alism of Mr. Payne's translation had created extraordinary stir,
and Burton wrote thus forcefully on the matter (June 3rd): "Please send
me a lot of advertisements. [358] I can place a multitude of copies.
Mrs. Grundy is beginning to roar; already I hear the voice of her. And
I know her to be an arrant w---- and tell her so, and don't care a -----
for her."

The event at Trieste that summer was the opening of a Grand
International Exhibition--the hobby of the Governor of the town--Baron
de Pretis, and Burton thus refers to it in a letter written to Mr.
Payne, 5th August (1882). "We arrived here just in time for the opening
of the Exhibition, August 1st. Everything went off well, but next
evening an Orsini shell was thrown which killed one and wounded five,
including my friend Dr. Dorn, Editor of the Triester Zeitung. The
object, of course, was to injure the Exhibition, and the effect will be
ruinous. I expect more to come and dare not leave my post. So while
my wife goes to Marienbad, I must content myself with the Baths at
Monfalcone, [359] distant only one hour by rail" In the next letter
(August 14th) Burton refers to a proposed special quarto (large paper)
edition of Mr. Payne's Nights, the scheme for which, however, fell
through. "I am delighted with the idea," he says, "for though not a
bibliophile in practice (L s. d. preventing) I am entirely in theory."
There is also an amusing reference to a clergyman who after giving his
name for a copy withdrew it. Says Burton, "If the Rev. A. miss this
opportunity of grace he can blame only himself. It is very sad but not
to be helped.... And now good luck to the venture." Later he observes,
"The fair sex appears wild to get at the Nights. [360] I have received
notes from two upon the nice subject, with no end of complaints about
stern parients, brothers and brothers-in-law."

In September Burton asks for the loan of Payne's copy of the Calcutta
Edition (Macnaghten) and enquires after Vol. i. He says "What news
of Vol. i.? I am very anxious to see it, and so are many female
correspondents. I look forward with great pleasure to the work."

It was now understood that an attack was to be made on Payne's volume in
the press. Says Burton, September 29th (1882). "Perhaps it will be best
to let ------- [361] sing his song. -------- has no end of enemies, and
I can stir up a small wasp's nest without once appearing in the matter.
The best answer will be showing up a few of Lane's