“February 20. 1816.

“I wrote to you hastily this morning by Murray, to say that I was glad to do as Mackintosh and you suggested about Mr. * *.  It occurs to me now, that as I have never seen Mr. * * but once, and consequently have no claim to his acquaintance, that you or Sir J. had better arrange it with him in such a manner as may be least offensive to his feelings, and so as not to have the appearance of officiousness nor obtrusion on my part.  I hope you will be able to do this, as I should be very sorry to do any thing by him that may be deemed indelicate.  The sum Murray offered and offers was and is one thousand and fifty pounds:—­this I refused before, because I thought it more than the two things were worth to Murray, and from other objections, which are of no consequence.  I have, however, closed with M., in consequence of Sir J.’s and your suggestion, and propose the sum of six hundred pounds to be transferred to Mr. * * in such a manner as may seem best to your friend,—­the remainder I think of for other purposes.

“As Murray has offered the money down for the copyrights, it may be done directly.  I am ready to sign and seal immediately, and perhaps it had better not be delayed.  I shall feel very glad if it can be of any use to * *; only don’t let him be plagued, nor think himself obliged and all that, which makes people hate one another, &c.  Yours, very truly,

     “B.”

* * * * *

In his mention here of other “purposes,” he refers to an intention which he had of dividing the residue of the sum between two other gentlemen of literary Celebrity, equally in want of such aid, Mr. Maturin and Mr. * *.  The whole design, however, though entered into with the utmost sincerity on the part of the noble poet, ultimately failed.  Mr. Murray, who was well acquainted with the straits to which Lord Byron himself had been reduced, and foresaw that a time might come when even money thus gained would be welcome to him, on learning the uses to which the sum was to be applied, demurred in advancing it,—­alleging that, though bound not only by his word but his will to pay the amount to Lord Byron, he did not conceive himself called upon to part with it to others.  How earnestly the noble poet himself, though with executions, at the time, impending over his head, endeavoured to urge the point, will appear from the following letter:—­

LETTER 238.  TO MR. MURRAY.

     “February 22. 1815.

“When the sum offered by you, and even pressed by you, was declined, it was with reference to a separate publication, as you know and I know.  That it was large, I admitted and admit; and that made part of my consideration in refusing it, till I knew better what you were likely to make of it.  With regard to what is past, or is to pass, about Mr. M *