“Once again I trouble you. You gave me reason to expect you to-day. Perhaps the rain has prevented you.
“I am much more resolute than when I saw you last. I feel it an indispensable duty to know the mind of Lord Grey, the Duke of Bedford, the Duke of Norfolk, Coke of Norfolk, &c. &c. If you and nobody else will go to them, I must, and I will. We will dispense with authority to receive money, and merely use a name, Grattan or Sharp, or &c. at the door.
“I am prepared for the worst. I will go to prison. I will be in the Gazette. I will move to a meaner situation, or anything else that is necessary. But I must first know these men’s minds. Look at the enclosed list of subscriptions (I have distinguished those that are not present money). Will Lord Grey, or Lord anybody else, venture to regard this as a scheme to be blown upon? But we must be beforehand with evil reports.
“Let them say to you personally, ‘Put down our names,’ and I will contrive a way to receive their money.
“I also wish much to close Phillips’ question.
“Surely I need not tell you, that to be beforehand with evil reports, not a moment, not half a moment, is to be lost. Come, then, instantly.
| 160 | WILLIAM GODWIN |
“Johnson says in his letter many things to our purpose; among others, that our copyrights, with moderate care, would net £300 a year.”
