Chapter LXXI: Letter 185: To Allsop

Oct. 25th, 1820.

My dearest Friend,

It will please you, though I scarcely know whether the pleasure is worth the carriage, to know that my own feelings and convictions were, from the very commencement of this unhappy affair, viz.--the terms proposed to the Queen by Lord Hutchinson, in coincidence with your present suggestion, and that I actually began an essay, and proposed a sort of _diary_, _i.e._ remarks moral and political, according as the events of the day suggested them. But Mr. Gillman dissuaded me. Again, about five weeks ago I had written a letter to Conder, the editor of the _Eclectic Review_ and _ci-devant_ bookseller, offering, and offering to _execute_, a scheme of publication, "the Queen's case stated _morally_; 2, judicially; 3, politically." But _again_ Mr. G. earnestly persuaded me to suppress it. His reasons were, first, that my mind was not sufficiently tranquil, in consequence of I.'s affair, to enable me to rely upon going through with the publication; secondly, that it would probably involve me with certain of my connexions in high life, and be injurious to Hartley and Derwent, especially the latter; with thirdly, the small chance of doing any good, people are so guided by their first notions. To tell you the truth, Mr. G.'s _own dislike_ to it was of more weight than all his three reasons.

However, we will talk of the publication, if _it be not too late_, and at all events I will compose the statement.

I pray you make no apologies for doing that which cannot but add to the esteem and affection with which I am most truly your _friend_, fraternally and paternally.

We shall soon see you?

S. T. COLERIDGE.
T. Allsop, Esq.