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Huntington Library, HM 4839 . Previously published: J. W. Robberds (ed.), A Memoir of the Life and Writings of the Late William Taylor of Norwich, 2 vols (London, 1843), I, pp. 459-463 [in part].
These letters were edited with the assistance of Carol Bolton, Tim Fulford and Ian Packer
For permission to publish the text of MSS in their possession, the editor wishes to thank the Beinecke Rare Books and Manuscript Library, Yale University; Berg Collection of English and American Literature, The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations; the Bodleian Library Oxford University; the British Library; Boston Public Library; the Syndics of Cambridge University Library; the Syndics of the Fitzwilliam Museum Cambridge; Haverford College, Connecticut; the Historical Society of Pennsylvania; the Hornby Library, Liverpool Libraries and Information Services; the Houghton Library, Harvard University; the John Rylands Library, Manchester; the Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas; Luton Museum (Bedfordshire County Council); Massachusetts Historical Society; McGill University Library; the National Library of Scotland; the Newberry Library, Chicago; the New York Public Library (Pforzheimer Collections); the Pierpont Morgan Library, New York; the Public Record Offices of Bedford, Suffolk (Bury St Edmunds) and Northumberland, the Master and Fellows of Trinity College, Cambridge; the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne; the Trustees of the William Salt Library, Stafford, the Wisbech and Fenland Museum; the University of Virginia Library.
A research grant from the British Academy made much of the archival work possible, as did support from the English Department of Nottingham Trent University.
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I have very long been silent – not because you were so – but because I was bound to say something of reproof to Harry in my letter – & that was an unpleasant task. by one phrase in
yours, I guess that his Uncle has enabled him to discharge his debts. I
believe it is useless ever to preach frugality to one who has not the principle in his nature. but indeed if Harry involves himself he will find that his relations however much they may wish to
relieve him, have not the power. his Uncle would be able if he had no other
calls. I work like a negro & difficultly keep even with the world – indeed not even that. his brother Tom has not been fortunate as yet in his profession. he is very generous – but has those
sailor-like habits – that let him get what fortune he will – he will never be rich <have to
share.> Harry must be his own friend. Enough he shall have, but if he
will not abstain from pleasures – he must not expect to draw upon his friends wants to pay for them. Now this is said too harshly –
& do not you show it to him. To what you now say I scarcely know how to answer.& with me & will grow. I do not think
Harrys mind has any similarity with mine. That he should change I
should never have advised – but now that he has written to his Uncle I shall
feel no sorrow for the change – tho in truth I believe his Uncle will advise
him to follow his first choice.
Dear William Taylor – your theology does nothing but
mischief.
It is you then who have delayed the Annual Review?is almost six months after he applied to me for your direction is very much in character. if he has not
lost the article I will turn it over to A Aikin. it cannot want abridgement – he
xxx requested long articles from me because he was short of matter.
Why refashion Drayton?xxxx <to feel> an old man – to talk of
the age of little men & complain like old Ossian.
My stay in London I xxxx will be short. I do not mean to be absent from home above a
fortnight – & already wish that time was past. if transmigration be the true faith, & our aptitudes determine our destiny, if I
be not exalted into my own old owl-eyed Simorgh
Among the odd revolutions of the world you may reckon this – that my politics come nearer Mr
Wyndhams