LETTERS. 319 



TO HIS BROTHER SEVILLE. 



St Jolin*?, 12tli Aug. 1806. 

 Dear Xevillt-, 



I can but just manage to tell jou, by tliis post, what 

 I am sure you will be glad to learn, even at the expense 

 of sevenpence for an empty sheet, that Mr Catton has 

 given me an exhibition, which makes my whole income 

 sixty guineas a year. My last term's bill was £13, 13s., 

 and I had £7, 12s. to receive ; but the expenses of this 

 vacation will leave me bare until Christmas. 



I have the pleasure of not having solicited either this 

 or any other of the favours which iMr Catton has so li- 

 berally bestowed upon me : and though I have been the 

 possessor of this exhibition ever since March last, yet Mr 

 Catton did not hint it to me until this morning, when he 

 gave me my bill. 



I have, of course, signified to 'Mr Simeon that I shall 

 have no need whatever of the stipend which I have 

 hitherto received through his hands. He was extremely 

 kind on the occasion, and indeed his conduct towards me 



has ever been fatherly. It was Mr who allowed 



me £20 per annum, and Mr Simeon added £10. He 

 told me that my conduct gave him the most heartfelt 

 joy ; that I was so generally respected, without having 

 made any compliances, as he understood, or having, in 

 any instance, concealed my principles. Indeed, this is 

 a praise which I may claim, though I never conceived 

 that it was at all an object of praise. I have always 

 taken some pains to let those around me know ray reli- 

 gious sentiments, as a saving of trouble, and as a mark 

 of that independence of opinion which, I think, every 

 one ought to assert : and as I have produced my opin- 

 ions with frankness and modesty, and supported them (if 

 attacked) with coolness and candour, I have never found 

 them any impediment to my acquaintance with any per- 

 son whose acquaintance I coveted. 



