Lady Georgiana Chatterton
Published: 2013-09
Total Pages: 76
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1861 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER X. The following letters in this compilation being arranged chronologically, I must give a short premonitory sketch concerning them, because they will hereafter be much intermingled as regards their writers and recipients, many of whom, as before stated, were connected either by relationship or community of aim. The first three were written by Hannah More, to Lady Middleton, at Teston Court, in Kent, and at this point a few words relative to the dramatis persona are necessary, under penalty of confusedness. Teston Court belonged at that time (1784) to Miss Bouverie, called (by the brevet rank then accorded to permanent spinsters) Mrs. Bouverie. Her name appears honourably in the memoirs of more than one historical philanthropist. From her, Wilberforce met with sympathy in his labours of love; in her, Hannah More found one of her earliest and most generous contributors to the work of instructing two thousand poor children. Lady Middleton was aunt of Admiral Lord Gambier, of Mrs. Morton Pitt, and of Mrs. Larcelles Iremonger, before mentioned. Her husband, Sir Charles Middleton (afterwards created Lord Barham), was made first Lord of the Admiralty, when in his eightieth year, viz., in 1805, on the impeachment of Lord Melville. The friendship between Lady Middleton and Mrs. Bouverie was as romantic as that of the celebrated Ladies of Llangollen. It dated from school, lasted through life, and included the husband of the former. From the time of their marriage, Sir Charles and Lady Middleton lived with Mrs. Bouverie, who, dying after Lady Middleton, left her property to Sir Charles. Lady Middleton was one of the most accomplished women of her time, and attracted all the talent of the day to Teston. The celebrated Dr. Johnson was a...