The following undated notes to Mr. Rogers were written about this time. "Sunday. LETTER CCXXIX. TO MR. MOORE. "July 8, 1814. "Your non-attendance at Corinne's is very "I returned to town last night, and had some apropos, as I was on the eve of sending you an hopes of seeing you to-day, and would have called, excuse. I do not feel well enough to go there-but I have been (though in exceeding disten.. this evening, and have been obliged to despatch an pered good health) a little headachy with free livapology. I believe I need not add one for not ing, as it is called, and am now at the freezing accepting Mr. Sheridan's invitation on Wednesday, point of returning soberness. Of course, I should which I fancy both you and I understood in the be sorry that our parallel lines did not deviate into same sense with him the saying of Mirabeau, intersection before you return to the country,-after that 'words are things,' is not to be taken literally. that same nonsuit whereof the papers have told us, "Ever, &c. -but, as you must be much occupied, I won't be "I will call for you at a quarter before seven, if affronted, should your time and business militate that will suit you. I return you Sir Proteus,* and against our meeting. shall merely add in return, as Johnson said of, and to, somebody or other, 'Are we alive after all this "Believe me, &c." censure ? "Tuesday. "Sheridan was yesterday, at first, too sober to remember your invitation, but in the dregs of the third bottle he fished up his memory. The Stael out-talked Whitbread, was ironed by Sheridan, confounded Sir Humphrey, and utterly perplexed your slave. The rest (great names in the red book, nevertheless), were mere segments of the circle. Ma'mselle danced a Russ saraband with great vigor, grace, and expression. "Ever, &c." NOTE TO MR. MURRAY. "June 21, 1814. 'Rogers and I have almost coalesced into a joint invasion of the public. Whether it will take place or not, I do not yet know, and I am afraid Jacqueline (which is very beautiful) will be in bad company.* But, in this case, the lady will not be the sufferer. and I have been doing nothing—that is, no good,"I am going to the sea, and then to Scotland; and am very truly, &c." LETTER CCXXX. TO MR. MOORE. "I suppose, by your non-appearance, that the philosophy of my note, and the previous silence of the writer, have put or kept you in humeur. Never mind-it is hardly worth while. "I suppose 'Lara' is gone to the devil,-which is no great matter, only let me know that I may be saved the trouble of copying the rest, and put the "This day have I received information from my first part into the fire. I really have no anxiety man of law of the non-and never likely to beabout it, and shall not be sorry to be saved the performance of purchase by Mr. Claughton, of copying, which goes on very slowly, and may prove to you that you may speak out-or I should be less sluggish. "Yours, &c." LETTER CCXXVIII. TO MR. ROGERS. "June, 27, 1814. impecuniary memory. He don't know what to do, or when to pay; and so all my hopes and worldly projects and prospects are gone to the devil. He (the purchaser, and the devil too, for aught I care) and I, and my legal advisers, are to meet to-morrow, -the said purchaser having first taken special care to inquire whether 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 Mussulman market. If I had but a wife now, and children, of whose paternity I entertained doubts, I should be "You could not have made me a more acceptable happy, or rather fortunate, as Candide or Scarmenpresent than Jacqueline,-she is all grace, and soft-tado. In the mean time, if you don't come and ness, and poetry; there is so much of the last, that see me, I shall think that Sam's bank is broke too; we do not feel the want of story which is simple, and that you, having assets there, are despairing of yet enough. I wonder that you do not oftener more than a piastre in the pound for your dividend. unbend to more of the same kind. I have some sympathy with the softer affections, though very little in my way, and no one can depict them so truly and successfully as yourself. I have half a mind to pay you in kind, or rather unkind, for I have just supped full of horror' in two cantos of darkness and dismay. "Do you go to Lord Essex's to-night? if so, will you let me call for you at your own hour? I dined with Holland-House 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. NOTE TO MR. MURRAY. "Ever, &c." "July 11, 1814. "You shall have one of the pictures. I wish you to send the proof of 'Lara' to Mr. Moore, 33 Bury street, to-night, 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. "Yours, &c." NOTE TO MR. MURRAY. "July 18, 1814. "I think you will be satisfied even to repletion with our northern friends, and I won't deprive you "P. S. Is there any chance or possibility of longer of what I think will give you pleasure: for making it up with Lord Carlisle, as I feel disposed my own part, my modesty or my vanity must be 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. * Lara and Jacqueline, the