Richardson’s Correspondence with Aaron Hill and the Hill Family

Summary

Richardson to Aaron Hill

Sunday 8 February 1736

MS: BL Add. 37232, f. 138. Autograph letter sent.

Sir

You have all the Letters that come by my hand. Thereby this shou’d be sign’d E. B., who knows no End of his Philosopher's Prayer.

Aaron Hill to Richardson

Saturday 6 March 1736

MS: FMXIII, 2, f. 3. Autograph letter sent.

Sir,

I have observd, from many angry, & indeed unjust, Personalities, in the Grubstreet Journal, pointing grossly at me, that I am misrepresented to the Author, or Authors, as the Defender of the Philosopher's Prayer, and Disliker of TheMan of Taste; not to mention other mistakes which they seem often to be led into about me.

As you know, that I have nothing to answer for on either of these Two Heads, having never seen any of those Papers till I read them in the published Prompters, I shou’d take it as a Favour, if you wou’d, immediately find means to undeceive the Gentleman concern’d. – I am asham’d to give you this Trouble: but am altogether unacquainted with any of them myself: nor do I know who is their Publisher.

It is very disagreeable to me to find myself ill-treated, upon such mistaken Grounds of Resentment: and, It wou’d be more so to be forc’d into a Necessity of Defending myself, publickly. – I have always been an enemy to these personal Bickerings amongWriters, & wish well to them all, with a sincerity, that (of how little service soever it may be) does not, at least, deserve to be treated unkindly.

I shall be very much oblig’d to you, if you can find some way to let This be known to the Gentlemen, whoever They are, that They may no longer misconceive Sir, Your most obedient Humble Servant A. Hill.

Aaron Hill to Richardson

Wednesday 30 June 1736

MS: FMXIII, 2, f. 4. Autograph letter sent.

Dear Sir,

I have sent you the Finishing Prompter, for Friday next, but you will always be sure of, & may command me, on any Little, or different, occasion.