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perhaps too long, and, if shortened, you will save time, but, I fear, a little of what I meant for sense also.

"With myriads of thanks, I am ever, &c. "My sixteenth edition of respects to Lady H. How ane must laugh at all this!

"I wish Murray, my publisher, to print off some copies as soon as your lordship returns to town-it will ensure correctness in the papers afterward."

LETTER CXXXIX.

TO LORD HOLLAND.

"Far be from him that hour which asks in vain
Tears such as flow for Garrick in his strain;

or,

Far be that hour that vainly asks in turn

crown'd his

Such verse for him as wept o'er Garrick's urn.

"Sept. 30, 1812.

lines-two less than allotted. I will alter all Committev objections, but I hope you won't permit Elliston to have any voice whatever, except in speaking it."

LETTER CXLI.

TO MR. MURRAY.

"High-street, Cheltenham, Sept. 5, 1812. "Pray have the goodness to send those despatches, and a No. of the Edinburgh Review with the rest. I hope you have written to Mr. Thompson, thanked him in my name for his present, and told him that I shall be truly happy to comply with his request. How do you go on? and when is the graven image, with bays and wicked rhyme upon 't,' to grace, or disgrace, some of our tardy editions?

"Send me 'Rokeby.' Who the devil is he?-no matter, he has good connexions, and will be well introduced.

thermometer is sadly below the poetical point. What will you give me or mine for a poem of six Cantos, (when complete--no rhyme, no recompense,) as like the last two as I can make them? I have some ideas that one day may be imbodied, and till winter I shall have much leisure.

"P. S. My last question is in the true style of Grubation.' Send me Adair on Diet and Regimen, just restreet; but, like Jeremy Diddler, I only ask for informpublished by Ridgway."

LETTER CXLII.

"Will you choose between these added to the lines, thank you for your inquiries: I am so so, but my on Sheridan?* I think they will wind up the panegyric, and agree with the train of thought preceding them. "Now, one word as to the Committee-how could they resolve on a rough copy of an Address never sent in, unless you had been good enough to retain in memory, or on paper, the thing they have been good enough to adopt? By-the-by, the circumstances of the case should make the Committee less avidus gloriæ,' for all praise of them would look plaguy suspicious. If necessary to be stated at all, the simple facts bear them out. They surely had a right to act as they pleased. My sole object is one which, I trust, my whole conduct has shown; viz. that I did nothing insidious-sent in no Address whatever-but, when applied to, did my best for them and myself; but above all, that there was no undue partiality, which will be what the rejected will endeavour to make out. Fortunately-most fortunately-I sent in no Enes on the occasion. For I am sure that had they, in that case, been preferred, it would have been asserted that I was known, and owed the preference to private friendship. This is what we shall probably have to encounter, but, if once spoken and approved, we sha'n't be much embarrassed by their brilliant conjectures, and, as to criticism, an old author, like an old bull, grows cooler (or ought) at every baiting.

TO MR. MURRAY.

"Cheltenham, Sept. 14, 1812. "The parcels contained some letters and verses, all (but one) anonymous and complimentary, and very anxious for my conversion from certain infidelities into which my good-natured correspondents conceive me to have fallen. The books were presents of a convertible kind. Also, 'Christian knowledge' and the 'Bioscope,' a religious Dial of Life explained; and to the author of the former, (Cadell publisher,) I beg you will forward my best thanks for his letter, his present, and, above all, his good intentions. The 'Bioscope' contained a MS. "The only thing would be to avoid a party on the copy of very excellent verses, from whom I know not, night of delivery—afterward, the more the better, and but evidently the composition of some one in the habit of the whole transaction inevitably tends to a good deal of writing, and of writing well. I do not know if he be the discussion. Murray tells me there are myriads of iron-author of the 'Bioscope' v hich accompanied them; but ical Addresses ready-some, in imitation of what is called my style. If they are as good as the Probationary Odes, or Hawkins's Pipe of Tobacco, it will not be bad fun for

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"October 2, 1812. A copy of this still altered is sent by the post, but this will arrive first. It must be 'humbler-yet aspiring does away the modesty, and, after all, truth is truth. Besides, there is a puff direct altered, to please your plaguy renters.

whoever he is, it you can discover him, thank him from me most heartily. The other letters were from ladies, who are welcome to convert me when they please; and if I can discover them, and they be young, as they say they are, I could convince them perhaps of my devotion. I had also a letter from Mr. Walpole on matters of this world, which I have answered.

