208—to Francis Hodgson
8, St. James's Street, November 17, 1811.
Dear Hodgson,—I
have
been waiting for the letter
which was to have been sent by you
immediately
, and must again jog your memory on the subject. I believe I wrote you a full and true account of poor —'s proceedings.
Since
his reunion to —,
I have heard nothing further from him. What a pity! a man of talent, past the heyday of life, and a clergyman, to fall into such imbecility. I have heard from Hobhouse, who has at last sent more copy to Cawthorn for his
Travels
. I franked an enormous cover for you yesterday, seemingly to convey at least twelve cantos on any given subject. I fear the I aspect of it was too
epic
for the post. From this and other coincidences I augur a publication on your part, but what, or when, or how much, you must disclose immediately.
I don't know what to say about coming down to Cambridge at present, but live in hopes. I am so completely superannuated there, and besides feel it something brazen in me to wear my magisterial habit, after all my buffooneries, that I hardly think I shall venture again. And being now an
Greek: ariston men hydôr
disciple I won't come within wine-shot of such determined topers as your collegiates. I have not yet subscribed to Bowen. I mean to cut Harrow "
enim unquam
" as somebody classically said for a farewell sentence. I am superannuated there too, and, in short, as old at twenty-three as many men at seventy.
Do write and send this letter that hath been so long in your custody. It is important that Moore should be certain that I never received it, if it be
his
. Are you drowned in a bottle of Port? or a Kilderkin of Ale? that I have never heard from you, or are you fallen into a fit of perplexity? Cawthorn has declined, and the MS. is returned to him. This is all at present from yours in the faith,
Greek: Mpairon
Footnote 1:
On November 17, 1811, Hodgson writes to Byron:
"I enclose you the long-delayed letter, which, from the similarity of hands alone, Davies and I will go shares in a bet of ten to one is the cartel in question."
Footnote 2:
The names are carefully erased by Hodgson.
