“With regard to a future large edition, you may print all, or any thing, except ‘English Bards,’ to the republication of which at no time will I consent.  I would not reprint them on any consideration.  I don’t think them good for much, even in point of poetry; and, as to other things, you are to recollect that I gave up the publication on account of the Hollands, and I do not think that any time or circumstances can neutralise the suppression.  Add to which, that, after being on terms with almost all the bards and critics of the day, it would be savage at any time, but worst of all now, to revive this foolish lampoon.

“The review of Manfred came very safely, and I am much pleased with it.  It is odd that they should say (that is somebody in a magazine whom the Edinburgh controverts) that it was taken from Marlow’s Faust, which I never read nor saw.  An American, who came the other day from Germany, told Mr. Hobhouse that Manfred was taken from Goethe’s Faust.  The devil may take both the Faustuses, German and English—­I have taken neither.

     “Will you send to Hanson, and say that he has not written since
     9th September?—­at least I have had no letter since, to my great
     surprise.

“Will you desire Messrs. Morland to send out whatever additional sums have or may be paid in credit immediately, and always to their Venice correspondents?  It is two months ago that they sent me out an additional credit for one thousand pounds.  I was very glad of it, but I don’t know how the devil it came; for I can only make out 500 of Hanson’s payment, and I had thought the other 500 came from you; but it did not, it seems, as, by yours of the 7th instant, you have only just paid the 1230_l._ balance.

“Mr. Kinnaird is on his way home with the assignments.  I can fix no time for the arrival of Canto fourth, which depends on the journey of Mr. Hobhouse home; and I do not think that this will be immediate.

     “Yours in great haste and very truly,

     “B.

     “P.S.  Morlands have not yet written to my bankers apprising the
     payment of your balances:  pray desire them to do so.

     “Ask them about the previous thousand—­of which I know 500 came
     from Hanson’s—­and make out the other 500—­that is, whence it
     came.”

* * * * *

LETTER 301.  TO MR. MURRAY.

     “Venice, November 15. 1817.

“Mr. Kinnaird has probably returned to England by this time, and will have conveyed to you any tidings you may wish to have of us and ours.  I have come back to Venice for the winter.  Mr. Hobhouse will probably set off in December, but what day or week I know not.  He is my opposite neighbour at present.

“I wrote yesterday in some perplexity,