Cf. sapra, p. io3, n

5. Cf. une lettre dont je renonce à traduire certains passages, où Crabbe s'englue dans son propre miel. En voici la plus grande partie (cf. Barke^s Correspondence, i844 [▼• supra, p. i48, n. 2], vol. IF, p. 429-4^1) : « It is not my happiness only, perhaps sir, not mine chiefly, that you promote. The family I am with, admire, honour, and, indeed, venerate the excellent friend of one to whom they hâve been long partial ; they hare felt my ill fortune, and rejoice in every prospect that tends to my advantage. The applause paid to your public virtues is not less just, nor is more sincère, than that we feel to

l64 LA JEUNESSE ET LES PREMIERS POEMES

Beccles, une lettre de Sir Charles Bunbury avec une copie de ma réponse : en écrivant cette dernière, j'ai déploré mon éloignement de Beaconsfleld, bien que je me trouve dans le seul endroit où cet éloignement ne me cause pas en tout temps une peine sensible. Il serait superflu, j'en suis sûr, de vous dire combien j'apprécie la générosité de Sir Charles et la vôtre, qui a inspiré la sienne. BénéGciant de TefTet de ses bontés, il faudrait que j'aie perdu la réflexion et la reconnaissance pour ne pas voir qui en est la cause et vous en remercier. Je suis allé récemment chez les Messieurs Long, de Saxmundham, et il y eut mieux que de la politesse

be due to your private. Gratitude is more pleasing than admiration ; and, selfîsh in our virtuea^ we are thankful to our friend, and almost forget that he is the friend of ail.

« I inclose a letter I received from Sir Charles Bunbury, with a copy of my answer; in writing which I lamented my absence from Beconsûeld, tbough at the only place wbere that absence would not, at ail times, be lamented. I bope I need not speak my sentiments of Sir Charles's generosity, nor of yours, on which it was founded. Feeling the eflect of his kindness, I must be lost to reflection as well as gratitude, not to see and be thankful to the cause of it.

« I lately visited the Mr. Longs at Saxmundham, and was received by both with more than civility. Mr. Dudiey Long spoke to me conceming the Bishop of Norwich, and the probabil îty of his consent to my ordination. I had not then received Sir Charles's letter, and must beg your directions on the occasion ; as Sir Charles wil! probably inquire of the Bishop he mentions, and it is not improbable but Mr. Long may aiso make such inquiry, yct I can write to neither, with propricty, of the other's intention ; and should the more fear to do it, as one may not succeed. I am no little ashamed of the trouble I give, and, were it to any other than your friends, should be no less afraid of it being thought too much to be continued.

i< I shall certainly prefer the diocèse of Norwich ; both for the reasons you give, and because they are your reasons ; and shall hope to hear the Bishop bas no objection strong enough to set aside an application in my favour, as he cannot at présent suppose his merit so trifling as it is, for whom it was made... » Quel beau tissu d'incidentes, où les mots d' « humilité », de « modestie » et de « prudence » sont écrits en grosses lettres !