74-463: The Blue Stockings Society was an informal women's social and educational movement in England in the mid-18th century that emphasised education and mutual cooperation. It was founded in the early 1750s by Elizabeth Montagu , Elizabeth Vesey and others as a literary discussion group, a step away from traditional, non-intellectual women's activities. Both men and women were invited to attend, including
148-814: A Bluestocking, was called the "Queen of the Blues". She led and hosted the Blue Stockings Society of England from about 1750. The loose organization of privileged women with an interest in education waned in popularity at the end of the 18th century. It gathered to discuss literature and also invited educated men to participate. Talk of politics was prohibited; literature and the arts were the main subjects. Many Bluestocking women supported each other in intellectual endeavours such as reading, art work, and writing. Many also published literature. Elizabeth Montagu published two works in her lifetime. George Lyttelton in 1760 encouraged Elizabeth to write Dialogues of
222-560: A child, Elizabeth and Sarah, in particular, were very close, but grew apart after Sarah became sick with smallpox. While young, Elizabeth became a friend of Lady Margaret Harley , later the Duchess of Portland, the only surviving child of Edward Harley, 2nd Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer . Lady Margaret and Elizabeth corresponded weekly when apart and were inseparable when together. She spent time with Lady Margaret in London and met many of
296-552: A child, in which she struggled incessantly against all obstacles. From an early age, her ambition was to be good and learned, and she steadfastly pursued that goal through life. She could never acquire grammar as a rudimentary theory, but having attained great proficiency in the Greek and Latin languages – being especially proficient in Greek – she deduced the principles from the literature. Her father also taught her Hebrew. To assist her in acquiring French, her father sent her to board for
370-471: A close friendship, as they appreciated each other's faculties, virtues and piety. Through Talbot and her mother, she made contact with Thomas Secker , with whom they resided. He was then Bishop of Oxford and became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1758. Carter's earliest attempts at literary composition were in verse. Her father was friendly with Edward Cave , a publisher, in whose fourth volume of The Gentleman's Magazine she published several pieces under
444-412: A few years later, but she remained single, wishing to stay independent. She adopted the matronly designation "Mrs." after the manner of an earlier generation. Carter rendered into English De Crousaz 's Examen de l'essai de Monsieur Pope sur l'homme ( Examination of Mr Pope 's " An Essay on Man " , two volumes, 1739) and Algarotti's Newtonianismo per le dame ( Newtonianism for women ). Early in
518-643: A legacy of £200. Thus her literary fame eventually acquired her an unexpectedly secure income for her wants and needs. Carter belonged to the Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade , also known as the Abolition Society or Anti-Slavery Society. In 1796, Carter had a dangerous illness, from which she never thoroughly recovered. She continued, however, to exert herself in visiting
592-539: A lower class. She respected her skill and virtue. Montagu felt comfortable enough to correspond with Carter about the responsibility of great wealth. Gilbert West influenced Montagu's thinking about religion, history and literature. He also affected her style of writing for a time. Based on his example, she began writing in more formal syntax, but eventually became irritated by the restrictions and reverted to her freer, more natural style. Montagu corresponded with George Lyttelton frequently about literature and history,
666-463: A poet and socialite, and Mary Delany . She befriended Samuel Johnson , editing some editions of his periodical The Rambler . Born in Deal, Kent , on 16 December 1717, Elizabeth Carter was the eldest child of Rev. Nicolas Carter, perpetual curate of Deal, and his first wife, Margaret (died c. 1728), who was the only daughter and heir of John Swayne of Bere Regis , Dorset . She died when Elizabeth
740-667: A poetical introduction. In August 1768, her friend Archbishop Secker died, as did her friend Miss Sutton in November 1769 and her best friend Catherine Talbot in 1770. In the same year, Carter edited and published a volume of Talbot's papers entitled Reflections on the Seven Days of the Week , and subsequently two volumes of her Essays and Poems . Carter appeared in the engraved (1777) and painted (1778) versions of Richard Samuel's The Nine Living Muses of Great Britain (1779), but
