LETTERS. "P. S. Since this letter was written, I have been at your text, which has much good humor, in every sense of the word. Your notes are of a very high order indeed, particularly on Wordsworth." LETTER CCIV. TO MR. MURRAY. "Monday, Feb. 14, 1814. any thing that breathes. I shall bear what I can, Any thing remarkably injurious, I have the same means of repaying as other men, with such interest as circumstances may annex to it. 66 Nothing but the necessity of adhering to regi- LETTER CCVII. TO MR. MOORE. "Feb. 16, 1814. "Before I left town yesterday, I wrote you a note, which I presume you received. I have heard so many different accounts of your proceedings, or rather of those of others towards you, in eonsequence of the publication of these everlasting lines, that I am anxious to hear from yourself the real Whatever responsibility, oblostate of the case. "You may be assured that the only prickles that quy, or effect is to arise from the publication, should surely not fall upon you in any degree; and I can have no objection to your stating, as distinctly and sting from the Royal hedgehog are those which pospublicly as you please, your unwillingness to publish sess a torpedo property, and may benumb some of them, and my own obstinacy upon the subject. my friends. I am quite silent, and 'hush'd in grim Take any course you please to vindicate yourself, repose.' The frequency of the assaults has weakbut leave me to fight my own way, and, as I before ened their effects,-if ever they had any ;—and, if said, do not compromise me by any thing which may look like shrinking on my part; as for your own, make the best of it. LETTER CCV. TO MR. ROGERS. must be unalterable. "Feb. 16, 1814. tongue, or withheld my fingers. It is something they had had much I should hardly have held my quite new to attack a man for abandoning his resentments. I have heard that previous praise and subsequent vituperation were rather ungrateful, but I did not know that it was wrong to endeavor to do justice to those who did not wait till I had made some amends for former and boyish prejudices, but received me into their friendship, when I might still have been their enemy. "You perceive justly that I must intentionally have made my fortune, like Sir Francis Wronghead. "MY DEAR ROGERS, It were better if there were more merit in my independence; but it really is something now-a-days to "I wrote to Lord Holland briefly, but I hope distinctly, on the subject which has lately occupied be independent at all, and the less temptation to be much of my conversation with him and you. As otherwise, the more uncommon the case, in these things now stand, upon that topic my determination times of paradoxical servility. I believe that most of our hates and likings have been hitherto nearly "I declare to you most sincerely that there is no the same; but from henceforth, they must, of nehuman being on whose regard and esteem I set a cessity, be one and indivisible, and now for it! I higher value than on Lord Holland's; and, as far as concerns himself, I would concede even to humilia-am for any weapon,-the pen, till one can find "You can have no conception of the ludicrous tion without any view to the future, and solely from something sharper, will do for a beginning. my sense of his conduct as to the past. For the solemnity with which these two stanzas have been rest, I conceive that I have already done all in my power by the suppression. If that is not enough, they must act as they please; but I will not 'teach my tongue a most inherent baseness,' come what may. You will probably be at the Marquis Lansdowne's to-night. I am asked, but I am not sure that I shall be able to go. Hobhouse will be there. I think, if you knew him well, you would like him. "Believe me always, yours very affectionately, "B." treated. The Morning Post gave notice of an intended motion in the House of my brethren on the subject, and God knows what proceedings besides ; and all this, as Bedridden in the 'Nights' says, for making a cream tart without pepper.' This last piece of intelligence is, I presume, too laughable to be true; and the destruction of the customhouse appears to have, in some degree, interfered with mine;-added to which, the last battle of Bonaparte has usurped the column hitherto devoted to my bulletin. "I send you from this day's Morning Post the best which have hitherto appeared on this impudent doggerel,' as the Courier calls it. There was another about my diet, when a boy-not at all badsome time ago; but the rest are but indifferent. "I shall think about your oratorical hint ;*—but I have never set much upon that cast,' and am If Lord Holland is satisfied, as far as regards grown as tired as Solomon of every thing, and of himself and Lady Hd., and as this letter expresses myself more than any thing. This is being what the learned call philosophical, and the vulgar, lackhim to be, it is enough. "As for any impression the public may receive a-daisical. I am, however, always glad of a blesfrom the revival of the lines on Lord Carlisle, let sing;t pray repeat yours soon, at least, your letter, them keep it-the more favorable for him, and the and I shall think the benediction included. worse for me-better for all. "All the sayings and doings in the world shall not make me utter another word of conciliation to • Relative to a proposed reconciliation between Lord Carlisle and himself. "Ever, &c." • Mr. Moore had endeavored to persuade him to take a part in parlia mentary affairs, and to exercise his talent for oratory more frequently. In concluding his letter, Mr. Moore having said "God bless you!" added-"at is, if you have no objection." 