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 situation in France and a proposed visit to Buxton.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Herries has delayed writing to Hamilton until she was certain as to how she will spend her summer. Buxton is almost certainly decided upon, although Herries is 'fearful' of any change. She writes that the possible date of travel depends on 'various impediments' such as the illness of her manservant who is tasked with carrying her up and down the stairs and who she describes as 'essential' to her and who she will not leave London without. Herries reports that the servant is getting better and should be able to travel soon. She intends to travel using her new horses and that it should take a 'week on the road'. Sir Robert Herries will accompany her and see that she is settled there, and his daughter, Nina Herries, will also accompany her. Herries does not believe that Sir Robert will stay in Buxton long and be so far from London, particularly since his partner, Mr McCulloch, has been ill and Mr Sackville is considering a journey to Yorkshire. She nevertheless hopes that Sir Robert will be able to wait on Hamilton and Dickenson in Taxal. Herries thanks Hamilton for her invitation to stay as well as eat with them, noting that it would give her great pleasure to stay under Hamilton's roof. She hopes that she will be able to spend a few days with her friend while in Buxton, but as Hamilton's house is in an 'unfinished' condition she invites her to visit Buxton.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Turning to news of friends, Herries writes that her friend, Miss Bowdler, has been advised by her physician to go to Italy for the benefit of her health, and she is to sail there at the end of July. The physician is positive about her condition and believes 'there is yet no vital mischief done'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Herries then moves to the situation in France, which she describes as 'extraordinary indeed & melancholy [...] no one can yet say how it will end'. Herries pities the 'ill-fated monarch' and writes on the fate of Queen Marie Antoinette, who it is said will be tried for high treason.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>The letter continues with news of friends. Hamilton had seen Mrs Hannah More at the Bishop of London's. More 'desires [...] [Herries] to say much for her to you'. Horace Walpole has gone to Strawberry Hill. She notes that 'he always speaks of you with the greatest respect & regard'. Herries continues her letter dated 1st July and notes that the papers report on the Queen of France. A letter from the Queen to her Lady of the Bedchamber was 'seemingly written with the view to clear her from any suspicion of having been privy to her flight [from Paris]'. She continues that the 'King's behaviour sinks him almost below contempt I think'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at St James's Street, [London].</p>