Although Horatia was convinced that Emma was not her mother, but only her “guardian“, she remained by her side until the end.
Emma, after trying to find a remedy for her battered body and to allay her moral anguish by resorting to alcohol and opium, finally sought solace in religion.
She turned to the Catholic Church, a faith that she believed was both magnificent and kind, and whose solemn grandeur had struck her even in her happy Neapolitan days, when she felt attracted to its beautiful ceremonies.
When she was in prison she had often been visited by a Catholic abbot, whom she affectionately called the “good pope”.
She now joined the congregation of St Pierre and a Catholic priest comforted her in her final days, administering the last Sacraments to her.
Her misery ended on 15 January 1815 at the age of 49. The causes of her death were probably cirrhosis of the liver or amoebic dysentery.
She had been out of England a little over six months. When she had left, she had written scathingly: “Who wou’d vegetate in fog and vapour when they can live cheaper and better and breathe pure air in another country? England has never done anything for me “. But in her unshakable hope she had continued: “Yet I trust there are souls who will feel I have done my Country great Services.”
One of her detractors spoke of her last hours saying that she had perished miserably, lashed by agonizing anticipations of eternal punishment and by horrific visions of the murdered patriot Caracciolo. He had added that her screams to invoke divine forgiveness had disturbed all of her neighbours in the rue Francaise,
But probably these cries and remorse for Caracciolo existed only in the imagination of that detractor, since apparently she had never previously mentioned that name.
Emma’s wish that she could be laid in St. Paul’s Cathedral next to Lord Nelson was not granted, however it was thought that her body would be embalmed and then returned to England.
Five days after her death, the “Gazette de France” announced that “Dame Emma Lyons… Veuve de William Hamilton / Widow of Sir William Hamilton” had died at Calais, adding that her body was to be carried by sea for burial in her native land.
But as she had incurred many considerable debts in and around Calais, this was not possible, as no one was willing to pay for her funeral.
Therefore she seemed on the point of being buried in a spot of ground intended to the poor, when an Englishman residing in Calais, considering the services she had formerly rendered to her country and the wretched situation of Lord Nelson’s daughter. offered to bear all the costs of her funeral.
His name was Mr Henry Cadogan, but very little is known about him.
Some say he was an English merchant, agent at Lloyd’s in Calais, others the resident British consul in that town.
Few mistakenly believe he was a possible relative, because by a strange coincidence Cadogan was the name given by Charles Greville, nephew of Sir William Hamilton, to Emma’s mother, Mary Kidd, when in 1781 he agreed to take in the pregnant sixteen-year-old girl, provided that the child she was expecting was fostered out, she became his mistress, and changed her name from Amy Lyon to “Mrs Emma Hart” (see here)
To be continued
Nonostante Horatia fosse convinta che Emma non era sua madre, ma solo la sua “tutrice”, le restò al suo fianco fino alla fine.
Emma, che aveva cercato di trovare un rimedio al suo corpo martoriato e di placare la sua angoscia morale ricorrendo all’alcool e all’oppio, cercò infine consolazione nella religione.
Si rivolse alla chiesa cattolica romana, una fede che riteneva fosse magnifica e gentile allo stesso tempo e la cui solenne grandezza l’aveva colpita anche nei giorni felici di Napoli, quando si sentiva attratta dalle sue belle cerimonie,
In carcere aveva spesso ricevuto la visita di un abate cattolico che definiva affettuosamente il “buon papa”.
Ora si unì alla congregazione di St Pierre e un prete cattolico la confortò nei suoi giorni finali, amministrandole anche gli ultimi Sacramenti.
Le sue sofferenze terminarono il 15 gennaio 1815 all’età di 49 anni. Le cause del decesso furono probabilmente cirrosi epatica o dissenteria amebica.
Aveva lasciato ‘Inghilterra da poco più di sei mesi. Quando se n’era andata, aveva scritto in tono aspro: “Chi vegeterebbe nella nebbia e nel vapore quando può vivere più a buon mercato e meglio e respirare aria pura in un altro paese? L’Inghilterra non ha mai fatto niente per me.” Tuttavia, nella sua incrollabile speranza, continuava: “Eppure confido che ci siano delle anime che penseranno che ho reso grandi servizi al mio Paese”.
