I humbly beg your pardon, and Gregory's, for the insolence of my note. It was as brief as it could be, and did not admit of any extended reference and admiration to his qualities as an orator. But whoever read it to you should have explained that when I wrote 'He was an orator,' the word _orator_ was marked emphatically, so as to appear printed in capital letters of emphasis. Do not say 'you _chose_,' 'you _chose_.' I didn't and don't choose to be obstinate, indeed; but I can't see the sense of that 'heavenly soul.' Ever your grateful and affectionate E.B.B. I shall have room for praising Gregory in these papers. [Footnote 61: The series of papers on the Greek Christian Poets appeared in the _Athenaeum_ for February and March 1842; they are reprinted in the _Poetical Works_, v. 109-200.] [Footnote 62: This scheme took shape in the series of papers on the English Poets which appeared in the _Athenaeum_ in the course of June and August 1842 (reprinted in _Poetical Works_, v. 201-290).] _To H.S. Boyd_ February 4, 1842. My dear Friend,--You must be thinking, if you are not a St. Boyd for good temper, that among the Gregorys and Synesiuses I have forgotten everything about you. No; indeed it has not been so. I have never _stopped_ being grateful to you for your kind notes, and the two last pieces of Gregory, although I did not say an overt 'Thank you;' but I have been very very busy besides, and thus I answered to myself for your being kind enough to pardon a silence which was compelled rather than voluntary. Do you ever observe that as vexations don't come alone, occupations don't, and that, if you happen to be engaged upon one particular thing, it is the signal for your being waylaid by bundles of letters desiring immediate answers, and proof sheets or manuscript works whose writers request your opinion while their 'printer waits'? The old saints are not responsible for all the filling up of my time. I have been _busy upon busy_. The first part of my story about the Greek poets went to the 'Athenaeum' some days ago, but, although graciously received by the editor, it won't appear this week, or I should have had a proof sheet (which was promised to me) before now. I must contrive to include all I have to say on the subject in _three parts_. They will admit, they tell me, a fourth _if I please_, but evidently they would prefer as much brevity as I could vouchsafe. Only two poets are in the first notice, and _twenty_ remain--and neither of the two is Gregory. Will you let me see that volume of Gregory which contains the 'Christus Patiens'? Send it by any boy on the heath, and I will remunerate him for the walk and the burden, and thank you besides. Oh, don't be afraid! I am not going to charge it upon Gregory, but on the younger Apollinaris, whose claim is stronger, and I rather wish to refresh my recollection of the height and breadth of that tragic misdemeanour.