Letters of John Keats to His Family and Friends Part 14

LVI.--TO THOMAS KEATS.

Keswick, June 29th [1818].

My dear Tom--I cannot make my Journal as distinct and actual as I could wish, from having been engaged in writing to George, and therefore I must tell you without circ.u.mstance that we proceeded from Ambleside to Rydal, saw the Waterfalls there, and called on Wordsworth, who was not at home, nor was any one of his family. I wrote a note and left it on the mantel-piece. Thence on we came to the foot of Helvellyn, where we slept, but could not ascend it for the mist. I must mention that from Rydal we pa.s.sed Thirlswater, and a fine pa.s.s in the Mountains--from Helvellyn we came to Keswick on Derwent Water. The approach to Derwent Water surpa.s.sed Windermere--it is richly wooded, and shut in with rich-toned Mountains.

From Helvellyn to Keswick was eight miles to Breakfast, after which we took a complete circuit of the Lake, going about ten miles, and seeing on our way the Fall of Lowdore. I had an easy climb among the streams, about the fragments of Rocks and should have got I think to the summit, but unfortunately I was damped by slipping one leg into a squashy hole. There is no great body of water, but the accompaniment is delightful; for it oozes out from a cleft in perpendicular Rocks, all fledged with Ash and other beautiful trees.[69] It is a strange thing how they got there. At the south end of the Lake, the Mountains of Borrowdale are perhaps as fine as anything we have seen. On our return from this circuit, we ordered dinner, and set forth about a mile and a half on the Penrith road, to see the Druid temple. We had a f.a.g up hill, rather too near dinner-time, which was rendered void by the gratification of seeing those aged stones on a gentle rise in the midst of the Mountains, which at that time darkened all around, except at the fresh opening of the Vale of St. John. We went to bed rather fatigued, but not so much so as to hinder us getting up this morning to mount Skiddaw. It promised all along to be fair, and we had f.a.gged and tugged nearly to the top, when, at half-past six, there came a Mist upon us and shut out the view. We did not, however, lose anything by it: we were high enough without mist to see the coast of Scotland--the Irish Sea--the hills beyond Lancaster--and nearly all the large ones of c.u.mberland and Westmoreland, particularly Helvellyn and Scawfell. It grew colder and colder as we ascended, and we were glad, at about three parts of the way, to taste a little rum which the Guide brought with him, mixed, mind ye, with Mountain water. I took two gla.s.ses going and one returning.

It is about six miles from where I am writing to the top--So we have walked ten miles before Breakfast to-day. We went up with two others, very good sort of fellows--All felt, on arising into the cold air, that same elevation which a cold bath gives one--I felt as if I were going to a Tournament.

Wordsworth's house is situated just on the rise of the foot of Mount Rydal; his parlour-window looks directly down Windermere; I do not think I told you how fine the Vale of Grasmere is, and how I discovered "the ancient woman seated on Helm Crag"[70]--We shall proceed immediately to Carlisle, intending to enter Scotland on the 1st of July via--

[Carlisle,] July 1st.

We are this morning at Carlisle. After Skiddaw, we walked to Treby the oldest market town in c.u.mberland--where we were greatly amused by a country dancing-school holden at the Tun, it was indeed "no new cotillon fresh from France." No, they kickit and jumpit with mettle extraordinary, and whiskit, and friskit, and toed it, and go'd it, and twirl'd it, and whirl'd it, and stamped it, and sweated it, tattooing the floor like mad.

The difference between our country dances and these Scottish figures is about the same as leisurely stirring a cup o' Tea and beating up a batter-pudding. I was extremely gratified to think that, if I had pleasures they knew nothing of, they had also some into which I could not possibly enter. I hope I shall not return without having got the Highland fling. There was as fine a row of boys and girls as you ever saw; some beautiful faces, and one exquisite mouth. I never felt so near the glory of Patriotism, the glory of making by any means a country happier. This is what I like better than scenery. I fear our continued moving from place to place will prevent our becoming learned in village affairs: we are mere creatures of Rivers, Lakes, and Mountains. Our yesterday's journey was from Treby to Wigton, and from Wigton to Carlisle. The Cathedral does not appear very fine--the Castle is very ancient, and of brick. The City is very various--old white-washed narrow streets--broad red-brick ones more modern--I will tell you anon whether the inside of the Cathedral is worth looking at. It is built of sandy red stone or Brick. We have now walked 114 miles, and are merely a little tired in the thighs, and a little blistered. We shall ride 38 miles to Dumfries, when we shall linger awhile about Nithsdale and Galloway. I have written two letters to Liverpool. I found a letter from sister George; very delightful indeed: I shall preserve it in the bottom of my knapsack for you.