Un suo detrattore parlò delle sue ultime ore dicendo che era morta miseramente, sferzata da angosciose anticipazioni di punizione eterna e da orribili visioni del patriota Caracciolo assassinato. Aveva aggiunto che le sue grida per invocare il perdono divino avevano turbato tutti i suoi vicini di rue Francaise,
Ma probabilmente queste urla e questi rimorsi per Caracciolo esistevano solo nell’immaginazione del suo nemico che ne parlava, poiché a quanto pare Emma non aveva mai in precedenza menzionato quel nome.
Il desiderio di Emma di poter essere deposta nella cattedrale di St. Paul accanto a Lord Nelson non fu esaudito, tuttavia si pensava che il suo corpo sarebbe stato imbalsamato per poi tornare in Inghilterra.
Cinque giorni dopo la sua morte la “Gazette de France” annunciò che “Dame Emma Lyons … Veuve de William Hamilton / vedova di Sir William Hamilton” era morta a Calais, aggiungendo che il suo corpo sarebbe stato trasportato via mare per essere sepolto nella sua terra natale.
Ma poiché aveva contratto molti debiti considerevoli a Calais e dintorni, ciò non era possibile, perché nessuno era disposto a sobbarcarsi alle spese per il suo funerale. Quindi sembrava proprio sul punto di essere sepolta in un terreno destinato ai poveri, quando un mercante inglese residente a Calais, considerando i servigi che aveva precedentemente reso al suo paese e la misera situazione della figlia di Lord Nelson, offrì di accollarsi le spese del suo funerale.
Il suo nome era Mr Henry Cadogan, ma di lui si sa ben poco
Alcuni dicono che fosse un commerciante inglese, agente dei Lloyd’s di Calais, altri il console britannico residente in quella città.
Pochi credono erroneamente che fosse un probabile parente, perché per una strana coincidenza Cadogan era il nome dato da Charles Greville. il nipote di Sir William Hamilton, alla madre di Emma, Mary Kidd, quando nel 1781 accettò di accogliere la sedicenne incinta, a condizione che il bambino che lei aspettava fosse allontanato, che lei diventasse la sua amante e cambiasse il suo nome da Amy Lyon a “Mrs Emma Hart” (vedi qui)
continua
Image: George Romney – Emma Hamilton (National Portrait Gallery, London) – This portrait is one of many that Romney kept back in his studio for his private delectation.
Such a tragic end. An interesting footnote about the portrait
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Thanks a lot, Derrick, for your appreciation and support 🙏💙🙏
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Buongiorno Lu💚
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Buona giornata a te, Paola💙
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[…] Lady Hamilton & Horatia in Calais (part 65) […]
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Heartfelt thanks, as always, for the kind sharing on your blog💙🙏💙
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It is funny how some embrace the cause of their disease as the possible cure. 49 was too young to die, but she had lived a lot of life in that time frame. Have a great Monday Luisa. Allan
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Thank you for your thorough comment, Allan
Much appreciated
Wishing you a great Monday as well 😘
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Luisa ! Emma died on 15th January 1815 Penniless . She , in the evening of her life, became a Catholic Nun . Religion becomes the last resort of such persons . I think she did not opt this path due to her religiosity . In such condition human minds , generally , become imbalance . He/she can’t think positively in such condition . When a common person dies like this . Nobody pay attention . But if a VIP like Emma dies , newspapers write articles to increase their sales . But who would pay for her last rites remains a mute question . And even state/institution becomes helpless . Lesson we learn from the story of Emma is that never be so extravagant and unethical in life . Had she became a Catholic Nun in her early age , she would not have to face such a situation in her late life at all . Thanks !
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Thank you for your valuable reflections on Emma’s life, conduct and death.
