for the Continent depends, in some measure, on the
_in_continent. I have two country invitations at home, and don't
know what to say or do. In the mean time, I have bought a macaw and
a parrot, and have got up my books; and I box and fence daily, and
go out very little.

"At this present writing, Louis the Gouty is wheeling in triumph
into Piccadilly, in all the pomp and rabblement of royalty. I had
an offer of seats to see them pass; but, as I have seen a Sultan
going to mosque, and been at _his_ reception of an ambassador, the
most Christian King 'hath no attractions for me:'--though in some
coming year of the Hegira, I should not dislike to see the place
where he _had_ reigned, shortly after the second revolution, and a
happy sovereignty of two months, the last six weeks being civil
war.

"Pray write, and deem me ever," &c.

[Footnote 24: I had begun my letter in the following manner:--"Have you
seen the 'Ode to Napoleon Buonaparte?'--I suspect it to be either
F----g----d's or Rosa Matilda's. Those rapid and masterly portraits of
all the tyrants that preceded Napoleon have a vigour in them which would
incline me to say that Rosa Matilda is the person--but then, on the
other hand, that powerful grasp of history," &c. &c. After a little more
of this mock parallel, the letter went on thus:--"I should like to know
what _you_ think of the matter?--Some friends of mine here _will_ insist
that it is the work of the author of Childe Harold,--but then they are
not so well read in F----g----d and Rosa Matilda as I am; and, besides,
they seem to forget that _you_ promised, about a month or two ago, not
to write any more for years. Seriously," &c. &c.

I quote this foolish banter merely to show how safely, even on his most
sensitive points, one might venture to jest with him.]

[Footnote 25: We find D'Argenson thus encouraging Voltaire to break a
similar vow:--"Continue to write without fear for five-and-twenty years
longer, but write poetry, notwithstanding your oath in the preface to
Newton."]

* * * * *

LETTER 176. TO MR. MURRAY.

"April 21. 1814.

"Many thanks with the letters which I return. You know I am a
jacobin, and could not wear white, nor see the installation of
Louis the Gouty.

"This is sad news, and very hard upon the sufferers at any, but
more at _such_ a time--I mean t