LETTER CXCVII. TO MR. MURRAY. "Jan. 15, 1814. "Just before I left town, Kemble paid me the compliment of desiring me to write a tragedy; I wish I could, but find my scribbling mood subsiding-not before it was time; but it is lucky to check it at all. If I lengthen my letter you will think it is coming on again; so, good-bye. Yours alway, "B. "Before any proof goes to Mr. Gifford, it may be as well to revise this, where there are words omitted, faults committed, and the devil knows what. As to the dedication, I cut out the parenthesis of Mr.* but not another word shall move unless for a better. "P. S. If you hear any news of battle or retreat Mr. Moore has seen, and decidedly preferred, the on the part of the Allies, (as they call them,) pray part your Tory bile sickens at. If every syllable send it. He has my best wishes to manure the were a rattlesnake, or every letter a pestilence, they fields of France with an invading army. I hate should not be expunged. Let those who cannot invaders of all countries, and have no patience with swallow, chew the expressions on Ireland; or should the cowardly cry of exultation over him, at whose even Mr. Croker array himself in all his terrors name you all turned whiter than the snow to which against them, I care for none of you, except Gif-you are indebted for your triumphs. ford; and he won't abuse me except I deserve it- "I open my letter to thank you for yours just which will at least reconcile me to his justice. As received. The Lines to a Lady Weeping' must go to the poems in Hobhouse's volume,t the transla- with the Corsair. I care nothing for consequence tion from the Romaic is well enough; but the best on this point. My politics are to me like a young of the other volume (of mine, I mean) have been mistress to an old man-the worse they grow, the already printed. But do as you please-only, as I fonder I become of them. As Mr. Gifford likes the shall be absent when you come out, do, pray, let Portuguese Translation,' pray insert it as an Mr. Dallas and you have a care of the press. addition to the Corsair. "Yours, &c." NOTE TO MR. MURRAY. [1814, Jan. 16.] "I do believe that the Devil never created or perverted such a fiend as the fool of a printer. I am obliged to enclose you, luckily for me, this second proof, corrected, because there is an ingenuity in his blunders peculiar to himself. Let the press be guided by the present sheet. "Yours, &c. "Burn the other. "Correct this also by the others in some things which I may have forgotten. There is one mistake he made, which, if it had stood, I would most certainly have broken his neck." "In all points of difference between Mr. Gifford and Mr. Dallas, let the first keep his place; and in all difference between Mr. Gifford and Mr. Anybodyelse, I shall abide by the former; if I am wrong. I can't help it. But I would rather not be right with any other person. So there is an end of that matter. After all the trouble he has taken about me and mine, I should be very ungrateful to feel or act otherwise. Besides, in point of judgment, he is not to be lowered by a comparison. In politics he may be right too; but that with me is a feeling, and I can't torify my nature." LETTER CXCVIII. TO MR. MURRAY. "Newstead Abbey, Jan. 22, 1814. LETTER CXCIX. TO MR. MURRAY. "Newstead Abbey, Feb. 4, 1814. We "I need not say that your obliging letter was very welcome, and not the less so for being unexpected. "It doubtless gratifies me much that our finale "You will be glad to hear of my safe arrival here. has pleased, and that the curtain drops gracefully.i The time of my return will depend upon the You deserve it should, for your promptitude and weather, which is so impracticable that this letter good nature in arranging immediately with Mr. has to advance through more snows than ever Dallas; and I can assure you that I esteem your opposed the emperor's retreat. The roads are im- entering so warmly into the subject, and writing to passable, and return impossible for the present; me so soon upon it, as a personal obligation. which I do not regret, as I am much at my ease, shall now part, I hope, satisfied with each other. and six-and-twenty complete this day-a very pretty I was and am quite in earnest in my prefatory pro age, if it would always last. Our coals are excel-mise not to intrude any more; and this not from any lent, our fire-places large, my cellar full, and my affectation, but a thorough conviction that it is the head empty; and I have not yet recovered my joy best policy, and is at least respectful to my readers, at leaving London. If any unexpected turn oc-as it shows I would not willingly run the risk of forcurred with my purchasers, I believe I should hardly feiting their favor in future. Besides, I have other quit the place at all; but shut my door and let my views and objects, and think that I shall keep this beard grow. resolution; for, since I left London, though shut up, "I forgot to mention (and I hope it is unneces-snow-bound, and