292. Robert Bloomfield to Hannah
Bloomfield, 4 July 1814*
Shefford July 4. 1814
Dear Hannah
In my letter of yesterday I left off rather abruptly, and in a
way which you was not likely to comprehend. I there said that the Herald was
follow'd by a Band, but to accommodate that Band a Boat was procured from Chicksands, placed upon a carriage,
and surmounted by boughs of Oak and Laurel, and in the front rode Judy
Basterfield in White, and crown'd with a wreath, as the emblem of Peace. In the procession rode Mr Williamson &c, Mr
Walker, (two church parsons,) Mr Potier, the Catholick priest, and Briggs the
Methodest preacher, and all who could procure Horses, or wish'd to join the
Cavalcade, In the rear of which appeard an old black Horse decorated with an
enormous pair of Bullock's horns place'd near his ears. On his back rode the
Devel with a monstrous Mask and horns to corispond, and drest in a black cloak.
Behind him rode (riding backwards both on a Horse) a lad with a pale Mask, and
in the utmost trembling and destress, to represent the fallen Emperor. Both
these perform'd their parts extreemly well, and cause'd the utmost laughter,
Inskip was Devil, and Jack
sombody was Bounaparte. It was the best Devil I ever saw, and riding thus like a
whipper-in after the parsons, had a strange and ridiculous appearance. A Bullock
drest in Ribbons, followd likewise by music, had marchd through the town two
days before and was now on the Spit, and in the pot, as dinner was to commence
at 4. A long range of Tables were placed from Westons door to the George, capable
of accommodating all the poor in the Town that is, all who labour for bread, the
whole was coverd with Canvass and form'd a compleat tent, border'd throughout by
garlands of flowers, and each table having a flag inscribe'd, 'Alexander', 'Blucher', 'Platoff'
&c. [1] At the end stood a kind of Maypole, bearing a gilded Cock,
surmounted by a flag—Across the center of the street was erected a stage for the
band, who had there a little bower of their own, above the passing carriages.—At
4 about 250 people sat down to dinner in the greatest good order. [small sketch
at the bottom left of the page with the words 'England' with the drawing of a
cock underneath and then the words 'of the walk' beneath that] At the head of
the Table sat Mr Williamson and the other conductors of the feast took each of
them a Table, as president and carver, Here you might have seen two Doctors, two
publican's, a parson, and a Shopkeeper &c &c. in White Aprons,
slashing up the Beef and plumb pudding, and sharing out several Baskets of
potatoes.—The Town was crouded with spectators, and all was joy. At 6, (after
grace in due order) dinner was removed, and the Gentlemen part of the company
had a boarded stage for their wine and refreshments, and here; while men women
and children were Huzzaing around, they did just what must be expected, viz, got
drunk by drinking Toasts. The musical performers at one time did not know 'God
save the King,' from Jack's-alive; but this fervor subsided gradually so as to
produce no mischief, and to leave the evening for a still more singular
exhibition, which is the beautiful effect of light under boughs, which, as you
have now seen Vauxhall, you can fully
understand. I should here tell you that in the evening Tea was serve'd on the
platform to all the women who choose it, and dancing commenced in the real
country stile. Miss Weston made more tea than she ever did in one day in her
life. Amongsts the flags Inskip had
two very large, inscribed 'The Strength of Kings is the Affections of the
people' and, 'Freedom to Slaves, and peace to the World'. Mr Walker had a real
fine transparency, and his house a croud of green and blossoms,—Mr Gay several
transparencies of his own painting, and his House shaded by Oak-limbs planted in
the street. Mr Radwell, Mr Betts &c cut a conspicuous figure; so that
when I tell you that there was not a window in the town without Candles,
folliage, and flowers, you must try to guess at the effect. It made my eyes
water in spite of myself.—This first night's frolick was not all, though the
Town was not quiet till two in the morning.—
On Thursday—A Ball had been announced to be held at the White
Hart, to which were invited all the Respectable people round the neighbourhood,
and Charles had been busily
employd with other scholars to write Notes of invitation. This whole day was
spent in mirth. Amongst the rest a large party, (in fact any who pleased) danced
to two fidlers on the platform, Young Girls 'threading the Needle along' the
Street, Boys kicking a Bladder; And more particularly a ridiculous scene, of a
Rope suspended upon poles, to which was tied by small twine two lumps of pudding
drip'd in treacle, under which stood on stools, two boys with their hands tied
behind them, whose business it was to catch the pudding in their mouths! I say
nothing of their faces! treacle betide us! what a mess. At Night about 40 Ladies
and as many Gentlemen danced at Barbers till morning, with fidlers from Bedford
and Nitshill &c—Friday—Taylor the Sadler Chaird through the Town with
the Band, and the wife of our 'Old Richard' riding on a great thundering black
Horse coverd with a white sheet and flowers. This old woman litterally danced
all day from Wednesday morning till Friday night. On the Ball night Mr Weston ornamented his House with
Hop-vines from his Garden, intersperse'd with Lamps; with several transparencies
of his own designing, Saturday—The Townsmen presented a Flag to Sir George Osborn in testimony of
his bounty towards this real and National holiday, which the good old man has
promise'd to presever and to leave to his grandchildren. &c
&c
And now Father how did you get through this bustle,? what did our
house look like? did not you want to help?
I saw on Monday that I should 'be drag'd' and directly began to
regret that Hannah was not at
home to contrive and to help. 'I wish Hannah was here' was repeated oftener than I ever repeated it before,
for Charles was busy at
writing, and Charlotte
my only housemaid,—However I naild up lathes for the illuminatiion, sent for
Candles, Cockades, &c—Joe Saunders procure'd a large bough of Oak, and
Old Squires two tall branches of Laurel;—Our three younkers went to Rowney and
lug'd home as much Yellow Broom and Cornflowers as they could carry, we set to
work, made them with form, and on Wednesday morning up at 6, I hung the outer
circle of the parlour window with a garland of flowers, naild a Rose-bush over
the door, trimd up Roberts
Hoop into a Garland and displayd it on a pole from the Landing window.—In the
evening lighted up about four score Candle, and remove'd your old Richard and
Kate [2] from the Mill, and with a White flag inscribed peace mounted them on one of Barber's Gin Kegs on a string inside the
parlour window, to the great amusement of the Boys. [a sketch of this below]
Now my dear Girl you must absolutely come home this week, for though Charlotte does all she
can, we are in a muddle according to your notions, thus far
we have been starving upon bake'd Veal, Calve's Liver, Shoulder of Lamb and
Goosbery pies. Charlotte
has a Cold and sore throat.—
NB. The only house in the Town not in the garb of joy was our neighbour
Fitsjohn's. That poor sufferer died on Saturday, and was buried on Thursday
last, (not at Campton)
Love to you and friends
Rob Bloomfield