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 had written to Hamilton on 26 November from Falmouth (see HAM/1/17/200, in fact dated 25 November), a few days before she sailed for Lisbon. She has asked her 'Gentleman' in St. James's Street to inform Hamilton of her safe arrival in Lisbon on 11 December. She continues with general news. The sea crossing made her ill and she had met Hamilton's cousin, a Miss E Dickenson, in Lisbon and had asked her to provide Hamilton an account of Herries giving the reasons of why she was unable to write herself. Miss Dickenson seemed to be in good spirits '& better for the air of Lisbon'. The letter continues on the passage to Lisbon and on the subject of illness and health. Nina has been suffering with a kind of bilious fever and is still far from over it. Herries notes that she herself has been feeling weakened but luckily there is a 'skilful medical friend' with them. Herries's brother is to return home immediately due to 'circumstances of affairs at home'. His leaving early is sad news both to him and Nina. Herries continues on Nina and Edward James Foote [Herries's brother] and their marriage. Sir Robert Herries had suggested that they marry 'tomorrow -- my B[roth]er setting out on his return by Lisbon next day'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Herries notes that she has many more things to write but her weakened eyes prevent her doing so. The letter ends with her hopes that the Dickensons' Taxal 'affairs' are 'healthy' and her hopes that everything with regard to their Estate has gone to their satisfaction.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at Madrid.</p>