366. Robert Bloomfield to Charles Bloomfield, 23 December 1822–1 February 1823 * 

Shefford Dec 23^rd. 1822

My Dear Charles,

Your letter came yesterday and right welcome, for I had been anxious about you for some days before. You may thank Golding and Sparham [1]  that you have no great coat this season, I feel for you, but cannot help you.—Inskip talks of your paying us a visit &c. but to me it appears very imprudent so to do at this season of the year, and when you must want every shilling for other purposes. After an absence of only six months to travel two hundred and forty miles to 'go to see' smells too much of Rotherhithe .[2] —I have misd your company severely, and am always thinking about you, but I will at the same time give you the best advice in my power. Before you get this I hope to receive your poetical pieces, and I shall proceed with 'Gosling John' [3]  as fast as I can, and try hard to keep my spirits up and to rekon upon another season or two of existence at least, when my affairs, I think, will mend themselves. I have never had my old dreadfull sickness at the stomach since the morning before we left London for Margate.

Old Dick Thompson, and Jem Cooper's mother were buried lately. They don't want a skreen to keep the cold off as I do.

God prosper you, I am tired and am your affectionate father

Rob Bloomfield

Feb 1^st 1823

I now inform you that this will come in a parcel to Canterbury, and that I have permitted Mr Cutting to open your packet for the purpose of showing his Miss Rutter your flower drawings. We have a letter from Rob, he likes his business as well as he did at first, and all goes on well in that quarter.—

I am truly sorry to tell you that poor little Alfred Peppercorn is gone the way of all flesh! He died on the morning of the 30^th.— I have not sent our specimens of the 'Post Office' [4]  to Hervey yet, but I will as soon as I can; The world presses me hard, but I feel able to bear it, and I shall soon rise up among them, 'in my new skin, and look very comical.'

Our Bill for Bread for last year does not amount to £5 and the Coal Bill is under 8. No news yet from Suffolk! Never mind, John Gosling will bring me more in one year than the value of that place. Hannahs letter speaks [word cut off] present things in your case, and I join in all that she says. Your poetical pieces will do very well but the glowworm will remain at the top unless you can ever beat it.

Love and hopes once more

Rob Bloomfield

Address: Mr C Bloomfield, / Monkton, / Thanet