, I told h was , s e her it painted by , her acquaintance of ' recollected neither you , but at last it came ou t that s he had called you the Misses

7th Mrs e to On July . Damer w nt Park Place ’ d Alb an for three weeks , with Madame y , the

of . Duke and Duchess Richmond , the Messrs

- e Mr s . Mount Edg cumbe , Buller, and the Charm ’ w to ing Man , and in August she ent Goodwood ,

a and thence to the s e . All this time she was keeping up her corre

s ond e n ce who p with the Berrys , were still

abroad . On September 2 5th s he returned to Strawberry

s he . Hill, where stayed all Thursday and Friday O n the following Friday she again stayed at

for f Strawberry Hill a night , leaving the ollowing

1 The Coun ess of A an W om Horace a o e ca e the t lb y , h W lp l ll d ’ ’ P nc e c ue en of n lan was a rea -n e ce of La Aile sb ur s i hb k Q E g d, g t i dy y

and a d of Mrs amer. cousin of the Du chess of Richmond an . D 2 n err Pai te d by Miss Agne s B y . 1 34

BUST OF MISS FARR E N AS '1 HALIA

B y An ne Seymou r Da mer AT HOME

w G 1 day ith Madame de ambis for Park Place , whither Horace Walpole followed them later .

to On arriving at Park Place , Walpole wrote

‘

is b ut . Miss Berry , Here nobody Mrs Damer

Camb is and Madame de , and I am glad there is

not . I shall return on Wednesday, and at the

of to end the week , Shall hope receive a direction

s o further, but scarce, I doubt , Shall know soon , that your final determination or your route is ’ fixed .

the 1 9 1 7 9 1 He passed evening of October , , at ’ D m r s Mrs . a e , with Lord and Lady Frederick

Campbell , Mrs . and Miss Farren , Lord Derby

who and Miss Jennings , stayed till past twelve ’ o clock . He also supped with her after a play on 2 6th the , and met her parents , who were in town

for a few days .

’ Great was Horace Walpole s delight to be able

o f at last to welcome back , after an absence over

who a year, the Misses Berry and their father , arrived at their house in North Audley Street on 1 1 November th . The month after their arrival Walpole became fourth Earl of Orford through

his the death of nephew . The Berrys stayed at Strawberry Hill for

1 Ge orge Selwyn says that Madame d e Camb is was on e of the ’ Nuns at Madame d e Maintenon s famous and splendid e stablishme nt

at St. C r she was en a ou or and as e au u as a y ; th b t f ty, b tif l o Mad nna . 1 3 5 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

three weeks, while they were getting settled in their new country abode, where they lived during the summer months with their father for many years after the death of Lord O rford .

1 8 1 7 9 3 to On October , , Lord Orford writes Miss Berry : The coach has just brought me from Park Place a grove of Lavender Plants 1 for

ou . e . y , of which Mrs Damer had giv n me notice My gardener has gone to distribute them about

Cliveden , which I hope next summer will be as ’ odoriferous as Mount Carmel .

h to 1 9 t . On October , Mrs Damer wrote Miss

r Ber y, that Lord Orford was very unwell ; it

f wa s appeared a terwards that he not really ill ,

n ot to o but did want g to Park Place , which he described a s one of the coldest houses in the world .

had 3 He again supper with her on November oth ,

of and met the Duchess Richmond , Lord Derby ,

in h m e rn a . the Farrens , and Edward J g The next mention Lord Orford makes of being at Mrs . ’ Dame r s was on 2 7 1 7 9 4 house April , , when he

‘ ’ of met her parents , the House Argyle , the

d Mrs . Greathea s, Hervey, and the Charming ’ Man ; he stayed till they went to supper and wa s not at all fatigued .

1 Park Place was at that time much celebrate d for its lav ender and er distill y . 1 3 6

9 E K S E E L 1906 UPP R BROO TR T , ONDON ( ) AT HOME

Mr . and Miss Mary Berry were at Park Place 3 1 1 9 4 f 7 . July , Lord Or ord did not expect

to s o them return soon , concluding they would be pressed to stay longer and would be frail ; they had found the alterations to the house had advanced rapidly .

In September 1 7 9 4 Mrs . Damer removed from her house in Sackville Street , where she had

9 . lived for some years , to Upper Brook Street

‘ Lord Orford writes : I went yesterday evening t ’ o Mrs . Da m e r s and had a glimpse of her new house, literally a glimpse , for I saw but one room

t she on the firs floor, where had lighted a fire ,

tw o that I might not mount flights, and as it

’ she was eight o clock and quite dark, only opened

’ two - a door or , and gave me a cat s eye View into fi them . One blemish I had descried at rst, the ’ 1 house had a corner arrival like her father s . Ah me ' who do not love to be led through the ' s e e . public I did the new bust of Mrs Siddons , ’ and a very mistressly performance it is indeed . Of this glimpse Miss Berry writes to Lord

s e e Orford , I am sorry that you would , and did , ’ Da m r Mrs . e s house before it was ready to be l seen , for fear that from seeing nothing we l but its only defect (the corner entry) , you Should one take of your sudden prepossessions , which

1 s e n rance has s nc ee n a re Thi t i e b lte d . 1 37 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

d o you say yourself, (though in all cases I not

ou of allow it) , totally deprives y future judg ’ ment . 1 9 4 D m ’ 7 . a e r s In October , Mrs sister, the

Duchess of Richmond , was taken ill, and Mrs .

who for to h r Damer, was sent nurse e at Good wood , found her exceedingly ill . Lord Orford ,

to on 6th a : writing Miss Berry October , s ys I

not Mr m she ot have heard from s . Da er since g to Goodwood therefore your letter was the first that informed me of the continued illness of the Duchess for which I am really sorry on every

for account . The Duchess getting better a time ,

r t . M s . Damer was able o return to London In July 1 7 9 5 Lord Orford was called upon to entertain the Royal Family at Strawberry Hill

Mrs to and . Damer was begged by her cousin assist him . Although he was at this time

ff o f was su ering from a bad attack gout , he delighted at the honour paid to him . In a letter to General Conway he writes : Your daughter

ou will have told y what a bustle I am in , pre

n ot to to paring , resist, but receive an invasion

f - to o to . Royalties morrow I am wear a sword ,

two e and I have appointed my nephews , Georg

- - as . a s and Horace , aides de camp If I fall , ten to one d o to I , be sure it will be a superb tumble , at the fee t of a Queen and eight daughters of a 1 38

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

old friend , which occurred unexpectedly at Park

on of 9 th ? Place the morning Thursday , July

w or General Con ay , as he was then , Field

Marshal Conway , had only returned from his

s house in London on the previou evening , and the fatal attack came on quite suddenly at five ’

to . O clock in the morning . According Mrs ’ Da me r s to account , in a letter written Miss f ’ Berry on the day after her ather s death , he had been remarkably well and cheerful at supper on the evening of July 8th . She attributed his demise to his imprudence in exposing h imself to

a n d u for damp cold , and expressed her solicit de

L d to ord Orfor , begging Miss Berry give her

‘ some account of him as he never seemed to

’ apprehend this . Field - Marshal Conway died at the age of 1 - 3rd fiv e . seventy By his will , dated March ,

1 7 7 1 of to , he devised all his estate Park Place his of Aile sb u r wife , Caroline , Countess y ; but Lady Aile sb u ry only remained at Park Place till

of i of the end that year, hav ng disposed the property to the first Lord Malmesbury .

1 ’ A long obituary notice was publishe d in the Gentleman s

Ma a zine J u 1 795 . g , ly

1 40

T HE LE E L LE E R S E RL OF HONOURAB HORAC WA PO , AFT RWA D A ORFORD

From a ic ure E cl ar d t en ra ve 1 807 p t by , g d

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

Powys and myself dined at Park Place ; Lady

Aile b r n r s u y insisted o ou going . It was a visit

to we much wished avoid , as her ladyship was going to quit that sweet place for ever the next

one o f s o day but , and , course , everything bore melancholy an appearance that it wa s hardly ’ possible to keep up one s spirits at the thoughts f o s o . . . losing kind a neighbour Mrs S Hervey , ’ Mrs . Jennings , etc . , were there . On quitting Park Place they made their home ’ Dame r s 9 r at Mrs . house , Uppe Brook Street, where they had for neighbours in later times ’ Dame r . s Mrs cousins , Colonel and Lady Charlotte

ho o 1 3 W N . Campbell , lived at , and George , sixth

No . 2 9 now Duke of Argyll , at ( called Brook

House) .

1 7 9 6 Mrs . In July and August , Damer went to to Bognor with Mary Berry , and from thence ’ w Good ood , where they found the Duchess of f Richmond very unwell again . Lord Or ord,

to 2 5th writing Miss Berry on July , says , I wish you coul d give me a better account of my dearest D uchess ; tell me when yo u s e e her again exactly ’ h on 2 n d : ow you find her ; and again , August

‘ to of I hoped hear all at Goodwood , and flattered

of of myself I should have better accounts both ,

ou n ow y and my dear Duchess , I am in perfect ’ on ignorance o f everything . And the following 1 4 2 DEATH OF LORD ORFORD d ay : I am grieved you can give no better account of ‘ my dearest Duchess ; Still, though slow (and slow indeed it is to me who have s o much at

she heart) , I am confident will recover , though I ’ u may not be s o happy as to see it . On A gust

‘ 9 th he writes : I am grieved that my dear ’ Duchess has had additional pains . She died in

November 1 7 9 6 . Lord Orford had loved her most

ff s aw a ectionately from the moment he first her , h when s e was but a child of five years old . Her sweet temper and unalterable good nature had made her retain a friendship for and confidence in him , that was more steady than he ever found in any other person to whom he had been ‘ w attached . It is a heavy blo ; I had flattered myself the last time when I saw her s o extremely

she ill last winter that would soon recover . She ff has languished ever since, su ered terribly , as much as could be discovered under her invincible

she a n d l patience and silence ; but is gone , , am ' still here, though above twenty years older

who f The Duke , is exceedingly a flicted , retains all her servants and has pensioned them for their lives , has sent me , as the dear soul had desired

f wn one o o . him , her rings I can never put it on my swelled fingers, but I will for ever carry l ’ it about me whi e there is any for ever for me . He also said he came to town to greet Lady 1 4 3 ANNE SEYMOUR DAME R

' Ail b ur m e s . ad y and Mrs Da er after their s loss ,

and that at the last Mrs . Damer was the only

u person the D chess recognised . The death of the Duchess of Richmond was

o who w t . a s another great sorrow Mrs Damer ,

to - devoted her half Sister , and the blow , which ’ e s o ff f ll soon after her father s death , a ected her sorely . During that winter she remained quietly in London ; on e night in December she dined

with her old friend Lord Orford , at whose house

‘ met C oswa lib it she She y , whose g y found very ’ entertaining .

