474, 23 June 1782, J. Finchett from Stockport to his parents in Chester, describing...

474, 23 June 1782, J. Finchett from Stockport to his parents in Chester, describing his journey there.

475, Undated, J. Finchett from Stockport to his parents in Chester. He is pleased they have allowed him to stay longer and asks for money. He intends going to Manchester next Sunday morning and will return home next Wednesday.

476, 28 June 1792, John Cheetham father of Robert from Stockport to Mr. Finchett at Chester, asking permission for John to stay longer.

477, Undated, J.F. to Robert. He arrived on Wednesday after a very short stay in Manchester. He has sent the dialogue to Cowdrey. He is grateful for hospitality.

478, 5 August 1792, R.F. Cheetham from Manchester to Finchett, sending family greetings. He is now at Mr. Lawson's Grammar School at Manchester, which is one of the finest schools in England.

479, 24 August 1792, R.F. Cheetham from Manchester to John Finchett at Chester, complaining of his not writing and giving details of his classical education.

480, 15 September 1792, R.F. Cheetham from Manchester to John Finchett at Chester: a letter in verse.

481, 30 September & 1 December 1792, Copy letters from John Finchett to R.F.C. The second announces his joy that he is to leave school at Christmas.

482, 1 November 1792, R.F. Cheetham from Manchester to John Finchett, describing contests in archery and bugle horn.

483, Undated, Draft or copy letter. J.F. to Robert, wishing him success and better schoolfellows in his new station. He suspects Parson B. and his wife of acting treacherously.

484, 27 February 1793, Copy letter. Jno. Finchett to Cheetham. On the 5 October 1793 he was bound clerk to Mr. R. Baxter, Attorney at law. He is very busy for the Assizes. Walker, their old schoolfellow, is bound apprentice to Mr. Pool.

484, 3 May 1793. Copy letter. Jno. Finchett to Cheetham. He is sorry for Mr. J. because he was a friend of Robert's. Mr. Thomas the banker in Chester is in the same lamentable situation. Mr. Hesketh's his partner son and heir was to be christened the day they stopped. He sends his best wishes to Robert's aunt on her marriage. The catalogue has not been published owing to Mr. Poole's death which has made Walker very busy. His mother delights in Robert's poetical letter. He enquires whether he intends publishing. A play called 'Roderick Random' is to be performed at Manchester.

484b, 15 July 1793, Copy letter, Jno. Finchett to Cheetham.

20 May 1793.

Copy letter. Both are crossed out 'not sent'

15 July 1793

Copy letter. Jno. Finchett to Cheetham, clearing up a misunderstanding over a gap in correspondence.

484c-d, 26 August 1793, Copy letter, Jno. Finchett to Cheetham, sending volumes of Vergil, Justin and Horace. He has been at Shrewsbury Assizes. 'Our English Cicero Erskine is here and this day haranguing in his wonted strains of Eloquence to a Court as full as usual.'

485, 20 January 1793, R.F. Cheetham from Manchester to John Finchett at Chester. He hopes to visit him. He expects to leave school in two years from next October when he will become a student at 'Brazen Noze'. He desires to be remembered to Molly Davies. He encloses a Latin verse and praises Caesar for his diversity of employment

486, 18 April 1793, R.F. Cheetham from Manchester to John Finchett at Chester. Mr. J. has been forced to retreat from town owing to the stopping of the bank where his money was lodged. His aunt married Mr. Bancroft at Stockport about six weeks ago. Spencer has enquired after Finchett.

487, 15 May 1793, R.F. Cheetham from Manchester to John Finchett at Chester, asking him to send a volume of Prudentius and the two volumes of Xenophon's Cyropaedia. He goes to Stockport on Saturday for a month. Spencer will be at school until Christmas then, he believes, he goes to trade. He renews his invitation.

488, 20 May 1793, Draft letter. John Finchett to Robert Cheetham, concerning the above books. He refers to the possibility of future publication of Robert's verses. He is unlikely to come over again for five years unless on business but suggests that Robert might visit him.

