The Mary Hamilton Papers : Letter from Lady Catherine Hamilton to Mary Hamilton
Hamilton (née Barlow), Catherine, Lady
The Mary Hamilton Papers
<p style='text-align: justify;'>Letter from Lady Catherine Hamilton to Mary Hamilton. The letter relates to Lady Hamilton's tour of North and South Holland in a 'Tracscutes' [canal- or river-boat]. Contrary to her expectations, the tour has been most pleasant. The first place they visited in North Holland was called Bruck, which 'resembles the Chinese Villages you see upon Screens', the exteriors of the houses being carved, painted and gilded. 'These people are so very neat & formal that they wash their Paths w[hi]ch are done with brick & sprinkle the sand in patterns'. They stayed two days in Antwerp and were delighted with the Rubens pictures. However, Spa is 'noisy, dissipated, Nonsensical & very full of very bad company', though there are some exceptions, such as dear little Mrs Graham, who looks as beautiful as an angel. Lady Hamilton and Lady Spencer are both sick.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Original reference No. 3.</p>