89. Robert Bloomfield to George Bloomfield, 23 June 1802* 

City Road, London. June 23rd 1802

Dear George

I wishd much for information respecting the Old House and am oblidged to you for your letter. If Mothersole's little crum of a Soul hankers after a piece of the Garden, and if he was actually to get it, he could go no further; and his getting it seems to me very improbable. As to Austin's claim, that has no hold of the House, thatchd or unthatchd, untill you and I are unable to pay his demand. This too is not likely to happen.—

I feel, that in the eye of generosity I have not acted right in receiving interest here for my Money, and leaving you to pay interest for what we borrow'd. but I acted with a view to policy, to be able to answer such questions as I had reason to expect would be put to me. Thus I receive £8 per Annm. for 200 in the 4 per cents, which I trust will be there untouch'd, and receive some additions, and perhaps at some future day may be transformd into a Cottage and Close. Is this a dream of prudence, or of avarice?

Be that as it will I feel as I ought in beeing able to shelter our parent stem from the rains of another Winter. I will send with the Budget sufficient for the purpose.—

I have seen Mr Shield, he is a man simple and unaffected in his manners to a striking degree, and ready to assist where he can. I showed him the songs and left them with him; he says they want some trifling amendment in the Bass, which he will do—then asking if the three which I gave him were all Isaac had composed, I produced the scetch of the 'Highland Drover.' this he seems to think adapted for Incledon's voice and when I repeated the words he was more confirmed in the notion. [1]  I left them all, and shall hear from him soon—

Mr Shield was so pleased with my Poll Rayner that he has set it long ago, and has it by him, (perhaps unfinishd,) [2] 

Young Mr Bird brought me a note from you. Give our kind respects to Mr Bird and family, and say that we feel truly the loss of so kind and hospitable a friend as our late Aunt, and remember all favours from Susan and Mr and Mrs Lockwood, to whom as to you, we wish to remain affectionately

Rob & Mary Bloomfield