again, which (if a Neapolitan war don’t suscitate) may be calculated as possible for one of us about the spring of 1821.  I presume that you, too, will be back by that time, or never; but on that you will give me some index.  The project, then, is for you and me to set up jointly a newspaper—­nothing more nor less—­weekly, or so, with some improvement or modifications upon the plan of the present scoundrels, who degrade that department,—­but a newspaper, which we will edite in due form, and, nevertheless, with some attention.

“There must always be in it a piece of poesy from one or other of us two, leaving room, however, for such dilettanti rhymers as may be deemed worthy of appearing in the same column; but this must be a sine qua non; and also as much prose as we can compass.  We will take an office—­our names not announced, but suspected—­and, by the blessing of Providence, give the age some new lights upon policy, poesy, biography, criticism, morality, theology, and all other ism, ality, and ology whatsoever.

“Why, man, if we were to take to this in good earnest, your debts would be paid off in a twelvemonth, and by dint of a little diligence and practice, I doubt not that we could distance the common-place blackguards, who have so long disgraced common sense and the common reader.  They have no merit but practice and impudence, both of which we may acquire; and, as for talent and culture, the devil’s in’t if such proofs as we have given of both can’t furnish out something better than the ‘funeral baked meats’ which have coldly set forth the breakfast table of all Great Britain for so many years.  Now, what think you?  Let me know; and recollect that, if we take to such an enterprise, we must do so in good earnest.  Here is a hint,—­do you make it a plan.  We will modify it into as literary and classical a concern as you please, only let us put out our powers upon it, and it will most likely succeed.  But you must live in London, and I also, to bring it to bear, and we must keep it a secret.

“As for the living in London, I would make that not difficult to you (if you would allow me), until we could see whether one means or other (the success of the plan, for instance) would not make it quite easy for you, as well as your family; and, in any case, we should have some fun, composing, correcting, supposing, inspecting, and supping together over our lucubrations.  If you think this worth a thought, let me know, and I will begin to lay in a small literary capital of composition for the occasion.

     “Yours ever affectionately,

     “B.