1729

1 January 1729 Dearest Albert,

I wish you here with me— though I know your travels to Scotland are of the utmost importance for the family business. Being so far away from your newspaper and knowing how much you adore the Daily Post, I hope to bring about a smile or two by addressing what I see is deemed important for the next three months while you are away. I will also cut out that particular section I am writing to you about and send it to you in my letter; if you find that wasteful or useless, please tell me. The most interesting news this week in London is that Sir Abraham Elton, member of Parliament for Bristol, marry’d Mrs. Jane Delme who has a great fortune. I wonder if this marriage was because Sir Elton’s gambling became too much in debt and needed to settle scores—but I hear that Jane Delme’s father is keeping a close eye on Abraham; it seemed that his younger daughter could not help but fall in love with a gambler (a foolish move).

An engagement took place, and one close to my heart: Lady Anne de Grey, third daughter to the Duke of Kent is to be married to Lord Charles Cavendish. Our daughter will be attending the wedding and dinner (no set date), since her and Lady Jane have been friends since they were babes. We are also invited to the wedding; we will need to get you a new suit! Moving onto one of my greatest passions— therefore I hope you oblige me: you have missed a great opening of comedies, my dear husband; many comedies and musickal acts have started this year. I am most excited to see what will be shown in Feb. and March. For this month, however, I am most interested to see “The Sixth Night For The Benefit of the Author” by the Company of Comedians in Drury-Lane. The box seats are 5.5— I will be inviting my oldest sister, Mary and her husband, Alfred; he is interested in any sort of comedies. It is at the Theatre Royal in Drury-Lane on Wednesday. However long the trek out there will be, it shall be most enjoyable with the company— and do not worry of my travel sickness! Supposedly Mary has a remedy she will bring with her. I know not of what it is. ~Best wishes, your loving wife, Emily 28th January, 1729 Dearest Husband,

“The Sixth Night For The Benefit of the Author” was amusing yet not as comedic as I expected, though Alfred had a wonderful time. Luckily Mary and I were there to keep one another company. I would much rather have you by my side at comedies because you take the care to explain things to me; Alfred, bless him, did not even notice us when the comedy started.

There is much startl’ng news in the paper today: it seems that it is the day where men are being harmed in freak accidents or in illness. Though the Daily Post does not know much details and therefore barely summarizes said accidents, I will transcribe the few of the people we know: Sir Robert Walpole and the Duke of Grafton were going into Sir Robert’s Chariot, when on their way out, the Chariot overturned! None of them were damaged, but still were shocked. The Earl of Peterborough had several fainting fits since last Tuesday and still very ill. His family just released the news; I sent them a bouquet of flowers as a gift for the poor man. No one knows what is wrong with him.

Lastly and quickly, for I must see to supper, onto the political tryal of Robert Hales, a man I do not know but seems to have of some importance considering his trial took up a great deal of the newspaper today while other political agendas and tryals were not mentioned, which I am almost certain was on account of the sudden rise of accidents, illness, and deaths (I did not know anyone who had died, though God rest their souls): Robert Hales is said to have defrauded Samuel Edwards in form of a Note he unknowingly signed was about money instead of another subject altogether, and the jury found him guilty of the indictment. They did not go into details of what Edwards was supposed to be signing for.

~I will write as soon as I receive a reply letter,

Your loving wife, Emily 5 February 1729 To my Loving Husband,

News about the royals in the Daily Post, my husband! Last night, at Nine o’ Clock, His Royal Highness Frederick, Prince of Wales went to the Duke of Queensberry for entertainment in Burlington Gardens. I am not sure what entertainment it would be, but I am sure it was cause of celebration because of the creation of Prince of Wales on 29th January of this year. If any more news on the Prince of Wales I will be sure to write to you about it if it is in the daily Post. Surprisingly, the entry was little compared to Robert’s tryal.

Many opera’s have taken over for the comedies at Drury-Lane and at Haymarket; I recall going to Haymarket twice with you, husband, but for reasons I cannot put my finger on I much prefer Drury Lane and their Theatre. The atmosphere is more airy and not as dirty. This month I am most interested in seeing “The Village Opera” on the 6th of February (tomorrow night in fact) by Charles Johnson. I always crave a Ballad Opera when the season is heading for Spring. I cannot find a reason why.

