CHAPTER XVII.

THE MOCENIGO PALACE, VENICE, JANUARY, 1818JANUARY, 1819.

THE FORNARINA" ODE ON VENICE"-MAZEPPA-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.