Notes from Autograph Letters of Thomas Moore to Mr Power

[cont.]

Three Letters, 4to. (one of three sides), one undated, two
” Thursday night “(1815)
” I find Rogers suspected me of some Epistle there has been about the shows in the Park; but I have written nothing since Blucher.” “The sixth [Irish Melody’] I had to send was, ‘Come fly to this bosom,’ which, however, I am doubtful about retaining.” “Pray, do not let the engraver put in the words in the first verse of the Duett beginning, ‘Go then, deceiver, go,’ as I think I shall alter these four lines.” “I send you a Sacred Melody, which I have taken from Haydn, with alterations of my own.” “I could not help putting the words, ‘Should any one,’ &c. under the Prince’s Song; however, I do not at all insist upon your keeping this in. If the verses are allowed to stand it is the most I can expect. I have a piece of friendship to tell you, very unlike the high promising hollowness of certain friends of mine. You have often heard me speak of Douglas. [John Erskine Douglas was appointed Captain of H.M.S. Boston in December 1797, and ’RearAdmiral Commander-in-Chief at Jamaica, 6th January , 1815, which command he held until the end of 181 7.] He has just been appointed Admiral on the Jamaica Station, and the first thing he did was to offer me the Secretaryship. The salary is something under five hundred a year, but the perquisites, even

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in peace, are considerable, and if the Devii should put it into Madison’s head to carry on the war, it would be a fortune to me. He has also told me there is a house there for the Admiral, with nearly 100 acres of land, which is all quite at my service, and I may take out Bessy to it. Is not this kind ? is it not courageous, too, considering the sort of interest by which Douglas has got his appointment ? He is a sterling fellow. I have written, however, to decline it, as we,” &c.

“And to tell you the truth, my dear friend, I look to the plan which you and I have between us, as an equally abundant source of emolument, with greater comfort and less risk. The Duke of Devonshire has asked us to Chatsworth. I shall go for two or three days, but Bessy does not like such operations.”
”That paragon of honest fellows, Douglas.” “Pray, let Mr. Benison correct the spelling of ( Cuishlah ma chree ‘according to Dr. Kelly, and likewise procure the name of * Has sorrow thy young days,’ as I have just hunted through all my music for Kelly’s book and cannot find it.”

118 One Letter, 4to. (two sides), 3 1st January, 1815

Memoirs, No. 318.

119 One Letter, 4to. (four sides), (1815)

Memoirs, No. 319.

Sixteen lines on the third side and four lines on the back of this letter omitted by his Lordship. “Don’t you think it would be a good plan to send all the words I write to selected Airs over to Stevenson, and let him try his hand at them. If he succeeds, I can write other words to the selected Air, and there is so much gained. If not, we can leave it as it was - but pretty airs are such an object, we should try every means to get them. Do not tell Stevenson, however, there is an Air already to what you send, or it will make him careless. Bessy joins me in entreaty that as soon as your dear Jean is able to travel she may come down to us and take a month or two of country air - which I have no doubt will do her great service.

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We shall nurse her, you may be sure, as if she were our own. Now pray think seriously of this. Bessy will be delighted to have her.”

One Letter, 4to. (two sides), 30th May, 1815 Memoirs, No. 329.

This letter bears Mr. Power’s endorsement, “July 5th f 1815,” but the Postmark establishes the date of its receipt in London, to be 5th June. One Letter, 4 to. (two sides), Sunday (December 19th, 1815) Memoirs, No. 338.

One Letter, 8vo. (two sides), Monday night (1815)

Memoirs, No. 339.

Two lines omitted by his Lordship. “I sent off the proofs by Pickford last night.” The fourth line of the verses altered
” hold (bend) my flight” struck through.

Three Letters, two 4to., one 8vo. (three sides), 1st, 28th, and
- January, 1816

“As for myself I have got quite well again.” “Just now I am at the very end of my tether.” “My conscience is very well satisfied with the way I have performed my task for you. You have here, I think, the purest and most perfect little collection of poems I have ever written, and I only hope the Public may, for your sake, agree with me in opinion; I mean to dedicate the Number to Dalton. I have discovered since I wrote last an error in the words of Lord Byron’s l Farewell” by Stevenson, which would annoy the Noble Bard if he saw it. ‘For others weal availed on earthy should be ‘availed on high.’’ “” I must tell you a trait of this Upholsterer: two or three months ago I called upon him at Derby to chuse a musicstand for my room. After I had chosen the one I liked, or rather indeed asked whether he could not make one cheaper for me, the poor fellow said, blushing and stammering, ‘Mr. Moore, if you will do me the favour to accept of that trifle

E

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from me, as a small mark of my esteem for your character, I shall consider it as the greatest favour you can do me.’ I did not hesitate, of course; these things are very gratifying.”

Four Letters, three 4to., one 8vo., 8th, 12th, 15th, and 18th

February, 1816

“I am going to give on Wednesday my annual dinner to the natives here - indeed, the smallness of our table will force me, I fear, to make two dinners of it- and I want you to send me off by to-morrow’s night Mail a Barrel of Oysters and three or four Lobsters, which will arrive on Tuesday and be ready to take the field on Wednesday evening. The Fish for Dinner I think I can get good enough here, and certainly cheaper.”“I wish you would send to Longman for ‘Paul’s Letters to his Kinsfolk ‘for me, and if Murray has not already forwarded Hunt’s ‘Rimini ‘to me, they can come together.”

