“In ‘Horace in London’ I perceive some stanzas on Lord Elgin in which (waving the kind compliment to myself[60]) I heartily concur.  I wish I had the pleasure of Mr. Smith’s acquaintance, as I could communicate the curious anecdote you read in Mr. T.’s letter.  If he would like it, he can have the substance for his second edition; if not, I shall add it to our next, though I think we already have enough of Lord Elgin.

“What I have read of this work seems admirably done.  My praise, however, is not much worth the author’s having; but you may thank him in my name for his.  The idea is new—­we have excellent imitations of the Satires, &c. by Pope; but I remember but one imitative Ode in his works, and none any where else.  I can hardly suppose that they have lost any fame by the fate of the farce; but even should this be the case, the present publication will again place them on their pinnacle.

     “Yours,” &c.

[Footnote 60:  In the Ode entitled “The Parthenon,” Minerva thus speaks:—­

    “All who behold my mutilated pile
    Shall brand its ravager with classic rage;
    And soon a titled bard from Britain’s isle
    Thy country’s praise and suffrage shall engage,
    And fire with Athens’ wrongs an angry age!”
    HORACE IN LONDON.
]

* * * * *

It has already been stated that the pecuniary supplies, which he found it necessary to raise on arriving at majority, were procured for him on ruinously usurious terms.[61] To some transactions connected with this subject, the following characteristic letter refers.

TO MR. ROGERS.

     “March 25, 1813.

“I enclose you a draft for the usurious interest due to Lord * ’s _protege_;—­I also could wish you would state thus much for me to his Lordship.  Though the transaction speaks plainly in itself for the borrower’s folly and the lender’s usury, it never was my intention to _quash_ the demand, as I _legally_ might, nor to withhold payment of principal, or, perhaps, even _unlawful_ interest.  You know what my situation has been, and what it is.  I have parted with an estate (which has been in my family for nearly three hundred years, and was never disgraced by being in possession of a _lawyer_, a _churchman_, or a _woman_, during that period,) to liquidate this and similar demands; and the payment of the purchase is still withheld, and may be, perhaps, for years.  If, therefore, I am under the necessity of making those persons _wait_ for their money, (which, considering the terms, they can afford to suffer,) it is my misfortune.