"Ravenna, February 16, 1821."In the month of March will arrive from BarcelonaSignor Curioni, engaged for the Opera. He is an acquaintance of mine, and a gentlemanly young man, high in his profession. I must request your personal kindness and patronage in his favour. Pray introduce him to such of the theatrical people, editors of papers, and others, as may be useful to him in his profession, publicly and privately."The fifth is so far from being the last of Don Juan, that it is hardly the beginning. I meant to take him the tour of Europe, with a proper mixture of siege, battle, and adventure, and to make him finish asAnacharsis Cloots, in the French Revolution.To how many cantos this may extend, I know not, nor whether (even if I live) I shall complete it: but this was my notion. I meant to have made him a cavalier servente in Italy, and a cause for a divorce in England, and a sentimental 'Werter-faced man' in Germany, so as to show the different ridicules of the society in each of those countries, and to have displayed him graduallygâtéandblaséas he grew older, as is natural. But I had not quite fixed whether to make him end in hell, or in an unhappy marriage, not knowing which would be the severest: the Spanish tradition says hell: but it is probably only an allegory of the other state. You are now in possession of my notions on the subject."You say the Doge will not be popular: did I ever write forpopularity? I defy you to show a work of mine (except a tale or two) of a popular style or complexion. It appears to me that there is room for a different style of the drama; neither a servile following of the old drama, which is a grossly erroneous one, nor yettoo French, like those who succeded the older writers. It appears to me, that good English, and a severer approach to the rules, might combine something not dishonourable to our literature. I have also attempted to make a play without love; and there are neither rings, nor mistakes, nor starts, nor outrageous ranting villains, nor melodrame in it. All this will prevent its popularity, but does not persuade me that it isthereforefaulty. Whatever faults it has will arise from deficiency in the conduct, rather than in the conception, which is simple and severe."Soyou epigrammatiseuponmy epigram? I willpayyou forthat, mind if I don't, some day. I never let any one off in the long run (who first begins). Remember * * *, and see if I don't do you as good a turn. You unnatural publisher! what! quiz your own authors? you are a paper cannibal!"In the Letter on Bowles (which I sent by Tuesday's post) after the words 'attempts had been made' (alluding to the republication of 'English Bards'), add the words, 'in Ireland;' for I believe that English pirates did not begin their attempts till after I had left England the second time. Pray attend to this. Let me know what you and your synod think on Bowles."I did not think the secondsealso bad; surely it is far better than the Saracen's head with which you have sealed yourlast letter; the larger, inprofile, was surely much better than that."So Foscolo says he will get you aseal cutbetter in Italy? he means athroat—that is the only thing they do dexterously. The Arts—all but Canova's, and Morghen's, andOvid's (I don'tmean poetry),—are as low as need be: look at the seal which I gave to William Bankes, and own it. How came George Bankes to quote 'English Bards' in the House of Commons? All the world keep flinging that poem in my face."Belzoniisa grand traveller, and his English is very prettily broken."As for news, the Barbarians are marching on Naples, and if they lose a single battle, all Italy willbe up. It will be like the Spanish row, if they have any bottom."'Letters opened?—to be sure they are, and that's the reason why I always put in my opinion of the German Austrian scoundrels. There is not an Italian who loathes them more than I do; and whatever I could do to scour Italy and the earth of their infamous oppression would be donecon amore."Yours," &c.
"Ravenna, February 16, 1821.
"In the month of March will arrive from BarcelonaSignor Curioni, engaged for the Opera. He is an acquaintance of mine, and a gentlemanly young man, high in his profession. I must request your personal kindness and patronage in his favour. Pray introduce him to such of the theatrical people, editors of papers, and others, as may be useful to him in his profession, publicly and privately.
"The fifth is so far from being the last of Don Juan, that it is hardly the beginning. I meant to take him the tour of Europe, with a proper mixture of siege, battle, and adventure, and to make him finish asAnacharsis Cloots, in the French Revolution.To how many cantos this may extend, I know not, nor whether (even if I live) I shall complete it: but this was my notion. I meant to have made him a cavalier servente in Italy, and a cause for a divorce in England, and a sentimental 'Werter-faced man' in Germany, so as to show the different ridicules of the society in each of those countries, and to have displayed him graduallygâtéandblaséas he grew older, as is natural. But I had not quite fixed whether to make him end in hell, or in an unhappy marriage, not knowing which would be the severest: the Spanish tradition says hell: but it is probably only an allegory of the other state. You are now in possession of my notions on the subject.