814-485: A publication now in the public domain : Wood, James , ed. (1907). " Blue-stocking ". The Nuttall Encyclopædia . London and New York: Frederick Warne. Elizabeth Montagu Elizabeth Montagu (née Robinson ; 2 October 1718 – 25 August 1800) was a British social reformer, patron of the arts, salonnière , literary critic and writer, who helped to organize and lead the Blue Stockings Society . Her parents were both from wealthy families with strong ties to
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#1732765329980888-526: A rational and expedient convention and did not suppose it possible to love a man. In 1742 she married Edward Montagu , grandson of the Edward Montagu, 1st Earl of Sandwich , who owned numerous coal mines and had several rents and estates in Northumberland . She was 22 and he was 50 years old. The marriage was advantageous, but apparently not very passionate. All the same, she bore a son, John,
962-516: A relationship which would later lead to Lyttelton to include three of her works in his Dialogues of the Dead . Their letters were known to have markedly different tones: hers were serious and intellectual, his responses tended towards the flirtatious. Montagu maintained a close relationship with the elder statesman, William Pulteney, Lord Bath . This was purely emotional, but described as a "pseudo-courtship". Lady Margaret Harley, Duchess of Portland
1036-499: A third of her correspondence focuses on culture such as theatre, opera, public spectacles, moral philosophy and divinity. Of these topics, history was discussed more than twice as much as any other topic. Her most frequent correspondence on literature was with her sister, Sarah Scott , followed by her friends, Elizabeth Carter and Gilbert West . She and Scott were both avid readers of published letters throughout their lives, reading collections by Pope and Swift . This influenced
1110-412: A well-graduated succession of thoughts. Carter's biographer published a broad selection of her thirty-year correspondence with Talbot, and her correspondence with Mrs Agmondesham Vesey in the period 1763–1787 in two quarto volumes. Carter's letters were noted for correct, perspicuous and appropriate language, soundness of judgment, moderation of spirit, deep sincerity and pervading piety. Her cheerfulness
1184-406: A women's movement combatting the "vice" and "passion" of gambling, the main form of entertainment at higher society parties. "Instead however, of following the fashion, Mrs. Montagu and a few friends Mrs. Boscawen and Mrs. Vesey, who like herself, were untainted by this wolfish passion, resolved to make a stand against the universal tyranny of a custom which absorbed the life and leisure of the rich to
1258-495: A year with the family of M. Le Seur, a refugee minister in Canterbury , where she learnt to understand it and speak it fluently. She later applied herself to Italian, Spanish, German and Portuguese, and very late in life, learnt enough Arabic to read it without a dictionary. Being naturally heavy, and resolved to stay awake as long as possible in pursuit of her studies, she had recourse to use snuff , and never broke herself of
1332-611: A year. (She managed her wealth and estates well, and by her death her coal income was worth 10,000 pounds a year.) In 1782 Montagu was arranging for her nephew and Dorothea to meet. Dorothea was not attracted to him at all and in the autumn she went on holiday and agreed to marry Archibald Alison (1757–1839). Montagu was still annoyed in 1784 when Dorothea married. In 1777, Montagu began work on Montagu House in Portman Square in London, where she moved in 1781, on land leased for 99 years. She also expanded Sandleford Priory in
1406-541: Is in the nature of mankind to hazard their peace to secure power, and they know fools make the best slaves. The name "Blue Stockings Society" and its origins are highly disputed among historians. There are scattered early references to bluestockings including in the 15th-century Della Calza society in Venice, John Amos Comenius in 1638, and the 17th century Covenanters in Scotland. The society's name perhaps derived from
1480-645: Is very uncommon." Elizabeth enjoyed hearing the miners singing in the pit, but found, alas, that their dialect ( Geordie ) was "dreadful to the auditors' nerves." Horace Walpole wrote to George Montagu in 1768: "Our best sun is Newcastle coal." In London during the 1750s, Elizabeth began to be a celebrated hostess. She organized literary breakfasts with Gilbert West, George Lyttelton and others. By 1760, these had turned into populous evening entertainments. Card playing and strong drink were forbidden from these convocations, which came to be now known as Blue Stocking events. By 1770, Montagu's home on Hill Street had become
1554-487: The Bluestocking Circle that surrounded Elizabeth Montagu , she earned respect for the first English translation of the 2nd-century Discourses of Epictetus . She also published poems and translated from French and Italian, and corresponded profusely. Among her many eminent friends were Elizabeth Montagu, Hannah More , Hester Chapone and other Bluestocking members. Also close friends were Anne Hunter ,
