and, the modest applicant, in renewing his suit,
complained, it appears, of neglect: on which Lord Byron, with a good
temper which few, in a similar case, could imitate, answered him as
follows:--

LETTER 153. TO MR. ASHE.

"January 5. 1814.

"Sir,

"When you accuse a stranger of neglect, you forget that it is
possible business or absence from London may have interfered to
delay his answer, as has actually occurred in the present instance.
But to the point. I am willing to do what I can to extricate you
from your situation. Your first scheme[114] I was considering; but
your own impatience appears to have rendered it abortive, if not
irretrievable. I will deposit in Mr. Murray's hands (with his
consent) the sum you mentioned, to be advanced for the time at ten
pounds per month.

"P.S.--I write in the greatest hurry, which may make my letter a
little abrupt; but, as I said before, I have no wish to distress
your feelings."

[Footnote 114: His first intention had been to go out, as a settler, to
Botany Bay.]

* * * * *

The service thus humanely proffered was no less punctually performed;
and the following is one of the many acknowledgments of payment which I
find in Ashe's letters to Mr. Murray:--"I have the honour to enclose you
another memorandum for the sum of ten pounds, in compliance with the
munificent instructions of Lord Byron."[115]

His friend, Mr. Merivale, one of the translators of those Selections
from the Anthology which we have seen he regretted so much not having
taken with him on his travels, published a poem about this time, which
he thus honours with his praise.

LETTER 154. TO MR. MERIVALE.

"January, 1814.

"My dear Merivale,

"I have redde Roncesvaux with very great pleasure, and (if I were
so disposed) see very little room for criticism. There is a choice
of two lines in one of the last Cantos,--I think 'Live and protect'
better, because 'Oh who?' implies a doubt of Roland's power or
inclination. I would allow the--but that point you yourself must
determine on--I mean the doubt as to where to place a part of the
Poem, whether between the actions or no. Only if you wish to have
all the success you deserve, _never listen to friends_, and--as I
am not the least troublesome of the number, least of all to me.

"I hope you will