Autograph letter signed : Paris, to R. W. Elliston, 1822 December 9.

Accepting terms of a proposal and discussing his comedy "Simpson & Co.;" saying "I consent under these conditions to your 'altering the piece to your views' - and indeed I think it least fair, when you take a piece outright, on certain conditions, that you should have the privilege of doing with it as you please. Yet in my opinion it will be dangerous to destroy the tone of light comedy which I have endeavoured to preserve in it...Cut as much as you please, but beware of interfering with Simpson's (or any of the other characters) opportunities of developing themselves. Above all, pray be cautious in the alterations of placing Mrs. Fitzwilliam in a doubtful point of view with the audience...It is of the last importance that the audience be convinced that her virtue is A No. 1, as Simpson would say;" discussing whether it should be called a farce or rather a comedy in one act and the differences between the concepts of farce and comedy; saying that they now "...understand one another about rough translations. You may rely on my sending you nothing in which I do not see the probabilities of a London success - I did not send you the piece I mentioned in my last, because I did not find in it sufficient to warrant my putting you to the expense for it;" reporting on performances he has seen in Paris and assuring him that he will send him a score or translation if he thinks it may succeed in London.