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Old Westminsters
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Bundle 1

Philip Bliss on his disappointment at failing to get a job at a 'great house in Bloomsbury.' Thinks of the Registrarship, but fears it is too exalted a post for him (he became Registrar in 1824).

Bundle 2

P B Duncan (subsequently Keeper of the Ashmolean) to PE in Florence. Asks after some statuary ordered by William Sotheby, and also some ordered by himself. News from Oxford (no gas lighting yet). Publishing news (inc. John Murray) - Byron's Don Giovanni too caustic to print. Society gossip (inc. Lord Erskine, Lord Chancellor, eloped with his 2nd wife and former housekeeper and mistress to Gretna Green, disguised as an old woman).

Peter Elmsley to his sister-in-law [Mary Hallowell?]

Baden. Finally left Augsburg on 13th August, a fortnight later than intended. Crosses Danube for first and last time at Ulm (old and ill-built); the Minster believed by the inhabitants to be the largest church in Germany (actually, it has the world's highest steeple); cheapest lodging so far on his travels. Ulm's change of dominion from Bavaria to Wurttemberg (1810) most visible in the colour of the postillions' jackets. Wurttemberg a small kingdom the king lives modestly (unlike his father). Stuttgart clean, well-built and dull - upper classes as mean with hospitality as the Italians. Left on 19th August - supped in same room in Karlsruhe as he had on 29th August, 1816. - nothing to see, so on the next day to Baden, a most agreeable watering hole. Gewrman custom of dining at 1.00 allows for long afternoon walks. Loses money at a public gaming table. Will remain until he hears from the Sothebys, and expects, after all the delays, to be back in England by Michaelmas Day (29th September) rather than 1st September. Apparently had been planning to leave again on 10th October in order to be in Milan by 1st November, but that now out of the question, since he would not have time to prepare himself, and he would not choose to cross the Alps in November.

Charles James Blomfield to Peter Elmsley

Nautical metaphor re B's inferiority to PE as critic. Some remarks on errata in Heraclidae. Plans for a Callimachus, to be dedicated to Earl Spencer. Prosiness of Eur. Helen. 'Mourning Bride' (Congreve) translated in Dictionnaire Historique as 'L'Epouse de Matin.' (Samuel) Butler to translate a poem by Lucien Buonaparte (sic) (Charlemagne, or The Church Delivered, publ. 1815). B's Callimachus progressing - Elegies his forte, Hymns s'sad stuff.' Inferior quality of 2/3 surviving Greek poetry - critics gain credit for sorting out the texts, but do not thereby improve the world.

James Henry Monk to Peter Elmsley

The long holiday has so relaxed him that he cannot settle down to Greek. Has revised one sheet of Maltby's Thesaurus. At the meeting in London PE had said he might write an article on Fox and Wakefield's correspondence (published June 1813).

Charles Watkin Williams-Wynn to Peter Elmsley

Uses compasses (v.398) as excuse for not writing sooner, but in truth has been busy with 'the infernal defence of the country.' Abortive visit to Hafod (Uchtryd), arranged by his elder brother, to visit Thomas Johnes and the house, and to see the Froissart ms. (Johnes' translation?) - saw no more than the outside of the larder and library. Four days at Keswick with Southey - mornings spent scrambling among mountains and waterfalls, evenings reading Madoc and Portuguese History (NB latter never finished only Part 1 published, The History of Brazil). Miss (2nd daughter Edith?) promises to be 'a finer child than her predecessor' (Margaret, died aged 1 in 1803?).

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