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~*~ Dottore Greymoon's temporary clinic has been dismantled, and I face the minor task of reassembling the accademia lecture hall. The quarantine is over.

We held a public meeting today which was attended by myself, Dottore Greymoon and Dottore Panacek, the Conte Foscari and a number of concerned citizens and visitors to the island, all of whom had the opportunity to share their thoughts and concerns.

We had been given persuasion by His Excellency the Governor of the Sorrento District, and following our review of the facts -- that there have been no further serious cases reported in five or six days; that there have been relatively few deaths, such as the two sailors aboard the Genoese merchantman La Sirena ; that most of the others who had the disease, such as two other sailors and the young woman Devi, are now recovering; and that it appears the worst cases were contracted elsewhere before the people came to la Rocca -- the doctors and I voted to end the restrictions.

Even Signorina Antonacci, the young woman who had one of the worst cases of the fever, was showing signs of recovering in recent days. But then the poor girl went into labor and weakened by the fever, died after the child was born. Arguably, however, her death was not from the fever, it was from the stress of the childbirth.

So.even as a debate is carried out as to how the child shall be looked after (provided that Conte Foscari's inquiries in Roma indicate that the Antonacci family does not wish to take responsibility), we have begun getting things back to what passes for normal on this odd little island.

Signs are being taken down, ships are coming and going -- La Sirena has already buried her dead and left for Genoa -- and tomorrow the public spaces and shops shall re-open. I understand there is interest in people meeting at Signora Macbain's coffee house to hold an impromptu celebration at about 11 AM tomorrow. I regret I shall probably not be there as I must leave on His Majesty's revenue cutter Iphigenia and goto the mainland, so I can make a full reportto the Governor. I have already seen to certain measures that the doctors recommended: we will have more bonfires to purify the air, everything and every place is being washed with vinegar; and the Guardia are looking for pools of stagnant water and any swampy areas that must be drained so the fetid water does not create the miasmatic vapors that probably cause the disease. The Governor will be interested in hearing a report on all these measures, and I must leave with the morning tide.

But before I do that, I shall address one more task. I must see to making arrangements for returning Signora Macbain's confiscated property to her.

Her vigil for the expectant mother and her child at an end, Lorsagne barely touches the light supper that she has ordered brought to her rooms. Without a purpose to drive her, she paces the small space, her brow furrowed, her lips set in a thin line that signals her discomfort. Catching sight of her reflection in the mirror of the small dressing table provided for her toilette, she stops and appraises the figure before her. Her eyes are dull, her cheeks sallow. Her reflection shows the first signs of aging: she is too fatigued to position her head so the jawline appears as firm as that of a girl.

The realization is enough to mobilize her will and she quickly readies herself for sleep that will allow her body time to erase traces of the worries of the week-long quarantine. Yet sleep does not come, so she leaves her bed and busies herself with more correspondence. For Lorsagne, relief comes from doing; in this she is more like a battle-hard soldier than a member of her sex.

The 9^th day of August, 1784

Rocca Sorrentina

My cher Marie-Etienne Nitot,

News of your newest Court commissions reached me before I left Bordeaux. While your growing fame is a source of great satisfaction, I confess that my joy for my childhood friend is tempered by my anxiety that you may no longer possess the inclination for those small commissions for jewelry that I am so fond of placing with you.

My wrists and neck will never display your creations at Court, but I pray you will continue to help your old friend who counts on the fire and light of precious stones to conceal the fact that her flesh is no longer smooth and bears the marks of time. I fear I am growing old, dear friend and that is death for a vain woman.

But to the point. I have a commission I ask you to undertake immediately. A young woman has died this very day giving birth to a daughter. There is no husband and the young woman was estranged from her family. You may know of them, since her father is a goldsmith of some reputation in Roma. Her name was Maria Cecilia Antonacci. If you have knowledge of her family, you must share this information with me, for I am prepared to go to great effort to ensure that they accept the child of their own child.