latter by Mr. Rogers, both appeared in the same volume. † Purchase of Newstead Abbey. See Letter cxli. He here refers to an article in the number of the Edinburg Review, jus • A satirical pamphlet, in hich all the writers of the day were attacked. I then published, (No. 45,) on the Corsair and Bride of Abydos. "P. S. If you could spare it for an hour in the and Jacqueline; pray why? when I requested you evening, I wish you to send it up to Mrs. Leigh, to postpone publication till my return to town. your neighbor, at the London Hotel, Albemarle street." LETTER CCXXXI. TO MR. MURRAY. "July 23, 1814. "I have a most amusing epistle from the Ettrick bard-Hogg; in which, speaking of his bookseller, whom he denominates the 'shabbiest' of the trade for not lifting his bills,' 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 liftable,') and "I am sorry to say that the print* is by no means bestows some benedictions on Mr. Moore for his approved of by those who have seen it, who are abduction of Lara from the forthcoming Miscellany. pretty conversant with the original, as well as the "P. S. Sincerely, I think Mr. Hogg would suit picture from whence it is taken. I rather suspect you very well; and surely he is a man of great that it is from the copy and not the exhibited por- powers, and deserving of encouragement. I must trait, and in this dilemma would recommend a sus-knock out a tale for him, and you should at all pension, if not an abandonment of the prefixion to events consider before you reject his suit. Scott is the volumes which you purpose inflicting upon the gone to the Orkneys in a gale of wind, and Hogg public. says that, during the said gale, 'he is sure that "With regard to Lara don't be in any hurry. I Scott is not quite at his ease, to say the best of it.' have not yet made up my mind on the subject, nor Ah! I wish these home-keeping bards could taste a know what to think or do till I hear from you; and Mediterranean white squall, or the Gut in a gale of Mr. Moore appeared to me in a similar state of wind, or even the Bay of Biscay with no wind at indetermination. I do not know that it may not be all." better to reserve it for the entire publication you "Pray let me hear from you, LETTER CCXXXII. TO MR. MURRAY. "July 24, 1814. LETTER CCXXXIV. TO MR. MOORE. "Hastings, Aug. 6, 1814. By the time this reaches your dwelling, I shall (God wot) be in town again probably. I have here been renewing my acquaintance with my old friend. Ocean; and I find his bosom as pleasant a pillow for an hour in the morning as his daughters of Paphos could be in the twilight. I have been swimming and eating turbot, and smuggling neat brandies and silk handkerchiefs,-and listening to my "The minority must, in this case, carry it, so friend Hodgson's raptures about a pretty wife-elect pray let it be so, for I don't care sixpence for any of of his,-and walking on cliffs, and tumbling down che opinions you mention, on such a subject; and hills, and making the most of the dolce farniente' Phillips must be a dunce to agree with them. For for the last fortnight. I met a son of Lord Ers my own part, I have no objection at all; but Mrs. kine's, who says he has been married a year, and is Leigh and my cousin must be better judges of the the happiest of men;' and I have met the aforelikeness than others; and they hate it; and so I said H. who is also the happiest of men;' so, it won't have it at all. is worth while being here, if only to witness the "Mr. Hobhouse is right as for his conclusion; superlative felicity of these foxes, who have cut off but I deny the premises. The name only is Span- their tails, and would persuade the rest to part with ish; the country is not Spain, but the Morea. their brushes to keep them in countenance. "Waverley is the best and most interesting novel "It rejoices me that you like 'Lara.' Jeffrey is I have redde since--I don't know when. I like it out with his forty-fifth number, which I suppose as much as I hate **, and **, and **, and all the you have got. He is only too kind to me, in my feminine trash of the last four months. Besides, it share of it, and I begin to fancy myself a golden is all easy to me, I have been in Scotland so much, pheasant, upon the strength of the plumage where(though then young enough too,) and feel at home with he hath bedecked me. But then, surgit with the people, Lowland and Gael. amari,' &c.-the gentlemen of the Champion, and "A note will correct what Mr. Hobhouse thinks Perry, have got hold (I know not how) of the conan error, (about the feudal system in Spain;) it is dolatory address to Lady J. on the picture-abducnot Spain. If he puts a few words of prose any tion by our Regent, and have published them—with where, it will set all right. my name, too, smack-without even asking leave, "I have been ordered to town to vote. I shall or inquiring whether or no! D-n their impudence, disobey. There is no good in so much prating, and d-n every thing. It has put me out of pasince certain issues strokes should arbitrate.' If tience, and so I shall say no more about it.