The Mary Hamilton Papers : Letter from Lady Catherine Herries (née Foote), and continuation by Nina Herries on behalf of Lady Catherine Herries, to...

Herries (née Foote), Catherine, Foote (née Herries), Nina

The Mary Hamilton Papers

<p style='text-align: justify;'>Letter from Lady Catherine Herries to Mary Hamilton, relating to the death of Hamilton's friend, Mrs Mary Delany (see <a target='_blank' class='externalLink uom-purple' href='https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/manchesteruniversity/data/gb133-ham/ham/1/6/2'>HAM/1/6/3</a>), and general news of family and friends.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Herries begins her letter by writing in her own hand so as not to 'frighten' Hamilton. She notes that her eyes are now in such a poor condition that she is unable to write the full letter herself though she assures Hamilton that her 'heart has written to you many times'. Herries 'feels' for Hamilton at the loss of her 'dear & valuable friend' Mrs Delany. Herries writes that her 'time of life to be sure left little hope of keeping her long' though she knows that this will not diminish the loss of Delany to Hamilton.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>[Nina Herries (the daughter of Sir Robert Herries) continues to write the letter on Lady Herries's behalf.]</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>The letter continues with general news including the Herrieses' return from their journey, brief news of friends including her meeting one of Lady Cremorne's friends (see <a target='_blank' class='externalLink uom-purple' href='https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/manchesteruniversity/data/gb133-ham/ham/1/11'>HAM/1/11</a>) and the health of Herries's 'child' [presumably her younger sister, Miss Foote]. Herries writes of seeing Lady Cuninghame who had seen Hamilton and had reported that she was well. [In previous letters from Herries Lady Cuninghame is spelt Cunynghame.] Herries writes on her own health, noting that her 'eyes are so exceedingly weak that I cannot bear to look at or do any thing which is very provoking'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Herries ends her letter asking Hamilton (who is currently in London) to remember her to all her friends, particularly to Horace Walpole, Mrs Carter, Mrs Vesey and Mrs Handcock.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at Plymouth.</p>