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Wentworth Place, Wednesday [December 30, 1818]. MY DEAR FANNY-I am confined at Hampstead with a sore throat; but I do not expect it will keep me above two or three days. I intended to have been in Town yesterday but feel obliged to be careful a little while. I am in general so careless of these trifles, that they tease me for Months, when a few days' care is all that is necessary. I shall not neglect any chance of an endeavour to let you return to School-nor to procure you a Visit to Mrs. Dilke's which I have great fears about. Write me if you can find time and also get a few lines ready for George as the Post sails next Wednesday.

Your affectionate Brother JOHN

88. TO BENJAMIN ROBERT HAYDON

Wentworth Place, Monday Aft. [January 4, 1819]. MY DEAR HAYDON-I have been out this morning, and did not therefore see your note till this minute, or I would have gone to town directly - it is now too late for to-day. I will be in town early tomorrow, and trust I shall be able to lend you assistance noon or night. I was struck with the improvement in the architectural part of your Picture—and, now I think on

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[between January 7 and 14, 1819]. MY DEAR HAYDON- We are very unlucky I should have stopped to dine with you, but I knew I should not have been able to leave you in time for my plaguy sore throat; which is getting well.

I shall have a little trouble in procuring the Money and a great ordeal to go through -no trouble indeed to any one else or ordeal either. I mean I shall have to go to town some thrice, and stand in the Bank an hour or two-to me worse than anything in Dante — I should have less chance with the people around me than Orpheus had with the Stones. I have been writing a little now and then lately: but nothing to speak of being discontented and as it were moulting. Yet I do not think I shall ever come to the rope or the Pistol, for after a day or two's melancholy, although I smoke more and more my own insufficiency I see by little and little more of what is to be done, and how it is to be done, should I ever be able to do it. On my soul, there should be some reward for that continual agonie ennuyeuse. I was thinking of going into Hampshire for a few days. I have been delaying it longer than I intended. You shall see me soon; and do not be at all anxious, for this time I really will do, what I never did before in my life, business in good time, and properly. With respect to the Bond it may be a satisfaction to you to let me have it: but as you love me do not let there be any mention of interest, although we are mortal men and bind ourselves for fear of death.

Yours for ever

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JOHN KEATS.

90. TO THE SAME

Wentworth Place, [January 1819]. MY DEAR HAYDON - My throat has not suffered me yet to expose myself to the night air however I have been to town in the day time-have had several interviews with my guardian have written him rather a plain-spoken Letter - which has had its effect; and he now seems inclined to put no stumbling-block in my way: so that I see a good prospect of performing my promise. What I should have lent you ere this if I could have got it, was belonging to poor Tom - and the difficulty is whether I am to inherit it before my Sister is of age; a period of six years. Should it be so I must incontinently take to Corduroy Trousers. But I am nearly confident 't is all a Bam. I shall see you soon - but do let me have a line to-day or to-morrow concerning your health and spirits. Your sincere friend

JOHN KEATS.

91. TO FANNY KEATS

Wentworth Place, [January 1819]. MY DEAR FANNY I send this to Walthamstow for fear you should not be at Pancras Lane when I call to-morrow-before going into Hampshire for a few days -I will not be more I assure you - You may think how disappointed I am in not being able to see you more and spend more time with you than I do I but how car it be helped? The thought is a continual vexation to me- and often hinders me from reading and composing Write to me as often as you can - and believe me, Your affectionate Brother JOHN

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92. TO CHARLES WENTWORTH DILKE AND MRS. DILKE, FROM CHARLES ARMITAGE BROWN AND KEATS *

Bedhampton, 24 January 1819. DEAR DILKE, -- This letter is for your Wife, and if you are a Gentleman, you will

Keats's portion of this letter is printed in Italic, but this does not apply to the italicized

deliver it to her, without reading one word further. 'read thou Squire. There is a wager depending on this.

