* * * * *

TO MR. MURRAY.

     “February 7. 1814.

“I see all the papers in a sad commotion with those eight lines; and the Morning Post, in particular, has found out that I am a sort of Richard III.—­deformed in mind and body.  The last piece of information is not very new to a man who passed five years at a public school.

     “I am very sorry you cut out those lines for Childe Harold.  Pray
     re-insert them in their old place in ‘The Corsair.’”

* * * * *

LETTER 161.  TO MR. HODGSON.

     “February 28. 1814.

“There is a youngster, and a clever one, named Reynolds, who has just published a poem called ‘Safie,’ published by Cawthorne.  He is in the most natural and fearful apprehension of the Reviewers; and as you and I both know by experience the effect of such things upon a young mind, I wish you would take his production into dissection, and do it gently. I cannot, because it is inscribed to me; but I assure you this is not my motive for wishing him to be tenderly entreated, but because I know the misery at his time of life, of untoward remarks upon first appearance.

“Now for self.  Pray thank your cousin—­it is just as it should be, to my liking, and probably more than will suit any one else’s.  I hope and trust that you are well and well doing.  Peace be with you.  Ever yours, my dear friend.”

* * * * *

LETTER 162.  TO MR. MOORE.

     “February 10. 1814.

“I arrived in town late yesterday evening, having been absent three weeks, which I passed in Notts. quietly and pleasantly.  You can have no conception of the uproar the eight lines on the little Royalty’s weeping in 1812 (now republished) have occasioned.  The R * *, who had always thought them yours, chose—­God knows why—­on discovering them to be mine, to be affected ’in sorrow rather than anger.’  The Morning Post, Sun, Herald, Courier, have all been in hysterics ever since.  M. is in a fright, and wanted to shuffle; and the abuse against me in all directions is vehement, unceasing, loud—­some of it good, and all of it hearty.  I feel a little compunctious as to the R * ’s _regret_;—­’would he had been only angry! but I fear him not.’