My dear Mr.
Rogers,—I cannot express to you with how much concern I heard
from Dr. Holland of your late accident.
. . . When you get well recovered of your accident, I shall read you a serious
lecture, about your exposing yourself by walking home in the evening; but at
present I cannot find it in my heart to utter a word of reproach. How I wish it
were in my power to be near you on this occasion, and endeavour to relieve the
| 374 | ROGERS AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES |
‘I hope your ill-health has not prevented your seeing something of my friend Prescott. He would feel it as the greatest of privations to have to leave England without making your personal acquaintance, as I know you would yourself much regret it. But I am unwilling to think he has been so unfortunate.
‘The papers tell us that the Queen has offered you the vacant Laureateship. It is what one might expect from her taste and judgment. The lost honours of that appointment have been sufficiently retrieved of late years to make it not unworthy of you. I will not ask you to write to me; for that may for some time be too great an effort, but I shall be truly rejoiced when I hear from some friend that you are quite recovered.
‘In the meantime, my dear Mr. Rogers, I pray you to believe me, as ever, with sincere attachment, faithfully yours,
