"Stilton, Oct. 3. 1813.
"I have just recollected an alteration you may make in the proof to
be sent to Aston.--Among the lines on Hassan's Serai, not far from
the beginning, is this--
"Unmeet for Solitude to share.
Now to share implies more than _one_, and Solitude is a single
gentleman; it must be thus--
"For many a gilded chamber's there,
Which Solitude might well forbear;
and so on.--My address is Aston Hall, Rotherham.
"Will you adopt this correction? and pray accept a Stilton cheese
from me for your trouble. Ever yours, B.
"If[75] the old line stands let the other run thus--
"Nor there will weary traveller halt,
To bless the sacred bread and salt.
"_Note_.--To partake of food--to break bread and taste salt with
your host, ensures the safety of the guest; even though an enemy,
his person from that moment becomes sacred.
"There is another additional note sent yesterday--on the Priest in
the Confessional.
"P.S.--I leave this to your discretion; if any body thinks the old
line a good one or the cheese a bad one, don't accept either. But,
in that case, the word _share_ is repeated soon after in the line--
"To share the master's bread and salt;
and must be altered to--
"To break the master's bread and salt.