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, concerning the royal family, Herries's poor eyesight and general news of her family.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Herries continues to be concerned about her poor eyesight. She reminds Hamilton of how 'pleasant it is to me to converse with one I love so truly as I do you & nothing' but the weakness in her eyes would 'deprive me of doing it' as frequently as she wishes. Her 'plaguing eyes' have been so poor of late that she has done nothing 'without uneasiness'. Nevertheless she intends to adopt Hamilton's plan of writing a little at a time. Herries informs Hamilton that she will send the cloak, songs and patterns to her later that night via Bass's wagon. The letter continues on the music which Mr Greville had suggested to her. She continues that it is an 'unpleasant' time to be in London. Referring to the situation with regard to the King's illness and the proposed Regency she notes that there is hardly any 'company one can go in to but opinions are so different that it ends in hardly talking of any subject at all'. Last night a motion was carried by a 'considerable majority' in the House of Commons with regard to the powers the Queen should hold during the King's illness. She continues that this will weaken the power of the Regent. She continues on the subject and notes that she has not heard from any Party of the 'shocking conduct' that Hamilton had told her of. She updates Hamilton with news she has heard on the King's health and notes that she will send her the report which was produced by the King's doctors on their examination, which she believes will 'interest & amuse' her.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>The letter continues with general news of her family.</p>