Five Letters, three 4to., two 8vo. (one of three sides), 14th, 21st, 23rd, 27th and 31st March, 1816
” Poor Lord Byron ! I begin to think you had better perhaps publish his Song with Stevenson’s Music, for I should suppose he would not wish the words any longer delayed from the Public.” “The fish you sent was excellent, I assure you my name as a dinner-giver has gone far and wide on the strength of it. The lobster particularly will not soon be forgotten. No one here ever saw so large a one, and I have heard more than once since of my ‘Lobster as big as myself?’” “We had a charity ball in Ashbourne on Tuesday, of which I was steward, and I am to be in the chair at the Lancaster anniversary at Derby on the 30th, so you see what I am promoted to,” “actually smoked out of our house.” “The poor man at the inn (whose charity ball was last week), has just sent me in a small account of about six pounds, if you could conveniently send me so much before Sunday - for I believe he is much distressed.”
”I lost half my last night’s sleep in fidgetting over the possi-

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bility of your having already distributed some copies of this Song.” “How could you think that I would take away the compliment of the Dedication from Dalton, or that Bessy would accept of it, so transferred?” “I hope you drank our healths on the marriage anniversary, last Monday.” “I have promised to dedicate • Oh yes - when the bloom of Love’s boyhood/ to Miss Strutt.”

Three Letters, two 4to. (both of two sides), and one folio, 11th, 14th, and 22nd April, 1816, (the latter franked by Mr. Arkwright)
”You really are to be pitied. Your Poet 140 miles off, your Composer 300, and your poor assistant Benison lying ill - no one else would bear it with half so much patience.” “It was very lucky you sent me the former revises of the letterpress with the last ones, for I find that the Printer had the unaccountable stupidity to put instead of • The Star of its Worship’
- The Star of its Honship. One would think he was looking at the caricature you sent me, for the star of his Horseship would be very appropriate there - but there is no such thing as trusting printers. I suppose my hand-writing misled him.”
<{ You have not said what you thought of my grand exhibition at Derby ?” “The impudence of that scribbler Fitzsimons is quite amusing.” Sends dedication of the first number of Sacred Songs to Edward Tuite Dalton, Esq. “As I exp?cted I am obliged to give another dinner to clear off my debts here. You cannot conceive what a Dr. and Cr. account they keep of dinners.” t( My number at dinner is six - a Baronet and an M.P. the chief dignitaries ! is’nt salmon very good just now ?”

Two Letters. One 4 to., one 8vo. Thursday, and May 30,

1816

“Athenaeum, Thursday. u I came to town last night and have just been to Longmans where I have l done the deed,’ and you shall have the money to-morrow.” [See Lord John

e 2

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Russell’s note in Memoirs, Vol. II. p. 110.] “Bessy wants a set of the Irish Melodies, as those I gave her before we were married are grown too old and too precious for use.”

Three Letters, 4to. (one of three sides) 6th, 13th, and 24th June, 1816
” I hear rumours of war from Dublin, between you and the Knight, and you and your brother. Is there any further progress in hostilities since I left you ? “” I am in a most nervous state of anxiety about our next number of Irish Melodies, for we are sadly off for materials. I must have Bunting’s two volumes to look over and Thomson’s first.” “I wish you to have the name ‘Bessy’ cancelled in the last verse of the ‘Sale of Loves,’ and ‘Susan’ put in its place. My happiness is (as they say) * too true to put in a Ballad ! ‘“” The collections you have lent me (particularly Doctor Kelly’s) have given me more confidence about our next number.” On the other side are the remaining verses of “Reason and Folly and Beauty.” [Four verses follow.’]

Five Letters, four 4to., one 8vo. (of three sides), 1st, 16th, 31st July, Monday Nt., and Tuesday Nt. 1816

“Your Prospectus or Advertisement you should have had sooner- but that I have some doubt about the policy of appearing so anxious for subscribers to the work. Any great desire for subscription always looks too like a diffidence in the attraction of the work to purchasers - however, if you think any object is to be gained by it you must know better than I, the effect of these things - only I have always perceived that when a book is well established in public favour there is never much anxiety shewn about subscribers - of all this, however, you are the best judge.”

“Don’t you think it would be right to say • Moore’s Irish Melodies, over the Advertisement ? there are so many now.” 44 1 have paid my rent this day - twenty pounds, which I

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nursed up since I left London, and have at the same time, given six months’ notice of quitting my cottage. So that you see I am determined to pass the winter with you.” “Heartily, most heartily sorry am I that the die is cast, and that you are indeed become ‘belligerent Powers,’ instead of keeping to that ‘Holy Alliance’ which Nature meant between you. But there is no help for it now. What I write principally for is to beg that you -will bring a copy of Fitzsimon’s second number with you.” Four Letters, two 4to., two 8vo., 11th, 14th, 19th, and Monday Night, August, 1816
” I wish you would look at a house I see advertised, No. 2, in the street off Grosvenor Place, where Raymond lives, and let me know the terms, &c.” “We expect Rogers here the day after to-morrow, and I am afraid he will insist upon my going on with him to the Lakes for two or three days.” “Rogers has been with us for the greater part of last week, and it was with some difficulty and much regret on both sides that I got off going with him to the Lakes of Cumberland; but I could not spare the time, and besides Bessy is ordered for a week or a fortnight to Matlock or Buxton.” “I wish you would send to Hone, the bookseller (in Fleet St., I believe, he who published something of Lord Byron’s) for half a dozen copies of

’ Lines on the Death of , from the Morning Chronicle/

They are mine, and I find from my friend Rogers, have made a great noise.” “Tired as I am after an excursion to Dove-dale with our young friend Grierson. I have contrived to copy out my weekly task for you.” “We go to Matlock for a few days on Wednesday.”

