In these letters dating from two years of Lady Dorothy's childhood, she writes to her mother, Lady Burlington, concerning how she spends her time whilst her mother is away and informs her of daily life at Chiswick.
Details of the letters include: her sister Charlotte's health and her diet; permission from her mother for them to travel out in the coach for fresh air; looking after the pet chickens; what she should drink with dinner, not liking the bitterness of the barrel beer; her duty to Lady Bell [Isabella Finch]; Mr Stotherd being absent; spending her time with Lady Jane; wishing for her mother's return; her duty to her father; caging a thrush with Dutton; walking in the frosty weather; her duty to Nanny; the death of the hen pheasant; the grey horses; a visit from the Duke of Roxburgh and Lord Beaumont; Dutton's work cleaning the garden; playing at cards in the evening as a diversion; Lady Dorothy's fit in the night and Dr Mead and Mr Terry deciding to bleed her and purge her and give her a draught; Mr Kent's visit and his return to London with Mr Dickins; a visit from Lady Bell Finch and [the Dowager] Lady Burlington every day; her mother's ill health preventing her taking the waters; Monsieur Polet wishing to be recommended to Lady Montague; letters from Mrs Jumper; a visit from Mr Jarvis; a hen and chicken dead, one by a weasel; Mr Scott shooting rats; a letter from Mr Kent about a book titled "Pastor Fido" sent by Signor Rolli; a letter from Nanny about the Princess of Wales's birthday ball; her distress at the amount of "physick" Mr Terry gives her; trips out in the Berlin; making eggs into custard; her worry at her mother's declining health that's likely to keep her away; seeing Mr Joannes the milliner; their safe arrival at Chiswick.
Also in this series are papers relating to Lady Dorothy and Lady Charlotte's education and upbringing including the following:
- a copy of an inscription [that was under a print of Lady Dorothy Boyle];
- a bill for clothes made for Lady Dorothy Boyle her sister Lady Charlotte by Peter Rookam, 1735;
- a bill for writing lessons etc. in 1736, by Joshua Stotherd, paid 22 January 1737;
- a bill for Italian lessons by Paul Rolli, 1738;
- a receipt for payment for lessons in playing the harpsichord by C Ebelin, 14 Jul 1738;
- a bill for Italian lessons by Adamo Scola, 5 July 1739;
- a bill for lessons by Louis Goupy, 5 September 1739.