"Venice, October 23. 1817.
"Your two letters are before me, and our bargain is so far
concluded. How sorry I am to hear that Gifford is unwell! Pray tell
me he is better: I hope it is nothing but _cold_. As you say his
illness originates in cold, I trust it will get no further.
"Mr. Whistlecraft has no greater admirer than myself: I have
written a story in 89 stanzas, in imitation of him, called _Beppo_,
(the short name for Giuseppe, that is, the _Joe_ of the Italian
Joseph,) which I shall throw you into the balance of the fourth
Canto, to help you round to your money; but you perhaps had better
publish it anonymously; but this we will see to by and by.
"In the Notes to Canto fourth, Mr. Hobhouse has pointed out
_several errors_ of _Gibbon_. You may depend upon H.'s research and
accuracy. You may print it in what shape you please.
"With regard to a future large edition, you may print all, or any
thing, except 'English Bards,' to the republication of which at
_no_ time will I consent. I would not reprint them on any
consideration. I don't think them good for much, even in point of
poetry; and, as to other things, you are to recollect that I gave
up the publication on account of the _Hollands_, and I do not think
that any time or circumstances can neutralise the suppression. Add
to which, that, after being on terms with almost all the bards and
critics of the day, it would be savage at any time, but worst of
all _now_, to revive this foolish lampoon.
"The review of Manfred came very safely, and I am much pleased with
it. It is odd that they should say (that is somebody in a magazine
whom the Edinburgh controverts) that it was taken from Marlow's
Faust, which I never read nor saw. An American, who came the other
day from Germany, told Mr. Hobhouse that Manfred was taken from
Goethe's Faust. The devil may take both the Faustuses, German and
English--I have taken neither.
"Will you send to _Hanson_, and say that he has not written since
9th September?--at least I have had no letter since, to my great
surprise.
"Will you desire Messrs. Morland to send out whatever additional
sums have or may be paid in credit immediately, and always to their
Venice correspondents? It is two months ago that they sent me out
an additional credit for _one thousand pounds_. I was very glad of
it, but I don't know how the devil it came; for I can only make out
500 of Hanson's payment, and I had thought the other 500 came from
you; but it did not, it seems, as, by yours of the 7th instant,
you have only just paid the 1230_l._ balance.
"Mr. Kinnaird is on his way home with the assignments. I can fix no
time for the arrival of Canto fourth, which depends on the journey
of Mr. Hobhouse home; and I do not think that this will be
immediate.
"Yours in great haste and very truly,
"B.
"P.S. Morlands have not yet written to my bankers apprising the
payment of your balances: pray desire them to do so.
"Ask them about the _previous_ thousand--of which I know 500 came
from Hanson's--and make out the other 500--that is, whence it
came."
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