Three Letters, two 4to. (one of two sides) one 8vo. (two sides),

2nd, 12th, and 29th September, 1816

“Matlock. With much difficulty I have got a pen and ink to scrawl you a line, which I fear you will take for Stevenson’s, from the penmanship of it.” lt This place is very pleasant, but

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we shall leave it the day after to-morrow.” “I send you the two I promised, I have a good many more verses to * Ladies eyes.’ What is the real name of this Air?” [Fague a Ballagh - a phrase now applied to the 88th Regiment.’] Sends two verses :

“He was wandering from virtue, from peace, and from fame, Nor knew what he sunk to, so flowery the fall.”

Four Letters, three 4 to. (one three and one two sides), one Svo. (three sides), 10th, 14th, 20th, and 30th October, 1816
” Derby.” ft I have only time to say that here I am in the thick of the Music meeting, and (what is better) here is Sir John Stevenson too. He goes back with me to the Cottage on Friday or Saturday.” “Sir John came with me here (Mayjield Cottage) on Saturday, and we have been at work ever since. We have done ‘Silently Sleeps.’ This earth is the planet.’ ’Hark the Vesper hymn.’ ’Tell me not of Eden’s bowers.’ The banquet is over ‘- and I have written a few anonymous words for him to one of his own duetts.” Enquiries respecting Sir John’s son. “I never ceased courting Mrs. Robt. Arkwright at the Musical Festival on the subject of her Songs for you.” “I open my letter to add, that we must likewise inflict upon you the trouble of going to Stevenson’s Slaughter House in St. Martin’s Lane to enquire if there are any letters for him.” * I send you the following things which Stevenson has arranged within these few days. ‘The banquet is over ‘’ This earth is the planet.’ “and eight more are named.
” Which three \last~\ (he bids me tell you), with the two above mentioned Sacred Melodies “[’ Go forth to the Mount ‘and 1 Weep Children of Israel’ (”written by me and compared by him within this week “)], and the nineteen he sent you by Mr. Rawlins from Derby, make up his Number of twenty- four.”
” Between ourselves, the worthy knight has brought a most troublesome house about my ears. His son has now been with us for a week, and unless you contrive to urge Sir John to

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leave town, he is likely to continue as much longer, which will be such a tax on my time and patience as I really shall but very ill be able to bear. In addition to all this, the Lambarts have arrived [from Lord Talbot’s in Staffordshire] to see young Stevenson to-night, and they dine with us to-morrow, and I should not at all wonder if they too took a fancy to their quarters and remained here till Stevenson’s arrival - so pray do hurry him out of town, or I shall be ruined. I tell you all this in perfect confidence, but time is just now so precious to me, that some thing must be done to free me from these very inconsiderate visitors.’ ,

One Letter, 4to. (three sides), 5th November, 1816

Sends Dedications of ‘Oft in the Stilly night,* and other Songs done “during his \j$ir John Stevensori s~] last moments here “\_at Mayfield Cottage] to Miss Caroline Strutt, to Miss Isabella Strutt, and to Miss Selena Cooper. “His boat glee is to be inscribed to Miss Cooper/’

“When you are sending me down the Reviews ge Philipp’s Garland for Sheridan, and let it come with them.” “Stevenson has had the magnificence to make me a present - at least I think he means it so. You are to order for me next door to your house, four cravats of the same pattern he got there. One of them was spotted with a kind of rose-bud, and another with a little purplish spot. They were to be put down to his account/’ Mr. Moore to Mrs. Power (during Mr. Power’s absence in Dublin). Two letters, 4to. 2nd and 28th December, 1816
” I have had a letter from Mr. Power, and am delighted to find that the business between him and his brother is likely to be settled by arbitration.”

Five letters, three 4to. (one of three, and one of four sides).

Thursday Night, Saturday Night, three undated, 1816 “Indeed, my chief reason for wishing to go to town was, the thought that I might be instrumental in bringing you and Stevenson to more amicable feelings towards each other.” Copies

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of “Almighty God, when round thy Shrine,” published in the Sacred Songs, and “The Sale of Loves.” “Only I know you are not a sarcastic fellow, at least to me, I should have suspected something of the kind lurking in the first sentence of your last letter, where you hoped that the ‘recovery from the fatigues of my dinner parties (one of them about six weeks since) would enable me soon to send the Ballads I had promised.’ You shall have the Ballads and myself along with them on Sunday next, and we shall I hope crack a bottle over the birth of the Sacred Songs before I leave you.” With reference to Mr. Philip Crampton’s words, for a duett by Sir John Stevenson, entitled “Peace,” Mr. Moore writes - “As to what Stevenson says about the Duke of Dorset, the words are not so meant by any means. They allude (though certainly rather confusedly) to the Duchess’s signing, with Lord Whitworth, the short peace of 1802.”

