“Do not mistake me—I really returned your book for the reason assigned, and no other. It is too good for so careless a fellow. I have parted with all my own books, and positively won’t deprive you of so valuable ‘a drop of that immortal man.’
“I shall be very glad to see you, if you like to call, though I am at present contending with ‘the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,’ some of which have struck at me from a quarter whence I did not indeed expect them.—But, no matter, ‘there is a world elsewhere,’ and I will cut my way through this as I can.
“If you write to Moore, will you tell him that I shall answer his letter the moment I can muster time and spirits?