Autograph manuscript, in at least two hands, corrected, of an epistolary novel. Primary correspondents are Lionel Talbot, Frederick Neville, Agatha Mayfield, Julia (Agatha's sister), and Geraldine (Lionel's sister). An appendix, titled "Agatha or the Heroine of Friendship: A Novel," summarizes and catalogs approxmately 70 letters, of which only about 12 are present in the collection, unbound, incomplete, and out of order. The novel concerns: Frederick's secret elopement with Geraldine before his military deployment to Spain, amidst pressure from Geraldine's father and Lionel to marry another; Lionel's regret over a drunken wager with Lord P. for Agatha's hand in marriage; Geraldine's secret pregnancy and Agatha's offer to raise the baby to preserve Geraldine's secret; the upset of Agatha's family and of Lionel, who suppose her to have conceived illicitly with Lord P; Lionel's payment of the wager and departure to Sicily; Frederick's return from war and resolution of the misunderstanding; Lionel's return and marriage to Agatha.
Description:
For information on the source of acquisition, consult the appropriate curator. and One letter dated: Pelham, March 1811.
Subject (Name):
Hayley, William, 1745-1820
Subject (Topic):
Courtship--England--Fiction, Elopement--Fiction, Epistolary fiction, English--19th century, Military spouses--Fiction, and Wives--Effect of husband's employment on--Fiction
"Frontispiece from Wolcot's 'Benevolent Epistle to Sylvanus Urban alias Master John Nichols, Printer, . . . 1790'. Nichols (left) has just risen in anger from his chair and looks to the left, resting his clenched fists on two large volumes placed on a small roughly made table, on which is also an ink-pot with pens. These are 'Q. Eliz: Prog:' and 'Anecdotes of Mr B.' [Bowyer]. In the background is Parnassus, with the Temple of Fame, on which is poised a figure of Fame blowing a trumpet. Against the mountain rests a tall ladder up which a dog has scrambled, but is still far from the summit. A man on stilts advances towards the mountain, an 'Essay on Old Maids' projects from his pocket, showing that he is William Hayley; a paper inscribed 'Eudora' falls from him. On the ground are: a letter 'ToMr.N--c--ll'; a book: 'Gentlemans Magazine', and papers; 'Charade', 'Conundrum Riddle', 'Rebus', 'Mr Badcocks Letters'. Beneath the design is engraved:'With anger foaming and of vengeance full, Why belloweth John Nichols like a bull?'"--British museum online catalogue
Description:
Title from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Frontispiece from: A benevolent epistle to Sylvanus Urban, alias Master John Nichols ... / by Peter Pindar. London : Printed for G. Kearsley, 1790., Temporary local subject terms: Allusion to The Gentleman's magazine -- Mythology: Parnassus -- Figure of Fame -- Temple of Fame., and Mounted to 33 x 21 cm.
Publisher:
G. Kearsley
Subject (Name):
Pindar, Peter, 1738-1819., Hayley, William, 1745-1820, and Nichols, John, 1745-1826
