Letters from Charles James Blomfield to Dr Emsley
Distasteful review of Hippolytus in the Gentleman's Magazine. Only knows of Hermann's two plays (Supplices and HF) belonging to Dobree - has borrowed them and is sending them to PE (Supplices reviewed by PE in Classical Journal of March/June 1814). Wants to get the second number of the Mus Crit ready in the next four weeks before he leaves Cambridge until October. Will insert by instalments Bentley's mss notes from the British Museum collection (Monk subsequently wrote a life of Bentley). PE has a volume containing letters of David Ruhnken - asks for loan of it. Some comments on typos in 2nd ed of Hippolytus. More on Barker.
Philip Bliss (bibliophile, librarian at Bodley and Registrar)employs a housekeeper (?) for PE in Oxford. News of friends, and asks for a job for his brother-in-law.
Walpole seeks advice on a Roman inscription intended for his work (see preceding letter). In a PS he adds an inscription from the Troad mentioning Homer.
Copy of a letter from PE to Monk. He had indeed thought Dobree was the anon. author - and had only wanted a clear statement of what precise emendations were in question. Concludes with a wish for a personal correspondence. (v. Horsfall pp455ff on whole matter.)
History of B's (anonymous) review of Monk's Hippolytus, and Monk's warm appreciation of it. Edmund Henry (Barker?) publicly criticises B, taking his attitude from Dr. Parr (who clearly lisped). Prepared to review PE's Oedipus if Monk doesn't get in first. Support for new journal (inc. PE's). PE's proposed visit to Cambridge. Authorship of preface to Porsoniana (Horsfall pp454ff).
Year per Horsfall. Proposal to print the collation of the Agamemnon in the Museum Criticum, if PE does not object.
E. Berens congratulates PE on Alban Hall. Elections for Camden Professorship have not yet taken place, but he hears the outcome is certain.
Written phonetically as with a cold in the nose. Advises PE not to use a handkerchief he left when playing cards a week ago. People poking their noses into Lord Melville's private affairs (last person to be impeached in the UK, in this year).
Work at Press. Cold in Bodleian makes it impossible to study there.