I wrote to Mr. B. Montagu for his advice; but he felt no interest himself in the subject, and naturally therefore was doubtful of any number of others feeling any. But he promised to talk with his friend Mr. Irving about it! On the other hand, I heard from Mr. Hughes and a Mr. Wilkes (a clever Solicitor-sort of a man who lives in Finsbury-square, has a great sway with the Slangi yclept the Religious Public, and, _this I add as a whitewasher_, was a regular attendant on _my_ lectures), that the subject itself is stirring up the Mud-Pool of the Public Mind in London with the vivacity of a Bottom wind. If you can find time, I wish you would talk with Jameson about it, and obtain the opinion of as many as are likely to think aright; and let me know your own opinion and anticipation above all, and at all events, and as soon as possible. We dine on Friday with Mr. Chance. I wish you were with us, for I am sure he would be glad to see you. Need I say that my thoughts, wishes, and prayers follow you in all your doings and strivings, for I am evermore, my dearest friend, Yours, with a friend and a father's affection and solicitude, S. T. COLERIDGE. T. Allsop, Esq. My kindest remembrances to Mrs. Allsop, with kisses for little Titania Puckinella. _Years have passed since I heard the Nightingales sing as they did this evening_ in Mr. Robart's Garden Grounds; _so many, and in such full song, particularly that giddy voluminous whirl of notes which you never hear but when the Birds feel the temperature of the air voluptuous_. * * * * * P.S. If I undertook these Lectures, I should compose the three, and write them out with as much care and polish as if for the Press, though I should probably make no use of the MS. in speaking, or at all attempt to recollect it. It would, relatively to my _vivâ voce_ addresses, be only a way of premeditating the subject. LETTER 218. TO ALLSOP (-- 1825.) My dearest Friend,