"You say the Doge will not be popular: did I ever write forpopularity? I defy you to show a work of mine (except a tale or two) of a popular style or complexion. It appears to me that there is room for a different style of the drama; neither a servile following of the old drama, which is a grossly erroneous one, nor yettoo French, like those who succeded the older writers. It appears to me, that good English, and a severer approach to the rules, might combine something not dishonourable to our literature. I have also attempted to make a play without love; and there are neither rings, nor mistakes, nor starts, nor outrageous ranting villains, nor melodrame in it. All this will prevent its popularity, but does not persuade me that it isthereforefaulty. Whatever faults it has will arise from deficiency in the conduct, rather than in the conception, which is simple and severe.
"Soyou epigrammatiseuponmy epigram? I willpayyou forthat, mind if I don't, some day. I never let any one off in the long run (who first begins). Remember * * *, and see if I don't do you as good a turn. You unnatural publisher! what! quiz your own authors? you are a paper cannibal!
"In the Letter on Bowles (which I sent by Tuesday's post) after the words 'attempts had been made' (alluding to the republication of 'English Bards'), add the words, 'in Ireland;' for I believe that English pirates did not begin their attempts till after I had left England the second time. Pray attend to this. Let me know what you and your synod think on Bowles.
"I did not think the secondsealso bad; surely it is far better than the Saracen's head with which you have sealed yourlast letter; the larger, inprofile, was surely much better than that.
"So Foscolo says he will get you aseal cutbetter in Italy? he means athroat—that is the only thing they do dexterously. The Arts—all but Canova's, and Morghen's, andOvid's (I don'tmean poetry),—are as low as need be: look at the seal which I gave to William Bankes, and own it. How came George Bankes to quote 'English Bards' in the House of Commons? All the world keep flinging that poem in my face.
"Belzoniisa grand traveller, and his English is very prettily broken.
"As for news, the Barbarians are marching on Naples, and if they lose a single battle, all Italy willbe up. It will be like the Spanish row, if they have any bottom.
"'Letters opened?—to be sure they are, and that's the reason why I always put in my opinion of the German Austrian scoundrels. There is not an Italian who loathes them more than I do; and whatever I could do to scour Italy and the earth of their infamous oppression would be donecon amore.
"Yours," &c.
LETTER 413. TO MR. MURRAY.
"Ravenna, February 21. 1821."In the forty-fourth page, volume first, of Turner's Travels (which you lately sent me), it is stated that 'Lord Byron, when he expressed such confidence of its practicability, seems to have forgotten that Leander swam both ways, with and against the tide; whereashe(Lord Byron) only performed the easiest part of the task by swimming with it from Europe to Asia.' I certainly could not have forgotten, what is known to every schoolboy, that Leander crossed in the night and returned towards the morning. My object was, to ascertain that the Hellespont could be crossedat allby swimming, and in this Mr. Ekenhead and myself both succeeded, the one in an hour and ten minutes, and the other in one hour and five minutes. Thetidewasnotin our favour; on the contrary, the great difficulty was to bear up against the current, which, so far from helping us into the Asiatic side, set us down right towards the Archipelago. Neither Mr. Ekenhead,myself, nor, I will venture to add, any person on board the frigate, from Captain Bathurst downwards, had any notion of a difference of the current on the Asiatic side, of which Mr. Turner speaks. I never heard of it till this moment, or I would have taken the other course. Lieutenant Ekenhead's sole motive, and mine also, for setting out from the European side was, that the little cape above Sestos was a more prominent starting place, and the frigate, which lay below, close under the Asiatic castle, formed a better point of view for 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 itmustarrive 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 have occurred to him just as readily on the European side. He should have set out a couple of miles higher, and could then have come out below the European castle. I particularly stated, and Mr. Hobhouse has done so also, that we were obliged to make the real passage of one mile extend to betweenthreeandfour, owing to the force of the stream. I canassure 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 becausehefailed, 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 ofEnglishwitnesses."With regard to the difference of thecurrent,I perceived none; it is favourable to the swimmer on neither side, but may be stemmed by plunging into the sea, a considerable way above the opposite point of the coast which the swimmer wishes to make, but still bearing up against it; it is strong, but if you calculate well, you may reach land. My own experience and that of others bids me pronounce the passage of Leander perfectly practicable. Any young man, in good and tolerable skill in swimming, might succeed in it fromeitherside. I was three hours in swimming across the Tagus, which is much more hazardous, being two hours longer than the Hellespont. Of what may be done in swimming, I will mention one more instance. In 1818, the Chevalier Mengaldo (a gentleman of Bassano), a good swimmer, wished to swim with my friend Mr. Alexander Scott and myself. As he seemed particularly anxious on the subject, we indulged him. We all three started from the island of the Lido and swam to Venice. At the entrance of the Grand Canal, Scott and I were a good way ahead, and we saw no more of our foreign friend, which, however, was of no consequence, as there