810 LETTER CCVIII. TO MR. DALLAS. "Feb. 17, 1814. and its author. The poem itself, as the work of a young man, is creditable to your talents, and promises better for future efforts than any which I can now recollect. Whether you intend to pursue your "The Courier of this evening accuses me of hav-poetical career, I do not know, and can have no right ing 'received and pocketed' large sums for my to inquire-but, in whatever channel your abilities works. I have never yet received, nor wish to re- are directed, I think it will be your own fault it ceive, a farthing for any. Mr. Murray offered a they do not eventually lead to distinction. Happithousand for the Giaour and Bride of Abydos, ness must of course depend upon conduct and even which I said was too much, and that if he could af- fame itself would be but a poor compensation for ford it at the end of six months, I would then direct self-reproach. You will excuse me for talking to a how it might be disposed of: but neither then, nor man perhaps not many years my junior, with these at any other period, have I ever availed myself of grave airs of seniority; but though I cannot claim For the republica- much advantage in that respect, it was my lot to be the profits on my own account. tion of the Satire, I refused four hundred guineas; thrown very early upon the world-to mix a good and for the previous editions I never asked nor re- deal in it in more climates than one-and to purceived a sous, nor for any writing whatever. I do chase experience which would probably have been of not wish you to do any thing disagreeable to your- greater service to any one than myself. But my self; there never was nor shall be any conditions business with you is in your capacity of author, and nor stipulations with regard to any accommodation to that I will confine myself. "The first thing a young writer must expect, and that I could afford you; and, on your part, I can see nothing derogatory in receiving the copyright. It yet can least of all suffer, is criticism. Í did not was only assistance afforded to a worthy man, by bear it-a few years, and many changes have since passed over my head, and my reflections on that find, on dispasone not quite so worthy. "Mr. Murray is going to contradict this; but subject are attended with regret. your name will not be mentioned: for your own sionate comparison, my own revenge more than the part, you are a free agent, and are to do as you provocation warranted. It is true, I was very young please. I only hope that now, as always, you will that might be an excuse to those I attacked-but think that I wish to take no unfair advantage of the to me it is none: the best reply to all objections is On the other hand, accidental opportunity which circumstances permit- to write better-and if your enemies will not then you justice, the world will. ted me of being of use to you. you should not be discouraged to be opposed, is not to be vanquished, though a timid mind is apt to mistake every scratch for a mortal wound. There is a saying of Dr. Johnson's, which it is as well to remember, that 'no man was ever written down ex cept by himself.' I sincerely hope that you wil meet with as few obstacles as yourself can desire; but if you should, you will find that they are to be stepped over; to kick them down is the first resolve of a young and fiery spirit-a pleasant thing enough at the time-but not so afterwards: on this point, I speak of a man's own reflections-what others think or say, is a secondary consideration-at least, it has been so with me, but will not answer as a general maxim: he who would make his way in the world, must let the world believe that it was made for him, and accommodate himself to the minutest observ ance of its regulations. I beg once more to thank you for your pleasing present, "Ever, &c." In consequence of this letter, Mr. Dallas addressed an explanation to one of the newspapers, of which the following is a part: TO THE EDITOR OF THE MORNING POST. "SIR, "I have seen the paragraph in an evening paper, in which Lord Byron is accused of receiving and pocketing' large sums for his works. I believe no one who knows him has the slightest suspicion of this kind; but the assertion being public, I think it a justice I owe to Lord Byron to contradict it publicly. * * do "And have the honor to be "Your obliged and very obedient servant, "BYRON." LETTER CCX. "Feb. 25, 1914. гo MR. MOORE. "I take upon me to affirm that Lord Byron never received a shilling for any of his works. To my certain knowledge, the profits of the Satire were left entirely to the publisher of it. The gift of the copyright of Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, I have already publicly acknowledged in the dedication of the new edition of my novels: and I now add my acknowledgment for that of the Corsair, not only for the profitable part of it, but for the delicate and delightful manner of bestowing