[Footnote 42:  Here the manuscript is illegible.]

[Footnote 43:  Among the acknowledged blemishes of Milton’s great poem, is his abrupt transition, in this manner, into an imitation of Ariosto’s style, in the “Paradise of Fools.”]

* * * * *

LETTER 83.  TO MR. MOORE.

     “January 29. 1812.

     “My dear Moore,

     “I wish very much I could have seen you; I am in a state of
     ludicrous tribulation. * * *

“Why do you say that I dislike your poesy?  I have expressed no such opinion, either in print or elsewhere.  In scribbling myself, it was necessary for me to find fault, and I fixed upon the trite charge of immorality, because I could discover no other, and was so perfectly qualified in the innocence of my heart, to ’pluck that mote from my neighbour’s eye.’

“I feel very, very much obliged by your approbation; but, at this moment, praise, even your praise, passes by me like ’the idle wind.’  I meant and mean to send you a copy the moment of publication; but now I can think of nothing but damned, deceitful,—­delightful woman, as Mr. Liston says in the Knight of Snowdon.  Believe me, my dear Moore,

     “Ever yours, most affectionately,

     “BYRON.”

* * * * *

The passages here omitted contain rather too amusing an account of a disturbance that had just occurred in the establishment at Newstead, in consequence of the detected misconduct of one of the maid-servants, who had been supposed to stand rather too high in the favour of her master, and, by the airs of authority which she thereupon assumed, had disposed all the rest of the household to regard her with no very charitable eyes.  The chief actors in the strife were this sultana and young Rushton; and the first point in dispute that came to Lord Byron’s knowledge (though circumstances, far from creditable to the damsel, afterwards transpired) was, whether Rushton was bound to carry letters to “the Hut” at the bidding of this female.  To an episode of such a nature I should not have thought of alluding, were it not for the two rather curious letters that follow, which show how gravely and coolly the young lord could arbitrate on such an occasion, and with what considerate leaning towards the servant whose fidelity he had proved, in preference to any new liking or fancy by which it might be suspected he was actuated towards the other.

* * * * *

LETTER 84.  TO ROBERT RUSHTON.

     “8.  St. James’s Street, Jan. 21. 1812.