In September Burton asks for the loan of Payne’s copy of the Calcutta Edition (Macnaghten) and enquires after Vol. i.  He says “What news of Vol. i.?  I am very anxious to see it, and so are many female correspondents.  I look forward with great pleasure to the work.”

It was now understood that an attack was to be made on Payne’s volume in the press.  Says Burton, September 29th (1882).  “Perhaps it will be best to let -------[FN#361] sing his song. -------- has no end of enemies, and I can stir up a small wasp’s nest without once appearing in the matter.  The best answer will be showing up a few of Lane’s mistakes, but this must be done with the greatest care, so that no hole can be picked in the critique.[FN#362] I enclose three sonnets, a specimen of my next volume of Camoens, and should much like any suggestions from you.  They are line for line and mostly word for word.  But that is nothing; the question is, are they readable English?  They’ll be printed at my own expense, so they will ruin nobody.  Switzerland has set you up and don’t let the solicitor’s office pull you down.”

On October 2nd he says:  “Glad to hear of a new edition of Lane:  it will draw attention to the subject.  I must see what can be done with reviewers.  Saturday and I are at drawn daggers, and -------- of ------ is such a stiff young she-prig that I hardly know what to do about him.  However, I shall begin work at once by writing and collecting the vulnerable points of the clique. ----- is a very much hated man, and there will be no difficulty.”  On the 8th, in reference to the opposing “clique,” Burton writes:  “In my own case I should encourage a row with this bete noire; but I can readily understand your having reasons for wishing to keep it quiet.”  Naturally, considering the tactics that were being employed against them, the Villon Society, which published Mr. Payne’s works, had no wish to draw the attention of the authorities to the moral question.  Indeed, of the possible action of the authorities, as instigated by the clique, the Society stood in some fear.

Burton goes on:  “I shall write to-day to T----- to know how ---- is
best hit.   T----- hates me--so do most people.   Meanwhile, you must
(either yourself or by proxy) get a list of Lane’s laches.   I regret
to say my copy of his Modern Egyptians has been lost or stolen,
and with it are gone the lists of his errata I had drawn up many
years ago.   Of course I don’t know Arabic, but who does?   One may
know a part of it, a corner of the field, but all!   Bah!   Many
thanks for the notes on the three sonnets [Camoens].   Most hearty
thanks for the trouble you have taken.   The remarks are those of a
scholar and a translator.”

Later, Burton sent Payne other Camoens sonnets to look over.  Writing on 29th October 1882, he says, “Many thanks for the sonnet.  Your version is right good, but it is yourself, not me.  In such a matter each man expresses his own individuality.  I shall follow your advice about the quatrains and tercets.  No. 19 is one of the darkest on account of its extreme simplicity.  I shall trouble you again.”