* you have any thing to say, let me hear from you. LETTER CCXXXIII. TO MR. MURRAY. Yours, &c." “Aug. 3, 1814. "You shall have Lara and Jacque (both with some additions) when out, but I am still demurring and delaying, and in a fuss, and so is Rogers in his Newstead is to be mine again. Claughton for feits twenty-five thousand pounds; but that don't prevent me from being very prettily ruined. I mean to bury myself there-and let my beard grow -and hate you all. He "Oh! I have had the most amusing letter from Hogg, the Ettrick minstrel and shepherd. wants me to recommend him to Murray, and, "It is certainly a little extraordinary that you have not sent the Edinburgh Review, as I requested, and hoped it would not require a note day to remind you. I see advertisements of Lara speaking of his present bookseller, whose bills * An engraving by Agar from Phillips's portrait of him. ▾ Alluding to Lara. are never 'lifted,' he adds, totidem verbis, 'G—d * See Poems, p. 568 LETTER CCXXXVI. TO MR. MURRAY. d- him and them both.' I laughed, and so would you too, at the way in which this extrication was introduced. The said Hogg is a strange being, but of great, though uncouth, powers. I think very "Aug. 5, 1814. highly of him as a poet; but he, and half of these "The_Edinburgh Review is arrived-thanks. I Scotch and Lake troubadors, are spoiled by living enclose Mr. Hobhouse's letter, from which you will in little circles and petty societies. London and perceive the work you have made. However, I have the world is the only place to take the conceit out done: you must send my rhymes to the devil your of a man-in the milling phrase. Scott, he said, is own way. It seems also that the faithful and spirgone to the Orkneys in a gale of wind;-during ited likeness' is another of your publications. I which wind, he affirms, the said Scott, he is sure wish you joy of it; but it is no likeness-that is the is not at his ease, to say the best of it.' Lord, point. Seriously, if I have delayed your journey to Lord, if these home-keeping minstrels had crossed Scotland, I am sorry that you carried your com your Atlantic, or my Mediterranean, and tasted a plaisance so far; particularly as upon trifles you little open boating in a white squall-or a gale in have a more summary method;-witness the gram'the Gut'—or the Bay of Biscay, with no gale at mar of Hobhouse's 'bit of prose,' which has put all-how it would enliven and introduce them to a him and me into a fever. few of the sensations !-to say nothing of an illicit "Hogg must translate his own words: lifting amour or two upon shore, in the way of essay upon is a quotation from his letter, together with Gd the Passions, beginning with simple adultery, and d-n,' &c., which I suppose requires no translation. compounding it as they went along. "I was unaware of the contents of Mr. Moore's "I have forwarded your letter to Murray,-by the letter; I think your offer very handsome, but of that way, you had addressed it to Miller. Pray write to you and he must judge. If he can get more, you me, and say what art thou doing? Not finished!'won't wonder that he should accept it. -Oons! how is this?-these flaws and starts "Out with Lara, since it must be. The tome must be authorized by your grandam,' and are looks pretty enough-on the outside. I shall be in becoming of any other author. I was sorry to hear town next week, and in the mean time wish you a of your discrepancy with **s, or rather, your abju- pleasant journey. ration of agreement. I don't want to be impertinent, or buffoon on a serious subject, and am therefore at a loss what to say. "Yours, &c." LETTER CCXXXVII. TO MR. MOORE. "Aug. 12, 1814. "I hope nothing will induce you to abate from the proper price of your poems, as long as there is a prospect of getting it. For my own part, I have seriously and not whiningly, (for that is not my way —at least, it used not to be,) neither hopes, nor "I was not alone, nor will be while I can help it prospects, and scarcely even wishes. I am, in some Newstead is not yet decided. Claughton is to make respects, happy, but not in a manner that can or a grand effort by Saturday week to complete,-if not, ought to last, but enough of that. The worst of he must give up twenty-five thousand pounds, and it is, I feel quite enervated and indifferent. I really the estate, with expenses, &c., &c. If I resume do not know, if Jupiter were to offer me my choice the Abbacy, you shall have due notice, and a cell of the contents of his benevolent cask, what I set apart for your reception, with a pious welcome. would pick out of it. If I was born as the nurses Rogers I have not seen, but Larry and Jacky came say with a 'silver spoon in my mouth,' it has stuck out a few days ago. Of their effect, I know nothin my throat, and spoiled my palate so that nothing ing. * * * * * put into it is swallowed with much relish,-unless "There is something very amusing in your being it be cayenne. However, I have grievances enough an Edinburgh Reviewer. You know, I suppose, to occupy me that