was a gondola tohold his clothes and pick him up. Scott swam on till past the Rialto, where he got out, less from fatigue than fromchill,having been four hours in the water, without rest or stay, except what is to be obtained by floating on one's back—this being theconditionof 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 once more opens to Fusina. I had been in the water, by my watch, without help or rest, and never touching ground or boat,four hoursandtwenty minutes. To this match, and during the greater part of its performance, Mr. Hoppner, the Consul-general, was witness, and it is well known to many others. Mr. Turner can easily verify the fact, if he thinks it worth while, by referring to Mr. Hoppner. The distance we could notaccuratelyascertain; it was of course considerable."I crossed the Hellespont in one hour and ten minutes only. I am now ten years older in time, and twenty in constitution, than I was when I passed the Dardanelles, and yet two years ago I was capable of swimming four hours and twenty minutes; and I am sure that I could have continued two hours longer, though I had on a pair of trowsers, an accoutrement which by no means assists the performance. My two companions were alsofourhours in the water. Mengaldo might be about thirty years of age; Scott about six-and-twenty."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 doubtthat 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 theAsiaticside of the strait. He tried to swim directly across, instead of going higher up to take the vantage: he might as well have tried toflyover 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 heattemptedit ornotis another question, because he might have had a smallboatto save him the trouble."I am yours very truly,"BYRON."P.S. Mr. Turner says that the swimming from Europe to Asia was 'theeasiestpart 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 would save little labour by his starting,' is only good for indifferent swimmers; a man of any practice or skill will always consider the distance less than the strength of the stream. If Ekenhead and myself had thought of crossing at the narrowest point, instead of going up to the Cape above it, we should have been swept down to Tenedos. The strait, however, is not so extremely wide, even where it broadens above and below the forts. As the frigate was stationed some time inthe Dardanelles waiting for the firman, I bathed often in the strait subsequently to our traject, and generally on the Asiatic side, without perceiving the greater strength of the opposite stream by which the diplomatic traveller palliates his own failure. Our amusement in the small bay which opens immediately below the Asiatic fort was todivefor the LAND tortoises, which we flung in on purpose, as they amphibiously crawled along the bottom.Thisdoes not argue any greater violence of current than on the European shore. With regard to themodestinsinuation that we chose the European side as 'easier,' I appeal to Mr. Hobhouse and Captain Bathurst if it be true or no (poor Ekenhead being since dead). Had we been aware of any such difference of current as is asserted, we would at least have proved it, and were not likely to have given it up in the twenty-five minutes of Mr. Turner's own experiment. The secret of all this is, that Mr. Turner failed, and that we succeeded; and he is consequently disappointed, and seems not unwilling to overshadow whatever little merit there might be in our 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. Turner may find what fault he pleases with my poetry, or my politics; but I recommend him to leave aquatic reflections till he is able to swim 'five-and-twenty minutes' without being 'exhausted,' though I believe he is the first modern Tory who ever swam 'againstthe stream for half the time."[32]
"Ravenna, February 21. 1821.
"In the forty-fourth page, volume first, of Turner's Travels (which you lately sent me), it is stated that 'Lord Byron, when he expressed such confidence of its practicability, seems to have forgotten that Leander swam both ways, with and against the tide; whereashe(Lord Byron) only performed the easiest part of the task by swimming with it from Europe to Asia.' I certainly could not have forgotten, what is known to every schoolboy, that Leander crossed in the night and returned towards the morning. My object was, to ascertain that the Hellespont could be crossedat allby swimming, and in this Mr. Ekenhead and myself both succeeded, the one in an hour and ten minutes, and the other in one hour and five minutes. Thetidewasnotin our favour; on the contrary, the great difficulty was to bear up against the current, which, so far from helping us into the Asiatic side, set us down right towards the Archipelago. Neither Mr. Ekenhead,myself, nor, I will venture to add, any person on board the frigate, from Captain Bathurst downwards, had any notion of a difference of the current on the Asiatic side, of which Mr. Turner speaks. I never heard of it till this moment, or I would have taken the other course. Lieutenant Ekenhead's sole motive, and mine also, for setting out from the European side was, that the little cape above Sestos was a more prominent starting place, and the frigate, which lay below, close under the Asiatic castle, formed a better point of view for 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 itmustarrive 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 have occurred to him just as readily on the European side. He should have set out a couple of miles higher, and could then have come out below the European castle. I particularly stated, and Mr. Hobhouse has done so also, that we were obliged to make the real passage of one mile extend to betweenthreeandfour, owing to the force of the stream. I canassure 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 becausehefailed, 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 ofEnglishwitnesses.
