348 



distinguished owner, and of meeting you under his 

 roof, — temptations which I feel I shall hardly be 

 able to resist. At present, however, I cannot speak 

 very decisively. Neither my wife nor myself are at 

 present very well ; and when I shall be able to ven- 

 ture abroad so far before winter I really dare not 

 say. Mrs. R. and I ought to have gone to Hafod 

 this year ; but the same causes rendered it impos- 

 sible. In the mean time be assured, my dear friend, 

 that nothing upon earth could afford me a greater 

 treat, and I shall consider it as a misfortune if I 

 should not be able to meet you. 



Your ever affectionate Friend, 



W. Roscoe. 



Sir J. E. S?nith to Mr. Roscoe. 



Norwich, Oct. 26, 1812. 

 Ah ! my dear friend, the vision which I ventured 

 to contemplate was too bright to be realized ! Yet 

 vour letter almost tempts me to hope, 



" Though hope were lost," 



As to this disappointment, you may well bear it, 

 because you know not what it is. 'Tis not the 

 enjoyments of taste, literature, luxury, and novelty 

 that I lament, — it is the losing the pleasure of see- 

 ing you beloved by so excellent a creature, so con- 

 genial to you. You would each find a mine of hap- 

 piness of which you know scarcely anything. Mr. 

 Coke is out of the sight and conception of the 

 world in general ; and I can £>ive vou no higher 