489, 28 June 1793, R.F. Cheetham from Stockport to Finchett, sending money for the book. He has seen Stolterforth twice. He has forgiven him but will scarcely be able to repair the time he lost there. He adds an 'Epigram on the Times'.

490, 12 July 1793, Letter from Cheetham on a blank sheet sent to him by Finchett, attempting to clear up a misunderstanding between them and extolling friendship.

491, 22 July 1793, Draft letter from Finchett to Cheetham to heal the breach in their friendship and reporting that an old schoolfellow, Dansie Griffith, was drowned while bathing in the river. As an infant he and eleven more lost their mother and were left to an abandoned father.

492, 3 August 1793, Letter in verse from R.F.C. to Finchett on Griffith's death, etc.

493, 20 August 1793, Letter in verse from R.F.C. to Finchett, asking him to send books of Horace, Virgil, Lucretius, Justin and Horatius.

494, 25 September 1793, Draft letter from J.F. parodying legal terms in case for breach of covenant.

495, 28 September 1793, R.F. Cheetham to Finchett defending himself against the charge of neglecting to write.

496, 15 October 1793, Draft letter from Finchett to Cheetham in reply to the above. He is delighted that Robert may come to Chester for Christmas.

497, 29 October R.F.C. to Fincett. A bantering letter about Finchett's mode of expression.

498, 4 November 1793, Draft of Finchett's reply to the above in similar vein and parodying the style of Sterne.

499, 18 November 1793, Cheetham from Manchester to Finchett, complaining that he did not call while in the neighbourhood.

500, 12 December 1793, Draft of Finchett's reply to the above.

501, Received 1 Jan. 1794, Letter from Cheetham to Finchett with verses on his 'Journey from Chester'.

502, 23 January 1793, Draft of letter from Finchett to Cheetham describing a black eye acquired whilst skating. Kniveton's mother is dead.

503, 4 February 1794, Letter and verses from Cheetham to Finchett. He is considering beginning a history of Rome.

504 6 February 1794

Draft of Finchett's reply to the above. He has submitted Cheetham's ode to the printer of the Chester Courant.

505 9 March 1793

Cheetham to Finchett, enclosing further verses. He has been complimented at Stockport on a published ode.

506 4 April 1794

Draft of a letter from J.F. to Cheetham. He refers to his future delight in hearing his friend reveal the Word of God. Mr. Armitage, the minister of the Indepandent Chapel in Queen Street, died a few days ago "generally respected as a man & beloved as a Christian -"

507 6 April 1794

'Farren' Cheetham to John Finchett. A letter beginning his 'History of Rome'.

508 26 April 1794

Draft of a letter by J.F. for Cheetham, inviting him to the Races beginning on the 5th.

509 27 April 1794

R.F. Cheetham to Finchett, declining the above invitation.

510 5 May 1794

Draft of a letter from Finchett to Cheetham.

511 14 May

R.F. Cheetham to Finchett, informing him of his Grandfather's death and enclosing 'The Death of Colin - an Eclogue'.

512 31 May

Cheetham to Finchett, inviting him to stay for Whitsun and enclosing verses 'Against Ambition', 'Ode to Content' and

512b 'Ode to Virtue'.

513 9 June 1794

Draft of a letter from J.F. to Cheetham, replying to his letter of 14 May above.

514 9 June 1794

Cheetham from Stockport to Finchett, pressing his invitation.

515 28 June 1794

Cheetham from Stockport to Finchett. He would have been glad to see Kniveton. Stolterforth is over with the 'Garsidian tribe'.

516 Undated

Tuesday evening. J. Finchett to Mr. Turner asking for the return of Mr. Cheetham's ode.

517 Undated

Copy or draft of letter. Finchett to Cheetham. Turner praised his Ode to Virtue. Davies, whose odes Cheetham saw in the Chester paper, returned from Oxford yesterday for the long vacation.

