1774 THE ART OF VERSIFICATION 269 



at Winchester, and to see you ; you cannot be so displeased 

 at our not coming as we are grieved at not visiting the 

 old and dear scenes, and my old friend their master." 



The following letter to his nephew exhibits its 

 author in the character of an amiable uncle, though 

 his conception of poetry may now perhaps seem 

 somewhat strange and out of date. The last para- 

 graph contains a remarkable testimony to his brother 

 John's ability as a critic and writer of verse. Nothing 

 of this is known to be now extant. 



To Samuel Barker. 



[With a copy of the * Invitation to Selborne.'] 



Selborne, Nov. 3, 1774. 



Dear Sam, — When I sat down to write to you in verse, 

 my whole design was to show you how easy a thing it 

 might be with a little care for a nephew to excell his uncle 

 in the business of versification ; but as you have so fully 

 answered that intent by your late excellent lines, you must 

 for the future excuse my replying in the same way, and 

 make some allowance for the difference of ages. 



However, when at any time you find your muse pro- 

 pitious, I shall always rejoice to see a copy of your per- 

 formance, and shall be ready to commend, and, what is more 

 rare and more sincere, even to object and criticise where 

 there is occasion. 



A little turn for English poetry is no doubt a pretty 

 accomplishment for a young gentleman, and will not only 

 enable him the better to read and relish our best poets, 

 but will, like dancing to the body, have an happy influence 

 even .upon his prose compositions. Our best poets have 



