nded at
the unexpected downfall, and so astonished at the unmerited
insult, that he took no notice of the aggressor, but getting up
from his chair calmly, he began picking up the slices of bread and
butter, and the fragments of his china, repeating very mildly,

Invenias etiam disjecti membra poetae.

"I am your very humble servant,
"V."

The next letter was found among the papers of Mr. William Hymers, of
Queen's College, Oxford, who was preparing a new edition of the works of
the poet for publication, when death prevented the completion of his
design.

"Hill Street, Richmond in Surrey, July, 1783.

"SIR,

"Your favour of the 30th June I did not receive till yesterday.
The person who has the care of my house in Bond Street, expecting
me there every day, did not send it to Richmond, or I would have
answered sooner. As you express a wish to know every particular,
however trifling, relating to Mr. William Collins, I will
endeavour, so far as can be done by a letter, to satisfy you.
There are many little anecdotes, which tell well enough in
conversation, but would be tiresome for you to read, or me to
write, so shall pass them over. I had formerly several scraps of
his poetry, which were suddenly written on particular occasions.
These I lent among our acquaintance, who were never civil enough
to return them; and being then engaged in extensive business, I
forgot to ask for them, and they are lost: all I have remaining of
his are about twenty lines, which would require a little history
to be understood, being written on trifling subjects. I have a few
of his letters, the subjects of which are chiefly on business, but
I think there are in them some flights, which strongly mark his
character; for which reason I preserved them. There are so few of
his intimates now living, that I believe I am the only one who can
give a true account of his family and connexions. The principal
part of what I write is from my own knowledge, or what I have
heard from his nearest relations.

"His father was not the manufacturer of hats, but the vender. He
lived in a genteel style at Chichester; and, I think, filled the
office of mayor more than once; he was pompous in his manner; but,
at his death, he left his affairs rather embarrassed. Colonel
Martyn, his wife's brother, greatly assisted his family, and
supported Mr. William Collins at the university, where he