of bodily exercise to some extent, with uniform indolence, and idle
insipidity. I have been expecting, and still expect, my agent, when
I shall have enough to occupy my reflections in business of no very
pleasant aspect. Before my journey to Rochdale, you shall have due
notice where to address me--I believe at the post-office of that
township. From Murray I received a second proof of the same pages,
which I requested him to show you, that any thing which may have
escaped my observation may be detected before the printer lays the
corner-stone of an _errata_ column.

"I am now not quite alone, having an old acquaintance and
school-fellow with me, so _old_, indeed, that we have nothing _new_
to say on any subject, and yawn at each other in a sort of _quiet
inquietude_. I hear nothing from Cawthorn, or Captain Hobhouse;
and _their quarto_--Lord have mercy on mankind! We come on like
Cerberus with our triple publications. As for _myself_, by
_myself_, I must be satisfied with a comparison to _Janus_.

"I am not at all pleased with Murray for showing the MS.; and I am
certain Gifford must see it in the same light that I do. His praise
is nothing to the purpose: what could he say? He could not spit in
the face of one who had praised him in every possible way. I must
own that I wish to have the impression removed from his mind, that
I had any concern in such a paltry transaction. The more I think,
the more it disquiets me; so I will say no more about it. It is bad
enough to be a scribbler, without having recourse to such shifts to
extort praise, or deprecate censure. It is anticipating, it is
begging, kneeling, adulating,--the devil! the devil! the devil! and
all without my wish, and contrary to my express desire. I wish
Murray had been tied to _Payne_'s neck when he jumped into the