igate, at sea, June 28. 1811_.

"After two years' absence, (to a day, on the 2d of July, before
which we shall not arrive at Portsmouth,) I am retracing my way to
England.

"I am coming back with little prospect of pleasure at home, and
with a body a little shaken by one or two smart fevers, but a
spirit I hope yet unbroken. My affairs, it seems, are considerably
involved, and much business must be done with lawyers, colliers,
farmers, and creditors. Now this, to a man who hates bustle as he
hates a bishop, is a serious concern. But enough of my home
department.

"My Satire, it seems, is in a fourth edition, a success rather
above the middling run, but not much for a production which, from
its topics, must be temporary, and of course be successful at
first, or not at all. At this period, when I can think and act more
coolly, I regret that I have written it, though I shall probably
find it forgotten by all except those whom it has offended.

"Yours and Pratt's _protege_, Blackett, the cobbler, is dead, in
spite of his rhymes, and is probably one of the instances where
death has saved a man from damnation. You were the ruin of that
poor fellow amongst you: had it not been for his patrons, he might
now have been in very good plight, shoe-(not verse-) making: but
you have made him immortal with a vengeance. I write this,
supposing poetry, patronage, and strong waters, to have been the
death of him. If you are in town in or about the beginning of July,
you will find me at Dorant's, in Albemarle Street, glad to see you.
I have an imitation of Horace's Art of Poetry ready for Cawthorn,
but don't let that deter you, for I sha'n't inflict it upon you.
You know I never read my rhymes to visitors. I shall quit town in a
few days for Notts., and thence to Rochdale.

"Yours, &c."

* * * * *

Immediately, on Lord Byron's arrival in London, Mr. Dallas called upon
him. "On the 15th of July," says this gentleman, "I had the pleasure of
shaking hands with him at Reddish's Hotel in St. James's Street. I
thought his looks belied the report he had given me of his bodily
health, and his countenance did not betoken melancholy, or displeasure
at his return. He was very animated in the account of his travels, but
assured me he had never had the least idea of