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, discussing her health and the death of Mr Douglas in Buxton [presumably Mrs Elizabeth Carter's brother-in-law]. Mrs Douglas was not with him and he died before she could even set out for Buxton. Herries writes that she 'had a letter [...] on this melancholy subject'. It is not clear but she seems to write on Mrs Douglas and on Mrs Carter, Herries does not believe that Mrs Douglas would say anything other than what is good on her sister and, if she ever 'behaved ill to her [...] would surely be a subject of regret to her'. Herries writes that she will send the original verses written by Mrs Hunter on Mrs Carter to Hamilton, as she has copies in her book and she need not return them (see HAM/1/17/295).</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>The letter continues with general news on mutual acquaintances and on the 'sad & strange affair' relating to the Princess of Wales. She hopes that it may prove incorrect [rumours of the Princess having affairs and an illegitimate child]. Herries ends her letter asking for news of the Palombis (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>), and recommending Sir William Forbes' book on the life and correspondence of James Beattie [<i>An Account of the Life and Writings of James Beattie</i>, (1806)].</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at Cheltenham.</p>