journal shows, had been in the early part of the year followed with unremitting perseverance. His time was now occupied in running between Abbots-Bromley and Kingsbury; but still he was able to devote a few occasional hours to his books. The following letter to his sister during this interval is interesting, on account of its allusion to some unpublished poems of Cowper's. TO HIS SISTER GEORGINA. Abbots-Bromley, September 23, 1800. MY DEAR GEORGINA, I suppose I must break the ice of our correspondence, which, however, I hope will prove rather warmer than one would judge from that expression. At any rate, I trust the ice, if such it is, will be all melted by the next Spring, by the appearance of your fair looks at Kingsbury. If this beginning is a little out of the common way, you must impute it to my having just been reading a manuscript collection of Cowper's poems, which Miss Bagot lent me this morning, and which I feel a great desire to transcribe, if I thought it honourable to do so. There can be nothing wrong in wishing you were here to read them with me, though I could not be so unreasonable as not to waft you back again in my wishes to Hampton Court, where you must be very happy in the society of General and Mrs. Grinfield, after so long an absence. I hope to hear soon from you that he is much better, and that they both enjoy England much more than Gibraltar. Your letter to Caroline arrived after her return to Lichfield, and was sent to her there. I hardly know where they are likely to spend the winter. My father has applied for Mr. Dickenson's house, at Dosthill, which you may recollect on the road to Kingsbury; but I fear there is no chance of his getting it. At present they are at Mrs. Ledum, the schoolmistress' lodgings. His own house will not, probably, be habitable before the Spring. I hope to be more fortunate in mine, which the workmen have engaged to put in repair by the eleventh of next month. Next year I shall add a bedroom, and am willing to flatter myself that it will be inhabited by General and Mrs. Grinfield, as you may tell them, with my kindest remembrances. Arthur Brocas lately spent a day with me on his way to town. I liked him very much. He certainly has got a living worth at least 5807. a year, out of which, according to a previous agreement, he pays 1007. a year to each of his sisters. I leave the remainder of this page to Jane, who I hope may be able to explain the story of the spinningwheel in so short a space. Adieu, your ever affectionate brother, H. F. C. While my father was engaged in superintending the repairs and furnishing of his new residence, his family were staying at Lichfield. To that place he addressed the following letter: TO HIS WIFE. Kingsbury, October, 1800. MY DEAR JANE, Having finished the important business of unloading the furniture, I make use of the few minutes that are left before James sets out, to tell you that I find the workmen proceed tolerably, though not so fast as my rapid wishes would have them. I am now writing by an excellent fire in the little parlour, which seems to be quite finished. I hope to have the rest of the painting completed by the beginning of the next week, and the papering done, so that I may hope to welcome you with all your family into it the week following. I am as pleased with everything as any child with a new bauble, and I hope you will like my plaything when you see it. Your ever faithful and affectionate H. F. CARY. On the twelfth of November he removed with his family to Kingsbury, having had the good fortune to prevail on his friend Price to take charge of his duties at Abbots-Bromley. The following letter, which is the only one I have met with of this period, gives some account of his new residence. TO HIS SISTER GEORGINA. Kingsbury, November 13, 1800. MY DEAR GEORGINA, Do not suppose, at seeing this long sheet, that I am about to atone for my long silence by a long letter. We have been only a day in our new habitation, and I have not yet any paper fit for writing to a lady on; but as this will probably convey my intelligence to you as faithfully as the finest double-wove hotpressed, I venture to make use of it. We find our house likely to prove very comfortable, as far as we can judge from so short a trial. The situation is certainly delightful, and though we saw it to advantage in the summer, yet I do not think it loses much on a further acquaintance. The river, having flooded the meadows on each side to a considerable distance, has almost the appearance of a lake, while we, from being on an eminence, look down on this inundation without any fear of its approaching us too near. You have heard, I suppose, that I serve a curacy as well as this church. There is service only once a Sunday at each, and a pleasant ride of two miles and a half will add but little to the labour of that day. It will add thirty pounds to my income, no contemptible matter in these hard times. I left my father yesterday in low spirits at the news of my uncle Robert's decease. I was not at all surprised, as I thought his life was hanging from a slender thread when I saw him last year. His widow is so prudent a woman that I do not think his large family will suffer much by his loss, except in affliction, which I have no doubt they feel very deeply. I shall expect to see you here next summer, for I cannot help flattering myself something will bring General and Mrs. Grinfield into this neighbourhood, if he does not go abroad. You were not forgotten by our neighbours when we left Bromley. The Bagots desired particularly to be remembered to you. Jane desires me to tell you that she has written thrice to the man who made a spinning-wheel for you to send for it back, but thrice in vain. It is left in the care of Mr. Hill, till the owner comes to reclaim it. Believe me, dear Georgie, Your affectionate brother, Lichfield, November 17, 1800. P.S.-It is not one of the recommendations of Kingsbury that its intercourse with the Tamworth post is very irregular. This circumstance has detained my letter thus long. I am glad, however, to add this P.S. to it, and to inform you that George |