Letter of John Keats to George & Georgianna Keats


April 15, 1819

Last Sunday I took a Walk towards Highgate and in the lane that winds by the side of Lord Mansfield's park I met Mr [Joseph] Green our Demonstrator at Guy's [Hospital] in conversation with Coleridge--I joined them, after enquiring by a look whether it would be agreeable--I walked with him a[t] his alderman-after dinner pace for near two miles I suppose In those two Miles be broached a thousand things--let me see if I can give you a list--Nightingales, Poetry--on Poetical sensation--Metaphysics--Different genera and species of Dreams--Nightmare--a dream accompanied by a sense of touch--single and double touch--A dream related--First and second consciousness--the difference explained between will and Volition--so many metaphysicians from a want of smoking the second consciousness--Monsters--the Kraken--Mermaids--[S]outhey believes in them--[S]outheys belief too much diluted--A Ghost story--Good morning--I heard his voice as he came towards me--I heard it as he moved away--I had heard it all the interval--if it may be called so. He was civil enough to ask me to call on him at Highgate Good Night! ...