He has helped him to complete and publish his poem, but Crabbe is evidently aware that poetry does not mean a livelihood, and that his future is as dark as ever.

The letter is dated from Crabbe's old lodging with the Vickerys in Bishopsgate Street, and he had been lately staying with the Elmys at Beccles.

He was not therefore as yet a visitor under Burke's roof.

This was yet to come, with all the happy results that were to follow.

It may still seem strange that all these details remained to be told to Burke four months after their acquaintance had begun.