Chapter 17

"March 12. 1814.

"I have not time to read the whole MS. [23], but what I have seen seems very well written (both _prose_ and _verse_), and, though I am and can be no judge (at least a fair one on this subject), containing nothing which you _ought_ to hesitate publishing upon _my_ account. If the author is not Dr. _Busby_ himself, I think it a pity, on his _own_ account, that he should dedicate it to his subscribers; nor can I perceive what Dr. Busby has to do with the matter except as a translator of Lucretius, for whose doctrines he is surely not responsible. I tell you openly, and really most sincerely, that, if published at all, there is no earthly reason why you should _not_; on the contrary, I should receive it as the greatest compliment _you_ could pay to your good opinion of my candour, to print and circulate that or any other work, attacking me in a manly manner, and without any malicious intention, from which, as far as I have seen, I must exonerate this writer.

"He is wrong in one thing--_I_ am no _atheist_; but if he thinks I have published principles tending to such opinions, he has a perfect right to controvert them. Pray publish it; I shall never forgive myself if I think that I have prevented you.

"Make my compliments to the author, and tell him I wish him success: his verse is very deserving of it; and I shall be the last person to suspect his motives. Yours, &c.

"P.S. If _you_ do not publish it, some one else will. You cannot suppose me so narrow-minded as to shrink from discussion. I repeat once for all, that I think it a good poem (as far as I have redde); and that is the only point _you_ should consider. How odd that eight lines should have given birth, I really think, to _eight thousand_, including _all_ that has been said, and will be on the subject!"

[Footnote 23: The manuscript of a long grave satire, entitled "Anti-Byron," which had been sent to Mr. Murray, and by him forwarded to Lord Byron, with a _request_--not meant, I believe, seriously--that he would give his opinion as to the propriety of publishing it.]

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