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 will not take much notice of the few lines that Hamilton has written her as she knows that this is only a 'prelude to a longer letter which I hope to receive soon and to answer in the meantime'. Herries 'rejoices' to hear that Hamilton is now well, and she also 'rejoices' at her decision to defer Louisa's 'Birth day [a party or other such event for her birthday] until spring or summer -- because it gives one a better chance of being at it'. [This event is what Herries is referring to in HAM/1/17/225.] Herries trusts that her letter will find Hamilton and her 'agreeable friends' at 'King Sands'[?]. She continues her letter the following day. She has now received Hamilton's letter, 'would to God th[at] at this instant I had you also that I could hold you to my heart & tell you all it feels for t[he] confidence, the unspeakable kindness of yours'. She continues that these are 'indeed awful times both for the present & the future'. She will say no more on this at present except that she trusts that 'God will enable us all to bear their present misfortunes as we ought'. Herries continues on the subject of finance and refers to a 'party' that had presumably visited Hamilton and who had added to her expenses, though they 'must know your limited income', and on her 'excellent management'. She continues that she has no doubt that Hamilton could get an abatement if she applied, but, if not, it is her good fortune at only taking on the house for a year. She continues that she has heard of 'several people who mean to apply for relief'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Herries continues her letter noting that she will pass Hamilton's message on to Sir Robert Herries and Mr Falls. She writes on the friendship and respect they both feel for her and on her own health, which has been 'indifferent'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at St. James's Street, [London].</p>