It is singular that, in the same year that Lady Noel leaves by will an interdiction for my daughter to see her father’s portrait for many years, the individuals of a nation, not remarkable for their liking to the English in particular, nor for flattering men in general, request me to sit for my ‘pourtraicture,’ as Baron Bradwardine calls it.  I am also told of considerable literary honours in Germany.  Goethe, I am told, is my professed patron and protector.  At Leipsic, this year, the highest prize was proposed for a translation of two cantos of Childe Harold.  I am not sure that this was at Leipsic, but Mr. Rowcroft was my authority—­a good German scholar (a young American), and an acquaintance of Goethe’s.

“Goethe and the Germans are particularly fond of Don Juan, which they judge of as a work of art.  I had heard something of this before through Baron Lutzerode.  The translations have been very frequent of several of the works, and Goethe made a comparison between Faust and Manfred.

     “All this is some compensation for your English native brutality,
     so fully displayed this year to its highest extent.

“I forgot to mention a little anecdote of a different kind.  I went over the Constitution (the Commodore’s flag-ship), and saw, among other things worthy of remark, a little boy born on board of her by a sailor’s wife.  They had christened him ‘Constitution Jones.’  I, of course, approved the name; and the woman added, ’Ah, sir, if he turns out but half as good as his name!’

     “Yours ever,” &c.

[Footnote 80:  A hill, three or four miles from Leghorn, much resorted to, as a place of residence during the summer months.]

* * * * *

LETTER. 495.  TO MR. MURRAY.

     “Montenero, near Leghorn, May 29. 1822.

“I return you the proofs revised.  Your printer has made one odd mistake:—­’poor as a mouse,’ instead of ‘poor as a miser.’  The expression may seem strange, but it is only a translation of ‘semper avarus eget.’  You will add the Mystery, and publish as soon as you can.  I care nothing for your ‘season,’ nor the blue approbations or disapprobations.  All that is to be considered by you on the subject is as a matter of business; and if I square that to your notions (even to the running the risk entirely myself), you may permit me to choose my own time and mode of publication.  With regard to the late volume, the present run against it or me may impede it for a time, but it has the vital principle of permanency within it, as you may perhaps one day discover.  I wrote to you on another subject a few days ago.

     Yours, N.B.

     “P.S.  Please to send me the Dedication of Sardanapalus to Goethe.  I
     shall prefix it to Werner, unless you prefer my putting another,
     stating that the former had been omitted by the publisher.