25 June 1822

Mary Hays, 41 Cross Street, Islington, to a Miss Lydiard,1 Air Street, Piccadilly, London, Tuesday Noon [postmarked 7 oclock, 25 June 1822].2

Tuesday Noon.  41 Cross Street

Islington.

     My dear Madam, lest some hesitation on my part, when I had the pleasure of seeing you yesterday, respecting the period of our journey, should induce you to endeavour its delay – I write to assure you, that I can, without inconvenience, be ready on Thursday evening. I beg therefore that you will make, for me, all the necessary arrangements to accompany your party.

      I assure myself of receiving the summons from you as early as in your power – But, possibly, you may not be aware, that the conveyance by post to Islington is not quite as rapid as in London. A letter put in on wednesday evening will be delivered here on thursday noon – But, later than wednesday evening, I shall scarcely receive it in time.

       am gratified that we have met, though for so transient an interview, as it is pleasant to have a visible idea of those whom we are prepared to esteem. I admire your energy & activity, though their season is gone by with me, & I shall have to claim your allowance for much weakness both moral & physical.

             I am, dear madam with respect &c yrs

                                                Mary Hays.

Added note (probably by the collector) says: 

‘Author of the Female Plutarch’3

1 Most likely this is Elizabeth Lydiard (c. 1781-1829), widow of Charles Lydiard (c. 1767-1808), Esq. and former military officer. See Publications of the Harleian Society, vol. 68, 237.

2 British Library, ADD. MS. 18204, fols. 284-85.

3 The collector was in error in his reference, confusing The Female Revolutionary Plutarch, by Lewis Goldsmith, 3 vols (London: John Murray, 1806) with Hays's six-volume Female Biography (1803).