275—to Francis Hodgson
February 3, 1813.
My Dear Hodgson,—I will join you in any bond for the money you require, be it that or a larger sum. With regard to security, as Newstead is in a sort of abeyance between sale and purchase, and my Lancashire property very unsettled, I do not know how far I can give more than personal security, but what I can I will. At any rate you can try, and as the sum is not very considerable, the chances are favourable. I hear nothing of my own concerns, but expect a letter daily. Let me hear from you where you are and will be this month. I am a great admirer of the R. A. [Rejected Addresses], though I have had so great a share in the cause of their publication, and I like the C. H. [Childe Harold] imitation one of the best . Lady Oxford has heard me talk much of you as a relative of the Cokes, etc., and desires me to say she would be happy to have the pleasure of your acquaintance. You must come and see me at K[insham]. I am sure you would like all here if you knew them.
The "Agnus" is furious. You can have no idea of the horrible and absurd things she has said and done since (really from the best motives) I withdrew my homage. " Great pleasure" is, certes, my object, but " why brief, Mr. Wild?"
I cannot answer for the future, but the past is pretty secure; and in it I can number the last two months as worthy of the gods in Lucretius. I cannot review in the "Monthly;" in fact I can just now do nothing, at least with a pen; and I really think the days of Authorship are over with me altogether. I hear and rejoice in Eland's and Merivale's intentions .
Murray has grown great, and has got him new premises in the fashionable part of the town .
We live here so shut out of the monde that I have nothing of general import to communicate, and fill this up with a "happy new year," and drink to you and Drury.
Ever yours, dear H., B.
I have no intention of continuing " Childe Harold." There are a few additions in the "body of the book" of description, which will merely add to the number of pages in the next edition. I have taken Kinsham Court.
The business of last summer I broke off , and now the amusement of the gentle fair is writing letters literally threatening my life, and much in the style of "Miss Mathews" in " Amelia," or "Lucy" in the "Beggar's Opera." Such is the reward of restoring a woman to her family, who are treating her with the greatest kindness, and with whom I am on good terms. I am still in palatia Circes, and, being no Ulysses, cannot tell into what animal I may be converted; as you are aware of the turn of both parties, your conjectures will be very correct, I daresay, and, seriously, I am very much attached. She has had her share of the denunciations of the brilliant Phryne, and regards them as much as I do. I hope you will visit me at K. which will not be ready before spring, and I am very sure you would like my neighbours if you knew them. If you come down now to Kington , pray come and see me.