way too; but for fear of adding that Thurlow is none of the placidest, and may posto yours by this pestilent long diatribe, I postpone sibly enact some tragedy on being told that he is the reading them, sine die. only a fool. If, now, Jeffrey were to be slain on account of an article of yours, there would be a fine conclusion. For my part, as Mrs. Winifred Jenkins says, he has done the handsome thing by me,' particularly in his last number; so, he is the best of men and the ablest of critics, and I won't have him killed, though I dare say many wish he were, for being so good-humored. "Ever dear, M., yours, &c. "P. S. Don't forget my godson. You could not have fixed on a fitter porter for his sins than me, being used to carry double without inconven ience." * * LETTER CCXXXV. TO MR. MURRAY. "Not having received the slightest answer to my last three letters, nor the book (the last number of the Edinburgh Review) which they requested, I "I had an adventure, almost as ridiculous, at presume that you were the unfortunate person* who perished in the pagoda on Monday last, and ad- some private theatricals near Cambridge-though dress this rather to your executors than yourself, of a different description-since I saw you last. I regretting that you should have have had the ill quarreled with a man in the dark, for asking me luck to be the sole victim on that joyous occasion. who I was, (insolently enough, to be sure,) and fol"I beg leave then to inform these gentlemen lowed him into the green-room (a stable) in a rage, (whoever they may be) that I am a little surprised among a set of people I never saw before. at the previous neglect of the deceased, and also at turned out to be a low comedian, engaged to act observing an advertisement of an approaching pub- with the amateurs, and to be a civil-spoken man lication on Saturday next, against the which I protested, and do protest, for the present. "Yours, (or theirs,) &c., • See Note to Hints from Horace, p. 476. "B." He * His servant had brought him up a large jar of ink, into which, not sup posing it to be full, he had thrust his pen down to the very bottom. Enraged, on finding it come out all smeared with ink, he flung the bottle out of the window into the garden, where it lighted, as here described, upon one o eight leaden Muses, that had been imported, some time before, from Holluvi -the ninth having been, by some accident, left behind.-Moore. enough, when he found out that nothing very plea- "I still think Mr. Hogg and yourself might make sant was to be got by rudeness. But you would have out an alliance. Dodsley's was, I believe, the last been amused with the row, and the dialogue, and decent thing of the kind, and his had great success the dress or rather the undress-of the party, in its day, and lasted several years; but then he had where I had introduced myself in a devil of a hurry, the double advantage of editing and publishing. and the astonishment that ensued. I had gone out The Spleen, and several of Oray's odes, much of of the theatre, for coolness, into the garden; there Shenstone, and many others of good repute, made I had tumbled over some dogs, and, coming away their first appearance in his collection. Now, with from them in very ill-humor, encountered the man the support of Scott, Wordsworth, Southey, &c., I in a worse, which produced all this confusion. see little reason why you should not do as well; and "Well-and why don't you launch? Now is if once fairly established, you would have assistance your time. The people are tolerably tired with me, from the youngsters, I dare say. Stratford Canning, and not very much enamored of Wordsworth, who (whose Bonaparte' is excellent,) and many others, has just spawned a quarto of metaphysical blank and Moore, and Hobhouse, and I, would try a fall verse, which is nevertheless only a part of a poem. now and then, (if permitted,) and you might coax Murray talks of divorcing Larry and Jacky-a Campbell, too, into it. By-the-by, he has an unbad sign for the authors, who, I suppose, will be published (though printed) poem on a scene in Gerdivorced too, and throw the blame upon one another. many, (Bavaria, I think,) which I saw last year, that Seriously, I don't care a cigar about it, and I don't is perfectly magnificent, and equal to himself. I see why Sam should. wonder he don't publish it. "Let me hear from and of you and my godson. If a daughter, the name will do quite as well. * * * "Ever, &c." LETTER CCXXXVIII. TO MR. MOORE. "Aug. 13, 1814. "I wrote yesterday to Mayfield, and have just now enfranked your letter to mamma. My stay in town is so uncertain (not later than next week) that your packets for the north may not reach me; and as I know not exactly where I am going,-however, Newstead is my most probable destination, and if you send your despatches before Tuesday, I can forward them to our new ally. But, after that day, you had better not trust to their arrival in time. "** has been exiled from Paris, on dit, for saying the Bourbons were old women. The Bourbons might have been content, I think, with returning the compliment. * "I told you all about Jacky and Larry yesterday; -they are to be separated,—at least, so says the grand Murray, and I know no more of the matter. Jeffrey has done me more than justice;' but as to tragedy-um !