"Ravenna, June 9. 1820."Galignani has just sent me the Paris edition of your works (which I wrote to order), and I am glad to see my old friends with a French face. I have been skimming and dipping, in and over them, like a swallow, and as pleased as one. It is the first time that I had seen the Melodies without music; and, I don't know how, but I can't read in a music-book—the crotchets confound the words in my head, though I recollect them perfectly whensung. Music assists my memory through the ear, not through the eye; I mean, that her quavers perplex me upon paper, but they are a help when heard. And thus I was glad to see the words without their borrowed robes;—to my mind they look none the worse for their nudity."The biographer has made a botch of your life—calling your father 'avenerable oldgentleman,' and prattling of 'Addison,' and 'dowager countesses.' If that damned fellow was towrite mylife, I would certainlytake his. And then, at the Dublin dinner, you have 'made a speech' (do you recollect, atDouglas K.'s, 'Sir, he made me a speech?') too complimentary to the 'living poets,' and somewhat redolent of universal praise.Iam but too well off in it, but * * *."You have not sent me any poetical or personal news of yourself. Why don't you complete an Italian Tour of the Fudges? I have just been turning over Little, which I knew by heart in 1803, being then in my fifteenth summer. Heigho! I believe all the mischief I have ever done, or sung, has been owing to that confounded book of yours."In my last I told you of a cargo of 'Poeshie,' which I had sent to M. at his own impatient desire;—and, now he has got it, he don't like it, and demurs. Perhaps he is right. I have no great opinion of any of my last shipment, except a translation from Pulci, which is word for word, and verse for verse."I am in the third Act of a Tragedy; but whether it will be finished or not, I know not: I have, at this present, too many passions of my own on hand to do justice to those of the dead. Besides the vexations mentioned in my last, I have incurred a quarrel with the Pope's carabiniers, or gens d'armerie, who have petitioned the Cardinal against my liveries, as resembling too nearly their own lousy uniform. They particularly object to the epaulettes, which all the world with us have on upon gala days. My liveries are of the colours conforming to my arms, and have been the family hue since the year 1066."I have sent a tranchant reply, as you may suppose; and have given to understand that, if any soldados of that respectable corps insult my servants, I will do likewise by their gallant commanders; and I have directed my ragamuffins, six in number, who are tolerably savage, to defend themselves, in case of aggression; and, on holidays and gaudy days, I shall arm the whole set, including myself, in case of accidents or treachery. I used to play pretty well at the broad-sword, once upon a time, at Angelo's; but I should like the pistol, our national buccaneer weapon, better, though I am out of practice at present. However, I can 'wink and hold out mine iron.' It makes me think (the whole thing does) of Romeo and Juliet—'now, Gregory, remember thyswashingblow.'"All these feuds, however, with the Cavalier for his wife, and the troopers for my liveries, are very tiresome to a quiet man, who does his best to please all the world, and longs for fellowship and good will. Pray write. I am yours," &c.
"Ravenna, June 9. 1820.
"Galignani has just sent me the Paris edition of your works (which I wrote to order), and I am glad to see my old friends with a French face. I have been skimming and dipping, in and over them, like a swallow, and as pleased as one. It is the first time that I had seen the Melodies without music; and, I don't know how, but I can't read in a music-book—the crotchets confound the words in my head, though I recollect them perfectly whensung. Music assists my memory through the ear, not through the eye; I mean, that her quavers perplex me upon paper, but they are a help when heard. And thus I was glad to see the words without their borrowed robes;—to my mind they look none the worse for their nudity.
"The biographer has made a botch of your life—calling your father 'avenerable oldgentleman,' and prattling of 'Addison,' and 'dowager countesses.' If that damned fellow was towrite mylife, I would certainlytake his. And then, at the Dublin dinner, you have 'made a speech' (do you recollect, atDouglas K.'s, 'Sir, he made me a speech?') too complimentary to the 'living poets,' and somewhat redolent of universal praise.Iam but too well off in it, but * * *.
"You have not sent me any poetical or personal news of yourself. Why don't you complete an Italian Tour of the Fudges? I have just been turning over Little, which I knew by heart in 1803, being then in my fifteenth summer. Heigho! I believe all the mischief I have ever done, or sung, has been owing to that confounded book of yours.
"In my last I told you of a cargo of 'Poeshie,' which I had sent to M. at his own impatient desire;—and, now he has got it, he don't like it, and demurs. Perhaps he is right. I have no great opinion of any of my last shipment, except a translation from Pulci, which is word for word, and verse for verse.
"I am in the third Act of a Tragedy; but whether it will be finished or not, I know not: I have, at this present, too many passions of my own on hand to do justice to those of the dead. Besides the vexations mentioned in my last, I have incurred a quarrel with the Pope's carabiniers, or gens d'armerie, who have petitioned the Cardinal against my liveries, as resembling too nearly their own lousy uniform. They particularly object to the epaulettes, which all the world with us have on upon gala days. My liveries are of the colours conforming to my arms, and have been the family hue since the year 1066.
"I have sent a tranchant reply, as you may suppose; and have given to understand that, if any soldados of that respectable corps insult my servants, I will do likewise by their gallant commanders; and I have directed my ragamuffins, six in number, who are tolerably savage, to defend themselves, in case of aggression; and, on holidays and gaudy days, I shall arm the whole set, including myself, in case of accidents or treachery. I used to play pretty well at the broad-sword, once upon a time, at Angelo's; but I should like the pistol, our national buccaneer weapon, better, though I am out of practice at present. However, I can 'wink and hold out mine iron.' It makes me think (the whole thing does) of Romeo and Juliet—'now, Gregory, remember thyswashingblow.'
"All these feuds, however, with the Cavalier for his wife, and the troopers for my liveries, are very tiresome to a quiet man, who does his best to please all the world, and longs for fellowship and good will. Pray write. I am yours," &c.
LETTER 379. TO MR. MOORE.
"Ravenna, July 13. 1820."To remove or increase your Irish anxiety about my being 'in a wisp[77],' I answer your letter forth-with; premising that, as I am a 'Willof the wisp,' I may chance to flit out of it. But, first, a word on the Memoir;—I have no objection, nay, I would rather thatonecorrect copy was taken and deposited in honourable hands, in case of accidents happening to the original; for you know that I have none, and have never evenre-read, nor, indeed,readat all what is there written; I only know that I wrote it with the fullest intention to be 'faithful and true' in my narrative, butnotimpartial—no, by the Lord! I can't pretend to be that, while I feel. But I wish to give every body concerned the opportunity to contradict or correct me."I have no objection to any proper person seeing what is there written,—seeing it was written, like every thing else, for the purpose of being read, however much many writings may fail in arriving at that object."With regard to 'the wisp,' the Pope has pronouncedtheir separation. The decree came yesterday from Babylon,—it wassheandher friendswho demanded it, on the grounds of her husband's (the noble Count Cavalier's) extraordinary usage.Heopposed it with all his might because of the alimony, which has been assigned, with all her goods, chattels, carriage, &c. to be restored by him. In Italy they can't divorce. He insisted on her giving me up, and he would forgive every thing,— * ** * * * ** * * But, in this country, the very courts hold such proofs in abhorrence, the Italians being as much more delicate in public than the English, as they are more passionate in private."The friends and relatives, who are numerous and powerful, reply to him—'You, yourself, are either fool or knave,—fool, if you did not see the consequences of the approximation of these two young persons,—knave, if you connive at it. Take your choice,—but don't break out (after twelve months of the closest intimacy, under your own eyes and positive sanction) with a scandal, which can only make you ridiculous and her unhappy.'"He swore that he thought our intercourse was purely amicable, and thatIwas more partial to him than to her, till melancholy testimony proved the contrary. To this they answer, that 'Will ofthiswisp' was not an unknown person, and that 'clamosa Fama' had not proclaimed the purity of my morals;—thatherbrother, a year ago, wrote from Rome to warn him that his wife would infallibly be led astray by this ignis fatuus, unless he took proper measures, all of which he neglected to take, &c. &c."Now he says that he encouraged my return to Ravenna, to see 'in quanti piedi di acqua siamo,' and he has found enough to drown him in. In short,"'Ce ne fut pas le tout; sa femme se plaignit—Procès—La parenté se joint en excuse et ditQue duDocteurvenoit tout le mauvais ménage;Que cet homme étoit fou, que sa femme étoit sage.On fit casser le mariage.'It is but to let the women alone, in the way of conflict, for they are sure to win against the field. She returns to her father's house, and I can only see her under great restrictions—such is the custom of the country. The relations behave very well:—I offered any settlement, but they refused to accept it, and swear sheshan'tlive with G. (as he has tried to prove her faithless), but that he shall maintain her;and, in fact, a judgment to this effect came yesterday. I am, of course, in an awkward situation enough."I have heard no more of the carabiniers who protested against my liveries. They are not popular, those same soldiers, and, in a small row, the other night, one was slain, another wounded, and divers put to flight, by some of the Romagnuole youth, who are dexterous, and somewhat liberal of the knife. The perpetrators are not discovered, but I hope and believe that none of my ragamuffins were in it, though they are somewhat savage, and secretly armed, like most of the inhabitants. It is their way, and saves sometimes a good deal of litigation."There is a revolution at Naples. If so, it will probably leave a card at Ravenna in its way to Lombardy."Your publishers seem to have used you like mine. M. has shuffled, and almost insinuated that my last productions aredull. Dull, sir!—damme, dull! I believe he is right. He begs for the completion of my tragedy on Marino Faliero, none of which is yet gone to England. The fifth act is nearly completed, but it is dreadfully long—40 sheets of long paper of 4 pages each—about 150 when printed; but 'so full of pastime and prodigality' that I think it will do."Pray send and publish yourPomeupon me; and don't be afraid of praising me too highly. I shall pocket my blushes."'Not actionable!'—Chantre d'enfer![78]—by * *that's 'a speech,' and I won't put up with it. A pretty title to give a man for doubting if there be any such place!"So my Gail is gone—and Miss Mahonywon't takeMoney. I am very glad of it—I like to be generous free of expense. But beg her not to translate me."Oh, pray tell Galignani that I shall send him a screed of doctrine if he don't be more punctual. Somebodyregularly detains two, and sometimesfour, of his Messengers by the way. Do, pray, entreat him to be more precise. News are worth money in this remote kingdom of the Ostrogoths."Pray, reply. I should like much to share some of your Champagne and La Fitte, but I am too Italian for Paris in general. Make Murray send my letter to you—it is full ofepigrams."Yours," &c.