One Letter, 4to. (two sides), 14 th January, 1816 Memoirs, No. 342. Three lines at the end omitted by his Lordship.

One Letter, 4to. 24th September, 1816

Memoirs, No. 359. One Letter, 8vo. (two sides), 1st October, 1816

Memoirs, No. 360.

Two lines in the body of the letter, with five after the signature omitted by his Lordship.

After the Melodies. u His [Sir John Stevenson’ ’s] letter (which is, to be sure, a unique) is inclosed.” “Pray send the inclosed as soon as possible. Mrs. McMullins address you have somewhere in your books, it is Hercules Buildings, Lambeth, I think.”

Three Letters, 4to. 2nd, 4th, and 22nd January, 1817

“I have just been suffering scarification over my left temple, and have lost between three and four ounces of blood for a

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troublesome pain I had had for some time in my head, which the medical men both here [Derby] and at Ashbourne say has proceeded from too intense application.” “The pain in my head returned again last night, and I suppose I must lose a good deal more blood - it is unfortunate I should be troubled with any thing in my head just now when I have such urgent demand for all its exertions.”

Four Letters, two 4to. (one of two sides), two 8vo. February 8th, and 26th, 28th, and 31st March, 1817

“I have not yet looked at the proofs, but shall endeavour to send those you want for Stevenson immediately, and shall take the rest with me to town myself the week after next when I go to put my Poem \Lalla Rookh] to press, and take a house somewhere near London till it is published. I do not mean to carry up my live luggage till I have the house ready to put them in. I got the £5 quite safe, and it has kept the devil out of my pocket these few weeks past - but I am now obliged to draw, and I am sorry to say most of the sum goes to pay the Longmans what I lately extracted from them, till I see whether there is likely to be any evasion about the Terms of the Poem. If they hesitate you and I will print it ourselves.”

“I feel quite sure you will not press me now (in the crisis of my fate) more than is absolutely necessary, nor oblige me to bring out the Number in a state I do not perfectly approve of. In addition to the feelings of kindness I know you have for me, it would evidently not be your own interest to do so, as if I fail in my great work I shall still have my fame in the lyrical way to retire upon; but, if I should so unluckily contrive it, as at the same time to fail in both, I am be-devilled, and you with me. You may depend, however, upon my doing every thing to have the Number out as soon after the Poem as possible, but I am the more anxious to have it good from looking upon it as a corps de reserve for my fame, in case the main attack is unsuccessful.” “I have just given my tailor a draft for 5639 which he will present to-morrow.”

Eight Letters, two 4to., five 8vo., one l2mo., 24th, and 26th April, 6th, 10th, 14th, 15th, 21st, and 31st May, 1817. One of two sides, dated “Hornsey,” with a draft on Mrs. Branigan for j£20. (never presented).
” My money I left with Mrs. Branigan to take care of for me.” “I have not been in town since I saw you except on Saturday last, when I went in to the Royal Academy dinner.”
” I believe I am to be announced for the 22nd, so you may imagine what a bustle I am in.” “About this dav week I hope to.see you in town and crack a bottle with you to Larry Rook and other Irish friends of ours.” “Will you and Mrs. Power come out and dine with us to-morrow ? You know our hour (three o’clock), and the stage will take you back at seven,” Six Letters, one 4to. four, 8vo., one 12mo. June - , 26th August, 10th, 18th, 19th, (56, Davies Street,) and 20th September, 1817
” I have received the Edinburgh Review, full of praises of Lalla Rookh. The one that first spoke slightingly (as I told you) has quite altered its tone, and there is in the Journal called * The Scotsman’ a most flattering article.” “We think Barbara a little better-.” “Barbara has been this morning so ill that we felt seriously alarmed - however, the medical man says she is not worse.” “All’s over - my dear sir - we’ve lost our poor Barbara,” &c. “You will find us here - where we are more retired (there being none of them in town) than we could be any where else. May I trouble you to lend us a couple of table and tea spoons and a couple of forks,” &c. “May I ask you to have the inclosed put in the Morning Chronicle, Times, and Courier of Monday V Five Letters, three 4to., two 8vo. ,9th October, 15th, 24th, 27th, and 30th November, 1817. One with beautiful impression of the Poefs Seal, with Erin go bragh above the Irish Harp. Wishes Mr. Power to accompany Bessy “in the Coach down

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to Sittingbourne, and look at a house there is there to be let ?”
” Stothard means to do the Willow over again, and, indeed,

promised to have it ready to-day. Rogers says the two other

drawings are the best he ever saw of even his favourite Stothard’s, and wishes you would dispose of them to him, when the engravings are taken.” Sends new words to “the Girl I left behind me.” “I am gradually getting into some sort of comfort.” “I shall try him again by Tuesday’s post, when I shall send you the second verse of ‘Wreath the Bowl’ with the music. When we are settled, however, I think we shall be very comfortable the Green-house has been left in statu quo; 76

plants as per inventory.” [Post mark, Devizes.]