517 He is at 'Brazen Nose', likes it well and means to forsake the muse until he has entered orders, when he will write for his own amusement. He is sorry to hear that Cheetham is poorly.

518 24 July

R.F. Cheetham from Knotty Ash near Liverpool to Finchett. He has come to Liverpool a fortnight after he ought to have been at school. He praises the acknowledgement in Mr. Fletcher's paper. He expects he will see Davies at 'Brazen-Nose'. He hopes to be well soon.

519 17 August 1794

R.F. Cheetham from Knotty Ash near Liverpool to Finchett. His health has been indifferent since leaving Liverpool but he has been better the last day or two. Their passage from Eastham was very different from that there, scarce a breath of air. He was chided for going. Their grand day at the Butts is next Wednesday. He hopes his father will do well. Friendship is nothing without virtue obtained with a due sense of Religion.

520 2 September

Draft or copy letter from Finchett to Cheetham teasing him about a female passenger on the coach, and writing of their friendship.

521 13 September 1794

R.F. Cheetham from Manchester to Finchett asking him to copy out the attached letter to 'Mr. Urban' Chester 15 Sept. 1794 and send it to the Gentleman's Magazine, under the name of 'Philos' attacking the writer of a letter criticising one of his poems.

522 5 October 1794

Finchett to Cheeltham. He has sent the letter but it has not been acknowledged or printed.

523 16 October 1794

Cheetham to Finchett 'in the manner of Swift', a letter in verse, thanking him for his trouble over the letter. If it does not appear in the next issue he asks Finchett to copy and send the attached letter. His mother is better although for about thirty years she has suffered a dreadful sore throat which every year brings her within the verge of the grave.

524 26 November 1794

F.C. to Finchett criticising his style and urging him to read. For the past month he has laboured under very severe indisposition.

525 Undated

Draft of letter. Finchett to Cheetham. He has seen his letter in the Gentleman's Magazine. He praises his style. Kniveton sends his regards. He answers Cheetham's criticism of the appearance of his letters.

526 16 December 1794

Draft of letter. Finchett to Cheetham. He is depressed by Cheetham's criticism, made like a schoolmaster, of his letters.

527 18 December

R. F. Cheetham to Finchett, declaring his friendship. When he wrote a month ago he was just recovering from serious illness which may have given sourness and severity to his letter. Finchett is to regain and keep an 'Ode to Friendship', if Monk has not inserted it in his paper. It is signed 'Stockport.' He praises Finchett's last letter and presses him to visit Stockport.

528 1795

Draft letter. Finchett to Cheetham. He is obliged to Broster for attending to the latter's request. He congratulates him on the editor of the 'Eclipses' adjudging the medal to him. Was it the same 'Ode to Virtue' which he had previously praised? Such a man's opinion is respected - unlike his 'former pretended instructor.' He sends Broster's new catalogue.

529 No date

Draft of letter from Finchett to Cheetham, acknowledging his letter, Ryley's Works and a copy of his poems for Broster. He criticised Ryley's 'R Random' and also observes how their letters have declined in length.

530 No date

Cheetham to Finchett suggesting that he look in the Gent's Mag for an Ode. In Manchester a little miscellany is published every two or three weeks which praises his 'Ode to Content'. He enquires after his 'Vita'. If there be faith in the sex she loves him not less than herself.

531 6 January 1795

Draft of letter. Finchett to Cheetham. He hopes he is better. Broster says he has lost the ode; he lacks the capacity to judge the merits of a poetical person.

532 27 January 1795?

Farren Cheetham to Finchett, describing the Christmas he has spent. He wrote a song for the presentation of the colours to the Volunteer Cause at Stockport, which he includes. Mr. Dale and other officers are his friends. He describes a tremendous fire there lately. The streets are so slippery that persons go without shoes, cover their shoes or skate, but the ice is now almost removed by pick axes. He is in better health.

533 17 February 1795

Draft of letter from Finchett to Chetham, commenting on the discrepancy between the dating and the postmark of his last letter. He wishes every populous town and city might have its volunteers and writes of the consequences of a French invasion.