So, you see your old friend is growing soft with the passage of years and distance from Paris. You must not speak of it, for it would do my reputation no service if it were known that I have mellowed and without reputation I stand no chance of seeing Papa ever released from the Bastille.

A small locket of the young mothers hair taken from her head moments after her passing by one of the Sisters who attended her during her final hours is enclosed.

I have no memento mori of my own mother and am hopeful that a small remembrance of her mother in the form of jewelry may provide the child comfort as she grows to adulthood. The fashion of the day calls for the weaving of the hair into the jewelrya mourning ring or brooch evidently being the current fashion. I have seen suitable pieces of such jewelry that possess both dignity and beauty, yet I would prefer something more ingenious and leave it to you to fashion something that will be both beautiful and of comfort to the child as she grows to maturity.

If you still have the pouch of Brazilian diamonds I left for you to use in a case to hold Luciens infernal cigars, perhaps you will feel they are appropriate to use instead in fashioning a piece for the child.

Whatever your decisions, do not delay, I will remain in Sorrentina long enough to see the baby settled with a decent family that has come forward should the babys own family choose not to accept her, but I must return to Bordeaux in time for the harvest.

A date has not been set for the babys christening, but I will stand as her god-mother and would hope to have the priest bless whatever you fashion with the mark of your atelier to memorialize her mother.

Until we meet again, I remain

Your childhood friend Lorsagne de Sade

Her vigil for the expectant mother and her child at an end, Lorsagne barely touches the light supper that she has ordered brought to her rooms. Without a purpose to drive her, she paces the small space, her brow furrowed, her lips set in a thin line that signals her discomfort. Catching sight of her reflection in the mirror of the small dressing table provided for her toilette, she stops and appraises the figure before her. Her eyes are dull, her cheeks sallow. Her reflection shows the first signs of aging: she is too fatigued to position her head so the jawline appears as firm as that of a girl.

The realization is enough to mobilize her will and she quickly readies herself for sleep that will allow her body time to erase traces of the worries of the week-long quarantine. Yet sleep does not come, so she leaves her bed and busies herself with more correspondence. For Lorsagne, relief comes from doing; in this she is more like a battle-hard soldier than a member of her sex.

The 9^th day of August, 1784

Rocca Sorrentina

My cher Marie-Etienne Nitot,

News of your newest Court commissions reached me before I left Bordeaux. While your growing fame is a source of great satisfaction, I confess that my joy for my childhood friend is tempered by my anxiety that you may no longer possess the inclination for those small commissions for jewelry that I am so fond of placing with you.

My wrists and neck will never display your creations at Court, but I pray you will continue to help your old friend who counts on the fire and light of precious stones to conceal the fact that her flesh is no longer smooth and bears the marks of time. I fear I am growing old, dear friend and that is death for a vain woman.

But to the point. I have a commission I ask you to undertake immediately. A young woman has died this very day giving birth to a daughter. There is no husband and the young woman was estranged from her family. You may know of them, since her father is a goldsmith of some reputation in Roma. Her name was Maria Cecilia Antonacci. If you have knowledge of her family, you must share this information with me, for I am prepared to go to great effort to ensure that they accept the child of their own child.

So, you see your old friend is growing soft with the passage of years and distance from Paris. You must not speak of it, for it would do my reputation no service if it were known that I have mellowed and without reputation I stand no chance of seeing Papa ever released from the Bastille.

A small locket of the young mothers hair taken from her head moments after her passing by one of the Sisters who attended her during her final hours is enclosed.

I have no memento mori of my own mother and am hopeful that a small remembrance of her mother in the form of jewelry may provide the child comfort as she grows to adulthood. The fashion of the day calls for the weaving of the hair into the jewelrya mourning ring or brooch evidently being the current fashion. I have seen suitable pieces of such jewelry that possess both dignity and beauty, yet I would prefer something more ingenious and leave it to you to fashion something that will be both beautiful and of comfort to the child as she grows to maturity.

