Autograph letter signed : London, to R. W. Elliston, 1796 February 8.

Saying that Mrs. Chase has seen George Colman and written to Elliston about playing in the Little Theatre: "She wishes you very well, but being doubtful whether your appearing at the Little Theatre will be of any advantage to you, I take the liberty from mere motives of friendship to communicate my sentiments, for your own private consideration, not to be imparted to Mrs Chase as mine, because I could not appear to meddle in a business which she has engaged in"; arguing that if Elliston traveled to London to meet with Colman, it would cause problems with his managers in Bath, be expensive and lead to no unequivocally good result: "You may play a few nights at the Little Theatre, by which you will get no profit and little good; for I believe Colman's circumstances are very bad; and the pieces they play are in general but one remove from farce. Certainly it would not be worth while to let your appearance here interfere with any other summer engagement; nor can I think it would answer any purpose, unless it should lead to an engagement for another season"; mentioning that he saw George Stevens (possibly the editor and scholar George Steevens) on Saturday, "and he tells me that neither he nor any of his friends have any acquaintance with Colman"; adding that Stevens highly recommends Murray; concluding that Elliston "must determine for yourself on a matter in which I am a very inadequate judge"; writing of Elliston's father and the financial assistance both he and his brother-in-law William Elliston are giving him: "He is so wrong-headed, that there is no convincing him it is not an obligation on his relations & friends to maintain him on what conditions he pleases to impose"; sending greetings from his wife Martha and son John King Martyn; adding his son has taken his degree and will be staying with them for some time.