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
