We 
tae ene i 
18262}. Original Letters. 31 1, 
jeoted|dnd suspended works, of my_own, (several of which I shall prghably never 
have, leisure.to resume’, that. I,must not pretend to afford even the Slightest. 
assistance, to, your friend. I. wish hint success: but, between, ourselvés, I 
greatly apprehend he is embarking ina very troublesome and hazardous adven~ 
ture, for, there is a swarm of such publications, that must injure oné another. 
They all profess the same object—I have been frequently solicited to engage in) 
several, old and new; but it has been an invariable rule with me’ throngh lifes 
toWeeline all overtures’ of this nature, and to reject even splendid: offers| of-emo-) 
lument.I'tell you this, my dear Emma, merely that. you may not.think, me.a, 
churi for my: positive refusal of your request. aN 
-¥ow \will bave,the goodness to. make my excuse in the civilest terms to your 
friend....In truth, I begin to feel that age affords me a sufficient title to absolute 
repose, 
be -Remember me kindly to Edgar, and heaven bless you both. 
‘ Ever your affectionate Heamit. 
ait (To the same.) 
Dear Emma : Monday Morning, May, 51806. 
‘When my heart intends a kindness, I. do not like (as Lord Hastings says), 
“to let the coldness of delay hang on it; I therefore send you a speedy epitaph 
—if it answers no purpose.but to sooth your sorrow, remaining in. absolute 
privacy in the recesses of your secret desk, it will be a gratification to 
v Your affectionate Hxeamrr, in haste. 
‘Give my kind remembrance to Edgar; assure him T do not wish? toJead 
him to waste any cash upon unnecessary ostentatious marble; on the vontrary, I 
would rathet advise’ him, if he happens to have a few spare guineas, to devote 
them ‘tothe’ purchase’ of some» young lions from the Leverian auction -for his 
future. studies in'art. ‘But now'tor your epitaph, which aspires only to, gratify 
your feelings in privacy. Adieu. si coal 
MLB S2IW & 29M10990 26 Epitaph. 
Fos | | senSeamar of gentle birth'and, generous mind ! ide 
A Had Fortune proved to thy brave spirit kind, 
What wreaths thy twice ten years of toil had won! 
Glory had hailed thee as a favourite son: 
But hardships, cares, and sickness (all thy doom !) 
Have sunk thee here in this untrophied tomb; 
Yet shall thy great historic’ kinsman’s fame 
Here lead inquiry to repeat thy name ; 
And here, young Gibbon! pity says with truth, 
Had the Historian known thy modest youth, 
He would have said, and from a heart benign, tia J 
His friendship, as his name, was justly thine ; ae 
: Death, early death, allowed not him to aid 
mom B 2 rol Thy virtues, struggling in misfortune’s shade ; 
nf £19 
onity » », But woes so well sustained want no record, aed 
ant vd-boxin Angels attest them, and the heavens reward. hit 
ow odio : tae 
Bad bsiiaxs (To E. A. Spilsbury) Tuesday, 2 o'clock, July 12; 
© Allereatures that live, my).dear Edgar, are liable to mischance—I am. very, 
sorry for my..good-natured old. Hidalgo,* but I shall be still more sorry, for my 
ifhe grieves too: much for an accident-he.could not foresee... , 
efi éndedvour to draw good. from evil.on all,occasions where I can employ such. 
useful\chemistry;:and-when we meet, I, will ;tell you. how. it may be done in. the. 
case before us.ol shall be happy to.see'you and.Mr. Gibbon inthe Turret, at any 
ee For, eleven.:'0 The Hermit is; obliged|ito impose .a strict.law.upon himse i, 
andotowork till! that hour every day, when he is, not.abroad...I write from, the 
apartment; of: our.sgood :Paulina;:whose | -yariable, health makes. me. painfully, 
anxious on her account. Adieu-imited .benedictions, attend, you, and )your's, 
fromthis friendly hduse-Adiew..: oy 90) s4o%s Hols secus vibns ons sal 
+O1q -avoiny stiv bebrolis roo Flis favourite, homens po soak in wins 
