JENNER, Edward (1749-1823). Discoverer of vaccination.
Fine Autograph Letter Signed to his close friend T[homas] Pruen in Cheltenham, 3 pages 4to with address-leaf, Berkeley, 15 March 1813. Inviting Pruen to Berkeley, but deferring the visit since his wife was on a visit to her family home at Kingscote, giving family news, aluding to his own business in Cheltenham and to Pruen's rather dubious financial affairs.
Thomas Pruen, one of a large Gloucestershire family, appears to have been a lawyer before he embarked upon a rather tentative career as a Church of England clergyman. In 1809 he had founded a newspaper, The Cheltenham Chronicle & Glostershire General Advertiser. It was not a success, however, and he sold it in 1811. At the time of the present letter Pruen had recently obtained a living at Aldbourne in Wiltshire, but this venture also seems to have been a disaster. He evidently also owned other property.

'... If the weather at Aldbourn is as cold & wet as it is at Berkeley this morning, you will not quit your fireside for a open carriage. I hope your journey will be prosperous with regard to Cheltenham. Pray ask your Brother how matters stand with me there? I allude to the making good my Purchases etc. If you shd. not sell Oaklands, furnish it & let it for the season. I warrant you it will go then for a good price. It never has been much seen by the eye of the stranger. It's [sic] summer & autumnal charms must captivate or the best sympathies of the human mind are flown from our Island. ...'

[No: 21743]