Birthdays

 Halloween, Schmalloween – here at Nigeness, 31st October is always Keats's birthday (born 1795, in Moorgate, London, where his father was ostler at the Swan and Hoop inn). 
On this day in 1818, Keats signed off on his long letter to his brother George and his pregnant wife Georgiana, who were trying to start a new life in America. His other brother, Tom, meanwhile was dying of consumption. The letter ends:

'I hope you will have a Son, and it is one of my first wishes to have him in my Arms – which I will do please God before he cuts one double tooth. Tom is rather more easy than he has been; but is still so nervous that I cannot speak to him of these Matters – indeed it is the care I have had to keep his Mind aloof from feelings too acute that has made this Letter so short [!] a one – I did not like to write before him a Letter he knew was to reach your hands – I cannot even now ask him for any Message – his heart speaks to you – Be as happy as you can. Think of me and for my sake be cheerful. Believe me my dear Brother and Sister

           Your anxious and affectionate Brother
                                                                   John.
   This day is my Birth day –
   All our friends have been anxious in their enquiries and all send their remembrances'

It was Keats's 23rd birthday, and two and a half years later he would be dead of consumption. 

This date is also the birthday (1632, in Delft) of Johannes Vermeer. By Keats's time, he was an almost completely forgotten painter (awaiting rediscovery by the French), so the poet would never have seen his work. One can only imagine what he would have made of the Girl with a Pearl Earring, a painting that, in its sensual intimacy and lovingly observed, all but tangible textures, seems almost a visual analogue of a Keats poem...