"July 8. 1814.
"I returned to town last night, and had some hopes of seeing you
to-day, and would have called,--but I have been (though in
exceeding distempered good health) a little head-achy with free
living, as it is called, and am now at the freezing point of
returning soberness. Of course, I should be sorry that our parallel
lines did not deviate into intersection before you return to the
country,--after that same nonsuit[38], whereof the papers have
told us,--but, as you must be much occupied, I won't be affronted,
should your time and business militate against our meeting.
"Rogers and I have almost coalesced into a joint invasion of the
public. Whether it will take place or not, I do not yet know, and I
am afraid Jacqueline (which is very beautiful) will be in bad
company.[39] But in this case, the lady will not be the sufferer.
"I am going to the sea, and then to Scotland; and I have been doing
nothing,--that is, no good,--and am very truly," &c.
[Footnote 38: He alludes to an action for piracy brought by Mr. Power
(the publisher of my musical works), to the trial of which I had been
summoned as a witness.]
[Footnote 39: Lord Byron afterwards proposed that I should make a third
in this publication; but the honour was a perilous one, and I begged
leave to decline it.]
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