“P.S.  If you hear any news of battle or retreat on the part of the Allies (as they call them), pray send it.  He has my best wishes to manure the fields of France with an invading army.  I hate invaders of all countries, and have no patience with the cowardly cry of exultation over him, at whose name you all turned whiter than the snow to which you are indebted for your triumphs.

“I open my letter to thank you for yours just received.  The ’Lines to a Lady Weeping’ must go with The Corsair.  I care nothing for consequence, on this point.  My politics are to me like a young mistress to an old man—­the worse they grow, the fonder I become of them.  As Mr. Gilford likes the ‘Portuguese Translation[11],’ pray insert it as an addition to The Corsair.

“In all points of difference between Mr. Gifford and Mr. Dallas, let the first keep his place; and in all points of difference between Mr. Gifford and Mr. Anybody-else, I shall abide by the former; if I am wrong, I can’t help it.  But I would rather not be right with any other person.  So there is an end of that matter.  After all the trouble he has taken about me and mine, I should be very ungrateful to feel or act otherwise.  Besides, in point of judgment, he is not to be lowered by a comparison.  In politics, he may be right too; but that with me is a feeling, and I can’t torify my nature.”

[Footnote 11:  His translation of the pretty Portuguese song, “Tu mi chamas.”  He was tempted to try another version of this ingenious thought, which is, perhaps, still more happy, and has never, I believe, appeared in print.

    “You call me still your life—­ah! change the word—­
      Life is as transient as th’ inconstant’s sigh;
    Say rather I’m your soul, more just that name,
      For, like the soul, my love can never die.”
]

* * * * *

LETTER 159.  TO MR. MURRAY.

     “Newstead Abbey, February 4. 1814.

     “I need not say that your obliging letter was very welcome, and not
     the less so for being unexpected.

“It doubtless gratifies me much that our finale has pleased, and that the curtain drops gracefully.[12] You deserve it should, for your promptitude and good nature in arranging immediately with Mr. Dallas; and I can assure you that I esteem your entering so warmly into the subject, and writing to me so soon upon it, as a personal obligation.  We shall now part, I hope, satisfied with each other.  I was and am quite in earnest in my prefatory promise not to intrude any more; and this not from any affectation, but a thorough conviction that it is the best policy, and is at least respectful to my readers, as it shows that I would not willingly run the risk of forfeiting their favour in future.  Besides,