LETTER 300. TO MR. MURRAY. "Venice, October 23. 1817. "Your two letters are before me, and our bargain is so far concluded. How sorry I am to hear that Gifford is unwell! Pray tell me he is better: I hope it is nothing but _cold_. As you say his illness originates in cold, I trust it will get no further. "Mr. Whistlecraft has no greater admirer than myself: I have written a story in 89 stanzas, in imitation of him, called _Beppo_, (the short name for Giuseppe, that is, the _Joe_ of the Italian Joseph,) which I shall throw you into the balance of the fourth Canto, to help you round to your money; but you perhaps had better publish it anonymously; but this we will see to by and by. "In the Notes to Canto fourth, Mr. Hobhouse has pointed out _several errors_ of _Gibbon_. You may depend upon H.'s research and accuracy. You may print it in what shape you please. "With regard to a future large edition, you may print all, or any thing, except 'English Bards,' to the republication of which at _no_ time will I consent. I would not reprint them on any consideration. I don't think them good for much, even in point of poetry; and, as to other things, you are to recollect that I gave up the publication on account of the _Hollands_, and I do not think that any time or circumstances can neutralise the suppression. Add to which, that, after being on terms with almost all the bards and critics of the day, it would be savage at any time, but worst of all _now_, to revive this foolish lampoon. "The review of Manfred came very safely, and I am much pleased with it. It is odd that they should say (that is somebody in a magazine whom the Edinburgh controverts) that it was taken from Marlow's Faust, which I never read nor saw. An American, who came the other day from Germany, told Mr. Hobhouse that Manfred was taken from Goethe's Faust. The devil may take both the Faustuses, German and English--I have taken neither. "Will you send to _Hanson_, and say that he has not written since 9th September?--at least I have had no letter since, to my great surprise. "Will you desire Messrs. Morland to send out whatever additional sums have or may be paid in credit immediately, and always to their Venice correspondents? It is two months ago that they sent me out an additional credit for _one thousand pounds_. I was very glad of it, but I don't know how the devil it came; for I can only make out 500 of Hanson's payment, and I had thought the other 500 came from you; but it did not, it seems, as, by yours of the 7th instant, you have only just paid the 1230_l._ balance.