LETTERS, 1814.

treating me, as Slipslop says, with 'ironing' even now. shall say nothing of the shock, which had nothing of humeur in it; as I am apt to take even a critic, and still more a friend, at his word, and never to doubt that I have been writing cursed nonsense if they say so. There was a mentai reservation in my pact with the public, in behalf of anonymes; and, even had there not, the provocation was such as to make it physically impossible to pass over this damnable epoch of triumphant tameness. 'Tis a cursed business; and, after all, I shall think higher of rhyme and reason, and very humbly of your heroic people, till-Elba becomes a volcano, and sends him out again. I can't think it all over yet.

"My departure for the Continent depends, in some measure, on the incontinent. I have two country invitations at home, and don't know what to say or do. In the mean time, I have bought a macaw and a parrot, and have got up my books; and I box and fence daily, and go out very little.

"At this present writing, Louis the Gouty is wheeling in triumph into Piccadilly, in all the pomp and rabblement of royalty. I had an offer of seats to see them pass; but, as I have seen a sultan going to mosque, and been at his reception of an ambassador, the most Christian King 'hath no attractions for me:-though in some coming year of the Hegira, I should not dislike to see the place where he had reigned, shortly after the second revolution, and a happy sovereignty of two months, the last six weeks being civil war.

"Pray write, and deem me ever, &c."

LETTER CCXVIII.

TO MR. MURRAY.

"Many thanks with the letters which I return. You "April 21, 1814. know I am a jacobin, and could not wear white, nor see the installation of Louis the Gouty.

This is sad news, and very hard upon the sufferers at any, but more at such a time-I mean the Bayonne sortie. "You should urge Moore to come out.

LETTER CCXX.

TO MR. MURRAY.

"April 26, 1814.

no more of the Ode separately, but incorporate it with any
"I have been thinking that it might be as well to publish
of the other things, and include the smaller Poem too (in
that case)-which I must previously correct, nevertheless,
I can't, for the head of me, add a line worth scribbling; my
'vein' is quite gone, and my present occupations are of the
gymnastic order-boxing and fencing-and my principa.
conversation is with my macaw and Bayle. I want my
Moreri, and I want Athenæus.

address which I forwarded to you on Sunday: if not, pray
"P. S. I hope you sent back that poetical packet to the
do; or I shall have the author screaming after his Epic

LETTER CCXXI.

TO MR. MURRAY.

"April 26, 1814.

and worth a thousand Odes of any body's. I suppose I may "I have no guess at your author,-but it is a noble Poem,* keep this copy;-after reading it, I really regret having written my own. think humbly of myself. I say this very sincerely, albeit unused to "I don't like the additional stanzas at all, and they had better be left out. The fact is, I can't do any thing I ani asked to do, however gladly I would; and at the end of a week my interest in a composition goes off. This will account to you for my doing no better for your 'Stamp Duty' Postscript.

"The S. R. is very civil-but what do they mean by intended to copy him; but, if there be any copyism, it must Childe Harold resembling Marmion? and the next two, be in the two Poems, where the same versification is Giaour and Bride, not resembling Scott? I certainly never resemblance to any thing, though I rather wonder at his adopted. However, they exempt the Corsair from ali

escape.

"P. S. I want Moreri to purchase for good and all. I which I prefer to the other things always, after the first "If ever I did any thing original, it was in Childe Harold, have a Bayle, but want Moreri too. week. Yesterday I re-read English Bards;-bating the

"P. S. Perry hath a piece of compliment to-day; but I thank the name might have been as well omitted. No malice, it is the best.

matter; they can but throw the old story of inconsistency

in

my teeth-let them,-I mean as to not publishing. However, now I will keep my word. Nothing but the occasion, which was physically irresistible, made me swerve; and I thought an anonyme within my pact with the public. It is the only thing I have or shall set about."

LETTER CCXIX.

TO MR. MURRAY.

"April 25, 1814.

"Ever &c."

"2, Albany, April 29, 1814.

"I enclose a draft for the money; when paid, send the copyright. I release you from the thousand pounds agreed on for the Giaour and Bride, and there's an end.

