have seen a Sultan going to mosque, and been at his reception of an ambassador, the most Christian King ’hath no attractions for me:’—­though in some coming year of the Hegira, I should not dislike to see the place where he had reigned, shortly after the second revolution, and a happy sovereignty of two months, the last six weeks being civil war.

     “Pray write, and deem me ever,” &c.

[Footnote 24:  I had begun my letter in the following manner:—­“Have you seen the ’Ode to Napoleon Buonaparte?’—­I suspect it to be either F——­g——­d’s or Rosa Matilda’s.  Those rapid and masterly portraits of all the tyrants that preceded Napoleon have a vigour in them which would incline me to say that Rosa Matilda is the person—­but then, on the other hand, that powerful grasp of history,” &c. &c.  After a little more of this mock parallel, the letter went on thus:—­“I should like to know what you think of the matter?—­Some friends of mine here will insist that it is the work of the author of Childe Harold,—­but then they are not so well read in F——­g——­d and Rosa Matilda as I am; and, besides, they seem to forget that you promised, about a month or two ago, not to write any more for years.  Seriously,” &c. &c.

I quote this foolish banter merely to show how safely, even on his most sensitive points, one might venture to jest with him.]

[Footnote 25:  We find D’Argenson thus encouraging Voltaire to break a similar vow:—­“Continue to write without fear for five-and-twenty years longer, but write poetry, notwithstanding your oath in the preface to Newton.”]

* * * * *

LETTER 176.  TO MR. MURRAY.

     “April 21. 1814.

     “Many thanks with the letters which I return.  You know I am a
     jacobin, and could not wear white, nor see the installation of
     Louis the Gouty.

     “This is sad news, and very hard upon the sufferers at any, but
     more at such a time—­I mean the Bayonne sortie.

     “You should urge Moore to come out.

     “P.S.  I want Moreri to purchase for good and all.  I have a Bayle,
     but want Moreri too.

“P.S.  Perry hath a piece of compliment to-day; but I think the name might have been as well omitted.  No matter; they can but throw the old story of inconsistency in my teeth—­let them,—­I mean, as to not publishing.  However, now I will keep my word.  Nothing but the occasion, which was physically irresistible, made me swerve; and I thought an anonyme within my pact with the public.  It is the only thing I have or shall set about.”

* * * * *

LETTER 177.  TO MR. MURRAY.

     “April 25. 1814.

     “Let Mr. Gifford have the letter and return it at his leisure.  I
     would have offered it, had I thought that he liked things of the
     kind.