"February 10. 1815.
"My dear Tom,
"Jeffrey has been so very kind about me and my damnable works, that
I would not be indirect or equivocal with him, even for a friend.
So, it may be as well to tell him that it is not mine; but that if
I did not firmly and truly believe it to be much better than I
could offer, I would never have troubled him or you about it. You
can judge between you how far it is admissible, and reject it, if
not of the right sort. For my own part, I have no interest in the
article one way or the other, further than to oblige * *; and
should the composition be a good one, it can hurt neither
party,--nor, indeed, any one, saving and excepting Mr. * * * *.
"Curse catch me if I know what H * * means or meaned about the
demonstrative pronoun[68], but I admire your fear of being
inoculated with the same. Have you never found out that you have a
particular style of your own, which is as distinct from all other
people, as Hafiz of Shiraz from Hafiz of the Morning Post?
"So you allowed B * * and such like to hum and haw you, or, rather,
Lady J * * out of her compliment, and _me_ out of mine.[69]
Sun-burn me, but this was pitiful-hearted. However, I will tell her
all about it when I see her.
"Bell desires me to say all kinds of civilities, and assure you of
her recognition and high consideration. I will tell you of our
movements south, which may be in about three weeks from this
present writing. By the way, don't engage yourself in any
travelling expedition, as I have a plan of travel into Italy, which
we will discuss. And then, think of the poesy wherewithal we should
overflow, from Venice to Vesuvius, to say nothing of Greece,
through all which--God willing--we might perambulate in one twelve
months. If I take my wife, you can take yours; and if I leave mine,
you may do the same. 'Mind you stand by me in either case, Brother
Bruin.'
"And believe me inveterately yours,
"B"
[Footnote 68: Some remark which he told me had been made with respect to
the frequent use of the demonstrative pronoun both by himself and by Sir
W. Scott.]
[Footnote 69: Verses to Lady J * * (containing an allusion to Lord
Byron), which I had written, while at Chatsworth, but consigned
afterwards to the flames.]
* * * * *