| Administrative History | Elizabeth Montagu [1720-1800] She met Dr Gregory in 1766, and he introduced her to Beattie's Poems on Several Subjects, which she admired. Beattie met her in 1771, during his visit to London, and they remained close friends until her death. She was an active promoter of Beattie's advancement and she became his principal adviser on literary matters. His final collection of poems was dedicated to her in 1784
The 'Pulteney' mentioned in this letter is probably either William Pulteney, earl of Bath (1684 – 1764), politician or Richard Pulteney (1730 – 1801), botanist and physician. |
| Description | Letter, dated ?17 October, from Elizabeth Montagu, Sandleford, to James Beattie, mentioning a letter she sent to Beattie through Mr Pulteney; her receiving of Beattie's The Minstrel and her praising of Beattie. Letter talks about Montagu seeing the Dowager Dutchess of Beaufort and their reading of The Minstrel. Letter mentions that Miss Williams sang the Hermit and asks if bathing in the sea has benefited Beattie's health. Montagu writes about the weather and seasons, Montagu Beattie and her receiving of Mrs Arbuthnot's letter. Letter asks Beattie to try and find a way to give money to Mrs Arbuthnot, which Mrs Montagu won at pool at Commerce. Letter mentions Miss Annie Gregory's [?possibly Dorothea Gregory [married name Alison], (bap. 1754, d. 1830), companion of Elizabeth Montagu, daughter of Dr John Gregory and wife of Archibald Alison (1757 – 1839), Scottish Episcopal clergyman and writer on aesthetics, whom she married in 1784] marriage: "I had not heard of Miss Annie Gregory[']s marriage by what you say of the Gentleman[']s fortune & character I think it is likely to prove very happy. I find both ?Mrs Alison & her ? & Friends as much displeased with me In not approving her marrying a Man who has neither Fortune nor ?Prefinment. I believe Mr Alison is a man of good character, but to have consented so to have ?dispersed of the Daughter of my friend Dr Gregory & a young ? to whom I had behaved with the kindness, & for whom I had the sentiments of a Mother was impossible, & as I have nephews & neices I cannot show myself to complacent to young Persons who dispose of themselves without the consent of their Friends. The resentment she has expressed in her letters at my remonstrances against her marriage makes me much less regret our separation. Society without mutual affection cannot be a service of happiness to either party. She had a mind & grateful regard for me like she was in love with Mr Alison".
Letter talks about Mr Pulteney bring 'his Daughter from the Nunnery in France where he placed her two years ago; as she is my God Daughter he knew I should be glad to hear she had escaped the danger of popery, to which I thought ? exposed, when I answere his letter I enclosed one to you'.
Letter sends compliments to 'Mr Beattie' [?James Hay Beattie] and sends Montagu [Beattie's] respects to James Beattie.
Annotated on reverse: 'answered'. |