CII. To BENJAMIN ROBERT HAYDON. My dear Haydon, Tuesday [13 April 1819]. When I offered you assistance I thought I had it in my hand; I thought I had nothing to do but to do. The difficulties I met with arose from the alertness and suspicion of Abbey: and especially from the affairs being still in a Lawyer's hand-who has been draining our Property for the last six years of every charge he could make. I cannot do two things at once, and thus this affair has stopped my pursuits in every way-from the first prospect I had of difficulty. I assure you I have harassed myself ten times more than if I alone had been concerned in so much gain or loss. I have also ever told you the exact particulars as well as and as literally as any hopes or fear could translate them for it was only by parcels that I found all those petty obstacles which for my own sake should not exist a moment—and yet why not-for from my own imprudence and neglect all my accounts are entirely in my Guardian's Power. This has taught me a Lesson. Hereafter I will be more correct. I find myself possessed of much less than I V thought for and now if I had all on the table all I could do would be to take from it a moderate two years subsistence and lend you the rest; but I cannot say how soon I could become possessed of it. This would be no sacrifice nor any matter worth thinking of-much less than parting as I have more than once done with little sums which might have gradually formed a library to my taste. These sums amount together to nearly 200 [], which I have but a chance of ever being repaid or paid at a very distant period. I am humble enough to put this in writing from the sense I have of your struggling situation and the great desire that you should [do] me the justice to credit me the unostentatious and willing state of my nerves on all such occasions. It has ✓not been my fault. I am doubly hurt at the slightly reproachful tone of your note and at the occasion of it, for it must be some other disappointment; you seem'd so sure of some important help when I last saw you-now you have maimed me again; I was whole, I had began reading again—when your note came I was engaged in a Book. I dread as much as a Plague the idle fever of two months more without any fruit. I will walk over the first fine day: then see what aspect your affairs have taken, and if they should continue gloomy walk into the City to Abbey and get his consent for I am persuaded that to me alone he will not concede a jot. My dear Fanny, CIII. To FANNY KEATS. Wentworth Place, Saturday[17 April 1819?] If it were but six o'Clock in the morning I would set off to see you to-day : if I should do so now I could not stop long enough for a how d'ye do—it is so long a walk through Hornsey and Tottenham—and as for Stage Coaching it besides that it is very expensive it is like going into the Boxes' by way of the pit. I cannot go out on Sunday--but if on Monday it should promise as fair as to-day I will put on a pair of loose easy palatable boots and me rendre chez vous. I continue increasing my letter to George' to send it by one of Birkbeck's sons who is going out soon-so if you will let me have a few more lines, they will be in time. I am glad you got on so well with Mons'. le Curé. Is he a nice clergyman?— a great deal depends upon a cock'd hat and powdernot gunpowder, lord love us, but lady-meal, violetsmooth, dainty-scented, lilly-white, feather-soft, wigsbydressing, coat-collar-spoiling, whisker-reaching, pig-tailloving, swans-down-puffing, parson-sweetening powder. I shall call in passing at the Tottenham nursery and see if I can find some seasonable plants for you. That is the nearest place or by our la'kin or lady kin, that is by the virgin Mary's kindred, is there not a twig-manufacturer 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 folkes to spar with; two or three odd fishes to laugh at and two or three mumskul[1]s 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 1 The reference is to the journal letter following this (No. CIV), which was not finished till the 3rd of May, though begun in February. Two or three wise men And two or three ninny's- 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 Two or three sandies And two or three tabbies Two or three dandies And two Mrs — Two or three Smiles mum !! And two or three frowns Two or three Miles To two or three towns Two or three pegs For two or three bonnets Two or three dove eggs To hatch into sonnets Good bye I've an appointment—can't stop pon word-good bye-now dont get up-open the door myself-good bye-see ye Monday J. K. 1 The name which Keats omitted was of course Mrs. Abbey's. CIV. To GEORGE AND GEORGIANA KEATS. [Wentworth Place] Sunday Morn, Feby. 14th 1819. My Dear Brother and Sister: How is it we have not heard from you from the Settlement yet? The letters must surely have miscarried. I am in expectation every day. Peachey wrote me a few days ago, saying some more acquaintances of his were preparing to set out for Birkbeck; therefore, I shall take the opportunity of sending you what I can muster in a sheet or two. I am still at Wentworth Place—indeed, I have kept indoors lately, resolved if possible to rid myself of my sore throat; consequently, I have not been to see your mother since my return from Chichester; but my absence from her has been a great weight upon me. I say since my return from Chichester -I believe I told you I was going thither. I was nearly a fortnight at Mr. John Snook's and a few days at old Mr. Dilke's. Nothing worth speaking of happened at either place. I took down some thin paper and wrote on it a little poem call'd St. Agnes' Eve, which you shall have as it is when I have finished the blank part of the rest for you. I went out twice at Chichester to dowager Card parties. I see very little now, and very few persons, being almost tired of men and things. Brown and Dilke are very kind and considerate towards me. The Miss R's have been stopping next door lately, but are very dull. Miss Brawne and I have every now and a tiff. Brown and Dilke are and then a chat |