IV.]

A MOST DELIGHTFUL MONSTER.

451

with in his own country, has rendered him, it is said, gloomy and misanthropic. Much good may it do him! If at the age of 28, when he can already reproach himself with having written six volumes of the finest poetry, it had been possible thoroughly to know the world, he would have been aware that in the 19th century there is but one alternative, to be a blockhead or a monster. Be this as it may, he is the most delightful monster I ever knew; in talking of poetry in any literary discussion he is as simple as a child; the reverse is the case with an academician. He can speak the ancient Greek, the modern Greek, and the Arabic. He is learning the Armenian language here of an Armenian Papa, who is occupied in composing a very curious work to ascertain the precise situation of the Garden of Eden. This work, Lord Byron, whose sombre genius adores the oriental fictions, will translate into English. Were I in his place, I would pass myself off as dead, and commence a new life, as Mr. Smith, a worthy merchant of Lima."

APPENDIX V.

BYRON'S UNFINISHED SKIT ON SOTHEBY'S TOUR (1816-17) WITH HIS FAMILY, PROFESSOR ELMSLEY, AND DR. PLAYFAIR.

(See p. 191, note 1.)

"Ravenna, August 19th 1820.

"ITALY, OR NOT CORINNA: A TRAVELLING ROMANCE BY AN ÉCRIVAIN EN Poste.

"In the year 181-, not very long after the peace of Lord Castlereagh's, which only resembled that of the Deity, in its passing 'all understanding,' among the 100,000 travellers who broke loose from Great Britain in all directions, there were two whose movements we mean to follow, and some others who will be found to follow those movements.

"They were young men between twenty and thirty years of age: their names were Amandeville and Clutterbuck, which are still recorded in the various Inn-books of their route, with considerable variations of orthography, according to the accomplishments of the waiter who took them down for the police; they are also carved on some of the window frames, and written in the Album of Arqua immediately under those of Mr. Solemnboy, the poet, Mrs. Solemnboy, and the six Miss Solemnboys, who much about the same period began to travel-the young ladies for improvement, the old lady for company, and Mr. Solemnboy himself, at the age of Sixty, for the acquisition of languages, being addicted to translation.

"The two single Gentlemen above mentioned posted in their light barouche, with no great luggage, and a patience, acquired on the great English North road, of nine miles an hour, which, however, became more worthy of comparison with that of Job, by the probationary exercise of several days journey on German roads with German postillions, in their way to a more genial climate.

"Mr. Solemnboy and family had more soberly contracted with a Vetturino, for the sum of 12 louis, to convey them to Paris, finding them in food and the French language on the way, in consequence of which agreement they had ample leisure afforded for the digestion of the one and the acquisition of the other.

v.]

AN UNFINISHED SKIT.

453

"On their arrival at the grand metropolis of the civilized World, which at this period was civilizing the Bashkins, who had travelled all the way from the Chinese wall to see it, they wondered and were delighted; and Mr. Solemnboy published an Ode to the uppermost Emperor of the day, which Mr. Galignani, who appropriates most English works by republication, has not yet pirated, though it has now been several years printed.

"After a short stay in Paris, they accompanied their Vetturino to Switzerland and Italy, in the same ratio as before and in the same vehicle, which, though large, was neither speedy nor convenient. It admitted the rain, but excluded the light, and was only airy during a high wind, or a snow storm. However, by dint of being obliged to get out on going up a hill, and of being thrown out on going down one, they contrived to see so much of the Country as to acquire a tolerable notion of landscape; and their letters dated G were full of past and present description, with very little assistance from Coxe's Guide-book."

APPENDIX VI.

EXTRACTS FROM THE ARCHIVES OF THE POLICE.

(See page 294, and note on Countess Guiccioli.)

I. THESE reports and letters, extracted and translated from the Archives of the Police at Bologna, show the interest with which the various Governments in Italy followed the movements of Byron.

1. Report from the Director of Police at Bologna to the Director-General of Police at Rome.

"1819, 21st August (No. 12).

"Milan, at the present time, is the centre [speaking of the Società Romantica] and principal seat of this Society, to which have been already admitted various gentlemen of that capital. The celebrated Pellegrino Rossi, perhaps well known to Your Excellency, is a prominent member.

"This Rossi is in correspondence with the well-known Lord Byron, who, according to information which you have already received from me from Florence, is endeavouring to establish a similar society at Bologna. What he has done is, to hire a suite of rooms for a year in the Merendoni Palace, which are being furnished by him throughout. My Lord arrived four days ago, and went to stay at Pellegrino's Hotel, where he still is, and where he will remain, I expect, until the Casa Merendoni is ready. Many ladies already begin to visit him, the first of whom is the Marchesa Guiccioli.

"As I am advised from Florence, Lady Morgan is visited with the same object, and also the well-known Lord Kinnaird, who fired a pistol at the Duke of Wellington, obeying, I suppose, the impulse of his capricious nature.

"It is indeed remarkable that neither the Austrian nor the Tuscan Governments have ever (to their own peril) foreseen or suspected in any way the existence of such secret societies.

"I do not conceal from your Excellency that this news both

VI.]

BYRON AND THE GUICCIOLI.

455

perplexes and embarrasses me. Byron is a man of letters, and his literary merit will attract to him the most distinguished men of learning in Bologna. This class of men has no love for the Government. Your Excellency sees, therefore, how difficult it becomes for me to exercise the necessary supervision over my Lord's private affairs. Your Excellency may be certain that I shall not remain inactive; but you will neither refuse, nor even delay, to give me your most kind advice, which will point out to me the safest and most useful course for me to adopt.

"I must take this opportunity of assuring you of the esteem and respect with which I invariably, etc., etc.”

2. Report to the Director of the Police at Bologna.

"YOUR EXCELLENCY,-The Countess Guiccioli, and not Vissoli, is said to be the innamorata of Lord Byron. She is the wife of our Cavaliere Guiccioli of Ravenna, and lives in the Contrada Gallieri, number 567, adjoining the Palazzo Merendoni. I am assured that an old servant of this lady has been ordered by her to get certain articles of furniture, and that he has bought some from various secondhand shops, and particularly from Agostino Montanari, who lives at Carrobio. It seems that these purchases have been made with the knowledge of Lord Byron, and that the furniture has been moved to an apartment on the ground floor of the above-mentioned house, number 567. It would seem, moreover, that the aforesaid Lord has paid for these articles.

"It appears that Lord Byron intends to go the day after tomorrow to his new house, which has already been prepared for him. So a house-porter states; also Professor Cardinali, who has certain relations with this nobleman, from whom, as I understand, Cardinali expects to receive a considerable sum in reward for the dedication made, or about to be made, to him of one of his works.

"After dinner to-day, Lord Byron sent a messenger to demand a passport for a servant of his, saying that he had to send him to Venice with a very pressing letter. The official in charge of the passport department told him that it would be necessary to bring his request before your Excellency, this being laid down by the police regulations. It is to be noted that Lord Byron has not yet deposited his passport, nor demanded his permit to remain.

"I have the honour to sign myself, etc., etc.

"For the Sub-directory of Police, 22nd August, 1819, in the evening."