Albemarle Street."

[Footnote 41: He here refers to an article in the number of the
Edinburgh Review, just then published (No. 45.), on The Corsair and
Bride of Abydos.]

* * * * *

LETTER 189. TO MR. MURRAY.

"July 23. 1814.

"I am sorry to say that the print[42] is by no means approved of by
those who have seen it, who are pretty conversant with the
original, as well as the picture from whence it is taken. I rather
suspect that it is from the _copy_ and not the _exhibited_
portrait, and in this dilemma would recommend a suspension, if not
an abandonment, of the _prefixion_ to the volumes which you purpose
inflicting upon the public.

"With regard to _Lara_, don't be in any hurry. I have not yet made
up my mind on the subject, nor know what to think or do till I hear
from you; and Mr. Moore appeared to me in a similar state of
indetermination. I do not know that it may not be better to
_reserve_ it for the _entire_ publication you proposed, and not
adventure in hardy singleness, or even backed by the fairy
Jacqueline. I have been seized with all kinds of doubts, &c. &c.
since I left London.

"Pray let me hear from you, and believe me," &c.

[Footnote 42: An engraving by Agar from Phillips's portrait of him.]

* * * * *

LETTER 190. TO MR. MURRAY.

"July 24. 1814.

"The minority must, in this case, carry it, so pray let it be so,
for I don't care sixpence for any of the opinions you mention, on
such a subject: and P * * must be a dunce to agree with them. For
my own part, I have no objection at all; but Mrs. Leigh and my
cousin must be better judges of the likeness than others; and they
hate it; and so I won't have it at all.

"Mr. Hobhouse is right as for his conclusion: but I deny the
premises. The name only is Spanish[43]; the country is not Spain,
but the Morea.

"Waverley is the best and most interesting novel I have redde
since--I don't know when. I like it as much as I hate * *, and * *,
and * *, and all the feminine trash of the last four months.
Besides, it is all easy to me, I have been in Scotland so much
(though then young enough too), and feel at home with the people,
Lowland and Gael.

"A note will correct what Mr. Hobhouse thinks an error (about the