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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