Religion sometimes becomes the only way to find some consolation-
I wish you a beautiful new week 🙏
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Thanks !
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Buon pomeriggio carissima Luisa, 🤗!
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Un abbraccio forte a te, Ele cara 😘
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Grazie, 😊. Un abbraccio forte anche a te, 💖💖🤗🤗.
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It doesn’t surprise me that Emma sought solace in religion towards the end. Perhaps it is something we all will do.
A friend of W. C. Fields, the sarcastic comic, found the sick Fields in bed and he was reading the Bible.
Flabbergasted, the friend commented he never thought he would see Fields reading the Bible. To which Fields replied, ‘Just looking for loopholes’.
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I totally agree with you. Don: everyone turns to religion when they no longer have anybody else to trust.
Thank you very much for your reflections and for the delightful anecdote you shared 🙏
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Even the best of minds may change their life-long well-guarded belief systems when death hovers over their heads. Sartre was no exception. To quote Camus from his ‘The Happy Death’: “Death has the power and audacity to change one’s beliefs.” It did change his friend and fellow Existentialist Sartre’s unbelief.
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When death approaches, perhaps people decide to look at life differently and change what they thought to be their most correct beliefs
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Poveretta neanche accontentata nella sepoltura e mi viene da dire e meno male che c’è stato un qualcuno forse estraneo che se n’è preso carico!!! Buon pomeriggio carissima Luisa ❤😘
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Grazie per le tue parole, cara Giusy.
A volte magari sono gli estranei che si sentono più vicini a noi 😘
Buona serata e un abbraccio🤗
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I almost cried as I read Emma’s tragic end. How cruel it was not to grant her dying wish! Excellent presentation. You always rock dearest Luisa. ❤❤❤❤😊😊😊
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I am pleased, Aparna.
You are so generous with your words. Truly happy and grateful. 💗🌹
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♥️♥️♥️😊😊😊.
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Emma, it would seem, was feeling hard done by right to the end, but it’s difficult to feel sorry for her somehow.
I have a question for you though Luisa. As she died a Catholic, would that not have meant that she couldn’t have been buried in St Paul’s anyway?
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I too made the same consideration … but then I thought that in any case no one would have wanted to see her in St Paul’s
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Good point!
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🙏😚🙏😚🙏
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Alla fine con grandi sofferenze Emma lascia questa vita. Negli ultimi tempi gli fu di conforto la Religione Cattolica ed Orazia le fu a fianco fino all’ultimo momento di vita. Malgrado i debiti, ebbe una sepoltura degna: Per fortuna c’è sempre qualcuno che mostra pietà quando le situazioni sono tragiche. Una importante storia che, tu hai raccontato egregiamente, tenendo alto l’interesse di noi lettori. Complimenti e grazie, cara Luisa. A presto.🌷🌷🌷
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Molte grazie🙏 sempre preziosi i tuoi passaggi qui
Buona serata🤗
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How sad, Luisa, that so often in life we can put our trust in people who fail us when we most need their help.
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I agree, it’s really sad! It happens when It happens when we think we know others well and trust them too much!
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Debt ridden and enigmatic as ever in away. Great post.
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Thank you so much for your constant support, Shey! I’m really grateful for it. 🙂
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I’m really greateful you put so much into these posts.
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🙏🤗🙏🤗🙏
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Buona serata ❣️🌹🌷
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Buona serata anche a te, Paolina 🤗💝🤗
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Emma was Emma to the very end. Will you continue with Horatia’s story? Hate to see this saga ending.
