"My head is at this moment in a state of confusion, from various causes, which I can neither describe nor explain--but let that pass. My employments have been very rural--fishing, shooting, bathing, and boating. Books I have but few here, and those I have read ten times over, till sick of them. So, I have taken to breaking soda-water bottles with my pistols, and jumping into the water, and rowing over it, and firing at the fowls of the air. But why should I 'monster my nothings' to you, who are well employed, and happily too, I should hope? For my part, I am happy, too, in my way--but, as usual, have contrived to get into three or four perplexities, which I do not see my way through. But a few days, perhaps a day, will determine one of them. "You do not say a word to me of your poem. I wish I could see or hear it. I neither could, nor would, do it or its author any harm. I believe I told you of Larry and Jacquy. A friend of mine was reading--at least a friend of his was reading--said Larry and Jacquy in a Brighton coach. A passenger took up the book and queried as to the author. The proprietor said 'there were _two_'--to which the answer of the unknown was, 'Ay, ay--a joint concern, I suppose, _summot_ like Sternhold and Hopkins.' "Is not this excellent? I would not have missed the 'vile comparison' to have 'scaped being one of the 'Arcades ambo et cantare pares.' Good night. Again yours." * * * * * LETTER 201. TO MR. MOORE. "Newstead Abbey, Sept. 20. 1814. "Here's to her who long Hath waked the poet's sigh! The girl who gave to song What gold could never buy. --My dear Moore, I am going to be married--that is, I am accepted[49], and one usually hopes the rest will follow. My mother of the Gracchi (that _are_ to be) _you_ think too strait-laced for me, although the paragon of only children, and invested with 'golden opinions of all sorts of men,' and full of 'most blest conditions' as Desdemona herself. Miss Milbanke is the lady, and I have her father's invitation to proceed there in my elect capacity,--which, however, I cannot do till I have settled some business in London and got a blue coat. "She is said to be an heiress, but of that I really know nothing certainly, and shall not enquire. But I do know, that she has talents and excellent qualities; and you will not deny her judgment, after having refused six suitors and taken me.