Page:The Last Days of Pompeii - Bulwer-Lytton - Volume 1.djvu/10

 The glance at its contents which yon permitted me at Naples, sufficed to convince me of its interest and value; and as an Englishman, and as one who has loitered under the portico, I rejoice to think, that in adding largely to your own reputation, you will also renovate our Country's claim to eminence in those departments of learning, in which of late years we have but feebly supported our ancient reputation. Venturing thus a prediction of the success of your work, it would be a little superfluous to express a wish for the accomplishment of the prophecy! But I may add a more general hope, that you will long have leisure and inclination for those literary pursuits, to which you bring an erudition so extensive;—and that they may continue, as now, sometimes to beguile you from yourself, and never to divert you from your friends.

Dear Sir,

Very faithfully yours,

THE AUTHOR.

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