thaw-bound, and tempted with all sary) that the lines beginning-Remember him,&e kinds of paper, the dirtiest of ink, and the bluntest must not appear with the Corsair. You may slip of pens, I have not even been haunted by a wish to them in with the smaller pieces newly annexed to Childe Harold; but on no account permit them to put them to their combined uses, except in letters of business. My rhyming propensity is quite gone, be appended to the Corsair. Have the goodness to and I feel much as I did at Patras on recovering recollect this particularly. from my fever-weak, but in health, and only afraid • His translation of the pretty Portuguese song, “Tu mi chamas." was tempted to try another version of this ingenious thought, which is, per "The books I have brought with me are a great consolation for the confinement, and I bought more as we came along. In short, I never consult the thermometer, and shall not put up prayers for a haps, still more happy. thaw, unless I thought it would sweep away the rascally invaders of France. Was ever such a thing as Blucher's proclamation? • He had, at first, after the words "Scott alone," inserted, in a parenthe "He will excuse the Mr.-we do not say Mr. Cesar.'' 1 See Poems, p. 539, See Poems, p. 546. "You call me still your life-ah! change the word- It will be recollected that he had announced the Corsair as "the ind production with which he should trespass on the public patients for som years" of a relapse I do most frequently hope I never pendix. I am sorry that Childe Harold requires shall. some and such abetments to make him move off: "I see by the Morning Chronicle there hath been but, if you remember, I told you his popularity discussion in the Courier; and I read in the Morning would not be permanent. It is very lucky for the Post a wrathful letter about Mr. Moore, in which author that he had made up his mind to a temposome Protestant Reader has made a sad confusion rary reputation in time. The truth is, I do not about India and Ireland. think that any of the present day (and least of all, "You are to do as you please about the smaller one who has not consulted the flattering side of poems; but I think removing them now from the human nature) have much to hope from posterity; Corsair looks like fear; and if so, you must allow and you may think it affectation very probably, but me not to be pleased. I should also suppose that, to me, my present and past success has appeared after the fuss of these newspaper esquires, they very singular, since it was in the teeth of so many would materially assist the circulation of the Cor- prejudices. I almost think people like to be contrasair; an object I should imagine at present of more dicted. If Childe Harold flags, it will hardly be importance to yourself than Childe Harold's seventh worth while to go on with the engravings; but do appearance. Do as you like; but don't allow the as you please; I have done with the whole concern; withdrawing that poem to draw any imputation of and the enclosed lines written years ago, and copied dismay upon me.* from my skull-cap, are among the last with which "Pray make my respects to Mr. Ward, whose you will be troubled. If you like, add them to praise value most highly, as you well know; it is Childe Harold, if only for the sake of another outin the approbation of such men that fame becomes cry. You received so long an answer yesterday, worth having. To Mr. Gifford I am always grate- that I will not intrude on you further than to repeat ful, and surely not less so now than ever. And so myself, "Yours, &c. good night to my authorship. "P. S. Of course, in reprinting (if you have oc"I have been sauntering and dozing here very casion) you will take great care to be correct. The quietly and not unhappily. You will be happy to present editions seem very much so, except in the hear that I have completely established my title last note of Childe Harold, where the word respondeeds as marketable, and that the purchaser has sible occurs twice, nearly together; correct the succumbed to the terms, and fulfils them, or is to second into answerable." fulfil them forthwith. He is now here and we go on very amicably together-one in each wing of the Abbey. We set off on Sunday-I for town, he for Cheshire. "Mrs. Leigh is with me-much pleased with the place, and less so with me for parting with it, to which not even the price can reconcile her. Your parcel has not yet arrived-at least the Mags. &c.; but I have received Childe Harold and the Corsair. I believe both are very correctly printed, which is a great satisfaction. NOTE TO MR. MURRAY. "Newark, Feb. 6, 1814. "I am thus far on my way to town. Master Ridge* I have seen, and he owns to having reprinted some sheets, to make up a few complete remaining copies! I have now given him fair warning, and it he plays such tricks again, I must either get an injunction, or call for an account of profits, (as I "I thank you for wishing me in town; but I never have parted with the