Four Letters, one 4to., three Svo. (one of two sides), 3rd, 8th, 19th, and 29th December, 1817 {see Uth December, 1818)
” This note is the first I have written in my new study, which is I assure you very neat and comfortable. We were last night till very late getting the books into the shelves.” Alluding to an air composed to “Tell me not,” Moore writes, “I think it is the sort of thing Braham would like- if he will sing any thing of mine - and at all events you had better try him with it.” “I am glad you agree to my decision about Stevenson, and hope it will all end as amicably as I wish- but would’ nt it have been better of you to tell me you wanted my opinion in writing, as a document ? because that would have given me an opportunity of wording it with more care and strictness. As it is, there is nothing in what I wrote to you, I believe that is not exactly what I mean. But I certainly should like that, at the same time with my opinion of his want of punctuality, there should likewise stand upon record what I thought of your over-exactness, if you had held him down rigorously to the strict letter of his agreement. It is now, however, I hope in a fair way of being settled - but it is the ill-blood generated in these transactions on both sides, which always makes it so difficult to do anything with them.” “I send you the little

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Preface [to the National Airs] which I hope you will like. You will perceive, that I have made a pretty direct puff in it, and I rather think it will not be taken wrongly. If, however, it should appear to you too strong, it will be very easy to leave out the two last sentences altogether, and end with the words ‘Hippocrene with its Song.’ “[This passage did appear ’, but is omitted by Mr. Moore in his Collected Works.] “The Edinburgh Article is come out, and considering that Jeffery had a hard card to play, having committed himself to the Public by such a sweeping condemnation of my poetry altogether, I have come off pretty well. Indeed the only thing he seems to complain of is my having too many beauties.” Six Letters, two 4to., three 8vo., one irregular, Monday (two), Wednesday, Saturday, Saturday Night, and one undated 1817
”Oft in the stilly, &c, I shall take up with me.” Parcel
” to be folded in strong paper and forwarded by the mail to Mr. Jeffery immediately.” “Send the inclosed to Twiss, and get an answer if you can to it? I don’t know his direction, and our places at the Theatre to-morrow night depend upon him.” “I am obliged to go off to the Russell Square region to enquire about the Branigans, but I shall be with you at four o’clock, and join you over your pot -luck, if you’ll let me.”
” We have left our keys behind us in the bundle, and therefore shall be doomed to pass the night in a lock up house f if you do not send it to us by the bearer.” “We shall have a fine life of it between him [Mr. William Power] and Carpenter.”

One Letter, 8vo. 8th January, 181/ Memoirs, No. 362.

Three lines in the body and two at top omitted by his Lordship. “I send three Irish Melodies, and shall make a parcel of the Proofs as soon as I have the other two ready for you.” “I must trouble you to pay the postage of the inclosed for me - it is for Venice.”

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One Letter, 4to. 18th January, 1817 Memoirs, No. 364.

[Memo, by Mr. Power] “Bank of England note for £5. dated Nov. 8, 1816, No. 4563.” One Letter, 4to. Paris, 7th August, 1817 Memoirs, No. 379. P.S. omitted by his Lordship.
” Pray pay the inclosed for me.” One Letter, 4to. 19 th November, 1817 Memoirs, No. 386.

Eight lines in the body omitted by his Lordship.
” I wish you would immediately on receiving this go to the Morning Chronicle office and alter my direction from Calne to Devizes. Write a little note also to Mr. Cruise, newsman, 72, Little Britain, and bid him direct my Examiner to Sloperton Cottage, Devizes. I should be glad also if you would any time you are passing by Murray’s leave my proper address with him - any day will do for this, but pray mind about the others immediately, and bid Cruise send the Examiner off on Sundays” One Letter, 8vo. 20th December, 1817

Memoirs, No. 387. One Letter, 4to. 23rd December, 1817 Memoirs, No. 388. Eight lines omitted by his Lordship.

”As to the dedication, you know it was merely under consideration whether I should dedicate it to Lady Lansdowne - and I rather think it would look too ready with my homage to the noble neighbours, and that I shall not dedicate to any one.”
” I find I omitted inclosing the notes of the worthy Father and Son - but they shall go in my next.” Five Letters, four 4 to. (one of two sides), one 8vo. (unsigned, two sides), 5th, 12th, 21st, 27th, and 31st January, 1818
” The air of ‘a Temple to Friendship’ is a Waltz, but of

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what country I don’t know. You could easily find out by enquiring. It is in these things we miss poor Bennison. We are going on Monday to pass a day or two at my friend Bowler’s, and I expect to make use of him in finding out for me some good sacred airs.” “Lady Lansdowne has so won me over by her good nature to Bessy, that I mean after all to dedicate the book to her. I told her, however, she should have the Songs to look over, before she committed herself as Dedicatee.” Mentions a long letter from Lady Flint about her compositions to Lalla Rookh. Corrections to “Dost thou remember,” and
”Oh come to me.” “I was surprised on Sunday by a letter from your brother’s Attorney, giving me notice of my attendance being necessary in February at the trial of his action against you. This is sad work every way, and will be devilish inconvenient to myself - besides the real and deep regret I feel at the explosion between you. Lady Lansdowne is coming to call on Bessy this morning, when I mean to play the airs to her.”
” We expect Mrs. Branigan down on a farewell visit some time soon. You know, I suppose, they are going to Jamaica for two years.” Sends dedication to the Marchioness of Lansdowne.
”I am in great alarm about our Seventh Number [Irish Melodies’], in the first place T miss one in the set which you sent me, which I particularly wish to keep, that is, ‘Shake the tears from thy harp, let the light of its Song.’ In the next place I cannot reconcile myself to keeping ‘When the cold earth lies over,’ though they are some of my best words; but they go so cursedly ill to that tune. In the third place you have printed the two different sets of words I sent you for ‘the Girl I left behind me’ together. When I wrote the words beginning * Against the wind her foaming track,’ I meant that the former ones beginning ’Tho’ joy in every land may cheer,’ should be entirely cancelled. For God sake look for * Shake the tear from thy harp,’ as I tremble for the success of the Number unless we make it much better than it.” “When vou are

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advertising the National Melodies, do not put f dedicated to, &c* as it always looks puffy and vulgar.”

