granted that I never have any speculations without associating you in them, where they are of a pleasant nature: and you know enough of me to tell the places where I haunt most, so that if you think for five minutes after having read this, you will find it a long letter, and see written in the air before you, In sooth, I hope you are not too sanguine about that seal-in sooth I hope it is not Brumidgeumin double sooth I hope it is his-and in triple sooth I hope I shall have an impression. Such a piece of intelligence came doubly welcome to me while in your own County and in your own hand—not but I have blown up the said County for its urinal qualifications—the six first days I was here it did nothing but rain; and at that time having to write to a friend I gave Devonshire a good blowing up-it has been fine for almost three days, (XXXVII) On the 4th of March 1818 Haydon appears to have written the following letter, still preserved in his journal :— My dear Keats, I shall certainly go mad!-In a field at Stratford-uponAvon, in a field that belonged to Shakespeare, they have found a gold ring and seal, with the initial thus-a true Lover's knot be and I was coming round a bit; but to day it rains again -with me the County is yet upon its good behaviour. I have enjoyed the most delightful Walks these three fine days beautiful enough to make me content here all the summer could I stay.1 I know not of this rhyming fit has done anything— it will be safe with you if worthy to put among my Lyrics. How does the work go on? I should like to bring out my Dentatus at the time your Epic makes its appearance. I expect to have my Mind soon clear for something new. Tom has been much worse: but is now getting better-his remembrances to you. I think of seeing the Dart and Plymouth-but I don't know. It has as yet been a Mystery to me how and where Wordsworth went. I can't help thinking he has returned to his Shell -with his beautiful Wife and his enchanting Sister. It is a great Pity that People should by associating themselves with the finest things, spoil them. Hunt has damned Hampstead a[nd] masks and sonnets and Italian tales. Wordsworth has damned the lakes-Milman has tween W. S.; if this is not Shakespeare who is it?-a true-Lover's knot!!-I saw an impression to-day, and am to have one as soon as possible. As sure as you breathe, and that he was the first of beings, the seal belonged to him.— Oh Lord! B. R. Haydon. At pages 260-2 of Volume II, I have shown that Keats's reply to this letter, above, was written on the 14th of March; and I presume from the Postmark, a London one, that it was either detained by Keats or delayed in the post. 1 At this point Keats goes off without further ceremony into the verses headed Teignmouth, Volume II, pages 260-3, which done, he remarks" Here's some dogrel for you-Perhaps you would like a bit of Bhṛell”—and proceeds to give The Devon Maid, Volume II, pages 264-5. damned the old drama-West has damned-wholesale. Peacock has damned satire-Ollier has damn'd MusicHazlitt has damned the bigoted and the blue-stockin[g]ed; how durst the Man?! he is your only good damner, and if ever I am damn'd-damn me if I Haydon's reply to Keats has been mainly given by Mr. F. W. Haydon in the Correspondence &c., Volume II; but I now give it entire from the actual copy sent through the post, and subsequently recovered and wafered into the journal: it is dated the 25th of March 1818 My dear Keats, Your bi-ell as you call it is beautiful and I take it as a great friendly kindness to remember me in that way-as often as you feel inclined to give vent remember I am always ready with pleasure to receive the result.-Surely you will not leave Devonshire without going to Plymouth, the country round which is most exquisite. I will give you letters, and promise you a kind and a welcome reception. Do go, my dear Keats; and if you consent, let me know, and I will write my Friends immediately; and go round by the Totness road, which is very fine, and come home by Ashburton and then by Bridgewater, where I have a sister, who will be most happy to see you.-I am getting on well, and have got my Christ better than I have ever had it yet-and in a good state to complete it. I am most happy to hear your Poem is advancing to publication, God grant it the most complete success, and may its reputation equal your genius. Devonshire has somehow or other the character of being rainy, but I must own to you I do not think it more so than any other County, and pray remember the time of year; it has rained in Town almost incessantly ever since you went away, the fact is, you dog, you carried the rain with you as Ulysses did the Winds, and then opening your rain bags you look round with a knowing wink and say "curse this Devonshire, how it rains!" Stay till the Summer, and then look into its deep blue summer Sky, and lush grass, and tawny banks, and silver bubbling rivers—you must not leave Devonshire without seeing some of its wild Scenery, rocky, mossy, craggy, with roaring rivers and as clear as crystal— it will do your mind good. Shakespeare in speaking of somebody who is gradually dying makes some one say-"how is he?"-"Still ill-Nature and sickness debate it at their leisure”—is this not exquisite? When I die I'll shouldn't like him to damn me. It will not be long ere I see you, but I thought I would just give you a line out of Devon. Yours affectionately John Keats Rem[em]ber me to all we know. have my Shakespeare placed on my heart, with Homer in my right hand and Ariosto in the other, Dante under my head, Tasso at my feet, and Corneille under my I hate that Corneille, a heartless, tirade maker-I leave my other side, that is my right one, for you, if you realize all of which your Genius is capable, as I am sure you will. Write me if you go to Devonshire. Mrs. Scott con occhi neri " is as interesting as ever and desires to be remembered. I have heard nothing of Wordsworth ever since he went, which I take to be unkind.-Hazlitt is going to lecture at Crown and Anchor.—I am sorry for it, tho' he will get money, it is letting his talents down a little. What affectation in Hunt's title-"Foliage"!-I met that horrid creature Miss Kent, looking like a fury and an old maid, mixed. Yours ever dear Keats, For Devonshire in the final paragraph we should of course read Plymouth. XXXVIII. To MESSRS. TAYLOR AND HESSEY. My dear Sirs, Teignmouth, Saturday Morn. [Postmark, 23 March 1818.] I had no idea of your getting on so fast-I thought of bringing my 4th Book to Town all in good time for you-especially after the late unfortunate chance. I did not however for my own sake delay finishing the copy which was done a few days after my arrival here. I send it off to day, and will tell you in a Postscript at what time to send for it from the Bull and Mouth or It A letter from George Keats, addressed to "Jno. Keats, Post Office, Teignmouth", and dated "Pancras Lane-March 18--1818," appears to have given rise to letters XXXVIII and XXXIX. supplies some links in the story of that period; so I give it here : My dear John Poor Tom-who could have imagined such a change? I have indeed been sanguine; whenever he has occur[r]ed to my thoughts he has appeared nearly in good health, every answer I have given to enquiring Friends has been "much better" and "improving every day." I can hardly believe this melancholy news, having so long accustomed myself to think altogether otherwise-I hope and trust that your kind superintendence will prevent any violent bleeding in future, and consequently that this alarm may prove in the end advantageous; Tom must never again presume on his strength, at all events untill he has completely recover'd. John Reynolds is little better, in many respects worse, he has a very bad rheumatic Fever, and suffers constant pain : it is not said that he is dangerously ill, but I cannot help thinking that so many evils acting upon his most irritable disposition; deadening his hopes of his advance in business, consequently all his hopes, must make this illness somewhat dangerous.-I called yesterday but he was not sufficiently well to be seen. His sisters are well.-Your letter was |