[Dumfries, evening of same day, July 1.]

ON VISITING THE TOMB OF BURNS.

The Town, the churchyard, and the setting sun, The Clouds, the trees, the rounded hills all seem, Though beautiful, Cold--strange--as in a dream, I dreamed long ago, now new begun.

The short-liv'd, paly Summer is but won From Winter's ague, for one hour's gleam; Though sapphire-warm, their stars do never beam: All is cold Beauty; pain is never done: For who has mind to relish, Minos-wise, The Real of Beauty, free from that dead hue Sickly imagination and sick pride Cast wan upon it! Burns! with honour due I oft have honour'd thee. Great shadow, hide Thy face; I sin against thy native skies.

You will see by this sonnet that I am at Dumfries. We have dined in Scotland. Burns's tomb is in the Churchyard corner, not very much to my taste, though on a scale large enough to show they wanted to honour him.

Mrs. Burns lives in this place; most likely we shall see her to-morrow--This Sonnet I have written in a strange mood, half-asleep. I know not how it is, the Clouds, the Sky, the Houses, all seem anti-Grecian and anti-Charlemagnish. I will endeavour to get rid of my prejudices and tell you fairly about the Scotch.

[Dumfries,] July 2nd.

In Devonshire they say, "Well, where be ye going?" Here it is, "How is it wi' yoursel?" A man on the Coach said the horses took a h.e.l.lish heap o'

drivin'; the same fellow pointed out Burns's Tomb with a deal of life--"There de ye see it, amang the trees--white, wi' a roond tap?" The first well-dressed Scotchman we had any conversation with, to our surprise confessed himself a Deist. The careful manner of delivering his opinions, not before he had received several encouraging hints from us, was very amusing. Yesterday was an immense Horse-fair at Dumfries, so that we met numbers of men and women on the road, the women nearly all barefoot, with their shoes and clean stockings in hand, ready to put on and look smart in the Towns. There are plenty of wretched cottages whose smoke has no outlet but by the door. We have now begun upon Whisky, called here Whuskey,--very smart stuff it is. Mixed like our liquors, with sugar and water,'tis called toddy; very pretty drink, and much praised by Burns.

LVII.--TO f.a.n.n.y KEATS.

Dumfries, July 2nd [1818].

My dear f.a.n.n.y--I intended to have written to you from Kirkcudbright, the town I shall be in to-morrow--but I will write now because my Knapsack has worn my coat in the Seams, my coat has gone to the Tailor's and I have but one Coat to my back in these parts. I must tell you how I went to Liverpool with George and our new Sister and the Gentleman my fellow traveller through the Summer and autumn--We had a tolerable journey to Liverpool--which I left the next morning before George was up for Lancaster--Then we set off from Lancaster on foot with our Knapsacks on, and have walked a Little zig-zag through the mountains and Lakes of c.u.mberland and Westmoreland--We came from Carlisle yesterday to this place--We are employed in going up Mountains, looking at strange towns, prying into old ruins and eating very hearty breakfasts. Here we are full in the Midst of broad Scotch "How is it a' wi' yoursel"--the Girls are walking about bare-footed and in the worst cottages the smoke finds its way out of the door. I shall come home full of news for you and for fear I should choak you by too great a dose at once I must make you used to it by a letter or two. We have been taken for travelling Jewellers, Razor sellers and Spectacle vendors because friend Brown wears a pair. The first place we stopped at with our Knapsacks contained one Richard Bradshaw, a notorious tippler. He stood in the shape of a [Symbol: ounce] and ballanced himself as well as he could saying with his nose right in Mr.

Brown's face "Do--yo--u sell spect--ta--cles?" Mr. Abbey says we are Don Quixotes--tell him we are more generally taken for Pedlars. All I hope is that we may not be taken for excis.e.m.e.n in this whisky country. We are generally up about 5 walking before breakfast and we complete our 20 miles before dinner.--Yesterday we visited Burns's Tomb and this morning the fine Ruins of Lincluden.

[Auchencairn, same day, July 2.]

I had done thus far when my coat came back fortified at all points--so as we lose no time we set forth again through Galloway--all very pleasant and pretty with no fatigue when one is used to it--We are in the midst of Meg Merrilies's country of whom I suppose you have heard.

