George Henry Glasse correspondence

The first two letters in the collection, items (1.1) and (1.2), 1757 and undated, are addressed to clergyman Charles Poyntz (1735-1809), an Oxford classmate of Samuel Glasse. Despite this beginning, the great majority of these letters are addressed to George Henry Glasse, with most of the remainder addressed to his father Samuel Glasse.

The earlier letters, mostly from 1778 to 1788 in volumes 1 and 8, are largely concerned with Oxford matters, Glasse's literary interests, and his establishment at Hanwell. The bulk of the letters from 1802 onward reflect Glasse's increased preoccupation with social status as a domestic chaplain to the nobility, and concern social invitations, financial negotiations, and patronage positions. Events in Glasse's life which attract extensive attention in these letters are: his publication of a Greek translation of William Mason's Caractacus in 1781, mostly in Volume 1; his failed courtships of Elizabeth de Blaquiere in 1803 (Volumes 2 and 3) and Anastasia Jessey Gascoigne in 1804 (Volume 3); and the christening of his youngest son Frederick in June of 1806 (Volume 4).

Several letters mention Samuel Johnson. A transcript of a 1783 letter from Robert Bromfield, item (1.29), passes on comments from Samuel Johnson on Glasse's work. Another 1783 Bromfield letter, item (3.81), discusses Johnson's health and Glasse's recent visit to Johnson. A 1788 George Horne letter, item (1.67), comments on Hester Lynch Piozzi's Letters to and from the Late Samuel Johnson, LL.D. Charles Thomas Barker, in a 1795 letter, item (10.24), describes a re-enactment of a Johnson-Boswell dialogue. Johnson's friend and Glasse's acquaintance, author Hester Lynch Piozzi, is discussed at length in at least two letters: by Robert Myddleton in 1806, item (5.9); and by Charles Thomas Barker in 1804, item (10.104).

Glasse also received numerous letters from British and French nobility, mostly penned by equerries writing on behalf of their masters. The great bulk of these communications are extending or responding to social invitations, or responding to patronage requests. Glasse received communications from six sons of George III, King of England, including: five dated 1802-1806 from George Augustus Frederick, Prince of Wales (1762-1830) (later George IV, King of England); a lone empty cover from William Henry, Duke of Clarence (1765-1837) (later William IV, King of England); eighteen dated 1802-1807 from Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent (1767-1820); four dated 1803-1808 from Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland (1771-1851) (later King of Hanover); five dated 1804 to 1808 from Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex (1773-1843); and sixteen dated 1802-1808 from Adolphus Frederick, Duke of Cambridge (1774-1850). The equerries of William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester (1776-1834), the nephew of George III, wrote on twelve occasions, from 1803 to 1808. Julie de St. Laurent (1760-1830), mistress of Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent (1767-1820), wrote 31 letters dated 1804 to 1806 and undated, some offering courtship advice. Most of these letters are in French, with some in English.

From the French royal family are three autograph social letters dated 1804 to 1806 from Louis Philippe, duc d'Orléans (1773-1850) (later King of the French); and 13 letters dated 1802-1808 from Louis Joseph de Bourbon, prince de Condé (1736-1818), and his equerry.

By far the most extensive run of letters in this collection is from Charles Thomas Barker (1758-1812), an Oxford classmate of Glasse's. Barker received his B.A. at Christ College in 1781, his M.A. in 1784, and remained as a tutor through 1797, then was appointed prebendary of Wells in 1798. The letters begin in 1778 when the two were still in college, and continue regularly through 1804, filling volumes 8, 9, and 10. Common topics in these letters include Oxford news, Anglican politics, and Barker and Glasse's respective pursuits of wives.

John Campbell wrote 36 letters between 1801 and 1805. He apparently served as an intermediary between Glasse, Sir John McMahon, and the Earl of Moira (later Francis Rawdon-Hastings, Marquess of Hastings), to whom Glasse had complex financial obligations. His letters are all grouped together, items (7.91-126).

Political writer William Cobbett (1763-1835) wrote 8 letters dated 1804 to 1806 and undated, mostly short notes attempting to arrange visits, with one offering his more substantial comments on the honors being paid to the late William Pitt, item (4.62).

Glasse's father Dr. Samuel Glasse (1735-1812) is represented here by letters both sent and received. Seventeen of his letters to George dated 1774 to 1808 are included, items (1.31), (4.25), (4.101), (5.66), (5.67), (5.70), (6.42), and throughout Volume 3. These letters are generally long, warm, and supportive. The collection also includes approximately twenty or thirty letters addressed to Samuel Glasse, interspersed throughout, dated from 1776 to 1808. Many letters are not addressed, or are addressed simply Rev. Glasse, making an exact count impossible. Letters addressed to Rev. Dr. Glasse are assumed to be probably addressed to Samuel, unless the content indicates otherwise. Glasse's mother Hannah Clutterbuck Glasse is represented by nine letters or postscripts, 1785-1807, items (3.64), (3.68), (3.69), (4.69), (6.17), (7.28-30), and (10.56).

George Horne (1730-1792) is represented by twenty letters dated 1783 to 1788, including three to Samuel Glasse. Horne was then Dean of Canterbury and president of Magdalen College at Oxford. He wrote as a friend of the Glasse family, and his letters are concerned mainly with Oxford affairs and literary matters. They are mostly scattered through Volume 1, with one in Volume 3, item (3.88).

Army officer and writer Charles James (d. 1821) wrote 26 letters from 1805 to 1808, items (7.127-152). Most of them concern financial dealings with the Earl of Moira.

Sir John McMahon (ca. 1754-1817), member of parliament and secretary to the Prince of Wales (later George IV, King of Great Britain), wrote 32 letters dated 1801 to 1808, including some which touch upon politics and some written on behalf of the Prince. Most of these are grouped together, items (7.49-90). Interspersed with these are fourteen social letters dated 1804 to 1806 and undated from McMahon's wife Elizabeth Ramsay McMahon (d. 1815).

Irish poet Thomas Moore (1779-1852) is represented by six letters, 1804, 1808, and undated, items (3.23), (3.25), (3.83), (5.83), (5.88), and (7.25). These are mostly short social letters.

Educator Samuel Parr (1747-1825) is represented by nine letters in Volume 1, 1788 and undated, on literary topics. He is also discussed in letters by Charles Thomas Barker, who courted his daughter, particularly in items (9.113) and (10.24).