I told the little poet,* after the proper softenings of wine, dinner, flattery, repeating his verses, etc. etc., that a friend of mine wished to lend him some money, and I begged him to take it. The poet said that he had a very sacred and serious notion of the duties of independence, that he thought he had no right to be burdensome to others from the mere apprehensions of evil, and that he was in no immediate want. If it was necessary, he would ask me hereafter for the money without scruple; and that the knowing he had such resources in reserve, was a great comfort to him. This was very sensible and very honourable to him, nor had he the slightest feeling of affront on the subject, but, on the contrary, of great gratitude to his benefactor, whose name I did not mention, as the money was not received; I therefore cancel your draft, and will call upon you, if he calls upon me. This, I presume, meets your approbation. I had a great deal of conversation with him, and he is a much more sensible man than I had any idea of. I have received this morning a very kind letter from Sir Francis Baring, almost amounting to a promise that I am to be a professor in his new Institution.
I cannot conclude my letter without telling you, that you are a very good lady for what you have done; and that, for it, I give you my hearty benediction. Respectfully and sincerely yours,
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* The late Thomas Campbell, Esq. |
| 32 | MEMOIR OF THE REV. SYDNEY SMITH. |
P.S. I have a project for Campbell’s publishing this new volume of poems by subscription; they are already far advanced.
