to judge. I should like very much to know those ladies -though look here, Woodhouse-I have a new leaf to turn over: I must work; I must read; I must write. I am unable to afford time for new acquaintances. I am scarcely able to do my duty to those I have. Leave the matter to chance. But do not forget to give my remembrances to your cousin. Yours most sincerely JOHN KEATS. LXXXII. .-TO MRS. REYNOLDS. Wentworth Place, Tuesd. [December 22, 1818]. My dear Mrs. Reynolds-When I left you yesterday, 'twas with the conviction that you thought I had received no previous invitation for Christmas day: the truth is I had, and had accepted it under the conviction that I should be in Hampshire at the time: else believe me I should not have done so, but kept in Mind my old friends. I will not speak of the proportion of pleasure I may receive at different Houses-that never enters my head-you may take for a truth that I would have given up even what I did see to be a greater pleasure, for the sake of old acquaintanceship-time is nothing-two years are as long as twenty. Yours faithfully JOHN KEATS. LXXXIII.-TO BENJAMIN ROBERT HAYDON. Wentworth Place, Tuesday [December 22, 1818]. My dear Haydon-Upon my Soul I never felt your going out of the room at all-and believe me I never rhodomontade anywhere but in your Company--my general Life in Society is silence. I feel in myself all the vices of a Poet, irritability, love of effect and admiration and influenced by such devils I may at times say more ridiculous things than I am aware of-but I will put a stop to that in a manner I have long resolved upon-I will buy a gold ring and put it on my finger and from that time a Man of superior head shall never have occasion to pity me, or one of inferior Nunskull to chuckle at me. I am certainly more for greatness in a shade than in the open day—I am speaking as a mortal -I should say I value more the privilege of seeing great things in loneliness than the fame of a Prophet. Yet here I am sinning—so I will turn to a thing I have thought on more-I mean your means till your picture be finished not only now but for this year and half have I thought of it. Believe me Haydon I have that sort of fire in my heart that would sacrifice everything I have to your service-I speak without any reserve-I know you would do so for me I open my heart to you in a few words. I will do this sooner than you shall be distressed: but let me be the last stay-Ask the rich lovers of Art first I'll tell you why-I have a little money which may enable me to study, and to travel for three or four years. I never expect to get anything by my Books and moreover I wish to avoid publishing—I admire Human Nature but I do not like Men. I should like to compose things honourable to Man-but not fingerable over by Men. So I am anxious to exist without troubling the printer's devil or drawing upon Men's or Women's admiration-in which great solitude I hope God will give me strength to rejoice. Try the long purses-but do not sell your drawings or I shall consider it a breach of friendship. I am sorry I was not at home when Salmon called. Do write and let me know all your present whys and wherefores. Yours most faithfully JOHN KEATS. LXXXIV.-TO JOHN TAYLOR. Wentworth Place, [December 24, 1818]. My dear Taylor-Can you lend me £30 for a short time? Ten I want for myself-and twenty for a friend -which will be repaid me by the middle of next month. I shall go to Chichester on Wednesday and perhaps stay a fortnight-I am afraid I shall not be able to dine with you before I return. Remember me to Woodhouse. Yours sincerely JOHN KEATS. LXXXV.-TO BENJAMIN ROBERT HAYDON. Wentworth Place, [December 27, 1818]. My dear Haydon-I had an engagement to-day—and it is so fine a morning that I cannot put it off—I will be with you to-morrow-when we will thank the Gods, though you have bad eyes and I am idle. I regret more than anything the not being able to dine with you to-day. I have had several movements that way-but then I should disappoint one who has I will be with you to-morrow morning and stop all day--we will hate the profane vulgar and make us Wings. been my true friend. God bless you. J. KEATS. LXXXVI. TO FANNY KEATS. 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 LXXXVII.-TO BENJAMIN ROBERT HAYDON. Wentworth Place, Monday Aft. [January 4, 1819]. I 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 to-morrow, and trust I shall be able to lend you assistance noon or night. was struck with the improvement in the architectural part of your Picture-and, now I think on it, I cannot help wondering you should have had it so poor, especially after the Solomon. Excuse this dry bones of a note: for though my pen may grow cold, I should be sorry my Life should freeze Your affectionate friend JOHN KEATS. LXXXVIII.-TO BENJAMIN ROBERT HAYDON. Wentworth Place, [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 JOHN KEATS. LXXXIX.-TO BENJAMIN ROBERT HAYDON. 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 plainspoken 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 'tis 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 XC.-TO FANNY KEATS. JOHN 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 |