gun, for I gave away all mine to Ali Pacha, and other Turks. Dogs,
a keeper, and plenty of game, with a very large manor, I have--a
lake, a boat, house-room, and _neat wines_."

* * * * *

LETTER 65. TO MR. MURRAY.

"Newstead Abbey, Notts., Sept. 5. 1811.

"Sir,

"The time seems to be past when (as Dr. Johnson said) a man was
certain to 'hear the truth from his bookseller,' for you have paid
me so many compliments, that, if I was not the veriest scribbler on
earth, I should feel affronted. As I accept your compliments, it
is but fair I should give equal or greater credit to your
objections, the more so, as I believe them to be well founded. With
regard to the political and metaphysical parts, I am afraid I can
alter nothing; but I have high authority for my errors in that
point, for even the _Æneid_ was a _political_ poem, and written for
a _political_ purpose; and as to my unlucky opinions on subjects of
more importance, I am too sincere in them for recantation. On
Spanish affairs I have said what I saw, and every day confirms me
in that notion of the result formed on the spot; and I rather think
honest John Bull is beginning to come round again to that sobriety
which Massena's retreat had begun to reel from its centre--the
usual consequence of _un_usual success. So you perceive I cannot
alter the sentiments; but if there are any alterations in the
structure of the versification you would wish to be made, I will