LETTER 63.  TO MR. DALLAS.

     “Newstead Abbey, August 25. 1811.

“Being fortunately enabled to frank, I do not spare scribbling, having sent you packets within the last ten days.  I am passing solitary, and do not expect my agent to accompany me to Rochdale before the second week in September; a delay which perplexes me, as I wish the business over, and should at present welcome employment.  I sent you exordiums, annotations, &c. for the forthcoming quarto, if quarto it is to be:  and I also have written to Mr. Murray my objection to sending the MS. to Juvenal, but allowing him to show it to any others of the calling.  Hobhouse is amongst the types already:  so, between his prose and my verse, the world will be decently drawn upon for its paper-money and patience.  Besides all this, my ‘Imitation of Horace’ is gasping for the press at Cawthorn’s, but I am hesitating as to the how and the when, the single or the double, the present or the future.  You must excuse all this, for I have nothing to say in this lone mansion but of myself, and yet I would willingly talk or think of aught else.

“What are you about to do?  Do you think of perching in Cumberland, as you opined when I was in the metropolis?  If you mean to retire, why not occupy Miss * * ’s ‘Cottage of Friendship,’ late the seat of Cobbler Joe, for whose death you and others are answerable?  His ‘Orphan Daughter’ (pathetic Pratt!) will, certes, turn out a shoemaking Sappho.  Have you no remorse?  I think that elegant address to Miss Dallas should be inscribed on the cenotaph which Miss * * means to stitch to his memory.

“The newspapers seem much disappointed at his Majesty’s not dying, or doing something better.  I presume it is almost over.  If parliament meets in October, I shall be in town to attend.  I am also invited to Cambridge for the beginning of that month, but am first to jaunt to Rochdale.  Now Matthews is gone, and Hobhouse in Ireland, I have hardly one left there to bid me welcome, except my inviter.  At three-and-twenty I am left alone, and what more can we be at seventy?  It is true I am young enough to begin again, but with whom can I retrace the laughing part of life?  It is odd how few of my friends have died a quiet death,—­I mean, in their beds.  But a quiet life is of more consequence.  Yet one loves squabbling and jostling better than yawning.  This last word admonishes me to relieve you from yours very truly,” &c.

* * * * *

LETTER 64.  TO MR. DALLAS.

     “Newstead Abbey, August 27. 1811.