Three Letters, 4 to. (two of two sides). 6th, 21st, and 28th February, 1818 With reference to numerous cancels Mr. Moore writes,
” You may easily suppose it would be much less trouble to me to let it go out as it is without racking my brains to improve it; but my anxiety for the reputation of the work is predominant over every other feeling.” “Let me have Philipp’s second letter to the Edinburgh Review published by Hone.” “What Stevenson now proposes,” &c. (he being much in want of money),
&c. u it will give great pleasure to hear that the matter is finally settled, as we have had God knows enough of wrangling - enough to disgust me almost with what has hitherto been the pleasantest pursuit of my life, and to incline me very much to give it up altogether.” rt Wishing success to whatever side right is upon, and trusting,” &c. “A letter which I received yesterday induces me (though it was my intention not to agitate this matter till after our approaching settlement) to ask you whether it is truly and sincerely your wish to renew the agreement that has been between us, on the same terms and for the same time. I have no other object in asking this question than merely that it may enable me to answer more satisfactorily rather an important suggestion that has just been made to me by a friend of mine- therefore if you think your answering it would commit you, in any respect, further than you wish, the matter is not so urgent but that I can wait your own time with patience - particularly, as it is not my intention to decide upon any thing till after the settlement of my present account with you. Whatever may be your determination or my own I trust nothing wi 1 ever disturb the friendly intercourse between us so long. You will always find me ready to acknowledge with gratitude, the liberality, promptitude, and friendliness of your dealings with me. As to your transactions

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with your brother, that is another concern, and I have seen much on both sides to lament and disapprove of. But with respect to your conduct to me, I am glad to have an opportunity of thus putting upon record, that up to this moment (with the single exception of your a/^er-thought of a deduction from my annuity - (a circumstance which I myself do not see in half so unfavourable a light as some of my friends), I have experienced nothing from you but the most ready liberality, the most kind attentions and the most considerate toleration of my irregularity and delays. This is the language, altogether, which I hold to every one, in speaking of your conduct to me, and I trust I never shall have reason to recall a single word of it.”

Six Letters, four 4to., two 8vo., 4th, 9th, 13th, 24th, 28th and 30th March, 1818
” I am sadly vexed to find Stevenson has not written the new accompaniment to the single voice (it will not require any alteration as harmonized) of ‘Wreath the Bowl.’ He promised me most faithfully he would, and it was only on that promise that I let him off the evening we looked over them together.” “Why don’t you announce the National Melodiesin the Newspapers. Is this the name you have determined on ? I should rather have preferred (what I believe I called them at first), ‘Airs of all Countries,’ or something perhaps shorter than this - but I suppose the title’s engraving. Do you see a new book by Thomas Brown announced in the Papers ? What a dreadful account of your Strand Fire !’’ “Returns proofs of 7th Number Irish Melodies, except * They may rail at this life/ for which I must have another second verse, if I can possibly hit upon one to please me, and many is the attempt I have made. - It will, I believe, be a pretty Number after all - The words are certainly as good as any. Luck attend it and all you undertake is sincerely the wish of yours, &c.” “It would be a great ease to my mind to leave out ‘They may

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rail at this life,’ but it will be such a gem in the Number, if I can finish it properly, that I will certainly not indulge my idleness by rejecting it.” “After many attempts (so many as would surprise you) I have found that my first idea of the second verse for ‘They may rail at this life’ was much better than I have since been able to strike out, and accordingly with some alteration in the four last lines, it is to stand pretty much as it was before.- Has the Arbitrator made his award? I have been anxious, but almost fearful to ask about it.”

Five Letters, three 4 to., two 8vo., 12th, 14th, 16th, 19th and 25th May, 1818
” It has occurred to me since I came down that we must have a Preface to the 7th Number, and it is odd neither of us thought of it before. You shall have it in a day or two. I have got a most valuable correspondent and contributor for our future Melodies - a Mr. Croker, near Cork, who has just sent me thirty-four Airs, and a very pretty drawing of a celebrated spot in his neighbourhood. He promises me various traditions too, and sketches of the scenery connected with them. All which will be of the greatest service to us.” “I shall set out for Ireland on Monday.” - “What an extraordinary decision this is ! I cannot understand it, tho’ I own I feared all along something unfavourable to you. My only hesitation as to a future agreement between you and me is the fear that with all these burdens on you, you will not be equal to it. One thing I can promise you and that is, that your brother shall never have anything to do with me. - Keep up your spirits, my dear Sir. Nothing is got by drooping, and with exertion you may retrieve all yet.” “I am delighted to hear you are making up your mind so heroically.” Manchester - Saturday, “I will attend to what you say about Stevenson. I hope to be in Dublin on Tuesday.”