Old Meg she was a Gipsy, And liv'd upon the Moors: Her bed it was the brown heath turf, And her house was out of doors.

Her apples were swart blackberries, Her currants pods o' broom; Her wine was dew of the wild white rose, Her book a churchyard tomb.

Her Brothers were the craggy hills, Her Sisters larchen trees-- Alone with her great family She liv'd as she did please.

No breakfast had she many a morn, No dinner many a noon, And 'stead of supper she would stare Full hard against the Moon.

But every morn of woodbine fresh She made her garlanding, And every night the dark glen Yew She wove, and she would sing.

And with her fingers old and brown She plaited Mats o' Rushes, And gave them to the Cottagers She met among the Bushes.

Old Meg was brave as Margaret Queen And tall as Amazon: An old red blanket cloak she wore; A chip hat had she on.

G.o.d rest her aged bones somewhere-- She died full long agone!

If you like these sort of Ballads I will now and then scribble one for you--if I send any to Tom I'll tell him to send them to you.

[Kirkcudbright, evening of same day, July 2.]

I have so many interruptions that I cannot manage to fill a Letter in one day--since I scribbled the song we have walked through a beautiful Country to Kirkcudbright--at which place I will write you a song about myself--

There was a naughty Boy, A naughty boy was he, He would not stop at home, He could not quiet be-- He took In his Knapsack A Book Full of vowels And a shirt With some towels-- A slight cap For night cap-- A hair brush, Comb ditto, New Stockings For old ones Would split O!

This Knapsack Tight at's back He rivetted close And followed his Nose To the North, To the North, And follow'd his nose To the North.

There was a naughty boy And a naughty boy was he, For nothing would he do But scribble poetry-- He took An inkstand In his hand And a Pen Big as ten In the other, And away In a Pother He ran To the mountains And fountains And ghostes And Postes And witches And ditches And wrote In his coat When the weather Was cool, Fear of gout, And without When the weather Was warm-- Och the charm When we choose To follow one's nose To the north, To the north, To follow one's nose To the north!

There was a naughty boy And a naughty boy was he, He kept little fishes In washing tubs three In spite Of the might Of the Maid Nor afraid Of his Granny-good-- He often would Hurly burly Get up early And go By hook or crook To the brook And bring home Miller's thumb, t.i.ttlebat Not over fat, Minnows small As the stall Of a glove, Not above The size Of a nice Little Baby's Little fingers-- O he made 'Twas his trade Of Fish a pretty Kettle A Kettle-- A Kettle Of Fish a pretty Kettle A Kettle!

There was a naughty Boy, And a naughty Boy was he, He ran away to Scotland The people for to see-- Then he found That the ground Was as hard, That a yard Was as long, That a song Was as merry, That a cherry Was as red-- That lead Was as weighty, That fourscore Was as eighty, That a door Was as wooden As in England-- So he stood in his shoes And he wonder'd He wonder'd, He stood in his shoes And he wonder'd.

[Newton Stewart, July 4.]

My dear f.a.n.n.y, I am ashamed of writing you such stuff, nor would I if it were not for being tired after my day's walking, and ready to tumble into bed so fatigued that when I am asleep you might sew my nose to my great toe and trundle me round the town, like a Hoop, without waking me. Then I get so hungry a Ham goes but a very little way and fowls are like Larks to me--A Batch of Bread I make no more ado with than a sheet of parliament; and I can eat a Bull's head as easily as I used to do Bull's eyes. I take a whole string of Pork Sausages down as easily as a Pen'orth of Lady's fingers. Ah dear I must soon be contented with an acre or two of oaten cake a hogshead of Milk and a Clothes-basket of Eggs morning noon and night when I get among the Highlanders. Before we see them we shall pa.s.s into Ireland and have a chat with the Paddies, and look at the Giant's Causeway which you must have heard of--I have not time to tell you particularly for I have to send a Journal to Tom of whom you shall hear all particulars or from me when I return. Since I began this we have walked sixty miles to Newton Stewart at which place I put in this Letter--to-night we sleep at Glenluce--to-morrow at Portpatrick and the next day we shall cross in the pa.s.sage boat to Ireland. I hope Miss Abbey has quite recovered. Present my Respects to her and to Mr. and Mrs.

Abbey. G.o.d bless you.

Your affectionate Brother,

JOHN.

Do write me a Letter directed to _Inverness_, Scotland.