"Yours," &c.

* * * * *

LETTER 401. TO MR. MOORE.

"Ravenna, Dec. 9. 1820.

"Besides this letter, you will receive _three_ packets, containing,
in all, 18 more sheets of Memoranda, which, I fear, will cost you
more in postage than they will ever produce by being printed in the
next century. Instead of waiting so long, if you could make any
thing of them _now_ in the way of _reversion_, (that is, after _my_
death,) I should be very glad,--as, with all due regard to your
progeny, I prefer you to your grandchildren. Would not Longman or
Murray advance you a certain sum _now_, pledging themselves _not_
to have them published till after _my_ decease, think you?--and
what say you?

"Over these latter sheets I would leave you a discretionary
power[13]; because they contain, perhaps, a thing or two which is
too sincere for the public. If I consent to your disposing of their
reversion _now_, where would be the harm? Tastes may change. I
would, in your case, make my essay to dispose of them, _not_
publish, now; and if _you_ (as is most likely) survive me, add what
you please from your own knowledge; and, _above all, contradict_
any thing, if I have _mis_-stated; for my first object is the
truth, even at my own expense.