52. Robert Bloomfield to George Bloomfield, 19 April 1801* 

Sunday Afternoon, April 19th, 1801.

Dear George,

I forgot to indorse the Bill untill after it was gone, and so made a botch of it. I have no immediate convenience of cashing it here, so send it again to you. I yesterday sought after purple trimings at the warehouse where they are made, but it happen'd unfortunately they had none of that colour of any kind I then search'd the shoemakers' windows, but could find every sort but the right. I was too poorly to walk far, so reluctantly gave it up, I know not what you must say to your customers but a quill'd Riband White, or a white Rose is very common for that colour, and looks well. I could not see after your skins till further leisure. I send you ½ Dozn of shoes for your window (if you think propper), We will recon them at 4s 9d pr pair, one with the other. They will require to be put on a last to bring them into shape. Send me the £30 pound as soon as possible. Isaac was here this morning, they are all well but James, who has got the whooping cough, their shop promise very fair for trade, I hope it will do. Yesterday in consequence of my letter to the Duke the preceeding day, a servant mounted brought me a kind letter from his Grace with his approbation of Walter and Jane. [1]  The servant took an answer back, and I must call there on Wednesday next. This blacksmith and his doxy being the last of my family (in the poetical line), I feel my mind much eased, as well as much gratified by finding the critics smile upon the young rogues. As to my health, I was right, I hop'd and trusted that the Doctor could draw of the water; this he has done, and is doing, but not without weakening me much. I shall soon be well if I continue to mend as I have done the last three days. My breathing is easy, and the swelling gone.

Love to all friends,

Robert

The Georgicks with all its beauties is allmost a bawdy story — I will soon send you Wordsworth's poems, if there is no poetry in them I will give up my pretension to feeling and Nature. [2]  I can trust you I think to be struck with them, first with their extreem simplicity, and then for what I before mentioned, NATURE.