104: MEMOIR OF JOHN WILSON. 



will consider, therefore, of this hasty note, and arrange matters with 



Ballantyne, etc., etc. I am, yours truly, 



" John Wilson." 



In April, 1811, he writes from Elleray. He is on the eve of being 

 married, and wants all the ready money he can get. He proposes, 

 therefore, to dispense with some of those standard works " which 

 no gentleman's library should be without," — Annual Registers, Par- 

 liamentary Histories, Statistical Accounts, best editions of various 

 Classics in Russia, etc., etc. 



"Elleray, Tuesday morning [April, 1811). 



" My dear Sir : — Since my arrival here I have been tolerably 

 busy, and have written several small poems that please me, and it is 

 to be hoped will produce the same effect on several thousand of the 

 judicious part of the reading world. 



" My second longest poem I have also given the last polish to, 

 and it now looks very imposiugly. In a week or two, when the 

 spring has a little advanced, I shall emigrate to the 'Isle of Palms,' 

 and build myself a cottage there, both elegant and commodious, and 

 subject to no taxation. I have this day written to Blair about Fin- 

 lay, and expect to hear all particulars from him. If any thing further 

 has occurred about his affairs in Glasgow, I should like to hear from 

 you. 



" The principal object of my present letter is to speak to you about 

 some books I wish to part with, being either tired of them or hav- 

 ing duplicates. 



" The following is a list of some of the best. If they suit you, 

 you will take them, or any part of them, at your own price, most 

 of them being books that you could sell easily. . . . 



" Out of these, I think, you might find some that might suit you 

 well. I go to Liverpool to-morrow, to James Penny, Esq., Seel 

 street, where I should like to hear from you on receipt of this. You 

 might make something upon them, and I be enabled to take a little 

 longer marriage jaunt, in these hard times money being scarce. 



" On my return, I shall send you some portion of my manuscript, 

 of which, if you make any use beyond yourself, I don't fear it will 

 be judicious. Remember that few are entitled to pass judgment on 

 poetry. I am, dear sir, yours very truly, John Wilson. 



"P. S. — Should you ever publish any edition of any poet, and 

 wish for preface, etc., you know where to apply." 



