“My dear Sir,
“When your letter was left at No. 10, Adelphi
Terrace, this evening, I was fortunately with Mr. Bell, who, on merely looking at the signature, handed
it to me. I say fortunately, for on reading it there
are passages which seem to imply that an appeal had been made to you of a
nature not very spirited, nor very becoming the gratitude which I already
owed to you. I should indeed deeply lament that any friend of mine could
for a moment be led to suppose me capable of that species
of trespass on the benevolence of a total stranger. No, my dear
Sir, whatever were my expressions (and I know not what they were), I never
could mean, expect, or accept, any assistance from you, except through the
medium of the arrangement which yourself suggested, and so kindly
volunteered to manage on my behalf. This arrangement, which comprehended
the transfer, and probable revival, of the
‘Harp’ and
the MS. ‘Lays on
Land,’ I was encouraged to think, and did myself think,
would
| ISMAEL FITZADAM. | 315 |
“I believe I mentioned to you the Irish demand for the ‘Harp,’ since which I have had letters from that quarter, stating an increased sale, so that I hope to find the first edition (if I have been treated fairly), now at least, completely gone. I shall linger in town till towards the end of the week, to see further, and if you think anything can, under all the circumstances, be done, may I beg to hear from you yet once again; but address myself, pray, and direct to ‘Mr. Fitzadam, care of H. N. Bell, Esq., 10, Adelphi Terrace,’ by post, if the speediest and most convenient to yourself.
“Whatever may be the result, your disinterested and generous friendship will ever have my sincerest gratitude and esteem.
“Most faithfully, my dear Sir,
“Yours, &c,
