Paoli had sent him a long letter of sixteen pages. Chatham in his retirement at Bath, mystifying the court and his colleagues, could yet find time to send him a three-paged communication. In reply, the young traveller assures him that the character of the great minister had 'filled many of my best hours with the noble admiration which a disinterested soul can enjoy in the bower of philosophy.' He informs his lordship that he is preparing for publication his Tour in Corsica, that he has entered at the bar, and 'I begin to like it. I labour hard; and feel myself coming forward, and I hope to be useful to my country. Could your Lordship _find time to honour me now and then with a letter_? I have been told how favourably your Lordship has spoken of me. To correspond with a Paoli and a Chatham is enough to keep a young man ever ardent in the pursuit of a virtuous fame.' In June he expected to be busier than ever, during the week when his father sat as Judge of the Outer House, 'for you must know that the absurdity of mankind makes nineteen out of twenty employ the son of the judge before whom their case is heard,' an admission which only increases our regret at the want of professional industry on the part of the son. His addiction to the society of players only increased the more as his practice at the bar would have been thought to engross his attention. For the opening of the Canongate Theatre, on 9th December 1767, he had been induced to write a prologue to the play of _The Earl of Essex_ with which the newly licensed house started its career. Part of the opening verses, as spoken by Ross, 'a very good copy, very conciliatory' as the Earl of Mansfield styled them, runs as follows:--
'This night, lov'd _George's_ free enlightened age Bids _Royal favour_ shield the Scottish stage; His Royal favour every bosom cheers; The drama now with dignity appears! Hard is my fate if murmurings there be Because that favour is announced by me. Anxious, alarm'd, and aw'd by every frown, May I entreat the candour of the Town? You see me here by no unworthy art; My _all_ I venture where I've fix'd my heart. Fondly ambitious of an honest fame, My humble labours your indulgence claim. I wish to hold no _Right_ but by your choice, I'll trust my patent to the Publick Voice.'