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This letter is part of the correspondence calendar of the complete correspondence of Thomas Gray. The calendar contains detailed bibliographic records for all known original, copied, or published letters written by or to the poet as well as the full-text, where available. Each record is accompanied by digitised images of the manuscript, where available, or digitised images of the first printed edition.
I thank you for remembring me, & am impatient for the books: the nearest place you can send them to is the Queen's Head Inn in Grays-Inn Lane, from whence the Cambridge Fly sets out, & brings parcels (I believe) daily.
Kidgell (I hear) to my sorrow has escaped baiting: I comfort myself with the thoughts, that he will soon have some Prebend, or more conspicuous dignity in the Church, for I am persuaded the worst thing, that can befall a Rascall (& especially a Parson) is to attain the height of his wishes.
The BP has vanity enough to make him feel at some time or other, what Posterity will think of him: but who can damn the Devil? he continues his temptations here with so much assiduity, that I conclude he is not absolutely sure of success yet. his leading Partisans, tho' not ashamed of themselves, are yet heartily ashamed of him, & would give their ears, it were any other devil, but he. yet he would be chose at present, I have little doubt, tho' with strong opposition, & in a dishonorable way for him. yet I have some gleams of hope, for it is in the power of one Man to prevent it, if he will stand the brunt; and—
Do, oblige me with a change in the Ministry: I mean, something one may tell, that looks as if it were near at hand; or if there is no truth to be had, then a good likely falsehood for the same purpose. I am sorry to be so reduced.