“All the devils in hell seem to conspire against me.
When success seemed placed within my reach, and I had nothing left to do but to
nod my head and become a hero, some damned untoward accident prevents it. Barnwell could not be played,
as I informed you it would. But last night, to forward the manager’s
business,
| 146 | WILLIAM GODWIN |
“If it were a respectable company, I would gladly accept the good parts he gave me, though a few messages were thrown in with them, because it was really a good line; but in that situation I hardly think it would be right to stay, even if I did nothing else but the good parts. They are such a wretched set of mummers. Perhaps you will say that I can do my business properly, though they did not. I say no. They seldom speak a word of the author. The business is a jest, and likewise the man who attempts to treat it seriously.
“I shall leave this place before you can possibly return an answer. I am now 170 miles from town. I shall start from hence with 5s. in my pocket. I shall see you shortly. I will black shoes at the corner of Goodge Street for 1s. a-day sooner than be anything but the leader among a set of wretches I despise.