534 5 March 1795

Cheetham to Finchett. The delay in posting his last letter was due to idleness. They must pay a guinea for hair powder as the war must be carried on. He gives a verse by him in the November Gent: Mag.

535 20 March 1795

Draft of letter from Finchett to Cheetham. He has withdrawn from the society of 'Messrs. John Doe and Richard Roe' to reply. He is preparing for his annual journey to Lancaster where he will be on the 7 April. A young doctor of his acquaintance lately went to London to attend the medical lectures but, instead of studying Boerken and Hunter, he attended Westminster Hall during the late trials for High Treason, where his enthusiasm induced him with some others to shout and huzza. A lodging was kindly provided for him by the President where he remained until he was tried a few weeks since and acquitted.

536 22 April 1795

Draft of Letter from Finchett to Cheetham. He was not carping at Cheetham's views on politics but how can the war be carried on when 'we are deserted by our damn'd Allies, our finances nearly exhausted, & one part of the Nation ripe for revolt, the other ready to receive the enemy ... If a peace is not immediately made our lives & property will be exposed to become insecure from the depredation of the 'starvin poor'. The heavy taxes, and the immense ones that will ensue, cannot be borne. Since the beginning of the year his father has paid nearly £12 for taxes and poor rates and says he only looks upon himself as an agent to Mr. Pitt. and what property he has he holds in trust for him and his bretheren. Pitt is daily losing his popularity. His father's patriotic virtues are wiped out by the son. Prior to securing an additional tax on wine he secured seventeen pipes for himself. Finchett is convinced ruin will be inevitable if the war is continued. The people perceive the abuses of government. He fears they will pursue violent measures to remove them. They see one man running off with £5,000 another with 10,000, a third with 20,000 a year for doing nothing at all. The general cry everywhere is for peace. Famine will force France to accept terms. He saw the ode in the Gent's Mag. and hopes Cheetham will come to Chester for the Races on 4 May. He has seen the famous Mad: D Eon of 'fencing memory'. She is an amazing woman but the "refined delicacy of her sex was lost in her masculine exertions.'

537 3 May 1795

Cheetham to Finchett. He cannot believe the Premier guilty of so mean a covetousness but agres with him on the peace and the condition of the country. As for the tax on hair powder, the House forgot what was first set on foot - the great consumption of flour among the soldiers - and thought only of money. Chevaliere D'Eon has been at Manchester. He has not seen her. 'She is according to all accounts a most disgusting creature; impudent in the extreme.' He has had a letter from his 'Vita'. They are removing to Darland Hall.

538 18 May 1795

Draft of letter from Finchett to Cheetham. He is happy in his situation. Mr. Baxter is a kind indulgent man. He had the story about Pitt from a respectable wine merchant who had it from an exciseman who saw the 'permit'. An old school fellow, Peter Broster, who was subject to falling fits, was walking by the canal on 26 April when he had an attack, fell in and was drowned. Mr. Baxter's mare

539 23 June '95

Cheetham to Finchett. He is tired preparing for school. He came to Manchester on Sunday evening, stopped overnight, and walked thence to Stockport. He was disgusted at Liverpools to see the lower class of women stripping on the shore to bathe, but still more so, to see the 'female servants of respectable houses come bare-legged to dip the children & tuck up their petticoats above the middle of their thighs'. He was amused to see a notice in a window 'Letters wrote here' but then reflected on the unhappy thousands who need this.

540 7 July 1795

Draft of letter from Finchett to Cheetham. He praises the latter's miscellany, especially the ode on the 'Mischievous effects of Prosperity". Broster would like a copy of the same book of poems.

541 29 July 1795

Cheetham to Finchett, replying to his Criticisms and sending some verses. He was home on Saturday and Sunday.

542 17 August 1795

Draft of Letter. Finchett to Cheetham, replying to the above. The papers report news of a peace concluded between the Emperor and the French republic and there are authenticated reports and war with Spain is inevitable. The emigrants have relceived a bloody reception. 'This war is an avowed rebellion against God we are endeavouring to establish popery in that distracted kingdom.'

