that is by the virgin Mary's kindred, is there not a twigmanufacturer in Walthamstow? Mr. and Mrs. Dilke are coming to dine with us to-day. They will enjoy the country after Westminster. O there is nothing like fine weather, and health, and Books, and a fine country, and a contented Mind, and diligent habit of reading and thinking, and an amulet against the ennui-and, please heaven, a little claret wine cool out of a cellar a mile deep-with a few or a good many ratafia cakes—a rocky basin to bathe in, a strawberry bed to say your prayers to Flora in, a pad nag to go you ten miles or so; two or three sensible people to chat with; two or three spiteful folks to spar with; two or three odd fishes to laugh at and two or three numskulls to argue with-instead of using dumb bells on a rainy day— Two or three Posies With two or three simples Two or three Noses With two or three pimples Two or three wise men And two or three ninny's Two or three purses And two or three guineas Two or three raps At two or three doors Two or three naps Of two or three hours Two or three Cats And two or three mice Two or three sprats At a very great price Two or three sandies And two or three tabbies Good-bye I've an appointment—can't stop pon word-good-bye-now don't get up-open the door myself-good-bye-see ye Monday. J. K. C. TO FANNY KEATS. [Hampstead, May 13, 1819.] My dear Fanny-I have a Letter from George at last-and it contains, considering all things, good newsI have been with it to-day to Mrs. Wylie's, with whom I have left it. I shall have it again as soon as possible and then I will walk over and read it to you. They are quite well and settled tolerably in comfort after a great deal of fatigue and harass. They had the good chance to meet at Louisville with a Schoolfellow of ours. You may expect me within three days. several notes concerning this to Good-night! God bless you. I am writing to-night many of my friends. JOHN KEATS. CI. TO FANNY KEATS. [Hampstead, May 26, 1819.] My dear Fanny-I have been looking for a fine day to pass at Walthamstow: there has not been one Morning (except Sunday and then I was obliged to stay at home) that I could depend upon. I have I am sorry to So I say had an accident with the Letter-I sent it to Haslam and he returned it torn into a thousand pieces. shall be obliged to tell you all I can remember from Memory. You would have heard from me before this but that I was in continual expectation of a fine Morning-I want also to speak to you concerning myself. Mind I do not purpose to quit England, as George has done; but I am afraid I shall be forced to take a voyage or two. However we will not think of that for some Months. will see me. Should it be a fine morning to-morrow you Your affectionate Brother CII. TO FANNY KEATS. JOHN Wentworth Place [June 9, 1819]. My dear Fanny-I shall be with you next Monday at the farthest. I could not keep my promise of seeing you again in a week because I am in so unsettled a state of mind about what I am to do—I have given up the Idea of the Indiaman; I cannot resolve to give up my favorite studies: so I purpose to retire into the Country and set my Mind at work once more. A Friend of Mine who has an ill state of health called on me yesterday and proposed to spend a little time with him at the back of the Isle of Wight where he said we might live very cheaply. I agreed to his proposal. I have taken a great dislike to Town-I never go there- -some one is always calling on me and as we have spare beds they often stop a couple of days. I have written lately to some acquaintances in Devonshire concerning a cheap Lodging and they have been very kind in letting me know all I wanted. They have described a pleasant place which I think I shall eventually retire to. How came you on with my young Master Yorkshire Man? Did not Mrs. A. sport her Carriage and one? They really surprised me with super civility-how did Mrs. A. manage it? How is the old tadpole gardener and little Master next door? it is to be hop'd they will both die some of these days. Not having been to Town I have not heard whether Mr. A. purposes to retire from business. Do let me know if you have heard anything more about it. If he should not I shall be very disappointed. If any one deserves to be put to his shifts it is that Hodgkinson-as for the other he would live a long time upon his fat and be none the worse for a good long lent. How came miledi to give one Lisbon wine-had she drained the Gooseberry? Truly I cannot delay making another visit-asked to take Lunch, whether I will have ale, wine, take sugar,— objection to green-like cream-thin bread and butter —another cup-agreeable-enough sugar-little more cream-too weak-12 shillin etc. etc. etc.-Lord I must come again. We are just going to Dinner I must must 1 with this to the Post Your affectionate Brother JOHN CIII. TO JAMES ELMES. Wentworth Place, Hampstead [June 12, 1819]. Sir-I did not see your Note till this Saturday evening, or I should have answered it sooner-However as it happens I have but just received the Book which contains the only copy of the verses in question.2 I have asked for it repeatedly ever since I promised Mr. Haydon and could not help the delay; which I regret. The verses can be struck out in no time, and will I hope be quite in time. If you think it at all necessary a proof may be forwarded; but as I shall transcribe it fairly perhaps there may be no need. I am, Sir, your obedt Seryt CIV. TO FANNY KEATS. JOHN KEATS. Wentworth Place, [June 14, 1819]. My dear Fanny-I cannot be with you to-day for two reasons-11 I have my sore-throat coming again to prevent my walking. 21y I do not happen just at present to be flush of silver so that I might ride. To-morrow I am engaged-but the day after you shall see me. Mr. Brown is waiting for me as we are going to Town together, so good-bye. Your affectionate Brother 1 Sic: obviously for "run" or JOHN. 2 In all probability the Ode to a Nightingale, published in the July number of the Annals of the Fine Arts, of which James Elmes was editor. CV. TO FANNY KEATS. Wentworth Place [June 16, 1819]. Mr. My dear Fanny-Still I cannot afford to spend money by Coachhire and still my throat is not well enough to warrant my walking. I went yesterday to ask Mr. Abbey for some money; but I could not on account of a Letter he showed me from my Aunt's solicitor. You do not understand the business. I trust it will not in the end be detrimental to you. I am going to try the Press once more, and to that end shall retire to live cheaply in the country and compose myself and verses as well as I can. I have very good friends ready to help me and I am the more bound to be careful of the money they lend me. It will all be well in the course of a year I hope. I am confident of it, so do not let it trouble you at all. Abbey showed me a Letter he had received from George containing the news of the birth of a Niece for us-and all doing well-he said he would take it to you—so I suppose to-day you will see it. I was preparing to enquire for a situation with an apothecary, but Mr. Brown persuades me to try the press once more; so I will with all my industry and ability. Mr. Rice a friend of mine in ill health has proposed retiring to the back of the Isle of Wight-which I hope will be cheap in the summer-I am sure it will in the winter. Thence you shall frequently hear from me and in the Letters I will copy those lines I may write which will be most pleasing to you in the confidence you will show them to no one. I have not run quite aground yet I hope, having written this morning to several people to whom I have lent money requesting repayment. I shall henceforth shake off my indolent fits, and among other reformation be more diligent in writing to you, and mind you always answer me. I shall be obliged to go out of town on Saturday and shall have no money till to-morrow, so I am very sorry to think I shall not be able to come to Wal T |