"I wish you would respond, for I am here 'oblitusque meorum obliviscendus et illis.' Pray tell me what is going on in the way of intriguery, and how the w----s and rogues of the upper Beggar's Opera go on--or rather go off--in or after marriage; or who are going to break any particular commandment. Upon this dreary coast, we have nothing but county meetings and shipwrecks; and I have this day dined upon fish, which probably dined upon the crews of several colliers lost in the late gales. But I saw the sea once more in all the glories of surf and foam,--almost equal to the Bay of Biscay, and the interesting white squalls and short seas of Archipelago memory. "My papa, Sir Ralpho, hath recently made a speech at a Durham tax-meeting; and not only at Durham, but here, several times since, after dinner. He is now, I believe, speaking it to himself (I left him in the middle) over various decanters, which can neither interrupt him nor fall asleep,--as might possibly have been the case with some of his audience. Ever thine, B. "I must go to tea--damn tea. I wish it was Kinnaird's brandy, and with you to lecture me about it." [Footnote 66: It was thus that, according to his account, a certain celebrated singer and actor used frequently to pronounce the word "enthusiasm."] * * * * * LETTER 212. TO MR. MURRAY. "Seaham, Stockton-upon-Tees, February 2. 1815. "You will oblige me very much by making an occasional enquiry at Albany, at my chambers, whether my books, &c. are kept in tolerable order, and how far my old woman[67] continues in health and industry as keeper of my old den. Your parcels have been duly received and perused; but I had hoped to receive 'Guy Mannering' before this time. I won't intrude further for the present on your avocations, professional or pleasurable, but am, as usual, "Very truly," &c. [Footnote 67: Mrs. Mule.] * * * * * LETTER 213. TO MR. MOORE. "February 4. 1815. "I enclose you half a letter from * *, which will explain itself--at least the latter part--the former refers to private business of mine own. If Jeffrey will take such an article, and you will undertake the revision, or, indeed, any portion of the article itself, (for unless _you do_, by Phoebus, I will have nothing to do with it,) we can cook up, between us three, as pretty a dish of sour-crout as ever tipped over the tongue of a bookmaker. "You can, at any rate, try Jeffrey's inclination. Your late proposal from him made me hint this to * *, who is a much better proser and scholar than I am, and a very superior man indeed. Excuse haste--answer this. Ever yours most, "B. "P.S. All is well at home. I wrote to you yesterday." * * * * *