The Works of Lord Byron: Letters and Journals Volume II Part 79

353.--To John Murray.

November 17, 1813.

My Dear Sir,--That you and I may distinctly understand each other on a subject, which, like "the dreadful reckoning when men smile no more,"

[1] makes conversation not very pleasant, I think it as well to _write_ a few lines on the topic.--Before I left town for Yorks.h.i.+re, you said that you were ready and willing to give five hundred guineas for the copyright of 'The Giaour'; and my answer was--from which I do not mean to recede--that we would discuss the point at Christmas. The new story may or may not succeed; the probability, under present circ.u.mstances, seems to be, that it may at least pay its expences--but even that remains to be proved, and till it is proved one way or the other, we will say nothing about it. Thus then be it: I will postpone all arrangement about it, and 'The Giaour' also, till Easter, 1814; and you shall then, according to your own notions of fairness, make your own offer for the two. At the same time, I do not rate the last in my own estimation at half 'The Giaour'; and according to your own notions of its worth and its success within the time mentioned, be the addition or deduction to or from whatever sum may be your proposal for the first, which has already had its success [2].

My account with you since my last payment (which I believe cleared it off within five pounds) I presume has not _much_ increased--but whatever it is have the goodness to send it to me--that I may at least meet you on even terms.

The pictures of Phillips I consider as _mine_, all three; and the one (not the Arnaut) of the two best is much at _your service_, if you will accept it as a present, from Yours very truly, BIRON.

P.S.--The expence of engraving from the miniature send me in my account, as it was destroyed by my desire; and have the goodness to burn that detestable print from it immediately.

[Footnote 1: 'The What d'ye call't?' by John Gay (act ii. sc. 9):

"So comes a reckoning when the banquet's o'er, The dreadful reckoning, and men smile no more."]

[Footnote 2: Murray replies, November 18, 1813,

"I restore the 'Giaour' to your Lords.h.i.+p entirely, and for 'it', the 'Bride of Abydos', and the miscellaneous poems intended to fill up the volume of the small edition, I beg leave to offer you the sum of One Thousand Guineas, and I shall be happy if you perceive that my estimation of your talents in my character of a man of business is not much under my admiration of them as a man."]

354.--To John Murray.

November 20, 1813.

More work for the _Row_. I am doing my best to beat "_The Giaour_"--_no_ difficult task for any one but the author. Yours truly, B.

355.--To John Murray.

November 22, 1813.

DEAR SIR,--I have no time to _cross_-investigate, but I believe and hope all is right. I care less than you will believe about its success, but I can't survive a single _misprint_; it _choaks_ me to see words misused by the Printers. Pray look over, in case of some eyesore escaping me.

Ever yours, B.

P.S.--Send the earliest copies to Mr. Frere, Mr. Canning, Mr. Heber, Mr.

Gifford, Lord Holland, Lady Melbourne (Whitehall), Lady C. L. (Brocket), Mr. Hodgson (Cambridge), Mr. Merivale, Mr. Ward, from the author.

356.--To John Murray.

November 23, 1813.

DEAR SIR,--You wanted some _reflections_, and I send you _per Selim_ (see his speech in Canto 2d, page 46.), eighteen lines in decent couplets, of a pensive, if not an _ethical_ tendency. One more revise--poz. the _last_, if decently done--at any rate the _pen_ultimate. Mr. Canning's approbation (_if_ he did approve) I need not say makes me proud [1].

As to printing, print as you will and how you will--by itself, if you like; but let me have a few copies in _sheets_.

Ever yours,

B.

[Footnote 1: Canning wrote the following note to Murray: