Chapter 71

"Stilton, Oct. 3. 1813.

"I have just recollected an alteration you may make in the proof to be sent to Aston.--Among the lines on Hassan's Serai, not far from the beginning, is this--

"Unmeet for Solitude to share.

Now to share implies more than _one_, and Solitude is a single gentleman; it must be thus--

"For many a gilded chamber's there, Which Solitude might well forbear;

and so on.--My address is Aston Hall, Rotherham.

"Will you adopt this correction? and pray accept a Stilton cheese from me for your trouble. Ever yours, B.

"If[75] the old line stands let the other run thus--

"Nor there will weary traveller halt, To bless the sacred bread and salt.

"_Note_.--To partake of food--to break bread and taste salt with your host, ensures the safety of the guest; even though an enemy, his person from that moment becomes sacred.

"There is another additional note sent yesterday--on the Priest in the Confessional.

"P.S.--I leave this to your discretion; if any body thinks the old line a good one or the cheese a bad one, don't accept either. But, in that case, the word _share_ is repeated soon after in the line--

"To share the master's bread and salt;

and must be altered to--

"To break the master's bread and salt.

This is not so well, though--confound it!"

[Footnote 75: This is written on a separate slip of paper enclosed.]

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