Two Letters, one 4 to., one 8vo., 23rd and 26th June, 1818

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“What is to be done about the Sacred Songs ? Stevenson was very ill when I was in Dublin, and I had no time to speak to him, but your brother told me he is determined not to arrange them. Dalton however seemed to think he ought as a private matter between him and me, and I intend to try whether he will not.” “Didn’t I say that ‘They may rail at this life’ was to be set half a note lower? It can’t be helped now, I suppose.”
• “You have not I suppose seen a full account of my dinner, as it appeared in the Irish papers - and I have not one to spare to send you.” “The Longmans’ have behaved with uncommon generosity to me about the Fudges- they have added two hundred pounds to my share of the profits from their own, which is a thing of course I never could have dreamt of.”

Four Letters, three 4to., one 8vo., 7th, 12th, 16th, and 24th July, 1818
” Your brother has kept so close to the wind with me, that I feel not the least overflowings of generosity towards him, and therefore should wish him to have no more than according to the most rigid interpretation of the deed, he is entitled to. With you I trust I shall have other opportunities (after we have entirely settled this affair) of shewing what I feel. I congratulate you on the spirit that has been shewn in so many of the Elections.” “Mr. Rogers will send some papers to your house for me, which you will take great care of (as they are Sheridan’s MS.)” “I wish you to get a plate engraved for me, at some Stationer’s near you, for a paper to paste in the front of my books with my name and crest. I dare say you have seen what I mean. Only don’t let them make the Black’s face too like me ! Tell them it is the crest of the Drogheda Arms (a black’s head out of a Coronet), and perhaps they will be able to put it in some more tasteful form than the above, by enclosing it in a garter or some such way; - but pray get it done as soon as you can, and have a thousand struck off for

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me.” w The motto in the garter ought, I suppose, to be that of the arms, which is

FOKTIS CADERE CEDEEE NON POTEST.

Let them not make any mistake in the words. The Coronet maybe in or not.”

”In your various characters of Bill Accepter, Fish-Agent,
&c. &c. I keep you always fully employed. I now want you to dispatch me, by to-morrow night’s coach, a good dish of fish for Saturday’s dinner. Lord Lansdowne comes to eat a family dinner with us, and a Lord’s family dinner is a poet’s best one you know.” “You perceive we have got rid of our large bill
- all by the Fudges. I do not owe the Longmans’ a farthing. I shall however in the course of a few days make use of your name for a small shot of forty pounds or so.”

Three Letters, 4 to., 14th, 18th, and 28th August, 1818

“I am full of grief and dismay, as usual, at the prospect of interminable war between you and your brother, and I am seriously afraid it will have the effect of preventing any satisfactory arrangement between you and me, for I am sure to be hooked, some way or other, into the conflict, if I continue connected with either party.” “I think of going in a few days to Leamington Spa for the purpose of having an interview with Mrs. Lefanu, the only surviving sister of Sheridan.” “On my return I found your letter with the account of poor Mr. Cooper’s death, and 1 have since had one from his son on the same subject. It appears to me to have been very like murder altogether. I inclose you a letter I have had from Stevenson, which you will see leaves us in the lurch altogether as to our arrangements. I really do not know what is to be done. I detest the idea of giving my things into the hands of any one else, and yet in justice to your claim upon them, they must be put into a finished state by some one.” “Pray pay Lord Byron’s letter for me.”

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Six Letters, five 4to., one 8vo., 3rd and 30th September, 2nd, 5th, 12th, and 31st October, 1818

“I have promised to go for two days to Sir Francis Burdett’s, and as his house is on the way to town, my intention at present is (if it will not delay your business too much) to go to him on Monday next, stay over Tuesday, and be in town on Wednesday night.” With reference to Sir John Stevenson, Mr. Moore says that he conceived that Mr. Power had performed his part of what he had decided between them, in accepting Sir John’s draft, “and that he alone appeared to me to have failed in not giving those things he had agreed for. I shall now I think tell him that as I perceive I cannot depend upon his steadiness for fulfilling punctually what I determine, I shall leave him to his other advisers.” “I write to you now about a most important affair - no less than a turtle of 120 lbs. weight, which Branigan has, it appears, consigned to you for me. I shall be much obliged by your receiving the illustrious stranger with all due attention, and forwarding him in as good health and spirits as possible to Sloperton. I mean him as a present to my neighbour the Marquis, who is much better able to entertain such an expensive guest than I am.” “I hope this reformation in his [Sir John Stevenson s] ideas will be the means of restoring peace between you.” “I grieve to hear that the Foreigner we expected has died upon his passage, and am sorry you have had so much trouble about him, but I forgot to mention to you that this Captain is also the bearer (or ought to be) of a shawl for Bessy and a small parcel for me. These can’t have died on the passage also, and are worth inquiring about.”
” You see Perry has puffed us well, and Hunt has promised an Article on the subject; but I wish you would call at the Morning Chronicle office with the correction’s I have written at the other side. How could they make such a precious blunder?” *’ I find that Wilkie and Murray are coming down to me about

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rny Sheridan work. If you and the Longmans were to join the party I should be finely beset !”

