LETTER 198. TO MR. MURRAY.

"Newstead Abbey, September 7. 1814.

"I should think Mr. Hogg, for his own sake as well as yours, would
be 'critical' as Iago himself in his editorial capacity; and that
such a publication would answer his purpose, and yours too, with
tolerable management. You should, however, have a good number to
start with--I mean, _good_ in quality; in these days, there can be
little fear of not coming up to the mark in quantity. There must be
many 'fine things' in Wordsworth; but I should think it difficult
to make _six_ quartos (the amount of the whole) all fine,
particularly the pedler's portion of the poem; but there can be no
doubt of his powers to do almost any thing.

"I _am_ 'very idle.' I have read the few books I had with me, and
been forced to fish, for lack of argument. I have caught a great
many perch and some carp, which is a comfort, as one would not lose
one's labour willingly.

"Pray, who corrects the press of your volumes? I hope 'The Corsair'
is printed from the copy I corrected, with the additional lines in
the first Canto, and some _notes_ from Sismondi and Lavater, which
I gave you to add thereto. The arrangement is very well.

"My cursed people have not sent my papers since Sunday, and I have
lost Johanna's divorce from Jupiter. Who hath gotten her with
prophet? Is it Sharpe, and how? * * * I should like to buy one of
her seals: if salvation can be had at half-a-guinea a head, the
landlord of the Crown and Anchor should be ashamed of himself for
charging double for tickets to a mere terrestrial banquet. I am
afraid, seriously, that these matters will lend a sad handle to
your profane scoffers, and give a loose to much damnable laughter.

"I have not seen Hunt's Sonnets nor Descent of Liberty: he has
chosen a pretty place wherein to compose the last. Let me hear from
you before you embark. Ever," &c.

* * * * *

LETTER 199. TO MR. MOORE.

"Newstead Abbey, September 15. 1814.

"This is the fourth letter I have begun to you within the month.
Whether I shall finish or not, or burn it like the rest, I know
not. When we meet, I will explain _why_ I have not written--_why_ I
have not asked you here, as I wished--with a great many other
_whys_ and wherefores, which will