Norwich 11th Mo 25th 1840
My dear Henry,
I began a letter to thee some days ago which has disappeared from the view no doubt some one charmed, & tempted by the beauty of the hand-writing or the composition has stolen it —
Be that as it may, I must begin again —
Since I so wrote to thee a great event has taken place & I say hurra! for a little royal somebody at present bearing no name I suppose but that of the Princess Royal![1] I wish the next may be a Prince but I hate wishing for every thing is arranged for us là-haut[2] better than we could arranged it for ourselves —
I flatter myself that thou art now at Goodrich – for there Sir S Merrick’s[3] company &c &c will enable thee to bear bad weather better – But oh! the brightness of this day! The Sun puts out my eyes but I will not exclude it — especially as it hangs my wall with shapes of radiance [4]
I do so rejoice at the Great Duke’s[5] having volunteered to sit to thee again for Lady Bute! but I beg thou will not be such a goose to as to be so awed by his presence as not to do thyself justice — I hope if I – oh no! I trust the portrait will be in the exhibition, so he will have done sitting before I arrive in London if I live to get there, so I can’t way lay him in the gallery —
Well, Lord Pontibus![b] I have now to tell thee the Bishop of Durham[6] has made up his mind to sit to thee & hopes to prevail on his wife[7] to sit also —
But he means to sit as he is every day – not in his robes (a three quarter piece I conclude) He is a fine subject – I really think from the print which I have of him in robes from Beechey‘s[8] picture a half length, that was the best picture B– ever painted tho’ he was 80 when he – He (B:) painted the Bishop when he was 16 – a school boy – & painted him again when he was Bishop of Durham – He told Beechey when he asked him to sit that he could not afford to pay him his price, but I hope he will not be startled at thine —
Catherine[b] tells me that she almost lives on physick – no wonder she is never well — It is action, & re action – How completely opposed she, & her brother are in their habits in this line! What a pity Henry, it was that thou didst not paint the Bishop as well as Mrs. , or, instead of her – How valuable the portrait would have been!
I have heard from Tom[b] two, or three times lately — whither did he send his portrait of me? He says it is hanging up again
He writes cheerfully – He called to see the children [b] but they were gone out — Did I tell thee I wrote to Lord Normanby[9] at Mulgrave in his enforced retirement & comparative leisure to ask him to give Major Woodhouse letters to the governor & commandant of Bombay, beginning that “a fellow feeling makes one wondrous kind” & that, I being confined by an accident[10] also, was feeling a good deal for him & so on – In a week’s time I received such a kind letter from Lady Normanby! & a message from him saying that he was very sorry he could not write to me himself, but when returned to his powers (it was his right hand that suffered) he would remember, & execute my commission
I see he is now in London again – I fear I must remind — but I shall not be averse to do it The favor was not a great one to ask – but in a 2nd letter I have asked for a 3rd letter – one to the governor general – I was woman of business enough to write to Richard Woodhouse[11] to give me every detail requisite to identify Major Woodhouse – time of service – rank, what segnt regiment now where placed, & so on – & I really hope the Marquis will not have lost what I sent but, nous verrons[12] Having gained a footing with these folks again, I will not loose[13] it by holding back when so much is at stake —
Margaret[b] has 2500£ left her by Mrs Dorrington – I thought it had been more – Ralph[14] 1000£ – James[15] & dr Mrs John Alderson[16] 500£ – I hoped Meggie would have the 5000£ I always heard she was to have I have had such a nice sensible note from Mrs Murray! not a word too much, or too little – & she thinks the silk quite beautiful — but, when she wrote, there were as yet no ladies in town to see it – I think she will get it off – I knew thou wouldst admire it
Pray write again soon – & let me know when thou art again settled at home
I write to Meggie [b] on her legacy — but not a word yet, in reply — Tom [b] dined there the other day —
I must turn to the fire & warm myself — I am out again & so dissipated! Dine at the Grove[17] today tomorrow the next day at Bracondale the next Evening at the Palace – I dined there by myself last Saturday to meet R Monckton Milnes[18] MP, the poet — an old young friend of mine Lady Cork’s[19] great, great nephew – He came by coach at 8 — a very pleasant day I had R M M breakfasted with us yesterday —
Farewel! dearest love to the bairns from their, & thy affecte cousin
A Opie
Source: Dr. Shelley King and Dr. John Pierce
Postmark: none
Address: none
[1] Later named Victoria Adelaide Mary Louisa, the first child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert was born 21 November 1840. She married Prince Frederick Wilhelm of Prussia and moved to Berlin, and was Empress briefly in 1888. Her son became Wilhelm II, Emperor of Prussia. See, Agatha Ramm. “Victoria, Princess Royal (1840-1901).” Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press, 2004. Web. 15 July 2013.
[2] Ever so much
[3] Sir Samuel Rush Meyrick, rather than Merrick, (1783-1848) was an antiquary and historian of arms and armour. He attended Queen’s College Oxford where he earned a BA, MA, BCL, and DCL, and then went on to practice as an advocate in the ecclesiastical and admiralty courts. In 1827 he tried and failed to purchase Goodrich Castle, near Ross, Herefordshire, and so bought the hill opposite. With architect Edward Blore, who was Meyrick’s fellow member of the Society of Antiquaries, Meyrick created Goodrich Court in part to showcase his collection. Meyrick was knighted in 1832, and later helped form the British Archaeological Association. Sarah Barter Bailey. “Meyrick, Sir Samual Rush (1783-1848).” Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press, 2004. Web. 15 July 2013.
