Staying with the Spencers at Althorp. Persae on the point of publication. Begs for the Medea as soon as possible.
Further textual question. Agamemnon proceeding very slowly.
Year per Horsfall. Proposal to print the collation of the Agamemnon in the Museum Criticum, if PE does not object.
Beginning to review PE's Heraclidae. B in a contract with Constable, not Murray (but is this sarcasm?). PE writing in Gentleman's Magazine as Graeculus. PE and B both criticised by one Bailey. PE to send criticism to Hermann.
Nautical metaphor re B's inferiority to PE as critic. Some remarks on errata in Heraclidae. Plans for a Callimachus, to be dedicated to Earl Spencer. Prosiness of Eur. Helen. 'Mourning Bride' (Congreve) translated in Dictionnaire Historique as 'L'Epouse de Matin.' (Samuel) Butler to translate a poem by Lucien Buonaparte (sic) (Charlemagne, or The Church Delivered, publ. 1815). B's Callimachus progressing - Elegies his forte, Hymns s'sad stuff.' Inferior quality of 2/3 surviving Greek poetry - critics gain credit for sorting out the texts, but do not thereby improve the world.
Loss of only child. Possible reconciliation with Butler? B's review of PE in Quarterly Review. Printing errors in Museum Criticum. Books from continent held up by weather. Persae ready apart from collation of one ms. Barker mounting a campaign against Monk.
Year determined by 1816-02-21. Encloses 3 of Hermann's Opuscula, to be returned to Mawman's booksellers when finished with. 'in haste, for the trout await.'
Some notes on PE's Herclidae.
Asks for return of the Hermanns vis Mawman (v. 1815-09-06). Proceeding with Agamemnon. Seeks advice on some textual points.
Re a cousin of PE who wishes to go to Cambridge (for first degree and then a fellowship). B believes Trinity is the only college to offer fellowships to Scotchmen. Has applied a little too late, and may be better advised to go up in October 1822.