LXXX.

To FANNY KEATS.

Rd. Abbey's Esqre.,

Walthamstow.

Wentworth Place

My dear Fanny,

I send this to Walthamstow for fear you should not be at Pancras Lane when I call tomorrow-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-but how can 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

The postmark of this undated letter is illegible; but the subject points to the early part of 1819-probably to January.

LXXXI.

To BENJAMIN ROBERT HAYDON.

My dear Haydon,

Wentworth Place

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 any thing in Dante-I should have less chance with the people around me than Orpheus

This letter has no date or postmark, but clearly follows very closely on Haydon's letter of the 7th of January 1819, and precedes the following note dated the 14th of January 1819 which quotes the words "agonie ennuyeuse":

My dear Keats,

14th January, 1819.

Your letter was every thing that is kind, affectionate and friendly. I depend on it; it has relieved my anxious mind.—The "agonie ennuyeuse" you talk of be assured is nothing but the intense searching of a glorious spirit, and the disappointment it feels at its first contact with the muddy world-but it will go off-and bye and bye you will shine through it with "fresh A[r]gent "—don't let it injure your health; for two years I felt that agony.-Write me before that I may be home when you come.

God bless you my dear Keats!

Yours ever

B. R. Haydon.

The words given above as "fresh Argent" are not clearly written in the manuscript in Haydon's journal; but I think a reference was intended to one of the many instances in which Keats uses the word argent.

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 Bondit 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.

Your's for ever

John Keats

LXXXII.

To BENJAMIN ROBERT HAYDON.

Lisson Grove North, Paddington.

Wentworth Place.

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 Letterwhich 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

The manuscript bears neither date nor dated postmark; but the letter must belong I think to January 1819, by reason of the subject. The next trace we have of the correspondence between the poet and the painter is a letter from Haydon, preserved in his journal, dated the 10th of March and postmarked 1819. It has already appeared, in the main, in the Correspondence and Table Talk; but I now give it in full from the manuscript :

My dear Keats,

I have been long, long convinced of the paltry subterfuges of conversation to weaken the effect of unwelcome truth, and have left company where truth is never found; of this be assured, effect and effect only, self-consequence and dictatorial controul, are what those love who shine in conversation, at the expense of truth, principle, and every thing else which interferes with their appetite for dominion-temporary dominion. I am most happy you approve of my last Sunday's defence, I hope you will like next equally well. My dear Keats-now I feel the want of your promised assistanceas soon as it is convenient it would indeed be a great, the greatest of blessings. I shall come and see you as soon as this contest is

inherit it before my Sister is of age; a period of six years. Should it be so I must incontinently take to Corderoy Trowsers. 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

John Keats

LXXXIII.

To CHARLES WENTWORTH DILKE

AND MRS. DILKE,

from Charles Armitage Brown and Keats.

Dear Dilke,

Bedhampton, 24 January 1819.

This letter is for your Wife, and if you are a Gentleman, you will 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

clear of my hands. I cannot before, every moment is so precious. -Take care of your throat, and believe me my dear fellow truly and affectionately your Friend

B. R. Haydon.

At any rate finish your present great intention of a poem-it is as fine a subject as can be-Once more adieu.-Before the 20th if you could help me it would be nectar and manna and all the blessings of gratified thirst.

(LXXXIII) of this joint composition Keats's portion is printed in ordinary black ink-Brown's portion in blue.