d say nothing to you of these parts,
you having traversed them already. I do not think of Italy before
September. I have read Glenarvon, and have also seen Ben.
Constant's Adolphe, and his preface, denying the real people. It is
a work which leaves an unpleasant impression, but very consistent
with the consequences of not being in love, which is, perhaps, as
disagreeable as any thing, except being so. I doubt, however,
whether all such _liens_ (as he calls them) terminate so wretchedly
as his hero and heroine's.

"There is a third Canto (a longer than either of the former) of
Childe Harold finished, and some smaller things,--among them a
story on the Chateau de Chillon; I only wait a good opportunity to
transmit them to the grand Murray, who, I hope, flourishes. Where
is Moore? Why is he not out? My love to him, and my perfect
consideration and remembrances to all, particularly to Lord and
Lady Holland, and to your Duchess of Somerset.

"Ever, &c.

"P.S. I send you a _fac-simile_, a note of Bonstetten's, thinking
you might like to see the hand of Gray's correspondent."

* * * * *

LETTER 245. TO MR. MURRAY.

"Diodati, Sept. 29. 1816.

"I am very much flattered by Mr. Gifford's good opinion of the
MSS., and shall be still more so if it answers your expectations
and justifies his kindness. I liked it myself, but that must go for
nothing. The feelings with which most of it was written need not be
envied me. With regard to the price, _I_ fixed _none_, but left it
to Mr. Kinnaird, Mr. Shelley, and yourself, to arrange. Of course,
they would do their best; and as to yourself, I knew you would make
no difficulties. But I agree with Mr. Kinnaird perfectly, that the
concluding _five hundred_ should be only _conditional_; and for my
own sake, I wish it to be added, only in case of your selling a
certain number, _that number_ to be fixed by _yourself_. I hope
this is fair. In every thing of this kind there must be risk; and
till that be past, in one way or the other, I would not willingly
add to it, particularly in times like the present. And pray always
recollect that nothing could mortify me more--no failure on my own
part--than having made you lose by any purchase from me.

"The Monody[110] was written by reques