* * * * *

LETTER 226. TO MR. MURRAY.

"September 27. 1815.

"That's right and splendid, and becoming a publisher of high
degree. Mr. Concanen (the translator) will be delighted, and pay
his washerwoman; and, in reward for your bountiful behaviour in
this instance, I won't ask you to publish any more for Drury Lane,
or any lane whatever, again. You will have no tragedy or any thing
else from me, I assure you, and may think yourself lucky in having
got rid of me, for good and all, without more damage. But I'll tell
you what we will do for you,--act Sotheby's Ivan, which will
succeed; and then your present and next impression of the dramas of
that dramatic gentleman will be expedited to your heart's content;
and if there is any thing very good, you shall have the refusal;
but you sha'n't have any more requests.

"Sotheby has got a thought, and almost the words, from the third
Canto of The Corsair, which, you know, was published six months
before his tragedy. It is from the storm in Conrad's cell. I have
written to Mr. Sotheby to claim it; and, as Dennis roared out of
the pit, 'By G----d, _that's my_ thunder!' so do I, and will I,
exclaim, 'By G----d that's _my lightning_!' that electrical fluid
being, in fact, the subject of the said passage.

"You will have a print of Fanny Kelly, in the Maid, to prefix,
which is honestly worth twice the money you have given for the MS.
Pray what did you do with the note I gave you about Mungo Park?

"Ever," &c.

* * * * *

LETTER 227. TO MR. MOORE.

"13. Terrace, Piccadilly, October 28. 1815.

"You are, it seems, in England again, as I am to hear from every
body but yourself; and I suppose you punctilious, because I did
not answer your last Irish letter. When did you leave the 'swate
country?' Never mind, I forgive you;--a strong proof of--I know not
what--to give the lie to--

'He never pardons who hath done the wrong.'

"You have written to * *. You have also written to Perry, who
intimates hope of an Opera from you. Coleridge has promised a
Tragedy. Now, if you keep Perry's word, and Coleridge keeps his
own, Drury Lane will be set up; and, sooth to say, it is in
grievous want of such a lift. We began at speed, and are blown