'I am not at present in the very highest health, at the top of it. I assure you that there are some -spring, probably; so I have lowered my diet and loftier spirits. taken to Epsom salts. "Nothing, however, can better than your poem, "As you say my prose is good, why don't you or more deserved by the lazzaroni. They are now treat with Moore for the reversion of the Memoirs? abhorred and disclaimed nowhere more than here. -conditionally, recollect; not to be published before We will talk over these things (if we meet) some decease. He has the permission to dispose of them, day, and I will recount my own adventures, some of and I advised him to do so." which have been a little hazardous, perhaps. LETTER CCCCLXXXVIII. TO MR. MOORE. "Ravenna, April 28, 1821. "So you have got the letter on Bowles? I do not recollect to have said any thing of you that could offend,-certainly, nothing intentionally. As, for, I meant him a compliment. I wrote the whole off-hand, without copy or correction, and expecting then every day to be called into the field. What have I said of you? I am sure I forget. It must be something of regret for your approbation of Bowles. And did you not approve, as he says? Would I had known that before! I would have given him some more gruel. My intention was to make fun of all these fellows; but how I succeeded, "You cannot have been more disappointed than myself, nor so much deceived. I have been so at some personal risk also, which is not yet done away I don't know. with. However, no time nor circumstances shall "As to Pope, I have always regarded him as the alter my tone nor my feelings of indignation against greatest name in our poetry. Depend upon it, the tyranny triumphant. The present business has rest are barbarians. He is a Greek Temple, with been as much a work of treachery as of cowardice, a Gothic Cathedral on one hand, and a Turkish -though both may have done their part. If ever Mosque and all sorts of fantastic pagodas and conyou and I meet again, I will have a talk with you venticles about him. You may call Shakspeare upon the subject. At present, for obvious reasons, and Milton pyramids, if you please, but I prefer the I can write but little, as all letters are opened. In Temple of Theseus or the Parthenon to a mountain mine they shall always find my sentiments, but of burnt brick-work. nothing that can lead to the oppression of others. "The Murray has written to me but once, the day "You will please to recollect that the Neapolitans of its publication, when it seemed prosperous. But are nowhere now more execrated than in Italy, and I have heard of late from England but rarely. Of not blame a whole people for the vices of a province. Murray's other publications (of mine) I know That would be like condemning Great Britain be-nothing, nor whether he has published. He was cause they plunder wrecks in Cornwall. to have done so a month ago. I wish you would do "B" "And now let us be literary;-a sad falling off, something, or that we were together. but it is always a consolation. If Othello's occu66 Ever yours and affectionately, pation' be gone, let us take to the next best; and, if we cannot contribute to make mankind more free and wise, we may amuse ourselves and those who like it. What are you writing? I have been scribbling at intervals, and Murray will be publishing| about now. "Lady Noel has, as you say, been dangerously ill; but it may console you to learn that she is dangerously well again. "I have written a sheet or two more of Memoranda for you; and I kept a little journal for about country. LETTER CCCCXC. TO MR. MURRAY. "Ravenna, May 10, 1821. a month or two, till I had filled the paper-book. I "I have just got your packet. I am obliged to then left it off, as things grew busy, and, afterward, Mr. Bowles, and Mr. Bowles is obliged to me, for too gloomy to set down without a painful feeling. having restored him to good humor. He is to write, This I should be glad to send you, if I had an op- subject. I desire nothing but fair play for all par and you to publish, what you please,-motto and portunity; but a volume, however small, don't go ties. Of course, after the new tone of Mr. Bowles well by such posts as exist in this inquisition of a you will not publish my defence of Gilchrist it As a very pretty woman said would be brutal to do so after his urbanity, for it is to me a few nights ago, with the tears in her eyes, You may tell him what I say there of his Missionarather too rough, like his own attack upon Gilchrist. as she sat at the harpsichord, 'Alas! the Italians must now return to making operas.' I fear that. (it is praised, as it deserves.) However, and if and macaroni are their forte, and 'motley their there are any passages not personal to Bowles, and only wear. However, there are some high spirits Among them still. Pray write, "I have no news. "And believe me, &c." LETTER CCCCLXXXIX. TO MR. MOORE. "Ravenna, May 3, 1821. "Though I wrote to you on the 28th ultimo, I yet bearing upon the question, you may add them to the reprint (if it is reprinted) of my first letter to you. Upon this consult Gifford; and, above all, don't let any thing be added which can personally affect Mr. Bowles. "In the enclosed notes, of course, what