[4] A reference to Opie’s screen of prisms, which she had set in a frame standing by her window, something she particularly delighted in. See Brightwell, C Memorials of the Life of Amelia Opie . p. 333.
[5] Likely, the “Great Duke” is Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, whom Henry Briggs was painting at the time. “Lady Bute” is Lady Maria Vrighton-Stuart née North (d.1841), eldest daughter of the 3rd Earl of Guilford and wife of John Crichton-Stuart (1793-1848), 2nd Marquis of Bute (Burke’s). Her husband’s paternal uncle, Lord Henry Stuart, may have been to “Herbert” to whom Amelia Opie was briefly engaged in 1810. See, Charles Mosley et al ed. “Bute.” Burke’s Peerage and Baronetage. 106th ed. 1999. 437-446. Print; and page 178 of Jacobine Menzies-Wilson and Helen Lloyd. Amelia: The Tale of a Plain Friend. London: Oxford University Press, 1937.120-21. Print.
[6] Edward Maltby (1770-1859) attended Norwich Grammar School; Winchester College; and Pembroke College, Cambridge where he earned his BA, MA, BD, and DD. After working as a writer, scholar, and senator of University College London, Maltby was appointed Bishop of Chichester in 1831 before being translated to Durham in 1836. At Queen Victoria’s coronation, he was in charge of the orb, but unfortunately passed it over at the wrong moment. E. A. Varley. “Maltby, Edward (1770-1859).” Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press, 2004. Web. 15 July 2013.
[7] Margaret Maltby née Green. See Varley.
[8] Sir William Beechey (1752-1839), portrait painter, studied at a solicitor before entering the Royal Academy Schools. He lived in Norwich between 1782 and 1787, and was eventually elected to the Royal Academy in 1798. Although John Opie held a dim view of Beechey’s abilities, the latter was frequently patronized by royalty. See, John Wilson. “Beechey, Sir William (1753-1839).” Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press, 2004. Web. 25 July 2013.
[9] Constantine Henry Phipps (1797-1863), made first Marquess of Normanby in 1838, was a politician and diplomatist. He attended Harrow School and Trinity College, Cambridge, before marrying Maria Liddell. Phipps served as a Conservative MP for Scarborough in 1818, and for Higham Ferrers in 1822. Appointed Governor of Jamaica in 1832, he oversaw emancipation from slavery and suppressed a rebellion. He also served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and Secretary of State for War and the Colonies. After being involved in the “Bedchamber Crisis,” he was transferred to the Home Office, and his political career gradually declined. Richard Davenport-Hines. “Phipps, Constantine Henry, First Marquess of Normanby (1797-1863).” Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004. Web. 15 July 2013.
[10] Lord Normanby’s hand had been injured while he was out riding. See, “Accident to the Marquis of Normanby.” The Times 31 Oct. 1831. NewsVault. Web. 25 July 2013.
[11] Richard Woodhouse, son of Robert Woodhouse and Judith Woodhouse née Alderson, Amelia Opie’s first cousin
[12] We will see
[13] Should be lose
[14] Likely Ralph Carr Alderson, Margaret Thompson’s brother, and first cousin of Amelia Opie née Alderson and Elizabeth Briggs née Alderson.
[15] James Aldeson, Margaret Thompson’s brother, and first cousin of Amelia Opie née Alderson and Elizabeth Briggs née Alderson.
[16] Maria Alderson née Harrison, wife of John Alderson who was Margaret Thompson’s brother, and first cousin of Amelia Opie née Alderson and Elizabeth Briggs née Alderson.
[17] A residence in Norfolk belonging to the Gurney Family, owned by Joseph Gurney, younger brother of John Gurney of Earlham. See pg. 9 of Jacobine Menzies-Wilson and Helen Lloyd. Amelia: The Tale of a Plain Friend. London: Oxford University Press, 1937.120-21. Print.
[18] Richard Munckton Milnes (1809-1885), the son of Robert Pemberton Milnes, attended Trinity College, Cambridge; London University; and Bonn. In the 1830’s he travelled widely and produced travel poems and other such literature. In 1837 he became MP for Pontefract, and was elevated to peerage in 1863. He was famous for holding “breakfast parties” at which the beau monde of London congregated. Later in life, Milnes served as a trustee of the Royal Academy and Royal Geographic Society, vice-president of the Society of Authors, and president of the London Library. Richard Davenport-Hilnes. “Milnes, Richard Monckton, first Baron Houghton (1809-1885).” Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press, 2004. Web. 15 July 2013.
[19] Amelia’s society friend and fellow blue-stocking, Lady Cork was born Mary Monckton, daughter of John Monckton, first Viscount Galway. Pamela Edwards. “Boyle, Mary, Countess of Cork and Orrery (1746-1840).” Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press, 2004. Web. 15 July 2013.
The Amelia Alderson Opie Archive 