Lord Orford at the time was far from well ,

and Mrs . Damer was very anxious about him . The account of his declining health is best told by Miss Berry : These attacks of gout are

n becoming more frequent and lo ger , and make those with whom he is living at Strawberry Hill very anxious that he should return to Berkeley

to b e Square , near assistance in case of any sudden ff seizure . When not immediately su ering from

u pain , his mind was tranquil and cheerf l . He was

of m of still capable being a used , and taking some part in conversation but d uring these last weeks of wa s to his life , when fever superadded his

his to halluci ills , mind became subject the cruel nation of suffering himself to be neglected and abandoned by the only persons to whom his 1 44

BUST OF ANNE SE YMOUR DAME R

Ca rved by herself DEATH OF LORD ORFORD

s memory clung , and whom he always de ired to

to see . In vain they recalled his recollection

how f recently they had le t him , and how Short had been their absence : it satisfied him for the

n moment , but the same idea recurred agai , as

soon as he had lost sight of them . At last nature ,

ob sinking under the exhaustion of weakness ,

literated all ideas but those of mere existence ,

2 nd which ended , without a struggle , on the of March M It was touching to rs . Damer and other devoted friends to recall how much he missed

how them in his last moments , and eagerly he

for looked them to be constantly at hand . That the invalid should have enjoyed the society of

three such intellectual women as Mrs . Damer

and the Misses Berry is not surprising . Lord

Orford was a man of great refinement, and it

Mrs . was women such as Damer , with her know ledge of sculpture and art and brilliant conversa

tion al to powers , who appealed a man with such

an artistic temperament as he had . The last letter this prince of letter-writers

o f wrote to his old correspondent , the Countess

was 1 5 1 7 9 Ossory , dated January , 7 in this he told her that hitherto old age had laid its

she hand lightly on him , but if found in this

s he letter evidence of irritability , must ascribe it 1 4 5 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

to of the attacks gout, which had become more frequent and severe . Though his house at Straw ff berry Hill still a orded him pleasure , and his

a s library gave him much gratification as ever,

him to to his friends had persuaded move London , and he felt convinced he never would return . ’ Lord Orford s death, which made another ’ Dam . e r s blank in Mrs life , took place at his

1 1 . house , Berkeley Square , in his eightieth year

f n He was buried at Houghton , in Nor olk, ear the remains of his renowned father— the celebrated

Prime Minister . Lord Orford died without ever having taken

f u c his seat in the House o Lords . He had s ce e d e d to the title on the death of his eccentric nephew, and having reached the advanced age of -fiv e too old seventy , was , he said , to make any i change in h s habits o f life . 1 £20 0 0 He bequeathed Strawberry Hill , with a

1 The a ar of O rfor e or 3 er cen s and has l te E l d di d w th p t , ven a a s er n in e ac es c in the resen s a e gi w y t li g l g i , whi h, p t t t Hi Lor of the un s e av e no n to the res uar e a e e . s f d , will l thi g id y l g t d ship has bequeathe d to the D uche ss of Glou cester ; £50 00 to Lady Wald egrav e £40 0 0 to each of the Miss Berrys £500 to e ac of his ne e s and n e ce s and a v ar e of o er e ac e s . h ph w i , i ty th l g i

Mrs Damer has S ra err H and £2000 a ear and Mr. B err . t wb y ill, y y all the manuscr s and the ress rom e nce now come mos ipt , p , f wh will , t ’ ro a his Lor s s os umous or s amon s c b e p b bly, d hip p th w k g t whi h will his e ers ur n or ears to Sir Horace Mann and rea a d ons l tt d i g f ty y , g t d iti — to the no e au ors Mornin Chronicle Marc 9 1 797 . See a so bl th g , h , l ’ Gentleman s Ma a zi ne Marc 1 79 7 . g , h 1 4 6

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

’

s e t e . is in namelled meadows , with filigree hedges

Mr Che ne v ix f s . was proprietress o a fashionable toy-shop in London ; during her occupancy

Strawberry Hill was called Chopped Straw Hall ,

who but this name did not suit Lord Orford ,

to old was delighted find in an deed , that the r place had originally been called Strawbe ry Hill .

to He added considerably the property, and

of when Mrs . Damer came into possession it , the

n ot house was a veritable Gothic Castle , only its exterior but as regards its furniture and

fittings also . By a codicil to his will Lord Orford bequeathed ‘ n b ox to . A marked O , co taining Mr

Berry and his daughters , with directions that

u Mr . Berry should bring o t a new edition o f his

of works , with the addition the papers contained x in this b o . This task was actually undertaken

who for by Mary Berry , worked hard at it over ’ twelve months ; but when the new edition was

o o u issued t the public it came t under Mr . ’ Berry s name . Mary Berry said that by making

f Mrs . her ather editor and Damer executrix , Lord Orford caused his papers being secured to ’ her eye and mine alone .

Wald e rav e The Dowager Countess g , already ’ f to was f - re erred , Lord Or ord s great niece, being the of he r f widow cousin George , ourth Earl 1 48 DEATH OF LORD ORFORD

Wald e rav e who 1 7 8 9 was g , died in ; she a

of one of daughter Maria Walpole, the three ’ of f illegitimate daughters Lord Or ord s brother,

Sir Edward Walpole . This lady married firstly,

W ald e rav e James , second Earl g , and secondly ,

o f William Henry , Duke Gloucester, and was

of o f the mother William Frederick, Duke

Gloucester and of the Princess Sophia Matilda . In the summer of 1 7 9 8 Lady Aile sb ury and t Mrs . Damer se tled at Strawberry Hill , spending ’ Dame r s the winter months at Mrs . house in

Upper Brook Street .

1 49 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

C II A P TE R X V

FRIE NDSHIP WITH NE LSON

AT 1 9 8 7 . some period during the year , Mrs

wa s on n ot to Damer at Naples a visit , her first ,

Sir William and Lady Hamilton . Sir William f £ 1 0 0 0 began li e with an ancient name and , but improved his fortunes by marrying an

1 7 5 5 u of who heiress in , a da ghter Hugh Barlow

I ' owned property n Wales . This marriage was on e of of convenience rather than choice , the ’ inducement b eing the lady s estate o f £50 0 0 a f . 1 7 8 2 year On her death in , the ollowing auto graph letter of condolence was written to Sir William Hamilton by General Conway It is impossible to be more sincerely affected than I was by the melancholy news which makes

of the subject your last letter, but which I had

too f indeed heard with much certainty be ore . Condolences as well as exhortations are always the vainest and generally the most troublesome or impertinent things imaginable . I shall there fore restrain myself in much I could say on the

f ffo n o for subject . Li e a rds room repairing the 1 50

FRIENDSHIP WITH NELSON

of loss such friends , especially after the earliest

f to f stages , there ore eel , but yet bear like men is

to the only part take , and I believe just that which your good heart and good sense will dictate .

‘ What say you to this curious event of

? not n or Gibraltar I am a prophet a conjuror ,

God knows , but I have constantly expected what ‘

n o how or has happened, having notion ships floating batteries can stand against shot and f shell rom land from heights , especially against

which their fire is perfectly vain . Their loss I

e find is very great , and th ir expense has

undoubtedly been immense . We are told the combined fleet came into the Bay the d ay before

i I this extraordinary act on , n which I confess I had n o fa ith for a long time ; and we have now the strongest assurance from many quarters that those fleets have the most positive orders to

. to o engage I want faith for that . However with

’ such appearance and such reports it s impossible not to have some anxiety where the consequence

is S O very important . I doubt ou r Jamaica Fleet and the convoy have ff su ered much . One fine ship is certainly lost,

but fortunately all the crew saved . In the East

it is good that our prospect clears a little , I should

too hope , possibly , on the West, at least I have always had and retain sanguine hopes from that 1 5 1 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

’ s d o f quarter , but I don t Speak as minister rom

b u t knowledge , conjecture and perhaps these ups and downs and variations of fortune will finally

e a e one bring us p e , all the powers having, would think, had war enough , and that may I hope

ou u s — n ot to bring y amongst again stay I fear , ’ tho I Should very earnestly wish it , and I could f urnish many good arguments from the life I f flatter myself with my arm , my garden, my little

of e projects , which amidst all my pres nt grand

is fi ll occupations my head still , and there indeed i my heart lea ns above all the attracts of ambit on .

on e on e d o of When is embarked , must the duty ’ or one s station , at the bar helm ; and there are times of life and moments in all times when Kingdoms and gardens seem of the same size and ’ s f importance , and one can t at such time orget ’ n o no n o n o that there s envy , squabbles , toils , d es e ba t in the latter .

Mr s . e Damer has , I think , been much the bett r ff for to ou . her visit y , and its e ects continue ’ Aile sb ur s Accept Lady y kindest compliments , and believe me , Dear Sir , with the greatest truth ,

’

. ff . f . . . Yr a ect and aithful servant , H S C

This letter shows that Mrs . Damer had been on to to 1 7 9 8 a visit Naples prior , and had benefited by her stay there . 1 52

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

f of sincerest elicitations a friend . You have had 1 already a honeymoon of five good years ; in other ’ of words , five years experience good humour and

. own not attachment I take your word for this ,

is only because it the best authority with me , but because it has the strongest proof in your

o so actions ; mine, (t a friend I dare call it ) has been of many more lustres from the same e xpe ri

to ence , and I should be ungrateful the happiness

has to n ot it procured me , and its author , if I did declare those to be the true and efficient ingre di ents which make in the married state that ’ call d composition which is happiness ; however ,

of other circumstances fortune , name , dignity and

t c t r s a thousand e e e a may vary .

‘ You are now returned to what I am afraid I

m to —at must , but a grieved call your home least to apprehend it as yo u gave u s but very slender

hopes of seeing you again soon . I most heartily hope you ’ ll find there everything and in every ’ way exactly to your wish and Lady Hamilton s ,

n n as well as your ow satisfactio . I only regret ’ u n ot ' ha en all that co d pp here , where I might

have my little share .

You f had heard , I believe , be ore your depar ’ r to ture , your friend Lady C aven s marriage the

1 The allusion is to the time when Emma Harte was under Sir ’ William s protection prior to the ir marriage . 1 54 FRIENDSHIP WITH NELSON ’

Margrave ; announced to Lord Berkeley by the

f le ftéhan d a leu r Margrave in orm . A marriage , mod e , with a promise to take her with his right

hand, when Lord Craven died . That event has ’ already happen d , poor Lord C . is dead , very

opportunely, as I suppose she thinks , and I con clude she is by this time Margravine d a ns le s

orme s f .

‘ ’ Accept Lady Aile sb ury s best compliments ; make mine accepted by Lady Hamilton ; and

believe me , Dear Sir , sincerely , Your most Faith

. . WA . ful Servant , H S CON Y

’ ‘ to b Mrs . Damer desires me tell you she as ’ re ce iv d your letter from Dover , and will answer ’ it soon .

’ m r About the time of Mrs . Da e s visit to Naples

of Lady Malmesbury , writing Lady Hamilton ,

to from Caserta , her sister, Lady Minto , says ‘ She behaves as well as possible and quite

wonderfully , considering her origin and educa

You v saw tion . ne er anything s o charming as

her attitudes . The most graceful statues and 1 d o n ot f pictures give you an idea o them . Her

of o dancing the Tarantella is beautiful t a degree . The Queen (of Naples) has received her a s Lady

1 La Aile sb ur sa a en she firs met her Lad am on dy y id th t, wh t , y H ilt

dresse d atrociously . 1 5 5 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

’ n ot as s Hamilton, though the English Minister

f to wi e , and I believe all the English were be il t i ’ o s . civ her , which quite right ’ r Dam r of M s. e s At the date arrival at Naples ,

’ news had just come o f Lord Nelson s landing in

of of Egypt , and his destruction the French fleet f in Aboukir Bay , a ter a terrible fight lasting

he twelve hours in which captured nine vessels ,

t o and burnt w . By this great Victory in August 1 7 8 9 , in which over five thousand French sailors

or t were killed aken prisoner, Nelson destroyed

’ B uona arte s p communications , and prevented his making Egypt a starting point for the conquest of India . Naples was thoroughly excited at the prospect

f of o he r o the arrival the victor f the Nile . In

for preparations the reception , Lady Hamilton

Mr who wa wa s s . s assisted by Damer , more than interested at the prospect of making the acquaint

f of ance o the hero . On the approach the ’ on Vanguard , with Nelson board , a procession o f f boats started rom Naples , headed by the

w . Royal barge , ith flags and music Lady Hamilton was on e of the first to accord her w Mrs . as welcome , and probably Damer with her .

l who fa r f m Ne son , was ro well, was nursed with much solicitude by Lady Hamilton at her 1 5 6

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

She did n ot have much time for the completion of o n for the bust , as Nelson was only Shore

- twenty on e days . h a Some years after t is visit , Mrs . D mer wrote to t e to Lady Hamil on , b gging the latter exert her influence in having an engraving of the bust which she had executed at Naples in

‘ cluded in a Life of Nelson You know I o we this favour to you and Sir William (of the

to ou n ot immortal hero having sat me) , and y will wonder at my ambition and anxiety that such a

c s o ho w to circumstan e , which I know well value ,

b e should recorded , and that my name should thus

so to be , (if I may term it ) , joined the most ’ brilliant name England ever gave birth to . ’ f r ame r s Very few incidents are recorded o M s . D

Dashkoff of visit to Naples . The Princess wrote

as f her studio a ashionable morning resort , where she was found generally employed with her chisel that was a sanctum in whic h she received only her particular friends ; for her character was a s

as o of e she so devoid p ssible ost ntation , and made

of little parade her talents and learning , that I

on e she remember morning , was extremely dis concerted at my having observed a Greek work

f of i lying in her room, ull marginal annotat ons in ’ n her ow handwriting .