"Ravenna, July 13. 1820.
"To remove or increase your Irish anxiety about my being 'in a wisp[77],' I answer your letter forth-with; premising that, as I am a 'Willof the wisp,' I may chance to flit out of it. But, first, a word on the Memoir;—I have no objection, nay, I would rather thatonecorrect copy was taken and deposited in honourable hands, in case of accidents happening to the original; for you know that I have none, and have never evenre-read, nor, indeed,readat all what is there written; I only know that I wrote it with the fullest intention to be 'faithful and true' in my narrative, butnotimpartial—no, by the Lord! I can't pretend to be that, while I feel. But I wish to give every body concerned the opportunity to contradict or correct me.
"I have no objection to any proper person seeing what is there written,—seeing it was written, like every thing else, for the purpose of being read, however much many writings may fail in arriving at that object.
"With regard to 'the wisp,' the Pope has pronouncedtheir separation. The decree came yesterday from Babylon,—it wassheandher friendswho demanded it, on the grounds of her husband's (the noble Count Cavalier's) extraordinary usage.Heopposed it with all his might because of the alimony, which has been assigned, with all her goods, chattels, carriage, &c. to be restored by him. In Italy they can't divorce. He insisted on her giving me up, and he would forgive every thing,— * ** * * * ** * * But, in this country, the very courts hold such proofs in abhorrence, the Italians being as much more delicate in public than the English, as they are more passionate in private.
"The friends and relatives, who are numerous and powerful, reply to him—'You, yourself, are either fool or knave,—fool, if you did not see the consequences of the approximation of these two young persons,—knave, if you connive at it. Take your choice,—but don't break out (after twelve months of the closest intimacy, under your own eyes and positive sanction) with a scandal, which can only make you ridiculous and her unhappy.'
"He swore that he thought our intercourse was purely amicable, and thatIwas more partial to him than to her, till melancholy testimony proved the contrary. To this they answer, that 'Will ofthiswisp' was not an unknown person, and that 'clamosa Fama' had not proclaimed the purity of my morals;—thatherbrother, a year ago, wrote from Rome to warn him that his wife would infallibly be led astray by this ignis fatuus, unless he took proper measures, all of which he neglected to take, &c. &c.
"Now he says that he encouraged my return to Ravenna, to see 'in quanti piedi di acqua siamo,' and he has found enough to drown him in. In short,
"'Ce ne fut pas le tout; sa femme se plaignit—Procès—La parenté se joint en excuse et ditQue duDocteurvenoit tout le mauvais ménage;Que cet homme étoit fou, que sa femme étoit sage.On fit casser le mariage.'
"'Ce ne fut pas le tout; sa femme se plaignit—Procès—La parenté se joint en excuse et ditQue duDocteurvenoit tout le mauvais ménage;Que cet homme étoit fou, que sa femme étoit sage.On fit casser le mariage.'
It is but to let the women alone, in the way of conflict, for they are sure to win against the field. She returns to her father's house, and I can only see her under great restrictions—such is the custom of the country. The relations behave very well:—I offered any settlement, but they refused to accept it, and swear sheshan'tlive with G. (as he has tried to prove her faithless), but that he shall maintain her;and, in fact, a judgment to this effect came yesterday. I am, of course, in an awkward situation enough.
"I have heard no more of the carabiniers who protested against my liveries. They are not popular, those same soldiers, and, in a small row, the other night, one was slain, another wounded, and divers put to flight, by some of the Romagnuole youth, who are dexterous, and somewhat liberal of the knife. The perpetrators are not discovered, but I hope and believe that none of my ragamuffins were in it, though they are somewhat savage, and secretly armed, like most of the inhabitants. It is their way, and saves sometimes a good deal of litigation.
"There is a revolution at Naples. If so, it will probably leave a card at Ravenna in its way to Lombardy.
"Your publishers seem to have used you like mine. M. has shuffled, and almost insinuated that my last productions aredull. Dull, sir!—damme, dull! I believe he is right. He begs for the completion of my tragedy on Marino Faliero, none of which is yet gone to England. The fifth act is nearly completed, but it is dreadfully long—40 sheets of long paper of 4 pages each—about 150 when printed; but 'so full of pastime and prodigality' that I think it will do.
"Pray send and publish yourPomeupon me; and don't be afraid of praising me too highly. I shall pocket my blushes.
"'Not actionable!'—Chantre d'enfer![78]—by * *that's 'a speech,' and I won't put up with it. A pretty title to give a man for doubting if there be any such place!
"So my Gail is gone—and Miss Mahonywon't takeMoney. I am very glad of it—I like to be generous free of expense. But beg her not to translate me.
"Oh, pray tell Galignani that I shall send him a screed of doctrine if he don't be more punctual. Somebodyregularly detains two, and sometimesfour, of his Messengers by the way. Do, pray, entreat him to be more precise. News are worth money in this remote kingdom of the Ostrogoths.
"Pray, reply. I should like much to share some of your Champagne and La Fitte, but I am too Italian for Paris in general. Make Murray send my letter to you—it is full ofepigrams.
"Yours," &c.
In the separation that had now taken place between Count Guiccioli and his wife, it was one of the conditions that the lady should, in future, reside under the paternal roof:—in consequence of which, Madame Guiccioli, on the 16th of July, left Ravenna and retired to a villa belonging to Count Gamba, about fifteen miles distant from that city. Here Lord Byron occasionally visited her—about once or twice, perhaps, in a month—passing the rest of his time in perfect solitude. To a mind like his, whose world was within itself, such a mode of life could have been neither new nor unwelcome; but to the woman, young and admired, whose acquaintance with the world and its pleasures had but just begun, this change was, it must be confessed, most sudden and trying. Count Guiccioli was rich, and, as a young wife, she had gained absolute power over him. She was proud, and his station placed her among the highest in Ravenna. They had talked of travelling to Naples, Florence, Paris,—and every luxury, in short, that wealth could command was at her disposal.
All this she now voluntarily and determinedly sacrificed for Byron. Her splendid home abandoned—her relations all openly at war with her—her kind father but tolerating, from fondness, what he could not approve—she was now, upon a pittance of 200l.a year, living apart from the world, her sole occupation the task of educating herself for her illustrious friend, and her sole reward the few brief glimpses of him which their now restricted intercourse allowed. Of the man who could inspire and keep alive so devoted a feeling, it may be pronounced with confidence that he could not have been such as, in the freaks of his own wayward humour, he represented himself; while, on the lady's side, the whole history of her attachment goes to prove how completely an Italian woman, whether by nature or from her social position, is led to invert the usual course of such frailties among ourselves, and, weak in resisting the first impulses of passion, to reserve the whole strength of her character for a display of constancy and devotedness afterwards.
LETTER 380. TO MR. MURRAY.
