After so saucy an attack, my lord, it is time to produce my proof.  It lies in your own postscript, where you express a curiosity to see a certain tragedy, with a hint that the other works of the same author have found favour in your sight, and that the piece ought to have been sent to you.  But, my lord, even your approbation has not made that author vain; and for the lay in question, it has so many perils to encounter, that it never thinks of producing itself.  It peeped out of its lurking corner once or twice; and one of those times, by the negligence of a friend, had like to have been, what is often pretended in prefaces, stolen, and consigned to the press.  When your lordship comes to England, which, for every reason but that, I hope will be Soon, you shall certainly see it; and will then allow, I am sure. how improper it would be for the author to risk its appearance in public.  However, unworthy as that author may be, from his talents, of your lordship’s favour, do not let its demerits be confounded with the esteem and attachment with which he has the honour to be, my lord, your lordship’s most devoted servant.

(17) James Caulfield, Earl of Charlemont, an Irish nobleman, distinguished for his literary taste and patriotism.  Of him Mr. Burke said, ,He is a man of such polished manners, of a mind so truly adorned and disposed to the adoption of whatever is excellent and praiseworthy, that to see and converse with him would alone induce me, or might induce any one who relishes such qualities, to pay a visit to Ireland.”  He died in 1799, and in 1810, his Memoirs were published by Francis Hardy, Esq. in a quarto volume.-E.

Letter 17 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.  Arlington Street, Nov. 15, 1770. ((page 41)

Dear sir, If you have not engaged your interest in Cambridgeshire, you will oblige me much by bestowing it on young Mr. Brand, the son of my particular acquaintance, and our old schoolfellow.  I am very unapt to trouble my head about elections, but wish success to this.

If you see Bannerman, I should be glad you would tell him that I am going to print the last volume of my Painters, and should like to employ him again for some of the heads, if he cares to undertake them:  though there will be a little trouble as he does not reside in London.  I am in a hurry, and am forced to be brief, but am always glad to hear of you, and from you.  Yours most sincerely.

letter 18 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.  Arlington Street, Nov. 20, 1770. (page 41)

I believe our letters crossed one another without knowing it.  Mine, it seems, was quite unnecessary, for I find Mr. Brand has given up the election.  Yours was very kind and obliging, as they always are.  Pray be so good as to thank Mr. Tyson for me a thousand times; I am vastly pleased with his work, and hope he will give me another of the plates for my volume of heads (for I shall bind up his present), and I by no means relinquish his promise of a complete set of his etchings, and of a visit to Strawberry Hill.  Why should it not be with you and Mr. Essex, whom I shall be very glad to see—­but what do you talk of a single day?  Is that all you allow me in two years?