543 30 August 1795

Cheetham to Finchett, calling for a truce on politics and sending Ryley's humorous works and a copy of his poems for Mr. J. Broster.

544 17 October 1795

Cheetham to Finchett. He was awarded a silver medal by the editors of the Eclipses for the best definition of virtue and has received many small marks of distinction at school.

545 2 December 1795

Cheetham to Finchett, chiding him for laying down rules for their correspondence. His mother has an ulcerated sore throat. Wheeler's Manchester paper will contain on Saturday an attempt by him on the late sacriligious attack on his Majesty.

546 14 December 1795

Draft of letter from Finchett to Cheetham written in the third person, it accuses Cheetham of rancour and of wounding his feelings.

547 15 December 1795

Cheetham to Finchett. Reply to the above. He is hurt and distressed.

548 Undated

Draft of letter from Finchett to Cheetham, asking that his last letter may be forgotten and inviting him for Christmas.

549 31 December '95

Cheetham to Finchett, declining but inviting him to Stockport. He describes the silver medal from The Eclipses. He has been awarded another by the editors of 'the Bouquett' for his 'Ode to Science'. He has many productions to show him.

550 18 January 1796

Finchett to Cheetham, commenting on a line by Young 'Hell had been, tho' there had been no God!'

551 Tuesday

Cheetham from Stockport to Finchett. In 8 weeks he will be an Oxonian. He will enter the first day of the Easter term. Next Monday evening there is to be a performance at Stockport Theatre of 'The Bees' a political interlude by Robert Farren Cheetham. He describes the medal from The Bouquet.

552 3 March 1796

Draft of letter from Finchett to Cheetham. He criticises the 'Ode to Science'. He has basked in praise of the beautiful little book of poems by his friend. He sends best wishes for the future. As long as Fletcher conducts himself properly he has a right to his opinions. 'I don't believe there is a City in the kingdom where the rage & fury of a deluded aristocratical party runs higher than in Chester, every man who signed the petition against the Bill pending in Parliament wome time since was branded with the name of Jacobine Republican & c & other supposed ignominious epithets which malice suggested, ...' He describes the Acts as 'pernicious & repugnant to the liberty and dearest blessings of an Englishman'.

553 Saturday morning

Cheetham from London to Finchett. He has been to Oxford, matriculated and become 'a Brazen-nosian'. 'Oxford is beautiful almost beyond the stretch of imagination ... The Bodleian library & picture gallery are astonishing, in the latter a brazen statue of the Earl of Pembroke is reckon'd chef-d'oevre in its kind. The Ratcliffe Library is amazingly elegant as far as relates to the Building, but the books are neither numerous, nor, I believe, very valuable. The walks at Christ Church are delightful ...' He left on Thursday morning for London where he saw the King. On Friday morning he went to Guildhall, & saw the last tickets drawn. Two tickets were lost and there was a row. The boy was turned into the wheel naked three times, at last they said he found them but it was supposed they made some. There was clamour and confusion. 'The Lottery is in London a very serious calamity! He saw the monument of Lord Chatham, ascended the Monument, visited St. Paul's and entered the golden ball at the top of the steeple, visited Westminster Abbey and the House of Commons, where he heard Fox and Pitt speak.

554 18 April 1796

Draft of letter from Finchett to Cheetham, replying to the above and praising his essay 'Decipimur specie recti'.

555 1 May 1796

Cheetham from Manchester to Finchett. He tried to write a poem on this his birthday but gave up after four stanzas. On his 'first arrival within view of Manhood' he prays that God, whose minister he is to be, will guard his steps from slipping on the dangerous paths of folly and dissipation, which, alas, are too predominant at College...' He describes his visit, while in London, to the Tower Armoury Drury Lane and Covent Garden.

556 17 May 1796

Cheetham from Stopford to Finchett, asking that Mr. Broster will display the enclosed in his shop window and receive names of subscribers. Printed overleaf are proposals for printing his odes and miscellaneous pieces.

