I 



205 I 



TO HIS BROTHER NEYILLE. 



Nottingham, lOth March 1803. 

 Dear Neville, 



I am cured of patronage-hunting ; I will not expose 

 myself to any more similar mortifications, but shall 

 thank you to send the manuscripts to Mr Hill, Avith a 

 ,note, stating that I had written to the Duchess, and re- 

 ceiving no answer, you had called, and been informed 

 by a servant, that in all probability she never read the 

 letter, as she desired to know luhat the hook ivas left there 

 for ; that you had, in consequence, come away with the 

 manuscripts, under a conviction that your brother would 

 give her Grace no further trouble. State also that you 

 have received a letter from me, expressing a desire that 

 the publication might be proceeded on, wdthout any fur- 

 ther solicitation or delay. 



A name of eminence was, nevertheless, a most desir- 

 able thing to me in Nottingham, as it would attach more 

 respectability to the subscription ; but I see all further 

 efforts will only be productive of procrastination. 

 * * * * 



I think you may as well begin to obtain subscribers 

 amongst friends now, though the proposals may not be 

 issued at present. 



I have got twenty-three, without making the affair 

 public at all, among my immediate acquaintance : and 

 mind, I neither solicit nor draw the conversation to the 

 subject, but a rumour has got abroad, and has been re- 

 ceived more favourably than I expected. 



TO HIS BROTHER NEVILLE. 



Nottingham, 2d May 1803. 

 Dear Neville, 



I have just gained a piece of intelligence which much 

 vexes me. Robinson, the bookseller, knovvs that I have 



