but, with the exception of the Magazine, were read by Bloomfield more as a task than as a pleasure: yet even from these he attained some knowledge both of Geography and History. The Poet's Corner in the newspapers had the greatest share of his attention, and here some of the first productions of his muse were registered; but they were not written exactly at the early age which Mr. G. Bloomfield, in his letter to Capel Lofft, has assigned[1]. At the time they were published, Robert was really in his twentieth year; yet previously to that, even as early as the age of fifteen, he had made some attempts to array his ideas in a poetical garb.
About this time a person, who was troubled with fits, took lodgings in the same house with the Bloomfields, and by his horrid screams, and frightful gesticulations, so affected the sensibility of Robert, that his brother was induced to remove to a neighbouring court, through the fear of consequences. In their new residence they became acquainted with a man of singular character, a native of Dundee, who had many books, and
- ↑ See the eighth edition of The Farmer's Boy, where all the pieces alluded to are re-printed.
