Anna
You nudged me back slightly in the other direction.
But we now have 2 diametrically opposed statements (Has(z)elwood and Oliver). Only one can be right. It might be either.
I promise I won't keep banging on about this but please consider this.
January 29th 1801 is Horatia's generally acknowledged DOB. (The date in the baptism register deemed to be falsified)
Therefore at Christmas 1800 Emma was seemingly 8 months pregnant. Well as we all know Nelson and the Hamiltons journeyed to Fonthill Abbey (home of William Beckford) just a few days before Christmas 1800. That is approx. 80 miles, by coach, in mid-winter, and back a few days later. Doubtless at that time of year the roads would be rutted and generally in poor shape.
We have a contemporary description of the festivities at Fonthill, written from there on 28th December and printed in the Gentleman's Magazine in early 1801.
Extracts read as follows.
Quote:
The company now entered the house. and about six o'clock sat down to dinner. After coffee, a variety of vocal pieces were finely executed by Lady Hamilton in her expressive and triumphant manner, and by Banti with all her charms of voice and Italian sensibility.
and then
Quote:
A collation was presented in the library . . . whilst rows of chairs were placed in the great room beyond. A large vacant space was left in the front of the seats. The assembly no sooner occupied them than Lady Hamilton appeared in the character of Agrippina, bearing the ashes of Germanicus in a golden urn, and as presenting herself before the Roman people with the design of exciting them to revennge the death of her husband, who, after having been declared joint emperor by Tiberius, fell a victim to his envy, and is supposed to have been poisoned by his order at the head of the forces which he was leading against the rebellious Armenians. Lady Hamilton displayed, with truth and energy, every gesture, attitude and expression of countenance, which could be concieved in Agrippina herself, best calculated to have moved the passions of the Romans on behalf of their favourite general. The action of her head, of her hands and arms in the various positions of the urn, in her manner of presenting it before the Romans, or of holding it up to the gods in the act of supplication was most classically graceful. Every change of dress, principally of the head, to suit the different situations in which she succesively presented herself, was performed instantaneously with the most perfect ease, and without retiring or scarcely turning aside a moment from the spectators. In the last scene of this beautiful piece of pantomime, she appeared with a young lady of the company, who was to personate a daughter. Her action in this part was so perfectly just and natural, and so pathetically addressed to the spectators, as to draw tears from several of the company. It may be questioned whether this scene, without theatrical assistance of other characters and appropriate circumstances, could possible be represented with more effect. The company delighted and charmed broke up, and departed at 11o'clock, to sup at the Mansion House.
I know pregnancy is not an ILLNESS but this whole scenario - the journey - the singing - the attitudes - just doesn't suggest to me a woman who is 8 months pregnant. (Don't even mention twins!)
I keep looking at the dates to make sure I haven't got something wrong here - but of course I haven't.
Comments anyone?
And then I promise I will shut up.
MB