297. Robert Bloomfield to Hannah
Bloomfield, 9–10 November 1815*
Shefford. Nov. 9 1815
My Dear Girl
Yours, very much expected, came this morning, and you see I
answer it directly. You seem greatly concerned about my eyes and my happiness,
(two precious things) and I thank you for your kindness, and I will speak of
them both in their turns. First, as to my sight. About three weeks ago I had one
of my desperate head-aches, and the following day, I felt somthing the matter
with my boasted right eye. A slight kind of inflammation
ensued, but nothing to give pain; only a sort of obscurity. I shortly after
found a dark speck, or cloud over the pupil, which moved with the eye, and was
capable of totally obscuring the brightest star. I then
began to be alarm'd as much, and I hope no more, than such a threat of blindness
would warrant. I could not see one word of print, nor the tame Robin at the
further end of the room. In this state I sent to London for spectacles to suit
the Age of 60, for my old ones were quite useless. Aunt Charlotte went to
Dollands for them, with her broken arm, so you may judge that their storm is
blown over, and particularly as Nat says nothing about Tom, but in his letter says in his usual short
and strong way, 'it is fortunate that your best trade may be followd, without
the aid of eyesight.' I tried my new spectacles with trepidation, and found them
tolerably well, but my sight was still so bad that I found it prudent to abstain
from all attempts to read and write, and to wear a shade. |Novb 10.| I am glad I can now add that my sight is mending. The cloud is
less black and threatening, and I can write, after a fashion.
As to my happiness, I have found but little real and lasting
expression of spirits. I think I shall escape it this season if I can but keep
up my health, which is much better than this time twelvemonth. Now then for
other news. Miss Weston is going on Monday next to Oxfordshire for a month, and
then she will be a very short time here before she goes to
Hastings, for she goes long before her brother, and is afraid she shall not see
you before her departure.—Shefford
News—Lawyer King removed yesterday to potton. Mr Walker and the Cork Rump go at
Christmas to live at Gravely near
Hitchin, Stevenson at the George is going to quit. Nightingall, palmer, and our
friend peppercorn, have given in their warnings to quit their farms! Whenever
you come home you will have no acquaintance but Miss Martin.—Such is the
changing state of things here, that I expect in my next to have to say somthing
like the following. 'The Ivel has taken into its head to turn about and run
towards Clophill, it would do your heart good to see how it contrives to get up
the waterfall at Chicksands. Little
Gawky is going to be shown for a dwarf. Mother Rogers and Old Squelch are not a
bit bigger than two halfpenny candles Briggs is gone to Bedford Jail for setting
fire to a Methodist meeting, and Old Mother Robinson run off to Gretney Green
with a young fortune hunter!!! Your green frock, with some little pecuniary aid
shall be sent next week, as we are going to send some straw for Mrs West-tee.
The mean old toad!
If you and Mrs
Lockwood agree to it, I can have no prudent cause
to oppose your staying the Christmas twelmonth, for you will have but a rum sort
of a home here, and though I never cease talking of you, and wanting your
company, I have your real welfare so strongly at heart that
I would bear any privation to secure it. It was from this consideration that I
urge'd your making yourself personally known to Mrs Philips and Lady Bunbury. If
you do not, after what I wrote to the former, they may feel themselves justly
offended, and our own original intention or chance will be thrown away without
trial. Give my love to sister Kate, but for God's sake don't let her come here. Tell her I was
arrested last week, and my goods sold by auction; or any thing you can think
of.—I walk when I can, I have been to Henlow, and Southill, and am going to day to dine
with Mr Olivere of Clifton, and if my horrors come on too
strong I shall immediately set off either to Clare Hall, or to Gransdon, to break the seen. So be not surprised if
I write to you from another quarter I know that exertion of mind and body is
real wisdom; but I also know that to command exertion is
not so easy as some healthy fools think it. Give my respects to your kind
entertainers, and love to Unkle
George. I have his long letter, and will if possible try to write to
him, but not about politicks. Did I tell you that Cawdel has lost his
postmastership, and that we past at the Green Man over the way?
God bless you. Yours ever
Rob Bloomfield.
Address: To Miss Bloomfield, / E. Lockwood's Esq, / Angel-Hill, / Bury, / Suffolk