"the isle of palms." 109 



and in manuscript, very perspicuous ; but they were written upon 

 principle, and will, I doubt not, give pleasure when the canto is 

 thought of together, and distinctly embraced in one whole. Blair 

 and Wordsworth were both delighted with them, and, as I shall 

 have a very short preface, I am not afraid of their seeming obscure. 

 At the same time, I shall be obliged to you for any remarks of the 

 kind, as, though I have written nothing without due thought, all 

 hints should be, and will be attended to, and gratefully received. 



" I am in daily expectation of receiving the second canto from 

 Blair, written over in the same maimer, and think you may be ex- 

 pecting it on Thursday. Indeed, fear not of having regular and 

 sufficient supplies. 



" The whole Isle of Palms is of a wild character, though, I trust, 

 sufficiently interspersed and vivified with human feelings to interest 

 generally and deeply. Its wildness and romantic character, being 

 qualities that suffer greatly by piecemeal quotation, render me de- 

 sirous of its being seen entire or not at all ; but still this is not a 

 matter of much importance, as I fear nothing when the poem comes 

 before the pub he. I know the public taste, and neither will violate 

 nor cringe to it, and, with its own merits, and the respectable way 

 in which it will be given to the world, I am fearless of its success. 

 I find that the Isle of Palms will be nearer 3,000 than 2,000 lines. 

 Of the other poems, I know there are many that will be more popu- 

 lar, and therefore I expect that, as the printing proceeds, you will 

 see reason to confide in those hopes of my success, which you have 

 already been good enough to entertain. 



" On the whole, I think Ballantyne ought to print the work, if 

 you can make good terms with him. Blue stockings are dirty 

 things, but not very deleterious. 



" Next letter, I expect to hear from you positively when you 

 begin printing, that I may never be from home, and keep the devils 

 from getting cool. In ten days I shall have sent you the first three 

 cantos, containing above 2,000 lines, and then I am not afraid of my 

 heels being pressed upon, as correction will be my only task. 



"All the booksellers in Oxford know me well. Indeed, I once 

 talked to Parker about publishing some poems there, but, though 

 he was most willing to undertake it, I afterwards changed my mind, 

 for the University is but a dullish spot, though undoubtedly many 

 copies will be sold there. 



