mistakes, but this
must be done with the greatest care, so that no hole can be picked
in the critique. [362] I enclose three sonnets, a specimen of my next
volume of Camoens, and should much like any suggestions from you. They
are line for line and mostly word for word. But that is nothing; the
question is, are they readable English? They'll be printed at my own
expense, so they will ruin nobody. Switzerland has set you up and don't
let the solicitor's office pull you down."

On October 2nd he says: "Glad to hear of a new edition of Lane: it
will draw attention to the subject. I must see what can be done with
reviewers. Saturday and I are at drawn daggers, and --------of ------
is such a stiff young she-prig that I hardly know what to do about
him. However, I shall begin work at once by writing and collecting the
vulnerable points of the clique. ----- is a very much hated man, and
there will be no difficulty." On the 8th, in reference to the opposing
"clique," Burton writes: "In my own case I should encourage a row with
this bete noire; but I can readily understand your having reasons for
wishing to keep it quiet." Naturally, considering the tactics that were
being employed against them, the Villon Society, which published Mr.
Payne's works, had no wish to draw the attention of the authorities to
the moral question. Indeed, of the possible action of the authorities,
as instigated by the clique, the Society stood in some fear.

Burton goes on: "I shall write to-day to T----- to know how ---- is best
hit. T----- hates me--so do most people. Meanwhile, you must (either
yourself or by proxy) get a list of Lane's laches. I regret to say my
copy of his Modern Egyptians has been lost or stolen, and with it are
gone the lists of his errata I had drawn up many years ago. Of course I
don't know Arabic, but who does? One may know a part of it, a corner of
the field, but all! Bah! Many thanks for the notes on the three sonnets
[Camoens]. Most hearty thanks for the trouble you have taken. The
remarks are those of a scholar and a translator."

Later, Burton sent Payne other Camoens sonnets to look over. Writing on
29th October 1882, he says, "Many thanks for the sonnet. Your version
is right good, but it is yourself, not me. In such a matter each man
expresses his own individuality. I shall follow your advice about the
quatrains and tercets. No. 19 is one of the darkest on account of its
extreme simplicity. I shall trouble you aga