Chapter 89

"November 28. 1813.

"Send another copy (if not too much of a request) to Lady Holland of the _Journal_[111], in my name, when you receive this; it is for _Earl Grey_--and I will relinquish my _own_. Also to Mr. Sharpe, and Lady Holland, and Lady Caroline Lamb, copies of 'The Bride' as soon as convenient.

"P.S. Mr. Ward and myself still continue our purpose; but I shall not trouble you on any arrangement on the score of The Giaour and The Bride till our return,--or, at any rate, before _May_, 1814,--that is, six months from hence: and before that time you will be able to ascertain how far your offer may be a losing one; if so, you can deduct proportionably; and if not, I shall not at any rate allow you to go higher than your present proposal, which is very handsome, and more than fair.[112]

"I have had--but this must be _entre nous_--a very kind note, on the subject of 'The Bride,' from Sir James Mackintosh, and an invitation to go there this evening, which it is now too late to accept."

[Footnote 111: Penrose's Journal, a book published by Mr. Murray at this time.]

[Footnote 112: Mr. Murray had offered him a thousand guineas for the two poems.]

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TO MR. MURRAY.

"November 29. 1813. Sunday--Monday morning--three o'clock--in my doublet and hose,--_swearing_.

"I send you in time an errata page, containing an omission of mine, which must be thus added, as it is too late for insertion in the text. The passage is an imitation altogether from Medea in Ovid, and is incomplete without these two lines. Pray let this be done, and directly; it is necessary, will add one page to your book (_making_), and can do no harm, and is yet in time for the _public_. Answer me, thou oracle, in the affirmative. You can send the loose pages to those who have copies already, if they like; but certainly to all the _critical_ copyholders.

"P.S. I have got out of my bed, (in which, however, I could not sleep, whether I had amended this or not,) and so good morning. I am trying whether De l'Allemagne will act as an opiate, but I doubt it."

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TO MR. MURRAY.

"November 29. 1813.

"_You have looked at it!_' to much purpose, to allow so stupid a blunder to stand; it is _not_ '_courage_' but '_carnage_;' and if you don't want me to cut my own throat, see it altered.

"I am very sorry to hear of the fall of Dresden."

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