A Virtual Note From Hester Piozzi To Her Midwife, Merry Chase
17 January 1785 Mrs. Piozzi commiserates with the captive birds in the rotunda of the Villa Vesuvia. Dear Miss Chase, The appointed date has come and gone and it was with no remaining doubt whatsoever that I informed my husband, Mr. Piozzi, of my great news. Gabriel was present on Rocca Sorrentina for just a few days and has now departed for work abroad. He will be in France for some weeks which will be followed by a brief trip to England. How I wish I could accompany him on his journey, but that seems to still be inadvisable as the symptoms of early pregnancy are still with me. Which brings me to the point of this letter -- well one of the points. I was wondering if you might have any recommendation for swelling in my hands and feet which seems to go beyond the normal addition to her girth any expectant mother can, well, expect. This swelling sometimes combines with the usual indigestion to make it quite impossible for me ...