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