MY CHARMING DEAR MRS. DILKE,-It was delightful to receive a letter from you,

but such a letter! what presumption in me to attempt to answer it! Where shall I find, in my poor brain, such jibes, such jeers, such flashes of merriment? Alas! you will say, as you read me, Alas! poor Brown! quite chop fallen! But that's not true; my chops have been beautifully plumped out since I came here: my dinners have been good & nourishing & my inside never washed by a red herring broth. Then my mind has been so happy!. I have been smiled on by the fair ones,, the Lacy's, the Prices, & the Mullings's,. but not by the Richards's; Old Dicky has. not called here during my visit, I have not seen him; the whole of the family are shuffling to carriage folks for acquaintances,. cutting their old friends, and dealing out pride & folly, while we allow they have got the odd trick, but dispute their honours.. I was determined to be beforehand with. them, & behaved cavalierly & neglectingly to the family, & passed the girls in Havant with a slight bow. — Keats is much better,. owing to a strict forbearance from a third' glass of wine. He & I walked from Chicester yesterday, we were here at 3, but the Dinner was finished; a brace of Muir fowl had been dressed; I ate a piece. of the breast cold, & it was not tainted; I dared not venture further. Mr. Snook was nearly turned sick by being merely asked to take a mouthful. The other brace was. so high, that the cook declined preparing them for the spit, & they were thrown away. I see your husband declared them to be in excellent order; I supposed he enjoyed them in a disgusting manner, — sucking the rotten flesh off the bones, & crunching the putrid bones. Did you eat any? I hope not, for an ooman should be delicate words in the second paragraph designed by Brown to make his joke perfectly clear.

in her food.- O you Jezabel! to sit quietly in your room, while the thieves were ransacking my house! No doubt poor Ann's throat was cut; has the Coroner sat on her yet? Mrs. Snook says she knows how to hold a pen very well, & wants no lessons from me; only think of the vanity of the ooman! She tells me to make honourable mention of your letter which she received at Breakfast time, but how can I do so? I have not read it ; & I'll lay my life it is not a tenth part so good as mine, pshaw on your letter to her!—On Tuesday night I think you'll see me. In the mean time I'll not say a word about spasms in the way of my profession, tho' as your friend I must profess myself very sorry. Keats & I are going to call on Mr. Butler & Mr. Burton this morning, and tomorrow

we shall go to Sanstead to see Mr. Way's

Chapel consecrated by the two Big-wigs of Gloucester & St. Davids. If that vile

Carver & Gilder does not do me justice, I'll annoy him all his life with legal expenses at every quarter, if my rent is not sent to the day, & that will not be revenge enough for the trouble & confusion he has put me to.- Mrs. Dilke is remarkably well for Mrs. Dilke in winter.

that

- Have you heard anything of John Blagden; he is off! want of business has made him play the fool, I am sorry Brown and you are getting so very witty my modest feathered Pen frizzles like baby roast beef at making its entrance among such tantrum sentences or rather ten senses. Brown super or supper sir named the Sleek has been getting thinner a little by pining opposite Miss Muggins — (Brown says Mullins but I beg to differ from him) we sit it out till ten o'clock Miss M. has persuaded Brown to shave his whiskers he came down to Breakfast like the sign of the full Moon his Profile is quite alter'd. He looks more like an ooman than I ever could think it possible

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and on putting on Mrs. D.'s calash the deception was complete especially as his voice is

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certain rod, & have a fresh one bolstered up. Ah! he may dress me as he likes but he shan't tickle me pillow the feathers, — 1 would not give a tester for such puns, let us ope brown (erratum -a large B-a Bumble B.) will go no further in the Bedroom & not call Mat Snook a relation to Mattrass - This is grown to a conclusion- I had excellent puns in my head but one bad one from Brown has quite upset me but I am quite set-up for more, but I'm content to be conqueror.

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I have been obliged to do so, and am now in hopes that by this care I shall get rid of a sore throat which has haunted me at intervals nearly a twelvemonth. I had always a presentiment of not being able to succeed in persuading Mr. Abbey to let you remain longer at School - I am very sorry that he will not consent. I recommend you to keep up all that you know and to learn more by yourself however little. The time will come when you will be more pleased with Life-look forward to that time and, though it may appear a trifle be careful not to let the idle and retired Life you lead fix any awkward habit or behaviour on you whether you sit or walk endeavour to let it be in a seemly and if possible a graceful manner. We have been very little together: but you have not the less been with me in thought. You have no one in the world besides me who would sacrifice anything for you I feel myself the only Protector you have. In all your little troubles think of me with the thought that there is at least one person in England who if he could would help you out of them I live in hopes of being able to make you happy.—I should not perhaps write in this manner, if it were not for the fear of not being able to see you often or long together. I am in hopes Mr. Abbey will not object any more to your receiving a letter now and then from me. How unreasonable! I want a few more lines from you for George-there are some young Men, acquaintances of a Schoolfellow of mine, going out to Birkbeck's at the latter end of this Month - I am in expectation every day of hearing from George begin to fear his last letters miscarried. I shall be in town to-morrow - if you should not be in town, I shall send this little parcel by the Walthamstow Coach - I think you will like Goldsmith - Write me soon

I

Your affectionate Brother JOHN Mrs. Dilke has not been very well-she is gone a walk to town to-day for exereise.

