On the 19th of August, 1823, Robert Bloomfield died at Shefford, in
Bedfordshire, aged 57. He was born at Honington, near Bury, in Suffolk,
where he received instruction in reading and writing at a common school,
and became a “Farmer’s boy;” which occupation he has related with
simplicity and beauty in a poem under that title. He wrote that
production when a journeyman shoemaker: under the auspices of the late
Mr. Capel Llofft it was ushered into the world; and Bloomfield,
unhappily for himself, subsequently experienced the insufficient and
withering patronage of ostentatious greatness. His first poem was
succeeded by “Rural Tales,” “Good Tidings, or News from the Farm,” “Wild
Flowers,” “Banks of the Wye,” and “May-Day with the Muses.” In his
retirement at Shefford, he was afflicted with the melancholy consequent
upon want of object, and died a victim to hypochondria, with his mind in
ruins, leaving his widow and orphans destitute. His few books, poor
fellow, instead of being sent to London, where they would have produced
their full value, were dissipated by an auctioneer unacquainted with
their worth, by order of his creditors, and the family must have
perished if a good Samaritan had not interposed to their temporary
relief. Mr. Joseph Weston published the “Remains of Robert Bloomfield,”
for their benefit, and set on foot a subscription, with the hope of
securing something to Mrs. Bloomfield for the exclusive and permanent
advantage of herself and her fatherless children. It has been
inadequately contributed to, and is not yet closed.