As my progress in revising my poetical biography has been desultory, as inclination or materials led, I have not yet compared my collections with Oldys's MS. notes [to Langbaine] in every instance. If I had been aware of any limitation of time in using the book, I would certainly have completed my survey of the old poets, and returned it before now. It is chiefly a book of reference, and has, I find, been consulted by Reed and others. Your Lordship's anxiety about it is natural; but you may depend on its being kept safely, and returned by a safe conveyance.