Four Letters, 4to. (one of two sides), 11th December, 1817, (the first referring to arbitration with Stevenson, placed out of date by mistake), 14th November, llth and 22nd December, 1818

”I suppose you find the 7th Number [Irish Melodies’] rather slow in its circulation, from the dull season it was brought out in, but I trust it will be a thriving winter vegetable for you.”
” There is nothing in the world more easy to be understood than the decision I proposed, and you have shewed over and over in conversation with me that you did understand it. However, here it is again. That Stevenson should make up his number of twenty-four each year from the commencement of your agreement to the end, and that you should pay him the full amount of the stipulated annuity. My arguments to induce you to sacrifice the contested points (viz. his irregularity in the time of giving these things, &c.) I shall not repeat; because if they were good for anything you remember them, and I thought indeed you were convinced by them. I perceive, however, the whole affair is as unsettled as ever, and I shall therefore hopelessly resign my office as arbitrator. What I mean by saying,”
&c. “I am sorry we did not come to some more explicit understanding about our future connection when I was in town, as there are many circumstances about which I am puzzled how to act. I have found it necessary to make use of your name for a bill at two months, having got rid of all my money in , leaving myself (thank God) without a single serious debt on my shoulders. I have written to Stevenson to say that I completely and finally wash my hands of all future concern in the differences between him and you. I also have entreated him to let me know decisively what he means to do with respect to the pieces that yet remain to be arranged for the Sacred Melodies,

as if he will not do them off hand for me, I must get somebody else.”

Three Letters and Advertisement to the National Melodies, (with the omitted passage, termed by Moore “a pretty direct puff” three 4to., one 8vo. Wednesday, Epping Forest, Wednesday - Saturday, Pater-Noster row,

(1818)?

u It is not indeed, without strong hopes of success that I present this First Number of our Miscellany to the Public. As the Music is not my own, and the words are little more than unpretending interpreters of the sentiments of such Airs, it will not perhaps be thought presumption in me to say I consider it one of the simplest and prettiest collections of Songs to which I have ever set my name.” - T. M.

“I suppose it is too late to object - but I do not like the Magdalen at all [by Westall]. There is not sufficient beauty in the face, and the drawing is bad.” “I am better pleased with the set since I wrote last, and if Stevenson will attend to my remarks, he may improve his symphonies, &c. without much alteration. What I wished very much was to get something like ‘Sound the loud Timbrel.’ “” Arrived this morning and went instantly to a Proctor; who has given me some comfort
- my case is not so immediately desperate as I feared. I should have been with you afterwards, but the rain has made me prefer close quarters here, where I dine.” [Pater-noster Row~\.

Mr. Moore to Mr. Power, and Mr. John Power, five Letters, one folio, three 4 to. one 8vo. (of three sides), undated.
” Tuesday morning. I am not very well, and am going to my Father’s to dinner.” “The letter to Sir James Cockburn must be put in to-morrow.” “Will you, when you are sending any thing to me, find a little book called ‘the adopted Daughter/ for Statia, and let me have it. It is written by a Miss Sandham.” Second verse of “A Temple to Friendship,” [for National Melodies, after which Stothard made his drawing

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engraved in that work]. “The two last lines may form the subject - the figures to be the sculptor and the maiden carrying off a statue of Cupid, while an image of Friendship stands neglected on the floor.” “I am sorry that I gave you the annoyance of sending the seventh Number to Stevenson (for it could have been easily avoided), but, indeed, where there is so much disagreeable entanglement, I find it is impossible to stir a step without annoying some of you. As to keeping the proofs, that may be my fault also,” &c. “I long to hear what was your set-off against your brother’s charge on Carpenter’s business. That was (to say the least of it) unlucky. I did not hear Maiden’s evidence, but Carpenter told me that, if he were upon oath, he could not rate what he gave you in at less than seventy pounds. I was very anxious to hear your own statement of this.”

One Letter, 4 to. 6th April, 1818.

Memoirs, No. 392.

The last line, omitted by his Lordship. “You saw but one thing of mine in the Chronicle.” One Letter, 4to. 16th June, 1818.

Memoirs, No. 396.

Twenty-four lines in the body of the letter omitted by his Lordship. “I have had a sad mishap on my way home, which I want you to set about remedying for me as immediately as possible. I have exchanged portmanteaus with some one on the road- a Mr. James Rogerson, as the brass plate on his portmanteau shews. My name is also luckily on mine, so that I should suppose we shall have but little difficulty in restoring our property to each other. What I want you to do is to go immediately to the Bull and Mouth Inn (which is the place, I believe, where the Shrewsbury Mail puts up), and ask there whether a gentleman who arrived in the Mail from Shrewsbury yesterday morning had said anything about a mistake in his portmanteau, or had left his address there. I left Shrewsbury

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in this Mail and quitted it at Birmingham, where I rather think the exchange took place. His portmanteau shall be forwarded to him the moment I hear that mine is safe. There are some papers of great consequence in mine, besides the whole of my wardrobe, which makes me of course very anxious about it. Pray, lose no time about this. I send you on the other side a draft upon the Longmans for the twenty pounds, which you have to pay my landlady on the 18th. Tour brother borrowed from Ellen her copy of the National Airs, and, I suppose, instantly set to work upon them, as she had not got them back when I left Dublin. He says he can play the deuce with you for publishing before him - is it so V