Autograph letter signed : [London?], to John Taylor, undated.

Concerning a prologue they appear to be co-authoring; saying "How to give you a subject for this Prologue of ours I do not know. We are prohibited from any reference to the novel - Indeed such reference would be delusion, for it is not like the play - and it would be mischievous, for 'the judicious' do not like the Novel. What think you of stating how Love, omnipotent passion will break down all the barriers of bigotry, and assert its rights to lord it over our nature in even cloistered bosoms - Lament the situation of the monkish man, and praise the better nay blessed condition of a reformed clergy, who light the holy fire to warm others, and are warmed by it themselves - If not this way it must be general trash, about 'Ships' and "Pilots' - 'Harbours' and 'Rocks' or 'Homes' or perhaps you could take a touch at 'Virgil'. What say you to Shakspere [sic]? / Shakspere, whose Father was too poor by half, / Would sometimes order 'Will' to kill a calf. / Tis said the Youngster, while he breath'd a vein, / In tragic mode commenc'd his mighty strain. / There in the shambles as the Poet stood, / The floor 'which all the while ran bullocks blood, / First heard him rant and rave, and strut and stamp, / Long ere the bloody bard had smelt the lamp. / Now this would compare very well with anything you know. Or you may like better to refer to the Hero - then you have a smooth allusion to Kemble's shaving his head lately / "Lo I, the [illegible] Macbeth, whose fill of hair / So often on these boards, has made you stare / Now riding with bare pole &c / Stuff! stuff! - / My dear Jack / Our second Girl has suffered exceedingly by weak eyes, and if you could call in and look at her, I know she would see better in a moment."