557 23 May 1796

Draft of letter from Finchett to Cheetham. He has done as desired. Stolterforth wishes to subscribe. He is dubious of success as politics and religion are the rage. 'The threatning contest for M.P.s between Lord Grey & Cholmondeley with whom Mr. Baxter is closely connected in his professional capacity has caused much hurry & bustle but a letter was received this morning announcing Lord G. resignation of the Contest so that Cholmondeley & Crewe are likely to be returned. The Election for the City commences on Wednesday when Ld Belgrave & Col: Grosvenor go up without opposition - I sincerely hope a change of men may make a change of measures. A tremendous storm approaches, to Continental foes we are likely to unite America;...'

558 24 June 1796

Cheetham from Manchester to Finchett, complaining of lacking a letter for his birthday, and of Finchett's politics.

He has taken the Oath of Allegiance and his father is a soldier, so he cannot lean to 'the diabolical principles of wretches who, inflamed by the seditious harangues of Tooke, can dare to violate all laws by unmerited injuries against a Gardner.' He is to dedicate his book to Lawton.

559 27 June 1796

Draft of letter from Finchett to Cheetham. One of his former letters has gone astray. He will not write of politics 'lest the world shou'd suppose my dear Friend an enemy of Wars & Taxes & a friend to Peace.'

560 30 June 1796

Cheetham from Manchester to Finchett, describing war as God's punishment for sin.

561 19 July 1796

Draft of letter from Finchett to Cheetham. Four years have passed since he returned from Stockport. He recalls how he wept to leave.

562 14 August 1796

Cheetham to Finchett, beginning his letter in 'classical' style. Mrs. Bancroft is expecting a child. He includes his verses called forth by Miss Seward's 'Langollen Vale' and a Latin verse 'Stultus labor est ineptiarum'.

563 6 September 1796

Draft of letter from Finchett to Cheetham. He has read Miss Seward's poem. For a week past he has been staying at a house within 5 miles of Llangollen. He praises the scenery, the Abbey although in part prostituted by the avaricious possessor to the purposes of a farm house and the Irish ladies retired cottage.

564 4 September 1796

Cheetham to Finchett. He is surprised at the latter's silence concerning Miss Seward's poem. He now corresponds with her. He returns to Oxford in a fortnight. Stockport is the most confused place as the cursed extravagance of the great men of trade has brought them whither they deserve to come. Almost every body is insolvent either by his own or his neighbour's fault.

565 9 October 1796

Draft of letter from Finchett to Cheetham, praising his volume of verses. He liked neither Miss S's verse or Cheetham's sonnet.

566 1 November 1796

Cheetham from Oxford to Finchett. He thinks his taste strange to think so little of Miss Seward's poem, and to prefer his prose in the Pocket Mag. He would not again choose to become a clergyman. He has been awarded a scholarship of twenty-eight pounds a year. Davies and Pulford are only servitors there.

567 28 November 1796

Draft of letter from Finchett to Cheetham, pointing out that the profession he has chosen is the one best suited to him. He knew Davies was a servitor. He has but £230 per annum and has to provide for an insane mother and a sister, and his late father's debts. He rents a house at Christleton for £20 a year and keeps a horse. His conceit is intolerable. Pulford's father is a writing master. There is one Smith, whose father is a watchmaker, and Edwards, who is a respectable man, all of whom come from Chester. He congratulates Cheetham on his scholarship.

568 28 November 1796

Cheetham from Oxford to Finchett, regretting that he has received no letter from him.

569 Received 3 December 1796

Cheetham from Oxford to Finchett. He misses the pleasure of female society. Mrs. Josiah Bancroft has a son, James. Smith is down this term as he has been extravagant. Edwards is in a raging fever on the verge of the grave.

570 20 December 1796

Draft of letter from Finchett to Cheetham, explaining a confusion in correspondence.