"Ravenna, July 17. 1820."I have received some books, and Quarterlies, and Edinburghs, for all which I am grateful: they contain all I know of England, except by Galignani's newspaper."The tragedy is completed, but now comes the task of copy and correction. It is very long, (42sheetsof long paper, of four pages each,) and I believe must make more than 140 or 150 pages, besides many historical extracts as notes, which I mean to append. History is closely followed. Dr. Moore's account is in some respects false, and in all foolish and flippant.Noneof the chronicles (and I have consulted Sanuto, Sandi, Navagero, and an anonymous Siege of Zara, besides the histories of Laugier, Daru, Sismondi, &c.) state, or even hint, that he begged his life; they merely say that he did not deny the conspiracy. He was one of their great men,—commanded at the siege of Zara,—beat 80,000 Hungarians, killing 8000, and at the same time kept the town he was besieging in order,—took Capo d'Istria,—was ambassador at Genoa, Rome, and finally Doge, where he fell for treason, in attempting to alter the government, by what Sanuto calls a judgment on him for, many years before (when Podesta and Captain of Treviso), having knocked down a bishop, who was sluggish in carrying the host at a procession. He 'saddles him,' as Thwackum did Square, 'with a judgment;' but he does not mention whether he had been punished atthe time for what would appear very strange, even now, and must have been still more so in an age of papal power and glory. Sanuto says, that Heaven took away his senses for this buffet, and induced him to conspire. 'Però fù permesso che il Faliero perdette l'intelletto,' &c."I do not know what your parlour-boarders will think of the Drama I have founded upon this extraordinary event. The only similar one in history is the story of Agis, King of Sparta, a princewiththe commons against the aristocracy, and losing his life therefor. But it shall be sent when copied."I should be glad to know why your QuarteringReviewers, at the close of 'The Fall of Jerusalem,' accuse me of Manicheism? a compliment to which the sweetener of 'one of the mightiest spirits' by no means reconciles me. The poem they review is very noble; but could they not do justice to the writer without converting him into my religious antidote? I am not a Manichean, nor anAny-chean. I should like to know what harm my 'poeshies' have done? I can't tell what people mean by making me a hobgoblin."
"Ravenna, July 17. 1820.
"I have received some books, and Quarterlies, and Edinburghs, for all which I am grateful: they contain all I know of England, except by Galignani's newspaper.
"The tragedy is completed, but now comes the task of copy and correction. It is very long, (42sheetsof long paper, of four pages each,) and I believe must make more than 140 or 150 pages, besides many historical extracts as notes, which I mean to append. History is closely followed. Dr. Moore's account is in some respects false, and in all foolish and flippant.Noneof the chronicles (and I have consulted Sanuto, Sandi, Navagero, and an anonymous Siege of Zara, besides the histories of Laugier, Daru, Sismondi, &c.) state, or even hint, that he begged his life; they merely say that he did not deny the conspiracy. He was one of their great men,—commanded at the siege of Zara,—beat 80,000 Hungarians, killing 8000, and at the same time kept the town he was besieging in order,—took Capo d'Istria,—was ambassador at Genoa, Rome, and finally Doge, where he fell for treason, in attempting to alter the government, by what Sanuto calls a judgment on him for, many years before (when Podesta and Captain of Treviso), having knocked down a bishop, who was sluggish in carrying the host at a procession. He 'saddles him,' as Thwackum did Square, 'with a judgment;' but he does not mention whether he had been punished atthe time for what would appear very strange, even now, and must have been still more so in an age of papal power and glory. Sanuto says, that Heaven took away his senses for this buffet, and induced him to conspire. 'Però fù permesso che il Faliero perdette l'intelletto,' &c.
"I do not know what your parlour-boarders will think of the Drama I have founded upon this extraordinary event. The only similar one in history is the story of Agis, King of Sparta, a princewiththe commons against the aristocracy, and losing his life therefor. But it shall be sent when copied.
"I should be glad to know why your QuarteringReviewers, at the close of 'The Fall of Jerusalem,' accuse me of Manicheism? a compliment to which the sweetener of 'one of the mightiest spirits' by no means reconciles me. The poem they review is very noble; but could they not do justice to the writer without converting him into my religious antidote? I am not a Manichean, nor anAny-chean. I should like to know what harm my 'poeshies' have done? I can't tell what people mean by making me a hobgoblin."
LETTER 381. TO MR. MURRAY.
"Ravenna, August 31. 1820."I have 'put my soul' into the tragedy (as youifit); but you know that there are d——d souls as well as tragedies. Recollect that it is not a political play, though it may look like it: it is strictly historical. Read the history and judge."Ada's picture is her mother's. I am glad of it—the mother made a good daughter. Send me Gifford's opinion, and never mind the Archbishop. I can neither send you away, nor give you a hundred pistoles, nor a better taste: I send you a tragedy, and you ask for 'facetious epistles;' a little like your predecessor, who advised Dr. Prideaux to 'put some more humour into his Life of Mahomet.'"Bankes is a wonderful fellow. There is hardly one of my school or college contemporaries that has not turned out more or less celebrated. Peel, Palmerstone, Bankes, Hobhouse, Tavistock, Bob Mills, Douglas Kinnaird, &c. &c. have all talked and been talked about."We are here going to fight a little next month, if the Huns don't cross the Po, and probably if they do. I can't say more now. If any thing happens, you have matter for a posthumous work, in MS.; so pray be civil. Depend upon it, there will be savage work, if once they begin here. The French courage proceeds from vanity, the German from phlegm, the Turkish from fanaticism and opium, the Spanish from pride, the English from coolness, the Dutch from obstinacy, the Russian from insensibility, but theItalianfromanger; so you'll see that they will spare nothing."
"Ravenna, August 31. 1820.
"I have 'put my soul' into the tragedy (as youifit); but you know that there are d——d souls as well as tragedies. Recollect that it is not a political play, though it may look like it: it is strictly historical. Read the history and judge.
"Ada's picture is her mother's. I am glad of it—the mother made a good daughter. Send me Gifford's opinion, and never mind the Archbishop. I can neither send you away, nor give you a hundred pistoles, nor a better taste: I send you a tragedy, and you ask for 'facetious epistles;' a little like your predecessor, who advised Dr. Prideaux to 'put some more humour into his Life of Mahomet.'
"Bankes is a wonderful fellow. There is hardly one of my school or college contemporaries that has not turned out more or less celebrated. Peel, Palmerstone, Bankes, Hobhouse, Tavistock, Bob Mills, Douglas Kinnaird, &c. &c. have all talked and been talked about.
"We are here going to fight a little next month, if the Huns don't cross the Po, and probably if they do. I can't say more now. If any thing happens, you have matter for a posthumous work, in MS.; so pray be civil. Depend upon it, there will be savage work, if once they begin here. The French courage proceeds from vanity, the German from phlegm, the Turkish from fanaticism and opium, the Spanish from pride, the English from coolness, the Dutch from obstinacy, the Russian from insensibility, but theItalianfromanger; so you'll see that they will spare nothing."
LETTER 382. TO MR. MOORE.
"Ravenna, August 31, 1820."D——n your 'mezzo cammin[79]'—you should say 'the prime of life,' a much more consolatory phrase.Besides, it is not correct. I was born in 1788, and consequently am but thirty-two. You are mistaken on another point. The 'Sequin Box' never came into requisition, nor is it likely to do so. It were better that it had, for then a man is notbound, you know. As to reform, I did reform—what would you have? 'Rebellion lay in his way, and he found it.' I verily believe that nor you, nor any man of poetical temperament, can avoid a strong passion of some kind. It is the poetry of life. What should I have known or written, had I been a quiet, mercantile politician, or a lord in waiting? A man must travel, and turmoil, or there is no existence. Besides, I only meant to be a Cavalier Servente, and had no idea it would turn out a romance, in the Anglo fashion."However, I suspect I know a thing or two of Italy—more than Lady Morgan has picked up in her posting. What do Englishmen know of Italians beyond their museums and saloons—and some hack * *,en passant? Now, I have lived in the heart of their houses, in parts of Italy freshest and least influenced by strangers,—have seen and become (pars magna fui) a portion of their hopes, and fears, and passions, and am almost inoculated into a family. This is to see men and things as they are."You say that I called you 'quiet[80]'—I don't recollect any thing of the sort. On the contrary, you are always in scrapes."What think you of the Queen? I hear Mr. Hoby says, 'that it makes him weep to see her, she reminds him so much of Jane Shore.'"Mr. Hoby the bootmaker's heart is quite sore,For seeing the Queen makes him think of Jane Shore;And, in fact, * *Pray excuse this ribaldry. What is your poem about? Write and tell me all about it and you."Yours, &c."P.S. Did you write the lively quiz on Peter Bell? It has wit enough to be yours, and almost too much to be any body else's now going. It was in Galignani the other day or week."
"Ravenna, August 31, 1820.
"D——n your 'mezzo cammin[79]'—you should say 'the prime of life,' a much more consolatory phrase.Besides, it is not correct. I was born in 1788, and consequently am but thirty-two. You are mistaken on another point. The 'Sequin Box' never came into requisition, nor is it likely to do so. It were better that it had, for then a man is notbound, you know. As to reform, I did reform—what would you have? 'Rebellion lay in his way, and he found it.' I verily believe that nor you, nor any man of poetical temperament, can avoid a strong passion of some kind. It is the poetry of life. What should I have known or written, had I been a quiet, mercantile politician, or a lord in waiting? A man must travel, and turmoil, or there is no existence. Besides, I only meant to be a Cavalier Servente, and had no idea it would turn out a romance, in the Anglo fashion.
