“Here I see and have conversed with French, Italians, Germans, Danes, Greeks, Turks, Americans, &c. &c. &c.; and without losing sight of my own, I can judge of the countries and manners of others.  Where I see the superiority of England (which, by the by, we are a good deal mistaken about in many things,) I am pleased, and where I find her inferior, I am at least enlightened.  Now, I might have stayed, smoked in your towns, or fogged in your country, a century, without being sure of this, and without acquiring any thing more useful or amusing at home.  I keep no journal, nor have I any intention of scribbling my travels.  I have done with authorship; and if, in my last production, I have convinced the critics or the world I was something more than they took me for, I am satisfied; nor will I hazard that reputation by a future effort.  It is true I have some others in manuscript, but I leave them for those who come after me; and, if deemed worth publishing, they may serve to prolong my memory when I myself shall cease to remember.  I have a famous Bavarian artist taking some views of Athens, &c. &c. for me.  This will be better than scribbling, a disease I hope myself cured of.  I hope, on my return, to lead a quiet, recluse life, but God knows and does best for us all; at least, so they say, and I have nothing to object, as, on the whole, I have no reason to complain of my lot.  I am convinced, however, that men do more harm to themselves than ever the devil could do to them.  I trust this will find you well, and as happy as we can be; you will, at least, be pleased to hear I am so, and yours ever.”

LETTER 50.

TO MRS. BYRON.

“Athens, February 28. 1811.

“Dear Madam,

“As I have received a firman for Egypt, &c., I shall proceed to that quarter in the spring, and I beg you will state to Mr. H. that it is necessary to further remittances.  On the subject of Newstead, I answer as before, No. If it is necessary to sell, sell Rochdale.  Fletcher will have arrived by this time with my letters to that purport.  I will tell you fairly, I have, in the first place, no opinion of funded property; if, by any particular circumstances, I shall be led to adopt such a determination, I will, at all events, pass my life abroad, as my only tie to England is Newstead, and, that once gone, neither interest nor inclination lead me northward.  Competence in your country is ample wealth in the East, such is the difference in the value of money and the abundance of the necessaries of life; and I feel myself so much a citizen of the world, that the spot where I can enjoy a delicious climate, and every luxury, at a less expense than a common college life in England, will always be a country to me; and such are in fact the shores of the Archipelago.  This then is the alternative—­if I preserve Newstead, I return; if I sell it, I stay away.  I have had no letters since yours of June, but I have written several times, and shall continue, as usual, on the same plan.