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.'
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.
Museum Criticum No 7 on point of publication - more than enough material. Review of PE's Bacchae - may be sent to Giffoerd at the Quarterly, or may be given to Monk. Response to Burgess' charges of plagiarism against B. Writer of review of B's Agamemnon in the last Quarterly identified. Too busy to get to Althorp this winter. Doing less Classics and being more of a cleric. Asks for notes on the Knights, as they are proceeding with Museum Criticum No 8.
