My dear friend

Both your letter and its enclosure from Mrs Townley, were very welcome. The former indeed gave me a minute or two's trouble, by imposing a task, though as light as the least feather that fell from the wing of Noah's Dove while she was flying over the waters without a shore, or where she was plucking the leaf from the olive just emerging above them; -- yet, after murmuring a little between my lips (my heart all the while reproaching me) I cast about in my mind for a thought, and having caught one caged it till this morning -- being interrupted at the time, and finding no spirit in the interval to meddle with plumage so delicate that I was afraid to touch it, lest like a butterfly's it should all come off upon my fingers, and I should have the mortification to send you a soiled and mutilated specimen for your repository of things "most good, most fair," of the kind, -- as I hope all, except my contributions, will prove to be. I was almost tempted to congratulate myself on some measure of success, in this instance, when, turning to your letter, I am deservedly (no doubt) for my vanity, humbled to find that you are to have an engraved vignette for your title-page, which will probably exclude a motto[?] so long as that which I have endeavoured to furnish. This would not have been too long, though consisting of twelve lines, if printed in the small but exquisite and distinct type, frequently used for such occasions. The lines, however, are written, and I may as well send them, leaving you to do what you please with them. If unsuitable for the frontispiece, they may perhaps be put into a corner towards the latter end, -- if the Book is ever to have arrived! Surely it will appear before the 1st of August, in spite of printers and engravers, who are by practice most accomplished procrastinators. I have been interrupted, as usual, here, and shall reconsider the subject of a motto before I take up my pen again -- this day's post being lost; but that will be so much time gained for an idler like me. XXX Perhaps the following from Milton would be a motto sufficiently significant, in connection with the phrase of the second title, "the Negro's Memorial," which is itself a comment on the first figurative one, "The Bow in the Cloud."

You will find these lines, with further allusions to the rainbow (but these I think are decidedly most appropriate for your purpose) at the close of the eleventh Book of Paradise Lost. My opinion of their peculiar appropriateness for your title-page, is founded upon the circumstance of their application being general "betokening peace, and covenant new," whereas in the context, though each of the allusions is exceedingly beautiful yet immediate reference is made to the deluge, and the promise that no second destruction of the earth by a flood should ever ensue. After reading this passage in Milton, I am almost ashamed of my own puny[?] lines, and my weakness in having confessed that I was somewhat pleased with them, when I had first embodied the thought in readable verse. Do what you please will with them; and in everything that concerns this darling volume of yours, freely command any service which you think I can render. With sincere regards to Mr & Mrs Read and the rest of my Wincobank acquaintances

I am, very truly your friend & Servt

J Montgomery

Sheff^d. March 22, 1834

The Rainbow For the first of August 1834

I have put a head to these stanzas, on the supposition that you will not use them as a motto. If you do, of course, the head all be unnecessary.

[addressed:]
Mrs M Rawson
at Josh Read, Esq.
Wincobank Hall
 

[postmark:]
SHEFFIELD MA24 1834