6 Wisconsin Academy of Sciences^ Arts^ and Letters. 
in the same Situation. Yet I hope (as it is likely we shall 
have Races) I shall enjoy that pleasure before Christmas —& 
if you are not inrolled in the List of ye Racing performers I 
have a little Expectation of seeing you at Whitby then. 
I am exceedingly glad your Benefit at Darlington turned 
out to your Satisfaction. You say ‘‘you have often Exper¬ 
ienced the friendship of Dari, as well as Stock.’’—^long very 
long may you continue to enjoy the Friendship of both. 
Tho’ Merit is seldom rewarded so well as it should be — Yet 
the Place must be a damn’d stupid one indeed to let it be 
neglected. 
We have had the “famous and unparalleled” Mr. Jonas the 
Jugler here — his Visit indeed was only short but as he per¬ 
forms his Part much better than any other Pretender to the 
Art — the Spectators are as much pleased as astonished. 
There is not the least Necessity for the Letters you honor 
me with “to be left at Mrs. Barkers.” 8) Directed to J. 
Ritson at Ra: Bradley’s Esqr Stockton they will be much 
sooner received as I seldom know there is a Letter till three 
or four Days afterwards. 
My Imagination’s so shallow, it is the most vain Undertaking 
possible, for me to pretend corresponding with you. Yet if 
my stupid Letters have only the good fortune to procure one 
in return— I am happier than if I were the Author of Mr. 
Pope’s Literary Correspondence. 
I am 
Dear Sir 
With the greatest Respect 
Your most humble Servant 
J. Ritson Jun 
The next letter, likewise unaddressed, was written to Isaac 
Reed, and forms a not unimportant link in a chain of Shakes¬ 
pearian controversy which involved, besides Ritson and Reed, 
several prominent persons, notably Johnson, Steevens, Malone, 
and Farmer. Ritson’s first publication in this connection 
was a volume of scattered notes. Remarks, Critical and Illus¬ 
trative, on the Text and Notes of the Last Edition of Shaks- 
peare, London, 1783, directed against Johnson and Steevens 
and their 1778 edition of Shakespeare. The critic’s manner 
® Ritson’s landlady. 