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#17327653299801628-512: The Royal Crescent , Bath. In Bath she also lived at Edgar Buildings; Orange Court; Gay Street and Queens Parade. Some years after Montagu's death, there appeared a poem by James Woodhouse, who had served the family as land bailiff and steward. This criticized her for being proud and vain. Woodhouse wrote that she patronized poets: For they could best bestow delightful dow'rs, by flattering speech, or fam'd poetic pow'rs. Elizabeth, as
1702-517: The 1770s, came to describe learned women in general. The Blue Stockings Society of England emerged in about 1750, and waned in popularity at the end of the 18th century. It was a loose organization of privileged women with an interest in education to gather together to discuss literature while inviting educated men to participate. Its leaders and hostesses were Elizabeth Montagu and Elizabeth Vesey . The women involved in this group generally had more education and fewer children than most English women of
1776-613: The 1780s, and had Capability Brown design its garden and alter the park. She died at Montagu House in London on 25 August 1800 and left Sandleford and all of her money to her nephew. Elizabeth Montagu was the author of two works published in her lifetime: three sections in George Lyttelton's Dialogues of the Dead (1760) and An Essay on the Writings and Genius of Shakespeare (1769). In addition, two collections of Montagu's letters were published posthumously. Dialogues of
1850-621: The Blue Stockings, when she protested that women did not want colleges. "The best way for a woman to acquire knowledge", she wrote, "is from conversation with a father, or brother, or friend." However, by the early 1800s, this sentiment had changed, and it was more common to question "why a woman of forty should be more ignorant than a boy of twelve", which coincided with the waning of the Blue Stockings' popularity. The group has been described by many historians and authors (such as Jeanine Dobbs) as "having preserved and advanced feminism " via
1924-848: The British peerage and learned life. She was sister to Sarah Scott , author of A Description of Millenium [sic] Hall and the Country Adjacent . She married Edward Montagu , a man with extensive landholdings, to become one of the richer women of her era. She devoted this fortune to fostering English and Scottish literature and to the relief of the poor. She was born in Yorkshire to Matthew Robinson (1694–1778) of West Layton and Edgeley in Yorkshire, and Elizabeth daughter of Robert Drake of Cambridge, by his wife Sarah Morris, daughter of Thomas Morris of Mount Morris, Monks Horton . Elizabeth
1998-536: The Dead was a series of critiques of 18th-century society. In Dialogue 26, Hercules is engaged in a discussion of virtue . In Dialogue 27, a character, Mrs. Mopish, cannot go the Elysian Fields because she is endlessly distracted by worldly influences. In Dialogue 28, a bookseller explains to Plutarch the difficulties of publishing in modern society. An Essay on the Writings and Genius of Shakespeare defends Shakespeare against criticism by supporters of
2072-409: The Dead , and she contributed three sections to the work anonymously. (Her authorship is testified elsewhere.) It consists of a series of conversations between the living and the illustrious dead, and works as a satire of 18th-century vanity and manners. In 1769, she published An Essay on the Writings and Genius of Shakespear . In it, she proclaims Shakespeare to be the greatest English poet, and in fact
2146-594: The European fashion in the mid–18th century in which black stockings were worn in formal dress and blue stockings were daytime or more casual wear, emphasizing the informal nature of the club's gatherings. Blue stockings were furthermore very fashionable for women in Paris at the time. Alternatively, many historians claim the term for the society was coined when Elizabeth Vesey first advised Benjamin Stillingfleet ,
2220-490: The French style of drama, particularly against the attacks of Voltaire . In Essay Montagu claims Shakespeare's success comes from his overall virtue and ability to engage the audiences' emotion, not from strict adherence to the classical models of drama. Montagu was a copious writer of letters to her coterie and beyond. They include discussions of health, domestic arraignments, travel plans and reports of social events. About
2294-497: The Letters of her Correspondents. The selection reflects a concern for Montagu's moral reputation. Another edition of her letters was released in 1906 by Matthew's granddaughter, Emily J. Climenson, and her friend, Reginald Blunt. This revised collection expanded on Montagu's view of the social world, including fashion, politics, and nobility. Elizabeth Montagu was interested in the political debates of her day and she contributed to