94. TO GEorge and GEORGIANA KEATS

Sunday Morn February 14, [1818].

MY DEAR BROTHER AND SISTER- How is it that 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 called St. Agnes's 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 then a chat and a tiff. Brown and Dilke are walking round their garden, hands in pockets, making observations. The literary world I know nothing about. There is a poem from Rogers dead born; and another satire is expected from Byron, called "Don Giovanni." Yesterday I went to town for the first time for these three weeks. I met people from all parts and of all sets - Mr. Towers, one of the Holts, Mr. Dominie Williams, Mr. Woodhouse, Mrs. Hazlitt and son, Mrs. Webb, and Mrs. Septimus

Brown. Mr. Woodhouse was looking up at a book window in Newgate Street, and, being short-sighted, twisted his muscles into so queer a stage that I stood by in doubt whether it was him or his brother, if he has one, and turning round, saw Mrs. Hazlitt, with that little Nero, her son. Woodhouse, on his features subsiding, proved to be Woodhouse, and not his brother. I have had a little business with Mr. Abbey from time to time; he has behaved to me with a little Brusquerie: this hurt me a little, especially when I knew him to be the only man in England who dared to say a thing to me I did not approve of without its being resented, or at least noticed - so I wrote him about it, and have made an alteration in my favour I expect from this to see more of Fanny, who has been quite shut out from me. I see Cobbett has been attacking the Settlement, but I cannot tell what to believe, and shall be all out at elbows till I hear from you. I am invited to Miss Miller's birthday dance on the 19th - I am nearly sure I shall not be able to go. A dance would injure my throat very much. I see very little of Reynolds. Hunt, I hear, is going on very badly I mean in money matters. I shall not be surprised to hear of the worst. Haydon too, in consequence of his eyes, is out at elbows. I live as prudently as it is possible for me to do. I have not seen Haslam lately. I have not seen Richards for this half year, Rice for three months, or Charles Cowden Clarke for God knows when.

When I last called in Henrietta Street 47 Miss Millar was very unwell, and Miss Waldegrave as staid and self-possessed as usual.

Henry was well. There are two new tragedies—one by the apostate Maw, and one by Miss Jane Porter. Next week I am going to stop at Taylor's for a few days, when I will see them both and tell you what they are. Mr. and Mrs. Bentley are well, and all the young carrots. I said nothing of consequence passed at Snooks's

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-no more than this- that I like the family very much. Mr. and Mrs. Snooks were very kind. We used to have a little religion and politics together almost every evening, and sometimes about you. He proposed writing out for me his experience in farming, for me to send to you. If I should have an opportunity of talking to him about it, I will get all I can at all events; but you may say in your answer to this what value you place upon such information. I have not seen Mr. Lewis lately, for I have shrunk from going up the hill. Mr. Lewis went a few mornings ago to town with Mrs. Brawne. They talked about me, and I heard that Mr. L. said a thing I am not at all contented with. Says he, O, he is quite the little poet.' Now this is abominable- You might as well say Buonaparte is quite the little soldier. You see what it is to be under six foot and not a lord. There is a long fuzz to-day in the Examiner about a young mai. who delighted a young woman with a valentine-I think it must be Ollier'sBrown and I are thinking of passing the summer at Brussels - If we do, we shall go about the first of May. We-i. e. Brown and I-sit opposite one another all day authorizing (N. B., an 's' instead of a 'z' would give a different meaning). He is at present writing a story of an old woman who lived in a forest, and to whom the Devil or one of his aides-de-feu came one night very late and in disguise. The old dame sets before him pudding after pudding -mess after mess which he devours, and moreover casts his eyes up at a side of Bacon hanging over his head, and at the same time asks if her Cat is a Rabbit. On going he leaves her three pips of Eve's Apple, and somehow she, having lived a virgin all her life, begins to repent of it, and wished herself beautiful enough to make all the world and even the other world fall in love with her. So it happens, she sets out from her smoky cottage in magnificent apparel. The first City

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