"So you are Lucien's publisher? I am promised an interview with him, and think I shall ask you for a letter of introduction, as 'the gods have made him poetical. From whom could it come with a better grace than from his publisher and mine? Is it not somewhat treasonable in you to have to do with a relative of the 'direful foe, as the Morning Post calls his brother?

"But my book on 'Diet and Regimen,' where is it? I thirst for Scott's Rokeby; let me have your first-begotten "I shall be at Tetbury by twelve or one-but send this for you to ponder over. There are several little copy. The Antijacobin Review is a very well, and not a bit worse than the Quarterly, and at least less things marked thus / altered for your perusal. I have harmless. By the by, have you secured my books? I dismounted the cavalry, and, I hope, arranged to your want all the Reviews, at least the critiques, quarterly, general satisfaction.

"Ever, &c.

"At Tetbury by noon. I hope, after it is sent, there wul be no more elisions. It is not now so long-73

These added lines, as may be seen by reference to the printed Ad

dress, were not retained.

monthly, &c. Portuguese and English, extracted, and bound up in one volume for my old age; and pray, sort my Romaic books, and get the volumes lent to Mr. Hobhouse-he has had them now a long time. If an thing occurs, you will favour me with a line, and in winter we shall be nearer neighbours.

LETTERS, 1812.

"Ever yours most affectionately,

Η Νωαιρων.”4

"P.S. I was applied to, to write the Address for terial watchword, and all will go well with you. Drury-lane, but the moment I heard of the contest, I you will speak more frequently, I am sure at least you gave up the idea of contending against all Grub-street, ought, and it will be expected. I see Portman meat I hops and threw a few thoughts on the subject into the fire. to stand again. Good night. I did this out of respect to you, being sure you would nave turned off any of your authors who had entered the lists with such scurvy competitors. To triumph would have been no glory; and to have been defeated. -'sdeath!-I would have choked myself, like Otway, with a quartern loaf; so, remember I had, and have, nothing to do with it, upon my honour!"

LETTER CXLIII.

TO MR. WILLIAM BANKES

"Cheltenham, Sept. 28, 1812.

LETTER CXLIV.

TO MR. MURRAY.

"Cheltenham, Sept. 27, 1812.

"I sent in no Address whatever to the Committee. but out of nearly one hundred, (this is confidential,) none have been deemed worth acceptance; and in consequence of their subsequent application to me, I have written a prologue, which has been received, and will be spoken. The MS. is now in the hands ofl.ord Hol land.

"MY DEAR BANKES, "When you point out to one how people can be intimate at the distance of some seventy leagues, I will ceived by the audience) you will publish plead guilty to your charge, and accept your farewell, edition of Childe Harold; and I only beg you at present "I write this merely to say, that (however it is rebut not wittingly, till you give me some better reason than to keep my name secret till you hear farther from me, in the next my silence, which merely proceeded from a notion founded on your own declaration of old, that you hated and as soon as possible I wish you to have a correct writing and receiving letters. Besides, how was I to copy, to do with as you think proper. find out a man of many residences? If I had addressed vou, now, it had been to your borough, where I must have conjectured you were among your constituents. So now, in despite of Mr. N. and Lady W. you shall be as much better' as the Hexham post-office will allow me to make you. I do assure you I am much indebted to you for thinking of me at all, and can't spare you even from among the superabundance of friends with whom you suppose me surrounded.

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"P.S. I should wish a few copies printed off before, delivery.” that the newspaper copies may be correct after the

LETTER CXLV.

TO MR. MURRAY.

