Manuscripts tipped into a guardbook, possibly assembled by Charlotte as a keepsake after her husband's death in 1816. Letters from William Chambers form the principal sequence on the volume, with another run of letters from
Charles Harward. There are also a couple of drafts written by Charlotte.
Earlier letters are revealing of William Chambers's relationship with his children when young. They are tender though uncompromisingly moral in tone, with Chambers liberally dispensing guidance and instruction. The dominant subject of the main run of letters concerns Charlotte's betrothal to Charles Haward, of Hayne House, near Silverton, Devon. Charles was the son of Revd. Charles Harward, courtier and Dean of Exeter. Negotiations over the match were protracted, with the major difficulty centring on the Dean's parsimoniousness when settling his son's fortune. The sequence of letters from Charles Jr. suggests a less than dynamic figure. He complains about his choice of the army for a career, though he seems to harbour few alternative ambitions beyond securing a court sinecure. He professes his love for Charlotte repeatedly, though without imagination. Throughout the letters there are scattered glimpses of the Chambers' social circle, the families of a seemingly heterogenous body of novi homines such as George Gostling, Proctor to the Admiralty, Moses Franks, merchant and Paul Vaillant, bookseller. All had settled in major properties scattered around the pastoral idyl of late 18th century Twickenham. Information on Chambers's professional life is scant and affairs involving the Royal Academy are wholly absent, however there is a notable guest appearance in the form of Mary Moser (TYL18 and TYL/20).
Supplementary material was included with the volume by a descendant in the later 19th century. There are biographical notes on the life of William Chambers and photographic reproductions of a portrait of Lady Chambers.
Donated by Lord Paul Tyler, descendant of William Chambers, in 2013.