767. Robert Southey to [John May], 27 March
1803
*
My dear friend
This is the twelfth day since the date of
your last letter, & I have day by day been expecting
tidings from you, each day with more uneasiness than the
last. [1]
We have had sickness at home meantime. this
contagion [2] has reached us –
I was somewhat severely attacked – our servant [3] – Tom – Edith & the
child have all had their share – & we are all
recovered or on the recovery. but it has seized an old Lady here whom
for years I have loved as tho she had been of my own family
– the mother of my friend Danvers –
& she is hopelessly ill – there is no possibility of her
recovery.
I shall fear to receive a letter from you –
but do give me a line.
God bless you – & yours
–
R Southey.
March 27. Sunday. 1803.
Notes
* Watermark: VG /1794
MS: Department
of Rare Books, Special Collections and Preservation,
River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester, Robert
Southey Papers A.S727
Unpublished. BACK
[1] John May’s
son, Richard May, had died on 21 February 1803, aged 10
days, and his wife, Susanna Frances Livius (1767-1830)
was seriously ill. BACK
[2] The
influenza epidemic of 1803 claimed many lives,
particularly in England and France, and was the subject
of a satirical print by Temple West (fl. 1803),
An Address of Thanks from the Faculty to the
Right Hon.ble Mr. Influenzy for His Kind Visit to
this Country (1803). BACK