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There will still be a few episodes, then I’ll dedicate myself to some other characters🙏💗🙏
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Goody. More treats to look forward to.🤩🙏🍾
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You are too kind ❣️❣️❣️
Thanks a lot
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You’re welcome and you should be thanked for the hours of work that have entertained and informed us for weeks. 🤓👍🤩
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🙏💝🙏💝🙏
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Per Emma forse non ci fu mai un vero San Valentino
NUTRIMENTO DI AMORE
( Amore affamato – favola)
Siccome un cardellino, un gatto, un cane,
un topo, un criceto, un leopardo,
cui giorno dopo giorno si dà pane
o miglio o carne magra o con lardo,
così Amore si deve nutrire
giorno dopo giorno, ora per ora,
in modi dolci, dolci a non finire,
chè Lui non è mai sazio e “ancora . . .
ancora . . . ancora ancora” sempre chiede,
impone, a dire il vero Egli ricatta
. . . se no va via. Guai a chi si siede
chè amore non si stagna in boatta,
è più bizzoso di quel che si crede,
e se non lo si ciba ‘via’ scatta.
Mai sopra Amore si mettono tappi.
Nutrilo ben perciò, perché non scappi,
chè se scompare più non lo riacchiappi.
O se lo riacchiappi lui starà
con te ancora, ma in cattività:
solo apparenza, solo bla – bla – blà
Sappi che Lui a te starà vicino
sol se ogni dì tu fai . . . ‘San Valentino’,
e gli dài da mangiar . . . che so? . . . budino,
— morbido e dolce — carne a spezzatino,
ovviamente con peperoncino,
e dopo la frutta un bel tortino
prima di far con lui il ‘riposino’.
Scordavo: pure un buon bicchier di vino
perché sia ebbro dall’inizio fino . . . . . . . . . .
Che fosse Amore un poco malandrino?
Ah, quante cose a me ha insegnato
la favola di “Amore affamato”,
che in questi pochi versi ho raccontato!
( Cassandro)
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E’ una composizione fantastica!
Grazie di cuore per avercela donata
Buon San Valentino, caro Cassandro💙
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Quante vite vissute in soli 49 anni!!! Finalmente Emma avrà trovato la pace. Che storia intrigata e appassionante. Grazie Luisa, per aver avuto la pazienza di raccontarcela!!!
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In quei 49 anni ha vissuto un mare di esperienze, ma avrà mai trovato la vera serenità?
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una fine molto triste.
Bella serata
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Grazie, Gian! Buon pomeriggio a te ❣️
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serena serata Luisa
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😘😘😘
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[…] name was Mr Henry Cadogan and he was later repaid by Alderman Joshua Smith, one of Emma’s last friends.She was buried […]
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Oh, I was dreading the day you would eventually reach Emma’s death in this series, yet what an incredible life she lived for 49 years! I’ve been enthralled by every episode in this series. Thank you so much for writing and sharing Lady Hamiliton’s great story with us Luisa. Love and light, Deborah.
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Thank you very much, dear Deborah! 🙏🌷🙏
A few more episodes will follow and then maybe I’ll switch to another character😘
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Very tragic story , so sad to read that 48 years age she had sick and passed away 😢✍️🙏
She went her last days church and prayed peacefully and God blessed her always 👏
Dear friend ♥️ you so much beautifully wrote this story with touching lines ✍️👍🏻God Bless 🙏
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Dearest Thattamma, I am really happy to know that this story has interested and fascinated you. 🌷❣️🌷
Thank you very much for your constant appreciation and support🙏😘🙏
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Most welcome and thank you so much for liking 🌹🙏♥️🌹
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🙏🤗🙏💗🙏🤗🙏
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While Emma seemed to have got good wits as a social climber in her younger life, it looks that on a later age she was overcome with a sentiment of entitlement. She squandered whatever she managed to accumulate in the expectation that her previous affiliation with Nelson would compensate for her spendthrift. Horatia’s life might have taken a completely different course if her mother would have used a more common sense of how mistresses fare when their benefactor dies.
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I really appreciate your thorough reflection, which sums up in a few words the criticisms that can be addressed to Emma
Thank you very much, my friend! 🙏
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Povera Emma, è morta prima ancora di aver compiuto cinquanta anni, anche se ha vissuto una vita molto intensa.
Non può che dispiacermi per lei.
Un abbraccio, cara Luisa 🤗
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Sembra quasi che abbia vissuto più di una vita, e questo alla fine l’ha logorata
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Ho avuto anche io questa sensazione
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👍🤗🌹
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