83. Robert Bloomfield to George
Bloomfield, 3 May 1802*
May 3, City Road 1802
Dear George
For some months past I have threaten'd to write largely to you on
several subjects which interest my feelings and engage my thoughts, but I have
hitherto been unable to do it. I have now been writing to Troston and have but little time to talk to you, as usual. By reading the Troston
letters you will gain much information. I am dog-sick of this uproar of
wonderment and peeping curiosity. My Rhumatism plagues me sadly.
I send you two Reviews of my Tales, and in one you will find Holloway's poem spoken of. [1] Send them back at 9, Nat has not seen them. when you reflect on the Antijacobin's treatment of Mr L recolect that they are avowd partizans on the side of existing Systems, and existing abuses, and that I may think myself well off to have escaped their lash. [2] The 'British' talk plain cool truth to Mr L I wish he would hear it and giveit its weight. [3] —The Monthly and Critical are yet to come; perhaps next month. Southey wrote the article respecting the Farmer's Boy, which appeard in the Critical; and most likely will have the same task as to the Tales. [4] —I am not afraid of any of them now; the worst is past.
Forward the enclosed to Dr. P. it is to request the return of a scrap about Pope's willow— [5]
I am sorry to make your time so short as you will find it between
the 4th at night and the eighth at night, but Sunday intervened and many engagements; I could not send sooner. the same reasons prevent my writing to my Mother.
Remember me to all friends—
Love to your Wife and Children—I am a sad dog of an Uncle, I have
never sent Kitty her Book yet, and she is now at the right age to read it but I here renew the promise to send 'Nature and Art' as soon as I can think to buy it—
Dont let the Winter drops fall upon our old friend at Honington; how much would the Roof cost.?
Yours,
Robert
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P.S Be carefull of the Ribbon in the
Troston parcell, I had a charge with it —
Notes
* BL Add. MS 28268, ff. 92–93; extract published in Hart, p. 25 BACK
[1] William Holloway, author of The Peasant's Fate: a Rural Poem. With Miscellaneous Poems (London, 1802) is compared unfavourably as a rural poet to the Bloomfield of Rural Tales, in The British Critic, 19
(May 1802), 533. For the text of this see here. BACK
[2] See Anti-Jacobin Review, 11 (1802), 394–97. See the text here. BACK
[3] British
Critic, 19 (April 1802), 338–43. See the text here. BACK
[4] Southey reviewed Rural Tales in Critical Review, 35 (May 1802), 67–75. See the text here. BACK
[5] Bloomfield refers to a poem written in tribute to Alexander Pope, for the text of which, see Letter 68. BACK