April 25th, 1829.

“My DEAR SCOTT,—­It goes to my heart to bother you, knowing how bravely and gloriously you are employed for that task-mistress—­Posterity.  But you may thank your stars that I have let you off so long.  All that you promised me about Mrs. Gordon and Gicht, and a variety of other things, is remitted to you; but I positively must have something from you of your recollections personally of Byron—­and that as soon as possible, for I am just coming to the period of your acquaintance with him, which was, I think, in the year 1814.  Tell me all the particulars of the presents you exchanged, and if his letters to you are really all lost (which I will still hope is not the case); try, as much as possible, with your memory

‘To lure the tassel gentles back again.’

“You will have seen by the newspapers the sad loss my little circle of home has experienced, a loss never to be made up to us in this world, whatever it may be the will of God in another.  Mrs. Moore’s own health is much broken, and she is about to try what Cheltenham can do for her, while I proceed to finish my printing in town.  It would be far better for me to remain in my present quiet retreat, where I am working quite alone, but the devils beckon me nearer them, and I must begin in a few days.  Direct to me, under cover to Croker—­you see I take for granted you will have a packet to send—­and he will always know where to find me.

“My kindest remembrances to Miss Scott, and believe me ever, my very dear friend, your truly and affectionate,

“THOS.  MOORE.”

The “memoranda” were not acknowledged by Moore till Oct. 31, when he wrote Scott as follows:—­

“MY DEAR SCOTT,—­I ought to blush ’terrestrial rosy-red, shame’s proper hue’ for not sooner acknowledging your precious notes about Byron.  One conclusion, however, you might have drawn from my silence, namely, that I was satisfied, and had all that I asked for.  Your few pages indeed will be the best ornament of my book.  Murray wished me to write to you (immediately on receipt of the last MS. you sent me) to press your asking Hobhouse for the letter of your own (in 1812) that produced Byron’s reply.  But I was doubtful whether you would like to authorise the publication of this letter, and besides it would be now too late, as the devils are in full hue and cry after my heels.

“Health and prosperity to you, my dear friend, and believe me, ever yours most truly,

“THOMAS MOORE.”

[344] Burns.

[345] Merry Wives, Act I. Sc. 3.

[346] Mr. Skene at this time was engaged upon a series of etchings, regarding which he had several letters from Sir Walter, one of which may be given here:—­

“MY DEAR SKENE,—­I enclose you Basil Hall’s letter, which is very interesting to me; but I would rather decline fixing the attention of the public further on my old friend George Constable.  You know the modern rage for publication, and it might serve some newsmen’s purpose by publishing something about my old friend, who was an humourist, which may be unpleasing to his friends and surviving relations.