[Footnote 17:  I had endeavoured to persuade him to take a part in parliamentary affairs, and to exercise his talent for oratory more frequently.]

[Footnote 18:  In concluding my letter, having said “God bless you!” I added—­“that is, if you have no objection.”]

* * * * *

LETTER 167.  TO MR. DALLAS.

     “February 17. 1814.

“The Courier of this evening accuses me of having ’received and pocketed’ large sums for my works.  I have never yet received, nor wish to receive, a farthing for any.  Mr. Murray offered a thousand for The Giaour and Bride of Abydos, which I said was too much, and that if he could afford it at the end of six months, I would then direct how it might be disposed of; but neither then, nor at any other period, have I ever availed myself of the profits on my own account.  For the republication of the Satire I refused four hundred guineas; and for the previous editions I never asked nor received a sous, nor for any writing whatever.  I do not wish you to do any thing disagreeable to yourself; there never was nor shall be any conditions nor stipulations with regard to any accommodation that I could afford you; and, on your part, I can see nothing derogatory in receiving the copyright.  It was only assistance afforded to a worthy man, by one not quite so worthy.

“Mr. Murray is going to contradict this [19]; but your name will not be mentioned:  for your own part, you are a free agent, and are to do as you please.  I only hope that now, as always, you will think that I wish to take no unfair advantage of the accidental opportunity which circumstances permitted me of being of use to you.  Ever,” &c.

[Footnote 19:  The statement of the Courier, &c.]

* * * * *

In consequence of this letter, Mr. Dallas addressed an explanation to one of the newspapers, of which the following is a part;—­the remainder being occupied with a rather clumsily managed defence of his noble benefactor on the subject of the Stanzas.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE MORNING POST.

     “Sir,

“I have seen the paragraph in an evening paper, in which Lord Byron is accused of ‘receiving and pocketing’ large sums for his works.  I believe no one who knows him has the slightest suspicion of this kind; but the assertion being public, I think it a justice I owe to Lord Byron to contradict it publicly.  I address this letter to you for that purpose, and I am happy that it gives me an opportunity at this moment to make some observations which I have for several days been anxious to do publicly, but from which I have been restrained by an apprehension that I should be suspected of being prompted by his Lordship.

“I take upon me to affirm, that Lord Byron never received a shilling for any