Chapter XXXVI: Letter 190: To Mr. Murray

"July 24. 1814.

"The minority must, in this case, carry it, so pray let it be so,
for I don't care sixpence for any of the opinions you mention, on
such a subject: and P * * must be a dunce to agree with them. For
my own part, I have no objection at all; but Mrs. Leigh and my
cousin must be better judges of the likeness than others; and they
hate it; and so I won't have it at all.

"Mr. Hobhouse is right as for his conclusion: but I deny the
premises. The name only is Spanish[43]; the country is not Spain,
but the Morea.

"Waverley is the best and most interesting novel I have redde
since--I don't know when. I like it as much as I hate * *, and * *,
and * *, and all the feminine trash of the last four months.
Besides, it is all easy to me, I have been in Scotland so much
(though then young enough too), and feel at home with the people,
Lowland and Gael.

"A note will correct what Mr. Hobhouse thinks an error (about the
feudal system in Spain);--it is _not_ Spain. If he puts a few words
of prose any where, it will set all right.

"I have been ordered to town to vote. I shall disobey. There is no
good in so much prating, since 'certain issues strokes should
arbitrate.' If you have any thing to say, let me hear from you.

"Yours," &c.

[Footnote 43: Alluding to Lara.]

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