when I once
take pen in hand, I _must_ say what comes uppermost, or fling it
away. I have not the hypocrisy to pretend impartiality, nor the
temper (as it is called) to keep always from saying what may not be
pleasing to the hearer or reader. What do they mean by
'_elaborate_?' Why, _you_ know that they were written as fast as I
could put pen to paper, and printed from the _original_ MSS., and
never revised but in the proofs: _look_ at the _dates_ and the MSS.
themselves. Whatever faults they have must spring from
carelessness, and not from labour. They said the same of 'Lara,'
which I wrote while undressing after coming home from balls and
masquerades, in the year of revelry 1814. Yours."

"June 8. 1822.

"You give me no explanation of your intention as to the 'Vision of
Quevedo Redivivus,' one of my best things: indeed, you are
altogether so abstruse and undecided lately, that I suppose you
mean me to write 'John Murray, Esq., a Mystery,'--a composition
which would not displease the clergy nor the trade. I by no means
wish you to do what you don't like, but merely to say what you will
do. The Vision _must_ be published by some one. As to 'clamours,'
the die is cast: and 'come one, come all,' we will fight it out--at
least one of us."

* * * * *

LETTER 497. TO MR. MOORE.

"Montenero, Villa Dupoy, near Leghorn, June 8. 1822.

"I have written to you twice through the medium of Murray, and on
one subject, _trite_ enough,--the loss of poor little Allegra by a
fever; on which topic I shall say no more--there is nothing but
time.

"A few days ago, my earliest and dearest friend, Lord Clare, came
over from Geneva on purpose to see me before he returned to
England. As I have always loved him (since I was thirteen, at
Harrow,) better than any (_male_) thing in the world, I need hardly
say what a melancholy pleasure it was to see him for a _day_ only;
for he was obliged to resume his journey immediately. * * * Do you
recollect, in the year of revelry 1814, the pleasantest parties and
balls all over London? and not the least so at * *'s. Do you
recollect your singing duets with Lady * *, and my flirtation with
Lady * *, and all the other fooleries of the time? while * * was
sighing, and Lady * * ogling him w