Item 1017. - [E. Williams] to ----.

Part of a draft of a letter in which the writer names the books he owes for and tells the addressee to include these in the £10 worth. He sends his compliments to literary friends who frequent the addressee's shop, Dyer, Disney, Aikin, Mr and Mrs Barbauld, G. and W. Morgan, and all others . He thinks that he will pretty soon put a second edition of his poems to the press reduced in price and compressed into one 6s. volume. Will the addressee favour him with his opinion of such an edition and whether preferable or not to the present form in two vols? He hopes as soon as his little shop becomes pretty well known to have an order for the addressee every month (names of books crossed out). If the amount of what he has already mentioned will admit anything additional, requesting him to add a few copy-pieces for writing-schools: 'fine handwriting is a Wel[s]h Hobby-horse'. He has writing-paper of all sorts, with slates, slate pencils, glass inkstands &c. from Bristol, terra-cotta inkstands from Swansea: he cuts pens himself. The mention he has made of Dr Aikin's Essays on Song-writing in the preface to his Poems has induced several of his friends to enquire for the book. He believes the addressee told him that it is now out of print. This may add a small feather's weight to the many other inducements he hopes Dr Aikin has met with for putting a new edition to the press. Should the addressee be able to pick up a few copies he would be obliged to him for several of them.