“My household is affected with a complaint which I take
at this time to be epidemic,—the fear of ugly fellows. In Mrs. Coleridge, perhaps, this may have
originated in her dislike to you, but the newspapers have increased it. Every
day brings bloody news from Carlisle, Cockermouth, &c.; last night half the
people in Keswick sat up, alarmed by two strangers, who, according to all
accounts, were certainly ‘no beauties,’ and I was obliged to take
down a rusty gun and manfully load it for the satisfaction of the family. The
gun has been properly cleaned to-day, and woe betide him who may be destined to
receive its contents. But, in sober
| Ætat. 38. | OF ROBERT SOUTHEY. | 327 |
A Watchman’s Rattle! |