If you still have the pouch of Brazilian diamonds I left for you to use in a case to hold Luciens infernal cigars, perhaps you will feel they are appropriate to use instead in fashioning a piece for the child.

Whatever your decisions, do not delay, I will remain in Sorrentina long enough to see the baby settled with a decent family that has come forward should the babys own family choose not to accept her, but I must return to Bordeaux in time for the harvest.

A date has not been set for the babys christening, but I will stand as her god-mother and would hope to have the priest bless whatever you fashion with the mark of your atelier to memorialize her mother.

Until we meet again, I remain

Your childhood friend Lorsagne de Sade

Constanzo had finished cutting down the sea grasses by the edge of the little island with his scythe and had cleared the courtyard garden of weeds. Donna Sere is unduly particular about her flowers, he thought, but then all English ladies have their pequeos fastidios, and as employers go she is really not so bad.

Donna Sere was away on business, and he and the household staff had been lucky this past week. The workload had been light, and none of them had gotten ill from the fever that had overtaken the main island. Young Gino, the cooks son, had been on the main island getting fish and wine when the quarantine had been imposed, and had stayed there so as not to bring back any contagion to the rest of the household. Gino waved to them from the end of the long pier across the harbor twice a day to assure them he was ok.

Constanzo was just leaving the garden by the back gate to start in on the hedges when he saw a large and impressive schooner slowing to a halt a short distance offshore. As the anchor dropped, Constanzos jaw dropped too. For just below the Royal Neapolitan flag, the ship was also flying the coat of arms that appeared on all the official correspondence of Donna Seres family banking enterprise.

Donna Sere does not raise the Edwardstone and Timeless insignia when she travels by ship, he muttered aloud.

If she is returning from her trip, then why .? but his thought was cut short when he noticed the tall, erect, and very dapper middle-aged gentleman standing next to Donna Sere on the foredeck.

Constanzo had met this gentleman only once before several years ago but it was someone he could not fail to recognize. Santa Mara, madre de Dios, nos salvar a todos! There would be no rest for the household staff; Sir Geoffrey Edwardstone had arrived. And so shouting through the back door to rouse the rest of the staff to their stations, Constanzo ran around the house to the dock, cast off, maneuvered the household skiff to the schooner, and moored alongside.

No sooner had he come within hailing distance, than he heard Donna Seres familiar voice call out, Is it safe to come ashore, Constanzo? We were held up in Naples because of the quarantine. Is there illness in the household?

Si I mean no I mean there has been no illness out here in your household and s, it is safe to come ashore here. The fishermen who have been passing by here today have shouted to us that the fever has been waning on the main island and the quarantine may soon be lifted.

Very quickly a wide plank was set between the two vessels and the First Mate came across carrying a large number of boxes. Donna Sere obviously had time to shop on this trip. The mate offered his hand to Donna Sere and she stepped across followed by Luisa, her maid, and finally Sir Geoffrey himself. There was room for just one more trunk when the mate crossed back to the schooner - but from the amount of baggage and cargo stacked amidship ready for offloading, it was clear to Constanzo that he would have to make several more trips.

Sir Geoffrey was already studying the outside of harbor masters house and the rear garden, appraising the reconstruction that Donna Sere had overseen the previous winter. Although fastidious in appearance, Sir Geoffrey was obviously a well-travelled gentleman who was as at home at sea and on horseback as he was in the royal courts and noble homes of Europe and the Turkish Empire. He had an eye for detail, a preference for order and precision, and nothing of importance escaped his attention. No wonder the banking firm was so successful.

Donna Sere sat very quietly and still as the skiff cast off and headed around the island to the dock. Stepping off first, Sir Geoffrey took in the front of the house and then turned and offered his hand to Donna Sere with a wide smile and a nod. Constanzo saw Donna Sere make that little roll of her eyes accompanied by a slight smile - the expression she reserves for her moments of silent annoyance like when Don Aldo rattles on too long about some arcane matter. But the annoyance passed quickly and she smiled.

