Since I last saw you I have been for some days at the Foreign Office, where they gave me all Bruce’s letters from Algiers; and I was surprised to find that those published by Murray* are not copies of the letters which reached the Foreign Office, but composed afterwards apparently from memory or notes! I therefore copied what I wanted from the letters themselves. The job you have given me is indeed a much more difficult one than I believe you had any idea of. I have been jogging very hard and constantly; but I am sorry to say that I find the subject growing on my hands. I am so very averse to a long-winded story, or a big book, that I assure you I had every wish, and have made many endeavours, to bring the subject within the dimensions of your original proposal (which I shall be perfectly willing still to execute), but on mature reflection, for your interest as well as my own reputation, I am now of opinion that you should decidedly determine on having
* ‘Travels to Discover the Source of the Nile.’ By James Bruce. Edited, with a Life of Bruce, by Alexander Murray. 7 vols. 1805. |
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