. forgotten, what is known to every schoolboy, that Leander once more opens to Fusina. I had been in the water, by crossed in the night, and returned towards the morning. my watch, without help or rest, and never touching ground My object was, to ascertain that the Hellespont could be or boat, four hours and twenty minutes. To this match crossed at all by swimming, and in this Mr. Ekenhead and during the greater part of its performance, Mr. and myself both succeeded, the one in an hour and ten Hoppner, the consul-general, was witness, and it is wel minutes, and the other in an hour and five minutes. The known to many others. Mr. Turner can easily verify tide was not in our favour; on the contrary, the great dif- the fact, if he thinks it worth while, by referring to Mr. ficulty was to bear up against the current, which, so far Hoppner. The distance we could not accurately ascer from helping us into the Asiatic side, set us down right to-tain; it was of course considerable. wards the Archipelago. Neither Mr. Ekenhead, myself, "I crossed the Hellespont in one hour and ten minutes nor, I will venture to add, any person on board the frigate, only. I am now ten years older in time and twenty in from Captain Bathurst downwards, had any notion of a constitution, than 1 was when I passed the Dardanelles, difference of the current on the Asiatic side, of which Mr. and yet two years ago I was capable of swimming four Turner speaks. I never heard of it till this moment, or I hours and twenty minutes; and I am sure that I could would have taken the other course. Lieutenant Eken-have continued two hours longer, though I had on a pair head's sole motive, and mine also for setting out from the of trowsers, an accoutrement which by no means assists European side was, that the little cape above Sestos was the performance. My two companions were also four a more prominent starting-place, and the frigate, which hours in the water. Mengaldo might be about thirty lay below, close under the Asiatic castle, formed a better years of age; Scott about six-and-twenty. point of view for us us to swim towards; and, in fact, we landed immediately below it. "Mr. Turner says, 'Whatever is thrown into the stream on this part of the European bank, must arrive at the Asiatic shore.' This is so far from being the case, that it must arrive in the Archipelago, if left to the current, although a strong wind in the Asiatic direction might have such an effect occasionally. "Mr. Turner attempted the passage from the Asiatic side, and failed: 'After five-and-twenty minutes, in which he did not advance a hundred yards, he gave it up from complete exhaustion.' This is very possible, and might nave occurred to him just as readily on the European side. He should have set out a couple of miles higher, and could then have corne out below the European castle. I particularly stated, and Mr. Hobhouse has done so also, that we were obliged to make the real passsage of one mile extend to between three and four, owing to the force of the stream. I can assure Mr. Turner, that his success would have given me great pleasure, as it would have added one more instance to the proofs of the probability. It is not quite fair in him to infer, that because he failed, Leander could not succeed. There are still four instances on record: a Neapolitan, a young Jew, Mr. Ekenhead, and myself; the two last done in the presence of hundreds of English witnesses. "With this experience in swimming at different periods of life, not only upon the SPOT, but elsewhere, of various persons, what is there to make me doubt that Leander's exploit was perfectly practicable? If three individuals did more than the passage of the Hellespont, why should he have done less? But Mr. Turner failed, and, naturally seeking a plausible reason for his failure, lays the blame on the Asiatic side of the strait. He tried to swim directly across, instead of going higher up to take the vantage: he might as well have tried to fly over Mount Athos. "That a young Greek of the heroic times, in love, and with his limbs in full vigour, might have succeeded in such an attempt is neither wonderful nor doubtful. Whether he attempted it or not is another question, because he might have had a small boat to save him the trouble. "I am yours very truly, "BYRON. "P. S. Mr. Turner says that the swimming from Europe to Asia was 'the easiest part of the task.' I doubt whether Leander found it so, as it was the return; however, he had several hours between the intervals. The argument of Mr. Turner 'that higher up, or lower down, the strait widens so considerably that he could save little labour by his starting,' is only good for indifferent swimmers; a man of any practice or skill will always consider "With regard to the difference of