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 discusses a legacy left to Sir Robert Herries, news of her friends and, briefly, the relief of the poor.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Herries writes that she knows of Hamilton's 'dislike of writing' and hopes this alone is the reason for her long silence, and asks for a line from her so that her mind can be eased. Sir Robert Herries has been left 'the life rent of a farm now let for £50'. The legacy is from a friend from Scotland who, although is also called Herries, is no relation to Sir Robert. Such a thing Herries would once never had mentioned to Hamilton 'but every thing now is material when the [...] economy [is as] it is'. She continues that 'it is barely possible to make two Ends meet with a small income'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Herries's writes on her friends, Miss Bowdler and Mrs [Anne] Hunter. Mrs Hunter's son's foot has improved, although he does not yet have the full use of it yet. [Herries may be referring to a wound her son suffered in the expedition in Holland (see HAM/1/17/249). Mrs Hunter also has last found out the author of a series of plays that had been attributed as being written by her and which Hamilton has probably read. [Anonymous publication of <i>Plays on the Passion</i>; the author was Joanne Baillie (1762-1851).] The author is a 'Lady' and is known to Herries. The name is to be published shortly in the third edition. Herries also writes on Georgiana's plans to leave for Leghorn (Livorno, Italy). Georgiana's husband is now to come back to England so Herries has no longer to suffer 'the painful separation' from her (see HAM/1/17/250).</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>On other matters, Herries writes of Cheltenham having a 'soup shop' which gives relief to the poor, the number of whom are numerous. 'You no doubt have one also at Leighton over w[hic]h your charitable Eye & Hand preside I dare say'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at Cheltenham.</p>