"With regard to the difference of thecurrent,I perceived none; it is favourable to the swimmer on neither side, but may be stemmed by plunging into the sea, a considerable way above the opposite point of the coast which the swimmer wishes to make, but still bearing up against it; it is strong, but if you calculate well, you may reach land. My own experience and that of others bids me pronounce the passage of Leander perfectly practicable. Any young man, in good and tolerable skill in swimming, might succeed in it fromeitherside. I was three hours in swimming across the Tagus, which is much more hazardous, being two hours longer than the Hellespont. Of what may be done in swimming, I will mention one more instance. In 1818, the Chevalier Mengaldo (a gentleman of Bassano), a good swimmer, wished to swim with my friend Mr. Alexander Scott and myself. As he seemed particularly anxious on the subject, we indulged him. We all three started from the island of the Lido and swam to Venice. At the entrance of the Grand Canal, Scott and I were a good way ahead, and we saw no more of our foreign friend, which, however, was of no consequence, as there was a gondola tohold his clothes and pick him up. Scott swam on till past the Rialto, where he got out, less from fatigue than fromchill,having been four hours in the water, without rest or stay, except what is to be obtained by floating on one's back—this being theconditionof 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 once more opens to Fusina. I had been in the water, by my watch, without help or rest, and never touching ground or boat,four hoursandtwenty minutes. To this match, and during the greater part of its performance, Mr. Hoppner, the Consul-general, was witness, and it is well known to many others. Mr. Turner can easily verify the fact, if he thinks it worth while, by referring to Mr. Hoppner. The distance we could notaccuratelyascertain; it was of course considerable.
"I crossed the Hellespont in one hour and ten minutes only. I am now ten years older in time, and twenty in constitution, than I was when I passed the Dardanelles, and yet two years ago I was capable of swimming four hours and twenty minutes; and I am sure that I could have continued two hours longer, though I had on a pair of trowsers, an accoutrement which by no means assists the performance. My two companions were alsofourhours in the water. Mengaldo might be about thirty years of age; Scott about six-and-twenty.
"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 doubtthat 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 theAsiaticside of the strait. He tried to swim directly across, instead of going higher up to take the vantage: he might as well have tried toflyover 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 heattemptedit ornotis another question, because he might have had a smallboatto save him the trouble.
"I am yours very truly,
"BYRON.
"P.S. Mr. Turner says that the swimming from Europe to Asia was 'theeasiestpart 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 would save little labour by his starting,' is only good for indifferent swimmers; a man of any practice or skill will always consider the distance less than the strength of the stream. If Ekenhead and myself had thought of crossing at the narrowest point, instead of going up to the Cape above it, we should have been swept down to Tenedos. The strait, however, is not so extremely wide, even where it broadens above and below the forts. As the frigate was stationed some time inthe Dardanelles waiting for the firman, I bathed often in the strait subsequently to our traject, and generally on the Asiatic side, without perceiving the greater strength of the opposite stream by which the diplomatic traveller palliates his own failure. Our amusement in the small bay which opens immediately below the Asiatic fort was todivefor the LAND tortoises, which we flung in on purpose, as they amphibiously crawled along the bottom.Thisdoes not argue any greater violence of current than on the European shore. With regard to themodestinsinuation that we chose the European side as 'easier,' I appeal to Mr. Hobhouse and Captain Bathurst if it be true or no (poor Ekenhead being since dead). Had we been aware of any such difference of current as is asserted, we would at least have proved it, and were not likely to have given it up in the twenty-five minutes of Mr. Turner's own experiment. The secret of all this is, that Mr. Turner failed, and that we succeeded; and he is consequently disappointed, and seems not unwilling to overshadow whatever little merit there might be in our 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. Turner may find what fault he pleases with my poetry, or my politics; but I recommend him to leave aquatic reflections till he is able to swim 'five-and-twenty minutes' without being 'exhausted,' though I believe he is the first modern Tory who ever swam 'againstthe stream for half the time."[32]
LETTER 414. TO MR. MOORE.
