‘Dear Rogers,—I wrote to you hastily this morning by Murray to say that I was glad to do as Mackintosh and you suggested about Mr. Godwin. It occurs to me now that as I have never seen Mr. G. but once, and consequently have no claim to his acquaintance, that you or Sir J. had better arrange it with him in such a manner as may be least offensive to his feelings, and so as not to have the appearance of officiousness nor obtrusion on my part. I hope you will be able to do this, as I should be very sorry to do anything by him that may be deemed indelicate. The sum Murray offered, and offers, was, and is, one thousand and fifty pounds: this I refused before because I thought it more than the two things were worth to M. and from other objections, which are of no consequence. I have, however, closed with M. in consequence of Sir J.’s and your suggestion, and propose the sum of six hundred pounds to be transferred to Mr. Godwin in such a manner as may seem best to you and his friend. The remainder I think of for other purposes.
‘As M. offered the money down for the copyrights it may be done directly, and I am ready to sign and seal immediately, and perhaps it had better not be delayed. I shall feel very glad if it can be of any use to Godwin,
1 I do not know why Moore dates this letter February. In the MS. the Jay seems clear enough; in the next letter, which Moore does not publish, the Jn is unmistakable. On the other hand, in the letter on page 210 the Fy is equally clear. I have printed the letters from Byron’s manuscript. |
| BYRON'S GENEROSITY FRUSTRATED | 213 |