"However, I suspect I know a thing or two of Italy—more than Lady Morgan has picked up in her posting. What do Englishmen know of Italians beyond their museums and saloons—and some hack * *,en passant? Now, I have lived in the heart of their houses, in parts of Italy freshest and least influenced by strangers,—have seen and become (pars magna fui) a portion of their hopes, and fears, and passions, and am almost inoculated into a family. This is to see men and things as they are.
"You say that I called you 'quiet[80]'—I don't recollect any thing of the sort. On the contrary, you are always in scrapes.
"What think you of the Queen? I hear Mr. Hoby says, 'that it makes him weep to see her, she reminds him so much of Jane Shore.'
"Mr. Hoby the bootmaker's heart is quite sore,For seeing the Queen makes him think of Jane Shore;And, in fact, * *
"Mr. Hoby the bootmaker's heart is quite sore,For seeing the Queen makes him think of Jane Shore;And, in fact, * *
Pray excuse this ribaldry. What is your poem about? Write and tell me all about it and you.
"Yours, &c.
"P.S. Did you write the lively quiz on Peter Bell? It has wit enough to be yours, and almost too much to be any body else's now going. It was in Galignani the other day or week."
LETTER 383. TO MR. MURRAY.
"Ravenna, September 7. 1820."In correcting the proofs you must refer to themanuscript, because there are in it various readings. Pray attend to this, and choose what Gifford thinks best, Let me hear what he thinks of the whole."You speak of Lady * *'s illness; she is not of those who die:—the amiable only do; and those whose death woulddo goodlive. Whenever she is pleased to return, it may be presumed she will take her 'divining rod' along with her: it may be of use to her at home, as well as to the 'rich man' of the Evangelists."Pray do not let the papers paragraph me back to England. They may say what they please, any loathsome abuse but that. Contradict it."My last letters will have taught you to expect an explosion here: it was primed and loaded, but they hesitated to fire the train. One of the cities shirked from the league. I cannot write more at large for a thousand reasons. Our 'puir hill folk' offered to strike, and raise the first banner, but Bologna paused; and now 'tis autumn, and the season half over. 'O Jerusalem! Jerusalem!' The Huns are on the Po; but if once they pass it on their way to Naples, all Italy will be behind them. The dogs—the wolves—may they perish like the host of Sennacherib! If you want to publish the Prophecy of Dante, you never will have a better time."
"Ravenna, September 7. 1820.
"In correcting the proofs you must refer to themanuscript, because there are in it various readings. Pray attend to this, and choose what Gifford thinks best, Let me hear what he thinks of the whole.
"You speak of Lady * *'s illness; she is not of those who die:—the amiable only do; and those whose death woulddo goodlive. Whenever she is pleased to return, it may be presumed she will take her 'divining rod' along with her: it may be of use to her at home, as well as to the 'rich man' of the Evangelists.
"Pray do not let the papers paragraph me back to England. They may say what they please, any loathsome abuse but that. Contradict it.
"My last letters will have taught you to expect an explosion here: it was primed and loaded, but they hesitated to fire the train. One of the cities shirked from the league. I cannot write more at large for a thousand reasons. Our 'puir hill folk' offered to strike, and raise the first banner, but Bologna paused; and now 'tis autumn, and the season half over. 'O Jerusalem! Jerusalem!' The Huns are on the Po; but if once they pass it on their way to Naples, all Italy will be behind them. The dogs—the wolves—may they perish like the host of Sennacherib! If you want to publish the Prophecy of Dante, you never will have a better time."
LETTER 384. TO MR. MURRAY.
"Ravenna, Sept. 11. 1820."Here is another historicalnotefor you. I want to be as near truth as the drama can be."Last post I sent you a note fierce as Faliero himself[81], in answer to a trashy tourist, who pretends that he could have been introduced to me. Let me have a proof of it, that I may cut its lava into some shape."What Gifford says is very consolatory (of the first act). English, sterlinggenuine English, is a desideratum amongst you, and I am glad that I havegot so much left; though Heaven knows how I retain it: Ihearnone but from my valet, and his isNottinghamshire: and Iseenone but in your new publications, and theirs isnolanguage at all, but jargon. Even your * * * * is terribly stilted and affected, with 'very, very' so soft and pamby."Oh! if ever I do come amongst you again, I will give you such a 'Baviad and Mæviad!' not as good as the old, but evenbetter merited. There never was such asetas yourragamuffins(I meannotyours only, but every body's). What with the Cockneys, and the Lakers, and thefollowersof Scott, and Moore, and Byron, you are in the very uttermost decline and degradation of literature. I can't think of it without all the remorse of a murderer. I wish that Johnson were alive again to crush them!"
"Ravenna, Sept. 11. 1820.
"Here is another historicalnotefor you. I want to be as near truth as the drama can be.
"Last post I sent you a note fierce as Faliero himself[81], in answer to a trashy tourist, who pretends that he could have been introduced to me. Let me have a proof of it, that I may cut its lava into some shape.
"What Gifford says is very consolatory (of the first act). English, sterlinggenuine English, is a desideratum amongst you, and I am glad that I havegot so much left; though Heaven knows how I retain it: Ihearnone but from my valet, and his isNottinghamshire: and Iseenone but in your new publications, and theirs isnolanguage at all, but jargon. Even your * * * * is terribly stilted and affected, with 'very, very' so soft and pamby.
"Oh! if ever I do come amongst you again, I will give you such a 'Baviad and Mæviad!' not as good as the old, but evenbetter merited. There never was such asetas yourragamuffins(I meannotyours only, but every body's). What with the Cockneys, and the Lakers, and thefollowersof Scott, and Moore, and Byron, you are in the very uttermost decline and degradation of literature. I can't think of it without all the remorse of a murderer. I wish that Johnson were alive again to crush them!"
LETTER 385. TO MR. MURRAY.
"Ravenna, Sept. 14. 1820."What! not a line? Well, have it your own way."I wish you would inform Perry, that his stupid paragraph is the cause of all my newspapers being stopped in Paris. The fools believe me in your infernal country, and have not sent on their gazettes, so that I know nothing of your beastly trial of the Queen."I cannot avail myself of Mr. Gifford's remarks, because I have received none, except on the first act. Yours, &c."P.S. Do, pray, beg the editors of papers to say any thing blackguard they please; but not to put me amongst their arrivals. They do me more mischief by such nonsense than all their abuse can do."
"Ravenna, Sept. 14. 1820.
"What! not a line? Well, have it your own way.
"I wish you would inform Perry, that his stupid paragraph is the cause of all my newspapers being stopped in Paris. The fools believe me in your infernal country, and have not sent on their gazettes, so that I know nothing of your beastly trial of the Queen.
"I cannot avail myself of Mr. Gifford's remarks, because I have received none, except on the first act. Yours, &c.
"P.S. Do, pray, beg the editors of papers to say any thing blackguard they please; but not to put me amongst their arrivals. They do me more mischief by such nonsense than all their abuse can do."
LETTER 386. TO MR. MURRAY.
"Ravenna, Sept. 21. 1820."So you are at your old tricks again. This is the second packet I have received unaccompanied by a single line of good, bad, or indifferent. It is strange that you have never forwarded any further observations of Gifford's. How am I to alter or amend, if I hear no further? or does this silence mean that it is well enough as it is, or too bad to be repaired? If the last, why do you not say so at once, instead of playing pretty, while you know that soon or late you must out with the truth."Yours, &c."P.S. My sister tells me that you sent to her to enquire where I was, believing in my arrival,driving a curricle, &c. &c. into Palace-yard. Do you think me a coxcomb or a madman, to be capable of such an exhibition? My sister knew me better, and told you, that could not be me. You might as well have thought me entering on 'a pale horse,' like Death in the Revelations."
"Ravenna, Sept. 21. 1820.
"So you are at your old tricks again. This is the second packet I have received unaccompanied by a single line of good, bad, or indifferent. It is strange that you have never forwarded any further observations of Gifford's. How am I to alter or amend, if I hear no further? or does this silence mean that it is well enough as it is, or too bad to be repaired? If the last, why do you not say so at once, instead of playing pretty, while you know that soon or late you must out with the truth.
"Yours, &c.
"P.S. My sister tells me that you sent to her to enquire where I was, believing in my arrival,driving a curricle, &c. &c. into Palace-yard. Do you think me a coxcomb or a madman, to be capable of such an exhibition? My sister knew me better, and told you, that could not be me. You might as well have thought me entering on 'a pale horse,' like Death in the Revelations."
LETTER 387. TO MR. MURRAY.
