“On the return of our honest friend Shepherd, I wrote you a hasty letter,
intending to have followed it by one more expressive of what I felt for your
kindness to him; but a most violent effort to free myself from the heavy task
in which I am engaged, and the continual pressure of business, with my journeys
between Allerton and Liverpool, have so devoured every moment of my time, that
day after day has passed on, till the conclusion of the year, without my being
able to fulfil my wishes. I am now, however, determined to be somewhat more my
own master. Since you left Liverpool, I have copied and prepared for the press
as much as will compose my two first volumes. The remainder is in great
forwardness, and, if I enjoy my health for a few months, will, I hope, be
completed. M’Creery begins to
print with the new year, and promises to proceed with great rapidity. My
arrangements with Messrs. Cadell and
Davies are made to my satisfaction;
and in the spring of 1805 I am in hopes I shall make my appearance before the
public in the pompous shape of four splendid quartos. The labour of correcting,
&c. I regard as nothing, in comparison with that which I have had in the
collecting of materials, and in the composition of the work; and hence, though
| LIFE OF WILLIAM ROSCOE. | 319 |