And as the travelers were ushered inside by the butler, Constanzo set off for another trip out to the schooner, wondering to himself, Why in the world is Sir Geoffrey here?

Constanzo had finished cutting down the sea grasses by the edge of the little island with his scythe and had cleared the courtyard garden of weeds. Donna Sere is unduly particular about her flowers, he thought, but then all English ladies have their pequeos fastidios, and as employers go she is really not so bad.

Donna Sere was away on business, and he and the household staff had been lucky this past week. The workload had been light, and none of them had gotten ill from the fever that had overtaken the main island. Young Gino, the cooks son, had been on the main island getting fish and wine when the quarantine had been imposed, and had stayed there so as not to bring back any contagion to the rest of the household. Gino waved to them from the end of the long pier across the harbor twice a day to assure them he was ok.

Constanzo was just leaving the garden by the back gate to start in on the hedges when he saw a large and impressive schooner slowing to a halt a short distance offshore. As the anchor dropped, Constanzos jaw dropped too. For just below the Royal Neapolitan flag, the ship was also flying the coat of arms that appeared on all the official correspondence of Donna Seres family banking enterprise.

Donna Sere does not raise the Edwardstone and Timeless insignia when she travels by ship, he muttered aloud.

If she is returning from her trip, then why .? but his thought was cut short when he noticed the tall, erect, and very dapper middle-aged gentleman standing next to Donna Sere on the foredeck.

Constanzo had met this gentleman only once before several years ago but it was someone he could not fail to recognize. Santa Mara, madre de Dios, nos salvar a todos! There would be no rest for the household staff; Sir Geoffrey Edwardstone had arrived. And so shouting through the back door to rouse the rest of the staff to their stations, Constanzo ran around the house to the dock, cast off, maneuvered the household skiff to the schooner, and moored alongside.

No sooner had he come within hailing distance, than he heard Donna Seres familiar voice call out, Is it safe to come ashore, Constanzo? We were held up in Naples because of the quarantine. Is there illness in the household?

Si I mean no I mean there has been no illness out here in your household and s, it is safe to come ashore here. The fishermen who have been passing by here today have shouted to us that the fever has been waning on the main island and the quarantine may soon be lifted.

Very quickly a wide plank was set between the two vessels and the First Mate came across carrying a large number of boxes. Donna Sere obviously had time to shop on this trip. The mate offered his hand to Donna Sere and she stepped across followed by Luisa, her maid, and finally Sir Geoffrey himself. There was room for just one more trunk when the mate crossed back to the schooner - but from the amount of baggage and cargo stacked amidship ready for offloading, it was clear to Constanzo that he would have to make several more trips.

Sir Geoffrey was already studying the outside of harbor masters house and the rear garden, appraising the reconstruction that Donna Sere had overseen the previous winter. Although fastidious in appearance, Sir Geoffrey was obviously a well-travelled gentleman who was as at home at sea and on horseback as he was in the royal courts and noble homes of Europe and the Turkish Empire. He had an eye for detail, a preference for order and precision, and nothing of importance escaped his attention. No wonder the banking firm was so successful.

Donna Sere sat very quietly and still as the skiff cast off and headed around the island to the dock. Stepping off first, Sir Geoffrey took in the front of the house and then turned and offered his hand to Donna Sere with a wide smile and a nod. Constanzo saw Donna Sere make that little roll of her eyes accompanied by a slight smile - the expression she reserves for her moments of silent annoyance like when Don Aldo rattles on too long about some arcane matter. But the annoyance passed quickly and she smiled.

And as the travelers were ushered inside by the butler, Constanzo set off for another trip out to the schooner, wondering to himself, Why in the world is Sir Geoffrey here?

Dawn was the best time to send his messenger birds, and the Conte sort of enjoyed watching the dawn break over a sleeping Sorrentina. There was an atmosphere of peace and tranquility that belied the truth.

