1592997946000 1552911459000 Standard Record object-110005501 1747159852091 1681741887000 1747159409017 adlib fitz-online adlib-object-110005501 https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/110005501 e9f6540d-9aba-3a6d-a594-6a0e6dcf223b 5 person reference agent-192551 adlib-agent-192551 b494e74a-20ec-3ce9-be5f-3267eaba4253 Seward, Anna person reference agent-60281 adlib-agent-60281 eb950ea2-c7cf-31ca-86c5-6e18f0e39f92 Hayley, Thomas Alphonso person reference agent-198502 adlib-agent-198502 b67bd5fa-4f2a-302b-afaa-81f4c4f45ec8 Hayley, Eliza person reference agent-198984 adlib-agent-198984 cb3a481d-cb4f-3678-929e-6866c75ec62b Boothby, Sir Brooke person reference agent-198683 adlib-agent-198683 7e8947bd-8aa7-3fbc-8d50-d176e429f260 Long, William FRS, FSA person reference agent-83981 adlib-agent-83981 211f70ee-9e1f-33f1-b453-ffb4d580dfda Majer, Jeremias person reference agent-198989 adlib-agent-198989 a5cf1c42-9dac-3e1f-bbc7-dabaec9c4e55 Miller, Sir John person reference agent-198991 adlib-agent-198991 6704da4c-9ab6-3716-8ebd-8a5d62c1c5ab Saville, John content description Hayley asks Seward's forgiveness for not having written to thank her for her "last delightful Pacquet, so richly stored with various Entertainment!" He explains that "The prevalence of the small-Pox all around us obliged me at last to resolve on that measure, which I thought of with so much sollicitude, while under your hospitable roof -- I accordingly inoculated six of my dependents in my own House about a Fortnight ago, 2 Women, 3 little Girls, & Alphonso -- I thank Heaven I can now give you the pleasure of knowing that they are all in a very prosperous Way, but many alarming circumstances arose to harrass me, & particularly some appearances of Contraction & Spasm in the bowels of the poor little Alphonso, which we could only relieve by Opiates --". He tells her that he has "fortunately saved Eliza both from the Pain to which this scene would have exposed her, & from all sollicitude about it, for she is yet a stranger to the Business, & I propose myself infinite delight in surprising her on Sunday next (when I am to meet her in Surry [sic]) with the glad Tidings of my recovered Patients". Hayley informs Seward that "Much as my little Hospital has engaged my attention", he is concerned about her "lethargic complaint" because he saw his "excellent Mother fall a Victim to a horrid distemper of that Kind - Tho I trust that yr Malady is very different in some essential points, I cannot help being alarmed about you, & I must conjure you to fight against so insidious a disorder by every possible mode of resistance." He suggests that if she is unable to ride or walk she "may find great benefit from artificial Substitutes for these Quickeners of Circulation, particularly the constant use of The Flesh Brush & sometimes the Cold-Bath...". Hayley then comments on the poetry that Seward has sent (hers and Brooke Boothby's) and signs off "adio - I scribble in extreme Haste as I am preparing for my departure I expect the dear Longinus [William Long] & Meyers here tomorrow & Sunday we all decamp together..." On the second sheet he writes: "I envy you the pleasure you have had in comforting your wounded Traveller [unnamed] -- I perceive it made you happy in spite of your own cruel accident which I sincerely lament". This is followed by a brief disquisition on the nature of happiness: "The chief reason I apprehend why angels are happier than devils must be because the former are so much more benevolent --- a beautiful Woman is something very diabolical, & a kind one, however plain, is almost always angelic...". Hayley continues "you are perfectly right concerning your Epitaph on Lady M. & Sr John is I had almost said a Blockhead for the request He has made to you. How few People have a just Idea of the proper Tones for different kinds of Composition!" He then asks her to send her response c/o Long, as he will "remain in Surry at different Houses about 3 weeks--- & I shall be much vexed if I miss Giovanni [John Saville] as I fear I shall" On the final page her writes "I rejoise with you on the reviving Glory of our beloved Old England --- I now survey the Ocean from our Hill with Pride & pleasure & dream at night of boarding the Ville-de-Paris --- What a glorious Victory!---". Hayley is probably referring to the Battle of Ushant, which the British won in April 1782. Hayley/XII/16 1 accession number Hayley/XII/16 110005501 priref 110005501 uri https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/110005501 https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/110005501 reference agent-149638 adlib-agent-149638 7376d833-d0a7-3be0-916e-9c892b7a24d8 The Fitzwilliam Museum 1782 1782 1782-05-24 reference agent-198487 adlib-agent-198487 4dbae6db-a725-3bfd-b34e-5d215b1a85e6 Hayley, William 2 sheets, folded. William Hayley to Anna Seward: letter object OBJECT