Dashk off Mrs . The Princess , with whom Damer 1 5 8 FRIENDSHIP WITH NELSON

-of - to h was acquainted , was a lady honour Cat erine

11 . of Russia, and took a leading part in the

Revolution of 1 7 6 2 which deposed Peter III . She

had travelled much in Europe , and numbered among her friends all the most distinguished men

’

of 11 . her day . She assisted Catherine in her

literary pursuits , compiled a Russian Diction

t o f ary , and became Presiden of the Academy

u 1 8 2 Mrs . Arts and Sciences at Petersb rg in 7 .

. to . M Hartley , writing Sir William Pepys , Bart , says I s e e that the Princess Da shk off has been

s a w banished to Moscow twice , and when we her

s he in England , I apprehended had a hint given

to her, that it would be proper for her make an

excursion on her travels . I shall never forget the entertaining conversation at which I

ou . was present, between y and her and Mrs Montagu in the year 1 We hear that Lady Hamilton desired to have

v a carriage and li eries like those Mrs . Damer used

when staying at Naples . The following is a reprint by the Strawberry Hill private press of a notice which appeared in

Mor nin Post 5 1 8 0 4 the g , May , , describing the bust of Nelson as exhibited at the Royal Academy

1 rom the Corres ond nce o Sir William Pe s B art. e e F p e f py , , dit d by M ss A ce Gau sen 19 4 s 0 . i li , 1 5 9 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

1 E C E - m n MOD L A AD MY. A o g the number of

’ n busts that people this year s Exhibition , sta ds

- pre eminent in merit as it does in Situation , that

RD E S . of LO N L ON It was entirely finished ,

N U RAB E as well as conceived , by the HO O L

f r MRS . DAME R ; o while most o f the modern

a r Statu ries , Modellers strictly speaking rathe

o wn to than Sculptors , confine their labours ff shaping the ductile clay , and su er what little fire they may have instilled in this pliant

to material , again evaporate under the mechanical

of who process the journeyman , thence copies the f fragile orm in the more stubborn marble , Simply

f of by rule and compass , the air hand a female artist remains as yet almost unrivalled in the arduous task of singly defying every difficulty Opposed by the hardest produce of the Parian

Notwithstanding its modern costume this portrait of LORD NE LSON displays more o f the

o f of true Spirit the antique , than most the sculpture worthies that grace the circle ’ formed round its base ; spite o f all the advantage they

o f o r . enjoy Roman togas , bared bosoms It

of l possesses that breadth sty e which, carefully

i of f discarding every incidental m nutiae the eature ,

of unworthy record , as unconnected with the

1 a er of Mo e s G ll y d l . 1 6 0

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

C H A P T E R X V I

STRAWBE RRY HILL

’ N I Miss Berry s diary it is recorded that , soon t af er settling at Strawberry Hill , Mrs . Damer and Lady Aile sb u ry became acquainted with

Mr f s . who Howe , possessed an extraordinary orce

o f l of mind , c earness understanding , and remark

of able power thought and combination . She retained these faculties unimpaired to the great

of -fiv e age eighty , by exercising them daily , both in practice of mathematics and in reading the

two of l f she dead languages , which ate in li e had

To made herself the mistress . these acquire ments must be added warm and lively feelings

to f of j oined a per ect knowledge the world , and of the society of which she had always been a

distinguished member .

1 r f Writing in August 7 9 8 to M s . Damer rom

f to Cheltenham , Mary Berry re ers her engage

off for . ment , which had been broken some time At Cheltenham her first meeting with Colonel ’ O Hara had taken place This place and every 1 6 2

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

f of o . . the higher order painting Mrs Damer ,

o f he , and I sto d be ore it above half an hour ’ yesterday , thoroughly enjoying it . ’ Dam r e . e s Und r Mrs ownership , Strawberry Hill

n ot its for did relinquish traditions hospitality .

to As hostess , She endeavoured keep alive the ’ glories of Walpole s Gothic Castle in the summer — W she g ave wonderful garden parties, which ere attended by all the great world of fashion from

London , and where she was surrounded by that f intellectual coterie o which she was the centre . Though she led a quiet life with her mother she was constantly visited by her intimate friends .

to in In addition the Berrys , her neighbours

of cluded Mrs . Garrick , the widow the great actor

who on e and an interesting woman , at time had

- been an opera dancer in Vienna . She had come to to London at an early age , and was assisted the position she held in society by the patronage of the Countess of Burlington as well as by h e r own charms . ’ f Dame r Another theatrical friend o Mrs . s was

who was Mrs . Siddons , often a guest at Straw berry Hill , spending many hours in the studio ,

f he w o . s here , under the tuition Mrs Damer ,

is to practised modelling . She said have first

so learnt the art at Birmingham , where , the story r uns : Going on e day into a S hO p and 1 64 STRAWBERRY HILL

of n ot seeing a bust herself which the shopman ,

knowing whom he was addressing, told her was a

likeness of the greatest actress in the world , Mrs .

d she Si dons bought the bust, thinking could

make a better replica of her own features . She

se t to work, and from that time made modelling ’

one of f . her avourite pursuits She , anyhow ,

Mr to s . owed much Damer , in whose studio she , with other fair dames arrayed in mob- caps and

aprons , wielded the malet and chisel , kneading

wax and clay with their white hands . Mrs . Siddons mentions that whenever she was with

Mr d for s . Damer they in ulged in their passion

on on e sculpture , and adds that occasion , when

h Mr s e was on a visit to s . Damer at Strawberry

u of Hill , she had the hono r meeting Louis

Philippe, afterwards King of France , and the

Prince Regent . Another constant visitor at Strawberry Hill at

l who this period was Miss Joanna Bail ie , assisted s o greatly with the renowned theatrical per

formanc e s that took place there . She was a

of daughter the Reverend James Baillie , and a

of niece William and John Hunter, the great anatomists ; she published several volumes of plays , and some poetry which was considered very graceful ; and lived to the age of eighty nine . 1 6 5 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

of Caroline, Princess Wales , also paid several

to Mr s . visits Damer, whose cousin , Lady Caroline f or . Campbell , was in waiting upon her some time ’ Lady Caroline wa s a daughter o f Lady Aile sb ury s

of d brother, the Duke Argyll, and had marrie a

o f distant cousin , Colonel John Campbell Shaw

field . 1 2 1 7 9 9 On November , , Mary Berry writes

Aile sb u r Lady y is , I think , particularly well

is o f and in good spirits , and , indeed , the picture what an old woman between seventy and eighty

to b e o s . . ought , and seldom is Mrs Damer chips away at her marble o n e half of the morning and trots about the grounds the other half in all

e for of weathers , and is much bett r this variety ’ exercise .

Towards the close o f the year 1 8 0 0 Mrs . Damer again indulged in her taste for private

f e theatricals . The first per ormanc took place in f November , and the Misses Berry and their ather,

who H were staying at Strawberry ill , greatly assisted in the preparation and performances

s which proved o brilliant a success . The programme ran

1 66

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

l the opening of the Theatre, Strawberry Hi l , November 1 8 00

— Noise and disputing behind the scenes The Curtain begins

i e to r s .

S eaks within ( p . ) ’ Ho o a s s No Pro o ue to our ld, h ld Wh t thi l g play 2 — Down with the curtain let it d own I say Le t me o or - I mus I av e wa g f th t, will h y (E nters ) ’ So I v e e sca e at e n muc a do , p d l gth with h , rea s e n re a e s a e and ran n too With th t , t ti , y , w gli g , ’ I v e orce m assa e e re the cur a n r se f d y p g , t i i , T o mar our oo s our ou s to scru n ze k y l k , y th ght ti i , And r a our oom e ore an in our e d d b f h d y eye s . Long in the green-room was the point conte s te d ; ’ ’ Scarce to my pray r a half-a sse nt I d wre ste d ’ en ou summone the rom e r s e Wh , l dly d by p pt b ll, (To young adv e nturers treme ndous knell Res ra n s a n n as I fl e w t i t di d i i g, h tily T o s a e the case and e a m cause to ou t t , pl d y y . ’ a an un ra ctis d nov ce an e n a e Wh t p i b d g g , ’ v e n rou s s e to rea the a u s a e With t t p, t d wf l t g ’ Before thi s dre ad tribunal dare t a ppe ar Face such an audie nce a s I no w se e here Nor sen a um e me sse n er e ore d h bl g b f , T o court your fav our and your smile implore u s I v a n ur e e all re Th did i ly g th y ply , ‘ n ur ho W ? —I But who so bold will v e t e W ill . v e me our Pro o ue let s as b e m ne Gi y l g thi t k i , ’ e n ne O r I 11 no longe r b e y our Val ti . — Thu s the n b ut soft me thinks I here de scry ’ Smile s of humour beam from e v ry eye ' ’ The e n rous sentime nt eac osom mov e g h b , ’ a rom s to ar on can a rov e Th t p pt p d , if it t pp 1 68 STRAWBERRY HILL

Ye s in e se ar a oo s r e I v e , th p ti l l k with p id i w ’ O ur fonde st wishe s realiz d by you. ’ No no more I ll as en to m r e n s , h t y f i d ; Bid em con e nce s e e r ear th with fid di p l th i f , ’ Certain to mee t a kind re ception he re .

There is no description of the performance

of of given in any the newspapers the date , yet the success with which it evidently met

encouraged Mrs . Damer to arrange another and more ambitious performance in the following T year . his next play selected , which highly taxed the histrionic talents of this distinguished

of t fiv e company ama eurs , was a comedy in acts ,

Fa shiona ble Fr ie nd s entitled , adapted from the ’ L homme du J ou r French play , by Boissy . This comedy was found among the papers of

Lord Orford , and was produced under the personal superintendence of Miss Berry . The plot , characters , and dialogue turn upon the love intrigues of married couples in society , and there was a want of morality an d an easy licence about the play which make improbable the allegation

wa s that it written by Miss Berry , even though

wa She s instrumental in having it produced . The following is a reprint of the original pro gramme

1 6 9 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

THE T E ST W E HI A R , RA B RRY LL

Nov e mbe r 18 0 1

b e re se n e an e n re n e w Come in fiv e Ac s Will p t d ti ly dy, t , calle d THE FASHIONABLE FRIENDS

Sir Du e Dorima t - D C n O F MT E E . dl y , EARL . E G UMB Sir a en ne a our Mr BE V l ti V p , . RRY .

Mr . ov e BR W L N L Mr . O N ow O TH ll, R . o n Mr BE J h , . CAMP LL .

La e rre Mr. B N. pi , UR

us c a s er . M ME C r. E . M i M t , R R S e na a ur H a o Mrs E . L on . dy li V p , . DAM R

Mrs . L ov e ss BE R ll, Mi RY .

M s . a M r N. R c e rs . B k t , UR ss Rac e ss A BE Mi k t, Mi . RRY . r mm n La I' O E T i i g, dy EL . C L . La ett pp ,

T he Prologue to b e spoke n by the E arl of Mount E e cum e dg b .

T o which will b e adde d

LOVERS ’ QUARRELS

E . Mr . ME RC R

- GE E . EARL O F MT . ED CUMB E Mr . CAMPB LL .

s A BE . Mis . RRY

H n rs E . M . o . DAM R

The Prolog ue and Epilogue to the Fa shiona ble

Friend s were written by Miss Joanna Baillie . The following criticism of the play o ccurs in 1 70

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

S n l ( i ce a l the b eau tie s choos e to s ay a m c is re ce v e With f ith i pli it i d, Since ladie s n ev e r ye t could lie ’ And a e s so rav e are sure b eli t l g e v d . )

O ma the are n of our c h y p t y hild, For our on care s his an s e s o y f d th k b t w, ar u ar su or the rem n s r e F q h pp t t bli g p it , e Damer rea e s his m s Whil w th ode t brow .

ar how he e n s to s r Burn M k b d p ightly , ’ Se e how he ne e s a t Berr s e e k l y f t, ’ And o ns a b ut for E d e cumb e s ra w th t , g w th , He cou av e un s e ou c ld h p i h d f l de e it .

— ’ Tha t youth O Brie n in his name His an the ra e u ar s a se ze h d g t f l b d h ll i , a on som e s a e to find a a n Gl d t g g i , O ne en eman who mov e s e as g tl with e . — The v ision flie s b ut not in dreams A one s a v e s e asa n n l h ll li thi pl t ight, For on s a its remem rance v e l g h ll b li , ’ L on on b e c er s e e g , l g h i h d with d light .

