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, concerning Herries's friendship with Hamilton and the changes in Herries's economic circumstances.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Herries is thankful for her friendship, particularly so in the 'last few years of adversity when real friendship is known'. It is doubtful that she will be able to visit Hamilton in the autumn, although she wishes she could and that Hamilton were free to receive her. Alterations continue on her house and, although she hopes that Sir Robert's legacy will cover costs, 'in the meantime money must be advanced'. Sir Robert's trip to Scotland was done as economically as possible, but was still not without cost and they need to be frugal. Herries had hoped to spend time in town in the spring 'if I live as long' and, 'who knows', Hamilton may be there at the same time and they may see each other. Or they may even meet at Leighton or at Cheltenham. 'One week at Leighton together being indeed worth months of the multiplied distractions in London'. She continues that she talks of such hopes but that she does not know if she could 'stand it'. The change in her economic circumstances, the 'total difference in scene' has in 'some measure lulled me of will to be roused in visiting the place where I lived for so many years in ease & affluence'. She feels this but is determined not to 'give way to it'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Herries reports that Georgiana has now left for the Continent with her husband and baby. They are to travel to Tuscany, what they do 'when there, time will shew'. The present state of the Continent does not give her much 'encouragement'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at Cheltenham.</p>