"Cheltenham, Sept. 14. 1812.
"The parcels contained some letters and verses, all but one
anonymous and complimentary, and very anxious for my conversion
from certain infidelities into which my good-natured correspondents
conceive me to have fallen. The books were presents of a
_convertible_ kind. Also, 'Christian Knowledge' and the 'Bioscope,'
a religious Dial of Life explained;--and to the author of the
former (Cadell, publisher,) I beg you will forward my best thanks
for his letter, his present, and, above all, his good intentions.
The 'Bioscope' contained a MS. copy of very excellent verses, from
whom I know not, but evidently the composition of some one in the
habit of writing, and of writing well. I do not know if he be the
author of the 'Bioscope' which accompanied them; but whoever he is,
if you can discover him, thank him from me most heartily. The other
letters were from ladies, who are welcome to convert me when they
please; and if I can discover them, and they be young, as they say
they are, I could convince them perhaps of my devotion. I had also
a letter from Mr. Walpole on matters of this world, which I have
answered.
"So you are Lucien's publisher? I am promised an interview with
him, and think I shall ask _you_ for a letter of introduction, as
'the gods have made him poetical.' From whom could it come with a
better grace than from _his_ publisher and mine? Is it not somewhat
treasonable in you to have to do with a relative of the 'direful
foe,' as the Morning Post calls his brother?
"But my book on 'Diet and Regimen,' where is it? I thirst for
Scott's Rokeby; let me have your first-begotten copy. The
Anti-jacobin Review is all very well, and not a bit worse than the
Quarterly, and at least less harmless. By the by, have you secured
my books? I want all the Reviews, at least the critiques,
quarterly, monthly, &c., Portuguese and English, extracted, and
bound up in one volume for my _old age_; and pray, sort my Romaic
books, and get the volumes lent to Mr. Hobhouse--he has had them
now a long time. If any thing occurs, you will favour me with a
line, and in winter we shall be nearer neighbours.
"P.S.--I was applied to, to write the Address for Drury Lane, but
the moment I heard of the contest, I gave up the idea of contending
against all Grub Street, and threw a few thoughts on the subject
into the fire. I did this out of respect to you, being sure you
would have turned off any of your authors who had entered the lists
with such scurvy competitors. To triumph would have been no glory;
and to have been defeated--'sdeath!--I would have choked myself,
like Otway, with a quartern loaf; so, remember I had, and have,
nothing to do with it, upon _my honour_."
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