No further amateur performances are men tione d as having taken place at Strawberry Hill,

Mr com although s . Damer had fitted up a most

le t p e little theatre . In the following year the Fa shion a ble Fr iend s was produced at Drury Lane , but without success ,

two running only for nights , although the cast contained some of the best-known actors and i of as . actresses the day , such Mr Kemble , M ss 1 7 2 STRAWBERRY HILL

who . Du Camp , was afterwards Mrs Kemble ,

Mrs . Jordan , etc . The following is the cast o f the public per formance

FASHIONABLE FRIENDS

Pro uce at Drur Lane A r 22 1 8 0 2 d d y , p il ,

D E E Sir i an K . Du e or m t C . B dl y , M L

L ov e B O E . ll, ARRYM R ir n n a IN S a e e ou r K . V l ti V p , G

Dr . S r SUE TT o . y p, DU La Se na a our ss . dy li V p , Mi CAMP rs Lov e Mrs O M . Y N . ll , U G .

Mrs . Rac e ss O E k t, Mi P P . ss Rac e Mrs J O D N Mi k t, . R A .

When the comedy was published the following

‘ appeared in the advertisement This comedy , found among the papers o f the late Earl of f Or ord, and remaining unclaimed in the hands of his Executors for five years , was brought forward K m l ’ e b e s . at Mr . request After the extra ordinary abuse that has been lavished upon it , the Executors considered it a duty to the u n

to known author publish it .

Acted but twice .

The dialogue of the play is pretty good , the l characters are we l drawn , but there is a sad want

’ of plot and incident . (Genest . )

1 7 3 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

C H A P T E R X V I I

PARIS

N 8 1 ft 8 0 2 . O Monday , March , , Mrs Damer le

IS S for on the London with M Berry , Paris ; following day the Chevalier Je rn in gham wrote to

din fie ld a B e : Mrs . L dy g En attendant , Damer e t 9 Miss Berry sont parties pour Paris , Mars , 1 They started at eleven o ’ clock and only reached d Sittingbourne at seven , the roa s being in such a bad state that in several places the four horses could hardly drag the coach ou t of the mud ; they were therefore compelled to remain the night at Sittingbourne . Starting early on the following

—too to morning, they reached Dover at noon late

r o n oa to get thei carriage b rd the packet , and

Not to save the tide that day . wishing sail at

to a o f night , they decided w it till the morning f the ollowing day, when they arrived at Calais at f ’ f our o clock , and where , although they ound the

pier and quay very crowded with people, they

1 rom the J ernin ham Letters e er on Cas e 18 9 6 . F g Edit d by Eg t tl , 1 7 4

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

v h its through Abbe ille , which , wit dismantled

n fortifications , looked very eglected ; several small villages thro ugh which they drove bore a deserted

of for air , though a great part the road some miles outside Abbeville had been planted with

- c e apple trees , whi h were well tend d and looked in good order . Their next halting -place was Amiens ; here

f who they ound Lord Cornwallis, was in charge of the mission sent by the British Government to

to ou t t e France , in order carry h negotiations in regard to Signing the Treaty of Peace between

two . the countries Besides Lord Cornwallis , ’ m r s r Da e . M s . . they met friend Mr Merry , Mr

Little hale s Ni htin Moore , Colonel , and Colonel g ’ who to gale , were attached Lord Cornwallis s

ff. s h t sta It was during this halt at Amien , t a

e h . w o Mrs Dam r first met Joseph Buonaparte , 1 was in charge of the treaty on behalf of the

French Government . The great struggle between England and France had been in progress for so long that both

to to sides were anxious bring the war a close, — and this treaty was the result of the pourparlers

which had been entered upon with this object .

who t Buonaparte , was at this ime First Consul ,

1 The re a was e fin e s ne on Marc 25 us a e e k a er t ty d it ly ig d h , j t w ft

Mrs D amer and M ss Berr had e Am e ns . . i y l ft i 1 7 6 PORTRAIT

ker From E ngraving b y Wa l

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

1 h on 3t . On leaving Amiens , March , Mrs Damer and her friend passed the house of the Duke de

St . James , which was entirely dismantled and the park wall of which was broken down in several a places , and the beautiful Ch teau de Chantilly ,

o f le a which , with the exception petit ch teau and

wa s com the stables , then being used as barracks, l l p e te y ruined . f When at length they reached Paris , they ound

difli cu lt great y in obtaining accommodation , all the hotels being crowded with English visitors ;

to they managed , however, get an apartment at ’ HO l d O rléa ns the te . On the next day they f o Mrs . visited the Gallery the Louvre , where Damer wa s delighted to renew her acquaintance with the beautiful statues and pictures which she

w o knew so well ho t appreciate . While wander ing through these galleries they met Mrs . 1 f r Coswa o . y, whom they had known some time é She presented Monsieur de la Vall e , the Secre

o f to who tary the Louvre , them , proved most useful in showing them the treasures of the galleries .

wa who wa of . Cos s Mrs y , the daughter an inn keeper at Leghorn , was a clever woman . She was a good musician , and gave very interesting

the musical parties , which were attended by

1 r n r Wif e of the celebrate d miniatu e pai te . 1 7 8 PARIS

of of Prince Wales and other leaders society , by which means she obtained a position in the social ’ world o f London . After her husband s death in

1 8 2 1 she lived almost entirely in Paris . Grow

of of l ing tired the pleasures the wor d , she

o f entered a convent at Lyons , which She became the Superior .

D to . That Mrs . amer expected meet Mrs Cosway in Paris is shown by the following auto graph letter written from London

‘ F I r 2 D Ma ch 8 18 0 . R AY, ,

‘ E MR SW AY — I o u for AR . CO D , thank y the letter w . Cos a and should have thanked Mrs y, but I hope to do s o soon in person that I have n ot t written to her . I have at las obtained my pass

t out to s e . port , and mean next Monday You

’ lik e to will perhaps send a letter , or some little w to Mrs . Cos a o f parcel y , which I will take care , and if you could contrive to call upon me o n

d o no t Sunday morning , if I call on you before , I d should be very glad. I o n ot rejoice at the w . Cos a immense work Mrs y has undertaken , but of we t — that when mee Farewell , and believe me,

E . AME R Yours very sincerely , ANN S D .

To Cos wa Richard y, Esq . , Stratford Place .

1 s au o ra e er is re ro uce n n Thi t g ph l tt p d d by ki d permi ssio of Mr. F . a n S bi . 1 7 9 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

‘ w The immense ork Mrs . Cosway has under ’ taken was the drawing of every picture in the

of c Gallery the Louvre , a companied in each case

of a nd by a history the picture painter , an under

w to taking which , ho ever , seems never have been accomplished

During her stay in Paris , Mrs . Damer found the manners of the people much altered for the

o f worse the appearance the men was dirty , and the women were n ot nearly so well dre ssed as f they were be ore the Revolution . After delivering letters of introduction on

l 6th to March Madame de Castillane , Madame de

Be av e au r , Madame de Mo temart, Madame Louise

’ ’ de Tallyra n d Perigord and Madame d Au de

s e to narde , h proceeded with Miss Berry interview the fashionable dressmaker , Mlle . Bertin , in the

Rue de Richelieu . They were not shown any

n or to thi g pretty which tempted them buy , but

f r wo to Mrs . o t Damer ordered a bonnet louis , be made from a model which was composed en tirely of lace and which cost seventy louis . This

a Mlle . Bertin ha d been celebrated s dress maker to Marie Antoinette during the Reign of Terror she heard that s he wa s to receive a domiciliary visit from the agents of the re v olu tion ary government who were desirous of asoer ’ taining the amount of the Queen s debts ; she 1 8 0

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

What Mrs . Damer enj oyed more than any

i a t th ng was the statue gallery the Louvre ,

she she where spent much time, and although was now of over fifty years age , she was still anxious to improve herself in the art of sculpture ; she declared s he learnt many things from the beauti

she s aw ful objects in this collection . At a ball at the Circle des E trangers they met

of nouvea uoc r iches e many the , whos women kind were s o much over -dressed and loaded with it jewels and rich laces , that Miss Berry said was impossible to believe they were at a ball in

Paris . On March 30th they were taken to the Tuileries by a Swiss tailor who waited on

Madame Buonaparte . He showed them over ’ B na arte s of u o p suite rooms . Miss Berry said that none of the many palaces which she had seen in France and other countries approached in magnificence these apartments . Two days

r Cos wa Mrs . d M s . afterwar s , y took Damer and

to of n Miss Berry the house Madame Buo aparte ,

’ to the First Consul s mother , whom they were

who presented , and showed them over the whole appa r tem ent which had formerly belonged to ’ f f Miss Berry s riends , the Mont ermeil family

Madame Buonaparte was quiet and civil , but l i showed n o bri liance n conversation . 1 8 2 PARIS

Mr was After this s . Damer more than ever

o anxious to be presented t the First Consul . ’ d Arb la U of Madame y , writing nder date this

she month, mentions that had heard much of the

f i to o . visit Mrs Damer and M ss Berry Paris , and of the difficulty which they experienced in getting

‘ the coveted introduction . A lady here (Paris)

l on told us she had been ca led by Miss Berry , who had complained with much energy upon the subject ; saying , We have been everywhere, seen everything , heard everybody , beheld such

' to sights listened such discourse , j oined much ’ ' to society and all obtain his notice . Don t you think it is very extraordinary that he should n ot ? s to s e e . himself de ire Mrs Damer Madame ,

ou replied the lady, perhaps if y had done half

v to this , the First Consul might ha e desired see ’ ’ ou o u y both . But y don t imagine , answered

Miss Berry , laughing , we came over from England to se e you ci-deva n ts 'we can see such ” ’ r l as you at home . Madame d A b ay also states that Mrs . Damer and Miss Berry had left Paris

she before her arrival , but that heard that they had succeeded in obtainin g the much -desired introduction , and it was reported they were both a very g y and agreeable women , as well as very

’ r a enterprising and extremely ep nd u s .

2 nd Mr On April s . Damer and her friend were 1 8 3 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

again taken by the little Swiss tailor to Madame ’ Buon a arte s a a r te me nt p pp in the Tuileries . It had been arranged that Josephine should receive them as two distinguished ladies from England who were anxious to see the First Consul and to

of make the acquaintance Madame Buonaparte .

u D ring a previous visit to France Mrs . Damer had met and been on friendly terms with

on to Josephine de Beauharnais, but her return

England the acquaintance had dropped , and Miss

’ Berry does n ot mention that Josephine even f re erred to it on this occasion . She received them

C of with marked ivility , talking her garden at

s he was Malmaison , and of the plants which

in getting from Lee Kennedy England . Miss Berry manage d to turn the conve rsation on to of n the subj ect statuary , thinki g this would ’ to os e hin e s recall Mrs . Damer J p remembrance ,

c r but without su cess . Thei disappointment at n ot seeing the First Consul during this reception was subsequently only slightly mitigated by catching a glimpse of Napoleon from a window of the e ntr e sol of the Tuileries on the occasion of a

‘ of great parade troops . The Swiss tailor had

for to obtained places them view the spectacle .

sa w his They the First Consul mount horse , and he then passed their window twice . A fe w days after this they were again received 1 8 4

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

C H A P T E R X V I I I

’ HE R MOTHE R S DE ATH

’ R Dam e r S HO TLY after Mrs . s return from France in

1 8 0 2 of Fa shiona ble Fr iends , the comedy which she had produced at Strawberry Hill the previous

s o year, with much success , was given at Drury f Lane Theatre . This play un ortunately met with ’ the same fate as that of her father s which had been produced at the same theatre in 1 7 8 8 . Fa shiona ble Fr iend s wa s only acted at Drury

for two Lane nights, and then was withdrawn , owing to the unfavourable reception gi ven to it by the public . The following advertisement appeared in con ne ction with this play

’ The Morning Post may n ow display u nfurl d our co umns of the a s ona e or F l F hi bl w ld, ’ ’ And no t confin d to e of ar s reno n t ll w w , Spread all the ne w s aroun d of all the town ’ e a az e e s the olish d reasur r es Whil g y G tt p T y w it , O S e n as ons not of v u ar r s f pl did f hi , lg f ight , ’ Prou to re cor the a or s e e s and name d d t il d d , And v e the m ner to e a e ss ame gi illi d thl f , Who first shall force proud Gallia to confe ss

