p. 8

being of a very Catholic character. Also
The Lover's Stars (a trifle in something
like Coventry Patmore's style), and a
thing which I hope you will like,
a soliloquy of one of the spies left in
the wilderness, and the beginning of
a story to be called Richard, and
some other fragments. So, though I
finish nothing, I am not idle. I am
thinking, on account of the nobility
of the subject, of writing for the
Latin Verse after Mods, but not of
course with a view to success. It
came to pass very happily for me
that I shewed several things to Bond;
used though I am to conceal what
I write except from you, for what
he said, though he gave me no especial
praise, was of such a kind that
I have had great confidence since,
such as I never felt at all before.
I hope, dear Baillie, you will not

being of a very Catholic character. Also The Lover's Stars (a trifle in something like Coventry Patmore's style), and a thing which I hope you will like, a soliloquy of one of the spies left in the wilderness, and the beginning of a story to be called Richard, and some other fragments. So, though I finish nothing, I am not idle. I am thinking, on account of the nobility of the subject, of writing for the Latin Verse after Mods, but not of course with a view to success. It cam to pass very happily for me that I shewed several things to Bond; used though I am to conceal with I write except from you, for what he said, though he gave me no especial praise, was of such a kind that I have had great confidence since, such as I never felt at all before. I hope, dear Baillie, you will not