"Cheltenham, Oct. 12, 1812. "You heard that Newstead is sold the sum the portrait, and request that it may, on no account, be "I have a very strong objection to the engraving of £140,000; sixty to remain in mortgage on the estate for prefixed; but let all the proofs be burned, and the plate three years, paying interest, of course. also likely to do well-so my worldly matters are mend-curred; it is but fair that I should, since I cannot perRochdale is broken. I will be at the expense which has been ining. I have been here some time drinking the waters, smply because there are waters to drink, and they are you will lose no time in having this done, for which I mit the publication. I beg, as a particular favour, that very medicinal, and sufficiently disgusting. In a few have reasons that I will state when I see you. Fordays I set out for Lord Jersey's, but return here, where give all the trouble I have occasioned you. I am quite alone, go out very little, and enjoy in its fullest extent the 'dolce far niente.' What you are about, Address, but see it is vituperated in the papers, which "I have received no account of the reception of the I cannot guess, even from your date; not dancing to does not much embarrass an old author. I leave it to the sound of the gitourney in the Halls of the Lowthers? your own judgment to add it, or not, to your next edione of whom is here, ill, poor thing, with a phthisic. Ition when required. Pray comply strictly with my heard that you passed through here (at the sordid inn wishes as to the engraving, and believe where I first alighted) the very day before I arrived in "P. S. Favour me with an answer, as I shall not be these parts. We had a very pleasant set here; at first easy till I hear that the proofs, &c. are destroyed. I hear the Jerseys, Melbournes, Cowpers, and Hollands, but that the Satirist has reviewed Childe Harold, in what all gone; and the only persons I know are the Raw-manner I need not ask; but I wish to know if the old dons and Oxfords, with some later acquaintances of less personalities are revived? I have a better reason for brilliant descent. in publications of that kind, others, particularly female asking this than any that merely concerns myself; bu names, are sometimes introduced."

"But I do not trouble them much; and as for your rooms and your assemblies, 'they are not dreamed of in our philosophy!! Did you read of a sad accident in the Wye t' other day? a dozen drowned, and Mr. Rossoe, a corpulent gentleman, preserved by a boat-hook or an eel-spear, begged, when he heard his wife was saved-no-lost-to be thrown in again!!-as if he could not have thrown himself in, had he wished it; this passes for a trait of sensibility. What strange but beings men are, in and out of the Wye!

LETTER CXLVI.

TO LORD HOLLAND.

"MY DEAR LORD,

me,

&c.

"Cheltenham, Oct. 14, 1812.

"I perceive that the papers, yea, even Perry's, ate somewhat ruffled at the injudicious preference of the

"I have to ask you a thousand pardons for not fulfill-Committee. My friend Perry has, indeed, 'et tu Brute'-d ing some orders before I left town; but if you knew all me rather scurvily, for which I will send him, for the the cursed entanglements I had to wade through, it M.C.† the next epigram I scribble, as a token of my world be unnecessary to beg your forgiveness. When full forgiveness. W. Parliament (the new one) meet?-in sixty days, on account of Ireland, I presume; the Irish election of their proceedings? You must see there is a leaning will demand a longer period for completion than the towards a charge of partiality. You will, at least, acquit constitutional allotment. Yours, of course is safe, and me of any great anxiety to push myself before so many your side of the question. Salamanca is the minis

all

• The sale was afterwards cancelled.

"Do the Committee mean to enter into no explanation

• A mode of signature he frequently adopted.

↑ The Morning Chronicle, of which Mr Ferry was the proprietor.

eller and better anonymous, to whom the twenty guineas "P. S. The editor of the Satirist ought to be thanked (which I take to be about two thousand pounds Bank for his revocation; it is done handsomely, after five currency) and the honour would have been equally wel-years' warfare." come. Honour,' I see, 'hath no skill in paragraph

writing.'

"I wish to know how it went off at the second reading, and whether any one has had the grace to give it a glance of approbation. I have seen no paper but Perry's, and two Sunday ones. Perry is severe, and the others silent. If, however, you and your Committee are not now dissatisfied with your own judgments, I shall not much embarrass myself about the brilliant remarks of the journals. My own opinion upon it is what it always was, perhaps pretty near that of the public.