"Ravenna, Sept. '23. 1820."Get from Mr. Hobhouse, and send me a proof (with the Latin) of my Hints from Horace; it hasnow thenonum prematur in annumcomplete for its production, being written at Athens in 1811. I have a notion that, with some omissions of names and passages, it will do; and I could put my late observationsforPope amongst the notes, with the date of 1820, and so on. As far as versification goes, it is good; and, on looking back to what I wrote about that period, I am astonished to see howlittleI have trained on. I wrote better then than now; but that comes of my having fallen into the atrocious bad taste of the times. If I can trim it for present publication, what with the other things you have of mine, you will have a volume or two ofvarietyat least, for there will be all measures, styles, and topics, whether good or no. I am anxious to hear what Gifford thinks of the tragedy: pray let me know. I really do not know what to think myself."If the Germans pass the Po, they will be treated to a mass out of the Cardinal de Retz'sBreviary. * *'s a fool, and could not understand this: Frere will. It is as pretty a conceit as you would wish to see on a summer's day."Nobody here believes a word of the evidence against the Queen. The very mob cry shame against their countrymen, and say, that for half the money spent upon the trial, any testimony whatever may be brought out of Italy. This you may rely upon as fact. I told you as much before. As to what travellers report, whatare travellers? Now I havelivedamong the Italians—notFlorenced, andRomed, and galleried, and conversationed it for a few months, and then home again; but been of their families,and friendships, and feuds, and loves, and councils, and correspondence, in a part of Italy least known to foreigners,—and have been amongst them of all classes, from the Conte to the Contadine; and you may be sure of what I say to you."Yours," &c.
"Ravenna, Sept. '23. 1820.
"Get from Mr. Hobhouse, and send me a proof (with the Latin) of my Hints from Horace; it hasnow thenonum prematur in annumcomplete for its production, being written at Athens in 1811. I have a notion that, with some omissions of names and passages, it will do; and I could put my late observationsforPope amongst the notes, with the date of 1820, and so on. As far as versification goes, it is good; and, on looking back to what I wrote about that period, I am astonished to see howlittleI have trained on. I wrote better then than now; but that comes of my having fallen into the atrocious bad taste of the times. If I can trim it for present publication, what with the other things you have of mine, you will have a volume or two ofvarietyat least, for there will be all measures, styles, and topics, whether good or no. I am anxious to hear what Gifford thinks of the tragedy: pray let me know. I really do not know what to think myself.
"If the Germans pass the Po, they will be treated to a mass out of the Cardinal de Retz'sBreviary. * *'s a fool, and could not understand this: Frere will. It is as pretty a conceit as you would wish to see on a summer's day.
"Nobody here believes a word of the evidence against the Queen. The very mob cry shame against their countrymen, and say, that for half the money spent upon the trial, any testimony whatever may be brought out of Italy. This you may rely upon as fact. I told you as much before. As to what travellers report, whatare travellers? Now I havelivedamong the Italians—notFlorenced, andRomed, and galleried, and conversationed it for a few months, and then home again; but been of their families,and friendships, and feuds, and loves, and councils, and correspondence, in a part of Italy least known to foreigners,—and have been amongst them of all classes, from the Conte to the Contadine; and you may be sure of what I say to you.
"Yours," &c.
LETTER 388. TO MR. MURRAY.
"Ravenna, Sept. 28. 1820."I thought that I had told you long ago, that it never was intended nor written with any view to the stage. I have said so in the preface too. It is too long and too regular for your stage, the persons too few, and theunitytoo much observed. It is more like a play of Alfieri's than of your stage (I say this humbly in speaking of that great man); but there is poetry, and it is equal to Manfred, though I know not what esteem is held of Manfred."I have now been nearly as longoutof England as I was there during the time I saw you frequently. I came home July 14th, 1811, and left again April 25th, 1816: so that Sept. 28th, 1820, brings me within a very few months of the same duration of time of my stay and my absence. In course, I can know nothing of the public taste and feelings, but from what I glean from letters, &c. Both seem to be as bad as possible."I thoughtAnastasius excellent: did I not say so? Matthews's Diary most excellent; it, and Forsyth, and parts of Hobhouse, are all we have of truth or sense upon Italy. The Letter to Julia very goodindeed, I do not despise * * * * * *; but if she knit blue stockings instead of wearing them, it would be better.Youare taken in by that false stilted trashy style, which is a mixture of all the styles of the day, which areall bombastic(I don't except myown—no one has done more through negligence to corrupt the language); but it is neither English nor poetry. Time will show."I am sorry Gifford has made no further remarks beyond the first Act: does he think all the English equally sterling as he thought the first? You did right to send the proofs: I was a fool; but I do really detest the sight of proofs: it is an absurdity; but comes from laziness."You can steal the two Juans into the world quietly, tagged to the others. The play as you will—the Dante too; but thePulciI am proud of: it is superb; you have no such translation. It is the best thing I ever did in my life. I wrote the play from beginning to end, and not asingle scene without interruption, and being obliged to break off in the middle; for I had my hands full, and my head, too, just then; so it can be no great shakes—I mean the play; and the head too, if you like."P.S. Politics here still savage and uncertain. However, we are all in our 'bandaliers,' to join the 'Highlanders if they cross the Forth,'i.e.to crush the Austrians if they cross the Po. The rascals!—and that dog Liverpool, to say their subjects arehappy! If ever I come back, I'll work some of these ministers."Sept. 29."I opened my letter to say, that on readingmoreof the four volumes on Italy, where the author says 'declined an introduction,' I perceive (horresco referens) it is written by a WOMAN!!! In that case you must suppress my note and answer, and all I have said about the book and the writer. I never dreamed of it until now, in my extreme wrath at that precious note. I can only say that I am sorry that a lady should say any thing of the kind. What I would have said to one of the other sex you know already. Her book too (as ashebook) is not a bad one; but she evidently don't know the Italians, or rather don't like them, and forgets thecausesof their misery and profligacy (MatthewsandForsythare your men for truth and tact), and has gone over Italy incompany—alwaysabadplan: you must bealonewith people to know them well. Ask her, who was the 'descendant of Lady M.W. Montague,' and by whom? by Algarotti?"I suspect that, in Marino Faliero, you and yours won't like thepolitics, which are perilous to you in these times; but recollect that it isnot a politicalplay, and that I was obliged to put into the mouths of the characters the sentiments upon which they acted. I hate all things written like Pizarro, to represent France, England, and so forth. All I have done is meant to be purely Venetian, even to the very prophecy of its present state."Your Angles in general know little of theItalians, who detest them for their numbers and their GENOA treachery. Besides, the English travellers have not been composed of the best company. How could they?—out of 100,000, how many gentlemen were there, or honest men?"Mitchell's Aristophanes is excellent. Send me the rest of it."These fools will force me to write a book about Italy myself, to give them 'the loud lie.' They prate about assassination; what is it but the origin of duelling—and 'a wild justice,' as Lord Bacon calls it? It is the fount of the modern point of honour in what the laws can't orwon'treach. Every man is liable to it more or less, according to circumstances or place. For instance, I am living here exposed to it daily, for I have happened to make a powerful and unprincipled man my enemy;—and I never sleep the worse for it, or ride in less solitary places, because precaution is useless, and one thinks of it as of a disease which may or may not strike. It is true that there are those here, who, if he did, would 'live to think on't;' but that would not awake my bones: I should be sorry if it would, were they once at rest."
"Ravenna, Sept. 28. 1820.
"I thought that I had told you long ago, that it never was intended nor written with any view to the stage. I have said so in the preface too. It is too long and too regular for your stage, the persons too few, and theunitytoo much observed. It is more like a play of Alfieri's than of your stage (I say this humbly in speaking of that great man); but there is poetry, and it is equal to Manfred, though I know not what esteem is held of Manfred.
"I have now been nearly as longoutof England as I was there during the time I saw you frequently. I came home July 14th, 1811, and left again April 25th, 1816: so that Sept. 28th, 1820, brings me within a very few months of the same duration of time of my stay and my absence. In course, I can know nothing of the public taste and feelings, but from what I glean from letters, &c. Both seem to be as bad as possible.
"I thoughtAnastasius excellent: did I not say so? Matthews's Diary most excellent; it, and Forsyth, and parts of Hobhouse, are all we have of truth or sense upon Italy. The Letter to Julia very goodindeed, I do not despise * * * * * *; but if she knit blue stockings instead of wearing them, it would be better.Youare taken in by that false stilted trashy style, which is a mixture of all the styles of the day, which areall bombastic(I don't except myown—no one has done more through negligence to corrupt the language); but it is neither English nor poetry. Time will show.
"I am sorry Gifford has made no further remarks beyond the first Act: does he think all the English equally sterling as he thought the first? You did right to send the proofs: I was a fool; but I do really detest the sight of proofs: it is an absurdity; but comes from laziness.
"You can steal the two Juans into the world quietly, tagged to the others. The play as you will—the Dante too; but thePulciI am proud of: it is superb; you have no such translation. It is the best thing I ever did in my life. I wrote the play from beginning to end, and not asingle scene without interruption, and being obliged to break off in the middle; for I had my hands full, and my head, too, just then; so it can be no great shakes—I mean the play; and the head too, if you like.
