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 a prospective servant and Mrs Elizabeth Montagu.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Herries informs Hamilton that she had written to the 'aunt of the young woman' that Hamilton had recommended and that the aunt and her niece had come to Herries the previous morning. Herries notes that the niece has a 'modest well behaved look & appearance'. Herries has recommended this woman to her acquaintances and will continue to do so for Hamilton, noting that 'perhaps something may occur'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Herries saw Mrs Montagu [Elizabeth Montagu née Robinson, (1718-1800)), author and literary hostess, see <a target='_blank' class='externalLink uom-purple' href='https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/manchesteruniversity/data/gb133-ham/ham/1/6/4'>HAM/1/6/4</a>] who was 'delightful as usual'. She talked of Hamilton with her. Herries had told her how 'happy [she] [...] had been in her society' and spoke well of Hamilton. She continues that she had also 'delighted' Mrs Hunter by telling her what Hamilton had said of her 'being an addition to Mrs Vesey's circle'. Herries continues on her high opinion of Mrs Hunter and of her being a welcome addition to society. Mrs Hunter's daughter and Nina Herries are often together. Herries's writes that her young sister, Mary, has returned from her visits in the country and her 'disposition [...] [has] improved'. She is not doing as well as she wishes in studying languages and leaves school shortly and it is not yet decided if she will then spend her time always at home or not.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>In a note at the top of her letter Herries writes that she has been so busy looking after her aunt and her 'young folks' that she has not as yet visited Miss Anna Maria Clarke but has heard from her that day.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>She ends her letter noting that all her friends had been asking after Hamilton.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at St James's Street, [London].</p>