"Believe me, my dear lord, &c. &c. "P.S. My best respects to Lady H. whose smiles will be very consolatory, even at this distance."

LETTER CXLVII.

TO MR. MURRAY.

LETTER CXLIX.

TO MR. MURRAY.

"Oct. 23, 1812.

"Thanks, as usual. You go on boldly; but have a care of glutting the public, who have by this time had enough of Childe Harold. 'Waltzing' shall be prepared. It is rather above two hundred lines, with an introduc tory Letter to the Publisher. I think of publishing, with Childe Harold, the opening lines of the 'Curse of Minerva, as far as the first speech of Pallas,-because some of the readers like that part better than any I have ever written, and as it contains nothing to affect the subject of the subsequent portion, it will find a place as a Descriptive Fragment.

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"The plate is broken? between ourselves, it was unlike the picture; and besides, upon the whole, the fron"Cheltenham, Oct. 18, 1812. tispiece of an author's visage is but a paltry exhibition. Will you have the goodness to get this Parody of a At all events, this would have been no recommendation peculiar kind* (for all the first lines are Busby's entire) to the book. I am sure Sanders would not have survived inserted in several of the papers, (correctly, and copied the engraving. By-the-by, the picture may remain with correctly; my hand is difficult,)—particularly the Morn-you or him (which you please) till my return. The one ing Chronicle? Tell Mr. Perry I forgive him all he has of two remaining copies is at your service till I can give said, and may say against my address, but he will allow you a better; the other must be burned peremptorily. me to deal with the doctor-(audi alteram partem) and Again, do not forget that I have an account with you, not betray me. I cannot think what has befallen Mr. and that this is included. I give you too much trouble to Perry, for of yore we were very good friends;—but no allow you to incur expense also. matter, only get this inserted.

"You best know how far this 'Address riot' will affect "I have a poem on Waltzing for you, of which I the future sale of Childe Harold. I like the volume of make you a present; but it must be anonymous. It is 'Rejected Addresses' better and better. The other in the old style of English Bards and Scotch Reviewers. parody which Perry has received is mine also, (I be"P.S. With the next edition of Childe Harold you lieve.) It is Dr. Busby's speech versified. You are may print the first fifty or a hundred opening lines of the Curse of Minerva,' down to the couplet beginning

**Mortal (t was thus she spake, &c.

removing to Albemarle-street, I find, and I rejoice that we shall be nearer neighbours. I am going to Lord Oxford's, but letters here will be forwarded. When at leisure, all communications from you will be willingly Ward write the review of Horne Tooke's Life in the Quarterly? it is excellent."

Of course, the moment the Satire begins, there you will received by the humblest of your scribes. Did Mi stop, and the opening is the best part."

LETTER CXLVIII.

TO MR. MURRAY.

"Oct. 19, 1812.

LETTER CL.

TO MR. MURRAY.

Many thanks, but I must pay the damage, and will thank you to tell me the amount for the engraving. I " Cheltenham, Nov. 22, 1812. think the 'Rejected Addresses' by far the best thing of "On my return here from Lord Oxford's, I found your the kind since the Rolliad, and wish you had published them. Tell the author 'I forgive him, were he twenty obliging note, and will thank you to retain the letters. umes over a satirist; and think his imitations not at all and any other subsequent ones to the same address, till inferior to the famous ones of Hawkins Browne. He arrive in town to claim them, which will probably be must be a man of very lively wit, and less scurrilous in a few days. I have in charge a curious and very than wits often are: altogether, I very much admire the long MS. poem, written by Lord Brooke, (the friend of performance, and wish it all success. The Satirist has Sir Philip Sidney,) which I wish to submit to the intaken a new tone, as you will see: we have now, Ispection of Mr. Gifford, with the following queries:think, finished with Childe Harold's critics. I have in first, whether it has ever been published, and, secondly hand a Satire on Waltzing, which you must publish (if not,) whether it is worth publication? It is from anonymously; it is not long, not quite two hundred änes, but will make a very small boarded pamphlet. In a few days you shall have it.

