283. Robert Bloomfield to Dr John Martin, 17 December
1813*
Shefford. Dec 17. 1813
Dear Sir
I thank you for that excellent mixture of truth advice, and raillery contain'd in your long letter, which ought to
have been answerd immediately, but being so well apprized of your patients' case you will the more readily forgive his neglect,
which has chiefly proceeded from absolute inability to think or feel in the right humour. Let this at last assure you that I
recieve your friendship and your castigation in good part; and shall be right glad to see you here. And be you further assur'd
that I am much better, though the occasions of my late sorrow are by no means removed, This may appear
unaccountable, but cannot be explaind here. I struggle with pecuniary difficulties for some months longer. My Bookselling concerns
are critically situated, and I fear may lead to litigation, and I hate Law as a patient in Hydrophobia hates water. The
preservation of my life untill March is of vital consequence to my family; I therefore rejoice in being this far amended, and
think I shall yet live to cheat the Booksellers, if not 'to dig in the earth for my lost Muse' Some parts of your advice I cannot
fullfill, we have neither Cat, nor regular Fish kettle, and slaming the Doors would be no novelty, for the wind does that from
morning till night.
Messrs Weston & Inskip are highly pleased with your letter, and have urged me to write sooner. I have
just sent my Boy to a school, which is one small anxiety off my mind. Perhaps
I may be in London before March, but not if I can possibly avoid it.
Darkness is coming upon us, and the letter-bag is making up.
Respects to All friends, from, Dear Sir
Yours sincerely
Robt Bloomfield