copyright,) or, in short, think one's success is most felt at a distance, and I any thing vexatious to repay him in his own way. enjoy my solitary self-importance in an agreeably If the weather does not relapse, I hope to be in sulky way of my own, upon the strength of your town in a day or two. letter-for which I once more thank you, and am, very truly, &c. "P. S. Don't you think Bonaparte's next publication will be rather expensive to the Allies? Perry's Paris letter of yesterday looks very reviving. What a Hydra and Briareus it is! I wish they would pacify: there is no end to this campaigning." LETTER CC. TO MR. MURRAY. "Newstead Abbey, Feb 5, 1814. I quite forgot, in my answer of yesterday, to mention that I have no means of ascertaining whether the Newark Pirate has been doing what you say. If so, he is a rascal, and a shabby rascal too; and if his offence is punishable by law or pugilism, he shall be fined or buffeted. Do you try and discover, and I will make some inquiry here. Perhaps some other in town may have gone on printing, and used the same deception. "The fac-simile is omitted in Childe Harold, which is very awkward, and there is a note expressly on the subject. Pray replace it as usual. "Yours, &c." NOTE TO MR. MURRAY. "Feb. 7, 1814. "I see all the papers in a sad commotion with those eight lines; and the Morning Post, in particular, has found out that I am a sort of Richard III.-deformed in mind and body. The last piece of information is not very new to a man who passed five years at a public school. "I am very sorry you cut out those lines for Childe Harold. Pray reinsert them in their old place in The Corsair."" LETTER CCI. TO MR. HODGSON. "Feb. 28, 1814. "There is a youngster-and a clever one, named Reynolds, who has just published a poem called 'Safie,' published by Cawthorne. He is in the most natural and fearful apprehension of the Reviewers and as you and I both know by experience the effect of such things upon a young mind, I wish "On second and third thoughts, the withdraw-you would take his production into dissection, and ing the small poems from the Corsair (even to add do it gently. I cannot, because it is inscribed to to Childe Harold) looks like shrinking and shuf- me; but I assure you this is not my motive for fling, after the fuss made upon one of them by wishing him to be tenderly treated, but because I the Tories. Pray replace them in the Corsair's ap- know the misery, at his time of life, of untoward remarks upon first appearance. ⚫ He alludes to the lines beginning "Weep, daughter of a royal line."Poems, p. 547. ↑ Reprinting the "flours of Idleness." • The print at Newark. ↑ "To a Lady Weeping." "Now for self. Pray thank your cousin-it is sent. Some of the papers have exactly said what just as it should be, to my liking, and probably might be expected. Now I do not, and will not be more than will suit any one else's. I hope and trust supposed to shrink. although myself and every that you are well, and well doing. Peace be with thing belonging to me were to perish with my you. Ever yours, my dear friend." memory. "Yours, &c., "BN. "P. S. Pray attend to what I stated yesterday on technical topics." LETTER CCII. TO MR. MOORE. "Feb. 10, 1814. LETTER CCIII. TO MR. HUNT. "Feb. 9, 1814. "I arrived in town late yesterday evening, having been absent three weeks, which I passed in Notts. quietly and pleasantly. You can have no concep- "MY DEAR SIR, tion of the uproar the eight lines on the little. Royalty's weeping in 1812 (now republished) have "I have been snow-bound and thaw-swamped occasioned. The Regent, who had always thought (two compound epithets for you) in the valley of them yours, chose-God knows why-on discover- the shadow' of Newstead Abbey for nearly a month, ing them to be mine, to be affected, 'in sorrow rather and have not been four hours returned to London. than anger.' The Morning Post, Sun, Herald, Nearly the first use I make of my benumbed fingers, Courier, have all been in hysterics ever since. Mur- is to thank you for your very handsome note in the ray is in a fright, and wanted to shuffle-and the volume you have just put forth, only, I trust, to abuse against me in all directions is vehement, un- be followed by others on subjects more worthy your ceasing, loud-some of it good, and all of it hearty. notice than the works of contemporaries. Of myI feel a little compunctious as to the Regent's self, you speak only too highly, and you must think regret; would he had been only angry! but I fear me strangely spoiled, or perversely peevish, even to suspect that any remarks of yours, in the spirit of "Some of these same assailments you have pro- candid criticism, could possibly prove unpalatable. bably seen. My person (which is excellent for the Had they been harsh, instead of being written as nonce') has been denounced in verses, the more like they are, in the indelible ink and friendly admonithe subject, inasmuch as they halt exceedingly. tion, had they been the harshest-as I knew and