The Curious Life of Elizabeth Blackwell by Pamela Holmes

Author:Pamela Holmes [Holmes, Pamela]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloodhound Books

CHAPTER NINETEEN

‘Mrs Blackwell, come in.’ Sir Hans Sloane was in his office at the Royal College.

The peer was more than a little intrigued when the attendant told him Elizabeth Blackwell had requested an audience. The other night at a party, Therese had mentioned the unfortunate episode that landed Elizabeth’s young husband a stay south of the river. The man would have been in Marshalsea for several months already. Therese, always a generous and kind friend, had given Mrs Blackwell some cash before presumably the girl would flee north to Scotland and throw herself on her family’s mercy.

Sir Hans had assumed he would never see Elizabeth or Alexander again. Life had a way of swallowing people up.

‘Please sit down.’ He indicated a chair.

Elizabeth took her time to settle. With her hands folded neatly in her lap, she regarded him coolly and said: ‘My husband is in the Marshalsea Prison.’

‘So I understand. Very difficult situation. I do hope he is… coping,’ Sir Hans replied, choosing his words prudently.

‘No – Alexander is finding it extremely difficult. No human being could find it otherwise. It is horrific and degrading. But that is not what I have come to talk to you about, Sir Hans. I am here because I am determined to settle my husband’s debts and I know how I can do it.’

He was nonplussed. Sir Hans had assumed she would be beaten by what had happened. He took a closer look. Remarkable; a little weary about the eyes, perhaps, but there was a look he had seen in those men who risked their lives on the high seas to explore the world: determination.

‘Please explain, Mrs Blackwell.’

‘It was something you said at the concert, Sir Hans and I remember it well. That apothecaries often find it difficult to identify herbs accurately, especially the newer specimens that collectors and explorers such as yourself bring back from their travels.’

She looked around the room; sniffed the air. ‘I am going to produce drawings of the herbs commonly used in treatments and in physic. You see, I am gifted at drawing. My drawings will be detailed and accurate, show the herb in all its different stages of growth and propagation. Bud and bloom, seeds and berries, leaf and root. Each illustration will be hand-painted in the exact colours and tones of that stage of the plant’s life. This will allow accurate and confident identification. And alongside the drawing, I will provide an explanation of the herb’s usage in the practice of physic.’

It was quite a speech and said with conviction. Sir Hans took a moment to reply. ‘And how will you get that information?’

‘Alexander will help me, of course,’ she replied as though the answer was obvious. ‘He is knowledgeable about medicine, he trained for a time at Leiden. He will check what I write.’

‘I see. And how can I help?’

‘I want you to buy these drawings for the library at Chelsea. They will add to the reference material stored there.’

Sir Hans stared at her.

‘I have not explained myself well, Sir Hans.

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