571 14 January 1797

Cheetham from Oxford to Finchett. Mrs. B. is recovered though her child is dead. In the Gentleman's Mag: for January will appear his translation of a Greek Eclogue, written by 'Mr Fox'. His aversion to College grows. Expences run very high.

572 4 February 1797

Draft of letter from Finchett to Cheetham, expressing concern that he is not reconciled to college life. He may have a house of his own, 'Bachelor's Hall', to accommodate Cheetham in the long vacation. Miss Daniels the actress is married to Cooke the actor.

573 17 February 1797

Cheetham from Oxford to Finchett, clearing up a misunderstanding over a passage in his last letter. He is now settled in his own rooms in College; sitting room, bedroom and study, which he describes. He includes part of an ode he has written for an exercise. He was unwell yesterday.

574 9 March 1797

Draft of letter from Finchett to Cheetham excusing his misunderstanding of the passage and commenting on the honour the navy has acquired under the auspices of 'the gallant Jarvis'.

575 25 March 1797

Cheetham to Finchett. He is become very absent minded. He describes his rooms in verse.

576 24 April 1797

Draft of letter from Finchett to Cheetham. He has been busy with Assizes. In his journey he met a young man, Fitchett, clerk to Kerfoot, the attorney of Warrington, author of 'Bewsey a poem', who criticised Cheetham's publication and his vanity. A friend, Kirk, who was articled but retired from law having an independent fortune, killed himself last Friday. It is supposed that he had been rejected by the daughter of the late Dr. Denton, a physician of this city.

577 22 May 1797

Cheetham to Finchett. He has been unwell and on Saturday night had a violent attack of colic. His Highness was honoured by the University with the degree of LL.D. He has read Fitchett's work - some descriptive parts are very fair but he has been told that it had been amply revised and corrected by Owen, the Rector of Warrington.

578 12 June 1797

Draft of letter from Finchett to Cheetham expressing concern for his health. The King's Birthday was celebrated here on Monday last. The Volunteers, about 250 men, were presented with a pair of colours by the Colonel's Lady and afterwards marched to the Roodee. Gen: Powell inspected them. Then the companies sat down to dinner at different inns. 'I think I never saw such a scene of drunkeness & riot before - fighting & beastly drunkeness alone prevailed. Chief-Magistracy itself relaxed & gave a sanction to abuse ...' 'The uniform of the 'Loyal Chester Volunteers' is blue turned up with red, round hats loop'd up with a button on the left side, - they by no means look like soldiers & they have inroll'd themselves on the most circumscribed plan - in case of the greatest emergency they are not to go further than 5 miles round the City'

579 10 July 1797

Cheetham from Stockport to Finchett. He returned from Oxford by chaise pretty comfortably. In Birmingham he lost the ribbon from his hair but the lovely daughter of the 'maitre d'hotel' came to his aid.

580 4 August 1797

Draft of letter from Finchett to Cheetham assuring him of a welcome in Chester.

581 1 September 1797

Cheetham to Finchett. He has been a fortnight from home and visited Daniel Whitle, Esq. where he found pleasant pastimes.

582 25 September 1797

Draft of letter from Finchett to Cheetham pressing his invitation. Miss Seabrooke at the Bowling Green, 'a dashing smart lass', who married a London haberdasher and left Chester in style in a coach and four, returned last week a pauper, with two children and her husband in gaol or gone to America. She lived at Deeside. He saw Mr. E. Dale at the Assizes, a pleasing man. There was an ordination yesterday of 10 deacons and 14 priests. A gentleman he knows met Miss Seward last summer when they spoke of Cheetham.

583 20 October 1797

Cheetham from Oxford to Finchett, describing his journey. At Lichfield he called on Miss Seward. He admired the views of Coleshill, visited Kenilworth Castle, and spent the night at Warwick. He enquires after 'his Sally'.

584 31 November 1797

Draft of letter from Finchett to Cheetham replying to the above. He asks what appearance Davies makes at College. His sister is either gone to service or to be teacher in a boarding school. He adds that he has since learned that Davies is one of the ushers at Macclesfield School at a salary of £30 or 40 per annum.

