"Of * * * *, the grand metaquizzical poet,
A man of vast merit, though few people know it;
The perusal of whom (as I told _you_ at Mestri)
I owe, in great part, to my passion for pastry.
"Mestri and Fusina are the 'trajects, or common ferries,' to
Venice; but it was from Fusina that you and I embarked, though 'the
wicked necessity of rhyming' has made me press Mestri into the
voyage.
"So, you have had a book dedicated to you? I am glad of it, and
shall be very happy to see the volume.
"I am in a peck of troubles about a tragedy of mine, which is fit
only for the (* * * * *) closet, and which it seems that the
managers, assuming a _right_ over published poetry, are determined
to enact, whether I will or no, with their own alterations by Mr.
Dibdin, I presume. I have written to Murray, to the Lord
Chamberlain, and to others, to interfere and preserve me from such
an exhibition. I want neither the impertinence of their hisses, nor
the insolence of their applause. I write only for the _reader_, and
care for nothing but the _silent_ approbation of those who close
one's book with good humour and quiet contentment.
"Now, if you would also write to our friend Perry, to beg of him to
mediate with Harris and Elliston to _forbear_ this intent, you will
greatly oblige me. The play is quite unfit for the stage, as a
single glance will show them, and, I hope, _has_ shown them; and,
if it were ever so fit, I will never have any thing to do willingly
with the theatres.
"Yours ever, in haste," &c.
[Footnote 31: Already given in his Journal.]
* * * * *