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, apparently written in two parts. The main letter, dated 13 June, discusses at length news of family illness and servants. She begins by noting that the doctor has just been and that she is pleased to report that her 'dear girl' is now much better. She continues on her delight at receiving Hamilton's letter and of her affection for Hamilton. Herries writes of the concern she has felt over her 'dear' Mary's health [her younger sister]. She reports that Mary has had a fever and has been bled eight times and blistered three times. The letter continues with general news on the health of her family, news of friends and on the natural daughter of her cousin 'G. Foote'. She ends the letter by saying that she has written it 'at odd times when my child did not want me'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>The second part, written on a separate, smaller sheet of paper, is dated 14 June, and was presumably intended as a postscript to the main letter, although there is no intrinsic connection between the two. Herries notes that she hopes to have got a place for Hamilton's maid's sister with Lady Louisa Macdonald to attend her children. She also notes that Mrs Hunter is well and is flattered by Hamilton's remembrance of her. Herries also writes of a woman whose character she has heard makes her little 'deserving of [...] [Hamilton's] benevolent attention'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at St James's Street, [London].</p>