The Conte had sent one bird to Luca Mancini, his contact in Roma. In his message he asked Luca to make discreet inquiries about Maria Cecilia Antonnacci, and find out if Sior Gandt was in any way responsible for her Delicate condition. Given the sad conclusion of Maria Cecilia's travels, The Conte also wanted to find out if the family would want her remains to be returned and buried in Roma, or if a burial in the cemetery of Sorrentina would satisfy them, and would they want to lay claim to the child, or were they content to let the inhabitants of Sorrentina to organize a good future for this poor little girl. He was sure that Luca wouldn't fail him.

The second bird carried a message to his daughter Elena.

Somewhere, just outside Paris, Elena was taking advantage of the afternoon Siesta time, to read the letter she had received from her father early that morning.

She made herself comfortable on one of the convenient Chaise Longue on the terrace of the Hotel Biron, where she had been visiting for some weeks, settling herself down in the afternoon sunshine and she began to read........

Sorrentina August 4th, year of our Lord 1784,

My dearest Elena,

I am sending this letter by the fastest of our Pigeons, in the hope that it reaches you before you begin your journey south to join me here in Sorrentina.

Please on no account attempt to come to Sorrentina for the moment. You will be unable to come to the island anyway, as it is under strict quarantine due to an outbreak of the Yellow Fever. Do not even come to the bay of Naples, for if there is Yellow fever here in Sorrentina, I fear the mainland is not safe either. So please stay where you are until you hear from me that things are once more safe.

Please do not worry for my health, I am quite well. I must, however , inform you that Devi is amongst those who have fallen ill. She was transported to the Lazaretto after she collapsed with a high fever at the public meeting nearly a week ago. I have no access to the Lazaretto, so I have not been able to see her personally, but am informed by the nursing sisters that for the moment Devi is holding her own.

The same cannot be said of the other young woman who fell ill, a certain Maria Cecilia Antonnacci, supposingly from a Roman, goldsmith family. She arrived in Sorrentina about ten days ago, heavily pregnant, and claiming Sior Gandt as the father of her unborn child. You remember Sior Gandt, I am sure. Sior Gandt denies all knowledge of the young woman, although there are some vague rumours that they met at an Opium party in Roma. Unfortunately we shall probably never know the truth of this affair, as having given birth to a little daughter, and weakened by the birth and the fever, the young woman gave up her soul last night. The child, miraculously has so far survived and if she continues to thrive, many are the inhabitants of Sorrentina who have been so moved by this sad story, that they have offered funds for the education and future of this little Orphan. I myself will set up a small trust in your name for the education of this child.

Meanwhile we must pray for the recovery of our dear Devi.

Your ever loving Father

Fillipe Foscari

Dawn was the best time to send his messenger birds, and the Conte sort of enjoyed watching the dawn break over a sleeping Sorrentina. There was an atmosphere of peace and tranquility that belied the truth.

The Conte had sent one bird to Luca Mancini, his contact in Roma. In his message he asked Luca to make discreet inquiries about Maria Cecilia Antonnacci, and find out if Sior Gandt was in any way responsible for her Delicate condition. Given the sad conclusion of Maria Cecilia's travels, The Conte also wanted to find out if the family would want her remains to be returned and buried in Roma, or if a burial in the cemetery of Sorrentina would satisfy them, and would they want to lay claim to the child, or were they content to let the inhabitants of Sorrentina to organize a good future for this poor little girl. He was sure that Luca wouldn't fail him.

The second bird carried a message to his daughter Elena.

Somewhere, just outside Paris, Elena was taking advantage of the afternoon Siesta time, to read the letter she had received from her father early that morning.

She made herself comfortable on one of the convenient Chaise Longue on the terrace of the Hotel Biron, where she had been visiting for some weeks, settling herself down in the afternoon sunshine and she began to read........

Sorrentina August 4th, year of our Lord 1784,

My dearest Elena,

I am sending this letter by the fastest of our Pigeons, in the hope that it reaches you before you begin your journey south to join me here in Sorrentina.

