fear I should be tempted to violate your sanctity of wax or wafer.

"Believe me ever yours _indignantly_,

"BN."

* * * * *

LETTER 128. TO MR. MOORE.

"July 28. 1813.

"Can't you be satisfied with the pangs of my jealousy of Rogers,
without actually making me the pander of your epistolary intrigue?
This is the second letter you have enclosed to my address,
notwithstanding a miraculous long answer, and a subsequent short
one or two of your own. If you do so again, I can't tell to what
pitch my fury may soar. I shall send you verse or arsenic, as
likely as any thing,--four thousand couplets on sheets beyond the
privilege of franking; that privilege, sir, of which you take an
undue advantage over a too susceptible senator, by forwarding your
lucubrations to every one but himself. I won't frank _from_ you, or
_for_ you, or _to_ you--may I be curst if I do, unless you mend
your manners. I disown you--I disclaim you--and by all the powers
of Eulogy, I will write a panegyric upon you--or dedicate a
quarto--if you don't make me ample amends.

"P.S.--I am in training to dine with Sheridan and Rogers this
evening. I have a little spite against R., and will shed his 'Clary
wines pottle-deep.' This is nearly my ultimate or penultimate
letter; for I am quite equipped, and only wait a passage. Perhaps I
may wait a few weeks for Sligo, but not if I can help it."

* * * * *

He had, with the intention of going to Greece, applied to Mr. Croker,
the Secretary of the Admiralty, to procure him a passage on board a
king's ship to the Mediterranean; and, at the request of this gentleman,
Captain Carlton, of the Boyne, who was just then ordered to reinforce
Sir Edward Pellew, consented to receive Lord Byron into his cabin for
the voyage. To the letter announcing this offer, the following is the
reply.

LETTER 129. TO MR. CROKER.

"Bt. Str., August 2. 1813.

"Dear Sir,

"I was honoured with your unexpected[74] and very obliging letter,
when on the point of leaving London, which prevented me from
acknowledging my obligation as quickly as I felt it sincerely. I am
endeavouring all in my power to be ready before Saturday--and even
if I should not succeed, I can only blame my own tardiness, which
will not the less enhanc