Manuscripts, in a single hand, of Blagden's correspondence with Lord and Lady Palmerston. 71 letters are addressed to Lord Palmerston and 27 to Lady Palmerston. The letters discuss personal affairs, including the health of Lord Palmerston, his travels, and social news about acquaintances, especially of the marriage negotiations of Sir Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumford, and of his daughter. Blagden also discusses political and military news, giving his correspondents extensive reports on the fighting at Madras and Seringapatam; the conclusion of a treaty between Sweden and Russia; and Dagobert Wurmser's actions against Napoleon Buonaparte in 1796. He also mentions sales of art collections, including those of the Duke of Orleans and the importation of an Egyptian statue to London, declaring that "the features of the countenance are sufficiently entire to assist in deciding the much-contested question, whether the acient Egyptians were Blacks," and comparing the statue to "our present negroes." Finally, the letters occasionally mention scientific matters and meetings of the Royal Society of London.
Description:
For information on the source of acquisition, consult the appropriate curator. and The letters are grouped into three packets, each of which is contained in a paper wrapper with Charles Blagden's name written on the front.
Subject (Geographic):
France--Foreign relations--Great Britain., Great Britain--Foreign relations--France., Great Britain--Politics and government--1760-1820., Great Britain--Social life and customs--18th century., India--History--British occupation, 1765-1947., and Śrīraṅgapaṭṭaṇa (India)
Subject (Name):
Blagden, Charles,--Sir,--1748-1820., Napoleon--I,--Emperor of the French,--1769-1821., Palmerston, Henry Temple,--2nd Viscount,--1739-1802., Palmerston, Mary (Mee) Temple,--Viscountess,--1754-1805., Rumford, Benjamin,--Graf von,--1753-1814., Tipu Sultan, Fath ʻAli,--Nawab of Mysore,--1753-1799., and Wurmser, Dagobert Sigmund,--graf von,--1724-1797.
Subject (Topic):
Art--Collectors and collecting. and Science--Great Britain--History--18th century.