Please on no account attempt to come to Sorrentina for the moment. You will be unable to come to the island anyway, as it is under strict quarantine due to an outbreak of the Yellow Fever. Do not even come to the bay of Naples, for if there is Yellow fever here in Sorrentina, I fear the mainland is not safe either. So please stay where you are until you hear from me that things are once more safe.

Please do not worry for my health, I am quite well. I must, however , inform you that Devi is amongst those who have fallen ill. She was transported to the Lazaretto after she collapsed with a high fever at the public meeting nearly a week ago. I have no access to the Lazaretto, so I have not been able to see her personally, but am informed by the nursing sisters that for the moment Devi is holding her own.

The same cannot be said of the other young woman who fell ill, a certain Maria Cecilia Antonnacci, supposingly from a Roman, goldsmith family. She arrived in Sorrentina about ten days ago, heavily pregnant, and claiming Sior Gandt as the father of her unborn child. You remember Sior Gandt, I am sure. Sior Gandt denies all knowledge of the young woman, although there are some vague rumours that they met at an Opium party in Roma. Unfortunately we shall probably never know the truth of this affair, as having given birth to a little daughter, and weakened by the birth and the fever, the young woman gave up her soul last night. The child, miraculously has so far survived and if she continues to thrive, many are the inhabitants of Sorrentina who have been so moved by this sad story, that they have offered funds for the education and future of this little Orphan. I myself will set up a small trust in your name for the education of this child.

Meanwhile we must pray for the recovery of our dear Devi.

Your ever loving Father

Fillipe Foscari

The evening of August 7, 1784

My dearest Capitane,

It is only my worry that you will learn of Sorrentinas difficulties from some careless gossip or the pages of the Gazette de Leyde and the Courrier dAvignon that leads me to disturb your peace with news my own.

I remain in Sorrentina, subject as are my traveling companions to the quarantine necessitated by the arrival of a ship carrying the Yellow Fever among its crew.

Do not be concerned, for I am well, having taken precautions.

As the Magistrates of Sorrentina told us of the outbreak of Fever, my mind presented me with images of you soon after your return from the American War of Independence. It was early-spring and we sat in vineyards, surrounded by newly pruned vines covered with unfurling leaves under the hard light of the Haut-Medoc, the sun warming your face cradled in my lap, your legs outstretched and your eyes drowsy with the effects of new wine. As you passed into sleep you described meetings between the Marquis de Lafayette and the American military leaders where you presented your calculation of the British losses during the 1780 summer campaigns against Revolutionary forces in Georgia, Florida and Carolina and concluded that Sir Henry Clintons siege of Charleston during the sickly months would ultimately prove the Britishs undoing.

Soon after your return from Yorktown, the Marquis conveyed an accounting of his debt to you for your analysis, confirming that Lord Cornwallis confessed that saving his army from another Carolina fever season led him to move north to Virginia as you predicted he wouldand there meet defeat in Yorktown where the American troops waited to engage him.

But enough of my proof to you of my attention to your battle tales! I also remembered the counsel Fr. Camara imparted to you as you prepared to depart for the Americas. Do you remember the pages he copied from a faded manuscript in the Societys possession and gave to you to carry to America? The author was known to Jesuits in Mexico and New Spain many years prior to the Suppression, a Jos de Patricio de los Ros who believed the Fever originated in tiny insects coming from lagoons.

Thanks be to God for godfathers scholarship, for like you, I heeded the wisdom of de los Rios and covered my skin and used my hand fan to keep air circulating about my person whenever I was about in Sorrentina. My wrists grew tired, but the mosquitos near the fountain in the plaza found no landing spot on my person.

Of the 500 souls of Sorrentina there have been few taken with the Fever, and I have no doubt that is due to the efficiency of the Magistrates and the cooperation of the citizens. Two doctors and nursing sisters from the mainland have cared for the sick and the well, exposing themselves to the disease with the confidence of those who know they do Gods work and trust in his protection. They have been spared.