—I have no time for fiction at present. A man cannot paint a storm with the vessel under bare poles, on a lee shore. When I get to land, I will try what is to be done, and, if I founder, there be plenty of mine elders and betters to console Melpomene. "When at Newstead, you must come over, if only for a day-should Mrs. M. be exigeante of your presence. The place is worth seeing, as a ruin, and I can assure you there was some fun there, even in my time; but that is past. The ghosts, however, and the gothics, and the waters, and the desolation, make it very lively still. "Ever, dear Tom, yours, &c." LETTER CCXXXIX. TO MR. MURRAY. "Newstead Abbey, Sept. 2, 1814. "Oh!-do you recollect S**, the engraver's, mad letter about not engraving Phillips's picture of Lord Foley? (as he blundered it ;) well, I have traced it, I think. It seems, by the papers, a preacher of Johanna Southcote's is named Foley; and I can no way account for the said S**'s confusion of words. and ideas, but by that of his head's running on Johanna and her apostles. It was a mercy he did not say Lord Tozer. You know, of course, that S** is a believer in this new (old) virgin of spiritual impregnation. "I long to know what she will produce: her being with child at sixty-five is indeed a miracle, but her getting any one to beget it, a greater. "If you were not going to Paris or Scotland, I could send you some game: if you remain, let me know. "P. S. A word or two of Lara,' which your enclosure brings before me. It is of no great promise separately; but, as connected with the other tales, it will do very well for the volumes you mean to publish. I would recommend this arrangementChilde Harold, the smaller Poems, Giaour, Bride, Corsair, Lara; the last completes the series, and its very likeness renders it necessary to the others. Cawthorne writes that they are publishing English Bards in Ireland: pray inquire into this; because it must be stopped.' LETTER CCXL. TO MR. MURRAY. "Newstead Abbey, Sept. 7, 1814. "I should think Mr. Hogg, for his own sake, as well as yours, would be 'critical' as Iago himself in his editorial capacity; and that such a publication would answer his purpose, and yours too, with tolerable management. You should, however, have a good number to start with-I mean, good in quality; in these days, there can be little fear of not coming up to the mark in quantity. There must be many 'fine things' in Wordsworth; but I should think it difficult to make six quartos (the amount of the whole) all fine, particularly the pedler's portion of the poem; but there can be no doubt of his powers to do almost any thing. "I am very idle.' I have read the few books I "I am obliged by what you have sent, but would had with me, and been forced to fish, for lack of arrather not see any thing of the kind;* we have had gument. I have caught a great many perch, and enough of these things already, good and bad, and some carp, which is a comfort, as one would not lose next month you need not trouble yourself to collect one's labor willingly. even the higher generation-on my account. It "Pray, who corrects the press of your volumes ? gives me much pleasure to hear of Mr. Hobhouse's I hope The Corsair' is printed from the copy I and Mr. Merivale's good entreatment by the jour-corrected with the additional lines in the first canto, nals you mention. The Reviews and Magazines of the month. and some notes from Sismondi and Lavater, which I gave you to add thereto. The arrangement is very well. 4 * * * My cursed people have not sent my papers since my number, to say that I rejoice in my goddaughter, Sunday, and I have lost Johanna's divorce from and will send her a coral and bells, which I hope she Jupiter. Who hath gotten her with prophet? Is will accept, the moment I get back to London. it Sharpe? and how? "My head is at this moment in a state of confu I should like to buy one of her seals: if salvation sion, from various causes, which I can neither de can be had at half a guinea a head, the landlord of scribe nor explain-but let that pass. My employ the Crown and Anchor should be ashamed of him- ments have been very rural-fishing, shooting, self for charging double for tickets to a mere terres-bathing, and boating. Books I have but few here, trial banquet. I am afraid, seriously, that these and those I have read ten times over, till sick of matters will lend a sad handle to your profane scof- them. So, I have taken to breaking soda water fers, and give a loose to much damnable laughter. bottles with my pistols, and jumping into the water, "I have not seen Hunt's Sonnets nor Descent of and rowing over it, and firing at the fowls of the air. Liberty; he has chosen a pretty place wherein to But why should I'monster my nothings' to you compose the last. Let me hear from you before who