"I am, Sir," &c. &c.

[Footnote 26: On a leaf of one of his paper-books I find an Epigram
written at this time, which, though not perhaps particularly good, I
consider myself bound to insert:--

"ON MOORE'S LAST OPERATIC FARCE, OR FARCICAL OPERA.

"Good plays are scarce,
So Moore writes farce:
The poet's fame grows brittle--
We knew before
That _Little's_ Moore,
But now 'tis _Moore_ that's _little_.
Sept. 14. 1811."
]

* * * * *

LETTER 68. TO MR. DALLAS.

"Newstead Abbey, Sept. 17. 1811.

"I can easily excuse your not writing, as you have, I hope,
something better to do, and you must pardon my frequent invasions
on your attention, because I have at this moment nothing to
interpose between you and my epistles.

"I cannot settle to any thing, and my days pass, with the exception