325. Robert Bloomfield to Hannah
Bloomfield, 9–16 April 1818*
—Gossip—
You remember our old Brewers, 'How and Meadows.' I doubt the latter has placed
the widow foul with respect to the share she held in the concern, there seen no
doubt of it. He has been very ill, and is still under the watch of a keeper, he
being quite deranged. Mrs How buried her eldest son while we lived in town, and
the next, a lame lad took his place; he too died a month ago, and the mother
never was well after, and died on Sunday last, leaving a consumptive boy, and a
girl of Nineteen!
Poor Old Fisher died last Thursday in a madhouse at Hoxton. She eat most
veraciously at Uncles, and was very well, on the Easter Monday; and from that
time (11 days) she eat not a morsel more. This is not bad news, for she was
utterly unfit to live.
When Mrs Austin was in town it was to see her son Gardner, who about three years
before had run away from Suffolk and had not been heard of. It appears he had
begd himself in at a grocer's shop (two respectable old people) in East
Smithfield; from them he again ran away to Briston for a few weeks, but was
again taken in by them on his return, and was with them till his mother came to
see him die in the foul ward of the London infirmary. He is however recoverd and
returnd to his place, strictly watchd.
—Diary continued—
Thursday
A very dull day, talk'd much with Miss
Ansted, who was much pleased with Charles's letter.
Friday
Went with Martin and calld upon Charlotte, rain all day.
Charlotte engaged to
come on Sunday and Martin to fetch
her. She had received an invitation from Miss Ansted to spend a few days with her previous to her leaving
Twickenham. In our way called at the Booksellers. Mr Baldwin wants particularly to
see me some morning next week &c got wet and weary and was sick of my
job.
Saturday
Very wet—wrote to Charles,
and to the D of Grafton,
must wait the latter's reply before I can come home, a sound headache, the first
since I left home.—
Sunday the 12th (I believe) of
April
Martin brought Charlotte at noon,—Dined
altogether at Uncle Nat's, a
Regiment went out for a walk—I stayd at home to keep house, Martin squired Charlotte home again at
night sadly tired, for they all had tea at Highbury House &c.
—Monday—
Far from well; having had very bad rest.—Received news from home.
—Tuesday—
Talkd with Baldwin, who will send
my account in two or three days. He has printed 5500 copies in new Editions and I therefore doubt whether I shall have a farthing to
recieve. The Iron Bridge of only three arches is in great
forwardness from Queen Stt to the Borough, and another is projected to cross the
Thames at Rotherhithe, but what are Bridges to me compared to the good dinner I
have just eaten?—Wrote to Mr
Weston, and half this rigmarole besides.—
—Wednesday—
Drank tea with Isaac, and
saw him make Ribbon-rollers. Anxious for news, but none arrived.—
—Thursday—
A letter from Weston, hope to see
him at Twickenham on Sunday with Charlotte—mean to see
Charlotte tomorrow
to arrange the time—When once Sunday is past my prime object will be not to be
another absent from home—to be continued—
I will write again to Charles on Saturday, and [word cut off] him again next week, for I
long to see how he gets on. The ladies wear Bonnets something in this shape
[includes sketch]. They measure full 14 inches from side to side. Charlotte wears one of
twelve; which is moderate; they meet under the chin. Thank
you for your letter. Weston has had
a fire very near them at Windsor, but has escape'd. Love and good wishes. Yours
ever
Robt Bloomfield
April 16, 1818
Address: Miss Bloomfield, / Shefford, / Beds