"It doubtless gratifies me much that our _finale_ has pleased, and
that the curtain drops gracefully.[12] _You_ deserve it should, for
your promptitude and good nature in arranging immediately with Mr.
Dallas; and I can assure you that I esteem your entering so warmly
into the subject, and writing to me so soon upon it, as a personal
obligation. We shall now part, I hope, satisfied with each other. I
_was_ and am quite in earnest in my prefatory promise not to
intrude any more; and this not from any affectation, but a thorough
conviction that it is the best policy, and is at least respectful
to my readers, as it shows that I would not willingly run the risk
of forfeiting their favour in future. Besides, I have other views
and objects, and think that I shall keep this resolution; for,
since I left London, though shut up, _snow_-bound, _thaw_-bound,
and tempted with all kinds of paper, the dirtiest of ink, and the
bluntest of pens, I have not even been haunted by a wish to put
them to their combined uses, except in letters of business. My
rhyming propensity is quite gone, and I feel much as I did at
Patras on recovering from my fever--weak, but in health, and only
afraid of a relapse. I do most fervently hope I never shall.

"I see by the Morning Chronicle there hath been discussion in the
_Courier_; and I read in the Morning Post a wrathful letter about
Mr. Moore, in which some Protestant Reader has made a sad confusion
about _India_ and Ireland.

"You are to do as you please about the smaller poems; but I think
removing them _now_ from The Corsair looks like _fear_; and if so,
you must allow me not to be pleased. I should also suppose that,
after the _fuss_ of these newspaper esquires, they would materially