The letter appears to be an acknowledgement for Northumberland's support for She Stoops to Conquer. His presence at a performance – perhaps the benefit performance of 18 March – would have helped the play at a time when the presence of persons of fashion contributed to the success of a piece. Moreover, Goldsmith, through providing ‘orders’ – suggested by his promise to ‘take care for his Graces reception’ – would also have been pleased by the opportunity to do an elevated friend a favour. ‘Orders’ were the means by which a theatre gave free admission to selected patrons: on this, Goldsmith's first benefit night, he would have borne the cost of the tickets.

The copy-text is the manuscript in the British Library. It was first published by Balderston in 1928. The verso is marked ‘Goldsmith’ in red ink by Percy. ‘Duke of North’ is also inserted in pencil with a caret, not by Goldsmith, after ‘Grace’.

Temple. Thursday March 18.