an you quit these
shadows of existence, and come and be a reality to us? Can you
leave off harassing yourself to please a thankless multitude,
who know nothing of you, and begin at last to live to yourself
and your friends?

As plainly and frankly as I have seen you give or refuse
assent in some feigned scene, so frankly do me the justice to
answer me. It is impossible I should feel injured or aggrieved
by your telling me at once, that the proposal does not suit
you. It is impossible that I should ever think of molesting
you with idle importunity and prosecution after your mind [is]
once firmly spoken--but happier, far happier, could I have
leave to hope a time might come, when our friends might be
your friends; our interests yours; our book knowledge, if in
that inconsiderable particular we have any like advantage,
might impart something to you, which you would every day have
it in your power ten thousand fold to repay by the added
cheerfulness and joy which you could not fail to bring as a
dowry into whatever family should have the honor and happiness
of receiving _you_, the most welcome accession that could be
made to it.

In haste, but with entire respect and deepest affection, I
subscribe myself

C. Lamb.

To this letter Miss Kelly replied:

Henrietta Street, July 20, 1819.

An early and deeply rooted attachment has fixed my heart on
one from whom no worldly prospect can well induce me to
withdraw it, but while I thus _frankly_ and decidedly decline
your proposal, believe me, I am not insensible to the high
honour which the preference of such a mind as yours confers
upon me--let me, however, hope that all thought upon this
subject will end with this letter, and that you will
henceforth encourage no other sentiment towards me than esteem
in my private character and a continuance of that approbation
of my humble talents which you have already expressed so much
and so often to my advantage and gratification.

Believe me I feel proud to acknowledge myself

Your obliged friend,
F. M. Kelly.
To C. Lamb, Esq.

LETTERS OF INTRODUCTION

Letters of introduction should not be given indiscriminately. If the
giver of the letter feels that something