"DEAR B.B.—My spirits are so tumultuary with the novelty of my recent emancipation, that I have scarce steadiness of hand, much more mind, to compose a letter.
"I am free, B.B.—free as air.
"The little bird that wings the sky
Knows no such Liberty!
"I was set free on Tuesday in last week at 4 o'clock.
"I came home for ever!…
"I went and sat among 'em all at my old 33 years desk yester morning; and deuce take me if I had not yearnings at leaving all my old pen-and-ink fellows, merry sociable lads, at leaving them in the Lurch, fag, fag, fag.
"I would not serve another 7 years for seven hundred thousand
pound."
To Miss Hutchinson Lamb said; "I would not go back to my prison for seven years longer for £10000 a year."
In the London Magazine the essay was divided into two parts, with the two quotations now at the head apportioned each to one part. Part II. began at "A fortnight has passed," on page 224. The essay was signed "J.D.," whose address was given as "Beaufort-terrace, Regent-street; late of Ironmonger-court, Fenchurch-street."
Page 220, line 3. Recreation. At "recreation," in the London
Magazine, came the footnote:—