1817.] SENTIMENTS ON VENICE. 189 Hobhouse's care several boxes of papers, some full of receipts which may be referred to or consulted in settling my affairs. Mr. Hobhouse is now here, but intends to be in England in a couple of months. 682.-To Richard Belgrave Hoppner. Venice, December 15, 1817. I should have thanked you before, for your favour a few days ago, had I not been in the intention of paying my respects, personally, this evening, from which I am deterred by the recollection that you will probably be at the Count Goess's this evening, which has made me postpone my intrusion. I think your Elegy a remarkably good one, not only as a composition, but both the politics and poetry contain a far greater proportion of truth and generosity than belongs to the times, or to the professors of these opposite pursuits, which usually agree only in one point, as extremes meet. I do not know whether you wished me to retain the copy, but I shall retain it till you tell me otherwise; and am very much obliged by the perusal. My own sentiments on Venice, etc., such as they are, I had already thrown into verse last summer, in the fourth canto of Childe Harold, now in preparation for the press; and I think much more highly of them, for being in coincidence with yours. Believe me yours, etc. 1. Count Goetz, the Austrian Governor of Venice. CHAPTER XVII. THE MOCENIGO PALACE, VENICE, JANUARY, 1818JANUARY, 1819. THE FORNARINA-" ODE ON VENICE"—MAŽEPPA— DON JUAN, CANTO I. 683.-To John Murray. I. My dear Mr. Murray, Venice, January 8, 1818. You're in a damned hurry To set up this ultimate Canto; But (if they don't rob us) You'll see Mr. Hobhouse Will bring it safe in his portmanteau. 2. For the Journal1 you hint of, As ready to print off, No doubt you do right to commend it; 1. The first number of the Edinburgh Monthly Magazine was printed for William Blackwood in April, 1817. Murray purchased a half-share in the Magazine in August, 1818, and remained its joint proprietor till December, 1819, when it became the exclusive property of William Blackwood. |