Herself infe rior in the a rts of d re ss . 1 8 6 HER MOTHER’ S DEATH

O o n to ra m o e s ma n ot b e v a n h j i p y y h p y i , Commence a Pe ace a on and o ous re n , g y , l g j y ig , ’ Ma Euro e s na ons m counse s se y p ti , by y l wi , ’ Le arn e e n e r au s to c e ris and to r ze th i f lt h h p i , ’ And S e e n n or s r b ut a a s ar h i g gl y b ight, f t l t , ’ Pre fe r thy follie s to the woe s of wa r ' The failure of this play was a great disappoint

r to who to M s . ment Damer and Miss Berry, had been encouraged by the hearty applause with which it had been received at a private perform

to i . ance , g ve it a wider publicity

of 1 0 2 v In the autumn 8 Mrs . Damer was ery anxious about the health of her friend Mary

who so the Berry , was far from well that Berry f amily decided to winter abroad . They left in

to October, hoping let Little Strawberry Hill during their absence , and rented a house at Nice ,

n to for belongi g General Morgan , which they

9 0 to paid £ from November May .

to Miss Mary Berry writes Mrs . Damer from

‘ Nice : I remember your telling me that you thought you should feel comfortable and

o u f pleased at Strawberry Hill , if y could ancy

or me quietly settled , taking a walk at Nice . Be

'ca r comfortable and be pleased then , dear soul ’ i i enfi n m y vo c . After all ou r s cruples and

£9 0 ou regrets about , and mine I assure y were b ’ a to . m ny , we have een obliged give it

r Since her return f om Paris , Mrs . Damer had 1 8 7 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

f n e w ound a. and most absorbing interest in pur

for chasing plants Josephine Buonaparte . On this topicShe writes to he r friend Sir Joseph Banks

‘ W E HI 8 0 ST Deer . 9 1 2 RA B RRY LL, , . — E AR R As to our f D SI , I long repair mis ortune , a nd send our grea t friend something from this

she country which cannot get elsewhere , pray tell me if you have any hopes of a S tr e litzia

Albi os or f fl any other rare plant , as I eel anxious on all occasions n ot to d o less than may b e

t of w expec ed me , and I certainly , ith such an a d u nct s n ow j as your elf, think myself in little — danger if you will have the goodness to deposit or have deposited the plant in Upper Brook e Street , giving me notic , I will take care that it shall be transplanted in the manner Madame B uonaparte herself directed . Give me , I beg , some

of com account your health, and present my best

lim e n s to p t Lady Banks and your sister . If the weather continues as mild as it has hitherto done

n ot f we shall , I believe , be in Town much be ore

not f d o Xmas , but I shall ail, whenever we come , to ou our a acquaint y with rrival , and hope that

not though what is called London neighbours , we shall remember that we are neighbours in the — me country . Believe , dear sir , Your very sincere ’ E AME R and much obliged , ANN S . D . 1 8 8

HER MOTHER’ S DEATH And again

‘ 20 2 HI r . ST WBE Dee 18 0 . RA RRY LL, ,

E AR S I R —I to D , have dispatched a letter

Madame Buonaparte , announcing the future hopes o f - -for to and the long wished Strelitzia her , her

f o u more present hopes o the S . Wales seeds y

to r mention , and as I daily expect hear f om my

ff to Captain , whom I o ered meet in town any day he would name , and whom I can trust with any

to no thing Calais, if you have objection , I should

o f think the packet seeds, sealed up by you , might be now sent to my house in Upper Brook

Street , where at all events I mean to be for a

on ft few hours Tuesday next , and very soon a er

- — Xmas day tostay for the winter a day or two excep ted for which I may probably return hither . I cannot say ho w much I am plea sed with the

of f d o thoughts repairing our mis ortunes , and I

ou b u r nt child promise y that , like the , whenever you think proper to trust the Strelitzia to change o f n ot position, it Shall be my fault if every possible care for her safe conveyance and quick arrival be not d — adopte Believe me, dear sir , Your most sincere and much obliged ,

‘ ’

E . AME R ANN S D .

B was - Sir Joseph anks a well known traveller, 1 8 9 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

naturalist and botanist , whose extensive knowledge f had been o great assistance to Mrs . Damer in obtaining the plants that she showed such a keen

to t anxiety send o her illustrious friend in France .

of R He was President the oyal Society , a Trustee of of the the British Museum , and a member 1 French Institute . His acquaintance with her ,

s o n which had developed into pleasant a frie dship , had sprung from his intimacy with Sir William

Hamilton , with whom he had been at Eton , and to whom he was o ne o f the first to offer con gratulations o n his marriage with Emma Harte . Sir William Hamilton was delighte d when he could write and tell his old friend that his wife

omarrl a e to had , a Short time after their g , begun take an interest in his archaeological pursuits and later , when she showed a pleasure in botany , Sir Joseph Banks became more charmed with Lady

Hamilton than ever . M ff In January 1 8 0 3 rs . Damer su ered a further

of great loss in the death her beloved mother, who had for the last seven years lived entirely i with her daughter , either at her house n Upper l or . Brook Street, at Strawberry Hi l During

for these years Mrs . Damer had cared and nursed her with the greatest devotion and

she affection . The blow was the more severe as

1 s um mer in the Br s u e . There is a bust of him by Mrs . Da iti h M 1 9 0

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

Lady Aile sb u ry had attained the age of eighty

l to two, much be oved by the numerous friends

sh l was r whom e had endeared herse f. She inte red at Sundridge Church , in Kent , near Coomb Bank,

of the home her childhood and early married life . ’ r o M s . Damer erected t her mother s memory a handsome tomb , and herself carved the bust that is placed over it .

1 9 2 LEAVES STRAWBERRY HILL

C H A P T E R X I X

LE AVE S STRAWBE RRY HILL

OWING to the absence abroad of her friends and

to Mrs . neighbours , the Berrys , Damer appears have found life at Strawberry Hill very lonely ’ after her mother s death . Although she kept up m a correspondence she greatly issed their society , and in on e letter she proposed joining them .

’ The n ews of their O ld friend Lady Aile sb ury s

e to d ath was a great shock them , and in their n ff f si cere a ection or Mrs . Damer they sympathised deeply with her in her loss . 1 4 1 8 0 3 . On May , , Mrs Damer writes to Miss Berry that war was inevitable and that the French Ambassador had been recalled from

w . London , and was leaving the follo ing day A week later she remarks that letters n o longer b came y Calais , although they were still sent

to s a that way, and goes on y that Pitt , Fox , and

Buonaparte himself were all in favour of peace . f o Mrs . In spite all these rumours of war , Damer

‘ was still very anxious to j oin her friends ; AS N 1 9 3 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

ou ca n for myself, y may depend upon it, that if I come to you I will ; I shall learn by your letters

to ou where you are be, when y have settled your ’ plans . ’ There is no reference in Mary Berry s letters to

Mr show whether s . Damer accomplished her wish to join her and her Sister abroad this year ; it is

s he hardly likely did , as they returned early in

to September, crossing from Germany Southwold

to Mrs . avoid passing through France , and Damer probably thought it wiser to remain at home the

n o w out war with France had broken , and the closing of the French ports made it a matter of considerable difficulty for any English to leave

m of that country, any them even being detained

of as prisoners war . She accordingly spent most of her time at

Strawberry Hill , where , still active and energetic,

f to she ound much with which occupy herself,

f of in spite o the loneliness her position . The

of she n o absence domestic ties , for had child

now and was without parents , enabled her during the next few years to give up the whole of her time and energies to the completion of some of

- s o her best known works in sculpture , and fulfil her ambition to excel in the art which was bringing her much renown . At times she still enj oyed the society of her 1 9 4

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

Mrs Memoir s o l l . Co one Hu tchinson Hutchinson ( f , by his wife ; published 1 8 0 6) than any book I

for wa have read an age . She s a really superior

to d woman both as head and heart . Her e scrip ’ tion and account of her husband s attachment to

u admI r her , is the tr est, the most elevated and able picture of love and true affection from and to

a superior mind that can be imagined . It fills up every line of that ideal picture long ago traced

v by the imagination , and now engra ed by reason

s ad on my heart . And in the certainty of never

f to meeting it , I eel better pleased with myself

ff f to to co su er rom its absence , than be able m — — prehend or to deny its existence Farewell or ’ I shall grow romantic . In another letter written some years later — — I read Alfie ri in Italian but what Italian s o

ff s o stu ed with Tuscanisms , fraught with words

v is immediately deri ed from the Latin , that it hardly to be recognised a s the language of

Boccaccio , Machiavelli , and other Italian classics

7 1 8 0 9 . On August , , Mrs Damer received a Visit at Strawberry Hill from the Princess of

Wales (Queen Caroline) , who was attended by Lady Charlotte Lindsay and brought with her 1 the little b oy whom she was educating . Notice

Mr two or had been given to s . Damer three

1 A llikin s on of a a oure r at D e or William ustin Wi s l b ptf d . LEAVES STRAWBERRY HILL

she days previously that might expect this visit,

‘ ’ to which was intended be a surprise one , the

Princess n ot wishing to give any trouble . Miss Berry writes The Princess talked a

great deal more than she looked at anything, and seemed pleased to have more people to talk

to . ; the pictures , etc , of the house , and observa

tions on them , came merely to fill up gaps and ’ new matter for discourse . The Princess made

was herself very pleasant , and her conversation dd o e . lively, and cl ver Miss Berry says , What ’ She of a pity has not a grain common sense .

She was taken all over the house , and refresh ments were offered her in the library ; these she

refused . The Princess seems to have conducted

herself in a pleasant, easy , and gracious manner,

r and begged the ladies to be seated . She e

for mained half an hour, and when taking her

Mrs . departure thanked Damer, and shook hands

with all the company . On the following day the Princess sent Lady

to Mrs Glenbervie suggest that . Damer should share a box at Covent Garden Theatre with her on n ne w opera nights . It appears that o o ould make this arrangement with her , and it certainly seems hard that the Princess of Wales had not

b ox to o n a allotted her w use .

Mrs In the ensuing year . Damer stood god 1 9 7 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

’ t to e mo her Mr . Hoper s littl girl ; Mr . Hoper ’ of was the Berrys man business . The christening ’ took place at St . James s Church , Piccadilly .

of In the same year , the Princess Wales paid M rs . t Damer ano her Visit at Strawberry Hill .

n She arrived late , bringing with her o ly Lady

’

Mr . D m r s a e s . Charlotte Campbell , cousin After c a cold dinner , at which the Prin ess was very lively and remained long at table , they walked and s at about the garden ; she did n ot leave till ’ h she r he r twelve o clock , althoug had o dered 9 0 3 . carriage at .

7 1 8 0 9 . On September , , Mrs Damer was at

she of to Ham House , when was great assistance her relative Lady Caroline Congleton (daughter o f the first Earl o f Portarlington) in entertaining

who Queen Charlotte , describes her visit in a 1 letter to a member of her family

‘ I am to thank my dearest for a very

to kind letter I received yesterday , and wished

w i wa s have ans ered it mmediately , but prevented

r doing it by a visit to Lady Caroline and M s .

r w e Damer at Ham , whe e we er received most

in kindly every sense . This little retreat is quite

e a a little earthly Paradise , the hous stands in

incircle d Green Field by most magnificent trees ,

1 ’ rom M ss B err s Corres ondence e e La T e resa. F i y p , dit d by dy h Le s wi . 1 9 8

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

’ of she wise that Lord Dysart s place , and as had been favoured with a key she off ered to carry

u s . u there We walked , and most delightf l it

wa s sa w no t there , and only the house but all the B ea u tif u ll china which a civil House - keeper

ff to w is s o o ered Sho us . It fine a collection that to ow it one to d o kn and admire as ought , it would require many hours, but when all the fine

of paintings , Cabinets excellent workmanship in both ivory and amber also attract your notice , days are required to se e it with advantage to

l saw yourse f. The house is much altered since I ’ n it by repairi g , and tho the old furniture still

is n ow s o remains , it kept clean , that even under

of one the Tattered state Hangings and Chairs , must admire the good taste of old Forefathers é and their magnificence . The Parquet floors have been taken up with great care , cleaned and

to e relaid , and in order preserv them , the Present

has of Lord put carpets over them , but course

aw n ot nailed down . I s also this time the

s o chapel , which is dark and dismal that I could

n ot o . re g into it Upon the whole , the Place maining in this old style is B e a utif u ll and mag n ifice nt both within and without but truly melancholy . My Lord is little there since the death of my

a Lady , for whom he had the gre test regard and 2 0 0 LEAVES STRAWBERRY HILL

six to attention . We returned by Ham , and H left our ostess and Lady Cardigan immediately , we were back time enough to dress before the

King returned from London , and I had before

u who - that a visit from August s , sets out to day

to to join the Prince , but means see Oxford and

n n ow Blenheim o his way . And my dearest

w of n o to - I kno more entertain you for to Day , and if I have succeeded in giv ing you but a r qua ter of an hours Amusement , I shall be

amply rewarded , but the greatest reward you

could give me , and the best news from your

part of the World would be that of yr . being

better , which I hope will soon be attained by

inhailin t a Fresh Air and g the sof se breeze .

