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our kindness, I have scarcely sufficient materials for a full and minute survey of them. I have won a sight of the 'Poetae Christiani,' but the price is ruinous--_fourteen guineas_, and then the work consists almost entirely of Latin poets, deducting Gregory and Nonnus, and John Damascenus, and a cento from Homer by somebody or other. Turning the leaves rapidly, I do not see much else; and you know I may get a separate copy of John Dam., and have access to the rest. Try to turn in your head what I should do. Greg. Nyssen did not write poems, did he? Have I a chance of seeing your copy of Mr. Clarke's book? It would be useful in the matters of chronology. I humbly beg your pardon, and Gregory's, for the insolence of my note. It was as brief as it could be, and did not admit of any extended reference and admiration to his qualities as an orator. But whoever read it to you should have explained that when I wrote 'He was an orator,' the word _orator_ was marked emphatically, so as to appear printed in capital letters of emphasis. Do not say 'you _chose_,' 'you _chose_.' I didn't and don't choose to be obstinate, indeed; but I can't see the sense of that 'heavenly soul.' Ever your grateful and affectionate E.B.B. I shall have room for praising Gregory in these papers. [Footnote 61: The series of papers on the Greek Christian Poets appeared in the _Athenaeum_ for February and March 1842; they are reprinted in the _Poetical Works_, v. 109-200.] [Footnote 62: This scheme took shape in the series of papers on the English Poets which appeared in the _Athenaeum_ in the course of June and August 1842 (reprinted in _Poetical Works_, v. 201-290).] _To H.S. Boyd_ February 4, 1842. My dear Friend,--You must be thinking, if you are not a St. Boyd for good temper, that among the Gregorys and Synesiuses I have forgotten everything about you. No; indeed it has not been so. I have never _stopped_ being grateful to you for your kind notes, and the two last pieces of Gregory, although I did not say an overt 'Thank you;' but I have been very very busy besides, and thus I answered to myself for your being kind enough to pardon a silence which was compelled rather than voluntary. Do you ever observe that as vexations don't come alone, occupations don't, and that, if you happen to be engaged upon one particular thing, it is the signal for your being waylaid by bundles of letters desiring immediate answers, and proof sheets or
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