would put an end to it; but this I shall not do, at all events without acquainting you before hand; nor at all, provided I am able to go abroad again. But at all hazards, at all losses, on this last point I am as determined as I have been for the last six months, and you have always told me that you would endeavour to assist me in that intention. Every thing is ordered and ready now. Do not trifle with me, for I am in very solid serious earnest, and if utter ruin were, or is before me, on the one hand—and wealth at home on the other,—I have made my choice, and go I will.

If you wish to write, address a line before Saturday to Salthill Post Office; Maidenhead, I believe, but am not sure, is the Post town; but I shall not be in town till Wednesday next.

Believe me, yours ever,

BN.

P.S.-Let all the books go to Mr. Murray's immediately, and let the plate, linen, etc., which I find excepted by the contract, be sold, particularly a large silver vase— with the contents not removed as they are curious, and a silver cup (not the skull) be sold also-both are of value.

The Pictures also, and every moveable that is mine, and can be converted into cash; all I want is a few thousand pounds, and then adieu. You shan't be troubled with me these ten years, if ever.

297.-To Francis Hodgson.

June 6, 1813.

MY DEAR HODGSON,-I write to you a few lines on business. Murray has thought proper at his own risk, and peril, and profit (if there be any) to publish The

1813.]

ADDITIONS TO THE GIAOUR.

215

Giaour; and it may possibly come under your ordeal in the Monthly. I merely wish to state that in the published copies there are additions to the amount of ten pages, text and margin (chiefly the last), which render it a little less unfinished (but more unintelligible) than before. If, therefore, you review it, let it be from the published copies and not from the first sketch. I shall not sail for this month, and shall be in town again next week, when I shall be happy to hear from you but more glad to see you. You know I have no time or turn for correspondence (!). But you also know, I hope, that I am not the less

Yours ever,

ΜΠΑΙΡΩΝ.

298.-To Francis Hodgson.

June 8th, 1813.

MY DEAR HODGSON,-In town for a night I find your card. I had written to you at Cambridge merely to say that Murray has thought it expedient to publish The Giaour at his own risk (and reimbursement, if he can), and that, as it will probably be in your department in the Monthly, I wished to state that, in the published copies, there are additions to the tune of 300 lines or so towards the end, and, if reviewed, it should not be from the privately printed copy. So much for scribbling.

I shall manage to see you somewhere before I sail, which will be next month; till then I am yours here, and afterwards any where and every where,

Dear H., tutto tuo,

BN.

1. The Giaour was reviewed in the Monthly Review for June, 1813 (N.S. vol. lxxi. p. 202). In the Editor's copy is added in MS. at the end of the article, as indicating the author of the review, the word "Den."

299.-To John Murray.

Jo. 9, 1813.

DEAR SIR,-I regret much that I have no profane garment to array you with for the masquerade. As my motions will be uncertain, you need not write nor send the proofs till my return.

Yours truly,

BN.

P.S.-My wardrobe is out of town-or I could have dressed you as an Albanian-or a Turk-or an officer -or a Waggoner.

300.-To John Murray.

June 12, 1813.

DEAR SIR,-Having occasion to send a servant to London, I will thank you to inform me whether I left with the other things 3 miniatures in your care (—if not -I know where to find them), and also to "report "progress" in unpacking the books? The bearer returns this evening.

How does Hobhouse's work go on, or rather off-for that is the essential part? In yesterday's paper, immediately under an advertisement on "Strictures in the "Urethra," I see-most appropriately consequent-a poem with "strictures on La B., Mr. Southey and others,"

" 1

1. In the Morning Chronicle (June 10, 1813) appeared advertise. ments of the two following books :-Practical Observations on the best mode of curing Strictures, etc., with Remarks on Inefficacy, etc., of Caustic Applications. By William Wadd. Printed for J. Callow, Soho. Modern Poets; a Dialogue in Verse, containing some Strictures on the Poetry of Lord Byron, Mr. Southey, and Others. Printed for White, Cochrane, and Co., Fleet Street.

In a note on Modern Poets (p. 7) occurs the following passage: "In English Bards, and Scotch Reviewers the same respectable

1813.]

STRICTURES ON BYRON'S POETRY.

217

though I am afraid neither "Mr. S.'s" poetical distemper, nor "mine," nor "others," is of the suppressive or stranguary kind. You may read me the prescription of this kill or cure physician. The medicine is compounded at White and Cochrane's, Fleet Street. As I have nothing else to do, I may enjoy it like Sir Fretful, or the Archbishop of Grenada, or any other personage in like predicament.

Recollect that my lacquey returns in the Evening, and that I set out for Portsmouth1 to-morrow. All here are very well, and much pleased with your politeness and attention during their stay in town.

Believe me, yours truly,

B.

P.S.-Are there anything but books? If so, let those extras remain untouched for the present. I trust you have not stumbled on any more "Aphrodites," and have burnt those. I send you both the advertisements, but don't send me the first treatise-as I have no occasion for Caustic in that quarter.

"corps of critics is successively exhibited, in the course of only ten "lines, under the following significant but somewhat incongruous "forms, viz. (1) Northern Wolves, (2) Harpies, (3) Bloodhounds." In proof the writer quotes lines 426-437 of the Satire. Then follows a long review of Childe Harold, in which the critic condemns Harold, the hero, as "an uncouth incumbrance of this flighty Lord;" the want of "plot. . . action and fable, interest, order, end; and asks

"Shall he immortal bays aspire to wear

Who immortality from man would tear,

Repress the sigh which hopes a happier home,

And chase the visions of a life to come?"

1. For Byron's intention to go abroad with Lord and Lady Oxford, see p. 164, note 3.

301.-To John Murray.

[Maidenhead], June 13, 1813.

DEAR SIR,-Amongst the books from Bennet S. is a small vol. of abominable poems by the Earl of Haddington which must not be in ye Catalogue on Sale-also-a vol. of French Epigrams in the same predicament.

On the title page of Meletius is an inscription in writing which must be erased and made illegible.

I have read the strictures, which are just enough, and not grossly abusive, in very fair couplets. There is a note against Massinger near the end, but one cannot quarrel with one's company, at any rate. The author detects some incongruous figures in a passage of E. Bds., page 23., but which edition I do not know. In the sole copy in your possession-I mean the fifth edition -you may make these alterations, that I may profit (though a little too late) by his remarks:-For "hellish "instinct," substitute "brutal instinct;"" harpies" alter to "felons; "and for "blood-hounds" write "hell"hounds." These be " very bitter words, by my troth," and the alterations not much sweeter; but as I shall not publish the thing, they can do no harm, but are a satisfaction to me in the way of amendment. The passage is only 12 lines.

You do not answer me about H.'s book; I want to write to him, and not to say anything unpleasing. If you direct to Post Office, Portsmouth, till called for, I will send and receive your letter. You never told me of the forthcoming critique on Columbus,1 which is not too fair; and I do not think justice quite done to the Pleasures,

1. Rogers's Columbus was reviewed by Ward in the Quarterly for March, 1813. The reviewer detects "evident marks of haste" in the poem.