210. Robert Bloomfield to Mary Lloyd Baker, 6 August 1807* 

City Road, Thursday Aug 6, 1807

To Mrs Baker

Dear Madam,

I found a great degree of electricity in the language of your invitation, and I should forfeit every pretence to gratitude and to taste could I perversely throw it away by attending to comparative trifles under the name of business. Every body knows that my trade is a fancy trade, and I have a great fancy to make all my customers wait, and scold. With some I can make free; to others I shall write; and if I live, and the disposer of my fortune and my perigrinations permitest, I will be on the Wye as sure as a gun. My Second Daughter says 'Father, if you stop too long on the River Wye, we shall say why do you stop so long'.

I thank you for your second letter, and as I had intended setting out tomorrow, I shall beg to substitute Monday next, and I shall profit by the use of the intermediate days, and I hope join you somtime on Tuesday, but don't make any point of meeting me; I shall leave my little Trunk at the place where they happen to pitch me on, my foot, and if the said feet dont bring me to Stouts Hill it will be the first time they have so fail'd. I mean to come by the Stroud Water coach, and shall start at 4. P.M.—I will endeavour to bring Mrs Grant's poems [1]  and scrupulously attend to your wishes; I am very well, and as much incline'd to be foolish as possible. My family are well, and they are happy. Respects to All at Stouts Hill.—

R Bloomfield

N.B. Remember I shall have nothing to do with Madcap!*

* Madcap was the name of a favorite horse of mine who went with us into Wales—T J Ll B