William Godwin: his Friends and Contemporaries
Ch. VII. 1759-1791
Mary Wollstonecraft to George Blood, 22 May [1786]
“Newington Green, May 22d [1787].
“By this time, my dear George, I hope your father and mother have reached Dublin. I
long to hear of their safe arrival A few days after they set sail, I received a
letter from Skeys. He laments ![]()
| LETTERS TO GEORGE BLOOD. | 183 |
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his inability to assist
them, and dwells on his own embarrassments. How glad I am they are gone.”
[It will be remembered that their voyage to Dublin, where Mr
Blood hoped to obtain a situation, was brought about wholly
through Mary’s exertions, and in great measure by
her money, ill able as she was to afford such assistance.] “My affairs
are hastening to a crisis. . . . Some of my creditors cannot afford to wait for
their money; as to leaving England in debt, I am determined not to do it . .
Everina and Eliza are both endeavouring to go out into the
world, the one as a companion, and the other as a teacher, and I believe I
shall continue some time on the Green. I intend taking a little cheap lodging,
and living without a servant, and the few scholars I have will maintain me. I
have done with all worldly pursuits and wishes; I only desire to submit without
being dependent on the caprice of our fellow creatures. I shall have many
solitary hours, but I have not much to hope for in life, and so it would be
absurd to give way to fear. Besides, I try to look on the best side, and not to
despond. While I am trying to do my duty in that station in which Providence
has placed me, I shall enjoy some tranquil moments, and the pleasures I have
the greatest relish for are not entirely out of my reach. . . . I have been
trying to muster up my fortitude, and labouring for patience to bear my many
trials. Surely when I could determine to survive Fanny, I can endure poverty and all the lesser ills of life. I
dreaded, oh! how I dreaded this time, and now it is arrived I am calmer than I
expected to be. I have been very unwell; my constitution is much impaired; the
prison walls are decaying, and the prisoner will ere long get free. . .
.—Remember that I am your truly affectionate friend and sister,
George Blood (1762-1844)
The son of Matthew Blood and younger brother of Mary Wollstonecraft's friend Fanny Blood;
he lived in Ireland from 1785 where he worked in a mining concern.
Fanny Skeys [née Blood] (d. 1785)
The consumptive friend of Mary Wollstonecraft; she married the Irish merchant Hugh Skeys
and died in childbirth in Portugal.
Hugh Skeys (d. 1810 c.)
Dublin wine merchant who traded in Portugal and married Mary Wollstonecraft's friend
Fanny Blood; he died insolvent about 1810.
Everina Wollstonecraft (1765-1841)
The daughter of Edward John Wollstonecraft and younger sister of Mary Wollstonecraft; she
was employed as a governess and schoolmistress.
