Warm praise of Heraclidae (1st 7 sheets thereof) - compared to Porson's Hecuba. Porson's books (inc. Brubach, with Milton's notes) purchased by the college (Trinity?) and in JHM's rooms. PE to come to Cambridge and meet JHM for the 1st time. Classical Journal - Valpy has little judgement - Dobree and Tate condemn it - dubious allies, inc. Barker and Parr. Expects the Museum Criticum to make a loss for the 1st year or so. (though Murray will pay all the expenses). JHM will notice PE's Sophocles in the Edinburgh Review, and Blomfield will notice his OT in the Museum Criticum.
Distasteful review of Hippolytus in the Gentleman's Magazine. Only knows of Hermann's two plays (Supplices and HF) belonging to Dobree - has borrowed them and is sending them to PE (Supplices reviewed by PE in Classical Journal of March/June 1814). Wants to get the second number of the Mus Crit ready in the next four weeks before he leaves Cambridge until October. Will insert by instalments Bentley's mss notes from the British Museum collection (Monk subsequently wrote a life of Bentley). PE has a volume containing letters of David Ruhnken - asks for loan of it. Some comments on typos in 2nd ed of Hippolytus. More on Barker.
Apologises for not seeing PE in town - everyone's minds in such a state of high fever that he could not think of Greek. PE to Paris - asks for notes on mss. Of Alcestis.
PE has promised an Annotation on each of Porson's plays - could PE instead insert in the 6th No. of Mus.Crit. that on the Hecuba? If so, JHM will propose the play as one of the subjects for next October for his 'young men.' Many members of university absent (see next letter).Also seeks a book review of anything.
May soon have two rather than just one uncle in the Cabinet, so may be able to assist PE with a preferment. His grandmother's legacies. PE should have ordered some copies of his Sophocles to be printed on large paper, to be given as presentation copies. Hears that Carey is doing well at Westminster. Southey's Amadis is in the press
Asks for two copies of PEW's Sophocles (one for him, one for his uncle Tom). C Burney has been to dinner - talk of mss., one supposedly the 1st act of Sophocles' Clytemnestra, but probably a composition of the time of Gregory Nazianzen, and the other a ninth century Plato containing nothing new, but which might confirm some readings. PE needs good corrector - he does not possess attention enough to proofread.
Uses compasses (v.398) as excuse for not writing sooner, but in truth has been busy with 'the infernal defence of the country.' Abortive visit to Hafod (Uchtryd), arranged by his elder brother, to visit Thomas Johnes and the house, and to see the Froissart ms. (Johnes' translation?) - saw no more than the outside of the larder and library. Four days at Keswick with Southey - mornings spent scrambling among mountains and waterfalls, evenings reading Madoc and Portuguese History (NB latter never finished only Part 1 published, The History of Brazil). Miss (2nd daughter Edith?) promises to be 'a finer child than her predecessor' (Margaret, died aged 1 in 1803?).
Asks PE to buy Ritson's Songs, vellum or Morocco - a present for a lady - together with last three volumes of Madame (de) Genlis' Petits Romans. Southey's brother dismissed from his ship by court martial - but officer who replaced him lost his life in action.