One young womana traveler from Romawas less fortunate. As I write you late in the evening from the cool of my borrowed apartment, she remains in the Lazaretto, fighting for her own life and that of her child that is coming.

She has no husband. She is estranged from her family. I am moved by her plight and the similarity to that of my own mother. I pray you will understand that it is this young woman who keeps me in Sorrentina. I will not leave until her child is born and settled with a family who will give it a name and the security of a home other than that of an orphanage. I have written to the young woman offering to provide the necessary funds to sponsor the child, provide for its financial support and stand as its godmother.

Pray that the child and mother live and that my offer is accepted, and know that I do not sleep without thoughts of our reunion to comfort me.

Your Lorsagne

The evening of August 7, 1784

My dearest Capitane,

It is only my worry that you will learn of Sorrentinas difficulties from some careless gossip or the pages of the Gazette de Leyde and the Courrier dAvignon that leads me to disturb your peace with news my own.

I remain in Sorrentina, subject as are my traveling companions to the quarantine necessitated by the arrival of a ship carrying the Yellow Fever among its crew.

Do not be concerned, for I am well, having taken precautions.

As the Magistrates of Sorrentina told us of the outbreak of Fever, my mind presented me with images of you soon after your return from the American War of Independence. It was early-spring and we sat in vineyards, surrounded by newly pruned vines covered with unfurling leaves under the hard light of the Haut-Medoc, the sun warming your face cradled in my lap, your legs outstretched and your eyes drowsy with the effects of new wine. As you passed into sleep you described meetings between the Marquis de Lafayette and the American military leaders where you presented your calculation of the British losses during the 1780 summer campaigns against Revolutionary forces in Georgia, Florida and Carolina and concluded that Sir Henry Clintons siege of Charleston during the sickly months would ultimately prove the Britishs undoing.

Soon after your return from Yorktown, the Marquis conveyed an accounting of his debt to you for your analysis, confirming that Lord Cornwallis confessed that saving his army from another Carolina fever season led him to move north to Virginia as you predicted he wouldand there meet defeat in Yorktown where the American troops waited to engage him.

But enough of my proof to you of my attention to your battle tales! I also remembered the counsel Fr. Camara imparted to you as you prepared to depart for the Americas. Do you remember the pages he copied from a faded manuscript in the Societys possession and gave to you to carry to America? The author was known to Jesuits in Mexico and New Spain many years prior to the Suppression, a Jos de Patricio de los Ros who believed the Fever originated in tiny insects coming from lagoons.

Thanks be to God for godfathers scholarship, for like you, I heeded the wisdom of de los Rios and covered my skin and used my hand fan to keep air circulating about my person whenever I was about in Sorrentina. My wrists grew tired, but the mosquitos near the fountain in the plaza found no landing spot on my person.

Of the 500 souls of Sorrentina there have been few taken with the Fever, and I have no doubt that is due to the efficiency of the Magistrates and the cooperation of the citizens. Two doctors and nursing sisters from the mainland have cared for the sick and the well, exposing themselves to the disease with the confidence of those who know they do Gods work and trust in his protection. They have been spared.

One young womana traveler from Romawas less fortunate. As I write you late in the evening from the cool of my borrowed apartment, she remains in the Lazaretto, fighting for her own life and that of her child that is coming.

She has no husband. She is estranged from her family. I am moved by her plight and the similarity to that of my own mother. I pray you will understand that it is this young woman who keeps me in Sorrentina. I will not leave until her child is born and settled with a family who will give it a name and the security of a home other than that of an orphanage. I have written to the young woman offering to provide the necessary funds to sponsor the child, provide for its financial support and stand as its godmother.

Pray that the child and mother live and that my offer is accepted, and know that I do not sleep without thoughts of our reunion to comfort me.

Your Lorsagne

Aug. 1, 1784

The day started very hot and in the evening was nice and cool.
Many people had come to my lecture to hear me explain the theory of the humors of the body.

After a while there was panic among the people, who had suddenly noticed that Mr. Gandt had a lady in his arms and he said that this lady was very sick.

