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The Life of William Roscoe
Chapter VII. 1799-1805
William Roscoe to Jane Roscoe, [1804]
INTRODUCTION & INDEXES
DOCUMENT INFORMATION
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Preface
Vol I. Contents
Chapter I. 1753-1781
Chapter II. 1781-1787
Chapter III. 1787-1792
Chapter IV. 1788-1796
Chapter V. 1795
Chapter VI. 1796-1799
Chapter VII. 1799-1805
Chapter IX. 1806-1807
Chapter X. 1808
Chapter XI. 1809-1810
Vol II. Contents
Chapter XII. 1811-1812
Chapter XIII. 1812-1815
Chapter XIV. 1816
Chapter XV. 1817-1818
Chapter XVI. 1819
Chapter XVII. 1820-1823
Chapter XVIII. 1824
Chapter XIX. 1825-1827
Chapter XX. 1827-1831
Chapter XXI.
Appendix
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“I wrote you a few lines on my arrival on Saturday. I had scarcely finished, when Dr. Smith and Drake called on me, and I accompanied them to the Doctor’s lodgings, and was introduced to Mrs. S. and Miss F. S. I shall not attempt to describe them to you, lest you should think you have totally lost your wandering swain. I shall only say, that he who could see and hear Mrs. S. without being enchanted, has a heart not worth a farthing. Mr. Martin also called on me at the Temple Coffee-house. He was going on Sunday to dine with Dr. Aikin; and Dr. Smith promised to be of the party. I found a note from Mr. E., inviting me to dinner and bed, but I excused myself; and Dr. Smith, Drake, the two ladies, and myself, intruded ourselves unexpectedly at Dr. Aikin’s table, and passed one of the brightest days in the summer of human life. Dr. A. was in high spirits, and seemed truly to enjoy our visit. His situation is perfectly suited to his wishes; and he declared that the present is the happiest period of his life. Miss A. is improved in her health, and preserves all her vivacity. After dinner Mr. Barbauld called, and conducted us to his incomparable wife. With her we found Mrs. John Taylor, and a long et cætera of the families which I cannot enumerate; and after half an hour’s conversation, we returned
LIFE OF WILLIAM ROSCOE.293
to Dr. Aikin’s to tea. On our return we sent Drake home in the coach with the ladies, and Dr. Smith, Mr. Martin, and myself, went to Sir Joseph Bankes’s. I was introduced to him, and received very kindly: invited to dine with the Royal Society on Thursday, and attend the meeting of that and the Antiquarian, which I intend to do. To-day I have devoted to business, examined all the poor old gentleman’s papers and effects, in company with Mr. E., one of the finest old gentlemen of seventy-five that I ever met with. I had called on him at Clapton on Sunday, and apologised for my apparent incivility, but promised to dine with him to-day. After four hours’ hard work in Mr. Dawson’s lodgings, I accompanied him to Clapton Terrace, six or eight miles from town, and am just returned between nine and ten o’clock, with sundry valuables, safe from highway depredators. To-morrow I am engaged to dine at Mr. Barbauld’s: Mr. Martin and Miss S. are to be there. In the evening I propose to go to the Linnean Society. Wednesday, a great part, with Dr. S. to Kew. Sunday at Mr. Creevey’s, to meet Mr. Fox.

“I have paid several other visits, but have not yet been able to see the Marquis. Engagements crowd in, but I hope to arrange them so as to be free at the end of next week. On Sunday we called at Mr. Belsham’s, and saw our young friends, who are in perfect health: I shall call
294LIFE OF WILLIAM ROSCOE.
on them again before I leave town. I hope to see Mrs. Wakefield to-morrow. I write this with Harry Browne lecturing on beef à-la-mode in the next room, from which I hear every word as plain as if he sat beside me. I have now tired myself and you, but you will see that I lose no time; for which my constant stimulating principle is, that I may be once more at Allerton.”