my face. However, if she don't know, nobody can.

"Mackintosh is, it seems, the writer of the defensive letter in the
Morning Chronicle. If so, it is very kind, and more than I did for
myself.

"Told Murray to secure for me Bandello's Italian Novels at the sale
to-morrow. To me they will be _nuts_. Redde a satire on myself, called
'Anti-Byron,' and told Murray to publish it if he liked. The object of
the author is to prove me an atheist and a systematic conspirator
against law and government. Some of the verse is good; the prose I don't
quite understand. He asserts that my 'deleterious works' have had 'an
effect upon civil society, which requires,' &c. &c. &c. and his own
poetry. It is a lengthy poem, and a long preface, with a harmonious
title-page. Like the fly in the fable, I seem to have got upon a wheel
which makes much dust; but, unlike the said fly, I do not take it all
for my own raising.

"A letter from _Bella_, which I answered. I shall be in love with her
again, if I don't take care.

"I shall begin a more regular system of reading soon.


"Thursday, March 17.

"I have been sparring with Jackson for exercise this morning; and mean
to continue and renew my acquaintance with the muffles. My chest, and
arms, and wind are in very good plight, and I am not in flesh. I used to
be a hard hitter, and my arms are very long for my height (5 feet 8-1/2