Eitem 4 - Letter from Robert H. Groome to W. Aldis Wright

1 folded sheet

Monk Soham Rectory, Wickham Market, Suffolk.—Sends a proof of his article on ‘Captain Ward’, and discusses it. Has heard that Thompson is ill.

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Monk Soham Rectory, Wickham Market, Suffolk
Nov. 23. 1877.

Dear Wright

Many thanks for your two letters.

I send you a proof of “Captain Ward” which will appear in “Suffolk N. and Q” on Tuesday week, Dec 4th. {1}

But since I sent the first, Text A, I have heard a second recital from another parishioner, who learnt it from his grandfather.

I have put all these readings and additions to the proof sent to you {2}.

Please, perpend.

They, ie Text B, seem to me to be improvements, specially the verse

“Go ye home …
at sea”.

I am not so sure about the second additional stanza. It is rather a puzzle, where it should come in, if at all.

Now as regards Mr Chappells information. Does he mean that these four Ballads have been printed from the several Ballad Collections, or that they [are] at present only in these Collections, but as yet unprinted? or if printed, accessible only to the initiated?

If you can ascertain anything from the Pepysian, or any other source, will you, in your kindness, send it direct to Frank. His address is

Francis H. Groome
5 Argyle Park Terrace
Edinburgh.

He can then append an Editorial Note, in brackets, of what he has gathered about Captain Ward, and the various(?) ballads about him. Will you also send the proof to him with any hints as to the value or non-value, of Text B; of which however he has already received a copy. If you would let your name appear, as his informant, it would add to the value greatly.

I have just heard from FitzGerald, and he says: “Mrs T. writes rather sadly, about ten days ago, of Thompson: “So altered I should scarce know him” she said.” Is this so? I hope not. He was, of course, not looking well when I saw him; but he must have been very ill since then, for, “scarce know him”, to be true.

You will see I have utilized my notes about Dowsing.

Yours sincerely
Robert H. Groome

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{1} In fact the article appeared in the Ipswich Journal on 11 Dec. (No. 7587, p. 1).

{2} Add. MS b. 74/8/5.

Sent with Add. MS b. 74/8/5.

This description was created by A. C. Green in 2022.