Among all the “whys & wherefores” which you may have found to account for my not acknowledging the receipt of a copy of D Carlos,

& replying to the letter which you sent with it, – the true cause, I dare say, never occurred to you; – it is simply this, – that I never received either book or letter. My sentiments, Heaven be praised, are too tolerant, too kindly, too charitable (I will not call them liberal, abused as that word is) – to keep me at a distance from any one because of any difference in opinions religious or political. What your opinions may be I know not; – mine are before the world, for those who like them, in private I obtrude them upon no one.

If the Chev^r de Sagrie

thinks it worth his while to bestow any more time upon the translation of any of my works, I will very willingly communicate to you for his use such facts & dates relating to my own life as may serve his purpose.

A translation of Roderick in three small volumes was sent me August last by the translator, who signs himself B^on de Sorsum.

Is it then a third translation of which you speak?

In looking over this which on the whole I liked as well as could be expected, I fell upon one odd mistake, – the motes in the sunbeam (in the 8^th book) are translated papillons de nuit.

Westall has made some drawings from this poem,

which I have not seen but which are described to me as very beautiful, – having been done con amore.

They are now in the engravers hands.

Lord Byron, I have little doubt, will return to the charge.

I have the great advantage of being right, & of being master of my temper. He can neither irritate nor injure me. The single charge which malice can bring against me is that I was a republican, or rather an Utopian at twenty, & that as I grew older I grew wiser: modifying my speculative opinions both political & religious, as I acquired more knowledge, but retaining always the moral principle with which I set out in life. Byron is not fool-enough to believe that this is any impeachment of my character, tho but he is dishonest enough to join in the cry of a set of cut throats; – they deserve no better name, – for cut-throats they would be, as surely as Marat, Chaumette, Hebert

&c &c, if they ever attained the same power. I despise these wretches too much ever to notice them, otherwise than collectively & as regards the public weal. But if he persists in his ruffian-like attacks I will bestow upon him such farther chastisement as he deserves, well knowing that as I have the better cause, so also have I the stronger arm.