it with a small _h_.
I like Bell as well as you do (or did, you villain!) Bessy--and
that is (or was) saying a great deal.

"Address your next to Seaham, Stockton-on-Tees, where we are going
on Saturday (a bore, by the way,) to see father-in-law, Sir Jacob,
and my lady's lady-mother. Write--and write more at length--both to
the public and yours ever most affectionately,

"B."

[Footnote 64: I had just been reading Mr. Southey's fine poem of
"Roderick;" and with reference to an incident in it, had put the
following question to Lord Byron:--"I should like to know from you, who
are one of the philocynic sect, whether it is probable, that any dog
(out of a melodrame) could recognise a master, whom neither his own
mother or mistress was able to find out. I don't care about Ulysses's
dog, &c.--all I want is to know from _you_ (who are renowned as 'friend
of the dog, companion of the bear') whether such a thing is probable."]

[Footnote 65: The letter H. is blotted in the MS.]

* * * * *

LETTER 211. TO MR. MOORE.

"Seaham, Stockton-on-Tees, February 2. 1815.

"I have heard from London that you have left Chatsworth and all the
women full of 'entusymusy'[66] about you, personally and
poetically; and, in particular, that 'When first I met thee' has
been quite overwhelming in its effect. I told you it was one of the
best things you ever wrote, though that dog Power wanted you to
omit part of it. They are all regretting your absence at
Chatsworth, according to my informant--'all the ladies quite,' &c.
&c. &c. Stap my vitals!

"Well, now you have got home again--which I dare say is as
agreeable as a 'draught of cool small beer to the scorched palate
of a waking sot'--now you have got home again, I say, probably I
shall hear from you. Since I wrote last, I have been transferred to
my father-in-law's, with my lady and my lady's maid, &c. &c. &c.
and the treacle-moon is over, and I am awake, and find myself
married. My spouse and I agree to--and in--admiration. Swift says
'no _wise_ man ever married;' but, for a fool, I think it the most
ambrosial of all possible future states. I still think one ought to
marry upon _lease_; but am very sure I should renew mine at the
expiration, though next term were for ninety and nine years.

"I wish you would respond,