Wednesday,3 o'clock I was just folding the papers to take them to Stone, when the
Master Fauxes came in, with great good nature in their countenances, and
delivered their father's very kind
invitation. [1] I feel truly grateful for the
kindness: but when I can, without offence, avoid being seen, I have, through
life, consulted my sheepish feelings. I have been accused of 'making myself
scarce,' and been always considered an 'unsocial' fellow: it is a task to me to
go into a situation where I am likely to attract attention, and the observation
of men. In childhood I read of an invisible coat—I have sometimes worn a
coat scarcely visible; but I want a coat that would render me invisible. I hope to be excused without giving offence, as I should be
very ill at ease. Mr. Faux would have been presented
with the enclosed papers a fortnight back, but I waited a favourable
opportunity. This week I had but little work to do.—Lo, lo! here they are. Notes* Published in William Hone,
The Table Book, of Daily Recreation and Information: Concerning
Remarkable Men, Manners, Times, Seasons, Solemnities, Merry-Makings,
Antiquities and Novelties, Forming a Complete History of the
Year (London, 1827–28), pp. 816–17 BACK [1] In its published context
in Hone's Table Book, pp. 816–17, George's letter is preceded
by an appeal to the public to relieve George from poverty (he had been
forced to apply to the overseers of the poor rates for his parish for
relief). Hone also published a letter from Faux, a 'respectable resident at
Thetford' (formerly Mayor of Thetford, and a bank manager and alderman by
1845) to an unnamed correspondent explaining the efforts Faux had made to
bring George to the notice of local gentlemen by inviting him to attend the
opening of the spa at Thetford (about which George had anonymously published
the poem Thetford Chalybeate Spa): 'Two letters, written to a friend by a gentleman of Thetford, Mr.
Faux, and some manuscripts accompanying them in George Bloomfield's
hand-writing, are now before me. They contain a few particulars respecting
George Bloomfield and his present situation, which are here made known, with
the hope of interesting the public in the behalf of a greatly distressed and
very worthy man. The following extract from one of Mr. Faux's letters
introduces George Bloomfield's circumstances, and conveys an idea of his
character: it will be seen that he, too, is a versifier.
Thetford, Oct. 15, 1827 I
have found the letter you allude to, regarding his application to the overseers of St. Peter's. I was rather
inclined to send you a bundle of his letters and poetry, but I hardly
think it fair without first consulting poor old George, and obtaining
his permission. The letter enclosed, in answer to my invitation to him
to be present on the day the duke of Grafton laid the first stone of the
Pump-room, will show you what a shy bird he
is. His presence on that occasion would
have been highly beneficial to him; but his extreme modesty has been a
drawback upon him through life, leaving him generally with a coat
'scarcely visible.' I believe he has been always poor, and yet a more
temperate man never lived. BACK |
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