it while yet unpublished. With respect to his two other poems, the "Dallas had, perhaps, have better kept silence; Giaour and the Bride of Abydos, Mr. Murray, the publisher of them, can truly attest that no part of-but that was his concern, and, as his facts are the sale of them has ever touched his hands, or been correct, and his motive not dishonorable to himself, I wished him well through it. As for his interpre disposed of for his use." tations of the lines, he and any one else may inter pret them as they please. I have and shall adhere to my taciturnity, unless something very particular occurs to render this impossible. Do not you say a word. If any one is to speak, it is the person prin The most amusing thing is cipally concerned. that every one (to me) attributes the abuse to the man they personally most dislike!-some say Croker, some Ce, others Fitzgerald, &c., &c., &c. I "My absence from London till within these last do not know, and have no clue but conjecture. I few days, and business since, have hitherto pre-discovered, and he turns out a hireling, he must be vented my acknowledgment of the volume I have left to his wages; if a cavalier, he must 'wink, and lately received, and the inscription which it contains, hold out his iron.' "I had some thoughts of putting the question to for both of which I beg leave to return you my thanks, and best wishes for the success of the book Croker, but Hobhouse, who, I am sure, would not dissuade me, if it were right, advised me by all means not; that I had no right to take it upos "SIR, LETTER CCIX. TO Feb. 20, 1814. • The statement of the Courier, &c. 1 suspicion,' &c., &c. Whether Hobhouse is correct, arises from other causes. Some day or other, when I am not aware, but he believes himself so, and we are veterans, I may tell you a tale of present and says there can be but one opinion on that subject. past times; and it is not from want of confidence This I am, at least, sure of, that he would never that I do not now,-but-but-always a but to the prevent me from doing what he deemed the duty of end of the chapter. a preux chevalier. In such cases-at least, in this "There is nothing, however, upon the spot either country-we must act according to usages. In to love or hate;-but I certainly have subjects for considering this instance, I dismiss my own per- both at no very great distance, and am besides sonal feelings. Any man will and must fight, when embarrassed between three whom I know, and one necessary, even without a motive. Here, I should (whose name at least) I do not know. All this take it up really without much resentment; for would be very well, if I had no heart; but, unluckunless a woman one likes is in the way, it is some ily, 1 have found that there is such a thing still years since I felt a long anger. But, undoubtedly, about me, though in no very good repair, and, also, could I, or may I, trace it to a man of station, I that it has a habit of attaching itself to one, whe should and shall do what is proper. ther I will or no. Divide et impera,' I begin to think, will only do for politics. "was angerly, but tried to conceal it. You are not called upon to avow the 'Twopenny,' and "If I discover the toad,' as you call him, I would only gratify them by so doing. Do you not shall tread,'-and put spikes in my shoes to do it see the great object of all these fooleries is to set more effectually. The effect of all these fine things, him, and you, and me, and all persons whatsoever, I do not inquire much nor perceive. I believe * by the ears?-more especially those who are on felt them more than either of us. People are civil good terms-and nearly succeeded. Lord H. wished enough, and I have had no dearth of invitations,me to concede to Lord Carlisle-concede to the devil! none of which, however, I have accepted. I went -to a man who used me ill? I told him, in answer, out very little last year, and mean to go about still that I would neither concede, nor recede on the sub-less. I have no passion for circles, and have long ject, but be silent altogether; unless any thing regretted that I ever gave way to what is called a more could be said about Lady H. and himself, who town life-which, of all the lives I ever saw (and had been since my very good friends;-and there it they are nearly as many as Plutarch's) seems to me ended. This was no time for concessions to Lord C. to leave the least for the past and future. "I have been interrupted, but shall write again soon. Believe me ever, my dear Moore, &c." "How proceeds the Poem? Do not neglect it, and I have no fears. I need not say to you that your fame is dear to me,-I really might say dearer than my own; for I have lately begun to think my things have been strangely overrated; and, at any rate, whether or not, I have done with them for ever. I may say to you, what I would not say to every body, that the last two were written, the Bride in four, and the Corsair in ten days,-which I take to be a most humiliating confession, as it proves my own want of judgment in publishing, and the public's, in reading things, which cannot have stamina for permanent attention. So much for Buckingham.' "I have but a few moments to write to you. Silence is the only answer to the things you mention; nor should I regard that man as my