He put the lady in the tavern on a chair so that Dr. Panacek and I could examine her -- we determined that this lady should be cared for apart from other people. With Mr. Gandt's help we took a boat to carry her to .the Lazaretto in the harbor. We examined the lady further. to know for sure whether the conclusion was correct about the disease that this lady had.

After that we were back in the cafe, we talked to the professor and asked for an appointment with the magistrates of Rocca Sorrentina, to see how we could help,

August 2, 1784

The next day, having spoken with the professore, Dr. Panacek and I and the magistrates of the Island of Rocco Sorrentina decided what must be done on the island because the Disease is Yellow Fever. The professore received instructions also from the Royal Governor of Sorrento on the mainland that the island should be under Quarantine and public buildings must be closed too.

I also visited the patient visited with Dr. Panacek and the lady is being well cared for. She is in stable condition, but her time to give birth approaches. We also have been to meet with the Captain of a ship that is in quarantine to assess the condition of the sick crewmen. We did not go on board but spoke to the captain from our boat..

Around noon on Saturday we were in the cafe of Mrs. Macbain to drink coffee together and talk about the disease and the patient. After a while the Professore came in with two soldiers and proclaimed that we are in Quarantine and that we have the yellow fever on the Island of Rocca Sorrentina.

No one liked it very much that Aphrodite's goods were confiscated -- she had three large bags of coffee beans from North Africa, which the soldiers took. To the dismay of the
people, the soldiers emptied the cafe and put up large signs that the coffee house was closed because of the quarantine order.

Later I saw on the island that all public buildings were closed.

In the evening had a meeting with the local people of the Island. The Professore informed the people what to do and what to not do in this situation, and with some help from Dr. Panacek I have tried to answer all questions.

Since that day was very hot, some women suffered from the heat and were not feeling good. As a precaution, I have examined the ladies in the temporary Doctors' clinic we set up in the Accademia. So far none of them are ill of yellow fever.

3rd August 1784

We have many medical exam done that day and it was a bit too much for two doctors to give all these people a medical exam, but we had some help from nursing sisters from the mainland.

There were children and young people and older people there.

Some ladies were drunk on medication That Dr. Pancek gave them. It seems that the ladies do not drink a lot of wine or liquor, especially with a high % of alcohol so the ladies were drunk on one or two doses of medication .

This island may be small, but it is home for about 500 people. We have had around 100 people who were examined. Some were sick and we have them all isolated in the Lazaretto and try them all to provide best possible way....


4th August.

Today had a busy day looking after many patients who visit the clinc. If any will die we will give them a dignified funeral as far as it can be done. I have tried to interest people in cleaning their houses with vinegar. Barrels of gunpowder have been detonated to purify the air.

5th August 1787

Today we had a busy day examining many patients. I am tired at the end of the day -- I have not had much time to much to eat and rest.

6th August 1787.

Like the previous two days, many people are looked after, Some of the sailors are now vomiting blood and will dies soon. The thing I worry most about are the children.

In the afternoon I witnessed a church service, but unfortunately after the end of the service. I felt dizzy and fainted. I was happy that Dr. Panacek there and brought me to consciousness with smelling salts. I sat a while on the floor and soon felt better.

It showed that I would pay a price if I do not sleep well and have not eaten enough.
Yes, a doctor's life is a heavy burden. but I knew that in advance, before I got my training done.

Happily I went to a gathering hosted by a nice lady, I could eat and drink. I then went to bed and took a dose of Opium in an alcohol base, and I slept. I will take a break today. -- the nuns and other caregivers can take care of people without me not as many are coming to be examined and treated.

I hope in the next few days that not many people will die, and no more will become ill. If others are not getting sick we may be able to end the quarantine. I am hopeful that the lady who is pregnant will do better But if she dies I hope it will be a quick death.

Let's hope that we can survive in this terrible time, We can thank God that many people have survived so far

Signed,
Dr.WilliamH Greymoon.