I say of the democracy of poetry cannot apply to Mr. Bowles, but to the Cockney and water washing-tub schools. "I hope and trust that Elliston won't be permitted to act the drama! Surely he might have the grace to wait for Kean's return before he attempted it; though, even then, I should be as much against the attempt as ever. "I have got a small packet of books, but neither must acknowledge yours of this day, with the Waldegrave, Oxford, nor Scott's novel's among lines. They are sublime, as well as beautiful, them. Why don't you republish Hodgson's Childe and in your very best mood and manner. They are Harold's Monitor and Latino-mastix? they are ex also but too true. However, do not confound the cellent. Think of this,-they are all for Pope. scoundrels at the heel of the boot with their betters "Yours, &c." "Ay, down to the dust with them, slaves as they are," &c., &c. LETTER CCCCXCI. TO MR. HоРРNER. "Ravenna, May 11, 1821. not dejected, and I shall not take the usual resource of blaming the public, (which was in the right,) or my friends for not preventing-what they could not help, nor I neither-a forced representation by a speculating manager. It is a pity, that you did not "If I had but known your notion about Switzer- show them its unfitness for the stage before the play land before, I should have adopted it at once. As was published, and exact a promise from the manait is, I shall let the child remain in her convent, gers not to act it. In case of their refusal, we would where she seems healthy and happy, for the present; not have published it at all. But this is too late. but I shall feel much obliged if you will inquire, "Yours. when you are in the cantons, about the usual and. "P. S. I enclose Mr. Bowles's letters; thank better modes of education there for females, and let him in my name for their candor and kindness.me know the result of your opinions. It is some Also a letter for Hodgson, which pray forward. The consolation that both Mr. and Mrs. Shelley have Milan paper states that I brought forward the written to approve entirely my placing the child play!!! This is pleasanter still. But don't let with the nuns for the present. I can refer to my yourself be worried about it; and if (as is likely) whole conduct, as having neither spared care, kind- the folly of Elliston checks the sale, am ready to ness, nor expense, since the child was sent to me. make any deduction, or the entire cancel of your The people may say what they please, I must con- agreement. tent myself with not deserving (in this instance) that they should speak ill. "You will of course not publish my defence of Gilchrist, as after Bowles's good humor upon the subject, it would be too savage. Let me hear from you the particulars; for, as yet, I have only the simple fact. LETTER CCCCXCIII. The place is a country town, in a good air, where there is a large establishment for education, and many children, some of considerable rank, placed in it. As a country town, it is less liable "If you knew what I have had to go through to objections of every kind. It has always appeared here, on account of the failure of these rascally to me, that the moral defect in Italy does not pro- Neapolitans, you would be amused: but it is now ceed from a conventual education,-because, to my apparently over. They seemed disposed to throw certain knowledge, they came out of their convents the whole project and plans of these parts upon me innocent even to ignorance of moral evil,-but to chiefly." the state of society into which they are directly plunged on coming out of it. It is like educating an infant on a mountain-top, and then taking him to the sea and throwing him into it and desiring him to swim. The evil, however, though still too general, is partly wearing away, as the women are more permitted to marry from attachment; this is, I believe, the case also in France. And, after all,] "May 14, 1821. what is the higher society of England? According "If any part of the letter to Bowles has (uninto my own experience, and to all that I have seen tentionally, as far as I remember the contents) and heard, (and I have lived there in the very high-vexed you, you are fully avenged; for I see by an est and what is called the best,) no way of life can Italian paper, that, notwithstanding all my remonbe more corrupt. In Italy, however, it is, or rather strances through all my friends, (and yourself was, more systematized, but now, they themselves among the rest,) the managers persisted in attemptare ashamed of regular serventism. In England, ing the tragedy, and that it has been unanimously the only homage which they pay to virtue is hypoc- hissed!!' This is the consolatory phrase of the risy. I speak of course, of the tone of high life,- Milan paper, (which detests me cordially, and the middle ranks may be very virtuous. abuses me, on all occasions, as a Liberal,) with the TO MR. MOORE. "I have not got any copy (nor have yet had) of addition, that I brought the play out' of my own the letter on Bowles; of course I should be delight-good-will. ed to send it to you. How is Mrs. H.? well again, "All this is vexatious enough, and seems a sort I hope. Let me know when you set out. I regret of dramatic Calvinism-predestined