cary; so that so much suicide was all thrown away. You may conceive the previous confusion and the final laughter; but the intention was good on all sides.'

LETTER 282.

TO MR. MURRAY.

'Venice, June 8th, 1817.

The present letter will be delivered to you by two Armenian friars, on their way, by England, to Madras. They will also convey some copies of the grammar, which I think you agreed to take. If you can be of any use to them, either amongst your naval For East Indian acquaintances, I hope you will so far oblige me, as they and their order have been remarkably attentive and friendly towards me since my 'arrival at Venice. Their names are Father Sukias 'Somalian and Father Sarkis Theodorosian. They speak Italian, and probably French, or a little Eng'lish. Repeating earnestly my recommendatory request, believe me, very truly, yours,

BYRON.

Perhaps you can help them to their passage, or 'give or get them letters for India.'

'La Mira, near Venice, June 14th, 1817.

'I write to you from the banks of the Brenta, a few miles from Venice, where I have colonized for 'six months to come. Address, as usual, to Venice.

Three months after date (17th March),—like the 'unnegotiable bill despondingly received by the re'luctant tailor,-your despatch has arrived, containing the extract from Moore's Italy and Mr. Maturin's bankrupt tragedy. It is the absurd work of a clever

6

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'man.

I think it might have done upon the stage, if

he had made Manuel (by some trickery, in a masque or vizor) fight his own battle, instead of employing 'Molineux as his champion; and, after the defeat of 'Torismond, have made him spare the son of his enemy, by some revulsion of feeling, not incompatible 'with a character of extravagant and distempered 'emotions. But as it is, what with the Justiza, and the ridiculous conduct of the whole dram. pers. (for they are all as mad as Manuel, who surely must have 'had more interest with a corrupt bench than a distant ' relation and heir presumptive, somewhat suspect of homicide), I do not wonder at its failure. As a play, it is impracticable; as a poem, no great things. Who was the "Greek that grappled with glory naked?" the Olympic wrestlers? or Alexander the Great, when he ran stark round the tomb of t'other 'fellow? or the Spartan who was fined by the Ephori for fighting without his armour? or who? And as "to "flaying off life like a garment," helas! that's in 'Tom Thumb-see king Arthur's soliloquy:

"Life's a mere rag, not worth a prince's wearing;

"I'll cast it off."

And the stage-directions-"Staggers among the 'bodies;"-the slain are too numerous, as well as the 'blackamoor knights-penitent being one too many: ' and De Zelos is such a shabby Monmouth-street vil'lain, without any redeeming quality-Stap my vitals! 'Maturin seems to be declining into Nat. Lee. But 'let him try again; he has talent, but not much taste. 'I 'gin to fear, or to hope, that Sotheby after all is to 'be the Eschylus of the age, unless Mr. Shiel be really I worthy his success. The more I see of the stage, the 'less I would wish to have anything to do with it; as ' a proof of which, I hope you have received the Third

Act of Manfred, which will at least prove that I wish

to steer very clear of the possibility of being put into scenery. I sent it from Rome.

I returned the proof of Tasso. By the way, have

you never received a translation of St. Paul, which I 'sent you, not for publication, before I went to Rome?

'I am at present on the Brenta. Opposite is a Spanish marquis, ninety years old; next his casino ' is a Frenchman's,-besides the natives; so that, as 'somebody said the other day, we are exactly one of 'Goldoni's comedies (La Vedova Scaltra), where a Spaniard, English, and Frenchman are introduced: 'but we are all very good neighbours, Venetians, &c. ' &c. &c.

I am just getting on horseback for my evening ' ride, and a visit to a physician, who has an agree'able family, of a wife and four unmarried daughters, 'all under eighteen, who are friends of Signora S **, and enemies to nobody. There are, and are to be, 'besides, conversaziones and I know not what, a 'Countess Labbia's and I know not whom. The wea'ther is mild; the thermometer 110 in the 'day, and 80 odd in the shade. Yours, &c.

sun this

'N.'

LETTER 284.

TO MR. MURRAY.

'La Mira, near Venice, June 17th, 1817.

'It gives me great pleasure to hear of Moore's success, and the more so that I never doubted that it 'would be complete. Whatever good you can tell me ' of him and his poem will be most acceptable: I feel C very anxious indeed to receive it. I hope that he is as happy in his fame and reward as I wish him to be; for I know no one who deserves both more—if any so much.

'Now to business; *

米米米 I say unto you,

verily, it is not so; or, as the foreigner said to

'the waiter, after asking him to bring a glass of water, to which the man answered, "I will, sir,”"You will!-G-d d-n,-I say, you mush!" And 'I will submit this to the decision of any person or persons to be appointed by both, on a fair exami'nation of the circumstances of this as compared with the preceding publications. So, there's for you. 'There is always some row or other previously to all ' our publications: it should seem that, on approxi' mating, we can never quite get over the natural anti'pathy of author and bookseller, and that more particularly the ferine nature of the latter must break 'forth.

You are out about the Third Canto: I have not 'done, nor designed, a line of continuation to that poem. I was too short a time at Rome for it, and have no thought of recommencing.

'I cannot well explain to you by letter what I con'ceive to be the origin of Mrs. Leigh's notion about "Tales of my Landlord ;" but it is some points of the 'characters of Sir E. Manley and Burley, as well as 'one or two of the jocular portions, on which it is 'founded, probably.

If you have received Dr. Polidori, as well as a par'cel of books, and you can be of use to him, be so. I never was much more disgusted with any human production than with the eternal nonsense, and tra'casseries, and emptiness, and ill-humour, and vanity ' of that young person; but he has some talent, and is ' a man of honour, and has dispositions of amendment, in which he has been aided by a little subsequent experience, and may turn out well. Therefore, use

your government interest for him, for he is improved

' and improvable.

Yours, &c.'

you

'La Mira, near Venice, June 18th, 1817.

Inclosed is a letter to Dr. Holland from Pinde'monte. Not knowing the doctor's address, I am desired to inquire, and perhaps, being a literary man, will know or discover his haunt near some popu'lous churchyard. I have written to you a scolding ' letter-I believe, upon a misapprehended passage in ( your letter-but never mind: it will do for next time, ' and you will surely deserve it. Talking of doctors reminds me once more to recommend to you one who ' will not recommend himself,-the Doctor Polidori. 'If you can help him to a publisher, do; or, if you have any sick relation, I would advise his advice: all 'the patients he had in Italy are dead-Mr. * *'s son, Mr. Horner, and Lord G**, whom he embowelled 'with great success at Pisa.

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Remember me to Moore, whom I congratulate. 'How is Rogers? and what is become of Campbell and all t'other fellows of the Druid order? I got 'Maturin's Bedlam at last, but no other parcel; I am in fits for the tooth-powder, and the magnesia. I 'want some of Burkitt's Soda-powders. Will you tell 'Mr. Kinnaird that I have written him two letters on 'pressing business (about Newstead, &c.), to which I humbly solicit his attendance. I am just returned 'from a gallop along the banks of the Brenta-time, 'Yours,

sunset.

'B.'