friend who said "I have no dread of your being too hasty, and I a word more on the subject. I care little for attacks, have still less of your failing. But I think a year but I will not submit to defences; and I do hope a very fair allotment of time to a composition which and trust that you have never entertained a serious is not to be Epic; and even Horace's Nonum prethought of engaging in so foolish a controversy. matur' must have been intended for the MillenniDallas's letter was, to his credit, merely as to the um, or some longer-lived generation than ours. facts which he had a right to state; I neither have wonder how much we should have had of him, had nor shall take the least public notice, nor permit he observed his own doctrines to the letter. Peace any one else to do so. If I discover the writer, be with you! Remember that I am always and then I may act in a different manner; but it will most truly yours, &c. not be in writing. I One "An expression in your letter has induced me to "P. S. I never heard the 'report' you mention, write this to you, to entreat you not to interfere in nor, I dare say, many others. But, in course, you, any way in such a business,-it is now nearly over, as well as others, have damned good-natured and depend upon it they are much more chagrined friends,' who do their duty in the usual way. by my silence than they could be by the best defence thing will make you laugh in the world. I do not know any thing that would vex me more than any further reply to these things. "Ever yours, in haste, LETTER CCXII. "B." LETTER CCXIII. TO MR. MOORE. "March 12, 1814. At TO MR. MOORE. "March 3, 1814. "Guess darkly, and you will seldom err. present, I shall say no more, and, perhaps-but no matter. I hope we shall some day meet, and whatMY DEAR FRIEND, ever years may precede or succeed it, I shall mark "I have a great mind to tell you that I am un-it with the white stone' in my calendar. I am comfortable,' if only to make you come to town; not sure that I shall not soon be in your neighborwhere no one ever more delighted in seeing you, hood again. If so, and I am alone, (as will probanor is there any one to whom I would sooner turn bly be the case,) I shall invade and carry you off, for consolation in my most vaporish moments. The and endeavor to atone for sorry fare by a sincere truth is, I have 'no lack of argument' to ponder welcome. I don't know the person absent (barring upon of the most gloomy description, but this the sect') I should be so glad to see again. "I have nothing of the sort you mention but the lines, (the Weepers,) if you like to have them in the Bag. I wish to give them all possible circula tion. The Vault reflection is downright actionable, vert them. Pray publish it; I shall never forgive and to print it would be peril to the publisher; but I myself if I think that I have prevented you. think the Tears have a natural right to be bagged,| "Make my compliments to the author, and tell and the editor (whoever he may be) might supply a him I wish him success; his verse is very deserving facetious note or not, as he pleased. of it; and I shall be the last person to suspect his "I cannot conceive how the Vault has got about, motives. Yours, &c. -but so it is. It is too farouche; but, truth to say, "P. S. If you do not publish it, some one else my satires are not very playful. I have the plan of will. You cannot suppose me so narrow-minded as an epistle in my head, at him and to him; and, if to shrink from discussion. I repeat once for all, they are not a little quieter, I shall embody it. I that I think it a good poem, (as far as I have should say little or nothing of myself. As to mirth redde;) and that is the only point you should conand ridicule, that is out of my way; but I have a sider. How odd that eight lines should have giver. tolerable fund of sternness and contempt, and, with birth, I really think, to eight thousand, including Juvenal before me, I shall perhaps read him a lec- all that has been said, and will be, on the subject!" ture he has not lately heard in the Court. From particular circumstances, which came to my knowledge almost by accident, I could tell him what he is-I know him well.' "I meant, my dear M. to write to you a long letter, but I am hurried, and time clips my inclination down to yours, &c. LETTER CCXV. TO MR. MURRAY. "April 9, 1814. "P. S. Think again before you shelf your poem. There is a youngster, (older than me, by-the-by, "All these news are very fine; but nevertheless I but a younger poet,) Mr. G. Knight, with a vol. of want my books, if you can find, or cause then to be Eastern Tales, written since his return, for he has found for me,-if only to lend them to Napoleon in been in the countries. He sent to me last summer, the island of Elba,' during his retirement. I also and I advised him to write one in each measure, (if convenient, and you have no party with you) without any intention, at that time, of doing the should be glad to speak with you for a few minutes same thing. Since that, from a habit of writing in this evening, as I have had a letter from Mr. Moore, a fever, I have anticipated him in the variety of and wish to ask you, as the best judge, of the best measures, but quite unintentionally. Of the stories time for him to publish the work he