have heard of the statutes at large being chang'd into the Statutes at Small and printed for a watch paper.
Your sisters by this time must have got the Devonshire ees--short ees--you know 'em--they are the prettiest ees in the Language. O how I admire the middle-siz'd delicate Devonshire girls of about 15. There was one at an Inn door holding a quartem of brandy--the very thought of her kept me warm a whole stage--and a 16 miler too-- "You'll pardon me for being jocular."
Ever your affectionate friend
John Keats--
Address: To Mr Richd Woodhouse ∣ 8. Duke Street ∣ Bath.
Postmark: WINCHESTER 22 SE 1819
Tuesday--
Dear Woodhouse,
If you see what I have said to Reynolds before you come to your own dose you will put it between the bars unread; provided they have begun fires in Bath--I should like a bit of fire to night--one likes a bit of fire--How glorious the Blacksmiths' shops look now. I stood to night before one till I was verry near listing for one. Yes I should like a bit of fire--at a distance about 4 feet 'not quite hob nob'1--as Wordsworth says. The fact was I left Town on Wednesday--determined to be in a hurry. You don't eat travelling--you're wrong--beef--beef--I like the look of a sign. The Coachman's face says eat eat, eat. I never feel more contemptible than when I am sitting by a goodlooking coachman. One is nothing--Perhaps I eat to persuade myself I am somebody. You must be when slice after slice--but it wont do--the Coachman nibbles a bit of bread--he's favour'd--he's had a Call--a Hercules Methodist--Does he live by bread alone? O that I were a Stage Manager--perhaps that's as old as 'doubling the Cape.' "How are ye old 'un? hey! why dont'e speak?' O that I had so sweet a Breast to sing as the Coachman hath! I'd give a penny for his Whistle--and bow to the Girls on the road--Bow--nonsense--'tis a nameless graceful slang action. Its effect on the women suited to it must be delightful. It touches 'em in the ribs--en passant--
____________________-386-
Questia, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning. www.questia.com
Publication information:
Book title: The Letters of John Keats.
Edition: 2nd Rev..
Contributors: Maurice Buxton Forman - Editor, John Keats - Author.
Publisher: Oxford University Press.
Place of publication: New York.
Publication year: 1935.
Page number: 386.
This material is protected by copyright and, with the exception of fair use, may not be further copied, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means.
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