circumstances which occasionally occur to ‘us youth,’ that rendered it necessary for me to apply my mind to something, any thing but reality; and under this not very brilliant inspiration it was composed.  Being done, and having at least diverted me from myself, I thought you would not perhaps be offended if Mr. Murray forwarded it to you.  He has done so, and to apologise for his doing so a second time is the object of my present letter.

“I beg you will not send me any answer.  I assure you very sincerely I know your time to be occupied, and it is enough, more than enough, if you read; you are not to be bored with the fatigue of answers.

“A word to Mr. Murray will be sufficient, and send it either to the
flames or

                  “A hundred hawkers’ load,
        On wings of wind to fly or fall abroad.

It deserves no better than the first, as the work of a week, and scribbled ‘stans pede in uno’ (by the by, the only foot I have to stand on); and I promise never to trouble you again under forty Cantos, and a voyage between each.  Believe me ever

“Your obliged and affectionate servant,

“BYRON.”

* * * * *

The following letters and notes, addressed to Mr. Murray at this time, cannot fail, I think, to gratify all those to whom the history of the labours of genius is interesting:—­

LETTER 145.  TO MR. MURRAY.

     “Nov. 12. 1813.

“Two friends of mine (Mr. Rogers and Mr. Sharpe) have advised me not to risk at present any single publication separately, for various reasons.  As they have not seen the one in question, they can have no bias for or against the merits (if it has any) or the faults of the present subject of our conversation.  You say all the last of ‘The Giaour’ are gone—­at least out of your hands.  Now, if you think of publishing any new edition with the last additions which have not yet been before the reader (I mean distinct from the two-volume publication), we can add ‘The Bride of Abydos,’ which will thus steal quietly into the world:  if liked, we can then throw off some copies for the purchasers of former ‘Giaours;’ and, if not, I can omit it in any future publication.  What think you?  I really am no judge of those things, and with all my natural partiality for one’s own productions, I would rather follow any one’s judgment than my own.

“P.S.  Pray let me have the proofs I sent all to-night.  I have some alterations that I have thought of that I wish to make speedily.  I hope the proof will be on separate pages, and not all huddled together on a mile-long ballad-singing sheet, as those of The Giaour sometimes are; for then I can’t read them distinctly.”

* * * * *

TO MR. MURRAY.

     “Nov. 13. 1813.