revives my drooping hopes. Mr. C. has sent copies of my poem to all the principal reviews. Now these critics are men of high talent, correct judgment, and uncorrupt honour; totally disinterested and independent, superior to the influence of party spirit, to the vile and sordid power of bribery, and unwarped by local prejudices or narrow feelings of aristocratic pride and jealousy. They will, I rest assured, readily make every allowance for the numerous disadvantages against which I have so resolutely fought; they will, as the fearless and avowed patrons of genius and merit, bring forward my work to the world; and if in any degree I deserve the high meed of their approbation, nobly cheer me on in my arduous pursuits, promote my welfare by their powerful commendations, and thus introduce me from the desponding gloom of obscurity, into the heartcheering sunshine of public favour. I am, as ever, SYLVATICUS. LETTER LXXVII. MY KIND FRIEND, L Cottage. You wonder at my long silence, but you will find by what I have now to relate, that a sufficient excuse exists for my not communicating with you before. A heavy responsibility rested upon me, and having no hope of a speedy sale for my remaining copies, I formed the resolution of making a little tour to obtain the names of fresh subscribers, or rather new purchasers, to take the copies off my hands. It was an herculean task, but honour and honesty were my prominent motives. I began my expedition towards the east, a supply of books having been previously forwarded to meet me at certain distances. At the first town I succeeded well; at the second, which was Christchurch, badly, and at Lymington worse. At Southampton, I sold many copies. At Ryde, in the Isle of White, Miss O'Keefe, the author of Patriarchal Times, &c. having by chance seen a copy of my work, sent for me, treated me with much polite atten PAGE. LETTER CVIII.-Extract from the Bath and Cheltenham Gazette, respecting the situation of the author--his feelings of gratitude to the Editor. Mr. Britton and others.-Lines to the Memory of Mrs. Fordyce, .... 161 LETTER CIX.-Ancient manners and amusements of the once-happy peasantry of Land its neighbourhood.-Village characters, 170 LETTER CX.-From D. Cabanel, Esq.- his opinion of the author's poems, LETTER CXI.—From R. A. to the author-his Tragedy promised representation on the boards of the Bath Theatre-invitation to his house during the rehearsals, LETTER CXII. The author's reply-grateful for his kindness, LETTER CXIII.-The author after a consider able interval sets out for Bath-he finds that -Mr. S. M. at length determines to publish LETTER CXIV.- Lines, Richard Cœur de Lion's Arrival on the Coast of Palestine.-Scenes in 196 198 200 202 Palestine published-extracts from different PAGE. ... 223 LETTER CXV.-Death of the author's mother -reflections thereon-lines on the mournful event, 248 LETTER CXVI.-Engagement with a provincial newspaper-difficulty in obtaining his salary -evasion and illiberality of the proprietor. The author's Tragedy performed-completely successful-opinion of the Literary Chronicle of its merits.-Lines, Evening in Paradise, 255 LETTER CXVII.-A contested election-servile condescension of the candidates-bustle and manœuvres of the canvass-violence and confusion at the poll-legal quibbles-vulgar abuse of the advocate-chief magistrate violently assaulted-he applies for military aid -their exertions useless-chairing of the successful party, ... 278 LETTER CXVIII.-The author discovers the Inauguration - Place of the ancient Celtic kings-description of it-reflections on quitting it.-Lines to the Moon, 293 LETTER CXIX.-The author again visits Lon- don. Miss Hargrave's appearance at Covent- Garden. Drury-Lane management refuse his Tragedy, which is then offered and accepted at the Royal Cobourg. He revisits his old lod- gings. The British Museum.-He quits the |