Send word, if you please, Sir, what is the most you will give for my sonn’s play, that I may take the fairest chapman, as I am bound to do for his benefit; and if you have any silver which will go, my wife will be glad of it. I lost thirty shillings or more by the last payment of fifty pounds, wch you made at Mr Knights.
Yours, John Dryden.
Sir Ro: Howard[117] writt me word, that if I cou’d make any advantage by being paid in clipp’d money, he woud change it in the Exchequer.
LETTER XIX.
TO MR JACOB TONSON.
MR TONSON, Thursday Morning, [f. Aug. 1696.]
I had yesterday morning two watches sent me by Mr Tompion,[118] which I am to send my sonnes this week.[119] I cou’d not persuade him to take gold at any rate: but he will take a goldsmiths bill for two and twenty pounds, which is their price. I desire you wou’d give him such a bill, and abate it out of the next fifty pounds which you are to pay me when Virgil is finish’d. Ten Eneids are finish’d, and the ninth and tenth written out in my own hand. You may have them with the eight, which is in a foul copy, when you please to call for them, and to bring those which are transcrib’d. Mr Tompion’s man will be with me at four o’clock in the afternoon, and bring the watches, and must be payd at sight. I desire you therefore to procure a goldsmiths bill, and let me have it before that houre, and send an answer by my boy.
Yours, John Dryden.
LETTER XX.
TO MR JACOB TONSON.
Wednesday afternoon.
MR TONSON, From the Coffee-house. Nov. 25th.