_
"My dear Mr Hogg,--After frequent reflection on the
estrangement that has so long subsisted between those
who used to be such good friends, I have felt convinced
that _I_ ought to put an end to it on my own
responsibility. Without, therefore, asking either you
or Mr Blackwood, I have written a '_Noctes_,' in which
my dear Shepherd again appears. I hope you will think I
have done right. I intend to write six within the year;
and it is just, and no more than just, that you should
receive five guineas a sheet. Enclosed is that sum for
No. I. of the new series.
"If you will, instead of writing long tales, for which
at present there is no room, write a 'Series of Letters
to Christopher North,' or, 'Flowers and Weeds from the
Forest,' or, 'My Life at Altrive,' embodying your
opinions and sentiments on all things, _angling_,
shooting, curling, &c., &c., in an easy characteristic
style, it will be easy for you to add L50 per annum to
the L50 which you will receive for your '_Noctes_.' I
hope you will do so.
"I have taken upon myself a responsibility which
nothing but the sincerest friendship could have induced
me to do. You may be angry; you may misjudge my
motives; yet hardly can I think it. Let the painful in
the past be forgotten, and no allusion ever made to it;
and for the future, I shall do all I can to prevent
anything happening that can be disagreeable to your
feelings.
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