small establishment is somewhat the better for being personally directed.

It would be the ruin of such a man to be in London or Bath, without a house to receive him gratis. But I have a great desire to know what kind of person his wife is. Such an inquiry, dear sir, is of importance in taking people under one's roof. Such geniuses do not always match prudently. Yet he expresses a tender solicitude about her, which he could not do if he knew her to be unworthy. We will hope the best.

I have too long intruded on your time, as I know it is of much importance, and will only add I should be very happy to see you under my roof, who have been so long justly in my esteem in concurrence with the public. May prosperity and peace attend you! Such is the prayer of,

Dear sir,

Your most obedient servant,

HENRIETTA FORDYCE.

VOL. III.

E

DEAR FRANK,

LETTER XCVI.

L-Cottage.

To ease your extreme anxiety, I write to inform you that I am in the land of the living, and almost miraculously delivered from all my miseries. I felt I could not die, without first letting my dear friend Mr. Allport, of whom I have spoken to you before, know my sufferings, which I thought would plead a strong excuse for the rash and wilful act I was on the very point of executing. The goodness, the benevolence of this true Samaritan, who so kindly soothed my sorrows, and poured balm into my bleeding wounds, is beyond all praise; and should my heart ever cease to remember him with the liveliest gratitude, esteem, and respect, I must become a very wretch indeed. He has raised up numerous friends for me, who have contributed very considerable sums to release me from embarrassment; and through him I have returned K the money which he advanced on my MSS. and got them again in my own possession. I must do him the justice to

believe, from what I have heard through my late publishers, that misfortune alone was the cause of his not fulfilling his engagements with me. It is my benevolent friend's advice, that I print the Tragedy on my own account, my former booksellers having consented to be my publishers on liberal terms.

now,

He says in his last letter to me, "I deem it so desirable that something should come out just now to keep the flame alive, or to add fuel to that which is kindled, that I advise your acceptance of Messrs. P and M's terms. I deem you speak only of your Tragedy. Your other poem I would have kept back. Let us proceed if we can, by those steps that will secure an easy, certain, and advantageous ascent. If your Tragedy sell well, and I do believe it will now, you very soon, I am persuaded, will have some handsome offer for your Poem. In the meantime revise it, and make it as perfect as possible. Messrs. P. and M. shall have an early remittance of £10. to stimulate them to advertise your Tragedy well. Mr. Lisle Bowles has sent you a remittance after reading your work, and expresses himself very warmly about it. I have not heard a word from Archdeacon Fisher, at which I am much surprised, as he informed me

LETTER XCIII.

From the Rev. Mr. Allport to Sylvaticus.

MY DEAR Friend,

Chippenham Vicarage.

YOURS came to hand this evening, just after a trip to Bath on your account. I lose no time in writing, to beg you will not at present press K further. I have to-day accidently met the man who was the means of bringing Elliston forward at Bath,-I mean Mr. Meyler; and he says, he thinks he has not forgotten it, and would now listen to him. He will write to town to make the trial. May he succeed! The trial from such a quarter can do no harm, and your Tragedy may be recovered. At all events it cannot injure you much to wait a little and see. To convince you of this, I have the very great happiness to inform you that I have now £30. for you,-I mean exclusive of what I have already sent you. Thank God and not me. Surely it was His good Providence led you to me this time two years. It is He that has opened door after door for me this last fortnight, to serve you. To Him be all

the praise and all the thanks. If you owe any thing, or want a few more pounds at present to purchase anything to advantage, let me know, and I will remit you any part immediately. But if you have no particular wish, it may as well remain. Your friends will study how what can be raised for you, if it increase, can best be applied to your benefit.

As soon as ever I possibly can, I purpose trying what can be effected with the editor of the British Review. Should you have any particular wish to try elsewhere, let me know directly. If not, I am not without hopes of succeeding there, and it is a most respectable, and I think truly impartial review.

You must not be surprised at finding your case made public. I read a great deal about you today to my own surprise (but agreeably so) in the West of England Miscellany, printed at Sherborne. There was no other way of rescuing you from wretchedness, and bringing you into that notice essential to you, ahd due to the public. May the Lord bless and comfort you, dispel all your griefs, remedy every ill, and speedily cause all your hopes to be realized. All I ask is your prayers, and I hope to remain

Yours very truly,

JOSIAH ALLport.