"P.S. Politics here still savage and uncertain. However, we are all in our 'bandaliers,' to join the 'Highlanders if they cross the Forth,'i.e.to crush the Austrians if they cross the Po. The rascals!—and that dog Liverpool, to say their subjects arehappy! If ever I come back, I'll work some of these ministers.
"Sept. 29.
"I opened my letter to say, that on readingmoreof the four volumes on Italy, where the author says 'declined an introduction,' I perceive (horresco referens) it is written by a WOMAN!!! In that case you must suppress my note and answer, and all I have said about the book and the writer. I never dreamed of it until now, in my extreme wrath at that precious note. I can only say that I am sorry that a lady should say any thing of the kind. What I would have said to one of the other sex you know already. Her book too (as ashebook) is not a bad one; but she evidently don't know the Italians, or rather don't like them, and forgets thecausesof their misery and profligacy (MatthewsandForsythare your men for truth and tact), and has gone over Italy incompany—alwaysabadplan: you must bealonewith people to know them well. Ask her, who was the 'descendant of Lady M.W. Montague,' and by whom? by Algarotti?
"I suspect that, in Marino Faliero, you and yours won't like thepolitics, which are perilous to you in these times; but recollect that it isnot a politicalplay, and that I was obliged to put into the mouths of the characters the sentiments upon which they acted. I hate all things written like Pizarro, to represent France, England, and so forth. All I have done is meant to be purely Venetian, even to the very prophecy of its present state.
"Your Angles in general know little of theItalians, who detest them for their numbers and their GENOA treachery. Besides, the English travellers have not been composed of the best company. How could they?—out of 100,000, how many gentlemen were there, or honest men?
"Mitchell's Aristophanes is excellent. Send me the rest of it.
"These fools will force me to write a book about Italy myself, to give them 'the loud lie.' They prate about assassination; what is it but the origin of duelling—and 'a wild justice,' as Lord Bacon calls it? It is the fount of the modern point of honour in what the laws can't orwon'treach. Every man is liable to it more or less, according to circumstances or place. For instance, I am living here exposed to it daily, for I have happened to make a powerful and unprincipled man my enemy;—and I never sleep the worse for it, or ride in less solitary places, because precaution is useless, and one thinks of it as of a disease which may or may not strike. It is true that there are those here, who, if he did, would 'live to think on't;' but that would not awake my bones: I should be sorry if it would, were they once at rest."
LETTER 389. TO MR. MURRAY.
"Ravenna, 8bre 6°, 1820."You will have now received all the Acts, corrected, of the Marino Faliero. What you say of the 'bet of 100 guineas' made by some one who says that he saw me last week, reminds me of what happened in 1810: you can easily ascertain the fact, and it is an odd one."In the latter end of 1811, I met one evening at the Alfred my old school and form fellow (for we were within two of each other,hethe higher, though both very near the top of our remove,)Peel, the Irish secretary. He told me that, in 1810, he met me, as he thought, in St. James's Street, but we passed without speaking. He mentioned this, and it was denied as impossible, I being then in Turkey. A day or two afterward, he pointed out to his brother a person on the opposite side of the way:—'There,' said he, 'is the man whom I took for Byron.' His brother instantly answered, 'Why, it is Byron, and no one else.' But this is not all:—I wasseenby somebody towrite down my nameamongst the enquirers after the King's health, then attacked by insanity. Now, at this very period, as nearly as I could make out, I was ill of astrong feverat Patras, caught in the marshes near Olympia, from themalaria. If I had died there, this would have been a new ghost story for you. You can easily make out the accuracy of this from Peel himself, who told it in detail. I suppose you will be of the opinion of Lucretius, who (denies the immortality of the soul, but) asserts that from the 'flying off of the surfaces of bodies, these surfaces or cases, like the coats of an onion, are sometimes seen entire when they are separated from it, so that the shapes and shadows of both the dead and living are frequently beheld.'"But if they are, are their coats and waistcoats also seen? I do not disbelieve that we may be two by some unconscious process, to a certain sign, but which of these two I happen at present to be, Ileave you to decide. I only hope thatt'other mebehaves like a gemman."I wish you would get Peel asked how far I am accurate in my recollection of what he told me; for I don't like to say such things without authority."I am not sure that I wasnot spokenwith; but this also you can ascertain. I have written to you such letters that I stop."Yours, &c."P.S. Last year (in June, 1819), I met at Count Mosti's, at Ferrara, an Italian who asked me 'if I knew Lord Byron?' I told himno(no one knows himself,youknow). 'Then,' says he, 'I do; I met him at Naples the other day.' I pulled out my card and asked him if that was the way he spelt his name: he answered,yes. I suspect that it was a blackguard navy surgeon, who attended a young travelling madam about, and passed himself for a lord at the post-houses. He was a vulgar dog—quite of the cock-pit order—and a precious representative I must have had of him, if it was even so; but I don't know. He passed himself off as a gentleman, and squired about a Countess * * (of this place), then at Venice, an ugly battered woman, of bad morals even for Italy."
"Ravenna, 8bre 6°, 1820.
"You will have now received all the Acts, corrected, of the Marino Faliero. What you say of the 'bet of 100 guineas' made by some one who says that he saw me last week, reminds me of what happened in 1810: you can easily ascertain the fact, and it is an odd one.
"In the latter end of 1811, I met one evening at the Alfred my old school and form fellow (for we were within two of each other,hethe higher, though both very near the top of our remove,)Peel, the Irish secretary. He told me that, in 1810, he met me, as he thought, in St. James's Street, but we passed without speaking. He mentioned this, and it was denied as impossible, I being then in Turkey. A day or two afterward, he pointed out to his brother a person on the opposite side of the way:—'There,' said he, 'is the man whom I took for Byron.' His brother instantly answered, 'Why, it is Byron, and no one else.' But this is not all:—I wasseenby somebody towrite down my nameamongst the enquirers after the King's health, then attacked by insanity. Now, at this very period, as nearly as I could make out, I was ill of astrong feverat Patras, caught in the marshes near Olympia, from themalaria. If I had died there, this would have been a new ghost story for you. You can easily make out the accuracy of this from Peel himself, who told it in detail. I suppose you will be of the opinion of Lucretius, who (denies the immortality of the soul, but) asserts that from the 'flying off of the surfaces of bodies, these surfaces or cases, like the coats of an onion, are sometimes seen entire when they are separated from it, so that the shapes and shadows of both the dead and living are frequently beheld.'
"But if they are, are their coats and waistcoats also seen? I do not disbelieve that we may be two by some unconscious process, to a certain sign, but which of these two I happen at present to be, Ileave you to decide. I only hope thatt'other mebehaves like a gemman.
"I wish you would get Peel asked how far I am accurate in my recollection of what he told me; for I don't like to say such things without authority.
"I am not sure that I wasnot spokenwith; but this also you can ascertain. I have written to you such letters that I stop.
"Yours, &c.
"P.S. Last year (in June, 1819), I met at Count Mosti's, at Ferrara, an Italian who asked me 'if I knew Lord Byron?' I told himno(no one knows himself,youknow). 'Then,' says he, 'I do; I met him at Naples the other day.' I pulled out my card and asked him if that was the way he spelt his name: he answered,yes. I suspect that it was a blackguard navy surgeon, who attended a young travelling madam about, and passed himself for a lord at the post-houses. He was a vulgar dog—quite of the cock-pit order—and a precious representative I must have had of him, if it was even so; but I don't know. He passed himself off as a gentleman, and squired about a Countess * * (of this place), then at Venice, an ugly battered woman, of bad morals even for Italy."
LETTER 390. TO MR. MURRAY.
