Volume 1

The Farington diary / edited by James Greig.

  • Joseph Farington
Date:
[1922?-1928]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The Farington diary / edited by James Greig. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    98/464 (page 56)
    I breakfasted with Lysons. He says Captn. Bligh* is fully prepared to answer any reflexions on his conduct which may be published by the friends of Christian, and wishes it may come to that issue.—The attacks on his character are partly imputed to Heywood and his connexions, as at present that young man though pardoned cannot have any promotion. I understand Captn. Bligh is the only person that can contribute to remove the obstacle, which the behaviour of Heywood will prevent him from doing.—It seems Admiral Pasley married a Sister or Cousin of Heywoods. Mr. Chamberlain, the Solicitor, is the person to whom the late Mr. Dummer bequeathed his great property, an estate of 6 or 7,000 a year, besides an estate of abt. £100,000 in the hands of the Accomptant General, after the death of Mrs. Dummer. (now Mrs. Dance). N. Dance gave £30,000 for his estate near Dorchester in Oxfordshire, and £12,000 for an estate in Wiltshire. He has already saved near £50,000.—Mrs. Dance is now abt. 50 years of age. The late Mr. Dummer was a very weak man, and did not appear to have any partiality for Mr. Cham¬ berlain.—Mr. Chamberlain drew up the will, and minute circumstances of furniture, &c., were attended to, so as to secure them to him in reversion.—Chamberlain was previously a Common Council man of the Corporation of London, He is now Solicitor to the Treasury. June 29.—Mrs. Curtis, who formerly appeared at Dr. Grahams strange lectures, is sister to Mrs. Siddons.f July 1.—Mr Trumbull, the Artist, is arrived from America, and comes in the capacity of secretary to Mr [John] Jayt the Ambassador, to settle the differences which have risen between the two countries lately. —Mr Trumbull said everything seemed to promise fair for a settlement. He said the prudence of Mr Washington prevented resolutions from being passed in America of such a nature as would have produced a war between the two countries.—He spoke of Tom Paine with aversion. His temporary pamphlet entitled Common Sense gave Tom for a wdiile credit in America, but He was at last seen through, to be a man disposed by nature to disturb the peace and order of society.—The Arts are likely * William Bligh accompanied Captain Cook on his second voyage round the world in 1772-4 as sailing master, and during this journey Bligh discovered at Otaheite the “ bread fruit ” associated with his name. In 1787 he was appointed to the Bounty, and his hasty temper and insolence led to the mutiny, which was incited by Fletcher Christian. Bligh and eighteen of his crew were overpowered and cast adrift in an open boat, and after sailing for 3,618 miles reached Timor, an island on the east of Java. Bligh reached England, and the mutineers settled on Pitcairn Island. Heywood, then a boy, was left behind with the mutineers, and was afterwards taken on board the Pandora, brought to England, sentenced to death, and then unconditionally pardoned. t Dr. Graham occupied the central portion of Schomberg House (the old War Office in Pall-mall), and Gainsborough rented the Western wing at £300 a year. Graham was a clever charlatan. His demonstrations of “ The secrets of perpetual youth and beauty,” mud bath exhibitions, and celestial beds, amused the curious. It was said that Emma Hart, Nelson’s Emma, acted as the “ Rosy Goddess of Health ” set on a “ celestial throne ” amid oriental colours, ethereal essences, and dulcet music. Graham’s brother married Catherine Macaulay, once famous as Republican pamphleteer and historian. t The part played by Mr. Jay in the American peace negotiations will be found in his “ Life ” and in “ The Life and Letters of William, Earl of Shelburne,” by Lord Fitzmaurice,