To Fanny Keats, 13 August 1820 Wentworth Place

My dear Fanny;

It is a long time since I received your last. An accident of an unpleasant nature occurred at Mr. Hunt’s and prevented me from answering you, that is to say made me nervous. That you may not suppose it worse I will mention that some one of Mr. Hunt’s household opened a letter of mine—upon which I immediately left Mortimeer Terrace, with the intention of taking to Mrs. Bentley’s again; fortunately I am not in so lone a situation, but am staying a short time with Mrs. Dike’s. I am excessively nervous: a person I am not quite used to entering the room half choaks me—“T is not yet consumption I believe, but it would be were I to remain in this climate all the Winter: so I am thinking of either voyaging or traveling to Italy. Yesterday I received an invitation from Mr. Shelly, a Gentleman residing at Pisa, to spend the Winter with him: if I go I must hope with me that time and health will produce you some more. This is the first morning I have been able to sit to the paper and have many letters to write if I can manage them. God bless you my dear sister.

Your affectionate Brother
John