“Having now rendered my first canto as perfect as is in my power, I now venture to intrude it on your notice. I am too well aware of my many defects, and the high advantages of your opinion, not to anxiously avail myself of your permission to submit it to your inspection. Of the poem itself I have nothing more to say than that your judgment will be most unmurmuringly and implicitly relied on. It is quite at your option to throw it behind the fire, or allow it a little longer existence.
“But however delightful your praise may be, is it presumption to say, do not let me receive from your kindness what I would owe to your real sentiments?
“Before I conclude, I must be permitted to express my pleasure on seeing I had been honoured with a place in the “Gazette.” Pray accept my best thanks for the improvements you made.
