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Recipient:
Fanny Keats (1803-1889) was Keats's younger sister. Sent to live
with their guardian Richard Abbey's family, she was deliberately separated
from her brothers. Abbey did not allow visits and even discouraged
letters. Nonetheless, Keats, always protective of his siblings,
wrote often and visited when he could. But his illness prevented
visits during his last months in England; he left for Italy without saying
goodbye. In 1826, Fanny married a Spanish poet, Valentin Maria
Llanos y Guieterrez, who had admired Keats and visited the poet just three
days before his death. Fanny and her husband left England in 1833
and never returned. They lived in Italy from 1861-1864, where she
became friendly with
Joseph Severn.
Introduction: This letter was dictated by Keats to Fanny
Brawne. He was not able to visit his sister before leaving for
Italy.
11 September 1820
Monday Morn
My dear Fanny
In the hope of entirely re-establishing my health I
shall leave England for Italy this week and, of course I shall not be
able to see you before my departure. It is not illness that prevents me
from writing but as I am recommended to avoid every sort of fatigue I
have accepted the assistance of a friend, who I have desired to write to
you when I am gone and to communicate any intelligence she may hear of
me. I am as well as I can expect and feel very impatient to get on board
as the sea air is expected to be of great benefit to me. My present
intention is to stay some time at Naples and then to proceed to Rome
where I shall find several friends or at least several
acquaintances. At any rate it will be a relief to quit this cold; wet,
uncertain climate. I am not very fond of living in cities but there will
be too much to amuse me, as soon as I am well enough to go out, to make
me feel dull. I have received your parcel and intend to take it with me.
You shall hear from me as often as possible, if I feel too tired to
write myself I shall have some friend to do it for me; I have not yet
heard from George nor can I expect to receive any letters from him
before I leave
Your affectionate brot(her)
John-
Notes: No notes for this particular
letter.
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