“‘Leo X.,’ most magnificently bound, made his appearance yesterday, and will be more highly prized than any manuscript in my possession. To you I may fairly say I am more particularly indebted for this most inestimable gift; I should probably never have known Mr. Roscoe, if it had not been for your kindness in bringing us together; it has established a mutual regard between us, which I am satisfied will be pleasing to us during the remainder of our respective lives. To say the truth, he is a most extraordinary personage; such a head, such a heart, such suavity of disposition, such courage in the pursuit of what is right, such pure philanthropy are seldom combined in one individual; imagine, then, my dear Sir, the store I shall set by the present of his book. How preferable such a testimony of esteem from such a man, to the baubles which may be derived to a cringing sycophant from a profligate court! If I live and have my health, I will do myself the pleasure of passing a few days with him at Allerton in September or October next. Could not you accompany me? I will not keep you from home more than five or six weeks.”