has composed. I know nothing, not having seen them; but he has I need not say, that I have his success much at some lady in a sack, too, like the Giaour:-he told heart; not only because he is my friend, but some me at the time. thing much better-a man of great talent, of which "The best way to make the public 'forget' me he is less sensible than I believe any even of his is to remind them of yourself. You cannot suppose enemies. If you can so far oblige me as to step that I would ask you or advise you to publish, if I down, do so; and if you are otherwise occupied, thought you would fail. I really have no literary say nothing about it. I shall find you at home in envy; and I do not believe a friend's success ever the course of next week. sat nearer another than yours do to my best wishes. It is for elderly gentlemen to bear no brother near,' and cannot become our disease for more years than we may perhaps number. I wish you to be out before Eastern subjects are again before the public." The Death of Darnley is a famous subject-one of "P. S. I see Sotheby's Tragedies advertised. the best, I should think, for the drama. Pray let me have a copy, when ready. "Mrs. Leigh was very much pleased with her books and desired me to thank you; she means. I believe, to write to you her acknowledgments." LETTER CCXIV. TO MR. MURRAY. "March 12, 1814. LETTER CCXVI. TO MR. MOORE. "2, Albany, April 9, 1814. "I have not tune to read the whole MS.† but what I have seen seems very well written, (both prose and verse,) and, though I am and can be no judge, (at least a fair one on this subject,) contain- "Viscount Althorp is about to be married, and I ing nothing which you ought to hesitate publishing have gotten his spacious bachelor apartments in upon my account. If the author is not Dr. Busby Albany, to which you will, I hope, address a speedy himself, I think it a pity, on his own account, that answer to this mine epistle. he should dedicate it to his subscribers; nor can I "I am but just returned to town, from which you perceive what Dr. Busby has to do with the matter, may infer that I have been out of it; and I have except as a translator of Lucretius, for whose doc-been boxing, for exercise, with Jackson for this last trines he is surely not responsible. I tell you open-month daily. I have also been drinking, and, on ly, and really most sincerely, that, if published at one occasion, with three other friends at the Cocoa all, there is no earthly reason why you should not; Tree, from six till four, yea, unto five in the matin. on the contrary I should receive it as the greatest We clareted and champagned till two-then supped, compliment you could pay to your good opinion of and finished with a kind of regency punch composed my candor, to print and circulate that, or any other of Madeira, brandy, and green tea, no real water work, attacking me in a manly manner, and with- being admitted therein. There was a night for you!out any malicious intention, from which, as far as without once quitting the table, except to ambulate home, which I did alone, and in utter contempt of "He is wrong in one thing,-I am no atheist; a hackney-coach and my own vis, both of which but if he thinks I have published principles tending were deemed necessary for our conveyance. And to such opinions, he has a perfect right to contro-so, I am very well, and they say it will hurt my have seen, I must exonerate this writer. Henry VIII. and Charles I. I constitution. • The lines on the opening of the vault that contained the remains of "I have also, more or less, been breaking a few of †The manuscript of a long grave satire, entitled "Anti-Byron," which the favorite commandments; but I mean to pull up In the mean and marry,-if any one will have me. time, the other day I nearly killed myself with collar of brawn, which I swallowed for supper, and had been sent to Mr. Murray, and by him forwarded to Lord Byron, with a request-not meant, I believe, seriously-that he would give his opinion as to the propriety of publishing k-Moore. indigested for I don't know how long ;-but that is perpetually after you and yours. When will you NOTE TO MR. MURRAY. "April 10, 1814. My dear Moore, say what you will in your pre- "I have written an Ode on the fall of Napoleon, face; and quiz any thing, or any body,-me, if you which, if you like, I will copy out, and make you a like it. Oons? dost thou think me of the old, or present of. Mr. Merivale has seen part of it, and rather elderly, school? If one can't jest with one's likes it. You may show it to Mr. Gifford, and friends, with whom can we be facetious? You have print it, or not, as you please-it is of no consenothing to fear from, whom I have not seen, quence. It contains nothing in his favor, and being out of town when he called. He will be very no allusion whatever to our own government or the correct, smooth, and all that, but I doubt whether Bourbons. Yours, &c. there will be any grace beyond the reach of art;'- "P. S. It is in the measure of my stanzas at the and whether there is or not, how long will you be so end of Childe Harrold, which were much liked, bed-d modest? As for Jeffrey, it is a very handsome ginning, And thou art dead,' &c. There are ten thing of him to speak well of an old antagonist,-stanzas of it-ninety