Newly transcribed and labelled; double collated
Benjamin Beresford to August Wilhelm von Schlegel
[1] Berlin 25 Dec. 1798
Sir,
I was duly favourʼd with your obliging letter of the 26 Novr. and have just received the copy of the number, in which such flattering mention is made of my translations. I was very wrong in having been so impatient; I am quite ashamed of it, and ask the conductors of the journalʼs pardon for the injustice I did them, in supposing I was neglected. To you, sir, I owe more thanks than I am able to express. – I accept your kind offer of noticing any further productions of mine; I shall soon have occasion to trouble you, and, in the mean while, I request youʼll be so good [2] as to announce the second edition of the German Erato, with an extract from the addition matter, should it meet with your approbation. I beg to add that I was forced to alter Götheʼs charming song a little, as the English reader, unacquainted with the novel from whence it is taken, would be at a loss to know, why the same person could be called lover, protector and father. I have taken a small liberty with Matthisson because the two last lines, as they stand in the original; are after melancholy a cast for a may-song. I remain, with great esteem,
Sir,
Your obliged humble Servant
B Beresford.
Sir,
I was duly favourʼd with your obliging letter of the 26 Novr. and have just received the copy of the number, in which such flattering mention is made of my translations. I was very wrong in having been so impatient; I am quite ashamed of it, and ask the conductors of the journalʼs pardon for the injustice I did them, in supposing I was neglected. To you, sir, I owe more thanks than I am able to express. – I accept your kind offer of noticing any further productions of mine; I shall soon have occasion to trouble you, and, in the mean while, I request youʼll be so good [2] as to announce the second edition of the German Erato, with an extract from the addition matter, should it meet with your approbation. I beg to add that I was forced to alter Götheʼs charming song a little, as the English reader, unacquainted with the novel from whence it is taken, would be at a loss to know, why the same person could be called lover, protector and father. I have taken a small liberty with Matthisson because the two last lines, as they stand in the original; are after melancholy a cast for a may-song. I remain, with great esteem,
Sir,
Your obliged humble Servant
B Beresford.