The Mary Hamilton Papers : Incomplete letter from Lady Catherine Herries (née Foote) to Mary Hamilton

Herries (née Foote), Catherine

The Mary Hamilton Papers

<p style='text-align: justify;'>An incomplete letter from Lady Catherine Herries to Mary Hamilton.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>A note is written at the top of the page in pencil, presumably written by one of Hamilton's descendants, which reads 'about Lady Hamilton'. The letter is concerned with general news, of forwarding a newspaper to Hamilton, news from Miss Bowdler from Naples and with Horace Walpole.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Lady Herries begins her letter noting that she had wished to write to Hamilton since receiving her letter but has been prevented from doing so for a number of reasons and can only now write a short letter. Her main reason for writing now is to tell her that she will receive the 'Star' [an afternoon daily paper] three times a week from today. Herries does herself take an evening paper and they keep the only morning paper they take. Herries believes that Hamilton will like the 'Star' and asks her to keep the copies and to return them to her from time to time, though she hopes that she may be able to bring them back to London herself at some point later this year in person.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Herries continues her letter with her good wishes to Hamilton and her family, news of Sir Robert Herries's health and with her thanking Hamilton for her 'exertions' with regard to a Mr Stanley [Hamilton had been asked to write a letter of recommendation for him: see HAM/1/17/171] and writing about Mr Stanley and his proposed marriage to a Miss Jones.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Herries moves on with news of her friend Miss Bowdler, who has written to her about Lady Emma Hamilton, who Herries 'hopes and believes that you [Hamilton] will be rewarded by seeing her steadily adhere to your good path into wh[ich] you have so large a share in leading her'. The letter continues with gossip, news of friends and Hamilton's sister-in-law, Mrs Palombi, alluding to a possible disagreement between John Dickenson Senior and his newly-married daughter, Elizabeth. Herries has received a 'cheerful' letter from Hamilton's father-in-law but notes 'his wounded spirit breaks out in the postscript about Mrs Palombi'. Herries continues her letter, writing of her hopes of Mrs Elizabeth Carter being in town next week. She notes that Mr Walpole is now Lord Orford and inherits the Norfolk part of his nephew's estate. Herries will pass Hamilton's respects on to him when she next sees him and informs her that he is 'tolerably well - but overwhelmed with business'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at St James's Street, [London].</p>