lines in all." and what a mean mind dared not do. Any one will revoke praise; but-were it not partly my own. case-I should say that very few have strength of mind to unsay their censure, or follow it up with praise of other things. "What think you of the review of Levis? It beats the Bag and my hand-grenade hollow, as an invective, and hath thrown the Court into hysterics, as I hear from very good authority. Have you heard from gone NOTE TO MR. MURRAY. "April 11, 1814. "I enclose you a letteret from Mrs. Leigh. "It will be best not to put my name to our Ode; but you may say as openly as you like that it is mine, and I can inscribe it to Mr. Hobhouse from the resolution of not publishing, though it is a the author, which will mark it sufficiently. After thing of little length and less consequence, it will will incorporate it in the first tome of ours that you be better altogether that it is anonymous; but we find time, or the wish to publish. "Yours alway, "B. "P. S. I hope you got a note of alterations, sent "P. S. Oh my books! my books! will you never find my books? "No more rhyme for-or rather, from-me. I have taken my leave of that stage, and henceforth will mountebank it no longer. I have had my day, and there's an end. The utmost I expect, or even wish, is to have it said in the Biographia Britannica, that I might perhaps have been a poet, had I on and amended. My great comfort is that the temporary celebrity I have wrung from the world has this matin? been in the very teeth of all opinions and prejudices. I have flattered no ruling powers; I have never concealed a single thought that tempted me. They can't say I have truckled to the times, nor to popular topics, (as Johnson, or somebody, said of Cleveland,) and whatever I have gained has been at the expenditure of as much personal favor as possible; for I do believe never was a bard more unpopular, quoad homo, than myself. And now I have done;-ludite nunc alios.' Every body may be d-d, as they seem fond of it, and resolved to stickle lustily for endless brimstone. "Alter potent spell' to 'quickening spell:' the first (as Polonius says) is a vile phrase,' and means nothing, besides being common-place and RosaMatildaish." NOTE TO MR. MURRAY. "April 12, 1814. I send you a few notes and trifling alterations, and an additional motto from Gibbon, which you will find singularly appropriate. A Good-Natured "Oh-by-the-by, I had nearly forgot. There is a Friend' tells me there is a most scurrilous attack on long poem, an Anti-Byron,' coming out, to prove us in the Antijacobin Review, which you have not that I have formed a conspiracy to overthrow, by sent. Send it, as I am in that state of languor rhyme, all religion and government, and have al- which will derive benefit from getting into a pasready made great progress? It is not very scurri- sion. lous, but serious and ethereal. I never felt myself important, till I saw and heard of my being such a little Voltaire as to induce such a production.Murray would not publish it, for he was a fool, and so I told him; but some one else will, doubtless. 'Something too much of this.' Ever, &c." LETTER CCXVII. TO MR. MOORE. "Albany, April 20, 1814. "Your French scheme is good, but let it be Italian; all the Angles will be at Paris. Let it be Rome, Milan, Naples, Florence, Turin, Venice, or "I am very glad to hear that you are to be tranSwitzerland, andegad!' (as Bayes saith) I will sient from Mayfield so very soon, and was taken in connubiate and join you; and will write a new by the first part of your letter. Indeed, for aught Inferno' in our Paradise. Pray think of this-and I know, you may be treating me as, Slipslop I will really buy a wife and a ring, and say the cere- says, with ironing' even now. I shall say nothmony, and settle near you in a summer-house upon ing of the shock, which had nothing of humeur in the Arno, or the Po, or the Adriatic. it; as I am apt to take even a critic, and still more • See "Ah! my poor little pagod, Napoleon, has a friend, at his word, and never to doubt that I walked off his pedestal. He has abdicated, they say. This would draw molten brass from the eyes of Zatanai. What! kiss the ground before young Ode to Napoleon Bonaparte?'-I suspect it to be either Fitzgerald's or Rok Malcom's feet, and then be baited by the rabble's Matilda's. Those rapid and masterly portraits of all the tyrants that precurse! I cannot bear such a crouching catastrophe. ceded Napoleon have a vigor in them which would incline me to say that I must stick to Sylla, for my modern favorites don't Rosa Matilda is the person; but then, on the other hand, that powerful grasp do, their resignations are of a different kind. All of history," &c., &c. After a little more of this mock parallel, the letter went health and prosperity, my dear Moore. Excuse on thus:-"I should like to know what you think of the matter? Some this lengthy letter. Ever, &c. "P. S. The Quarterly quotes you frequently in an Article on America; and every body I know asks friends of mine here will insist that it is the work of the author of Childe Harold, but then they are not so well read in Fitzgerald and Rosa Matilda as 1 am; and, besides, they seem to forget that you promised, about month or two ago, not to write any inore for years. Seriously," &c., &c. |