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2368-552: The University of Cambridge. Carter befriended Samuel Johnson , editing some issues of The Rambler in the 1750s. He wrote, "My old friend Mrs. Carter could make a pudding as well as translate Epictetus from the Greek...." Carter's sound and comprehensive mind, cultured as it was, could produce nothing bad, but it lacked the qualifications of the true poet: active originality, power of conception, and of shaping of new concepts. Her poems demonstrated regularity of numbers and
2442-407: The advocacy for women's education and the social complaints regarding women's status and lifestyle in their society, as seen and exemplified in the writings of the Blue Stockings women themselves: In a woman's education little but outward accomplishments is regarded ... sure the men are very imprudent to endeavor to make fools of those to whom they so much trust their honour and fortune, but it
2516-480: The aforementioned learned gentleman who had distanced himself from higher society and did not have clothes suitable for an evening party, to "come in [his] blue stockings". Stillingfleet became a frequent and popular guest at the Blue Stockings Society gatherings. The Blue Stockings Society had no membership formalities or fees but was conducted as small to large gatherings in which talk of politics
2590-422: The botanist, translator and publisher Benjamin Stillingfleet , who, due to his financial standing, did not dress for the occasion as formally as was customary and deemed "proper", in consequence appearing in everyday blue worsted stockings. The society gave rise to the term " bluestocking ", which referred to the informal quality of the gatherings and the emphasis on conversation rather than on fashion, and, by
2664-442: The carriage and being a confidante. Dorothea's future seemed secure but she wanted a partner and Montagu was insistent that the only candidate was her nephew. Her husband died in 1775. In 1776, she adopted her nephew, the orphan of her brother. Matthew Robinson , the child, kept his family name, but he was named Elizabeth's heir. At that point, the coal and landholdings Montagu passed on to Elizabeth accounted for an income of £7,000
2738-599: The celebrated figures of the 1730s, including the poet Edward Young and the religious thinker Gilbert West . In Lady Margaret's household, men and women spoke as equals and engaged in witty, learned banter. Mrs Montagu later used this model of intellectual discourse in her salons. Visits to Lady Margaret became more important to Elizabeth when her mother inherited a country seat in Kent and made that her home, with her daughters. In 1738, Montagu wrote to Harley explaining that she had no desire for men or marriage. She saw marriage as
2812-820: The compilation of Memoirs of the Life of Mrs Elizabeth Carter by Montagu Pennington, which included her Notes on the Bible and the Answers to Objections concerning the Christian Religion . Her deep belief in God also appears in her poems "In Diem Natalem" and "Thoughts at Midnight" (also known as "A Night Piece"). At the suggestion of William Pulteney, 1st Earl of Bath , who took delight in her conversation and writings, Carter published another volume of poems in 1762, to which George Lyttelton, 1st Baron Lyttelton contributed
2886-426: The desire of a friend, Sir W. J. Pulteney, she accompanied his daughter to Paris , but returned home in 16 days and confined her later journeys to British soil. She was repeatedly honoured at Deal with visits from various members of the royal family. The Queen, long accustomed to ask her opinion upon books via ladies of the court, in 1791 commanded her attendance at Cremorne House, where as translator of Epictetus she
2960-418: The exclusion of all intellectual enjoyment... and to found a society in which conversation should supersede cards." Many of the Blue Stockings women supported each other in intellectual endeavours such as reading, artwork, and writing. Many also published literature. For example, author Elizabeth Carter (1717–1806) was a Blue Stockings Society advocate and member who published essays and poetry, and translated
3034-592: The family manor house at East Denton Hall, a mansion dating from 1622 on the West Road in Newcastle upon Tyne . She was a shrewd businesswoman, despite affecting to patronise Northumbrian society for its practical conversation. Though acting as Lady Bountiful to miners and their families, she was pleased at how cheap this could be. She was also glad to note that "our pitmen are afraid of being turned off and that fear keeps an order and regularity amongst them that
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3108-521: The figures were so idealised that she complained she could not identify herself or anyone else in the work. Samuel had not done any sittings from life when preparing for it. Fanny Burney is quoted in Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson as saying in 1780 she thought Carter "a really noble-looking woman; I never saw age so graceful in the female sex yet; her whole face seems to beam with goodness, piety, and philanthropy." However, Betsy Sheridan , sister of
