74. Robert Bloomfield to George Bloomfield, 11 January 1802* 

London Jan. 11. 1802

Dear George

You will be out of all patience. But stroke your beard and lift your leg, and rejoice. I send some of each size; [1]  present as many as you think proper. I here send three which you will let Kitty deliver directly. Let my Mother have a quarto, and Isaac and Kitty each an octavo from me. I cannot write to them, I am almost ashamed to say so; but it is true. I sent a copy to Mr Fox, who sent me a very polite and agreeable letter in reply. I breakfasted again with Lord B. and carried a pair of shoes to be sent to Edenburg to Lady B. with, 'Emma's Kid' [2]  addresst to Lady Buchan. Recited Richard a third time. [3]  This day received a very flattering letter from Dr. Drake. Hannah Bloomfield lives at Islington: her Mistress has persuaded her to stay twice after she had given warning, this looks well. but I know no more about her. Take notice, the anxiety I felt for the publication of the poems was not so much for fear of their fate, as for the wish I had to have the bustle over of sending them thus to so many places. I am all in the midst of it. I send to night to Stamford, Leicester, and Castle Donington, and have been to 4 places this morning. Delivered one to Mr. Addington last week before I heard Mr. Lofft's opinion, which proves to be to the contrary. I sent through your hands one for him, and one for the Duke, Mr L almost abuses the large copies, and greatly prefers the small size. the reason perhaps may be found all along the bottom of the said small copies in C. L.'s, &c., and he stands alone compleatly in censuring the portrait, those who know me best and see me talk, are struck with the 'character' as they call it, it is the first and the only one that gives the idea of a little fellow. I like it much, but left Mr L to judge without telling my own notion. [4]  I find that I was excused £10 instead of 5 in stamping the Agreements; and I presented a copy to Commissioner Binly [5]  last week. Lord Saltown (whoever he is) took one large copy on Sunday at Lord B—'s.

Yesterday Nat and family were here helping to eat a Turkey and Chine from Dr Grants. This day Mr Naylor has desired my wife to accept of a new Gown: perhaps somebody else will send me in a stock of coals another wine; another a new coat or so on, so that amongst them we shall get through the winter bonnyly.—

Love to Wife and Children—

We had my Mother's Letters, and I will write to her very soon.

Robert

I send for yourself a large Quarto in which I had written Dr Drake's name before I found that Giles has there a dirty face; you wil not like him the worse perhaps.

Quarto 4
Octavo 12
Small 8