"The enclosed letter is written in bad humour, but not without
provocation. However, let it (that is, the bad humour) go for
little; but I must request your serious attention to the abuses of
the printer, which ought never to have been permitted. You forget
that all the fools in London (the chief purchasers of your
publications) will condemn in me the stupidity of your printer. For
instance, in the notes to Canto fifth, 'the _Adriatic_ shore of the
Bosphorus' instead of the _Asiatic!!_ All this may seem little to
you, so fine a gentleman with your ministerial connections, but it
is serious to me, who am thousands of miles off, and have no
opportunity of not proving myself the fool your printer makes me,
except your pleasure and leisure, forsooth.
"The gods prosper you, and forgive you, for I can't."
[Footnote 48: Written in the envelope of the preceding Letter.]
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