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. She writes from Southampton, where she has been since Friday. Herries has heard that the place is 'full' but reports to Hamilton that she has not seen anyone that she knows. The letter continues on Herries's time in Southampton and on the reasons for her visit, which she notes was not particularly for the sea air. Herries writes that her 'son' is in the house and he is to stay there until the middle of the next month [presumably one of perhaps three sons of Sir Robert Herries by his first wife]. Herries continues with general news, including news of friends and family. She writes on Hamilton's relations, noting that Lord Stormont is not to be opposed in the election. She also notes that she visited Hamilton's relations, the Cathcarts, before she left town and that they are soon to leave for Scotland. She writes of seeing Hamilton's new cousin, Mrs Cathcart, whose manner is described as 'modest & pleasing'. Herries continues with news of Hamilton's uncle Frederick, whose son she notes is still in the army and who a few days ago had called on Herries's brother. She reports that her brother had said that 'he was surprised to find that [Robert Hamilton] had more courage, feels himself of more consequence'. Herries herself thinks that he has not 'Health for the army, & was not liked, but the worst is over, he is a little used to the discipline of it'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>The letter continues with general news of friends and relations including Hamilton's uncle, Sir William Hamilton, and Lord Wake.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at Southampton.</p>