• Among the Addresses sent in to the Drury-lane Committee was one Dr. Busby, entitled a Monologue, of which the Parody was enclosed in this letter. The first four lines of the Doctor's Address are as follows:

• When energizing objects men pursue,
What are the prodigies they cannot do f
A magic Edifice you here survey,
Shot from the ruins of the other day!'

Which vernes are thus ridiculed in the Parody :

"When energizing objects men pursue,"

The Lord knows what is writ by Lord knows whɔ
A modest Monologue you here survey,"
Hiss'd from the theatre the other day."

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Lord Oxford's library, and must have escaped or been overlooked among the MSS. of the Harleian Miscellany. The writing is Lord Brooke's, except a different hand towards the close. It is very long, and in the six-line stanza. It is not for me to hazard an opinion upon its merits; but I would take the liberty, if not too troublesome, to submit it to Mr. Gifford's judgment, which, from his excellent edition of Massinger, I should conceive to be as decisive on the writings of that age as on those of our own.

"Now for a less agreeable and important topic. How came Mr. Mac-Somebody, without consulting you

See Poems p. 441.

or me, to prefix the Address to his volume* of ‘Dejected would like it, he can have the substance for his secong Addresses? Is not this somewhat larcenous? I think the edition; if not, I shall add it to our next, though I think ceremony of leave might have been asked, though I have we already have enough of Lord Elgin. no objection to the thing itself; and leave the 'hundred and "What I have read of this work seems admirably leeven' to tire themselves with 'base comparisons.' I done. My praise, however, is not much worth the aushould think the ingenuous public tolerably sick of the thor's having; but you may thank him in my name for subject, and, except the Parodies, I have not interfered, his. The idea is new-we have excellent imitations of nor shall indeed I did not know that Dr. Busby had the Satires, &c. by Pope; but I remember but one imipublished his Apologetical Letter and Postscript, or Itative Ode in his works, and none any where else. I should have recalled them. But I confess I looked can hardly suppose that they have lost any fame by the upon his conduct in a different light before its appear- fate of the farce; but even should this be the case, the ance. I see some mountebank has taken Alderman present publication will again place them on their pinBirch's name to vituperate Dr. Busby; he had much nacle. better have pilfered his pastry, which I should imagine the more valuable ingredient—at least for a puff.-Pray secure me a copy of Woodfall's new Junius, and believe me, &c."

LETTER CLII.

TO MR. ROGERS.

"Yours, &c."

LETTER CLI.

TO MR. WILLIAM BANKES.

"December 26. "The multitude of your recommendations has already superseded my humble endeavours to be of use to you, and, indeed, most of my principal friends are returned. Leake from Joannina, Canning and Adair from the city of the faithful, and at Smyrna no letter is necessary, as the consuls are always willing to do every thing for personges of respectability. I have sent you three, one to Gibraltar, which, though of no great necessity, will, perhaps, put you on a more intimate footing with a very pleasant family there. You will very soon find out that a Lan of any consequence has very little occasion for any letters but to ministers and bankers, and of them you have already plenty, I will be sworn.

"March 25, 1813.

"I enclose you a draft for the usurious interest due to Lord **'s protégé ;-I also could wish you would state thus much for me to his lordship. Though the transaction speaks plainly in itself for the borrower's folly and the lender's usury, it never was my intention to quash the demand, as I legally might, nor to withhold payment of principal, or, perhaps, even unlawful interest. You know what my situation has been, and what it is. I have parted with an estate, (which has been in my family for nearly three hundred years, and was never disgraced by being in possession of a lawyer, a churchman, or a woman, during that period,) to liquidate this and similar demands; and the payment of the purchase is still withheld, and may be, perhaps, for years. If, therefore, I am under the necessity of making those persons wait for their money, (which, considering the terms, they can afford to suffer,) it is my misfortune.

