nza runs in the manuscript--

"And thou, who never yet of human wrong
Left the unbalanced scale, great Nemesis!

and _not 'lost,'_ which is nonsense, as what losing a scale means,
I know not; but _leaving_ an unbalanced scale, or a scale
unbalanced, is intelligible.[28] Correct this, I pray,--not for the
public, or the poetry, but I do not choose to have blunders made in
addressing any of the deities so seriously as this is addressed.

"Yours, &c.

"P.S. In the translation from the Spanish, alter

"In increasing squadrons flew,

to--

To a mighty squadron grew.

"What does 'thy waters _wasted_ them' mean (in the Canto)? _That is
not me._[29] Consult the MS. _always_.

"I have written the first Canto (180 octave stanzas) of a poem in
the style of Beppo, and have Mazeppa to finish besides.

"In referring to the mistake in stanza 132. I take the opportunity
to desire that in future, in all parts of my writings referring to
religion, you will be more careful, and not forget that it is
possible that in addressing the Deity a blunder may become a
blasphemy; and I do not choose to suffer such infamous perversions
of my words or of my intentions.

"I saw the Canto by accident."

[Footnote 28: This correction, I observe, has never been made,--the
passage still remaining, unmeaningly,

"_Lost_ the unbalanced scale."
]

[Footnote 29: This passage also remains uncorrected.]

* * * * *

LETTER 324. TO MR. MURRAY.

"Venice, January 20. 1819.

"The opinions which I have asked of Mr. H. and others were with
regard to the poetical merit, and not as to what they may think due
to the _cant_ of the day, which still reads the Bath Guide,
Little's Poems, Prior, and Chaucer, to say nothing of Fielding and
Smollet. If published, publish entire, with the above-mentioned
exceptions; or you may publish anonymously, or _not at all_. In the
latter event, print 50 on my account, for private distribution.

"Yours, &c.

"I have written to Messrs. K. and H. to desire that they will not
erase more than I have stated.

"The second Canto of Don Juan is finished in 206 stanzas."

* * * * *

LETTER 325. TO MR. MURRAY.

"Venice, January 25. 1819.

"You will do me the