"Venice, January 20. 1819.
"The opinions which I have asked of Mr. H. and others were with
regard to the poetical merit, and not as to what they may think due
to the _cant_ of the day, which still reads the Bath Guide,
Little's Poems, Prior, and Chaucer, to say nothing of Fielding and
Smollet. If published, publish entire, with the above-mentioned
exceptions; or you may publish anonymously, or _not at all_. In the
latter event, print 50 on my account, for private distribution.
"Yours, &c.
"I have written to Messrs. K. and H. to desire that they will not
erase more than I have stated.
"The second Canto of Don Juan is finished in 206 stanzas."
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