Reference
Z269/1
Title
Information about John Howard used as backing for a picture, presumably a print of the plague at Marseilles. In manuscript, presumably that of Jas Adam Gordon son of Harriet Gordon (formerly Miss Whitbread) [2 sheets]
Date free text
25 June 1847
Production date
From: 1847 To: 1847
Admin/biog history
Purchased from Michael O'Dell who bought it from the Taurus Galleries, 637 Fulham Road, London SW6, for £1.08, on 14 January 1977
Scope and Content
HOWARD
"He has visited all Europe, not to survey the sumptuouness of palaces, nor the stateliness of temples; not to make accurate measurements of the remains of ancient grandeur, not to form a scale of the curiosoties of modern art; not to collect medals, nor to collate manuscripts; but to dive into the depths of dungeons; to plunge into the infection of hospitals; to survey the mansions of sorrow and pain; to take the guage and dimensions of misery, depression, and contempt; to remember the forgotten, to amend to the neglected, to visit the forsaken, and to compare the collate the distresses of all men in all countries."
Edward Burke's Speech at Bristol
Mr Howard presented this print of the plague at Marseilles to Miss Whitbread afterwards Mrs Gordon who was a great favourite of his. Also there is a little packet of a dozen Coins, on which he wrote "Miss Whitbread" and she has made a Memorandum that they were coins given by Mr Howard and the address made "Miss Whitbread was in his handwriting.
Before he left England on his last journey he sent her to come up to London to him as he had some thing of great importance to Communicate with her, which he would not impart to anyone else. On her arrival, he said "Harriet, I have sent for you as I wish confided to you that I have discovered a certain Remedy for the Plague. This I will tell you, but on condition that you will take a solemn oath you will never divulge it". "Sir" she replied "I thank you but onsuch conditions you may keep your secret. If you tell it me I will proclaim it at Charing Cross sooner than keep it Secret".
My mother supposed (for he did not reveal his Secret) that he considered James Powder a Specific.
Mr Howard, a public Philanthropist, was most severed on his own family. His wife was almost starved to death and his son desperately maltreated. He entrusted his Estate at Cardington near Bedford on the Whitbread family. His grandson [sic] Samuel Whitbread ow possesses it and resides there 1847. Mr Sangster of Purfleet assrued me he could shew by family papers that Mr Whitbread gave Howard carte blanche to draw up on him and that it was by this generous support he was enabled to do what he did.
James Adam Gordon, son of the above Harriet Gordon June 25 1847
2 copies of transcription on file
Level of description
item