TO HIS BROTHER NEVILLE.

DEAR NEVILLE,

Nottingham, 10th March, 1803.

I AM cured of patronage hunting; I will not expose myself to any more similar mortifications, but shall thank you to send the manuscripts to Mr. Hill, with a note stating that I had written to the Duchess, and receiving no answer, you had called, and been informed by a servant that in all probability she never read the letter, as she desired to know what the book was left there for; that you had, in consequence, come away with the ma nuscripts, under a conviction that your brother would give her Grace no further trouble. State also that you have received a letter from me, expressing a desire that the publication might be proceeded on, without any further solicitation or delay.

A name of eminence was, nevertheless, a most desirable thing to me in Nottingham, as it would attach more respectability to the subscription; but I see all further efforts will only be productive of procrastination.

I think you may as well begin to obtain subscribers amongst friends, now, though the proposals may not be issued at present.

I have got twenty-three, without making the affair public at all, among my immediate acquaintance: and mind, I neither solicit nor draw the conversation to the subject, but a rumour has got abroad, and has been received more favourably than I expected.

TO HIS BROTHER NEVILLE.

DEAR NEVILLE,

Nottingham, 2nd May, 1803.

I HAVE just gained a piece of intelligence which much vexes me. Robinson, the bookseller, knows that I have written to the Duchess of Devonshire, and he took the liberty (certainly an unwarrantable one) to mention it to was inscribed to her Grace.

whose

Mr.

said, that unless I had got a friend to deliver the poems, personally, into the hands of her Grace, it was a hundred to one that they ever reached her; that the porter at the lodge. burns scores of letters and pacquets a day, and particularly all letters by the twopenny post are consigned to the fire. The rest, if they are not particularly excepted, as inscribed with a pass name on the back, are thrown into a closet, to be reclaimed at leisure. He said, the way he proceeded was this:-He left his card at her

door, and the next day called, and was admitted. Her Grace then gave him permission, with this proviso, that the dedication was as short as possible, 'and contained no. compliments, as the Duke had taken offence at some such compliments.

Now, as my letter was delivered by you at the door, I have scarcely a doubt that it is classed with the penny post letters, and burnt. If my manuscripts are destroyed, I am ruined, but I hope it is otherwise. However, I think you had better call immediately, and ask for a parcel for Mr. H. White, of Nottingham. They will, of course, say they have no such parcel; and then, perhaps, you may have an opportunity of asking whether a pacquet, left in the manner you left mine, had any probability of reaching the Duchess. If you obtain no satisfaction, there remains no way of re-obtaining my volume, but this, (and I fear you will never agree to put it in execution): to leave a card, with your name inscribed, (Mr. J. N. White), and call the next day. If you are admitted, you will state to her Grace the purport of your errand, as for a volume of poems in manuscript, sent by your brother a fortnight,ago, with a letter, (say from Nottingham, as a reason why I do not wait on her), requesting permission of dedication to her; and that as you found her Grace had not received them, you had taken the liberty, after many enquiries at her door, to request to see her in person,

I hope your diffidence will not be put to this test; I

hope you will get the poems without trouble; as for beg ging patronage, I am tired to the soul of it, and shall give

it up.

TO HIS BROTHER NEVILLE.

Nottingham,

1803.

I WRITE you, with intelligence of a very important nature. You some time ago had an intimation of my wish to enter the church, in case my deafness was not removed. About a week ago I became acquainted with the Rev. late of St. John's College, Cambridge, and in consequence of what he has said, I have finally determined to enter myself of Trinity College, Cambridge, with the approbation of all my friends.

&

Mr.

says that it is a shame to keep me away from the University, and that circumstances are of no importance. He says, that if I am entered of Trinity, where they are all select men, I must necessarily, with my abilities, arrive at preferment. He says he will be answerable that the first year I shall obtain a Scholarship, or an exhibition adequate to my support. That by the

time I have been of five years standing, I shall of course become a Fellow, (2001. a year); that with the Fellowship, I may hold a Professorship, (5001. per annum); and a living or curacy until better preferments occur. He says, that there is no uncertainty in the church to a truly pious man, and a man of abilities and eloquence. That those who are unprovided for, are generally men who, having no interest, are idle drones, or dissolute debauchees, and therefore ought not to expect advancement. That a poet, in particular, has the means of patronage in his pen; and that, in one word, no young man can enter the church (except he be of family), with better prospects than myself. On the other hand, Mr. Enfield has himself often observed, that my deafness will be an insuperable obstacle to me, as an attorney, and has said how unfortunate a thing it was for me not to have known of the growing defect, in my organs of hearing, before I articled myself. Under these circumstances, I conceive I should be culpable did I let go so good an opportunity as now occurs. Mr.

will write to all his university friends, and he says there is so much liberality there, that they will never let a young man of talents be turned from his studies by want of cash.

Yesterday I spoke to Mr. Enfield, and he, with unexampled generosity, said that he saw clearly what an advantageous thing it would be for me; that I must be sensible what a great loss he and Mr. Coldham would suffer; but that he was certain neither he, nor Mr.