"It is by no means improbable, that I shall go in the "When I arrived at majority in 1809, I offered my spring, and if you will fix any place of rendezvous about Lown security on legal interest, and it was refused. August, I will write or join you.-When in Albania, INow, I will not accede to this. This man I may have wish you would inquire after Dervise Tahiri and Vas-seen, but I have no recollection of the names of any par cillie, (or Basil,) and make my respects to the viziers, ties but the agents and the securities. The moment I both there and in the Morea. If you mention my name can, it is assuredly my intention to pay my debts. This to Suleyman of Thebes, I think it will not hurt you; if I person's case may be a hard one; but, under all circumhad my dragoman, or wrote Turkish, I could have given stances, what is mine? I could not foresee that the you letters of real service; but to the English they are purchaser of my estate was to demur in paying for it. hardly requisite, and the Greeks themselves can be of "I am glad it happens to be in my power so far to little advantage. Liston you know already, and I do accommodate my Israelite, and only wish I could do as not, as he was not then minister. Mind you visit Ephe- much for the rest of the Twelve Tribes. sus and the Troad, and let me hear from you when you please. I believe G. Forresti is now at Yanina, but if not, whoever is there will be too happy to assist you. Be particular about firmauns; never allow yourself to be bullied, for you are better protected in Turkey than any where; trust not the Greeks; and take some knicknackeries for presents-watches, pistols, &c. &c. to the Beys and Pachas. If you find one Demetrius, at Athens or elsewhere, I can recommend him as a good dragoman. I hope to join you, however; but you will find swarms of English now in the Levant.

"Believe

LETTER CLII.

TO MR. MURRAY.

me,

&c."

"February 20, 1813. "In 'Horace in London,' I perceive some stanzas on Lord Elgin, in which (waiving the kind compliment to myself,) I heartily concur. I wish I had the pleasure of Mr. Smith's acquaintance, as I could communicate the curious anecdote you read in Mr. T.'s letter. If he

"The genuine Rejected Addresses, presented to the Committee of Management for Drury-lane Theatre preceded by that written by Lord Byron and adopted by the Committee :"-published by B. M'Miliau

"Ever yours, dear R.

LETTER CLIV.

TO MR. MURRAY.

"Bx."

"Westall has, I believe, agreed to illustrate your book,* and I fancy one of the engravings will be from the pretty little girl you saw the other day, though without her name, and merely as a model for some sketch connected with the subject. I would also have the portrar: (which you saw to-day) of the friend who is mentioned in the text at the close of Canto first, and in the notes,-which are subjects sufficient to authorize that addition."

Early in the spring he brought out, anonymously, his poem on Waltzing, which, though full of very lively satire, fell so far short of what was now expected from him by the public, that the disavowal of it, which as we see by the following letter, he thought right to put forth, found ready credence.

A new edition of Childe Harold.

↑ Lady Charlotte Harley, to whom, under the name of lantae, the introductory lines to Childe Harold were afterward addressed.

LETTER CLV.

TO MR. MURRAY.

" April 21, 1813.

1 shall be in town by Sunday next, and will call and have some conversation on the subject of Westall's designs. I am to sit to him for a picture at the request of a friend of mine, and as Sanders's is not a good one, you will probably prefer the other. I wish you to have Sanders's taken down and sent to my lodgings imme 'diately before my arrival. I hear that a certain manicious publication on Waltzing is attributed to me. This report, I suppose, you will take care to contradict, as the author, I am sure, will not like that I should wear his cap and bells. Mr. Hobhouse's quarto will be out immediately; pray send to the author for an early copy, which I wish to take abroad with me.

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"MY DEAR SIR,

"N."

" June 18, 1813.

"I feel greatly at a loss how to write to you at all— "P.S. I see the Examiner threatens some observa- still more to thank you as I ought. If you knew the tions upon you next week. What can you have done veneration with which I have ever regarded you, long to share the wrath which has heretofore been principally before I had the most distant prospect of becoming your expended upon the Prince? I presume all your acquaintance, literary or personal, my embarrassment Scribleri will be drawn up in battle array in defence of would not surprise you. the modern Tonson-Mr. Bucke, for instance.

