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Bodleian Library, MS Eng. Lett. d. 47. ALS; 4p. . Not previously published.
These letters were edited with the assistance of Ian Packer and Lynda Pratt
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Original documents being always more satisfactory than abridgements, you will understand how I am situated with respect
to the draft xxxxx by perusing the two letters which are herewith sent, (& which you may destroy when you have done with
them) better than by any explanation on my part. – A mistake there has evidently been, not in me, but either in his reading, or in Mrs WRs5 instead of 3 or 4. – Now as to what he recommends. Of course my draft must be
withdrawn & thrown behind the fire, – the noting it, tho perfectly right according to Mr
Dickiesr Dickie that there has been a mistake, & that the note is withdrawn. Now I am not sure that it becomes me
to ask leave of the bankers to draw for the 400. On the contrary if I can do without it, it will I think be better to let it stay till
I shall have finished the Memoir. And having had 50£ from you, I can do without it (if I am not kept long without any payment for the
SS. article,r Bell, which I can do without scruple under these circumstances, – he
having indeed in a former letter offerd me a credit upon his banker for the whole five, if it would be any accommodation.
I have only one thing more to say. In his first letter you will find that he accedes to the propriety of a
determination of mine, – & you will not find to what it alludes. The matter (between ourselves) was this, he asked why I would not
think of taking orders, & I gave him without delay or hesitation very sufficient reasons why such a step would be a very
injudicious one – reasons which are not worth repeating here, because you may judge what they would be
Last night I resumed my hexametrical Carmen Funebre,take for the
present or not: that it will be followed hereafter I doubt not.
King Mob, contrary to his Majestys custom, has borne his faculties meekly in this place, & my windows were not
assailed on the night of the illumination.game upon the occasion than I expected. Perhaps we owed our security to the half dozen persons in town, who also
chose to light no candles to the Devil. They had declared their resolution of making a fight for it, if they were attacked, & they
happened to be persons of consideration & influence. So all went off peaceably. The tallow-chandler told our
servantterrible great
disturbances; – this was a hint to me, but I was too much a Trojan to be taken in by this man of Grease.
The post manbetter light our windows.
It is I hope needless to say that I am truly sorry to have given you this trouble about the draft. There has been no
error on my part – I followed Dr Bells directions to the
letter. – If upon full knowledge of the case you think I had better draw for the 400£, I will sacrifice my opinion to yours you know I
am ready enough to follow advice, except when it would lead me to Drawing Rooms.
I cannot conceive why Murray delays my first chapter.
When you see the Chief-Castrator will you tell him that Col:
Pasleyr Young
Let me hear from you & concerning yourself, how you are. – We are all well thank God, & I am in better spirits than you would suppose in this beginning of the reign of King Mob.