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The Founders of Canterbury

Reigate, 19th April, 1850

Reigate, 19th April, 1850.

My Dear Bellairs,

—My time is so fully engaged, going to Town every day and working at both shops, that I can only write briefly and in haste. page 263It is very unfortunate, if you really desire the temptation for your father, that you were not at St. Martin's Hall, where the three men met whom I have induced to act in the matter, and wondered at not seeing you. What can I say to them? That you have changed your mind twice, and that I really cannot say with confidence where you are in the matter now. The only remedy is for you to take your own business in hand, if you care about it enough, You can see any of the three men when you please—Lyttelton, Norwich, and John Abel Smith. I had rather not meddle further. I took a fancy to you for a friend at starting, and have, I fear, been too friendly; that is, of too abounding a confidence and desire to have you for a brother-colonist; so that you may have been led to misinterpret my object, and fancy that you were absolutely needed for the public object. That was not the public object. That was not the case: my great confidence and intimacy arose from individual liking; and you have behaved in return as if you thought I wanted to make use of you. Even now, by this perfect frankness, I am treating you as a valued friend. Thank God, the affair now needs the help of no individual. But if you wish to go, and feel sure that you shall not be again rebuffed by some adverse circumstances, then I would say, come at once to London and proceed to Belgrave Square. My part in it was done, according to promise, long ago.