Dédicace de Sir Bulwer Lytton à Sir William Gell
DEAR SIR,
In publishing a work, of which Pompeii furnishes the subject,
I can think of no one to whom it can so fitly be dedicated as
yourself. Your charming volumes upon the antiquities of that
city have indissolubly connected your name with its earlier
(as your residence in the vicinity has identified you with
its more recent) associations.
Ere you receive these volumes, I hope to be deep in the
perusal of your forthcoming work upon «The Topography
of Rome and its Vicinity». The glance at its contents
which you permitted me at Naples sufficed to convince me of
its interest and value ; and as an Englishman, and as one who
has loitered under the Portico, I rejoice to think that, in
adding largely to your own reputation, you will also renovate
our country's claim to eminence in those departments of
learning in which of late years we have but feebly supported
our ancient reputation. Venturing thus a prediction of the
success of your work, it would be a little superfluous to
express a wish for the accomplishment of the prophecy ! But I
may add a more general hope, that you will long have leisure
and inclination for those literary pursuits to which you
bring an erudition so extensive ; and that they may continue,
as now, sometimes to beguile you from yourself, and never to
divert you from your friends.
I have the honor to be, dear sir, very faithfully
yours,
THE AUTHOR.
LEAMINGTON, September 21, 1834.