"If any accident occurs to me, you may do then as you please; but, with the exception of two copies of each for

Let Mr. Gifford have the letter and return it at his lei-yourself only, I expect and request that the advertisements sure. I would have offered it, had 1 thought that he liked things of the kind.

be withdrawn, and the remaining copies of all destroyed;
and any expense so incurred, I will be glad to defray.t

I have none to give, except my own caprice, and I do not
"For all this, it might be as well to assign some reason,
consider the circumstance of consequence enough to require
explanation.

"Do you want the last page immediately? I have doubt the lines being worth printing; at any rate, I must see them again and alter some passages, before they go forth in any shape into the ocean of circulation;-a very conceited phrase, by-the-by: well then-channel of publication will do. I am not i' the vein,' or I could knock off a stanza or shall be published with my consent, directly or indirectly, by "In course, I need hardly assure you that they never three for the Ode, that might answer the A: all events, I must see the lines again first, as there be and have every reason so to be, with your conduct in all purpose better. any other two I have altered in my mind's manuscript already. Has transactions between us as publisher and author. person whatsoever, that I am perfectly satisfied any one seen and judged of them? that is the criterion by which I will abide-only give me a fair report, and 'nothing extenuate, as I will in that case do something else. "Ever, &c.

"I want More, aud an Athenæus.”

"It will give me great pleasure to preserve your acquaint

"Buonaparte," by Mr. Stratford Crnning.

He had, at this time, formed a resolution of purchasing back the whols of his past copyrights, and suppressing every page and line he had ever written.

unce, and to consider you as my friend. Believe me very to you to recommend to them to go for half an hour, if only Truly, and for much attention,

· Your obliged and very obedient servant,

*BYRON.

"P. S. I do not think that I have overdrawn. at Ham-it mersley's; but if that be the case, I can draw for the superflux on Hoares. The draft is 51. short, but that I will make up. On payment-not before-return the copyright papers."

Lyour present note is serious, and it really would be inconvenient, there is an end of the matter: tear my draft, and go on as usual: in that case, we will recur to our former basis. That I was perfectly serious, in wishing to suppress all future publication, is true, but certainly not to interfere with the convenience of others, and more particularly your own. Some day, I will tell you the reason of this apparently strange resolution. At present, it may be enough to say that I recall it at your suggestion: and as it appears to have annoyed you, I lose no time in saying so.

Yours, truly, "B."

NOTE TO MR. MOORE.

"May 4, 1814. -fe's board, &c.

*

*

*

*Last night we supp'd at R

*

to see the third act-they will not easily have another op portunity. We-at least, I-cannot be there, so there will be no one in the way. Will you give or send it to them? will come with a better grace from you than me.

"I am in no good plight, but will dine at **'s with you, if I can. There is music and Covent-g.-Will you go, at all events, to my box there afterward, to see a débût of a young 16,* in the 'Child of Nature?"

NOTE TO MR. MOORE.

"Sunday matin. "Was not lago perfection? particularly the last look. I was close to him (in the orchestra,) and never saw an English countenance half so expressive. I am acquainted with no immaterial sensuality so delightful as good acting; and as it is fitting there should be good plays, now and then, besides Shakspeare's, I wish you or Campbell would write one: the rest of 'us youth' have not heart enough.

"You were cut up in the Champion-is it not so? this day, so am I-even to shocking the editor. The critic writes well; and as, at present, poesy is not my passion predominant, and my snake of Aaron has swallowed up all the other serpents, I don't feel fractious. I send you the paper, which I mean to take in for the future. We go to M.'s together. Perhaps I shall see you before, but don't let me bore you, now, nor ever.

"Ever, as now, truly and affectionately, &c."

NOTE TO MR. MOORE.

"May 5, 1814. "Do you go to Lady Cahir's this even? If you do-and "I wish people would not shirk their dinners-ought it not to have been a dinner?-and that d-d anchovy sandwich! whenever we are bound to the same follies-let us embark That plaguy voice of yours made me sentimental, and in the same 'Shippe of Fooles.' I have been up till five, and almost fall in love with a girl who was recommending her-up at nine; and feel heavy with only winking for the last three or four nights. self, during your song, by hating music. But the song is past, and my passion can wait, till the pucelle is more har- of the way of ****. I would have gone away altogether, "I lost my party and place at supper, trying to keep out

monious.

