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Bodleian Library, MS Eng. Lett. c. 23. Not previously published.
These letters were edited with the assistance of Carol Bolton, Tim Fulford and Ian Packer
For permission to publish the text of MSS in their possession, the editor wishes to thank the Beinecke Rare Books and Manuscript Library, Yale University; Berg Collection of English and American Literature, The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations; the Bodleian Library Oxford University; the British Library; Boston Public Library; the Syndics of Cambridge University Library; the Syndics of the Fitzwilliam Museum Cambridge; Haverford College, Connecticut; the Historical Society of Pennsylvania; the Hornby Library, Liverpool Libraries and Information Services; the Houghton Library, Harvard University; the John Rylands Library, Manchester; the Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas; Luton Museum (Bedfordshire County Council); Massachusetts Historical Society; McGill University Library; the National Library of Scotland; the Newberry Library, Chicago; the New York Public Library (Pforzheimer Collections); the Pierpont Morgan Library, New York; the Public Record Offices of Bedford, Suffolk (Bury St Edmunds) and Northumberland, the Master and Fellows of Trinity College, Cambridge; the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne; the Trustees of the William Salt Library, Stafford, the Wisbech and Fenland Museum; the University of Virginia Library.
A research grant from the British Academy made much of the archival work possible, as did support from the English Department of Nottingham Trent University.
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Well Grosvenor our meeting is delayed, which is not well. do not however be alarmed, – the journey might not possibly have hurt me but I did not feel equal to it, the fatigue appeared tremendous to me in my present state, & I was fearful of fixing a cough which I am getting rid of. the advice I have is good, & perfectly understandable – it comes too from a man on whom I can rely – & were there any occasion, which there certainly is not, for higher authority, I frequently see Beddoes.
Thank you for your letter, the trouble of copying the Barber was needless, as I could have done it from the
Magazine.on xx xxxx xxxx with your xxxxx
leave as well as I can. oh what signature shall you chuse? your name – or initials – or will you be the
Translator of Musæus?
Early in the <next> week I expect to send you my Poems.
Should you survive me Grosvenor, I not only wish my letters but all my papers to be consigned to you – Excepting
letters you will not find much to burn, for I have made magnificent bonfires. but it is possible that you may essentially serve the
relations I may leave, by editing what you may find. it is my hope this summer to finish Madoc – but to keep it at least ten
years.
When I come to town in May it will be to keep the two terms – & for part of that time I can gladly be your guest. I look on with little pleasure to a journey – my time passes pleasurably in uniform employments, to-day like yesterday, tomorrow like to-day. indisposition affects my spirits but little, & that only at night when it keeps me waking – from the advance of spring, tonic medicines & the cold bath, I expect assistance, & still more from the sea & the exercise to which the shore will tempt me.
–––––
Sunday Feby. 10.
This has been for some days delayed – I have nothing to add except that I continue to be unwell & hope benefit from this thaw, which soaks thro every part of our old house. I will write with the Poems which will be finished tomorrow – so that by the end of the week I may safely promise them. God bless you.
I am setting off thro a fine snow-soup for my walk.