damnation, that I cannot meet you in the Bernese Alps this without a sinner's own fault. I took all the pains summer, as I once hoped and intended. With my poor mortal could to prevent this inevitable catasbest respects to madam, "I am ever, &c. trophe-partly by appeals of all kinds up to the "P. S. I gave to a musicianer a letter for you Lord Chamberlain, and partly to the fellows themsometime ago; has he presented himself? Perhaps selves. But, as remonstrance was vain, complaint you could introduce him to the Ingrams and other is useless. I do not understand it-for Murray's ⚫ dilettanti. He is simple and unassuming-two letter of the 24th, and all his preceding ones, gave strange things in his profession-and he fiddles me the strongest hopes that there would be no relike Orpheus himself or Amphion; 'tis a pity that presentation. As yet, I know nothing but the fact, he can't make Venice dance away from the brutal which I presume to be true, as the date is Paris, and tyrant who tramples upon it.' LETTER CCCCXCII. TO MR. MURRAY. "May 14, 1821. the 30th. They must have been in a hell of a hurry for this damnation, since I did not even know that it was published; and, without its being first published, the histrions could not have got hold of it. Any one might have seen, at a glance, that it was utterly impracticable for the stage; and this little accident will by no means enhance its merit in the closet. "Well, patience is a virtue, and, I suppose, prac"A Milan paper states that the play has been tice will make it perfect. Since last year, (spring, represented and universally condemned. As re- that is,) I have lost a lawsuit, of great importance, monstrance has been vain, complaint would be use- on Rochdale collieries-have occasioned a divorceless. I presume, however for your own sake, (if have had my poesy disparaged by Murray and the not for mine,) that you and my other friends will critics-my fortune refused to be placed on an adhave at least published my different protests against vantageous settlement (in Ireland) by the trustees its being brought upon the stage at all; and have my life threatened last month-(they put about a shown that Elliston (in spite of the writer) forced paper here to excite an attempt at my assassination, it upon the theatre. It would be nonsense to say on account of politics, and a notion which the priests that this has not vexed me a good deal, but I am disseminated that I was in a league against the Ger acted, which I would even pay for, (as money is their object,) or I will not publish-which, however, you will probably not much regret. mans)-and, finally, my mother-in-law recovered ture publication we will request a promise not to be last fortnight, and my play was damned last week!* These are like the eight-and-twenty misfortunes of Harlequin.' But they must be borne. If I give in, it shall be after keeping up a spirit at least, I should not have cared so much about-it, if our southern neighbors had not bungled us all out of freedom for these five hundred years to come. "The Chancellor has behaved nobly. You have also conducted yourself in the most satisfactory manner; and I have no fault to find with any body but the stage-players, and their proprietors. I was "Did you know John Keats? They say that he always so civil to Elliston, personally, that he ought was killed by a review of him in the Quarterly-if to have been the last to attempt to injure me. he be dead, which I really don't know. I don't "There is a most rattling thunder-storm pelting understand that yielding sensitiveness. What I away at this present writing; so that I write neither feel (as at this present) is an immense rage for by day, nor by candle, nor torch light, but by lighteight-and-forty hours, and then, as usual-unless ning light: the flashes are as brilliant as the most this time it should last longer. I must get on horse-gaseous glow of the gas-light company. My chimback to quiet me. Yours, &c. ney board has just been thrown down by a gust of "Francis I. wrote, after the battle of Pavia, All wind: I thought it was the Bold Thunder' and is lost except our honor.' A hissed author may re- Brisk Lightning' in person.-Three of us would verse it Nothing is lost except our honor. But be too many. There it goes-flash again! but the horses are waiting, and the paper full. I wrote last week to you." LETTER CCCCXCIV. TO MR. MURRAY. 'Ravenna, May 19, 1821. "By the papers of Thursday, and two letters of Mr. Kinnaird, I perceive that the Italian Gazette had lied most Italically, and that the drama had not been hissed, and that my fends had interfered to prevent the representation. So it seems they continue to act it in spite of us all: for this we must 'trouble them at 'size.' Let it by all means be brought to a plea: I am determined to try the right, and will meet the expenses. The reason of the Lombard lie was that the Austrians-who keep up an Inquisition throughout Italy, and a list of names of all who think or speak of any thing but in favor of their despotism-have for five years past abused me in every form in the Gazette of Milan, &c. I wrote to you a week ago on the subject. 'I tax not you, ye elements, with unkindness; 1 never gave ye franks, wor call'd upon you: ' as I have done by and upon Mr. Elliston. 