As a expect me. You will excuse me from the races. guest I have no "antipathies " and few preferences. . . . You won't mind, however, my not dining with you-every day at least. When we meet, we can talk over our respective plans: mine is very short and simple; viz. to sail when I can get a passage. If I remained in England I should live in the Country, and of course in the vicinity of those whom I knew would be most agreeable. I did not know that Jack's graven image1 was at Newstead. If it be, pray transfer it to Aston. It is my hope to see you so shortly, tomorrow or next day, that I will not now trouble you with my speculations. Ever yours very faithfully, BYRON. P.S.-I don't know how I came to sign myself with the "i." It is the old spelling, and I sometimes slip into it. When I say I can't dine with you, I mean that sometimes I don't dine at all. Of course, when I do, I conform to all hours and domestic arrangements. 331. To the Hon. Augusta Leigh. [Wednesday], Sept. 15th, 1813. MY DEAR AUGUSTA,-I joined my friend Scrope about 8, and before eleven we had swallowed six bottles of his burgundy and Claret, which left him very unwell and me rather feverish; we were tête à tête. I remained with him next day and set off last night for London, which I reached at three in the morning. Tonight I shall leave it again, perhaps for Aston or Newstead. I have not yet determined, nor does it much matter. As you perhaps 1. "Jack's graven image" means the portrait of John Jackson the pugilist. 1813.] THIS LONG-EVADED PASSAGE. 265 care more on the subject than I do, I will tell you when I know myself. When my departure is arranged, and I can get this long-evaded passage, you will be able to tell me whether I am to expect a visit or not, and I can come for or meet you as you think best. If you write, address to Bennet Street. Yours very truly, B. 332.-To John Murray. Sept. 15, 1813. DEAR SIR,-Will you pray enquire after any ship with a convoy taking passengers and get me one if possible? I mean not in a ship of war, but anything that may be paid for. I have a friend and 3 servants-Gibraltar or Minorca-or Zante. Yours ever, B. 333.-To James Wedderburn Webster. Stilton, September 25th, 1813. MY DEAR W.,-Thus far can I "report progress," and as a solid token of my remembrance I send you a cheese of 13 lbs. to enable your digestion to go through the race week. It will go to night; pray let your retainers enquire after it. The date of this letter will account for so homely a present. On my arrival in town I will write more on our different concerns. In the mean time I wish you and yours all the gratification on Doncaster you can wish for yourselves. My love to the faithless Nettle1 (who I dare say is wronging me during 1. A dog given by Webster to Byron. (Note by J. W. W.) my absence), and my best Compliments to all in your house who will receive them. Ever, dear W., yours truly, B. 334-To Sir James Mackintosh. Sept. 27, 1813. DEAR SIR JAMES,-I was to have left London on Friday, but will certainly remain a day longer (and believe I would a year) to have the honour of meeting you. My best respects to Lady Mackintosh. Ever your obliged and faithful servant, BYRON. 335.-To Thomas Moore. September 27, 1813. THOMAS MOORE,-(Thou wilt never be called "true "Thomas," like he of Ercildoune,) why don't you write to me?-as you won't, I must. I was near you at Aston the other day, and hope I soon shall be again. If so, you must and shall meet me, and go to Matlock and elsewhere, and take what, in flash dialect, is poetically termed "a lark," with Rogers and me for accomplices. Yesterday, at Holland House, I was introduced to Southey-the best-looking bard I have seen for some time. To have that poet's head and shoulders, I would almost have written his Sapphics. He is certainly a prepossessing person to look on, and a man of talent, and all that, and -there is his eulogy. 1. Thomas Learmont, of Ercildoune, called "Thomas the Rhymer," is to reappear on earth when Shrove Tuesday and Good Friday change places. He sleeps beneath the Eildon Hills. 1813.] ASTON HALL, ROTHERHAM. 267 * * read me part of a letter from you. By the foot of Pharaoh, I believe there was abuse, for he stopped short, so he did, after a fine saying about our correspondence, and looked-I wish I could revenge myself by attacking you, or by telling you that I have had to defend you an agreeable way which one's friends have of recommending themselves by saying " Ay, ay, I gave "it Mr. Such-a-one for what he said about your being a "plagiary, and a rake, and so on." But do you know that you are one of the very few whom I never have the satisfaction of hearing abused, but the reverse ;-and do you suppose I will forgive that? ¢ I have been in the country, and ran away from the Doncaster races. It is odd, I was a visitor in the same house' which came to my sire as a residence with Lady Carmarthen (with whom he adulterated before his majority-by the by, remember she was not my mamma), -and they thrust me into an old room, with a nauseous picture over the chimney, which I should suppose my papa regarded with due respect, and which, inheriting the family taste, I looked upon with great satisfaction. I stayed a week with the family, and behaved very wellthough the lady of the house is young, and religious, and pretty, and the master is my particular friend. I felt no wish for any thing but a poodle dog, which they kindly gave me. Now, for a man of my courses not even to have coveted, is a sign of great amendment. all this nonsense, and don't "snub me "spirits." 2 Pray pardon when I'm in Ever yours, BN. 1. Aston Hall, Rotherham, at that time rented by J. Wedderburn Webster. 2. In She Stoops to Conquer (act ii.) Tony Lumpkin says, “I "wish you'd let me and my good alone, then-snubbing this way "when I'm in spirits." Here's an impromptu for you by a "person of quality," written last week, on being reproached for low spirits- When from the heart where Sorrow sits, Her dusky shadow mounts too high, And clouds the brow, or fills the eye: Heed not that gloom, which soon shall sink; And bleed within their silent cell. 336.-To John Murray. Sept. 29, 1813. DEAR SIR,-Pray suspend the proofs for I am bitten again and have quantities for other parts of The Giaour. Yours ever, B. P.S.-You shall have these in the course of the day. 337-To James Wedderburn Webster. September 30th, 1813. MY DEAR WEBSTER,-Thanks for your letter. I had answered it by anticipation last night, and this is but a postscript to my reply. My yesterday's contained some advice, which I now see you don't want, and hope you never will. So! Petersham 1 has not joined you. I pity the poor 1. Lord Petersham was one of the chief dandies of the day. Gronow in 1814 (Reminiscences, vol. i. p. 285) found him “making |