‘Dear Lord Melbourne,—Pray forgive me for breaking in upon you when you must have so much to do. You have received a representation from the Trustees of the British Museum (Lord Aberdeen has just written to inform me of it) in favour of Mr. Cary, and I am sure you mean to do something. But at his age every month is a loss, and the time will come, for, I know enough of you to know it—when you will be sorry to have overlooked him. With his translation of Dante you cannot be unacquainted, and perhaps you have looked into his translation of Pindar.
‘Of his genius and his learning there can be no doubt. I can speak from long knowledge of his other merits—for long have I experienced his friendship, though for some time in poverty and in spleen he has withdrawn himself from me.
‘But perhaps you have done it already; and if so, I envy you.