66 Why do you not write? You should at least send me a line of particulars: I know nothing yet but by Galignani and the Honorable Douglas. Well, and how does our Pope controversy go on? and the pamphlet? It is impossible to write any news: the Austrian scoundrels rummage all let ters. and some real information, were it not that all let- LETTER CCCCXCV. • TO THE COUNTESS GUICCIOLI. "You will see here confirmation of what I told Now, I should be glad to know what compensa- you the other day! I am sacrificed in every way, tion Mr. Elliston would make me, not only for drag-without knowing the why or the wherefore. The ging my writings on the stage in five days, but for tragedy in question is not (nor ever was) written being the cause that I was kept for four days (from for, or adapted to, the stage; nevertheless, the plan Sunday to Thursday morning, the only post days) is not romantic; it is rather regular than otherin the belief that the tragedy had been acted and wise;-in point of unity of time, indeed, perfectly unanimously hissed; and this with the addition regular, and failing but slightly in unity of place.that I had brought it upon the stage,' and conse- You well know whether it was ever my intention to quently that none of my friends had attended to my have it acted, since it was written at your side, and at request to the contrary. Suppose that I had burst a period assuredly rather more tragical to me as a a blood-vessel, like John Keats, or blown my brains man than as an author; for you were in affliction and out in a fit of rage,-neither of which would have peril. In the mean time, I learn from your Gazette been unlikely a few years ago. At present I am, that a cabal and party has been formed, while I myluckily, calmer than I used to be, and yet I would self have never taken the slightest step in the businot pass those four days over again for-I know not ness. It is said that the author read it aloud!!!— what. here, probably, at Ravenna-and to whom? per"I wrote to you to keep up your spirits, for re-haps to Fletcher!!!-that illustrious literary charproach is useless always, and irritating-but my acter, &., &c. feelings were very much hurt, to be dragged like a gladiator to the fate of a gladiator by that 'retiarius,' Mr. Elliston. As to his defence and offers of compensation, what is all this to the purpose? It is like Louis the XIV. who insisted upon buying at any price Algernon Sydney's horse, and, on his refusal, on taking it by force, Sydney shot his horse. I could not shoot my tragedy, but I would have flung it into the fire rather than have had it "Since I wrote to you last week I have received represented. English letters and papers, by which I perceive that "I have now written nearly three acts of another, what I took for an Italian truth is, after all, a French intending to complete it in five,) and am more anx- lie of the Gazette de France. It contains two ultraious than ever to be preserved from such a breach falsehoods in as many lines. In the first place, of all literary courtesy and gentlemanly considera-Lord B. did not bring forward his play, but opposed the same; and, secondly, it was not condemned, but tion. LETTER CCCCXCV1. TO MR. MOORE. "Ravenna, May 20, 1821. "If we succeed, well; if not, previous to any fu- is continued to be acted, in despite of publisher, author, Lord Chancellor, aud (for aught I know to the contrary) of audience, up to the first of May, at least-the latest date of my letters. • See Letter ccccxcix. ↑ See Don Juan, canto xi., stanza xxx. "You will oblige me, then, by causing Mr. Ga-while all this kick-up has been going on about the zette of France to contradict himself, which, I sup- play? You SHABBY fellow!!! Were it not for twc pose, he is used to. I never answer a foreign criti-letters from Douglas Kinnaird, I should have beer. cism; but this is a mere matter of fact, and not of as ignorant as you are negligent. opinions. I presume that you have English and "So, I hear Bowles has been abusing Hobhouse? French interest enough to do this for me-though, if that's the case, he has broken the truce, like to be sure, as it is nothing and the truth which we Morillo's successor, and I will cut him out, as wish to state, the insertion may be more difficult. Cochrane did the Esmeralda. "As I have written to you often lately at some "Since I wrote the enclosed packet I have comlength, I won't bore you farther now, than by beg-pleted (but not copied out) four acts of a new ging you to comply with my request; and I presume tragedy. When I have finished the fifth I will the 'esprit du corps,' (is it 'du' or 'de?' for this is copy it out. It is on the subject of 'Sardanapalus,' more than I know) will sufficiently urge you, as one the last king of the Assyrians. The words Queen of ours,' to set this affair in its real aspect. Be- and Pavilion occur, but it is not an allusion to his lieve me always yours ever and most affectionately, "BYRON." LETTER CCCCXCVII. TO MR. HOPPNER. "Ravenna, May 25, 1821. Britannic Majesty, as you may tremulously imagine. LETTER CCCCXCIX. I am very much pleased with what you say of Switzerland, and will ponder upon it. I would rather she married there