Tuesday 23 January 2007
Why Junkets?
When John Keats was 20 years old, he submitted his first-published poem to Leigh Hunt's magazine The Examiner. He signed it 'J.K.' When Leigh Hunt met him. he asked him his name. Keats gave it. But, while he was born and bred in the East End of London, he had acquired his father's West Country accent. So, Leigh Hunt heard him and replied: 'So, Junkets, you say? Well then, Junkets it will be!' After that, Keats signed his letters to Leigh Hunt: