have made him contemptible), but from the rage and fury against
the inadequacy of his state to his conceptions, and which
discharges itself rather against life, and the Author of life, than
the mere living.

"His subsequent remorse is the natural effect of looking on his
sudden deed. Had the _deed_ been _premeditated_, his repentance
would have been tardier.

"Either dedicate it to Walter Scott, or, if you think he would like
the dedication of 'The Foscaris' better, put the dedication to 'The
Foscaris.' Ask him which.

"Your first note was queer enough; but your two other letters, with
Moore's and Gifford's opinions, set all right again. I told you
before that I can never _recast_ any thing. I am like the tiger: if
I miss the first spring, I go grumbling back to my jungle again;
but if I do _hit_, it is crushing. * * * You disparaged the last
three cantos to me, and kept them back above a year; but I have
heard from England that (notwithstanding the errors of the press)
they are well thought of; for instance, by American Irving, which
last is a feather in my (fool's) cap.

"You have received my letter (open) through Mr. Kinnaird, and so,
pray, send me no more reviews of any kind. I will read no more of
evil or good in that line. Walter Scott has not read a review of
_himself_ for _thirteen years_.

"The bust is not _my_ property, but _Hobhouse_'s. I addressed it to
you as an Admiralty man, great at the Custom-house. Pray deduct the
expenses of the same, and all others.

"Yours," &c.

* * * * *

LETTER 467. TO MR. MURRAY.

"Pisa, Nov. 9. 1821.

"I _never read_ the Memoirs at all, not even since they were
written; and I never will: the pain of writing them was enough; you
may spare me that of a perusal. Mr. Moore has (or may have) a
discretionary power to omit any repetition, or expressions which do
not seem _good_ to _him_, who is a better judge than you or I.

"Enclosed is a lyrical drama, (entitled 'A Mystery,' from its
subject,) which, perhaps may arrive in time for the volume. You
will find _it pious_ enough, I trust,--at least some of the Chorus
might have been written by Sternhold and Hopkins themselves for
that, and perhaps for melody. As it is longer, and more lyrical and
Gree