~Best wishes from your dedicated wife, Emily 24th February 1729 To my Husband,

News about the Prince of Wales again in the Daily Post— He went hunting at Richmond Park, attended by the Duke of Newcastle, Earl of Hallifax, Lord Viscount Falmouth, Lord Viscount Malpas, Sir Robert Walpole, Peter Wentworth, Col Schuz, and others not listed, and in the afternoon dined with Sir Robert Walpole at his house in Chelsea. Do you recall, by name, if these are Englishmen? Or has the Prince brought over his favorites as a child from Hannover? Of course he should have favorites, but to me he as one too many of the Hannover’s. There was nothing more that you would be interested in this day; a few births and deaths of people we do not know. I hope all is well in your business ventures. Please write to me about them! And the play was a bore— Mary, Alfred, and I walked out halfway but everyone else stayed. I guess we did not understand the true meaning of the play. I am sure a friend will explain, but I do not think it will be playing for very long. ~Your wife, Emily 4 March, 1729

Dearest Husband, great news for me! One of my favorite authors, Eliza Haywood, has a Tragedy on stage at Lincoln’s Inn Fields by the name of “Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-Lunenburgh.” I have already bought seats for my three sisters and myself since we all adore her writing. This will be the only short letter I will ever send you again, but I must get ready for tonight’s play! I will send another letter on how well the play was and of other things. ~Love, your wife

(Eliza Haywood Portrait)

10 March, 1729 Dearest Albert, I did enjoy the play, though I could tell that it was hastily written. It was dedicated to our Prince of Wales and being hastily written did not take away from the grandeurs of the spectators that arrived for the opening. However, it only played until the 8th of March. Eliza Haywood, I heard from a friend, was very upset that the Royal’s—not even one— appeared for one of the plays even though it was about the Prince of Wales, and thus was part of the reason for its downfall. I also heard some nasty rumors before arriving from her enemies that it simply was terrible. But how would they know? It was opening night! I did not feel that it was, however, a couple that sat behind me were already biased from hearing such retched words (as they are friends with one of her enemies, I came to find out from Mary) that they did not stay very long into the play. The one issue I took with the play was that of title character and the contradictions it held because the hero of the play was not complimentary to the Prince. I also thought that the love scenes were a bit dull; not at all what I expected from Eliza Haywood considering she is sublime in creating romance in her other works. Jaccqueline Pearson is in agreement with me, whom I met before and after the play started. Being such a fan of Haywood, regardless of what people have said previously of her plays (not very good things) I still believe that she is brilliant and has so much potential, though maybe just to novels; many seem to enjoy her novels over her plays… I wish you had been here! I know you admire the Prince of Wales and I believe you would have at least enjoyed the play, if not picked it apart like you do anyways. About the Daily Post— since I know you are interested in more than just a play, though connected to the Royals you so admire— more about the Royals on this day! His Highness ordered a new coinage to be made of Halfpence and Farthings of fine British Copper at very near value as it may be. Any profit, supposedly, will be paid into the Exchequer for public uses. (I would much like to hear about what this means when you arrive home for I do not know if writing will suffice. You know I am horrid with mathematics and the economy.)

Not related to coinage— but am very pleased to write anyways— that our third cousin, Lady of Sir Archibald Grant, the Representative in Parliament for the Shire of Aberdeen, safety delivered a healthy boy! I might go see him in a week’s time but I have already sent over two knitted blankets for the babe. Waiting for your return in two days’ time; do not write back, for I shall see you soon! I wish to hear of all your business ventures and when you settle in again at home.

~Your devoted wife, Emily Works Cited Burling, William J. //A Checklist of New Plays and Entertainments on the London Stage, 1700-1737//. Cranbury: Associated University Presses, 1993. Print. Haywood, Eliza. //Eliza Haywood's Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-Lunenburgh//. 1729. Tragedy. London. Haywood, Eliza. //Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-Lunenburgh//. 1729. Tragedy. London. "London, 5 Feb." //Daily Post// [London] 5 Feb. 1729: n. pag. Print. "London, 4 March." //Daily Post// [London] 4 Mar. 1729: n. pag. Print. "London, March 10." //Daily Post// 10 Mar. 1729: n. pag. Print. "London, 1 Jan." //Daily Post// [London] 1 Jan. 1729: 1. Print. "London, 28 Jan." //Daily Post// [London] 28 Jan. 1729: n. pag. Print. "London, 24 Feb." //Daily Post// [London] 24 Feb. 1729: n. pag. Print. Wilputte, Earla Arden. "Project MUSE." //Eliza Haywood's Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-Lunenburgh//. Project MUSE, n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2015. Zoschak, Vic. "Collecting Rare Books and First Editions - Eliza Haywood, Overlooked Authorial Pioneer." //ILAB.com//. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2015.