"March 12. 1814.
"I have not time to read the whole MS. [23], but what I have seen
seems very well written (both _prose_ and _verse_), and, though I
am and can be no judge (at least a fair one on this subject),
containing nothing which you _ought_ to hesitate publishing upon
_my_ account. If the author is not Dr. _Busby_ himself, I think it
a pity, on his _own_ account, that he should dedicate it to his
subscribers; nor can I perceive what Dr. Busby has to do with the
matter except as a translator of Lucretius, for whose doctrines he
is surely not responsible. I tell you openly, and really most
sincerely, that, if published at all, there is no earthly reason
why you should _not_; on the contrary, I should receive it as the
greatest compliment _you_ could pay to your good opinion of my
candour, to print and circulate that or any other work, attacking
me in a manly manner, and without any malicious intention, from
which, as far as I have seen, I must exonerate this writer.
"He is wrong in one thing--_I_ am no _atheist_; but if he thinks I
have published principles tending to such opinions, he has a
perfect right to controvert them. Pray publish it; I shall never
forgive myself if I think that I have prevented you.
"Make my compliments to the author, and tell him I wish him
success: his verse is very deserving of it; and I shall be the last
person to suspect his motives. Yours, &c.
"P.S. If _you_ do not publish it, some one else will. You cannot
suppose me so narrow-minded as to shrink from discussion. I repeat
once for all, that I think it a good poem (as far as I have redde);
and that is the only point _you_ should consider. How odd that
eight lines should have given birth, I really think, to _eight
thousand_, including _all_ that has been said, and will be on the
subject!"
[Footnote 23: The manuscript of a long grave satire, entitled
"Anti-Byron," which had been sent to Mr. Murray, and by him forwarded to
Lord Byron, with a _request_--not meant, I believe, seriously--that he
would give his opinion as to the propriety of publishing it.]
* * * * *