MY WORTHY FRIEND,
I have read your letter, and am happy to hear of your welfare It likewise gives me much pleasure to hear that the Muse and you have been, not idle but busy, and that your joint endeavours will be not only for the enhancement of social mirth, but have a tendency to mend the heart. That sacred spark of our friendship has not for one moment been extinguished from my heart, and altho' I have been negligent in writing, you may believe me, my friend, you have always been dear to me. I have interested myself in your behalf in regard to your publication as far as my influence can extend, and have got 17 names to my list. I expect a good number more, but I cannot extend the plan of my intentions without other five proposal papers, which I advise you to send me immediately. I intend to send two to Stockport, as you have more acquaintances in that place at present than in this town. Our dull trade being the cause of their shifting. Other two to Preston, and another for this town, which shall be in charge of Thomas Wright. I would likewise advise you to enclose two or three of your songs, as I make no doubt would turn out to your advantage. Let me know when your book will be published, so that I may know how to proceed. There is a Mr. James M‘Alpine who desires me to send you ; [1] he is from Anderston. He sung one of your songs about a week ago, at a meeting of the Sons of Comus, where I sometimes attend. I think he named it the “Highland Plaidie.” It was received with unbounded applause. Nine of those jovial fellows subscribed for your book last night. Some of them knew you, and some not. I expect you will excuse me for this short letter as I intend that you shall have pennyworths again. I shall only mention to you that our trade is very dull and wages never were less than at this time. The unreasonable drop of which has induced the weavers to apply to Parliament for a regulation of all kinds of work done by them in the weaving line, that is to say in the cotton branch. I shall inform you more particularly of this at another time. Give my best love to all friends, and be assured that I remain
Thine eternally while
WM. KIBBLE.
The original is in possession of Mr. Matthew Blair. —Ed.
[1] Torn in opening the seal.—Ed