Chapter XVIII: Letter 70: To Mr. Dallas

"Newstead Abbey, Sept. 23. 1811.

"_Lisboa_ is the Portuguese word, consequently the very best.
Ulissipont is pedantic; and as I have _Hellas_ and _Eros_ not long
before, there would be something like an affectation of Greek
terms, which I wish to avoid, since I shall have a perilous
quantity of _modern_ Greek in my notes, as specimens of the tongue;
therefore Lisboa may keep its place. You are right about the
'Hints;' they must not precede the 'Romaunt;' but Cawthorn will be
savage if they don't; however, keep _them_ back, and _him_ in _good
humour_, if we can, but do not let him publish.

"I have adopted, I believe, most of your suggestions, but 'Lisboa'
will be an exception to prove the rule. I have sent a quantity of
notes, and shall continue; but pray let them be copied; no devil
can read my hand. By the by, I do not mean to exchange the ninth
verse of the 'Good Night.' I have no reason to suppose my dog
better than his brother brutes, mankind; and _Argus_ we know to be
a fable. The 'Cosmopolite' was an acquisition abroad. I do not
believe it is to be found in England. It is an amusing little
volume, and full of French flippancy. I read, though I do not speak
the language.

"I _will_ be angry with Murray. It was a book-selling, back shop,
Paternoster-row, paltry proceeding, and if the experiment had
turned out as it deserved, I would have raised all Fleet Street,
and borrowed the giant's staff from St. Dunstan's church, to
immolate the betrayer of trust. I have written to him as he never
was written to before by an author, I'll be sworn, and I hope you
will amplify my wrath, till it has an effect upon him. You tell me
always you have much to write about. Write it, but let us drop
metaphysics;--on that point we shall never agree. I am dull and
drowsy, as usual. I do nothing, and even that nothing fatigues me.
Adieu."

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