In short, Sir, what with one and t' other, I dare not venture on another. 40 I write in haste; excuse each blunder; The Coaches through the street so thunder! My room's so full--we've Gifford here Reading MS., with Hookham Frere, Pronouncing on the nouns and particles, Of some of our forthcoming Articles. The _Quarterly_--Ah, Sir, if you Had but the Genius to review!-- A smart Critique upon St. Helena, Or if you only would but tell in a 50 Short compass what--but to resume; As I was saying, Sir, the Room-- The Room's so full of wits and bards, Crabbes, Campbells, Crokers, Freres, and Wards And others, neither bards nor wits: My humble tenement admits All persons in the dress of Gent., From Mr. Hammond to Dog Dent.[79] A party dines with me to-day, All clever men, who make their way: 60 Crabbe, Malcolm,[80] Hamilton,[81] and Chantrey, Are all partakers of my pantry. They're at this moment in discussion On poor De Staël's late dissolution. Her book,[82] they say, was in advance-- Pray Heaven, she tell the truth of France! 'T is said she certainly was married To Rocca, and had twice miscarried, No--not miscarried, I opine,-- But brought to bed at forty-nine. 70 Some say she died a Papist; some Are of opinion that's a Hum; I don't know that--the fellows Schlegel,[83] Are very likely to inveigle A dying person in compunction To try th' extremity of Unction. But peace be with her! for a woman Her talents surely were uncommon, Her Publisher (and Public too) The hour of her demise may rue-- 80 For never more within his shop he-- Pray--was not she interred at Coppet? Thus run our time and tongues away;-- But, to return, Sir, to your play: Sorry, Sir, but I cannot deal, Unless 't were acted by O'Neill. My hands are full--my head so busy, I'm almost dead--and always dizzy; And so, with endless truth and hurry, Dear Doctor, I am yours, 90 JOHN MURRAY. August 21, 1817. [First published, _Letters and Journals_, 1830, ii. 139-141. Lines 67-82 first published, _Letters_, 1900, iv. 161.] FOOTNOTES: [75] ["By the way," writes Murray, Aug. 5, 1817 (_Memoir, etc._, i. 386), "Polidori has sent me his tragedy! Do me the kindness to send by return of post a _delicate_ declension of it, which I engage faithfully to copy."