| AdminHistory | Lady Pleasance Smith (1773-1877) née Reeve, English letter writer and literary editor, born in Lowestoft, Suffolk, one of six children of Robert (1739-1815) and Pleasance Reeve née Clark (1739-1820); only daughter to survive infancy together with an older brother Robert (1770-1840) and a younger brother James (1778-1827).
On 1 March 1796 she married James Edward Smith (1759-1828), Founder of the Linnean Society, in Lowestoft. In November 1796 they moved from London and settled in Norwich where they lived at 29 Surrey Street, a house owned by Pleasance's father. The year after their marriage she was painted as a "gypsy girl" and a "match girl" by John Opie. The original portraits are at the Linnean Society of London.
James Edward Smith was knighted on 28 July 1814 and Pleasance became Lady Smith, elevating her rank in society. She mixed within the upper circles of society and after Sir James died in March 1828 continued an active role. She was known for her generosity and philanthropic work, often sending gifts to her wide-ranging network. She maintained a prolific correspondence, sharing and pursuing an active interest in poetry, theology, history and current affairs. She had a sharp intellect, a keen wit and enjoyed word games. She received a personal letter from Queen Victoria to "her friend" on her 100th birthday.
Although not a botanist or a fellow, she maintained a connection with the Linnean society throughout her life, notably depositing Sir James' correspondence. Believing their interest lay only in the scientific, she destroyed much of his correspondence which included many of her own personal letters. She edited a biography of him, published in 1832, which included some of his letters.
Lady Pleasance Smith died on February 1877 at the age of 103, at her home since 1849 in High Street, Lowestoft. She is said to have retained her faculties but did suffer from gout and failing eyesight in her later years. She survived her husband by almost 49 years. |
| Description | Commonplace book belonging to Lady Pleasance Smith. This volume comprises of handwritten poems, songs and passages from publications such as ‘Switzerland’ by L Simond and ‘The Waverley Novels’ by Sir Walter Scott. Also contains religious and philosophical writings including 'The Sum of Religion' by Sir Matthew Hale. Written on the front endpaper is "Pleasance Smith January 1841".
Pages have been numbered by the Archivist from 1-142. Particular items of note from the volume are listed below:
1. Inscription"Pleasance Smith January 1841". Another inscription underneath reads "Presented by the Rev. A. J. Fellowes. 1927".
6-8. Extract from the book 'Switzerland' by L Simond, [1823] under the title 'The Alps' with pasted engraving by [George] Smith [of Chichester], [c1767].
9. Piece of writing by [Richard] Watson [Bishop] of Llandaff.
10. Extract from Letter VIII ‘Mr Gray to Mr Wharton’ from ‘The Works of Thomas Gray. Vol II’ by Thomas Gray and John Mitford, 1816.
10. Extract from [The Waverley Novels, Volume II] by Sir Walter Scott.
11-13. Poem 'Night' by James Montgomery with a pasted engraving of a moonlit river landscape of Chichester by George and John Smith, 1767.
14-15. Extract titled '1783. Visit of the Empress Catherine II to the King of Sweden' [from Memoirs of the Princess Daschkaw, Volume I, 1840].
15-16. Poem titled 'Song' by [Anna Seward], [c19th century].
18-23. Written out passages related to the reigns of various popes including Adrian VI, Clement VII, Paul III, Marcelus II and Paul IV.
24-26. Copied out 'The Sum of Religion' by Sir Matthew Hale.
26-27. Poem 'State of the health of Mother Church. The last Bulletin' by [T. M.].
29-31. Poem 'From the old [Bird] to his young friend on her "coming out"' by H.H.C., 1 Oct 1842.
37-38. Poem 'The Land which no mortal can know' by Bernard Barton with a note [written by Pleasance Smith] 'Given me by Mr Dalton 5 Aug 1845'.
39-44. Titled 'Julie Vol 3'. Copied out religious passages. From page 41-44 are 'some passages relative to Eloiza’s death' and includes a short poem by [James Edward Smith].
46-47. Extracts from 'The Neighbours', 1852, and another publication by Frederika Bremer.
48. Extracts from a religious publication including sections on 'The Karaites' and 'Maimonides'.
49. Extract from the ['History of Latin Christianity'] by [Henry Hart Milman], 1872.
54. Extract [from the Autobiography of the Rev. Dr Alexander Carlyle, Minister of Inveresk] titled 'Matthew Simpson'.
57. Poem 'To Jenny Lind' [from the publication 'Punch, or The London Charivari', Vol XII, 1847] with three hand drawn pencil and ink sketches of Punch and [Jenny Lind].
58-70. Extracts [from Irene, A Poem, In Six Cantos] by Lady Northampton, [1833].
78. 'Epitaph. Found among Lord Holland’s Papers.' [By Henry Richard Vassall Fox, 3rd Baron Holland], 18 Aug 1845.
78. Copied out poem by [Aaron Hill] from ['Verses written on a window in Scotland'] with inscription at the bottom "CD 20 [December] 1850".
81-82. Written out passages titled 'Memorandum from Professor Smyths Lectures on the French Revolution' and 'Edict of Nantz'.
87. Excerpt from 'Lockhart’s Life of Scott'.
90-92. Passages about Napolean Bonaparte and other monarchs. Includes a small hand-drawn family tree of Ferdinand VII.
96. Copied out passage titled 'The Schisms of the Isms'.
97. Copied out letter 'To Thomas Moore with a present of Bayles Dictionary - from Lord Holland', 3 Sep 1837.
101. Hymn 'Nay, Speak No Ill' with annotation 'Copied for Grandma Boott by Lucy Emma Haden, Lyons, March 31 1858'.
106. Extract from 'On Atonement and Satisfaction' [from The Epistles of St. Paul to the Thessalonians, Galatians and Romans] by [Benjamin] Jowett.
109-110. Account of a Masquerade Ball given at Sir Everard’s of Lowestoft. Includes a list of names of those in attendance at the Ball, including Miss Blencowe and Mrs Baddeley, 2 Aug 1806.
113-114. Poem 'Recipe for a Salad' by Sydney Smith, 1839 and 'A Winch Salad' recipe.
121. Written out card game "Cambridge Trick. Said to be the invention of Sir Isaac Newton".
127. 'Character of Catherine de Medicis – from Quarterly Review for April 1869'.
129-130. 'Depiction of Friendship by Jeremy Taylor Bishop of Dromore'.
128-131. Various excerpts[from 'Diary, Reminiscences, and Correspondence of Henry Crabb Robinson' by Henry Crabb Robinson], 1869.
134-137. "Biographical notice of some of the leading men of the parish of Sedbergh in the valley of Dent Yorkshire From Professor Ledgewicks Supplement, 1870".
138. Extract from the ['History of Ferdinand and Isabella, the Catholic, of Spain'] by William H. Prescott.
142. Quote [from 'Selections from Speeches of Earl Russell' from The Edinburgh Review, April 1870].
This volume also contains a packet of inserts and loose inserts which have been listed in MS/393b/1 and MS/393b/2.
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