20. George Bloomfield to Capel Lofft, before 1 March 1800* 

As I spent five years with the Author, from the time he was thirteen years and a half old till he was turned of eighteen, the most interesting time of life (I mean the time that instruction is acquired, if acquired at all), I think I am able to give a Better account of him than any one can, or than he can of himself: for his Modesty would not let him speak of his Temper, Disposition, or Morals.

Robert was the younger Child of George Bloomfield, a Taylor, at Honington. His Father died when he was an infant under a year old. His Mother was a Schoolmistress, and instructed her own Children with the others. He thus learned to read as soon as he learned to speak.

Though the Mother was left a Widow with six small Children, yet with the help of Friends she managed to give each of them a little schooling.

Robert was accordingly sent to Mr. Rodwell, [1]  of Ixworth, to be improved in Writing: but he did not go to that School more than two or three months, nor was ever sent to any other; his Mother again marrying when Robert was about seven years old.

By her second husband, John Glover, she had another family.

When Robert was not above eleven years old, the late Mr. W. Austin, of Sapiston, took him. And though it is customary for Farmers to pay such Boys only 1s. 6d. per week, yet he generously took him into the house. This relieved his Mother of any other expence than only of finding him a few things to wear: and this was more than she well knew how to do.

She wrote, therefore to me and my brother Nat (then in London), to assist her; mentioning that he, Robert, was so small of his age that Mr. Austin said he was not likely to be able to get his living by hard labour.

[Mr. G. Bloomfield on this informed his Mother that, if she would let him take the Boy with him, he would take him, and teach him to make shoes: and Nat promised to clothe him. The Mother, upon this offer, took coach and came to London, to Mr. G. Bloomfield, with the Boy: for she said, she never should have been happy if she had not put him herself into his hands.]

She charged me as I valued a Mother's Blessing, to watch over him, to set good Examples for him, and never to forget that he had lost his Father.

[Mr. G. Bloomfield then lived at Mr. Simm's, No. 7, Fisher's-court, Bell-alley, Coleman-street.] It is customary in such houses as are let to poor people in London, to have light Garrets fit for Mechanics to work in. In the Garret, where we had two turn-up Beds, and five of us worked, I received little Robert.

As we were all single Men, Lodgers at a Shilling per week each, our beds were coarse, and all things far from being clean and snug, like what Robert had left at Sapiston. Robert was our man, to fetch all things to hand. At Noon he fetched our Dinners from the Cook's Shop: and any one of our fellow workmen that wanted to have any thing fetched in, would send him, and assist in his work and teach him, for a recompense for his trouble.

Every day when the Boy from the Public-house came for the pewter pots, and to hear what Porter was wanted, he always brought the yesterday's Newspaper. The reading of the Paper we had been used to take by turns; but after Robert came, he mostly read for us,... because his time was of least value.

He frequently met with words that he was unacquainted with: of this he often complained. I one day happened at a Book-stall to see a small Dictionary, which had been very ill used. I bought it for him for 4d. By the help of this he in little time could read and comprehend the long and beautiful speeches of Burke, Fox, or North.

One Sunday, after an whole day's stroll in the country, we by accident went into a dissenting Meeting-house in the Old Jewry, where a Gentleman was lecturing. This Man filled little Robert with astonishment. The House was amazingly crowded with the most genteel people; and though we were forced to stand still in the Aisle, and were much pressed, yet Robert always quickened his steps to get into the Town on a Sunday evening soon enough to attend this Lecture.

The Preacher lived somewhere at the West End of the Town... his name was Fawcet. His language was just such as the Rambler [2]  is written in; his Action like a person acting a Tragedy; his Discourse rational, and free from the Cant of Methodism.

Of him Robert learned to accent what he called hard words; and otherwise improved himself; and gained the most enlarged notions of Providence.

He went sometimes with me to a Debating Society at Coachmaker's-hall, [3]  but not often; and a few times to Covent-garden Theatre. These are all the opportunities he ever has to learn from Public Speakers. As to Books, he had to wade through two or three Folios, an History of England, British Traveller, and a Geography. But he always read them as a task, or to oblige us who bought them. And as they came in sixpenny numbers weekly, he had about as many hours to read as other boys spend in play.

I at that time read the London Magazine; and in that work about two sheets were set apart for a Review... Robert seemed always eager to read this Review. Here he could see what the Literary Men were doing, and learn how to judge of the merits of the Works that came out. And I observed that he always looked at the Poet's Corner. And one day he repeated a Song which he composed to an old tune. I was much surprised that a boy of sixteen should make so smooth verses: so I persuaded him to try whether the Editor of our Paper would give them a place in Poet's Corner. And he succeeded, and they were printed. And as I forget his other early productions, [4]  I shall copy this.

THE MILK-MAID,

ON THE FIRST OF MAY.

Nor Morning's first blush can more lovely appear

Than his looks, since my wishes I could not conceal.

Swift down the mad dance, while blest health prompts to move,

We'll count joys to come, and exchange Vows of truth;

And haply when Age cools the transports of Love,

Decry, like good folks, the vain pleasures of youth. [5]