15 Comments
User's avatar
Jules's avatar

Congratulations on an amazing piece of research. It does make you wonder about some of the "remedies" that were used in those days - leeches, chloride of potash, bromide. Yuck. Who knows what damage was done in the name of medicine? This was really absorbing and you make the characters live. Thank you.

Expand full comment
Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

Agree with this comment, Jules.

It's strange that it really wasn't that long ago! When I think the world is going to hell, I remember stuff like this and feel lucky.

Beautiful yet tragic story, Sarah.

Expand full comment
Jules's avatar

Yes we're lucky to have been born in the twentieth century. With all the medical advancements we could do much more to improve human health if it wasn't so tied to people's ability to pay for treatment, but it's still better than it was.

Expand full comment
Maria (Linnesby essays)'s avatar

Thank you. So painful a story, and beautifully written. It seems as though there were good intentions and good feelings all around, which I’m glad of — somehow with stories like this one usually hears of the opposite.

Expand full comment
What to read if's avatar

Although this was horribly sad, one really interesting aspect was Fanny's professional partnership with Alexander; at a time when it was still unusual. So interesting.

Expand full comment
Marple's avatar

Following with interest - thank you!

Expand full comment
Etta Madden's avatar

Such a sad story, indeed! Thank you for recovering it and sharing with the world. ❤️❤️❤️ What an exciting week for you as well!! I hope you are celebrating!!

Expand full comment
Alys Blakeway's avatar

I was particularly interested to read about poor Fanny's rôle in the publication of A Book of Golden Deeds, edited by my beloved Charlotte M Yonge. The BGD was massively popular in America, by the way.

Expand full comment
Liz Howlett's avatar

Thank you for this Sarah. A very moving and sad story.

My bookshop actually received my preordered copy of your book last week, so I have read it already! I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Daniel and Alexander. Their parents must have been exceptional people to have given their sons such firm foundations in life. And it has been good to read about people who spread kindness and friendship. Thank you.

Expand full comment
Sarah Harkness's avatar

I'm so pleased you enjoyed it! Thank you. It's very hard not to love the Macmillan family!

Expand full comment
Lucy Johnson's avatar

Do you think possibly these women were treated liked this because the society was so stratified and codified there was nothing for them apart from in relationship to the not insignificant males in their family?!

Expand full comment
Victoria K. Walker's avatar

What a sad story, but you told it so beautifully. And such amazing research. I really enjoyed it. Thank you, Sarah.

Expand full comment
jodi {diaryofaladytraveler}'s avatar

How absolutely horrifying and tragic! Fascinating story - and I will join Jules on saying congratulations on the amazing research! Truly a wonderful post.

Do you, by any chance, know what the publication date of your book in the U.S. is??

Expand full comment
Lucy Johnson's avatar

I've now had a chance to read this and it just seems such a shame that for whatever reason she was treated this way. Looking forward to learning more!

Expand full comment
Lucy Johnson's avatar

Fanny and her daughter Kate - I mean...

Expand full comment