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Home > Autograph letter signed : "SJP" to Col. Wildman, 1831 Apr. 21.

Autograph letter signed : "SJP" to Col. Wildman, 1831 Apr. 21.

Record ID: 
364311
Accession number: 
MA 52.49
Author: 
Leigh, Augusta, 1784-1851.
Credit: 
Acquired before 1923.
Description: 
1 item (9 p., with address) ; 18.9 x 11.5 cm; 22.9 x 18.1 cm
Notes: 

Written from St. James's Palace.
Address panel with seal addressed to "Lieut. Col Wildman / Newstead Abbey / Nottingham.
Nanny Smith was a long time housekeeper to the Byrons; The White Lady is a reference to Sophia Wyatt, a deaf mute whose ghost is reputed to haunt Newstead Abbey.
Part of a collection of autograph letters written by Lord Byron, Lady Byron, Catherine Gordon Byron, Contessa Guiccioli, Ada King Lovelace and others from 1788 to 1855. Items in the collection have been described individually in separate catalog records; see collection-level record for more information.

Summary: 

Sending him an engraving of Byron done by Finden that she promised to give to Nanny Smith; saying she believes it is the best likeness of him that might match her recollections of him; fearing that he must be "thinking of me a little mad! - certainly rather more eccentric than all my race!;" asking if he would allow her to be his Tenant "for two or three rooms in any Lodge or Cottage within the Domain, I might for some few hours of my life enjoy peace - I w'd promise to be still more invisible than the White Lady of old! I w'd dress in green or black - & I w'd never intrude upon you & yours but when you might wish it, but if I could make this escape for a week or two or more at a time - & wander about that dearly beloved place & be within reach of Bucknall I think it w'd give me the only comfort & happiness I ever can know in this world of Sorrow;" saying she would like it to be a secret between them and Mrs. Wildman; adding that she has "been so harassed" and that she hopes she "may be forgiven for this little contemplated indulgence for a future period if such is granted me."

Catalog Link: 
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Department: 
Literary and Historical Manuscripts