the current I perceived the distance less than the strength of the stream. If none; it is favourable to the swimmer on neither side, but Ekenhead and myself had thought of crossing at the may be stemmed by plunging into the sea, a considerable narrowest point, instead of going up to the Cape above it, way above the opposite point of the coast which the we should have been swept down to Tenedos. The swimmer wishes to make, but still bearing up against it strait, however, is not so extremely wide even where it it is strong, but if you calculate well, you may reach land. broadens above and below the forts. As the frigate was My own experience and that of others bids me pronounce stationed some time in the Dardanelles waiting for the firthe passage of Leander perfectly practicable. Any young man, I bathed often in the straits subsequently to our traman, in good and tolerable skill in swimming, might suc-ject, and generally on the Asiatic side, without perceivin ceed in it from either side. I was three hours in swim-the greater strength of the opposite stream by which the ming across the Tagus, which is much more hazardous, diplomatic traveller palliates his own failure. Our amusebeing two hours longer than the Hellespont. Of what ment in the small bay which opens immediately below the may be done in swimming, I will mention one more Asiatic fort was to dive for the LAND tortoises, which we instance. In 1818, the Chevalier Mengaldo, (a gentleman flung in on purpose, as they amphibiously crawled along of Bassano,) a good swimmer, wished to swim with my the bottom. This does not argue any greater violence of friend Mr. Alexander Scott and myself. As he seemed current than on the European shore. With regard to the particularly anxious on the subject, we indulged him. We modest insinuation that we chose the European side as all three started from the island of the Lido and swam to easier,' I appeal to Mr. Hobhouse and Captain Bathurst Venice. At the entrance of the Grand Canal, Scott and if it be true or no, (poor Ekenhead being since dead.) I were a good way ahead, and we saw no more of our Had we been aware of any such difference of current as foreign friend, which, however, was of no consequence, as is asserted, we would at least have proved it, and were the 3 was a gondola to hold his clothes and pick him up. not likely to have given it up in the twenty-five minutes Sex: swam on till past the Rialto, where he got out, less of Mr. Turner's own experiment. The secret of all this from fatigue than from chull, having been four hours in the is, that Mr. Turner failed, and that we succeeded; and water, without rest or stay, except what is to be obtained he is consequently disappointed, and seems not unwilling by floating on one's back-this being the condition of our to overshadow whatever little merit there might be in our performance. I continued my course on to Santa Chiara, comprising the whole of the Grand Canal, (besides the distance from the Lido,) and got out where the Laguna success. Why did he not try the European side? If he had succeeded there, after failing on the Asiatic, his plea would have been more graceful and gracious. Mr. Tur. ner may find what fault he pleases with my poetry, or my which was never intended for such an exhibition, and I politics, but I recommend him to leave aquatic reflec-trust will never undergo it. It is certair ly unfit for it. 1 tions till he is able to swim 'five-and-twenty minutes' have never written but for the solitary reader, and require without being 'exhausted,' though I believe he is the first no experiments for applause beyond his slent approbation. modern Tory who ever swam' against the stream' for half Since such an attempt to drag me forth as a gladiator in the time." the theatrical arena is a violation of all the courtesies of literature, I trust that the impartial part of the press will step between me and this pollution. I say polution, because every violation of a right is such, and I claim iny right as an author to prevent what I have written from being turned into a stage-play. I have too much respect for the public to permit this of my own free will. Had I sought their favour, it would have been by a pantomime. LETTER CCCCLXXX. TO MR. MOORP "Ravenna, Feb. 22, 1821. As I wish the soul of the late Antoine Galignani to "I have said that I write only for the reader. Beyond rest in peace, (you will have read his death published by this I cannot consent to any publication, or to the abuse of himself, in his own newspaper,) you are requested parti- any publication of mine to the purposes of histrionisın. cularly to inform his children and heirs, that of their The applauses of an audience would give me no pleasure; 'Literary Gazette,' to which I subscribed more than two their