Do you go to Lady Jersey's to-night? It is a large party, and you won't be bored into 'softening rocks,' and all that. Othello is to-morrow and Saturday too. Which day shall we go? When shall I see you? If you call, let it be after three and as near four as you please. Ever, &c.

"Will you and Rogers coine to my box at Covent, then? I shall be there, and none else or I won't be there, if you twain would like to go without me. You will not get so good a place hustling among the publican boxers, with damnable apprentices (six feet high) on a back row. Will you both oblige me and come or one-or neither-or, what you will?

"P. S. An' you will, I will call for you at half past six, or any time of your own dial."

NOTE TO MR. MOORE.

I have gotten a box for Othello to-night, and send the ticket for your friends the R-fe's. I seriously recommend

See Poems, p. 480.

"I think of leaving town for Newstead soon. If so, I shall "I will call for you at a quarter before seven, if that will not be remote from your recess, and (unless Mrs. M. detains suit you. I return you you at home over the caudle-cup and a new cradle,) we will in return, as Johnson said of, and to, somebody or other Sir Proteus, and shall merely add meet. You shall come to me, or I to you, as you like it-Are we alive after all this censure?"

book, nevertheless) were mere segments of the circle.
Ma'mselle danced a Russ saraband with great vigour
grace, and expression.
"Ever, &c."

NOTE TO MR. MURRAY.

or kept you in humeur. Never mind-it is hardly worth while.

"This day have I received information from my man of law of the non-and never likely to be-performance of purchase by Mr.Claughton, of impecuniary memory. He don't know what to do, or when to pay; and so all my hopes "June 21, 1814. and worldly projects and prospects are gone to the devil. "I suppose 'Lara' is gone to the devil,-which is no great matter, only let me know, that I may be saved the trouble He (the purchaser, and the devil too, for aught I care) and of copying the rest, and put the first part into the fire. II, and my legal advisers, are to meet to-morrow,the said really have no anxiety about it, and shall not be sorry to be saved the copying, which goes on very slowly, and may prove to you that you may speak out--or I should be less duggish. "Yours, &c."

LETTER CCXXVII.

TO MR. ROGERS.

purchaser having first taken special care to inquire whe
ther I would meet him with temper?-Certainly. The
question is this—I shall either have the estate back, which
is as good as ruin, or I shall go on with him dawdling,
which is rather worse. I have brought my pigs to a Mus-
sulman market. If I had but a wife now, and children,
of whose paternity I entertained doubts, I should be hap
py, or rather fortunate, as Candide or Scarmentado. In
the mean time, if you don't come and see me, I shall think
that Sam's bank is broke too; and that you, having assets
there, are despairing of more than a piastre in the pound
for your dividend
"Ever, &c."

NOTE TO MR. MURRAY.

* June 27, 1814. •You could not have made me a more acceptable present than Jacqueline, she is all grace, and softness, and poetry; there is so much of the last, that we do not feel the want of story which is simple, yet enough. I wonder that you do not oftener unbend to more of the same kind. I have some sympathy with the softer affections, though very "You shall have one of the pictures. I wish you to send little in my way, and no one can depict them so truly and the proof of 'Lara' to Mr. Moore, 33, Bury-street, to-night successfully as yourself. I have half a mind to pay you in kind, or rather unkind, for I have just 'supped full of horror as he leaves town to-morrow, and wishes to see it before he goes; and I am also willing to have the benefit of his remarks.

n two Cantos of darkness and dismay.

you

"Do you go to Lord Essex's to-night? if so, will let me call for you at your own hour? I dined with Hollandhouse yesterday at Lord Cowper's; my lady very gracious, which she can be more than any one when she likes. I was not sorry to see them again, for I can't forget that they have been very kind to me.

"Ever yours most truly,

"BN.

it

"P. S. Is there any chance or possibility of making up with Lord Carlisle, as I feel disposed to do any thing reasonable or unreasonable to effect it? I would before, but for the 'Courier,' and the possible misconstructions at such a time. Perpend, pronounce."

NOTE TO MR. MURRAY.

*July 11, 1814.

"Yours, &c."

LETTER CCXXIX.