585 11 January 1798

Cheetham from Stockport to Finchett. He has had toothache for a fortnight. Smith left College before the end of last term on account of illness. He thinks he himself will not keep next term. He writes of Duncan's victory and of literature.

21 February 1798

Beginning on the same sheet Finchett's draft reply.

586 10 April 1798

Cheetham from Stockport to Finchett. He proposes to publish some poems.

587 5 May 1798

Draft of letter from Finchett in Red Lion Square, London, to Cheetham, teasing him for the paucity of his last letter. He has been in London nearly a fortnight in the office of a relation where he will probably remain for twelve months. He was admitted an attorney at the last Assizes and this morning was admitted of King's Bench. He attended Covent Garden where he saw their Majesties. He has heard speeches by Pitt, Tierney and Wilberforce at the House of Commons.

588 28 May 1798

Cheetham to Finchett. He has joined the corps of 500 men raised by the University. Their uniform is 'a blue jacket with black velvet cape and cuffs, white stock, and waistcoat, pantaloons the same tied below the knee with a black garter. Round hat with bearskin & white feather.' He expects to be home in about a month. Spencer is to be found at Smith & Cherinton's, Queen St. Cheapside.

589 28 June 1798

Draft of letter from Finchett to Cheetham. He is tired of London and disgusted by the depravity of the west end of the town and the vice in rags elsewhere.

590 25 August 1798

Cheetham from Stockport to Finchett, replying to the above. He will send his poems for Finchett's opinion.

591 Cheetham to Finchett asking him to copy out a letter dated 5 November recommending Cheetham's poems to the Editor of the Anti Jacobin Review at Mr. Wright's, bookseller, Piccadilly.

592 9 November 1798

Cheetham from Oxford to Finchett. He has not heard if the parcel he sent has arrived. He sent it by the coach from Oxford which stops at the Angel, behind St. Clement's Church, not far from Charing Cross, where he asks him to enquire for it.

593 10 November 1798

Cheetham to Finchett. He is surprised to find himself well reviewed in the Annual Register 3rd part. p. 291. 1797. He is engaged in learning Hebrew grammar.

594 28 December '98

Cheetham from Oxford to Finchett at Chester. He hopes whatever lovely female has fascinated Finchett will bring him joy. He misses female company. He is uneasy about his father's illness. It is very cold in Oxford - nine degrees below freezing indoors that morning.

595 18 April 1799

Cheetham from Oxford to Finchett at Chester, excusing himself for not writing. He describes Cowper as 'the truest bard of Nature', which England at present has, equally simple, and elegant; always delightful, sometimes sublime, and... the noble consequence of his adhering to Nature is, that he is the bard of Virtue and Religion.'

The ladies with whom he is connected are far advanced in years.

596 22 July

Cheetham, 7 miles from Manchester, to Finchett. He spends a few hours a day at his books; but female society has always more charms for him, than every other employment or amusement. He presses Finchett to visit Stockport.

597 20 October 1799

Cheetham, from Oxford, to Finchett at Eastgate, Chester. Harrison seems to be a youth of very steady disposition. He was disappointed that Finchett did not visit Stockport and that he seems to find his profession uncongenial.

598 14 January 1800 continued on 26 and 30

Cheetham from Oxford to Finchett. He has spent a month at Stockport. Mrs. Hyde has died. He has been admitted to the degree of B.A. and has been awarded one of 'Hulme's Exhibitions for the Bachelors of Arts of Bras: N. Coll.', worth £100 p.a. It is for four years.

599 18 April 1800

Cheetham from Oxford to Finchett. Cowper, he is told, now exhibits the 'wreck of reason'. He is sorry to hear of his mother's health. His own mother has a cancer in her breast.

600 Received 12 December 1800

Note from Cheetham to Finchett. He is very ill.

601 30 January 1801

Draft letter from Finchett to Cheetham's father, offering condolences, expressing grief at the loss of a friend and desiring some little momento of him