than here for that matter. For fortune, I shall make it all that I can spare, (if I live and she is correct in her conduct,) and if I die before she is settled, I have left her by will five thousand pounds, which is a fair provision out of England for a natural child. I shall increase it all I can, if circumstances permit me; but, of course (like all other human things) this is very un-off my fifth act of the tragedy called 'Sardanap certian. TO MR. MURRAY. "Ravenna, May 28, 1821. "Since my last of the 26th or 25th, I have dashed alus.' But now comes the copying over, which "You will oblige me very much by interfering to may prove heavy work-heavy to the writer as to have the FACTS of the play-acting stated, as these the reader. I have written to you at least six times scoundrels appear to be organizing a system of abuse sans answer, which proves you to be a-bookseller. against me because I am in their list. I care noth-I pray you to send me a copy of Mr. Wrangham's ing for their criticism, but the matter of fact. I have reformation of Langhorne's Plutarch.' I have the written four acts of another tragedy, so you see Greek, which is somewhat small of print, and the they can't bully me. Italian, which is too heavy in style, and as false as "You know, I suppose, that they actually keep a list of all individuals in Italy who dislike them-it me a Life, published some years ago, of the Magician a Neapolitan proclamation. I pray you also to send must be numerous. Their suspicions and actual Apollonius of Tyana. It is in English, and I think alarms, about my conduct and presumed intentions edited or written by what Martin Marprelate calls in the late row, were truly ludicrous-though, not a bouncing priest.' I shall trouble you no farther to bore you, I touched upon them lightly. They with this sheet than with the postage. believed, and still believe here, or affect to believe it, that the whole plan and project of rising was settled by me, and the means furnished, &c., &c. "" wax. "Yours, &c., "N. "P. S. Since I wrote this, I determined to enclose All this was more fomented by the barbarian agents, it (as a half sheet) to Mr. Kinnaird, who will have who are numerous here, (one of them was stabbed the goodness to forward it. Besides, it saves sealingyesterday, by-the-way, but not dangerously :)—and although, when the Commandant was shot here before my door in December, I took him into my house, where he had every assistance till he died on Fletcher's bed; and although not one of them dared to receive him into their houses but myself, they leaving him to perish in the night in the streets, they put up a paper about three months ago, denouncing me as the Chief of the Liberals, and stirring up persons to assassinate me. But this shall never silence nor bully my opinions. All this came from the German barbarians.' LETTER CCCCXCVIII. TO MR. MURRAY. "DEAR MORAY, LETTER D. TO MR. MURRAY. "Ravenna, May 30, 1821. "You say you have written often: I have only received yours of the eleventh, which is very short. By this post, in five packets, I send you the tragedy of Sardanapalus, which is written in a rough hand: perhaps Mrs. Leigh can help you to decipher it. You will please to acknowledge it by return of post. You will remark that the unities are all strictly observed. The scene passes in the same hall always: the time, a summer's night, about nine hours, or less, though it begins before sunset and ends before sunrise. In the third act, when Sar"Since I wrote the enclosed a week ago, and for danapalus calls for a mirror to look at himself in some weeks before, I have not had a line from you: his armor, recollect to quote the Latin passage now, I should be glad to know upon what principle from Juvenal upon Otho, (a similar character, who of common or uncommon feeling, you leave me did the same thing:-Gifford will help you to it. without any information but what I derive from gar-The trait is perhaps too familiar, but it is historical, bled gazettes in English, and abusive ones in Ital-(of Otho, at least,) and natural in an effeminate ian, (the Germans hating me, as a coal-heaver,) character." "MR. MORAY, "Ravenna, May 25, 1821. LETTER DI. TO MR. HOPPNER. "Ravenna, May 31, 1821. "I enclose you another letter, which will only confirm what I have said to you. "About Allegra-I will take some decisive step in the course of the year; at present, she is so happy where she is, that perhaps she had better have her alphabet imparted in her convent. for it,-and I shall take better care this time that they don't get hold on't. "I have also sent, two months ago, a farther letter on Bowles, &c.; but he seems to be so taken up with my respect' (as he calls it) towards him in the former case, that I am not sure that it will be published, being somewhat too full of pastime and prodigality.' I learn from some private letters of Bowles's, that you were the gentleman in asterisks.' Who would have dreamed it? you see what mischief that clergyman has done by printing What you say of the Dante is the first I have notes without names. How the deuse was I to heard of it-all seeming to be merged in the row suppose that the first four asterisks meant 'Campabout the tragedy. Continue it!