"It doubtless gratifies me much that our _finale_ has pleased, and that the curtain drops gracefully.[12] _You_ deserve it should, for your promptitude and good nature in arranging immediately with Mr. Dallas; and I can assure you that I esteem your entering so warmly into the subject, and writing to me so soon upon it, as a personal obligation. We shall now part, I hope, satisfied with each other. I _was_ and am quite in earnest in my prefatory promise not to intrude any more; and this not from any affectation, but a thorough conviction that it is the best policy, and is at least respectful to my readers, as it shows that I would not willingly run the risk of forfeiting their favour in future. Besides, I have other views and objects, and think that I shall keep this resolution; for, since I left London, though shut up, _snow_-bound, _thaw_-bound, and tempted with all kinds of paper, the dirtiest of ink, and the bluntest of pens, I have not even been haunted by a wish to put them to their combined uses, except in letters of business. My rhyming propensity is quite gone, and I feel much as I did at Patras on recovering from my fever--weak, but in health, and only afraid of a relapse. I do most fervently hope I never shall. "I see by the Morning Chronicle there hath been discussion in the _Courier_; and I read in the Morning Post a wrathful letter about Mr. Moore, in which some Protestant Reader has made a sad confusion about _India_ and Ireland. "You are to do as you please about the smaller poems; but I think removing them _now_ from The Corsair looks like _fear_; and if so, you must allow me not to be pleased. I should also suppose that, after the _fuss_ of these newspaper esquires, they would materially assist the circulation of The Corsair; an object I should imagine at _present_ of more importance to _yourself_ than Childe Harold's seventh appearance. Do as you like; but don't allow the withdrawing that _poem_ to draw any imputation of _dismay_ upon me. "Pray make my respects to Mr. Ward, whose praise I value most highly, as you well know; it is in the approbation of such men that fame becomes worth having. To Mr. Gifford I am always grateful, and surely not less so now than ever. And so good night to my authorship. "I have been sauntering and dozing here very quietly, and not unhappily. You will be happy to hear that I have completely established my title-deeds as marketable, and that the purchaser has succumbed to the terms, and fulfils them, or is to fulfil them forthwith. He is now here, and we go on very amicably together,--one in each _wing_ of the Abbey. We set off on Sunday--I for town, he for Cheshire.