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. The letter relates to copies of letters that Hamilton had sent Herries to read, with news of family and friends and with possible visits.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Herries will read all the 'interesting copies you send me & which when read you may be sure I will burn as you desire'. She will write more on the subject later but for the moment say that she is sorry to hear of the distress of 'Mrs P', not only for her sake but also for Hamilton and her husband. [Herries is probably referring to Hamilton's sister-in-law, Mrs Palombi (see <a target='_blank' class='externalLink uom-purple' href='https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/manchesteruniversity/data/gb133-ham/ham/1/3/2'>HAM/1/3/2</a>).] She continues 'the misfortunes might be originally owing to their own strange unhappy choice'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>The letter continues on the alterations being carried out on the Herrieses' house. The work needs to be supervised, which will prevent Herries visiting Hamilton. Herries writes that Sir Robert may visit Scotland in the autumn, at which time Herries plans to visit Nina Herries. She has not yet heard back from Nina with regard to this visit so, if this plan is not convenient for Nina, Herries suggests that perhaps she could visit Hamilton at this time. That is of course if Hamilton's father and sister-in-law had left by then. The letter continues on this subject and with news of Herries's family and acquaintances. She reports that Georgiana's husband is now returning to Italy and is to take her and their child with them. They intend to settle in Leghorn (Livorno). This distresses Herries, as she will miss her greatly, but notes that 'I have another servant who I hope will do'. Hamilton will know how much the separation will affect both her and Georgiana.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>A note at the end of her letter states that 'Colonel Digby is here -- but in a dying state' [Honourable Colonel Stephen Digby, who died on the day this letter was written].</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at Cheltenham.</p>