CHAP, in,] ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE FROM LITERATURE.
" situation in life, I persuade myself they are unalterable with regard 1758.
" to your friends in it. I cannot think the world has taken such entire
" possession of that heart (once so susceptible of friendship), as not to
u have left a corner there for a friend or two ; but I flatter myself that
" even I have my place among the number. This I have a claim to
" from the similitude of our dispositions ; or, setting that aside, I can
u demand it as my right by the most equitable law in nature, I mean that
" of retaliation : for indeed you have more than your share in mine. I
" am a man of few professions, and yet this very instant I cannot avoid
" the painful apprehension that my present professions (which speak not
" half my feelings) should be considered only a pretest to cover a request,
" as I have a request to make. ISTo, my dear Ned, I know you are too
" generous to think so; and you know me too proud to stoop to
" mercenary insincerity. I have a request it is true to make ; but, as
" I know to whom I am a petitioner, I make it without diffidence or
" confusion. It is in short this, I am going to publish a book in
" London, entitled An Essay on the present State of Taste and
" Literature in Europe. Every work published here the printers in
" Ireland republish there, without giving the author the least con-
11 sideration for his copy. I would in this respect disappoint their
" avarice, and have all the additional advantages that may result from
a the sale of my performance there to myself. The book is now
" printing in London, and I have requested Dr. Radcliff., Mr. Lawder,
" Mr. Bryanton, my brother Mr. Henry Goldsmith, and brother-in-law
" Mr. Hodson, to circulate my proposals among their acquaintance.
" The same request I now make to you ; and have accordingly given
" directions to Mr. Bradley bookseller in Dame-street Dublin, to send
" you a hundred proposals. Whatever subscriptions pursuant to those
" proposals, you may receive, when collected, may be transmitted to
" Mr. Bradley, who will give a receipt for the money, and be aecount-
" able for the books. I shall not, by a paltry apology, excuse myself
" for putting you to this trouble. Were I not convinced that you
" found more pleasure in doing good-natured things, than uneasiness
" at being employed in them, I should not have singled you out on
" this occasion. It is probable you would comply with such a request,
" if it tended to the encouragement of any man of learning whatsoever;
" what then may not he expect who has claims of family and friend-
" ship to enforce his ?
" I am, dear Sir, your sincere
" Friend and humble servant,
" OLIVER GOLDSMITH."