"My address, when I leave Newstead, will be to 'Rochdale, Lancashire;' but I have not yet fixed the day of departure, and I will apprise you when ready to set off. "You have placed me in a very ridiculous situation, but it is past, and nothing more is to be said on the subject. You hinted to me that you wished some alterations to be made; if they have nothing to do with politics or religion, I will make them with great readiness. I am, Sir," &c.&c. * * * * * TO MR. MURRAY. "Newstead Abbey, Sept. 16. 1811.[26] "I return the proof, which I should wish to be shown to Mr. Dallas, who understands typographical arrangements much better than I can pretend to do. The printer may place the notes in his _own way_, or any _way_ so that they are out of _my way_; I care nothing about types or margins. "If you have any communication to make, I shall be here at least a week or ten days longer. "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 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.