TO MR. MOORE.

LETTER CCXXXI.

TO MR. MURRAY.

*July 23, 1814.

"I am sorry to say that the print is by no means ap "July 8, 1814. I returned to town last night, and had some hopes of proved of by those who have seen it, who are pretty conseeing you to-day, and would have called, but I have been versant with the original, as well as the picture from whence (though in exceeding distempered good health) a little head-it is taken. I rather suspect that it is from the copy and not achy with free living, as it is called, and am now at the freezing point of returning soberness. Of course, I should be sorry that our parallel lines did not deviate into intersection before you return to the country,-after that same nonsuit whereof the papers have told us,—but, as you must be inuch occupied, I won't be affronted, should your time

and business militate against our meeting.

the exhibited portrait, and in this dilemma would recommend a suspension, if not an abandonment of the prefixion to the volumes which you purpose inflicting upon the public.

"With regard to Lara don't be in any hurry. I have not yet made up my mind on the subject, nor know what to think or do till I hear from you; and Mr. Moore appeared to me

in a similar state of indetermination. I do not know that it Rogers and I have almost coalesced into a joint invasion may not be better to reserve it for the entire publication you of the public. Whether it will take place or not, I do not prosed, and not adventure in hardy singleness, or even yet know, and I am afraid Jacqueline (which is very beau-backed by the fairy Jacqueline. I have been seized with tiful) will be in bad company. But, in this case, the lady all kinds of doubts, &c. &c. since I left Londor

• Lara and Jacqueline, the latter by Mr. Rogers, both appeared in the just then published, (No. 45.) on the Corsair and Bride of Abyba. De volume.

Au engraving by Agar from Philips's portrait of him.

LETTERS, 1814.

agree with them. For my own part, I have no objection at
all; but Mrs. Leigh and my cousin must be better judges with his forty-fifth number, which I suppose you have
"It rejoiceth me that you like 'Lara.' Jeffrey is out
of the likeness than others; and they hate it; and so I won't got. He is only too kind to me,
have i. at all.

"Mr. Hobhouse is right as for his conclusion; but I deny the premises. The name only is Spanish;* the country is t Spain, but the Morea.

Waverley is the best and most interesting novel I have adde since I don't know when. I like it as much as I hate ** and **, and **, and all the feminine trash of the last four months. Besides, it is all easy to me, I have been in Scotland so much, (though then young enough too,) and feel at home with the people, Lowland and Gael.

"A note will correct what Mr. Hobhouse thinks an error, (about the feudal system in Spain;) it is not Spain. If he puts a few words of prose any where, it will set all right.

"I have been ordered to town to vote. I shall disobey. There is no good in so much prating, since 'certain issues strokes should arbitrate.' If you have any thing to say, let me hear from you. "Yours, &c."

LETTER CCXXXIII.

TO MR. MURRAY.

"Aug. 3, 1814.

of the plumage wherewith he hath bedecked me. But begin to fancy myself a golden pheasant, upon the strength my share of it, and I then, 'surgit amari,' &c.—the gentlemen of the Champion latory address to Lady J. on the picture-abdu tion by our and Perry, have got hold (I know not how) of the condoRegent, and have published them-with my name, too. smack-without even asking leave, or inquiring whether or no! D-n their impudence, and d-n every thing. It has put me out of patience, and so I shall say no more about it.*

additions) when out, but I am still demurring and de"You shall have Lara and Jacque (both with some laying, and in a fuss, and so is Rogers in his way.