Then, in another, I am an atheist-a rebel-and, at know that you are above any personal bias, at least, last, the devil, (boiteux, I presume.) My demonism against your fellow-bards, believe me, they would seems to be a female's conjecture: if so, perhaps I not have caused a remonstrance, nor a moment of could convince her that I am but a mere mortal,-if rankling on my part. Your poem I read long ago a queen of the Amazons may be believed, who says in the Reflector,' and it is not much to say it is the apiorov xodos aide. I quote from memory, so my best Session' we have, and with a more difficult Greek is probably deficient; but the passage is subject, for we are neither so good nor so bad (taking the best and worst) as the wits of the olden him not.' meant to mean "Seriously, I am in, what the learned call, a di- time. lemma, and the vulgar, a scrape; and my friends "To your smaller pieces I have not yet had time desire me not to be in a passion, and like Sir Fret- to do justice by perusal, and I have a quantity of ful, I assure them that I am quite calm,'-but I am unanswered, and I hope unanswerable, letters to nevertheless in a fury. wade through before I sleep, but to-morrow will see and "Since I wrote thus far, a friend has come in, and me through your volume. I am glad to see you we have been talking and buffooning, till I have have tracked Gray among the Italians. You will quite lost the thread of my thoughts; and, as I perhaps find a friend or two of yours there also, won't send them unstrung to you, good morning, Believe me ever, &c. "P. S. Murray, during my absence, omitted the Tears in several of the copies. I have made him replace them, and am very wroth with his qualms; -as the wine is poured out, let it be drank to the dregs.' NOTE TO MR. MURRAY. "Feb. 10, 1814. though not to the same extent; but I have always thought the Italians the most poetical moderns; our Milton and Spenser, and Shakspeare, (the last through translations of their Tales,) are very Tuscan, and surely it is far superior to the French school. You are hardly fair enough to Rogers. Why tea! you might surely have given him supper, if only a sandwich. Murray has, I hope, sent you my last bantling, The Corsair.' I have been regaled at every inn on the road by lampoons and other merry conceits on myself in the ministerial gazettes, occasioned by the republication of two stanzas, inserted in 1812, in Perry's paper. The hysterics of the Morning Post are quite interesting; and I hear (but have not seen) of something terrific in a last week's Courier: all which I take with the calm indifference' of Sir Fretful Plagiary. The Morning Post has one copy of devices upon my deformity, which certainly will admit of no historic doubts like 'Dickon my master's;' another upon my atheism, which is not quite so clear; and another very down rightly says, I am the devil, (boiteux, they might have added,) and a rebel, and what not: possibly, my accuser of diabolism may be Rosa Matilda; and "If you have copies of the Intercepted Let- if so, it would not be difficult to convince her that I ters, Lady Holland would be glad of a volume, am a mere man. I shall break in upon you in a day and when you have served others, have the goodness or two; distance has hitherto detained me; and I to think of your humble servant. hope to find you well, and myself welcome. "Ever your obliged and sincere "I am much better, and indeed quite well this morning. I have received two, but I presume there are more of the Ana, subsequently, and also something previous, to which the Morning Chronicle replied. You also mentioned a parody on the Skull. I wish to see them all, because there may be things that require notice either by pen or person. "Yours, &c. "You need not trouble yourself to answer this; but send me the things when you get them." NOTE TO MR. MURRAY. "Feb. 12, 1814. "You have played the devil by that injudicious suppression, which you did totally without my con "BYRON. "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. any thing that breathes. I shall bear what I can, and what I cannot, I shall resist. The worst they could do would be to exclude me from society. I have never courted it, nor, I may add, in the general sense of the word, enjoyed it-and 'there is a world elsewhere!' "Any thing remarkably injurious, I have the same means of repaying as other men, with such interest as circumstances may annex to it. "Nothing but the necessity of adhering to regimen prevents me from dining with you to-morrow. "I am yours most truly, "BN" LETTER CCVII. TO MR. MOORE. "Feb. 16, 1814. "Monday, Feb. 14, 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 state of the case. Whatever responsibility, obloquy, or effect is to arise from the publication, should surely not fall upon you in any degree; and I can "You may be assured that the only prickles that 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 before ened their effects,-if ever they had any; and, if said, do not compromise me by any thing which may they had had much I should hardly have held my look like shrinking on my part; as for your own, quite new to attack a man for abandoning his resenttongue, or withheld my fingers. It is something make the best of it. LETTER CCV. TO MR. ROGERS. "MY DEAR ROGERS, must be unalterable. "Yours, "BN." Feb. 16, 1814. ments. 