325 



be nearly finished by the time I proposed, — the end 

 of the year ; such an exertion has seldom been made 

 by a printer, as you will say when you see these pon- 

 derous tomes. 



You will begin to think that when I once told you 

 that I was a bad correspondent, I was acting the 

 part of a coquette, who pretends to be shy of her 

 favours only that they may be more highly valued ; 

 but however bountiful you may think I have been 

 of late, I must beg you to present my love to Mrs. 

 Smith, and tell her in return I transmit my wife's 

 love to you. And now, my dear friend, let me se- 

 riously tell you that I love you both better than I 

 once thought it would ever have been my lot to have 

 loved again ; and that the friendship which I have 

 been so happy as to form with you (for I will not 

 call it acquaintance,) will always be numbered 

 among the most fortunate events in the life of 

 Your ever affectionate and faithful Servant, 



W. Roscoe, 



From the same. 

 My dear Sir, Allerton, May 26, 1805. 



I have long intended to write to you, but have 

 been prevented by a continual succession of un- 

 avoidable occupation and bodily indisposition, and 

 sometimes by the junction of both. 



Leo's reckoning is now made, and he must be 

 sent to his account with all his imperfections. In 

 the course of a few days after this comes to hand, 

 you will receive a copy, which from its size would 