twenty-five thousand pounds; but that don't prevent me "Newstead is to be mine again. Claughton forfeits from being very prettily ruined. I mean to bury myself there-and let my beard grow-and hate "Oh! I have had the most amusing letter from Hogg you all. the Ettrick minstrel and shepherd. He wants me to recommend him to Murray, and, speaking of his present bookseller, whose 'bills' are never 'lifted,' he adds, totidem verbis, 'G-d d-n him and them both.' I laughed, and so "It is certainly a little extraordinary that you have not introduced. The said Hogg is a strange being, but of would you too, at the way in which this extrication was sent the Edinburgh Review, as I requested, and hoped it great, though uncouth, powers. I think very highly of him would not require a note a day to remind you. I see adver- as a poet; but he, and half of these Scotch and Lake tisements of Lara and Jacqueline; pray, why? when I re- troubadours, are spoiled by living in little circles and petty quested you to postpone publication till my return to town. societies. London and the world is the only place to take "I have a most amusing epistle from the Ettrick bard-the conceit out of a man-in the milling phrase. Scott, Hogg; in which, speaking of his bookseller, whom he deno-he said, is gone to the Orkneys in a gale of wind;-during minates the 'shabbiest' of the trade for not 'lifting his bills,' which wind, he affirms, the said Scott, 'he is sure is not at he adds, in so many words, 'G-d d-n him and them both.' This is a pretty prelude to asking you to adopt him (the said Hogg:) but this he wishes; and if you please, you and I will talk it over. He has a poem ready for the press, (and your bills too, if iftable,') and bestows some benedictions on Mr. Moore for his abduction of Lara from the forthcoming Miscellany.

"P. S. Sincerely, I think Mr. Hogg would suit you very well; and surely he is a man of great powers, and deserving of encouragement. I must knock out a tale for him, and you should at all events consider before you reject his suit. Scott is gone to the Orkneys in a gale of wind, and Hogg says that, during the said gale, 'he is sure that Scott is not quite at his ease, to say the best of it.' Ah! I wish these home-keeping bards could taste a Mediterranean white squall, or the Gut in a gale of wind, or even the Bay of Biscay with no wind at all."

LETTER CCXXXIV.

TO MR. MOORE.

his ease,-to say the best of it.' Lord, Lord, if these homekeeping minstrels had crossed your Atlantic or my Mediterranean, and tasted a little open boating in a white squall-or a gale in 'the Gut-or the 'Bay of Biscay, with no gale at all-how it would enliven and introduce them to a few of the sensations!-to say nothing of an the Passions, beginning with simple adultery, and comillicit amour or two upon shore, in the pounding it as they went along. way of essay upon

you had addressed it to Miller. Pray write to me, and say "I have forwarded your letter to Murray,--by the way what art thou doing? 'Not finished!-Oons! how is this?

these 'flaws and starts' must be 'authorized by your grandam,' and are becoming of any other author. I was sorry to hear of your discrepancy with **s, or rather your abjuration of agreement. I don't want to be imper tinent, or buffoon on a serious subject, and am therefore at a loss what to say.

"I hope nothing will induce you to abate from the proper price of your poem, as long as there is a prospect of getting it. For my own part, I have seriously and not whiningly "Hastings, Aug., 1814. "By the time this reaches your dwelling, I shall (God hopes, nor prospects, and scarcely even wishes. I am, in (for that is not my way-at least, it used not to be,) neither wot) be in town again probably. I have here been re-some respects happy, but not in a manner that can or ought newing my acquaintance with my old friend Ocean; and I to last,—but enough of that. The worst of it is, I feel quite find his bosom as pleasant a pillow for an hour in the morn- enervated and indifferent. I really do not know, if Jupiter ing as his daughters of Paphos could be in the twilight. were to offer me my choice of the contents of his benevolent I have been swimming and eating turbot, and smuggling cask, what I would pick out of it. If I was born as the neat brandies and silk handkerchiefs,-and listening to nurses say with a 'silver spoon in my mouth,' it has stuck my friend Hodgson's raptures about a pretty wife-elect in my throat, and spoiled my palate so that nothing put into of his, and walking on cliffs, and tumbling down hills, it is swallowed with much relish,-unless it be cayenne. and making the most of the 'dolce farniente for the last However, I have grievances enough to occupy me that way fortnight. I met a son of Lord Erskine's, who says he too; but for fear of adding to yours by this pestilent long has been married a year, , and is the 'happiest of men;' and diatribe, I postpone the reading them, sine die. Ever, dear I have met the aforesaid H. who is also the 'happiest of M. men;' so, it is worth while being here, if only to witness yours, &c. the superlative felicity of these foxes, who have cut off their tails, and would persuade the rest to part with their brushes to keep them in countenance.

Alluding to Lara.

fixed on a fitter porter for his sins than me, being used to
"P. S. Don't forget my godson. You could not have
carry double without inconvenience."

• See Poems, p. 481.