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. "I wrote to Lord Holland briefly, but I hope dis- It were better if there were more merit in my indetinctly, on the subject which has lately occupied be independent at all, and the less temptation to be pendence; but it really is something now-a-days to 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 "I declare to you most sincerely that there is no the same; but from henceforth, they must, of neof our hates and likings have been hitherto nearly human 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 tion without any view to the future, and solely from something sharper, will do for a beginning. "You can have no conception of the ludicrous 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 treated. The Morning Post gave notice of an inpower by the suppression. If that is not enough, they must act as they please; but I will not teach tended motion in the House of my brethren on the my tongue a most inherent baseness,' come what-and all this, as Bedridden in the 'Nights' says, subject, and God knows what proceedings besides; may. You will probably be at the Marquis Lans-for making a cream tart without pepper.' This downe's to-night. I am asked, but I am not sure last piece of intelligence is, I presume, too laughthat I shall be able to go. Hobhouse will be there. able to be true; and the destruction of the customI think, if you knew him well, you would like him. house appears to have, in some degree, interfered "Believe me always, yours very affectionately, LETTER CCVI. TO MR. ROGERS. "B." "Feb. 16, 1814. If Lord Holland is satisfied, as far as regards himself and Lady Hd., and as this letter expresses him to be, it is enough. 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 grown as tired as Solomon of every thing, and of myself more than any thing. This is being what the learned call philosophical, and the vulgar, lack"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. † Of the Satir. "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 "Gɔd ɔless you!" added-"at is, if you have no objection." 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 premises better for future efforts than any which I can now recollect. Whether you intend to pursue your "Tae 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 if 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 the profits on my own account. For the republica- much advantage in that respect, it was my lot to be 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. that I could afford you; and, on your part, I can see "The first thing a young writer must expect, and 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 one not quite so worthy. passed over my head, and my reflections on that "Mr. Murray is going to contradict this; but subject are attended with regret. I find, on dispasyour 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 think that I wish to take no unfair advantage of the accidental opportunity which circumstances permitted me of being of use to you. "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. that might be an excuse to those I attacked-but to me it is none: the best reply to all objections is to write better-and if your enemies will not then do you justice, the world will. On the other hand, 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 except by himself.' I sincerely hope that you will 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, "And have the honor to be LETTER CCX. "BYRON." "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 unpub-| lished. With respect to his two other poems, the Giaour and the Bride of Abydos, Mr. Murray, the "Dallas had, perhaps, have better kept silence; 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 disposed of for his use." LETTER CCIX. ΤΟ гO MR. MOORE. "Feb. 25, 1814. correct, and his motive not dishonorable to himself, I wished him well through it. As for his interpretations of the lines, he and any one else may interpret 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 cipally concerned. The most amusing thing is that every one (to me) attributes the abuse to the man they personally most dislike-some say Croker, some C e, others Fitzgerald, &c., &c., &c. I 'My absence from London till within these last do not know, and have no clue but conjecture. If 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.' for both of which I beg leave to return you my thanks, and best wishes for the success of the book "SIR, • The statement of the Courier, &c. Feb. 20, 1814. "I had some thoughts of putting the question to 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 upon |