for I am here 'oblitusque meorum
obliviscendus et illis.' Pray tell me what is going on in the way
of intriguery, and how the w----s and rogues of the upper Beggar's
Opera go on--or rather go off--in or after marriage; or who are
going to break any particular commandment. Upon this dreary coast,
we have nothing but county meetings and shipwrecks; and I have this
day dined upon fish, which probably dined upon the crews of several
colliers lost in the late gales. But I saw the sea once more in all
the glories of surf and foam,--almost equal to the Bay of Biscay,
and the interesting white squalls and short seas of Archipelago
memory.

"My papa, Sir Ralpho, hath recently made a speech at a Durham
tax-meeting; and not only at Durham, but here, several times since,
after dinner. He is now, I believe, speaking it to himself (I left
him in the middle) over various decanters, which can neither
interrupt him nor fall asleep,--as might possibly have been the
case with some of his audience. Ever thine, B.

"I must go to tea--damn tea. I wish it was Kinnaird's brandy, and
with you to lecture me about it."

[Footnote 66: It was thus that, according to his account, a certain
celebrated singer and actor used frequently to pronounce the word
"enthusiasm."]

* * * * *

LETTER 212. TO MR. MURRAY.

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

"You will oblige me very much by making an occasional enquiry at
Albany, at my chambers, whether my books, &c. are kept in tolerable
order, and how far my old woman[67] continues in health and
industry as keeper of my old den. Your parcels have been duly
received and perused; but I had hoped to receive 'Guy Mannering'
before this time. I won't intrude further for the present on your
avocations, professional or pleasurable, but am, as usual,

"Very truly," &c.

[Footnote 67: Mrs. Mule.]

* * * * *

LETTER 213. TO MR. MOORE.

"February 4. 1815.

"I enclose you half a letter from * *, which will explain
itself--at least the latter part--the former refers to private
business of mine own. If Jeffrey will take such an article, and you
will undertake the revision, or, indeed, any portion of the article
itself, (for unless _you do_, by Phoebus, I will have nothing t