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, mainly concerning Herries's health and family members' health.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Herries writes that it seems to have been so long since she has received a letter from Hamilton. She hopes that this is not caused by ill health but has too much confidence in their friendship to doubt that. She notes that there has been many times that she herself had wanted to write her of what she 'has gone through' but she did not want to cause her friend any concern - 'why sh[ould] I grieve her dear heart unnecessarily - she thinks me pretty well - she thinks my dear Mary so. I will not write until all is better'. Anna Maria Clarke had called on her a few weeks ago and she asked her to inform Hamilton that everything was fine with her.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>The letter continues on the subject of Herries's own health. She has been suffering from a 'dreadful bile and abscess gathered in a part which obliged me to lie always on one side & to keep my bed for a fortnight'. She continues that the abscess was opened, that it was 'three inches long & very deep as it would not break of itself'. The letter continues on the subject, noting that it was a good thing that she was unable to travel to Paris with Sir Robert as she had planned [she had to stay behind to look after her ill sister], as it would have cost her 'life'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Herries reports that her 'child' [Nina Herries, the illegitimate child of Sir Robert] is taking the waters at Islington and is recovering. She was to go to Tunbridge Wells a couple of days ago but was 'seized with a new inflammatory attack'. She continues on Nina's health and on the treatment and care provided by her doctor.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Herries is to travel to Paris with her husband for a number of weeks. She enquires after the health of John Dickenson Senior and if he has recovered from his fall. Herries writes of mutual friends. Mrs Elizabeth Carter wrote to her and seemed to her to write 'in good spirits'. Mrs Vesey is now well enough to go out to take an airing.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at St James's Street, [London].</p>