"February 20. 1813.
"In 'Horace in London' I perceive some stanzas on Lord Elgin in
which (waving the kind compliment to myself[60]) I heartily concur.
I wish I had the pleasure of Mr. Smith's acquaintance, as I could
communicate the curious anecdote you read in Mr. T.'s letter. If he
would like it, he can have the _substance_ for his second edition;
if not, I shall add it to our next, though I think we already have
enough of Lord Elgin.
"What I have read of this work seems admirably done. My praise,
however, is not much worth the author's having; but you may thank
him in my name for _his_. The idea is new--we have excellent
imitations of the Satires, &c. by Pope; but I remember but one
imitative Ode in his works, and _none_ any where else. I can hardly
suppose that _they_ have lost any fame by the fate of the _farce_;
but even should this be the case, the present publication will
again place them on their pinnacle.
"Yours," &c.
[Footnote 60: In the Ode entitled "The Parthenon," Minerva thus
speaks:--
"All who behold my mutilated pile
Shall brand its ravager with classic rage;
And soon a titled bard from Britain's isle
Thy country's praise and suffrage shall engage,
And fire with Athens' wrongs an angry age!"
HORACE IN LONDON.
]
* * * * *
It has already been stated that the pecuniary supplies, which he found
it necessary to raise on arriving at majority, were procured for him on
ruinously usurious terms.[61] To some transactions connected with this
subject, the following characteristic letter refers.