3182-464: The greatest poet of any nation. She also attacks Samuel Johnson's 1765 Preface to Shakespeare for not having gone on to praise Shakespeare's plays enough. While Johnson had dealt with text, history, and the circumstances of editing, Montagu wrote instead about the characters, plots, and beauties of the verse in Shakespeare and saw in him a championing of all things inherently English. When the book
3256-463: The habit. Over-application to her studies and lack of sleep brought on intense headaches, to which she remained subject through life. Her taste for literature came from the finest models available, and her refined manner and habits from an early introduction to high society. She carefully studied astronomy and the geography of ancient history. She learnt to play the spinnet and the German flute and
3330-647: The heiress of the Drakes of Horton , near Hythe . She spent much of her childhood there and was early attracted by sympathy of feeling and similarity of pursuits to a contemporary neighbour, Elizabeth Carter. A close friendship formed, which lasted to the end of their long lives. In 1742, Robinson married Edward Montagu , grandson of the second Earl Of Sandwich ; subsequently Carter often visited her at her country seat at Sandleford and her house in London . In 1741 she became acquainted with Catherine Talbot and developed
3404-460: The most recently discovered letters. The Royal Crescent Hotel in Bath is located at a former residence of Elizabeth Montagu 16 Royal Crescent. In May a new restaurant Montagu Mews was opened and named in her honour. Elizabeth Carter Elizabeth Carter ( pen name Eliza ; 16 December 1717 – 19 February 1806) was an English poet, classicist , writer, translator , and linguist . As one of
3478-400: The next year, and she loved her child immensely. When the child died unexpectedly in 1744, she was devastated. She and Edward remained friendly throughout their remaining time together, but there were no more children or pregnancies. Prior to the loss of her son, she had not been very religious, but his death brought her to take religion increasingly seriously. Meanwhile, her sister, Sarah Scott,
3552-486: The pantheon of 18th-century women writers was ensured by her translation of Epictetus, the first English translation of the known works by the Greek Stoic philosopher, which brought her a clear profit of £1,000. The translation passed through three editions and retained a high reputation in standard literature. While occupied with bringing the first edition for the press, she was also preparing her youngest brother for
3626-421: The playwright , described her five years later in her diary as "rather fat and not very striking in appearance". Carter's difficulties were all confined to her books of private study; she met with no discouragements from the outer world. Her translations were approved and her verses applauded by Burke, Dr Johnson, Savage, and Baratier, and she found herself courted by many members of learned society. In 1782, at
3700-459: The political process in the various ways open to her as an elite woman and female intellectual. Within the context of these male relationships, particularly via her husband and friends George Lyttleton and William Pulteney ( the Earl of Bath) Montagu had an opportunity to discuss political philosophy as well as practical politics; developing her own political positions. She represented her interest in
3774-532: The political realm as an extension of family duty and expression of female tenderness. She was therefore able to forward her own opinions within the prevailing gender conventions of the time without appearing transgressive. Swansea University aims to produce a fully annotated, digital, critical, and open-access edition of the extant correspondence of Elizabeth Montagu. Elizabeth Montagu Correspondence Online (EMCO) offers access to transcriptions and facsimiles of original manuscripts, accurate and exhaustive notes, and
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#17327653299803848-631: The poor and in establishing and maintaining charitable institutions. In 1800, her faithful friend Mrs Montagu died at the age of 80. Their correspondence of 1755–1799 was published after Mrs Carter's death by her nephew, Mr Pennington. Like her bluestocking contemporaries, Carter lived a long life. Increasing deafness reduced her conversational abilities. On 19 February 1806, after a long period of increasing weakness, Carter died at her lodgings in Clarges Street , London . The novelist Samuel Richardson included Carter's poem "Ode to Wisdom" in
