“Mr Hatchard, judging rightly of the satisfaction it would afford me, has been so obliging as to communicate your two letters, in one of which you desire my ‘Tales’ to be sent; in the other, you acknowledge the receipt of them; and in both you mention my verses in such terms, that it would be affected in me were I to deny, and I think unjust if I were to conceal, the pleasure you give me. I am indeed highly gratified.
“I have long entertained a hearty wish to be made
known to a poet whose works are so greatly and so universally admired; and I
continued to hope that I might at some time find a common friend, by whose
intervention I might obtain that honour; but I am confined by duties near my
home, and by sickness in it. It may be long before I be in town, and then no
such opportunity might offer. Excuse me, then, sir, if I gladly seize this
which now occurs to express my thanks for the politeness of your expressions,
as well as my desire of being known to a gentleman who has delighted and
affected me, and moved all the passions and feelings in turn, I believe—Envy
surely excepted—certainly, if I know myself, but in a moderate degree. I truly
rejoice in your success; and while I am entertaining, in my way, a certain set
of readers, for the most part, probably, of peculiar turn and habit, I can with
pleasure see the effect you produce on all. Mr
Hatchard tells
| CORRESPONDENCE WITH CRABBE. | 23 |