This is the Constant Prayer and wish of yr . Affectionate and Friend

‘ CHARLOTTE .

8 1 1 f In 1 Mrs . Damer received a present o

French Porcelain from the Empress Josephine , which was sent through a gentleman of the

French Court , accompanied by an invitation t from the Empress o visit her in Paris . This

s he not a d v is invitation did accept , thinking it able n ot to leave England while the war was still in progress .

1 ’ The ca a e ers and s e in are the u en pit l l tt p ll g Q e s . 2 O1 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

’ Da m r s Dined at Mrs . e with Monsieur de 1 Bréhan who has , the Frenchman brought her the present of a fine cup and saucer from the

Empress Josephine . He appea rs by his con

ff to versation and manners , which are una ected ,

of be something above the rank an upper servant , a decent person employed in commissions , etc . He comes here with a great order to Lee m Kennedy , for plants for the said E press ; whether he brings a liquidation of her long

n ot has account with them , I know . He a

who mother and an uncle settled here , live

n o together at Hampstead . The uncle is other

or Monstie r who was than M . de Montier , , the

to of 1 7 8 3 first French agent motive the peace , f l f be ore Re yn e v a was sent here . He crossed rom

to Dieppe Gravesend as was intended , but by stress of weather was allowed to land at

o r on e Margate . He , any else , leaving France fo r m this country , ust have a particular passport , ’ ’ o wn signed twice by the Emperor s hand .

1 8 1 1 Mrs . It was in this year, , that Damer

to finally decided give up Strawberry Hill , resigning the house and grounds together with the £2 0 0 0 a year which had been left to her by

f to to n Lord Or ord keep up the place , the ext

the Wa ld e ra v e heir , Dowager Countess g ; with

1 ’ M ss B err s Dia r J anuar 1 2 . i y y, y 20 2

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

several days , and attracted all the collectors and

s dealer in the country , but the sums realised for many of the objects s o highly prized by Lord

ff for Orford , when o ered sale , would raise a smile to the lips of the modern purchaser . How little did Horace Walpole think that the n collection , which he had cherished and arra ged

s o with much taste , would have been thus

e ' 1 7 6 1 his scatter d In , many years before

to death , he wrote his friend George Montagu , ’ f e from Houghton , his father s place , rom whenc the magnificent collection of portraits had j ust been sold to the Empress Catherine of Russia Poor little Strawberry : at least it will not be ’ stripped to pieces by a descendant . The Strawberry Hill collection included many rare specimens of portrait figures in Chelsea 1 7 50 porcelain, which were made about , some ’ of of f f which were portraits Lord Or ord s riends , such as George II . , Kitty Clive the actress , and

- Field Marshal Conway , his cousin (this last i specimen is nthe South Kensington Museum) .

2 0 4

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

s to eats all falling pieces , the trees overgrown in i some places , and in others dead and left stand ng, the poor little fl o we r-garden with its fountain

flowe rle ss dry and its borders , its little arcades

- - over grown and broke , and the thorn tree in the

to middle left spread over the whole Space . Oh , how every slip of it aff ected me I s aw you and ’ 1 - i . ts O H , sitting under the thorn tree in trim

d t to ays , and myself having lef you merely enjoy the delicious sensation of knowing you were expressing for me every sentime nt I coul d wish

o s aw t inspire . I him following me into the w laurel alk , and in giving me a letter (which I

had accidentally dropped) , in a j oking manner , first convincing me of the seriousness of the

s a t sentiment I had inspired . I down at the end of the library and saw your form at the

on bottom , a ladder , arranging new placed books ,

ou and the look you gave and recalled , when y

the of found us sitting at other end the room , just where you had left u s when you returned

again to your work . I am s o glad I have seen Park Place once , in Spite of all the melan chol to s e e y it inspired , but I should be sorry ’ more of it . The Visit is also mentioned in her diary ’ in t June 2 9 Went Mrs . Scott s barouche o

1 ’ m h Genera O Hara to o s e had een e n a e . l , wh b g g d 20 6 YORK HOUSE

of Park Place . Instead driving up , as formerly ,

to s e e to the house Park Place , carriages turn up

by the Horse Shoes , Lord Malmesbury having

bought all the intervening land . It is impossible to describe the melancholy I felt at again finding

myself at Park Place . We entered it by the

kitchen garden , and from thence into the little

flower garden, where several recollections totally

overcame me . They needed not the additional

melancholy which the forlorn , the neglected , the

ruined look of everything gave me . Had I known nothing of the inhabitants , I could have sworn , only from seeing the place , that they cared little for the country . Poor Park Place ' how changed in every particular the alterations

of n o t made in the inside the house are good , I think . The furniture of the library is certainly

for improved, there is a fine collection of books in it ; a folio edition of all the Greek and Latin ” 1 classics probably having belonged to Hermes,

C the ff besides very fine opies of all di erent books , dictionaries , foreign topography, etc . I shall

d o probably never see it again , nor I wish to, lest the image of it in its present state should derange and confuse my former recollections of its beauties , its comforts , its inhabitants , and my

1 Lor Ma me s ur was the s on of J ames arr s au or of d l b y H i , th Hermes . 2 0 7 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

for last winter there , when I vainly hoped and looked forward to happiness within my grasp '

We returned by Medmenham Ferry . In the

out to evening I read them, but my Spirits had ’ all n ot at recovered Park Place .

Two d years after this , the Misses Berry deci ed to sell their country house , Little Strawberry

for -two Hill , which they had occupied twenty years . They felt deeply parting from a place which had been associated with s o many happy

f e x e ndi memories, but they had ound their p ture s o greatly increased that they were glad to be saved the expense of keeping up two

n ow in houses . They settled their house in

for North Audley Street , where they lived the remainder of their lives .

1 5 1 8 1 4 of On January , , the Princess Wales (afterwards Queen Caroline) spent the day with

I for for Mrs . Damer n her studio , Sitting her bust the last time . In May of this year Miss Berry mentions in

to Mr taél s . S a letter Damer that Madame de ,

Mrs . wa s with whom Damer very intimate, and who for e l t had been in London som time , had ef

taé l n on . a S for Paris I parted with M dame de , sa ns a tten dr issement d e ma a r t p , late on Satur day evening ; she se t off for Paris early on Sun

own . day morning . I I much regret her absence 2 0 8

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER engraved o n a loose gold plate which fits inside the b ox

‘ THIS BO X WAS GIVE N BY THE E MPE ROR NAPOLE ON O F FRANCE TO THE

B LE HO N ’ ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER AS A SOUVE NIR

I n cons e qu e n ce of h er having pre se nte d him with a bu st u h r f The u h f Mr Fox e xe c e e se . st ad e e n o . t d by l b b romis e at the Pe ace of Amie ns was finis e in 1 8 1 2 p d , h d , an d s e nt to ran ce w ere it re ma n e b ut was n ot re F h i d , p t Ma 1 1 8 1 5 whe n comman H s se nte of. i d ill y , , , by d Ma est An n e Dame r h ad an au ie nce for t at u ose j y , d h p rp ’ at the Pa a s E see whe re the E m e ror t e n re i s e . l i ly , p h d d

There is a Slight inaccuracy in this inscription , for , as we have seen in a foregoing chapter ,

n to Mr Napoleon did ot Speak s . Damer on the subject of Sculpture when she wa s presented to

on to him at the Tuileries, her visit Paris after f the Peace o Amiens .

ff - ox to Mrs . Damer bequeathed this snu b the

1 8 2 8 is n o w nation at her death in , and it at the

Bri t ish Museum . n 8 1 8 2 8 At a Committee Meeti g , November , , the principal Librarian o f the British Museum

f -b ox announced that he had received a gold snu f , t s e in diamonds, and ornamented with a finely

’ of the b e executed portrait Emperor Napoleon ,

h d to n r H M s . qu e at e the Trustees by the late o .

of w Damer , under the injunction never allo ing 2 1 0 E MRS . SNUFF -B O X PRE SE NTE D T O DAM R L N R E 1 81 5 BY NAPO E ON BUO APA T ,

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

’ s was the man who m s the em es s ra e Thi , , id t t p t g , A mar of sa e to the na on s oo k f ty , ti t d , ’ ’ ’ aru the ro e s v o ce a serv e a e W d with p ph t i il g ,

And strov e to q uen ch the ru thl e ss thirst for blood . — This wa s the man whose ev e r d e athle ss fame ’ n Re calls his ge e rous life s illus tri ous scene s . To e s s his e o -crea ure s wa s his aim bl f ll w t , ’ n And u iv e rsal liberty his mean s .

’

a Mrs . Napoleon s arriv l in Torbay , before ’ Dame r s to return , is referred by Miss Berry in

to Mr on 2 3 1 8 1 5 s . a letter Damer written July ,

‘ of The rapid course public events , all more wonderful than the other, which have taken place within this last month , leave all comment,

You a s well a s calculation at a distance . little thought that your friend at Paris would be in

n an d E gland before yourself, that your bust may return to that country it never ought to have

of left , without going out of the possession the

ou person to whom y gave it . Before I close this letter I Shall probably have heard of his arrival

a i o f at n Engl sh port . The last triumph the English character for good faith and truth is

n indeed flattering . We shall ot sully it by our conduct even to him ; strict confinement and security for his person seems all that is thought ’ r of fo him .

In another letter Miss Berry writes to Mrs . Damer If you have felt the Battle of Waterloo 2 1 2 YORK HOUSE

’ d a as a soldier s aughter, as it was univers lly a felt here (England) , and bove all , as it was felt by all those engaged in it , its glory and its ’ results have absorbed every other feeling .

A few days after this letter was written , news arrived that Paris had capitulated to the allied

on armies , and that the war which had dragged s o u many years , was at last bro ght to a termina tion by the exile of Napoleon to St . Helena .

n On her return to E gland Mrs . Damer decided to buy another country place . Temporarily she

’ rented Lady Bu ck ingham shire s house at East

t o Sheen , being anxious again own a place in or near Twickenham , to which locality she was very

s h u partial . After some delay e was fort nate

to enough secure York House , which she pur

Stare mb u r chased from her friend Prince g , the late Austrian Ambassador.

o r York House , as it was originally called

n York Place , was situated ear the river at

Twickenham , and had formerly been given to

Chancellor Clarendon , on the occasion of the public announcement of his daughter’ s marriage with James , Duke of York ; the Chancellor made it his summer residence when in attendance on the King at Hampton Court . Queen Anne was

1 6 64 a born here in , and afterwards it bec me the f residence of the Duke o York . 2 1 3 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

' Mrs . no Damer lost time in adding a studio , to she which removed all her sculptures , tools , marble s and models ; it was situated to the east of the house and is now used as a conservatory . Here she worked away with her usual energy

u she througho t the summer months , but still spent the winters in Upper Brook Street . When at York House she was constantly

who visited by the Misses Berry , lost their 1 8 1 father in the year 7 . He died at a great ’ a n u ff age , after a few d ys ill ess witho t any su er

Mr s . ing . Damer wrote of him He had a kind , cheerful , and guileless heart , and I shall always ’ remember him with gratitude .

v o Mr Another constant isitor t s . Damer at

o York House was the unfortunate Queen Car line ,

who Mrs . was in the habit of , coming to watch

Mrs . m Damer at her work . Da er truly sympa thise d on with her , and every occasion treated

to her with the respect due her position . Lady

who Charlotte Lindsay, had been in waiting on

who the Queen , but had retired from her service

to some time before her trial , wrote Miss Berry

1 8 1 8 2 0 she h on June , , that had not eard of any woman of fashion that. had called upon the

h he n u . w o s Q een , except Mrs Damer , imagi ed thought this Visit a respect due to the station of

n n a s the Quee , agai st whom nothing had yet 2 1 4

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

C H A P T E R X X I

THE LAST YE ARS O F HER LIFE

I N August 1 8 2 0 a lawsuit was instituted by

f H n o o . the Marquis Cholmondeley and the Mrs .

to Damer , obtain the Rolle estates , which had been in the possession o f the late Lord Clinton

for n ow to s on . twenty years , and belonged his These large estates were situated in Devonshire

an d and Cornwall, had come into the possession of the Walpole family , from whom they had

to descended Lord Clinton , through the marriage of t Robert , second Earl of Orford, with Margare , only daughter and sole heiress of Samuel Rolle . This Lady Orford also succeeded to the Barony of Clinton .

