The Mary Hamilton Papers : Letter from Lady Catherine Herries (née Foote) and Thomas Newell to Mary Hamilton

Herries (née Foote), Catherine, Newell, Thomas

The Mary Hamilton Papers

<p style='text-align: justify;'>Letter from Lady Catherine Herries and Mr Thomas Newell to Mary Hamilton, written in two parts. The first part is from Herries, who expresses her hopes that Hamilton will visit her and discusses the death of Elizabeth Carter. The second part is from Mr Newell, Herries's physician in Cheltenham, who writes advising Hamilton to visit Cheltenham for the benefit of her health and updating her on the health of Lady Herries.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Herries is ill and very weak and is unable to write a long letter to her friend. She has a 'severe feverish cold'; she is almost recovered although still weak. Herries asks Hamilton to read from the third sheet of this letter has her physician Mr Newell has written her a 'few lines'. He has assured her that Hamilton needs to take the waters at Cheltenham before she travels north, as this will benefit her health. Herries writes that a week doing so would not affect her plans too much. Herries is not herself able to visit Hamilton at present. If she is able to, she is to visit her brother towards the end of April.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Herries continues on the death of Mrs Elizabeth Carter [1718-1806]. Like Hamilton, she feels the loss greatly. Herries's friend Mrs Hunter has sent her 'a sweet copy of verses on her wh[ich] I trust to show you'. Herries ends her letter with news of friends and by appealing for Hamilton to visit.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>The second part of the letter is written by Mr Newell to Hamilton. He writes on the benefits of mineral waters. He suggests a fortnight stop in Cheltenham for Hamilton and her family on their way north. He also updates Hamilton on the improvements in Herries's health.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at Cheltenham.</p>