3922-461: The premier salon in London. Samuel Johnson , Sir Joshua Reynolds , Edmund Burke , David Garrick , and Horace Walpole were all in the circle. For writers, being introduced there meant patronage, and Montagu patronized a number of authors, including Elizabeth Carter , Hannah More , Frances Burney , Anna Barbauld , Sarah Fielding , Hester Chapone , James Beattie , James Woodhouse and Anna Williams . Samuel Johnson's hostess, Hester Thrale ,
3996-506: The pseudonym Eliza, when she was only 16 years old. Visiting London occasionally with her father, she was introduced by Cave to many literary persons, among them Dr Johnson , soon after his first settlement there in the year 1737. In 1738, she published an anonymous collection of her poems, including those previously printed in The Gentleman's Magazine . In the same year, her father had conversations with Carter about marriage, and again
4070-519: The text of his novel Clarissa (1747–1848), but without ascribing it to her. It was later published in a corrected form in the Gentleman's Magazine and Carter received an apology from Richardson. Elizabeth Gaskell , the 19th-century novelist, refers to Carter as an epistolatory model, bracketing her in Cranford with Hester Chapone , a self-taught Bluestocking . Virginia Woolf saw her as
4144-420: The time. During this time period only men attended universities, whereas women were expected to master skills such as needlework and knitting : it was considered "unbecoming" for them to know Greek or Latin, almost immodest for them to be authors, and certainly indiscreet to admit the fact. Anna Laetitia Barbauld , a member of the club, was merely the echo of popular sentiment, contrary to the general opinion of
4218-530: The ultimate heir to his property, Sir William Johnson Pulteney, spontaneously settled upon her an annuity of £100, which he soon afterwards increased to £150. Her father having lost his second wife, and his other children being settled in homes of their own, Carter bought a house at Deal in 1762. Her father rented part of it, while she managed the household. They had their separate libraries and spent their study hours apart, meeting at meals and spending evenings together during periods of six months. The other half of
4292-401: The women's own letter writing. Their frequency of correspondence waxed and waned over the years depending on the circumstances of their lives; Montagu is believed to have written to Scott more frequently than she replied. Similarly, Montagu is said to have sent more letters to Elizabeth Carter than she received from her. Montagu was an ardent supporter of Carter, despite her friend being of
4366-624: The works of Epictetus . Literature professor Anna Miegon compiled biographical sketches of these women in her Biographical Sketches of Principal Bluestocking Women . Ladies , a play written by Kit Steinkellner, is a fictional account of four members of the Blue Stockings Society and their impact on modern-day feminism. It received its world première at Boston Court Pasadena in Pasadena, California in June 2019, with direction by Jessica Kubzansky. [REDACTED] This article incorporates text from
4440-652: The year 1749, she began translating All the Works of Epictetus , Which are Now Extant , submitting it sheet by sheet for Secker's revising. She finished the Discourses in December 1752, but at his suggestion added the Enchiridion and Fragments , with an introduction and notes. Subscriptions obtained by him and from her other wealthy and influential friends allowed the work to be published in 1758. Her position in
4514-497: The year she usually passed in London, or visiting friends at their country houses. After her father's death in 1774, a small inheritance fell to her. In 1775, Edward Montagu died and his wife Elizabeth inherited a large property. Among her first acts was to bequeath an annuity of £100 to Carter. Mrs Underwood, a family connection of the Carters, afterwards bequeathed to Carter an annuity of £40, and Mrs Talbot dying in 1783, left her
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#17327653299804588-431: Was a lifelong friend of Montagu's, to whom Montagu vented her frustrations over the institution of marriage and her desire for a truly companionate marriage – if she must have one at all. Montagu also said that marriage should include a financial incentive. A collection of Montagu's letters was first published 1809 by her nephew and heir, Matthew Montagu, under the title, The Letters of Mrs. Elizabeth Montagu, with Some of
4662-445: Was also an occasional visitor to Hill Street. Among her persistent admirers was the physician Messenger Monsey . Among the Blue Stockings, Elizabeth Montagu was not the dominant personality, but she was the woman of greatest means, and it was her house, purse and power that made the society possible. As a literary critic, she was a fan of Samuel Richardson , both Fieldings ( Henry Fielding and Sarah Fielding ), and Fanny Burney, and she