disapprobation might, however, give me pain. The months ago, I have only received one number, notwith-wager is therefore not equal. You may, perhaps, say standing I have written to them repeatedly. If they haveHow can this be? if their disapprobation gives pain. no regard for me, a subscriber, they ought to have some their praise might afford pleasure? By no means: the for their deceased parent, who is undoubtedly no better kick of an ass or the sting of a wasp may be painful to off in his present residence for this total want of atten- those who would find nothing agreeable in the braying of tion. If not, let me have my francs. They were paid by the one or the buzzing of the other. Missiaglia, the Wenetian bookseller. You may also hint to them that when a gentleman writes a letter, it is usual to send an answer. If not, I shall make them 'a speech,' which will comprise an eulogy on the deceased. "We are here full of war, and within two days of the seat of it, expecting intelligence momently. We shall now see if our Italian friends are good for any thing but 'shooting round a corner,' like the Irishman's gun. Excuse haste,-I write with my spurs putting on. My horses are at the door, and an Italian Count waiting to accompany me in my ride. "Yours, &c. "This may not seem a courteous comparison, but I have no other ready; and it occurs naturally. "In my packet of the 12th instant, in the last sheet, "P. S. Pray, among my letters, did you get one detail-(not the half sheet,) last page, omit the sentence which ing the death of the commandant here? He was killed near my door, and died in my house. "BOWLES AND CAMPBELL. To the air of 'How now, Malame "irt,' in the gar's Opera. "Bowles. "Why, how now, saucy Tom, If you thus must ramble, I will publish some Remarks on Mr. Campbell. "Campbell. LETTER CCCCLXXXI. TO MR. MURRAY. (defining, or attempting to define, what and who are gentlemen) begins 'I should say at least in life that most military men have it, and few naval; that several men of Beg-whole of that sentence, because, like the 'cosmogony, or rank have it, and few lawyers,' &c. &c. I say, omit the creation of the world,' in the Vicar of Wakefield,' it is not much to the purpose. "In the sentence above, too, almost at the top of the same page, after the words 'that there ever was, or can be, an aristocracy of poets,' add and insert these words'I do not mean that they should write in the style of the song by a person of quality, or parle euphuism; but there is a nobility of thought and expression to be found no less in Shakspeare, Pope, and Burns, than in Dante, Alfieri, &c. &c. and so on. Or, if you please, perhaps you had better omit the whole of the latter digression on the vulgar poets, and insert only as far as the end of the sentence on Pope's Homer, where I prefer it to Cowper's ana quote Dr. Clarke in favour of its accuracy. I "Upon all these points, take an opinion; take the sense (or nonsense) of your learned visitants, and act thereby. am very tractable-in PROSE. "Whether I have made out the case for Pope, I know not; but I am very sure that I have been zealous in the attempt. If it comes to the proofs, we shall beat the blackguards. I will show more imagery in twenty lines of Pope than in any equal length of quotation in English poesy, and that in places where they least expect it. For instance, in his lines on Sporus,-now, do just read them over-the subject is of no consequence (whether it be satire or epic)-we are talking of poetry and imagery from nature and art. Now mark the images separately and arithmetically: "1. The thing of silk. 2. Curd of ass's milk 3. The butterfly. 4. The wheel. ⚫ Second letter in answer to Bowles. 3. Bug with gilded wings. 5. Punted child of dirt. 7. Whose buzz. 8. Well-bred spaniels. 9. Shallow streams run dimpling. 10. Florid impotence. 1. Prompter. Puppet squeaks. 12. The ear of Eve. 13. Familiar toad. also a letter from Pisa. I have neither spared trouble nor expense in the care of the child; and as she was now four years old complete, and quite above the control of the servants and as a man living without any woman at the head of his house cannot much attend to a nursery-1 had no resource but to place her for a time (at a high pension too) in the convent of Bagna-Cavalli, (twelve miles off) where the air is good, and where she will, at least, have her learning advanced, and her morals and 14. Half froth, half venom, spits himself abroad. religion inculcated. I had also another reason;-things 15. Fop at the toilet. 16. Flatterer at the board. 17. Amphibious thing. 18. Now trips a lady. 19. Now struts a lord. 20. A cherub's face. 21. A reptile all the rest. 22. The Rabbins. 