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Chidingfold [Chiddingfold] 12th Jany 1786
near Godalming
Surrey
Sir
It is now some years since you honoured my pursuits in Antiquity with your notice, but if from a more favourable succession of incidents I had been more so happily fixed in life as to have sought your acquaintance on more independent principles, my assertions would have carried a greater appearance of sincerity: this has been my misfortune: but I can at the same time say with great truth, that, when I did seek after it, it was more from personal esteem, than the consequence and interest I might desire from the favour of your regard.
The sheets which I have desired Mr. Nichol to lay before you, are only the sketch of a work which would engage my studies the remainder of my life; but unknown unprotected, the illiberal shiness [shyness] in the circle of the London literati, who will receive the cordial unreserved opinion of others, without communicating information in return, joined with a circumscribed condition in life, will I believe