Shefford. Oct 10. 1817
My dear Charles,
I thank you heartily for your long letter, and hope you will
continue well, and in as good spirits as you can. I send you another two pounds,
for I am sure you will want it. I want to know all your news by conversation,
but know not at which end to begin to advise you. If I come to town it must be
expensive, and so it will for you to come here though I should so well like to
see you. I am sorry to hear that you feel forlorn; I know that you are now hard
task'd and wish you could have a week's respite and recreation here. Would Mr
Johnson admit you back again if you did so? I am pretty certain I shall have to
come to London whenever you go to Putney,
but how or where I shall find money to support you and us I know not. I think
you act perfectly right in going to Putney to look after them, it will show that you are alive and
willing. Perhaps Mr Johnson wishes you gone? If so it ill agrees with Mr
Sanderlands advice to continue, as you have already been there longer than many
others. I write with the utmost difficulty for want of better eyes, and should
prefer one hour's conversation to all that we could write in a month. For God's
sake take care of the Cowcross fever, it pays no respect to young schoolmasters
be they ever so good or worthy. I cannot proceed further without a headache, do
according to your own judgment with the enclosed notes; if you come for a week
to see us you know how gladly you will be received, and that this is still a
home. Hannah and Mother are well, but Rob has a very bad cold.
Tomorrow is our noisy Fair. Love and health to you from your father
Rob Bloomfield
If you can catch hold of Mr Johnson just to speak for five minutes you had
perhaps better ask him if he wishes you to leave him,
or whither you have it at your own option to stay or leave his school till that
at Putney shall be ready for you? But
do as you think best and let us hear again from you before long. Miss Weston
left us a fortnight ago. We have not heard of her since—give my love to Charlotte and tell
her this is not the letter which I promised to write to her, but I will not
forget her, she shall hear of me before many months are over.
Your affectionate sister Hannah.
Too late for the post on Friday.—Yesterday was our fair. Robert and I saw great
boa constrictor and a little crocodile, very likely the same which you and
your father saw in London. Your father and I drank tea at Mr Fitzjohn's
yesterday, Jane desires her love to Charlotte. I took tea
at Mrs Peppercorn's one day last week and am going to spend a few days there
next week. I cannot say anything about my success or
otherwise, in business, for I am scarcely determined whither to attempt it
or not so this is holliday with me. I don't know of any news to tell you,
unless the following is news to you Mr Gaye has set up a gig, so times go
well with him. Mr Ibbs has lost one of his daughters to the mumps, Briggs
has got his house done up so smart, two Bow windows at
bottom, and sash instead of casement, up stairs.—Your father has got the
Rheumatism in his back. Bob has a very bad cough. Your Mother has had the
head ach four days and I have a bad cold—So we are all grumbling together—Oh
that we were in one of Mr Owen's
new villages, [1] I dare
say we shall banish all cold and cough's there, I wonder if we are to have
any winter's [illegible word] don't forget to give our love to Charlotte and to the
Moor-fields gentry, and keep up your spirits, yours again, Hannah Bloomfield.
Jack has been hallowing and is making all the noises he can think of, till
he has got a cold too and is I suppose so hoarse
that he cannot [word obscured by seal] so he, very prudently, holds his
tongue.