23. Pride that licks the dust 'Beauty that shocks you, parts that none will trust, Wit that can creep, and pride that licks the dust.' "Now, is there a line of all the passage without the most forcible imagery, (for his purpose?) Look at the variety at the poetry of the passage--at the imaginason: there is hardly a line from which a painting might not be made, and is. But this is nothing in comparison with his higher passages in the Essay on Man, and many of his other poems, serious and comic. There never was such an unjust outcry in this world as that which these fellows are trying against Pope. "Ask Mr. Gifford if, in the fifth act of the Doge,' you could not contrive (where the sentence of the Veil is passed) to insert the following lines in Marino Faliero's answer? But let it be so. It will be in vain : The veil which blackens o'er this blighted name, "Yours truly, &c. were and are in such a state here, that I had no reason to look upon my own personal safety as particularly ensurable; and I thought the infant best out of harm's way for the present. "It is also fit that I should add that I by no means intended, nor intend, to give a natural child an English education, because with the disadvantages of her birth, her after-settlement would be doubly difficult. Abroad with a fair foreign education and a portion of five or six thousand pounds, she might and may marry very respectably. In England such a dowry would be a pittance, while elsewhere it is a fortune. It is, besides, my wish that she should be a Roman Catholic, which I look upor as the best religion, as it is assuredly the oldest of the various branches of Christianity. I have now explained my notions as to the place where she now is-it is the best I could find for the present; but I have no prejudices in its favour. "I do not speak of politics, because it seems a hopeless subject, as long as those scoundrels are to be permitted to bully states out of their independence. Believe me "Yours ever and truly. "P. S. There is a report here of a change in France; but with what truth is not yet known. "P. S. My respects to Mrs. H. I have the 'bes opinion' of her countrywomen; and at my time of life, (three-and-thirty, 22d January, 1821,) that is to say, after the life I have led, a good opinion is the only rational one which a man should entertain of the whole sex-up to thirty, the worst possible opinion a man can have of them matter of no importance to them, nor to him either, what in general, the better for himself. Afterward, it is a opinion he entertains-his day is over, or, at least should be. "You see how sober I am become." LETTER CCCCLXXXV. "Ravenna, April 21, 1821 "I wish to propose to Holmes, the miniature painter, to come out to me this spring. I will pay his expenses, and any sum in reason. I wish him to take my daughter's picture, (who is in a convent,) and the Countess G.'s, and the head of a peasant girl, which latter would make a study for Raphael. It is a complete peasant face, but an Italian peasant's, and quite in the Raphael Fornarina style. Her figure is tall, but rather large, and not at all comparable to her face, which is really superb. She is not seventeen, and I am anxious to have her face while it lasts. Madame G. is also very handsome, but 't is quite in a different style-completely blonde and fair-very uncommon in Italy; yet not an English fairness, but more likely a Swede or a Norwegian. Her figure, too, particularly the bust, is uncommonly good. It must be. "P. S. You may make my subscription for Mr. Scott's Holmes: I like him because he takes such inveterate like-widow, &c. thirty instead of the proposed ten pounds: but nesses. There is a war here; but a solitary traveller, with little baggage, and nothing to do with politics, has nothing to fear. Pack him up in the Diligence. Don't forget." "Yours truly, ་་ do not put down my name; put down N. N. only. The reason is, that, as I have mentioned him in the enclosed pamphlet, it would look indelicate. I would give more. but my disappointments last year about Rochdale and the transfer from the funds render me more economica. for the present." LETTER CCCCLXXXVI. TO MR. SHELLEY. "Ravenna, April 26, 1821. "The child continues doing well, and the accounts are regular and favourable. It is gratifying to me that LETTERS, 1821. you and Mrs. Sheiley do not disapprove of the step which I have taken, which is merely temporary. "I am very sorry to hear what you say of Keats-is it actually true? I did not think criticism had been so kulling. Though I differ from you essentially in your estimate of his performances, I so much abhor all unnecessary pain, that I would rather he had been seated on the highest peak of Parnassus than have perished in such a manner. Poor fellow! though with such inordinate self-love he would probably have not been very happy. I read the review of 'Endymion' in the Quarterly. It