are well employed, and happily foo, I should you embark Ever, &c." LETTER CCXLI. TO MR. MOORE. hope. For my part, I am happy too, in my way— but, as usual, have contrived to get into three or four perpexities, which I do not see my way through. But a few days, perhaps a day, will determine one of them. "You do not say a word to me of your Poem. I wish I could see or hear it. I neither could, nor would, do it or its author any harm. I believe I told you of Larry and Jacquy. A friend of mine "Newstead Abbey, Sept. 15, 1814. was reading-at least a friend of his was reading"This is the fourth letter I have begun to you said Larry and Jacquy in a Brighton coach. A within the month. Whether I shall finish or not, passenger took up a book and queried as to the auɔr burn it like the rest, I know not. When we thor. The proprietor said 'there were two '-to meet, I shall explain why I have not written-why which the answer of the unknown was, 'Ay, ay-a I have not asked you here, as I wished-with a great joint concern, I suppose, summot like Sternhold and many other whys and wherefores, which will keep Hopkins.' cold. In short, you must excuse all my seeming "Is not this excellent? I would not have omissions and commissions, and grant me more re-missed the 'vile comparison' to have scaped being mission than St. Athanasius will to yourself, if you one of the Arcades bo et cantare pares,' lop off a single shred of mystery from his pious night. Again yours." puzzle. It is my creed (and it may be St. Áthanasius's too) that your article on T** will get somebody killed, and that, on the Saints, get him d-d afterward, which will be quite enow for one number. Oons, Tom! you must not meddle just now with the incomprehensible; for if Johanna South cote turns out to be * * LETTER CCXLIII. TO MR. MOORE. Good "Newstead Abbey, Sept. 20, 1814. The girl who gave to song Miss "Now for a little egotism. My affairs stand thus. To-morrow, I shall know whether a circumstance of importance enough to change many of If it does not, I am off my plans will occur or not. for Italy next month, and London, in the mean My dear Moore, I am going to be married-that time, next week. I have got back Newstead, and is, I am accepted, and one usually hopes the rest twenty-five thousand pounds (out of twenty-eight will follow. My mother of the Gracchi (that are to paid already,)-as a 'sacrifice,' the late purchaser be) you think too strait-laced for me, although the calls it, and he may choose his own name. I have paragon of only children, and invested with 'golden paid some of my debts, and contracted others; but opinions of all sorts of men,' and full of most I have a few thousand pounds, which I can't spend blessed conditions' as Desdamona herself. after my own heart in this climate, and so, I shall Milbanke is the lady, and I have her father's invigo back to the south. Hobhouse, I think and tation to proceed there in my elect capacity,-which, hope, will go with me; but, whether he will or not, however, I cannot do till I have settled some busiI shall. I want to see Venice, and the Alps, and ness in London, and got a blue coat. Parmesan cheeses, and look at the coast of Greece, or rather Epirus, from Italy, as I once did--or fancied I did that of Italy, when off Corfu. All this, however, depends upon an event, which may, or may not, happen. Whether it will, I shall know probably to-morrow, and if it does, I can't well go abroad at present. "Pray pardon this parenthetical scrawl. You shall hear from me again soon;-I don't call this an answer. "Ever most affectionately, &c." The "circumstance of importance," to which he alludes in this letter, was his second proposal for Miss Milbanke, of which he was now waiting the result. LETTER CCXLII. TO MR. MOORE. "Nd., Sept. 15, 1814. "I have written to you one letter to-night, but must send you this much more, as I have not franked "She is said to be an heiress, but of that I really know nothing certainly, and shall not inquire. But I do know, that she has talents and excellent qualities, and you will not deny her judgment, after having refused six suitors and taken me. "Now, if you have any thing to say against this, pray do; my mind's made up, positively fixed, determined, and therefore I will listen to reason, because now it can do no harm. Things may occur to break it off, but I will hope not. In the mean time, I tell you (a secret, by-the-by,-at least, till I know she wishes it to be public) that I have proposed and am accepted. You need not be in a hurry to wish me joy, for one may'nt be married for months. I am going to town to-morrow; but expect to be here, on my way there, within a fortnight. "If this had not happened I should have gone to Italy. In my way down, perhaps, you will meet me at Nottingham, and come over with me here. I need not say that nothing will give me greater plea sure. I must, of course, reform thoroughly; and, seriously, if I can contribute to her happiness, I shall secure my own. She is so good a person, that-that-in short, I wish I was a better. "Ever, &c." |