Any suggestion of yours, even were it conveyed in "Send in my account to Bennet-street, as I wish to the less tender shape of the text of the Baviad, or a settle it before sailing."

LETTER CLVI.

TO MR. MURRAY.

"Maidenhead, June 13, 1813.

Monk Mason note in Massinger, would have been obeyed; I should have endeavoured to improve myself by your censure: judge then if I should be less willing to profit by your kindness. It is not for me to bandy compliments with my elders and my betters: I receive your approbation with gratitude, and will not return my brass for your gold, by expressing more fully those sentiments of admiration, which, however sincere, would, I

I have read the 'Strictures," which are just enough, and not grossly abusive, in very fair cou-know, be unwelcome. plets. There is a note against Massinger near the end,

"To your advice on religious topics, I shall equally and one cannot quarrel with one's company, at any rate. attend. Perhaps the best way will be by avoiding them The author detects some incongruous figures in a pas-altogether. The already published objectionable passage of English Bards, page 23, but which edition I do sages have been much commented upon, but certainly not know. In the sole copy in your possession-I mean have been rather strongly interpreted. I am no bigot to the fifth edition-you may make these alterations, that I infidelity, and did not expect that, because I doubted the may profit (though a little too late) by his remarks:-immortality of man, I should be charged with denying For hellish instinct,' substitute 'brutal instinct; harpies the existence of a God It was the comparative insigalter to felons; and for 'blood-hounds' write 'hell-nificance of ourselves and our world, when placed in hounds.' These be 'very bitter words, by my troth,' comparison with the mighty whole, of which it is an and the alterations not much sweeter; but as I shall not atom, that first led me to imagine that our pretensions publish the thing, they can do no harm, but are a satis-to eternity might be overrated. faction to me in the way of amendment. The passage is only twelve lines.

"You do not answer me about H.'s book; I want to write to him, and not to say any thing unpleasing. If you direct to Post-office, Portsmouth, till called for, I will send and receive your letter. You never told me of the forthcoming critique on Columbus, which is not too fair; and 1 do not think justice quite done to the Pleasures, which surely entitle the author to a higher rank than that assigned him in the Quarterly. But I must not cavil at the decisions of the invisible infallibles; and the article is very well written. The general horror of fragments' makes me tremulous for the 'Giaour;" but you would publish it-I presume, by this time, to your repentance. But as I consented, whatever be its fate, I won't now quarrel with you, even though I detect it in my pastry; but I shall not open a pie without apprehen

sion for some weeks.

out.

"This, and being early disgusted with a Calvinistic Scotch school, when I was cudgelled to church, for the first ten years of my life, afflicted me with this malady; for, after all, it is, I believe, a disease of the mind as much as other kinds of hypochondria."

*

LETTER CLIX.

TO MR. MOORE.

"June 22, 1813.

*

"Yesterday I dined in company with **, the Epicene,' whose politics are sadly changed. She is for the Lord of Israel and the Lord of Liverpool—a vile antithesis of a Methodist and a Tory-talks of nothing but devotion and the ministry, and, I presume, expects that God and the government will help her to a pension.

*

*

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*The books which may be marked G. O. I will carry Do you know Clarke's Naufragia? I am told that he asserts the first volume of Robinson Crusoe was "Murray, the avag of publishers, the Anac of stationwritten by the first Lord Oxford, when in the Tower, ers, has a design upon you in the paper line. He wants and given by him to Defoe; if true, it is a curious anec- you to become the staple and stipendiary editor of a dote. Have you got back Lord Brooke's MS.? and periodical work. What say you? Will you be bound, what does Heber say of it? Write to me at Portsmouth. like 'Kit Smart, to write for ninety-nine years in the "Ever yours, &c. Universal Visiter? Seriously, he talks of hundreds a year, and-though I hate prating of the beggarly ele ments-his proposal may be to your honour and profit and, I am very sure, will be to our pleasure.

Os the Satire, by Mr. Crowe.

"N."

↑ See English Bards.

1 Poems, by Mr. Rogers.

"I don't know what to say about 'friendship.' I never

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