4736-576: Was also growing increasingly devout. Elizabeth was accompanied most of the time by a lady's companion , in a role derived from that of a royal lady in waiting . A companion would be expected to carry things and aid Elizabeth on her daily round. Barbara Schnorrenberg suggests that Sarah Scott took this function and adds that there is good reason to suggest that Scott married poorly to escape it (Schnorrenberg 723). After Elizabeth's mother died, her father moved to London with his housekeeper or possibly mistress, giving no money at all to his children. When Sarah
4810-500: Was captivated by the two girls and the four of them went on a Scottish tour. When they returned John Gregory had to return home but Montagu persuaded him to leave the "dear dear little girls" with her. In return she undertook to advise him on their education. In 1770 the Gregorys returned and it was agreed that Montagu would take Dorothea Gregory as her companion. The arrangement worked well as Dorothea took on jobs for her like driving
4884-618: Was clear from her sentiments and opinions and in occasional expressions of buoyant gaiety, in which there was always something awkward, forced, and exaggerated. Carter kept an interest in religious matters. She was influenced by Hester Chapone and wrote apologia of the Christian faith, asserting the authority of the Bible over human matters. One such, Objections against the New Testament with Mrs Carter's Answers to them , appeared in
4958-439: Was fond of dancing in her youth. She drew tolerably well, was acquainted with household economy, loved gardening and growing flowers, and occupied her leisure or social hours with needlework . In the hope of counteracting the bad effects of too much study, she habitually took long walks and attended social parties. Elizabeth Robinson , born in 1720, was the eldest daughter of Matthew Robinson, 2nd Baron Rokeby , who had married
5032-627: Was formally presented and received with the highest favour. In 1763, Carter accompanied the Earl of Bath and Edward and Elizabeth Montagu on a continental tour. They crossed the Channel to Calais, visited the Spa, passed down the Rhine, and, travelling through Brussels, Ghent, Bruges, and Dunkirk to Calais, re-crossed to Dover, after an absence of nearly four months. In the summer of 1764, Lord Bath died; and as he made no mention of Elizabeth Carter in his will,
5106-407: Was initially published anonymously, it was thought to be by Joseph Warton , but by 1777 her name appeared on the title page. Johnson, for his part, was estranged from Montagu at this point. In the late 1760s, Edward Montagu fell ill, and Elizabeth took care of him, although she resented giving up her freedom. In 1766 her friend John Gregory came to stay and he brought two of his daughters. Montagu
5180-463: Was pleased to discover that Laurence Sterne was a distant relation through the Botham family. He entrusted her with the disposition of his papers on his departure for France, as he was in ill health and the prospect of his dying abroad was real. She was a supporter of Bishop Percy's Reliques of Ancient English Poetry. Montagu also held similar events at her residence in the centre house (No. 16) of
5254-406: Was prohibited but literature and the arts were of main discussion. Learned women with interest in these educational discussions attended as well as invited male guests. Tea, biscuits and other light refreshments would be served to guests by the hostesses. The New York Times published an article on 17 April 1881, a century after the events in question, which describes the Blue Stockings Society as
5328-624: Was removed from her bad marriage, Elizabeth's father (whose ward she was) not only gave her no financial help, but forbade either Elizabeth or Matthew , her brother, from relieving her distress. Beginning in 1750, she and Edward established a routine, where they would winter in London in Mayfair and then in the spring go to Sandleford in Berkshire, which had been his since 1730. He would then go on to Northumberland and Yorkshire to manage his holdings, while she would occasionally accompany him to
5402-463: Was ten. Her redbrick family home still stands at the junction of South Street and Middle Street, close to the seafront. Nicolas Carter himself undertook the labour of educating his numerous children in the Latin and Greek languages. His eldest daughter was so slow to understand her lessons that he almost despaired of ever making her a scholar, and would have given up but for her resolute perseverance as
5476-562: Was the eldest of their three daughters. Conyers Middleton , the prominent Cambridge don, was the second husband of her Drake grandmother Sarah Morris. Between 1720 and 1736 the family owned part of what is now a National Trust property: Treasurer's House, in York. Elizabeth and her sister Sarah, the future novelist Sarah Scott , spent time as children on extended stays with Dr Middleton, as both parents were somewhat aloof. The two girls learned Latin , French, and Italian and studied literature. As
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