From the evidence it appears that Robert,

of to Earl Orford , left these estates back the f Rolle amily , and that they had eventually

of who passed into the possession Lord Clinton ,

m of was descended fro Bridget, Sister Samuel

an d o f f an d Rolle aunt Margaret , Lady Or ord

n Baroness Clinto . 2 1 6 PORTRAIT TAK E N I N O L D AGE

ion o Mrs. F. E rsk ine J oh ns on Reprod uced b y permiss f t

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

‘ ’ b two I was at Brougham s y half past , and

n As found Craven waiti g . soon as Brougham

a s e t off to r w M s . ho was re dy , we pick up Damer ,

to i was dine also w th the Queen . And here let me stop and express my admiration for this extraordinary person . You know she is Field ’ of Marshal Conway s daughter, cousin Lord

. is who Hertford , etc . etc She the person paid all ’ her husband s debts , without the least obligation

s o to d o she who on her , and is the person ’ to t renounced all claim half Lord Clinton s es ate, when she was informed by law she wa s entitled t i f o . s o it She seventy years age, and as fresh w as as t . She at fif y Well , when we reached

Brandenburg House , we were ushered up a very

ff - indi erent staircase , and through an ante room

- into a very handsome well proportioned room ,

f to f from orty fifty eet long and very lofty , with

a fine coved ceiling , painted with gods and goddesses in their very best clothes ; the room

is looks over the Thames , and not a hundred

yards from it .

‘ our Upon entrance , the Queen came directly

to an d to . Mrs Damer , then Lord Brougham then

not t n ot to me . I am sure whe her I did commit the outrage of putting out my hand without her

a s doing the same first ; be it it may , however , we

if n ot did shake hands . She then asked me I had 2 1 8 THE LAST YEARS OF HER LIFE f ’ orgotten her, and I can t help thinking she con s id e re d my visit as somewhat late , or otherwise She would have said something civil about my uniform support . She is not much altered in face or figure , but very much in manner . She is

much more stately and much more agreeable .

She is occasionally very grave . As we

t to wen down dinner , Craven handed the Queen ,

who Brougham , Mrs . Damer , Madame Felice , was

leaning on the arm of a foreigner , seeing me

for unprovided , came in the most natural, laugh ’ 1 ing manner , and put her arm through mine .

two During these years , the Misses Berry

were again travelling in Italy , and many letters

s pas ed between them and Mrs . Damer . On April

3 1 8 2 1 she w a s s o , , Mary Berry wrote that glad

to hear that Mrs . Damer was perfectly well, and to be able to tell her that she had been fortunate

in procuring , through Canova, the piece of

m Mr arble that s . Damer had asked her to get ;

to trifle s it was be sent by sea , with other of ’ her own .

who It was wonderful that Mrs . Damer , was

- now aged seventy three , Should want marble for

she her sculpture , but had still several important

n b e ar subjects o hand . She was distressed to

1 rom the r eve Pa r e i Hon ir er e r C e e s e the R . S F y p , dit d by ght H b t a B M e ar . xw ll, t 2 1 9 ANNE SEYMOUR DAME R

of from Miss Berry, in October the following year , of of who the death at Venice Canova, had often w h assisted her in her work it his valuable advice . 1 8 24 The Berrys were back in England in , and we are told that Mrs . Damer walked with Mary

’ Berry from York House to Sir Waltham Waller s

to s e e f house at Twickenham , his wonder ul

of collection old French furniture , which they considered finer than anything they had ever seen in France . During the summer o f 1 8 2 5 Mary Berry was staying with Mrs . Damer at York House , where She had n ow gathered together a large collection of own - her busts and models in terra cotta, and a ’ of great deal her mother s beautiful embroidery .

’ 1 8 2 8 Mr Dam e r s Early in the year s . beloved friends , the Misses Berry , left England for

on another trip the Continent , accompanied by Lady Charlotte Lindsay they never sa w their — old . friend again Ill health , together with the

‘ infirmitie s of old a e n ow s e t and weakness g , had in , with an almost imperceptible decay , but even in this weakened state her patience and persever ance enabled her to finish the bust o f Nelson for

of fe w f the Duke Clarence , a days be ore her 1 death .

1 A day or two after her d eath this bust was presente d to the D u k e at Bus e Sir A e an er and La o ns on in the re ence of h y by l x d dy J h t , p s 2 20

THE LAST YEARS OF HER LIFE She passed away in enviable tranquillity at her

on 2 8 1 8 2 8 house in Upper Brook Street May , , in her eightieth year , her near relations, George,

of J n n fifth Duke Argyll , and Sir Alexander oh sto ,

being with her to the last . It was not till June that the Berrys received

ff n the a ecti g news of the loss they had sustained , a b loss which they felt most itterly , their grief being intensified by the thought that they had

no t been with her at the last . Mrs . Damer was m to her any years senior friends , who lived on to

—n the advanced ages , respectively , of eighty ine and ninety .

Mr s . Damer was buried at Sundridge Church , near the grave of her mother . In her will she desired that her working apron , with all her tools e ’ and the ashes of her favourite dog Fid le , which had died many years before , should be f placed in her co fin . She bequeathed York 1 to u ohns ton House her co sin Lady J , for the pur pose of keeping under one roof the whole of her collection of the bronze and marble busts of her friends and the celebrated men and women of

he Duc e ss of um r an h D c e s of Me n n e n . Mr t h C be l d and t e u h s i i g s . ’ Dam r had a o ma e a f Mr or an s le for w c the D u e e s cas o s . l d t J d g, hi h k ’ en a no e hi ow r an an s at the ea of s t t with s n and Mrs . J o d s th k d th Sir J os ua Re no s who had the ca s in his osse ss on the D u e of h y ld , t p i , k are nce orma a e for to B ur e as one of the e e cu ors Cl f lly ppli d it k , x t , who se n it to him t . 1 Dau e r of Lor am am e ght d Willi C pb ll . 2 2 1 ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

. to her day She further bequeathed her , and

to his afterwards Sir Alexander and daughters , ’ all her terra -cotta models and her mother s embroideries in worsted work ; the majority of these treasures are still in the possession of the

Johnston family . York House was let for some time and e v e ntu

in 1 8 64 to ' ally sold by the Misses Johnston , , the ’ Du c d Au male who fo r , bought it his nephew,

who for the Comte de Paris, lived there many years .

Mrs . Damer herself had designed the tomb

for her mother at Sundridge Church , and the following is the inscription on her own memorial tablet which is placed in the Chancel of the Church

HI C PROPE J ACE T UN0 CLARA CUM MATRE LOCO ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER SCULPTRI X E T STATUARIA I LLUSTRI S FE MINA

’ HE ICI S O CO W E T C O INE C BE FI I NR E YM UR N AY AR L AMP LL L A .

’ r Dam r The following notices of M s . e s death appeared respectively in the Mor ning Pos t and ’ Times of 2 9 1 8 2 8 Gentlema n s May , , and in the

Ma a zine - 1 8 28 g , May July

2 2 2

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER on condition she re side d there and did not dispose of it to a n e rson u n e ss ere to his re a n e ce the Coun e ss y p , l it w g t i t D o a er Wald e rav e on m and rs was n o her e e a e . w g g , wh h i it t il d hi A s r n s oo s and urn ure e re ma e e r ooms . ll p i t , b k , f it w d h i l His n e ce the Duc e ss of ouce s er re erre to i , h Gl t , p f d ’ s D i a . Mrs amer s or ra am on s at S ra thi Vill . p t it by H ilt t w

err Mrs . am r r s ra u r b y Hill . D e e id e d a t this celeb t e d ho se f om ’ L or O r or s e a a ou the e ar 18 10 e n she av e d f d d th till b t y , wh g ’ u to the a e Coun e ss Wald e rav e who e e re in it p l t t g , di d th anuar 18 16 en the D u e of R c mon a ron se J y . Wh k i h d p t i d

r v a e ea r ca s he was a to av a mse of Mrs . p i t th t i l , gl d il hi lf ’ Dame an Sh was th Tha lia of the sce ne She r s a ss s ce e e . i t . a pp eare d in the chara cter of L ord Henry ” z t n e She a so wa s Fit ge rald supporte d he part of Do F lix . l m n r Him and Lad e e n as M s . Lov emore in The Wa to K ee v i t , y p , re e ov e in The J ealous Wi e F l f . A a a er er o ur n he r re s e nce a t S ra err t l t p i d, d i g id t wb y Hill , she e rse e u an e an a e e re the come h lf fitt d p le g t the tr . H dy calle d Fashiona ble Lovers (which has b e en a ttributed to the f r r Mr K m n ar o L r O o was r se n e . e e o a e o e . p t d f d) , p t d bl bt i d e rm ss on to rans an s come to Drur Lane b ut p i i t pl t thi dy y , it wa s not su cce ssful . I n ar of S cu ure Mrs Da me r un u e oo the e . o th t lpt , d bt dly t k ' le a d of all amateurs I n e arly life she rece iv e d le ssons from Ce ra cchi a nd the e er Bacon and she e v e n o o e the ld , f ll w d e x ample of professional artists in taking a v oya ge to Italy to Her e an as nd a s a ro m rov e ers e . e e u a c s c i p h lf l g t, t t f l l i l p s a ere as re s n s d uctions are wide ly c tt d p e t . A the su e s on of Sir A e an er o ns on her re a v e t gg ti l x d J h t , l ti , with a v ie w to aid the a dv anceme n t of Europe an Arts in Ind a she sen a u s of L or Ne son to the K n of an ore i , t b t d l i g T j , and She pre se nte d anothe r bus t o f Ne lson to the Corpora tion of Lon on c is ace in the Common C ounc Room at d , whi h pl d il m r a s a u f r e s . Da e e o e o . Mr the Guildh ll . A t t G g III by adorns the Re s e r O ce at E n ur and her eau u gi t ffi di b gh, b tif l bust of Sir Jose ph Banks at the British Museum is we ll n But er a s the mos u c of her or s are the know . p h p t p bli w k

2 2 4 THE LAST YEARS OF HER LIFE

' ' ” co ossa ea s of ame s and Is s on en e Br e l l h d Th i H l y idg . f h r us s are in the an s of r v a e n v ua s Sev eral o e b t h d p i t i di id l . Damer osse sse one of the e s se ec e nd m Mrs . p d b t l t d a ost e rar e s e v er orme a ema e co ec or She v aluabl lib i f d by f l ll t . had we ear rec e a her a ron and oo s s ou b e , h , di t d th t p t l h ld buried with her : as als o the bone s of her fav ourite d og that ’ h r died before e .

2 25

ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

- E M . 8 1 2 am e Lor Wi iam 68 8 0 . E M E H . E 96 9 0 . C pb ll , d ll , , DG CU B , ON , , M 1 E n le fi e ld Sir arr 96 98 103 of am ore Hon . o n 1 7 . , J h , , g , H y, , , ,

of Shawfi e ld o one o n 209 . , C l l J h ,

166 . L F E M SS 2 1 8 83 96 98 a r is e or 39 61 . 7 C l l , d , , ARR N , I , , , , , ,

P 106 1 35 1 36 . aro ine rin c e s s 8 3 . C l , , , , Mr 1 a e rin e I I o f Ru ssia ue e n s . 35 136 . C th . , Q , , ,

Fe rre rs Lor I 1 . 159 2 04 . 8 , , d , ,

av e n is Mrs . 2 . Fi z e ra Lor e nr 96 101 C d h , , t g ld , d H y, , .