was severe, but surely not so severe as my reviews in that and other journals upon others. "I recollect the effect on me of the Edinburgh on my first poem; it was rage, and resistance, and redress-but not despondency nor despair. I grant that those are not uniable feelings; but, in this world of bustle and broil, and especially in the career of writing, a man should calculate upon his powers of resistance before he goes into the arena. Expect not life from pain nor danger free, Nor deem the doom of man reversed for thee.' "You know my opinion of that second-hand school of poetry. You also know my high opinion of your own poetry, because it is of no school. I read Cenci-but, besides that I think the subject essentially undramatic, I am not an admirer of our old dramatists, as models. I deny that the English have hitherto had a drama at all. and poetry. power Your Cenci, however, was a work of As to my drama, pray revenge yourself upon it, by being as free as I have been with yours. "I have not yet got your Prometheus, which I long to see. I have heard nothing of mine, and do not know that it is yet published. I have published a pamphlet on the Pope controversy, which you will not like. Had I known that Keats was dead-or that he was alive and could lawfully knock Jeffrey on the head, in an honourable "You see the Italians have made a sad business of it, "P. S. Your latest packet of books is on its way here, but not arrived. Kenilworth excellent. Thanks for the pocket-books, of which I have made presents to those ladies who like cuts, and landscapes, and all that." I have got an Italian book or two which I should like to send you if I had an opportunity. "I am not at present in the very highest health,-spring, probably; so I have lowered my diet and taken to Epsom salts. "As you say my prose is good, why do n't you treat with Moore for the reversion of the Memoirs ?-conditionally, recollect; not to be published before decease. He has the permission to dispose of them, and I advised tim to do so." LETTER CCCCLXXXVIII. TO MR. MOORE. "Ravenna, April 28, 1821. "You cannot have been more disappointed than myself, risk also, which is not yet done away with. However, nor so much deceived. I have been so at some personal no time nor circumstances shall alter my tone nor my so sensitive-I should have omitted some remarks upon feelings of indignation against tyranny triumphant. The his poetry, to which I was provoked by his attack upon Pope, and my disapprobation of his own style of writing. present business has been as much a work of treachery If ever you and I meet again, I will have a talk with you I can "You want me to undertake a great Poem-I have not as of cowardice,—though both may have done their part. At present, for obvious reasons, As I grow older, the indifthe subject. the inclination nor power. upon ference-not to life, for we love it by instinct-but to the write but little, as all letters are opened. In mine they stimuli of life, increases. Besides, this late failure of the shall always find my sentiments, but nothing that can Italians has latterly disappointed me for many reasons,-lead to the oppression of others. some public, some personal. My respects to Mrs. S. "P. S. Could not you and I contrive to meet this summer? Could not you take an here alone?" the "Yours ever. LETTER CCCCLXXXVII. TO MR. MURRAY. "Ravenna, April 26, 1821. I sent you by last postis a large packet, which will not de for pubication, (I suspect,) being, as the apprentices say, 'damned low.' I put off also for a week or two sending the Italian scrawl which will form a note to it. The reason is, that letters being opened, I wish to 'bide 2 wee.' "Well, have you published the Tragedy? and does the Letter take? "You will please to recollect that the Neapolitans are a whole people for the vices of a province. That would nowhere now more execrated than in Italy, and not blame be like condemning Great Britain because they plunder wrecks in Cornwall. "And now let us be literary;-a sad falling off, but it is always a consolation. If 'Othello's occupation 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 a month or two, till I had filled the paper-book. I then left it off, as things grew busy, and, afterward, too gloomy to set down without a painful feeling. This I should be glad to send you, if I had an opportunity; but a volume, however small, do n't go well by such posts as exist in this Inquisition of a country. "Is it true what Shelley writes me, that poor John I am Keats died at Rome of the Quarterly Review? very sorry for it, though I think he took the wrong line as a poet, and was spoiled by Cockneyfying, and suburbing, "I have no news. As a very pretty woman said to me and versifying Tooke's Pantheon and Lempriere's Dic tionary. I