Charlotte Lennox

‘The society of Richardson was limited to a little circle of amiable and accomplished persons, who were contented to allow a central position to the author of Clarissa, and to revolve around him in inferior orbits.  The families of Highmore and Duncombe produced more than one individual of this description; and besides Mrs. Donellan, and the Miss Fieldings, whom Richardson loved, not-withstanding the offences of their brother…Charlotte Lennox was also a regular visitor at Parsons-Green, and scarce could remember a visit in which her host had not rehearsed at least one, but probably two or three voluminous letters, if he found her in the humour of listening with attention…’

English author and poet Charlotte Lennox died on January 4, 1804.  The text above comes from Sir Walter Scott’s biography of Samuel Richardson, and provides some insight into the author.

Handsel Monday

" Did you by any chance learn his name?" .



" I wot weeldid I—for he said it-was likely that an auld woman like a gipsy wife might be asking for him. Ay, ay! tell me your company, and I'll tell you wha ye are! O the villain. Aweel, sir, when he gaed away in the morning he paid his bill very honestly, and gae something to the chamber-maid, nae doubt, for Grizzy has naething frae me, but two pair o' new shoon ilka year, and may be a bit compliment at Hansel Monday ." Here Glossin found it necessary to interfere, and bring the good woman back to the point.

Sir Walter Scott employs the money giving tradition of Handsel Monday in "Guy Mannering".

Five to be Arrested in Parliament

" I am convinced the spirit of Pym or Hampden has transmigrated into the rogue, and continues to demonstrate his hatred against royalty and all its adherents."

The above is from Scott's Woodstock.

An act which was a prelude to the English Civil War occurred on this day (January 4) in 1642.  Parliamentarians Pym, Hampden, Hollis, Haselrig and Strode were on Charles I's short list of enemies after the king was served by the Long Parliament with the Grand Remonstrance - a list of grievances against Charles.  In addition to being critical of Charles' actions, Parliament's complaints were strongly anti-Catholic.  Charles' wife was the French Catholic Henrietta Maria.

Charles may have feared that Parliament was considering impeaching his Queen, when he entered the Parliament with an eye toward arresting five of its members.  But the intended prey escaped before Charles reached Parliament.  It was a terrible miscalculation on the King's part, turning some of his existing supporters against him.  The English Civil War ensued, beginning on October 26, 1642 (Battle of Edgehill).