Elizabeth Lanfear, née Hays, younger sister of English novelist Mary Hays. Elizabeth contributed three pieces to her sister's Letters and Essays (1793), and possibly published a book of her own (see the Brooks ed. of Hays's letters, p. 307n,...
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Elizabeth Lanfear, née Hays, younger sister of English novelist Mary Hays. Elizabeth contributed three pieces to her sister's Letters and Essays (1793), and possibly published a book of her own (see the Brooks ed. of Hays's letters, p. 307n, 539n). She was engaged to a widower named Lanfear in 1803, and apparently married him shortly thereafter. · To Mary Hays, novelist (her sister) : 3 autograph letters signed : -- [ca. 1796] : (MISC 4075) : from Gainsford Street [London]; including her opinions having just read Rousseau; begins, "John brought me such an indifferent account of you yesterday." -- 4 Feb 1801 : (MISC 4076) : from Chelmsford [Essex]; on women's status and old maids, and Mary's recent unfortunate involvement with a man; begins, "Though I have now no wish to change it, I perfectly agree with you in pronouncing a state of celibacy to be but little favourable either to virtue or happiness ..." -- 14 Aug 1803 : (MISC 4077) : from Ingatestone [Essex]; announcing her engavement to Mr. Lanfear; begins, "Both my mind, my feelings have for some months past been occupied ..." All letters published in full in Marilyn L. Brooks's edition of Mary Hays's letters, p. 481-485.
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