[William Angus Knight, Professor of Moral Philosophy, University of St Andrews.] Autograph Letter Signed ('W. Knight.') to James Dykes Campbell, expressing regret at revealing the existence of Wordsworth's 'Axiologus' sonnet, and attacking T. J. Wise

2pp., 12mo. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-worn paper. Written in a difficult hand. The letter begins: 'My dear Campbell. | You will find all I know about Axiologus, and Miss Maria Williams, in a prefatory note Vol I of my Edition of W[illiam]. W[ordsworth].s Poems (not Life).' He confirms that the poem is by Wordsworth, and expresses regret at 'letting it be known: for it led Tutin [John Ramsden Tutin (1855-1913)] of Hull to go & print the sonnet for private circulation some years ago. I was really displeased with this, & told him that this unspeakable collector [clearly Thomas James Wise] of "hitherto unpublished" fragments, which the poet wished to die, would be the only persons who would thank him! it was almost as bad as the reprinting of the <?> Tragedy <?>'. He asks if 'S[amuel]. T[aylor]. C[oleridge]'s lines to Axiologus' are 'good': 'We have not been hit by this scourge, directly; but, indirectly, we are all run down by it.' The next sentence is difficult to decipher, and the letter ends on a personal note.