BIB_ID
408103
Accession number
MA 35.34
Creator
Burney, Fanny, 1752-1840.
Display Date
[1821 January 27].
Credit line
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan, 1905.
Description
1 item (4 pages, with address) ; 22.7 x 18.7 cm
Notes
There is no place of writing given. In The Journals and Letters of Fanny Burney, Hemlow suggests that this letter was probably written at 11 Bolton Street in London, where FBA was living during this period.
The date of writing has been taken from the postmarks. The year is not visible on the postmark; Hemlow places this letter as having been written in 1821 based on internal evidence. See the published correspondence, cited below, for additional information.
Signed with initials.
Address panel with postmarks: "Captain Burney, / R.N. F.R.S. / 26 James Street / Westmr."
Docketed: "Cara. Mde. D. A."
The date of writing has been taken from the postmarks. The year is not visible on the postmark; Hemlow places this letter as having been written in 1821 based on internal evidence. See the published correspondence, cited below, for additional information.
Signed with initials.
Address panel with postmarks: "Captain Burney, / R.N. F.R.S. / 26 James Street / Westmr."
Docketed: "Cara. Mde. D. A."
Provenance
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan from the London dealer Quaritch in July 1905 as part of a collection of Burney's correspondence and fragments of manuscripts, bound in three volumes. Disbound in 1925.
Summary
Writing that both she and her son Alex have been unwell and under the treatment of Dr. Samuel Chilver, but that she is now much better and "Mr. Chilvers has been also very encouraging for the future result of amended health & strength, if the Patient persevers in rejecting all heating aliment, & in taking constant exercise, when the weather & his restoration, will permit"; suggesting edits to a document drawn up by James, an appeal to the Duke of Clarence (the future William IV) in support of James's petition to the Admiralty (see MA 35.30 for an explanation of the petition); writing that "I would not ask the 'interest' of a Prince of the Blood, now so very near the Throne. They are not used to that term, which seems like belonging to electioneering canvassing amongst our equals. I would beg either his Protection, or his powerful recommendation"; adding that she thinks he should make special mention of his publications on the history of exploration in the South Seas; relaying that Alex also approves of the appeal; mentioning that she is the midst of preparing "an imitation of the excellent Gloucester Jelly" that his daughter Sarah made for them last year.
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