Autograph Letter Signed ('M Thomond') from Mary [n

15pp., 4to. On four bifoliums, neatly attached white thread. Good, on lightly-aged paper. A fine long letter, marvellously spirited and gossippy, to either one of the Marchioness's two sisters Theophila ('Offy') or Elizabeth. A large part of the letter is concerned with 'an account of the Drawing Room & the Ball'. 'I dressd & went to the Drawing Room (with the precaution of a good many wrappers) as well as I could expect as it was consider'd as a birth Day every body was very fine & the Crowd was beyond any thing I ever witnessd [...] the pressure was so great that Lady Normenton [sic] (the Deans friend) told me she was lifted from the ground & her feet never touchd for at least half a dozen pases [sic]. The men were wiping their faces & the women (when they could get elbow room) were fanning themselves, but that was very seldom. I had a full view of the Russian Embassadress [sic] who it is the fashion to cry up as very handsome, but I dont see any thing extraordinary. She was dressd very fine as the paper will tell you, & at the Ball lookd like an old picture in queen Elizabeths days with just such a large ruff, & quantities of diamonds which I expect will be the reigning fashion this winter. I was very near to Mr Phipps when he was presented to the Queen, who did not appear to take the least notice of him more than putting out her hand for him to kiss which she could not avoid, the Baroness I did not see, but I heard that her reception was also very cold. The little man was very fine, & perhaps was satisfied he was there on any terms. I never heard of such a puppy he said some time ago in the hearing of a Gentleman who told me.' She reports that she received that morning a letter from 'Augusta (the Princess [(1737-1813)] you must observe) & she tells me the poor dear good old man (the King) is better to day'. In a second reference to Jonathan Wathen Phipps (1769-1853; later Sir Jonathan Wathen Waller), oculist to King George III, she asks what her sister thinks of 'Mr Phipps the occulist? [sic] & what can one think of Lady Howe for liking such a man? To my great surprise I saw them both at the Ball, but they seem'd alone in that great Assembly. [I]t is supposed he got invited through the interest of the Duke of Cumberland with whom he is a great favorite, & Phipps says he has always a dinner provided such as the Duke may set down to, as he comes very often, & unexpectedly'. She describes how 'Mr Coats (the Romeo) thought he might as well be presented, & therefore made his way into the Drawing Room, not but what he is really born a Gentleman & had he not disgraced himself as he has done by making himself a laughing stock to the world, might have as good pretentions to be than as most people, but as it is, his being there was an astonishment to every lady, & I hear the Queen turnd her head away'. Of Carlton House she states: 'it would be in vain for me my dear Sister to attempt giving you an Idea of the grandeur of every thing around us from the moment of entrance at the great Hall through every part of this Palace, Ann can give you some description of the Rooms Chandeliers &c but it is impossible to describe the magnificence which blazed throughout the whole'. She gives a description of the dresses worn by 'two or three individuals', including her own and that of Mrs Thomas Hope [born Louisa Beresford, married in 1806], who was 'literally one mass of Jewels from head to foot - & withall looking very handsome & perfectly satisfied that none there could vie with her in splendor, as one lookd through the Rooms it was like a moving grove of waving feathers [...] I was very near the dancers when the Ball begun & saw the Princess Charlotte lead off with the Duke of Cumberland, who is without exception the best Dancer, as he is the finest figure in England, the Princess dancd with all her life & soul & seem'd as happy as possible, the Prince Regent was very attentive to her, & was himself in high good looks. The Supper was every thing Royal, that is, every thing that could be wishd & every thing that could gratify the Eye as well as the palate, I will enclose if I can two or three <?> of Rose comfits which I brought away on purpose'. The rest of the letter discusses personal matters. For example, 'I can hardly say whether I was surprized or not, at hearing of Mr S Johnsons marriage, all I can say is, the mans a fool.' She reports that she has been 'most amazingly surprized by a charge I have received from Mr Kingdonn one of the most exorbitant ever made [