know, by experience, that a savage review is a few nights ago, with the tears in her eyes, as she sat at hemlock to a sucking author; and the one on me (which the harpsichord, 'Alas! the Italians must now return to produced the English Bards, &c.) knocked me down-making operas.' I fear that and maccaroni are their forte, but I got up again. Instead of bursting a blood-vessel, and 'motley their only wear.' However, there are some 1 drank three bottles of claret, and begun an answer, high spirits among them still. Pray write. finding 'hat there was nothing in the article for which I "And believe me, &c." LETTERS, 1821. "Ravenna, May 3, 1821. "Nothing, however can be better than your poem, or "Ravenna, May 11, 1821. before, i should have adopted "If I had but known your notion about Switzerland let the child remain in her convent, where she seems at once. As it is, I shall obliged if you will inquire, when you are in the cantons, healthy and happy, for the present; but I shall feel muci about the usual and better modes of education there for females, and let me know the result of your opinions. It is some consolation that both Mr. and Mrs. Shelley have written to approve entirely my placing the child with the nuns for the present. I can refer to my whole conduct, as having neither spared care, kindness, nor expense, since the child was sent to me. The people may say what they please, I must content myself with not deserving (in this instance) that they should speak ill. "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, I do n't know. "The place is a country town, in a good air, where "As to Pope, I have always regarded him as the great-children, some of considerable rank, placed in it. As a there is a large establishment for education, and many est name in our poetry. Depend upon it, the rest are country town, it is less liable to objections of every kind barbarians. He is a Greek Temple, with a Gothic Cathe-It has always appeared to me, that the moral defect in. dral on one hand, and a Turkish Mosque and all sorts of fantastic pagodas and conventicles about him. You may call Shakspeare and Milton pyramids, if you please, but I prefer the Temple of Theseus or the Parthenon to a mountain of burnt brickwork. Italy does not proceed from a conventual education,because, to my certain knowledge, they came out of their convents innocent even to ignorance of moral evil,--but to the state of society into which they are directly plunged "The Murray has written to me but once, the day of its mountain-top, and then taking him to the sea and throwing on coming out of it. It is like educating an infant on a publication. when it seemed prosperous. heard of late from England but rarely. Of Murray's though still too general, is partly wearing away, as the But I have him into it and desiring him to swim. The evil, however, other publications (of mine) I know nothing,-nor whe-women are more permitted to marry from attachment, ther he has published. He was to have done so a month this is, I believe, the case also in France. And, after all, ago. I wish you would do something, or that we were what is the higher society of England? According to together. "Ever yours and affectionately, LETTER CCCCXC TO MR. MURRAY. "B." my own experience, and to all that I have seen and heard, letter on Bowles; of course I should be delighted to send "Ravenna, May 10, 1821. I have just got your packet. I am obliged to Mr. Bowles, and Mr. Bowles is obliged to me, for having restored him to good-humour. He is to write, and you to publish, what you please,-motto and subject. I desire nothing but fair play for all parties. Of course, after the new tone of Mr. Bowles, you will not publish my defence of Gilchrist: it would be brutal to do so after his urbanity, "I am ever, &c. for it is rather too rough, like his own attack upon Gil-ago has he presented himself? Perhaps you could "P.S. I gave to a musicianer a letter for you sometime christ. You may tell him what I say there of his Mis-introduce him to the Ingrams and other dilettanti. He is sionary, (it is praised, as it deserves.) However, and if simple and unassuming-two strange things in his profesthere are any passages not personal to Bowles, and yet sion-and he fiddles like Orpheus himself or Amphion, bearing upon the question, you may add them to the 't is a pity that he can't make Venice dance away from reprint (if it is reprinted) of my first Letter to you. Upon the brutal tyrant who tramples upon it.” this consult Gifford; and, above all, do n'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 "Ay, down to the dust with them, slaves as they are," &c. &c. LETTER CCCCXCII. TO MR. MURRAY. "May 14, 1821. "A Milan paper states that the play has been repre sented and universally condemned. As remonstrance |