LITE AT ELLERAT. 99 



" My dear Harden : — I received your interesting letter this 

 morning about an hour ago, and cannot delay answering it for a 

 single day, deeply concerned as I feel myself in every thing that re- 

 gards your happiness. That you are to leave the clouds and moun- 

 tains of this our delightful land, gives me, as far as my selfish emo- 

 tions go, much real pain. I need not say how many happy days I 

 have passed at Brathay, and how affectionately I regard the family 

 living within its walls. Our friendship, which I fear not, in spite 

 of absence or distance, will continue with unabated sincerity, was 

 voluntary on both sides; and, during the few years we have known 

 each other, neither of us has found cause to repent of the affection 

 bestowed. That the determination you have formed is in all re- 

 spects right, I firmly believe, and the consciousness of having in 

 part sacrificed enjoyments so dear to you, for the sake of those you 

 tenderly love, will no doubt forever secure your happiness. 



" After all, you will appear to me in the light of a distant neigh- 

 bor, and when you have leisure to come to your beloved and beau- 

 teous lakes, if the smoke of Elleray is on the air, you know where 

 you and yours will experience an affectionate welcome. 



" That you will find the paper a good concern there is no doubt ; 

 and, at the same time, I cannot see that there will be any thing very 

 irksome in it. Living at this distance, and being no very vehement 

 admirer of daily politics, I fear it will not be often in my power to 

 give you effectual assistance. Any thing I can do will at all times 

 be cheerfully communicated. And, in the first place, a copy of the 

 paper will not be amiss. Please mark what are your lucubrations. 

 Of Oxford politics I neither know much nor care a great deal. Ox- 

 ford has long been sunk beneath the love or admiration of thought- 

 ful men, in spite of all her magnificence and all her learning. The 

 contest has ere now been decided, though I have not heard the re- 

 sult. If I find that any thing interesting can be said on the election 

 of the Chancellor,* I shall transmit it to you in a frank, and you 

 can either burn it or print it, as you think proper. 



"On this subject, therefore, let me conclude with every warm 

 wish for your success ; and may your residence in Edinburgh afford 

 every enjoyment you can desire. 



"As for myself, all my plans of delight and instruction, at least 

 on one great subject, are for the present abandoned. It would be 



* Lord Grenville. 

 5 