Ce ra c chi Giu se e 29 30 . Fo s e r A n e s 2 09 . , pp , , t , g ,

ar o e P n e ss 23 8 1 198 . La i e 2 ri c E z a 78 8 . Ch l tt , , , , dy l b th, , u e m 1 8 1 n 2 198 . Fo c Ma a e u e e 3 8 1 . Q , , , h , d , F a Che ne v ix Mr 14 148 . o x L a ro in e 4 . s . 7 6 , , , , dy C l , M s 1 a r e s m e s 14 1 1 Cholmele r . 63 . a 6 8 y , , Ch l J , , , , o m on e e Mar u is o f 2 1 6 8 6 92 -9 5 99 103 130 177 Ch l d l y , q , , , , , , , , 2 1 2 - 1 1 17 . 8 5 , 09 2 . 22 h ar n c D e o f 8 6 8 0 . F e e ric t e Gre a in e e u 8 3 7 r 55. Cl , k , , , , d k t , K g ,

r 2 . m o e Vis coun E a 3 Fre e an Mis s 80 9 1 . C k , t dw d , , , , La Mar 2 1 30 32-36 dy y , , , - - 38 40 42 44 48 5 1 55 . G S 2 1 . , , , , AIN BOROUGH , 2 1 1 4 Mr an Mrs . 105 . Garri o e La E iz a e 170 c . d 6 . C l , dy l b th, k , , , 4 1 Ge or e in 9 4 . n L a o in e 1 . 6 8 9 o e on a r 98 . 7 C gl t , dy C l , g III K g , , , , o in 22 94 95 1 Ge r e I V . on a B aron 10 . 03 C w y , , g , K g , , , , ,

Ho n e n r mou r 1 1 9 . . Se 3 7 H y y , ,

1 et a ssim G e n e rv ie La 19 . 0 . 7 , p l b , dy ,

orn a is Lor 1 76. G o u c e s e r Du c e ss o f 146. C w ll , d , l t , h , a Mrs 1 1 i i m F e ri Du e of Cosw . 78 79 180 . a r e c y , , , W ll d k , k

R 1 44 1 9 . 4 . , , 7 1 9 .

rav e n Hon . R . K . 203 2 15 W iam e nr Du e of 14 . i 9 C , , , ll H y , k ,

Mr . 5 re e s 93 9 . G n Lo i iam 4 o r o r W 6. C w , , , d , d ll , M 1 rou c rs . 0 6 . Gra 1 1 2 0 . C h , y , , n Wi iam 2 ru i s a 9 . G e e a Mr an d Mrs 1 5. r a . . 9 C k h k , ll , th d, , A 4 unn in am an 84 9 . C gh , ll , , 2 1 u . H M L A 5 . C yp , A I TON , LORD RCHIBALD , D e s o f 1 20 u c s 8 . h , , ’ D AUDE NARDE M E 1 80 . La 74 1 18 150 153 155 , ADAM , dy , , , , , ’ d Au male Du c 222 . 1 1 , , 5 7 , 90 .

d e Bréham Mon sie u r 202 . is 1 , , M s , 0 1 . d e la Fa e e Ge ne ra 18 1 . Sir Wi iam 74 1 18 150 y tt , l , ll , , , , d e la Ro che f o u cau ld Ma d ame 18 1 1 , , 53, 190 . Paris o m e 22 2 d e . a n e r o on e 95. , C t , H g , C l l ,

Du c 18 1 . d e Ro an a o a rrin to n La 37 54 55. h Ch b t, , H g , dy , , , M a ame 18 1 2 8 2 e E mm a 190 d e Stae 0 09 . a r . l , d , , , H t , ,

D r D o f 1 a e Mr s . M . 1 e v ons i e u e 3 . rt 59 h , k , H l y , .

Du De fan Ma ame 9 a ar Mr 80 . f d , d , . H yw d , . , INDEX OF NAMES

2 L b b e -Po s Mr e r e rt Mrs . 2 . . 101 H b , , y wy , , . Mr L 1 9 . s . P i i 100 1 1 e rrie s a 0 4 . H , dy, h l p , , e r or fi rs Mar uis of 10 13 H tf d , t q , , , ’ M E DE LA V LLE 14 23 25 56 74 . 130 . , , , , AIR I , a me e rv e Mr . 167 . M s u r Lor 140 144 155 H y, , l b y , d , , , , 205 2 Mrs 1 6 . 0 . . , 3 , 7 M s 9 6-98 102 ann o ar Hon . r . M Sir orace 5 19 32 44 H b t, , , , H , , , , , 60 1 6 4 . 1 03 . , 7 , 6 1 o wa r a . 10 . Mar orou Du o f e 8 . H th , C pt , lb gh , k ,

o e Mrs . 162 . Ma i a Prin ce s s 35 149 . H w , , t ld , , , - u me Dav i 20 23 27. M e c e n ur Prin ce s s ar o e H , d , , kl b g , Ch l tt

Dr 2 . of u n e r . 9 46 . H t , , , M e ou rn e Visc un o e ss 78 82 . lb , t , ,

I' S 18 . Me o 128 ARD , ARAH, ll , . Me rc e r M , r. , 1 70 .

S M SS 135. Me rr a 1 J E . 0 1 1 7 6 . NNING , I , y, C pt , ,

nin ham E ar 136. Mi on La 38 e r 53 54 61 . J g , dw d , lt , dy, , , , o n s on Sir A e an e r 88 Lor 4 1 45 5 8 59 62 . J h t , l x d , , d , , , , , Min La 1 222 o 55 . . t , dy,

La 69 9 86. Mira n a G e n e ra 90 7 . dy , , , d , l , ’ T h Mis se s 222 . Mis s e 7 . , y ,

one s E iz a e 7 . M on a u G e or e 2 4 l l 30 204. J , l b th , t g , g , , , ,

or an Mrs . 8 3 173 . M o ore Mr 1 . 76 . J d , , , , ,

os e L in of Por u a 127. More a nna 104 1 05 . J ph , K g t g l , , H h , , - re ss 2 1 202. ose in e E m , 0 , Mou n E e cu m e Lor 68 167 J ph , p t dg b , d, , ,

1 70 .

M A E L 21 30 31 . Me ssrs 1 4 K 3 . AUFF ANN , NG ICA , , , ,

e m e C. 173 . K bl , ,

1 2 . o n 104 106 E H . GE E 7 46. J h , , , NAPI R , ON ORG ,

Mrs . 106 173 . Na o e on B uon a a r e 30 8 1 95 , , p l p t , , , ,

in 1 3 . 1 56 177 185 209 2 10 2 12 2 1 7 3 . K g , , , , , , , - n i R . P 8 2 . Ne son Lo r 8 2 8 3 8 6 88 150 K ght, l , d , , , , 1 1 22 6 , 0 .

M H PE S 82 . i in a e . N o one 176 . LA B , ON NI TON , ght g l , C l l ,

m 2 1 1 . or Wi ia Mr . B ro Hon . N n o 170 . ll , th , w l w,

Le nno La Sara 31 39 45 o o n e 94 . x , dy h, , , , C l l , Lor 14 9 4 2 69 0 . . 6 , , 7 d , ,

Le is La e re s a 1 71 . w , dy T , ’ L L B E S S 3 1 45 2 in sa a ar o e 196 6 . d y , dy Ch l tt , , O RI N , LADY U AN , , , ’ O Hara Ge n e ra 1 16 1 1 1 62 . 214 220 . 7 , , l , , , ran e Prince o f 13 Little hale s o on e 176. O 9 . , C l l, g , ,

L in O rd Miss 2 1 . ou is XVI . 55. 7 , K g , , , i P n c r o r Lor s e e a o Lub om e rsk ri e 82. W e , , O f d , d , lp l ,

M a me 1 1 o ra ce . Lu a a 8 . c y , d , H r 9 10 1 1 L La 1 sso La 9 14 . u orou 9 . O 7 0 5 xb gh , dy, y , dy, , , , ANNE SEYMOUR DAMER

P LME R. 106. S u art La 2 09 . A R, , t , dy, Pa rs ons 1 6 0 . ue t , S t, 173 . Pe ir Wi iam 1 s S 59 . py , ll , P i L u i 1 i e o s 65 . T J E K O F 86 8 7 8 8 89 . h l pp , , AN OR , ING , , , , Pi o Lor 4 m 0 . e e La 33. g tt , d , T pl , dy,

Pi Wi iam 99 10 3. an e La 49 tt, ll , , Th t, dy , . Po ns on L a ar o e 35 m . o s on 20 . by , dy Ch l tt , Th , Po e Mis s 1 1 06 . mas 73 o n she n Hon o 61 . p , , , T w d , . Th , P or an Du e f 4 o 9 . tl d , k , VAL LE TO RT 68 , LORD , . RE M E M M 1 1 E 18 85 . Van c 2 1 CA I R , ADA , , dy k , .

Re n o s Sir o s u a 2 1 30 . y ld , J h , , Ric mon ar e s ir Du e d , C , d WALDE GRAVE E E or h h l th k , S COND ARL , o f 1 5 18 3 1 34 8 1 96 98 , 7 , , , , , , , , 140 , 202 .

9 9 103 104 1 34 143. f 4 , , , , Ge or e ou r ar o 1 9 . g , f th E l , Ric mo n Duc e ss of 8 34 39 d , , , , , Do a e r La 53 147 148 h h w g dy, , , , 40 4 8 134 136 138 , 53, 6 , 9 , , , , 1 42 -1 4 4 . L r 14 o 6 . d ,

Rou ss e au e an a c u e s 20 24 25 . , q , , , Wa e s Prin ce of Ge or e . 46 J J l , ( g III , 1 4 79 , 8 9 .

S K LLE C L E 4 1 . Ge or e 22 94 95 AC VI , LADY ARO IN , ( g , , ,

128 . . e e n s Lo r 1 1 St 03 79 . H l , d , , mo n Mrs 8 aro ine Prince s s f 1 Sa . 5 . o 7 l , , C l , , , - v Doro e a 5 1 6 1 6 198 208 . Sa i e La 8 . 6 9 l , dy th , , , e Do a e r f Prin c ss o 5 . Sco La ane 40 . tt , dy J , w g ,

2 Wa e r Sir a e r 220 . Mrs . 05 . , ll , W lt ,

r n is 1 W a o e ir ar 149 . Se m ou r F a c 0 . S y , , lp l , Edw d, - Se n G e o r e 35 54 61 135 . o ra ce 2 20 27 30 32 33 lwy , g , , , , H , , , , , , Mrs 5 43 60 64 6 68 1 -8 1 92 S a r e . 6 . 7 7 h p , , , , , , , , , - - S e n s on e 1 9 20 . 100 104 1 17 127 148 169 203 h t , , , , , , ,

n Mr Du n a s 103. 204 . S e ri a . h d , d , M 4 S o r e r h a r o e 10 . aria 1 9 . h t , C l tt , , R 121 Ho n e r . A n ir o n 1 . o e rm a S 0 . ld J h , b t, 1 5 m s Mrs 2 1 82 96 1 64 6 Hon . o a 33 . Si on s . dd , , , , , , Th ,

W e o o o sia 1 95 . Smi A am 39 . th , d , dgw d , J h,

e n ce r La 8 5 163 . e n or La 30 . Sp , dy, , W tw th , dy , un t s of 0 Wi i m Gi 5 Sta fi ord o e s 3 . a s 3 . , C , ll , lly ,

S an o e L a arrie 54 55 . rou o n 106 . t h p , dy H t , , W ght ,

Sta re mb u r Prin c e 195 2 13 . W a am e s 59 . g , , , y tt , J ,

S o rmon Lor an d La 103 . t t , d dy ,

K D E O F 1 9 . S ra or Lor 53 8 0 92 105 . 3 t tf d , d , , , , YOR , UCH SS ,

S u ar La ie s Ma ria a nd Louis a ar D u e of 34 . t t, d , Edw d , k ,

Yo n Mr s 1 . u . 3 g , 7

an d A O NSTAB LE Pri nte rs to Hi a Printed b y T . . C , s M j esty at th e E di nb urgh University Press