"At this present writing, Louis the Gouty is wheeling in triumph into Piccadilly, in all the pomp and rabblement of royalty. I had an offer of seats to see them pass; but, as I have seen a Sultan going to mosque, and been at _his_ reception of an ambassador, the most Christian King 'hath no attractions for me:'--though in some coming year of the Hegira, I should not dislike to see the place where he _had_ reigned, shortly after the second revolution, and a happy sovereignty of two months, the last six weeks being civil war. "Pray write, and deem me ever," &c. [Footnote 24: I had begun my letter in the following manner:--"Have you seen the 'Ode to Napoleon Buonaparte?'--I suspect it to be either F----g----d's or Rosa Matilda's. Those rapid and masterly portraits of all the tyrants that preceded Napoleon have a vigour in them which would incline me to say that Rosa Matilda is the person--but then, on the other hand, that powerful grasp of history," &c. &c. After a little more of this mock parallel, the letter went on thus:--"I should like to know what _you_ think of the matter?--Some friends of mine here _will_ insist that it is the work of the author of Childe Harold,--but then they are not so well read in F----g----d and Rosa Matilda as I am; and, besides, they seem to forget that _you_ promised, about a month or two ago, not to write any more for years. Seriously," &c. &c. I quote this foolish banter merely to show how safely, even on his most sensitive points, one might venture to jest with him.] [Footnote 25: We find D'Argenson thus encouraging Voltaire to break a similar vow:--"Continue to write without fear for five-and-twenty years longer, but write poetry, notwithstanding your oath in the preface to Newton."] * * * * * LETTER 176. TO MR. MURRAY. "April 21. 1814. "Many thanks with the letters which I return. You know I am a jacobin, and could not wear white, nor see the installation of Louis the Gouty. "This is sad news, and very hard upon the sufferers at any, but more at _such_ a time--I mean the Bayonne sortie. "You should urge Moore to come _out_. "P.S. I want _Moreri_ to purchase for good and all. I have a Bayle, but want Moreri too. "P.S. Perry hath a piece of compliment to-day; but I think the _name_ might have been as well omitted. No matter; they can but throw the old story of inconsistency in my teeth--let them,--I mean, as to not publishing. However, _now_ I will keep my word. Nothing but the occasion, which was _physically_ irresistible, made me swerve; and I thought an _anonyme_ within my _pact_ with the public. It is the only thing I have or shall set about." * * * * * LETTER 177. TO MR. MURRAY. "April 25. 1814.