Harman's offer was just double yours, but that is burnt; of course you will also burn this when you have read it.

Your offer of assistance to M'Loughlin was well thought of; and even if we never, I mean you, should be paid, you are still a gainer by two hundred pounds.

Each has offered a thousand a piece to have the leases renewed at the present rent; you give five hundred, very good suppose you lose three--that is, suppose M'Loughlin is driven, as, please God, he shall be, to allow you to accept a bill for three hundred--don't you see that you are still two hundred in pocket; no, I am wrong, not two but seven hundred.

You can therefore well afford to lose three by the transaction, although, as I have said, it is not, in point of fact, losing three, but gaining seven, or at least five.

Phil has also sent me a written proposal, which I will keep, but M'Loughlin's is gone the way of Harman's, as a matter of prudence.