Clare, John, 1793-1864 (Poet), bulk: 1820 - 1824-12-23

Letters: Helpstone, to Francis Freeling, 1764-1836; Helpstone, to James Hessey, 1785-1870, London; to John Taylor, 1781-1864, London

6 ALsS. Freeling letters: The first letter notes that "by Lord Radslock's desire I put this under cover to you." The second is a rambling note to Freeling, a postal reformer, complaining of charges he is made to pay on his mail. Hessey letters: In the first letter, Clare writes that he is anxious to know whether his request for a pension has been granted: "I hate the sneaking shackles of this curs'd pensioning and subscriptional bother." Also, he notes that Keats's latest work is "in the Mercury this week I see, and if it does any good to the book I am glad of it," and mentions the work of poet Nathaniel Bloomfield. In the second, he thanks Hessey for a copy of Flora Domestica and comments: "how pretty is the allusion to poor Keats's grave." His musings cover a variety of flowers as well as a number of English authors. Taylor letters: In the first letter, he discusses corrections in proofs that he has just returned to Taylor and Hessey. Also mentions Keats: "I am heartily sorry for poor Keats but hope you may turn out a false prophet." In the second, Clare has just been informed of the death of Keats: "Your bad news has shocked me uncommonly--I felt naturally fond of poor Keats tho I did not know him . . . There is no doubt that Keats has left a friend behind him to do him justice."