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  Dear Poet,

In your "Specimen Days" you tell us you once "tried to read a beautifully printed and scholarly volume on 'The Theory of Poetry' . . . . but gave it up at last for a bad job." What I at present fear is that you may give up this note as a bad job, though I hope, in your kindliness of heart, you may see your way to grant my request. Though but a humble individual, and nearly half-a-century younger than yourself, yet I have always had great regard for poets. Well, I have just been reading in one of our English papers a brief notice about yourself, in which, among other matters,     it is stated that your books are still sold at your home in Mickle Street. What I would humbly ask of you is to send me one of your books—any you like, though personally I should prefer one of your poetic ones—and kindly write for me, and sign in your own handwriting, a brief note on the fly-leaf. The price of the book I will send by reply mail. But I should not care for one of your expensive editions, and for this vital reason, alas!—I am but a poor man and have a wife and five wee weans. Mr Halkett Lord, Hawthornden, Scotch Plains, N.J., would, I think, express his opinion that I am not likely to prove a defaulter. Dear Poet, in your own words, and at this sacred time, may I affectionately send "Love to you, and best wishes and remembrance" from all "British friends." May God ever bless you!

Thomas Hutchinson