“I am just favoured with your kind letter of April 30. I am truly sorry that our worthy friend the Shepherd does not fall within the class to which your society gives pensions. If, however, great originality and true poetical genius could have given any title, sure I am there could not be so strong a case as our friend’s for the society’s extending their patronage.
“I feel much indebted to you for your most friendly offer of moving for a draft of 50l. This, however, is a matter of some little delicacy; and though, for my own part, I think our friend would most gratefully accept a favour so delicately and honourably conferred upon him, yet I do not like to take it upon myself to say so. I intend, therefore, to consult some mutual friends here, and will write you in a few posts.”
