It is impossible to pass otherwise than abruptly to my own affairs. I had from the very first informed Mr. Savage[19] that I would not undertake the work at all, except I could secure him from all possible risk. His proposals were such, that had I acceded to them, after years of toil, I should have been his debtor and slave, without having received a farthing--or, to use the strong, coarse illustration of a friend, a man of consummate good sense and knowledge of the world, and of twenty years' experience in periodical works--"Savage's proposals would have led you into a gulph of debt or obligation: you would have been like a girl who gets into a house of ill-fame, and whom the old bawd always keeps in debt, stripping her of every shilling she gets for prostitution." What my error was, after my _first_ conversation with Mr. S. I know, but shall not say: but his mistake has been in construing my indifference as to pecuniary matters, and _apparent_ ignorance of business, into absolute silliness and passive idiocy. But this is passed. As soon as I received his letter I made up my mind to another mode of publication. _The Friend_ will be printed as a newspaper, _i.e._ not in form or matter, but under the act of parliament, and with its privilege, printed at Kendal, and sent to each subscriber by the post. My health is more regular; yet, spite of severe attention to my diet, etc., my sufferings are at times heavy. Please to make my best respects to Mr. Bernard. May God bless you! S. T. COLERIDGE.[20] The Prospectus of _The Friend_ and the following correspondence with Southey explain Coleridge's views of what he conceived as the requirements of a periodical devoted to the highest interests of Truth and Humanity. LETTER 143. To ---- 1 June, 1809.