Letters from Charles James Blomfield to Dr Emsley
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).
Abuse of Classical Journal. Proposal for a new journal (for the moment to be kept secret, and to be called The Cambridge Literary Journal)) to be run by Monk, Kaye, Kennel, Blomfield and brother. Asks for support and contributions.
Remarks on his editions of Aesch, and on PE's review of Gaisford's republication of Markland. Porson's drunkenness, and the charge of plagiarism against PE (Horsfall pp459f.). Butler has decided not to reply to the criticisms in the Ed Rev in his latest volume. Monk has been staying. B has yet to meet PE.
Publication of Septem. Knows little about the comic writers. Abuse of Mr (Edmund?) Barker and Dr (Samuel) Parr. Mild criticism of Gaisford. Hostile remarks re Butler.
Abuse of Classical Journal and Valpy (editor). Asks for PE's advice on passages in the Septem Contra Thebas, and flatters him. About to move near Oxford, and hopes to meet Gaisford.
Postponement of review of Butler in Ed Rev. General remarks on policy towards Butler. Policy of Ed Review towards classical scholarship. Effort of editing Porsoniana (published as Adversaria). Some obscure abuse of scholars,inc Valpy (Richard?).
Abuse of Classical Journal, and refusal to contribute any more. Pursuit of stray mss of Aesch. About to review Butler Vol 2 in the Ed Rev - abuse thereof (and of Schutz). Flattery of PE, and remarks on his own prospects - hopes to remove himself from the demands of his parish in 10/12 years) - Horsfall p453.
PE went ballooning in Paris. Praise of Boissonade. Gaisford has published 1st vol. of Poetae Minores. Parisian scholars - has just got the 1st vol. of Bekker's Anecdota. Progress of printing the Persae - has made a hasty collation of a Persae ms. at Lambeth...should he therefore send a copy to the archbishop? 900 copies of the Septem have been sold out of a 1,000 printed.
PE apparently in or en route to Rome. Asks him to get someone to collate any mss. of Aeshylus he comes across (and will pay). Also to buy a Eustathius if he finds one. Also anything recent by Boissonade.