but the past is pretty secure; and in it I can number the last two months as worthy of the gods in Lucretius. I cannot review in the "Monthly;" in fact I can just now do nothing, at least with a pen; and I really think the days. of Authorship are over with me altogether. I hear and rejoice in Bland's and Merivale's intentions.1 Murray has grown great, and has got him new premises in the fashionable part of the town. We live here so shut out of the monde that I have nothing of general import to communicate, and fill this up with a "happy new year," and drink to you and Drury. Ever yours, dear H., B. I have no intention of continuing "Childe Harold." There are a few additions in the "body of the book" of description, which will merely add to the number of pages in the next edition. I have taken Kinsham Court. The business of last summer I broke off,3 and now the amusement of the gentle fair is writing letters literally threatening my life, and much in the style of "Miss Mathews" in "Amelia," or "Lucy" in the "Beggar's "Opera." Such is the reward of restoring a woman to her family, who are treating her with the greatest kindness, and with whom I am on good terms. I am still in palatia Circes, and, being no Ulysses, cannot tell into what animal I may be converted; as you are aware of the turn of both parties, your conjectures will be very correct, I daresay, and, seriously, I am very much "Lætitia his wife" (née Lætitia Snap), "Lætitia asks, 'But pray, "Mr. Wild, why b-ch? Why did you suffer such a word to 'escape you?'" 1. The republication of the Anthology. 2. Murray's removal from 32, Fleet Street, to 50, Albemarle Street. 3. With Lady Caroline Lamb. 1813.] HORACE IN LONDON. 189 attached. She has had her share of the denunciations of the brilliant Phryne, and regards them as much as I do. I hope you will visit me at K. which will not be ready before spring, and I am very sure you would like my neighbours if you knew them. If you come down now to Kington,1 pray come and see me. 276.-To John Hanson. 3d Feby, 1813. DEAR SIR,-Will you forward the inclosed immediately to Corbet, whose address I do not exactly remember? It is of consequence, relative to a foolish woman 2 I never saw, who fancies I want to marry her. Yours ever, B. P.S.-I wish you would see Corbet and talk to him about it, for she plagues my soul out with her damned letters. 277.-To John Murray. February 20, 1813. DEAR SIR,-In "Horace in London"3 I perceive some stanzas on Lord Elgin in which (waving the kind compliment to myself *) I heartily concur. I wish I had 1. Near Lower Moor, the residence of Hodgson's relatives, the Cokes. 2. The lady in question seems to have been Lady Falkland (see Letters, vol. i. p. 216, note 1, and the letter dated March 5, 1813). 3. Horace in London; consisting of Imitations of the First Two Books of the Odes of Horace, by James and Horace Smith (1813), was a collection of imitations, the best of which are by James Smith, republished from Hill's Monthly Mirror, where they originally appeared. 4. In Book I. ode xv. of Horace in London, entitled "The "Parthenon," Minerva thus speaks— the pleasure of Mr. Smith's acquaintance, as I could communicate the curious anecdote you read in Mr. T.'s letter. If he would like it, he can have the substance for his second Edition; if not, I shall add it to our next, though I think we already have enough of Lord Elgin. What I have read of this work seems admirably done. My praise, however, is not much worth the Author's having; but you may thank him in my name for his. The idea is new-we have excellent imitations of the Satires, etc. by Pope; but I remember but one imitative Ode in his works, and none any where else. I can hardly suppose that they have lost any fame by the fate of the Farce; but even should this be the case, the present publication will again place them on their pinnacle. Yours truly, B. 278.-To Robert Rushton. 4, Bennet Street, St. James's, Feb. 24th, 1813. I feel rather surprised to have heard nothing from you or your father in answer to Fletcher's last letter. I wish to know whether you intend taking a share in a farm with your brother, or prefer to wait for some other situation in Lancashire ;-the first will be the best, because, at your time of life, it is highly improper to remain idle. If this "All who behold my mutilated pile Shall brand its ravager with classic rage, 1. Horace Smith's unsuccessful comedy, First Impressions; or, Trade in the West, was performed at Drury Lane. The prologue, spoken by Powell, beseeches a judgment from the audience "Such as mild Justice might herself dispense, To Inexperience and a First Offence.' 1813.] DETERMINED TO GO ABROAD. 191 marriage which is spoken of for you is at all advantageous, I can have no objection; but I should suppose, after being in my service from your infancy, you will at least let me know the name of your intended, and her expectations. If at all respectable, nothing can be better for your settlement in life, and a proper provision will be made for you; at all events let me hear something on the subject, for, as I have some intention of leaving England in the Summer, I wish to make my arrangements with regard to yourself before that period. As you and Mr. Murray have not received any money for some time, if you will draw on me for fifty pounds (payable at Messrs. Hoare's, Bankers, Fleet Street), and tell Mr. J[oseph] Murray to draw for the same sum on his own account, both will be paid by me. Etc., etc., B. 279.-To John Hanson. Fy. 27th, 1813. DEAR SIR,-I have called several times, and you may suppose am very anxious to hear something from or of Mr. Claughton. It is my determination, on account of a malady to which I am subject, and for other weighty reasons, to go abroad again almost immediately. To this you will object; but, as my intention cannot be altered, I have only to request that you will assist me as far as in your power to make the necessary arrangements. I have every confidence in you, and will leave the fullest powers to act in my absence. If this man still hesitates, I must sell my part of Rochdale for what it will bring, even at a loss, and fight him out about Newstead; without this, I have no funds to go on with, and I do not wish to incur further debts if possible. Pray favour me with a short reply to this, and say when I can see you. Excuse me to Mrs. H. for my nonappearance last night; I was detained in the H. of L. till too late to dress for her party. Compliments to all. Ever yours, BN. 280.-To John Hanson. March 1st, 1813. DEAR SIR,-I am sorry that I could not call today but will tomorrow. Your objections I anticipated and can only repeat that I cannot act otherwise; so pray hasten some arrangement-for with, or without, I must go. A person told me yesterday there was one who would give within 10000 of C.'s price and take the title as it was. C. is a fool or is shuffling. Think of what I said about Rochdale, for I will sell it for what I can get, and will not stay three months longer in this country. I again repeat I will leave all with full powers to you. I commend your objection which is a proof of an honourable mind-which however I did not need to convince me of your character. DEAR SIR,-Lady F[alkland ?] has returned by Mr. Hanson the only two letters I ever wrote her, both some |