The Mary Hamilton Papers : Letter from Lady Catherine Herries (née Foote) to Mary Hamilton

Herries (née Foote), Catherine

The Mary Hamilton Papers

<p style='text-align: justify;'>Letter from Lady Catherine Herries to Mary Hamilton, relating to Hamilton's pregnancy [with her daughter Louisa] and her having cancelled a visit to Herries because of her concern that the trip would be tiring in her current condition.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Lady Herries writes of a 'thousand regrets [that] crowd my pen' but that she will not tell Hamilton any of them, as Hamilton has decided 'likewise' to do the same, which Herries 'applaud[s] and admire[s]' her for. Herries considers 'the duty of a mother to begin as soon as she has any reason to think she will become one. Too many people' are 'careless' and 'inattentive to this circumstance & think it is only their own life they are sporting with'. She notes that Hamilton is not like the 'many', indeed that there are too few like her. Herries writes that she had many disappointments, so she is not 'surprised', although she admits that her heart feels it more. The letter continues on her disappointment at Hamilton not visiting her but applauds her 'resolution' in not doing so and notes the pleasure she will have in loving a child of Hamilton's. She suggests that motherhood will be perfect for Hamilton. Herries also writes of mutual acquaintances including a Mrs Glyn, who married about the same time as Hamilton and who is now recovering from the birth of her baby. Herries concludes her letter with a postscript noting that she has heard from Mrs [Elizabeth] Carter and that she is well.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at St James's Street, [London].</p>