"Ravenna, 8bre 8°, 1820."Foscolo's letter is exactly the thing wanted; firstly, because he is a man of genius; and, next,because he is an Italian, and therefore the best judge of Italics. Besides,"He's more an antique Roman than a Dane;that is, he is more of the ancient Greek than of the modern Italian. Though 'somewhat,' as Dugald Dalgetty says, 'too wild and salvage' (like 'Ronald of the Mist'), 'tis a wonderful man, and my friends Hobhouse and Rose both swear by him; and they are good judges of men and of Italian humanity."Here are in alltwoworthy voices gain'd:Gifford says it is good 'sterling genuine English,' and Foscolo says that the characters are right Venetian. Shakspeare and Otway had a million of advantages over me, besides the incalculable one of beingdeadfrom one to two centuries, and having been both born blackguards (which ARE such attractions to the gentle living reader); let me then preserve the only one which I could possibly have—that of having been at Venice, and entered more into the local spirit of it. I claim no more."I know what Foscolo means about Calendaro'sspittingat Bertram;that'snational—the objection, I mean. The Italians and French, with those 'flags of abomination,' their pocket handkerchiefs, spit there, and here, and every where else—in your face almost, and thereforeobjectto it on the stage astoo familiar. But we whospitnowhere—but in a man's face when we grow savage—are not likely to feel this. RememberMassinger, and Kean's Sir Giles Overreach—"Lord!thusIspitat thee and at thy counsel!Besides, Calendaro doesnotspit in Bertram's face; he spitsathim, as I have seen the Mussulmans do upon the ground when they are in a rage. Again, hedoes not in fact despiseBertram, though he affects it—as we all do, when angry with one we think our inferior. He is angry at not being allowed to die in his own way (although not afraid of death); and recollect that he suspected and hated Bertram from the first. Israel Bertuccio, on the other hand, is a cooler and more concentrated fellow: he acts uponprinciple and impulse; Calendaro uponimpulseandexample."So there's argument for you."The Dogerepeats;—true, but it is from engrossing passion, and because he seesdifferentpersons, and is always obliged to recur to thecauseuppermost in his mind. His speeches are long:—true, but I wrote for thecloset, and on the French and Italian model rather than yours, which I think not very highly of, for all yourolddramatists, who are long enough too, God knows:—lookinto any of them."I return you Foscolo's letter, because it alludes also to his private affairs. I am sorry to see such a man in straits, because I know what they are, or what they were. I never met but three men who would have held out a finger to me: one was yourself, the other William Bankes, and the other a nobleman long ago dead: but of these the first was the only one who offered it while Ireallywanted it; the second from good will—but I was not in need of Bankes's aid, and would not have accepted it if Ihad (though I love and esteem him); and thethird—— ——.[82]"So you see that I have seen some strange things in my time. As for your own offer, it was in 1815, when I was in actual uncertainty of five pounds. I rejected it; but I have not forgotten it, although you probably have."P.S. Foscolo's Ricciardo was lent, with theleaves uncut, to some Italians, now in villeggiatura, so that I have had no opportunity of hearing their decision, or of reading it. They seized on it as Foscolo's, and on account of the beauty of the paper and printing, directly. If I find it takes, I will reprint ithere. The Italians think as highly of Foscolo as they can of any man, divided and miserable as they are, and with neither leisure at present to read, nor head nor heart to judge of any thing but extracts from French newspapers and the Lugano Gazette."We are all looking at one another, like wolves on their prey in pursuit, only waiting for the first falling on to do unutterable things. They are a great world in chaos, or angels in hell, which you please; but out of chaos came Paradise, and out of hell—I don't know what; but the devil wentinthere, and he was a fine fellow once, you know."You need never favour me with any periodical publication, except the Edinburgh Quarterly, and an occasional Blackwood; or now and then a Monthly Review; for the rest I do not feel curiosity enough to look beyond their covers."To be sure I took in the British finely. He fell precisely into the glaring trap laid for him. It was inconceivable how he could be so absurd as to imagine us serious with him."Recollect, that if you put my name to 'Don Juan' in these canting days, any lawyer might oppose my guardian right of my daughter in Chancery, on the plea of its containing theparody;—such are the perils of a foolish jest. I was not aware of this at the time, but you will find it correct, I believe; and you may be sure that the Noels would not let it slip. Now I prefer my child to a poem at any time, and so should you, as having half a dozen."Let me know your notions."If you turn over the earlier pages of the Huntingdon peerage story, you will see how common a name Ada was in the early Plantagenet days. I found it in my own pedigree in the reign of John and Henry, and gave it to my daughter. It was also the name of Charlemagne's sister. It is in an early chapter of Genesis, as the name of the wife of Lamech; and I suppose Ada is the feminine ofAdam. It is short, ancient, vocalic, and had been in my family; for which reason I gave it to my daughter."
"Ravenna, 8bre 8°, 1820.
"Foscolo's letter is exactly the thing wanted; firstly, because he is a man of genius; and, next,because he is an Italian, and therefore the best judge of Italics. Besides,
"He's more an antique Roman than a Dane;
"He's more an antique Roman than a Dane;
that is, he is more of the ancient Greek than of the modern Italian. Though 'somewhat,' as Dugald Dalgetty says, 'too wild and salvage' (like 'Ronald of the Mist'), 'tis a wonderful man, and my friends Hobhouse and Rose both swear by him; and they are good judges of men and of Italian humanity.
"Here are in alltwoworthy voices gain'd:
"Here are in alltwoworthy voices gain'd:
Gifford says it is good 'sterling genuine English,' and Foscolo says that the characters are right Venetian. Shakspeare and Otway had a million of advantages over me, besides the incalculable one of beingdeadfrom one to two centuries, and having been both born blackguards (which ARE such attractions to the gentle living reader); let me then preserve the only one which I could possibly have—that of having been at Venice, and entered more into the local spirit of it. I claim no more.
"I know what Foscolo means about Calendaro'sspittingat Bertram;that'snational—the objection, I mean. The Italians and French, with those 'flags of abomination,' their pocket handkerchiefs, spit there, and here, and every where else—in your face almost, and thereforeobjectto it on the stage astoo familiar. But we whospitnowhere—but in a man's face when we grow savage—are not likely to feel this. RememberMassinger, and Kean's Sir Giles Overreach—
"Lord!thusIspitat thee and at thy counsel!
"Lord!thusIspitat thee and at thy counsel!
Besides, Calendaro doesnotspit in Bertram's face; he spitsathim, as I have seen the Mussulmans do upon the ground when they are in a rage. Again, hedoes not in fact despiseBertram, though he affects it—as we all do, when angry with one we think our inferior. He is angry at not being allowed to die in his own way (although not afraid of death); and recollect that he suspected and hated Bertram from the first. Israel Bertuccio, on the other hand, is a cooler and more concentrated fellow: he acts uponprinciple and impulse; Calendaro uponimpulseandexample.
"So there's argument for you.
"The Dogerepeats;—true, but it is from engrossing passion, and because he seesdifferentpersons, and is always obliged to recur to thecauseuppermost in his mind. His speeches are long:—true, but I wrote for thecloset, and on the French and Italian model rather than yours, which I think not very highly of, for all yourolddramatists, who are long enough too, God knows:—lookinto any of them.
"I return you Foscolo's letter, because it alludes also to his private affairs. I am sorry to see such a man in straits, because I know what they are, or what they were. I never met but three men who would have held out a finger to me: one was yourself, the other William Bankes, and the other a nobleman long ago dead: but of these the first was the only one who offered it while Ireallywanted it; the second from good will—but I was not in need of Bankes's aid, and would not have accepted it if Ihad (though I love and esteem him); and thethird—— ——.[82]
"So you see that I have seen some strange things in my time. As for your own offer, it was in 1815, when I was in actual uncertainty of five pounds. I rejected it; but I have not forgotten it, although you probably have.
"P.S. Foscolo's Ricciardo was lent, with theleaves uncut, to some Italians, now in villeggiatura, so that I have had no opportunity of hearing their decision, or of reading it. They seized on it as Foscolo's, and on account of the beauty of the paper and printing, directly. If I find it takes, I will reprint ithere. The Italians think as highly of Foscolo as they can of any man, divided and miserable as they are, and with neither leisure at present to read, nor head nor heart to judge of any thing but extracts from French newspapers and the Lugano Gazette.
"We are all looking at one another, like wolves on their prey in pursuit, only waiting for the first falling on to do unutterable things. They are a great world in chaos, or angels in hell, which you please; but out of chaos came Paradise, and out of hell—I don't know what; but the devil wentinthere, and he was a fine fellow once, you know.
"You need never favour me with any periodical publication, except the Edinburgh Quarterly, and an occasional Blackwood; or now and then a Monthly Review; for the rest I do not feel curiosity enough to look beyond their covers.
"To be sure I took in the British finely. He fell precisely into the glaring trap laid for him. It was inconceivable how he could be so absurd as to imagine us serious with him.
"Recollect, that if you put my name to 'Don Juan' in these canting days, any lawyer might oppose my guardian right of my daughter in Chancery, on the plea of its containing theparody;—such are the perils of a foolish jest. I was not aware of this at the time, but you will find it correct, I believe; and you may be sure that the Noels would not let it slip. Now I prefer my child to a poem at any time, and so should you, as having half a dozen.
"Let me know your notions.
"If you turn over the earlier pages of the Huntingdon peerage story, you will see how common a name Ada was in the early Plantagenet days. I found it in my own pedigree in the reign of John and Henry, and gave it to my daughter. It was also the name of Charlemagne's sister. It is in an early chapter of Genesis, as the name of the wife of Lamech; and I suppose Ada is the feminine ofAdam. It is short, ancient, vocalic, and had been in my family; for which reason I gave it to my daughter."
LETTER 391. TO MR. MURRAY.
