MancJicster Memoirs, Vol. liv. (1910), No. t>. ii 



who has numbered it (i) and written on it the date of 

 receipt. It is dated, 



'* Gvvrych, gth Jany. , 1809. 

 My Dear Sir, 



Though I have hitherto delayed to express my sense of the 

 kindness you have shewn me, be assured I have ever felt most truly 

 indebted to your friendship, and flatter myself you will do me the 

 justice to believe, that my gratitude will be as permanent as it is sincere. 

 I do not share with Harriett the honor of your correspondence, yet I 

 hope a few lines from your tmkno7Vii yo\xng friend, will not be unaccept- 

 able, as they are the genuine dictates of a heart, which has been so 

 highly gratified by your approbation. Surely nothing can impart a 

 more exquisite pleasure, than to receive esteem and commendation from 

 the truly virtuous, may it ever be my aim to de serve \\\e.u ^xa.\se, by the 

 constant practice of every moral excellence ! The encomiums you 

 have so liberally liestowed upon my last poem, are delightful, because 

 I am persuaded they are sincere ; I am convinced \hz.tjlatte}y destroys 

 the germ and blights the promise of infant merit, but you will agree 

 with me that praise is calculated to rouse emulation, to inspire the 

 most noble enthusiasm, and to fix 



'The gen'rous purpose in the glowing breast.' 

 Harriett is^ I believe, fearful lest I should supplant her in your regard, 

 but she must allow me to become a Candidate for a portion of your 

 favour, as I cannot expect to rival her, before I have the pleasure of 

 your acquaintance. She has informed you of our regret at the prospect 

 of leaving this dear retreat, but neither her pen nor mine could express 

 the sentiments with which I shall bid adieu to the scenes of my 

 infantine pleasures. The seclusion I have here enjoyed has afforded 

 me leisure to pursue my favorite studies ; the wild and romantic 

 prospects of the surrounding country, have inspired me with that 

 adoration for the beauties of nature, which I shall ever retain ; and I 

 have here imbibed a taste for the genuine pleasures of rural and 

 domestic life. I need not therefore attempt to describe the impressions 

 with which I shall leave a place endeared to me V)y every recollection. 

 A town-residence would at all times be unpleasant, but the contrast of 

 its hurry and gaiety, with this sweet retirement, will render it almost 

 insupportable. I am quite delighted with the recent victory of my 

 hero, the gallant Palafox, and shall certainly attempt to celebrate it in 

 a song of triumph by way of a supplement to 'England and Spain.' 

 Accept my best thanks for the additional lines you have favored me 

 with ; they are very appropriate, but from a tenacity which I hope you 

 will think pardonable, I cannot admit into the poem any idea or even 

 Tvord that is not my own. Do not imagine that this is the effect of my 

 presumption, as I am sensible how much might be improved, how 

 much is to be pardoned ; it is dictated by that Candour, which I should 



