“I once wrote from the fulness of my mind and the love of fame, (not as an end, but as a means, to obtain that influence over men’s minds which is power in itself and in its consequences,) and now from habit and from avarice; so that the effect may probably be as different as the inspiration.  I have the same facility, and indeed necessity, of composition, to avoid idleness (though idleness in a hot country is a pleasure), but a much greater indifference to what is to become of it, after it has served my immediate purpose.  However, I should on no account like to—­but I won’t go on, like the Archbishop of Granada, as I am very sure that you dread the fate of Gil Blas, and with good reason.  Yours, &c.

“P.S.  I have written some very savage letters to Mr. Hobhouse, Kinnaird, to you, and to Hanson, because the silence of so long a time made me tear off my remaining rags of patience.  I have seen one or two late English publications which are no great things, except Rob Roy.  I shall be glad of Whistlecraft.”

* * * * *

LETTER 321.  TO MR. MURRAY.

     “Venice, August 26. 1818.

“You may go on with your edition, without calculating on the Memoir, which I shall not publish at present.  It is nearly finished, but will be too long; and there are so many things, which, out of regard to the living, cannot be mentioned, that I have written with too much detail of that which interested me least; so that my autobiographical Essay would resemble the tragedy of Hamlet at the country theatre, recited ’with the part of Hamlet left out by particular desire.’  I shall keep it among my papers; it will be a kind of guide-post in case of death, and prevent some of the lies which would otherwise be told, and destroy some which have been told already.

“The tales also are in an unfinished state, and I can fix no time for their completion:  they are also not in the best manner.  You must not, therefore, calculate upon any thing in time for this edition.  The Memoir is already above forty-four sheets of very large, long paper, and will be about fifty or sixty; but I wish to go on leisurely; and when finished, although it might do a good deal for you at the time, I am not sure that it would serve any good purpose in the end either, as it is full of many passions and prejudices, of which it has been impossible for me to keep clear:—­I have not the patience.

“Enclosed is a list of books which Dr. Aglietti would be glad to receive by way of price for his MS. letters, if you are disposed to purchase at the rate of fifty pounds sterling.  These he will be glad to have as part, and the rest I will give him in money, and you may carry it to the account of books, &c. which is in balance against me, deducting it accordingly.  So that the letters are yours, if you like them, at this rate; and he and I are going to hunt for more Lady Montague letters, which he thinks of finding.  I write in haste.  Thanks for the article, and believe me

     “Yours,” &c.