-Alas! what could bell' and not Pope,' and that the blank signature Dante himself now prophecy about Italy? I am meant Thomas Moore? You see what comes of glad you like it, however, but doubt that you will being familiar with parsons. His answers have not be singular in your opinion. My new tragedy is yet reached me, but I understand from Hobhouse completed. that he (H.) is attacked in them. If that be the "There are no news here to interest much. A German spy (boasting himself such) was stabbed last week, but not mortally. The moment I heard that he went about bullying and boasting, it was easy for me, or any one else, to foretell what would occur to him, which I did, and it came to pass in two days after. He has got off, however, for a slight incision. The Benzoni is right,-I ought to have men-case, Bowles has broken the truce, (which he himtioned her humor and amiability, but I thought at self proclaimed, by-the-way,) and I must have at her sixty, beauty would be most agreeable or least him again. likely. However, it shall be rectified in a new "Did you receive my letters with the two or three edition; and if any of the parties have either looks concluding sheets of Memoranda? or qualities which they wish to be noticed, let me have a minute of them. I have no private or personal dislike to Venice, rather the contrary, but I merely speak of what is the subject of all remarks and all writers upon her present state. Let me hear from you before you start. Believe me, "Ever, &c. "P. S. Did you receive two letters of Douglas Kinnaird's in an endorse from me? Remember me "A row the other night, about a lady of the to Mengaldo, Soranzo, and all who care that I place, between her various lovers, occasioned a should remember them. The letter alluded to in midnight discharge of pistols, but nobody wounded. the enclosed, to the Cardinal,' was in answer to Great scandal, however-planted by her lover-to be some queries of the government, about a poor devil thrashed by her husband; for inconstancy to her of a Neapolitan, arrested at Sinigaglia on suspicion, regular servente, who is coming home post about it, who came to beg of me here; being without and she herself retired in confusion into the counbreeches, and consequently without pockets for try, although it is the acme of the opera season. halfpence, I relieved and forwarded him to his All the women furious against her (she herself country, and they arrested him at Pesaro on sus- having been censorious) for being found out. She picion, and have since interrogated me (civilly and is a pretty woman-a Countess ****—a fine old politely, however), about him. I sent them the Visigoth name, or Ostrogoth. poor man's petition, and such information as I had about him, which, I trust, will get him out again, that is to say, if they give him a fair hearing. "I am content with the article. Pray did you receive, some posts ago, Moore's lines, which I enclosed to you, written at Paris?" "The Greeks! what think you? They are my old acquaintances-but what to think I know not. Let us hope, howsomever. Yours, "B." LETTER DII. TO MR. MOORE. "Ravenna, June 4, 1821. LETTER DIII. TO MR. MOORE. "Ravenna, June 22, 1921. "Your dwarf of a letter came yesterday. That is right;-keep to your 'magnum opus'-magnoperate away. Now, if we were but together a little to combine our Journal of Trevoux!' But it is "You have not written lately, is the usual useless to sigh, and yet very natural,-for I think custom with literary gentlemen, console their friends with their observations in cases of magni-you and I draw better together, in the social line, tude. I do not know whether I sent you my 'Elegy on the recovery of Lady Noel; ' "Behold the blessings of a lucky lot— My play is damn'd, and Lady Noel not. than any two other living authors. "I forgot to ask you, if you had seen your own panegyric in the correspondence of Mrs. Waterhouse and Colonel Berkeley? To be sure, their moral is not quite exact; but your passion is fully effective; and all poetry of the Asiatic kind-I "The papers (and perhaps your letters) will have mean Asiatic, as the Romans called Asiatic oratoput you in possession of Muster Elliston's dramatic ry,' and not because the scenery is Oriental-must behavior. It is to be presumed that the play was be tried by that test only. I am not quite sure that fitted for the stage by Mr. Dibdin, who is the tailor I shall allow the Miss Byrons (legitimate or illegitupon such occasions, and will have taken measure imate) to read Lalla Rookh-in the first place, on with his usual accuracy. I hear that it is still con- account of this said passion; and, in the second; tinued to be performed a piece of obstinacy for that they may n't discover that there was a better which it is some consolation to think that the poet than papa. discourteous histrio will be out of pocket. "You will be surprised to hear that I have finished another tragedy in five acts, observing all the unities strictly. It is called Sardanapalus,' and was sent by last post to England. It is not for the stage, any more than the other was intended "You say nothing of politics-but alas! what can be said? "The world is a bundle of hay, Mankind are the asses who pull, And the greatest of all is John Bull ! |