"Ravenna, 8bre 12°, 1820."By land and sea carriage a considerable quantity of books have arrived; and I am obliged and grateful: but 'medio de fonte leporum, surgitamari aliquid,' &c. &c.; which, being interpreted, means,"I'm thankful for your books, dear Murray;But why not send Scott's Monastery?the only book in fourlivingvolumes I would give a baioccolo to see—'bating the rest of the same author, and an occasional Edinburgh and Quarterly, as brief chroniclers of the times. Instead of this, here are Johnny Keats's * * poetry, and three novels by God knows whom, except that there is Peg * * *'s name to one of them—a spinster whom I thought we had sent back to her spinning. Crayon is very good; Hogg's Tales rough, but RACY, and welcome."Books of travels are expensive, and I don't want them, having travelled already; besides, they lie. Thank the author of 'The Profligate' for his (or her) present. Pray send meno morepoetry but what is rare and decidedly good. There is such a trash of Keats and the like upon my tables that I am ashamed to look at them. I say nothing against your parsons, your S * *s and your C * *s—it is all very fine—but pray dispense me from the pleasure. Instead of poetry, if you will favour me with a few soda-powders, I shall be delighted: but all prose ('batingtravelsand novels NOT by Scott) is welcome, especially Scott's Tales of my Landlord, and so on."In the notes to Marino Faliero, it may be as well to say that 'Benintende' was not really ofthe Ten, but merelyGrand Chancellor, a separate office (although important): it was an arbitrary alterationof mine. The Doges too were allburiedin St.Mark's beforeFaliero. It is singular that when his predecessor, Andrea Dandolo, died,the Tenmade a law thatallthefuture Dogesshould beburied with their families, in their own churches,—one would think by a kind of presentiment. So that all that is said of hisancestral Doges, as buried at St. John's and Paul's, is altered from the fact,they being in St. Mark's. Make a noteof this, and putEditoras the subscription to it."As I make such pretensions to accuracy, I should not like to betwittedeven with such trifles on that score. Of the play they may say what they please, but not so of my costume anddram. pers.they having been real existences."I omitted Foscolo in my list of livingVenetian worthies, in the notes, considering him as anItalianin general, and not a mere provincial like the rest; and as an Italian I have spoken of him in the preface to Canto 4th of Childe Harold."The French translation of us!!!oimè! oimè!—the German; but I don't understand the latter and his long dissertation at the end about the Fausts. Excuse haste. Of politics it is not safe to speak, but nothing is decided as yet."I am in a very fierce humour at not having Scott's Monastery. You aretoo liberalin quantity, and somewhat careless of the quality, of your missives. All theQuarterlies(four in number) I had had before from you, andtwoof the Edinburgh; but no matter; we shall have new ones by and by. No more Keats, I entreat:—flay him alive; if someof you don't, I must skin him myself. There is no bearing the drivelling idiotism of the manikin."I don't feel inclined to care further about 'Don Juan.' What do you think a very pretty Italian lady said to me the other day? She had read it in the French, and paid me some compliments, with due DRAWBACKS, upon it. I answered that what she said was true, but that I suspected it would live longer than Childe Harold. 'Ah but' (said she). 'I would rather have the fame of Childe Harold for three years than anIMMORTALITYof Don Juan!' The truth is thatit isTOO TRUE, and the women hate many things which strip off the tinsel ofsentiment; and they are right, as it would rob them of their weapons. I never knew a woman who did not hateDe Grammont's Memoirsfor the same reason: even Lady * * used to abuse them."Rose's work I never received. It was seized at Venice. Such is the liberality of the Huns, with their two hundred thousand men, that they dare not let such a volume as his circulate."
"Ravenna, 8bre 12°, 1820.
"By land and sea carriage a considerable quantity of books have arrived; and I am obliged and grateful: but 'medio de fonte leporum, surgitamari aliquid,' &c. &c.; which, being interpreted, means,
"I'm thankful for your books, dear Murray;But why not send Scott's Monastery?
"I'm thankful for your books, dear Murray;But why not send Scott's Monastery?
the only book in fourlivingvolumes I would give a baioccolo to see—'bating the rest of the same author, and an occasional Edinburgh and Quarterly, as brief chroniclers of the times. Instead of this, here are Johnny Keats's * * poetry, and three novels by God knows whom, except that there is Peg * * *'s name to one of them—a spinster whom I thought we had sent back to her spinning. Crayon is very good; Hogg's Tales rough, but RACY, and welcome.
"Books of travels are expensive, and I don't want them, having travelled already; besides, they lie. Thank the author of 'The Profligate' for his (or her) present. Pray send meno morepoetry but what is rare and decidedly good. There is such a trash of Keats and the like upon my tables that I am ashamed to look at them. I say nothing against your parsons, your S * *s and your C * *s—it is all very fine—but pray dispense me from the pleasure. Instead of poetry, if you will favour me with a few soda-powders, I shall be delighted: but all prose ('batingtravelsand novels NOT by Scott) is welcome, especially Scott's Tales of my Landlord, and so on.
"In the notes to Marino Faliero, it may be as well to say that 'Benintende' was not really ofthe Ten, but merelyGrand Chancellor, a separate office (although important): it was an arbitrary alterationof mine. The Doges too were allburiedin St.Mark's beforeFaliero. It is singular that when his predecessor, Andrea Dandolo, died,the Tenmade a law thatallthefuture Dogesshould beburied with their families, in their own churches,—one would think by a kind of presentiment. So that all that is said of hisancestral Doges, as buried at St. John's and Paul's, is altered from the fact,they being in St. Mark's. Make a noteof this, and putEditoras the subscription to it.
"As I make such pretensions to accuracy, I should not like to betwittedeven with such trifles on that score. Of the play they may say what they please, but not so of my costume anddram. pers.they having been real existences.
"I omitted Foscolo in my list of livingVenetian worthies, in the notes, considering him as anItalianin general, and not a mere provincial like the rest; and as an Italian I have spoken of him in the preface to Canto 4th of Childe Harold.
"The French translation of us!!!oimè! oimè!—the German; but I don't understand the latter and his long dissertation at the end about the Fausts. Excuse haste. Of politics it is not safe to speak, but nothing is decided as yet.
"I am in a very fierce humour at not having Scott's Monastery. You aretoo liberalin quantity, and somewhat careless of the quality, of your missives. All theQuarterlies(four in number) I had had before from you, andtwoof the Edinburgh; but no matter; we shall have new ones by and by. No more Keats, I entreat:—flay him alive; if someof you don't, I must skin him myself. There is no bearing the drivelling idiotism of the manikin.
"I don't feel inclined to care further about 'Don Juan.' What do you think a very pretty Italian lady said to me the other day? She had read it in the French, and paid me some compliments, with due DRAWBACKS, upon it. I answered that what she said was true, but that I suspected it would live longer than Childe Harold. 'Ah but' (said she). 'I would rather have the fame of Childe Harold for three years than anIMMORTALITYof Don Juan!' The truth is thatit isTOO TRUE, and the women hate many things which strip off the tinsel ofsentiment; and they are right, as it would rob them of their weapons. I never knew a woman who did not hateDe Grammont's Memoirsfor the same reason: even Lady * * used to abuse them.
"Rose's work I never received. It was seized at Venice. Such is the liberality of the Huns, with their two hundred thousand men, that they dare not let such a volume as his circulate."
LETTER 392. TO MR. MURRAY.
"Ravenna, 8bre 16°, 1820."The Abbot has just arrived; many thanks; as also for theMonastery—when you send it!!!"The Abbot will have a more than ordinary interest for me, for an ancestor of mine by the mother's side, Sir J. Gordon of Gight, the handsomest of his day, died on a scaffold at Aberdeen for his loyalty to Mary, of whom he was an imputed paramour as well as her relation. His fate was much commented on in the Chronicles of the times. If I mistake not, he had something to do with her escape from Loch Leven, or with her captivity there. But this you will know better than I."I recollect Loch Leven as it were but yesterday. I saw it in my way to England in 1798, being then ten years of age. My mother, who was as haughty as Lucifer with her descent from the Stuarts, and her right line from theold Gordons, not the Seyton Gordons, as she disdainfully termed the ducal branch, told me the story, always reminding me how superiorherGordons were to the southern Byrons, notwithstanding our Norman, and always masculine descent, which has never lapsed into a female, as my mother's Gordons had done in her own person."I have written to you so often lately, that the brevity of this will be welcome. Yours," &c.
"Ravenna, 8bre 16°, 1820.
"The Abbot has just arrived; many thanks; as also for theMonastery—when you send it!!!
"The Abbot will have a more than ordinary interest for me, for an ancestor of mine by the mother's side, Sir J. Gordon of Gight, the handsomest of his day, died on a scaffold at Aberdeen for his loyalty to Mary, of whom he was an imputed paramour as well as her relation. His fate was much commented on in the Chronicles of the times. If I mistake not, he had something to do with her escape from Loch Leven, or with her captivity there. But this you will know better than I.
"I recollect Loch Leven as it were but yesterday. I saw it in my way to England in 1798, being then ten years of age. My mother, who was as haughty as Lucifer with her descent from the Stuarts, and her right line from theold Gordons, not the Seyton Gordons, as she disdainfully termed the ducal branch, told me the story, always reminding me how superiorherGordons were to the southern Byrons, notwithstanding our Norman, and always masculine descent, which has never lapsed into a female, as my mother's Gordons had done in her own person.
"I have written to you so often lately, that the brevity of this will be welcome. Yours," &c.
LETTER 393. TO MR. MURRAY.