"Ravenna, February 22. 1821."As I wish the soul of the late Antoine Galignani to rest in peace, (you will have read his death, published by himself, in his own newspaper,) you are requested particularly to inform his children and heirs, that of their 'Literary Gazette,' to which I subscribed more thantwomonths ago, I have only received onenumber, notwithstanding I have written to them repeatedly. If they have no regard for me, a subscriber, they ought to have some for their deceased parent, who is undoubtedly no better off in his present residence for this total want of attention. If not, let me have my francs. They were paid by Missiaglia, theWenetian 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."P.S. Pray, amongst my letters, did you get one detailing 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, Madame Flirt,' in the Beggars' Opera.BOWLES. "Why, how now, saucy Tom,If you thus must ramble,I will publish someRemarks on Mr. Campbell.CAMPBELL. "Why, how now, Billy Bowles,&c. &c. &c."
"Ravenna, February 22. 1821.
"As I wish the soul of the late Antoine Galignani to rest in peace, (you will have read his death, published by himself, in his own newspaper,) you are requested particularly to inform his children and heirs, that of their 'Literary Gazette,' to which I subscribed more thantwomonths ago, I have only received onenumber, notwithstanding I have written to them repeatedly. If they have no regard for me, a subscriber, they ought to have some for their deceased parent, who is undoubtedly no better off in his present residence for this total want of attention. If not, let me have my francs. They were paid by Missiaglia, theWenetian 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.
"P.S. Pray, amongst my letters, did you get one detailing 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, Madame Flirt,' in the Beggars' Opera.
BOWLES. "Why, how now, saucy Tom,If you thus must ramble,I will publish someRemarks on Mr. Campbell.CAMPBELL. "Why, how now, Billy Bowles,&c. &c. &c."
BOWLES. "Why, how now, saucy Tom,If you thus must ramble,I will publish someRemarks on Mr. Campbell.
CAMPBELL. "Why, how now, Billy Bowles,&c. &c. &c."
LETTER 415. TO MR. MURRAY.
"March 2. 1821."This was the beginning of a letter which I meant for Perry, but stopped short, hoping you would be able to prevent the theatres. Of course you need not send it; but it explains to you my feelings on the subject. You say that 'there is nothing to fear, let them do what they please;' that is to say, that you would see me damned with great tranquillity. You are a fine fellow."
"March 2. 1821.
"This was the beginning of a letter which I meant for Perry, but stopped short, hoping you would be able to prevent the theatres. Of course you need not send it; but it explains to you my feelings on the subject. You say that 'there is nothing to fear, let them do what they please;' that is to say, that you would see me damned with great tranquillity. You are a fine fellow."
TO MR. PERRY.
"Ravenna, January 22. 1821."Dear Sir,"I have received a strange piece of news, which cannot be more disagreeable to your public than it is to me. Letters and the gazettes do methe honour to say that it is the intention of some of the London managers to bring forward on their stage the poem of 'Marino Faliero,' &c. which was never intended for such an exhibition, and I trust will never undergo it. It is certainly unfit for it. I have never written but for the solitaryreader, and require no experiments for applause beyond his silent approbation. Since such an attempt to drag me forth as a gladiator in 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 pollution, because every violation of arightis such, and I claim my 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."I have said that I write only for the reader. Beyond this I cannot consent to any publication, or to the abuse of any publication of mine to the purposes of histrionism. The applauses of an audience would give me no pleasure; their disapprobation might, however, give me pain. The wager is therefore not equal. You may, perhaps, say, 'How can this be? if their disapprobation gives pain, their praise might afford pleasure?' By no means: the kick of an ass or the sting of a wasp may be painful to those who would find nothing agreeable in the braying of the one or the buzzing of the other."This may not seem a courteous comparison, but I have no other ready; and it occurs naturally."
"Ravenna, January 22. 1821.
"Dear Sir,
"I have received a strange piece of news, which cannot be more disagreeable to your public than it is to me. Letters and the gazettes do methe honour to say that it is the intention of some of the London managers to bring forward on their stage the poem of 'Marino Faliero,' &c. which was never intended for such an exhibition, and I trust will never undergo it. It is certainly unfit for it. I have never written but for the solitaryreader, and require no experiments for applause beyond his silent approbation. Since such an attempt to drag me forth as a gladiator in 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 pollution, because every violation of arightis such, and I claim my 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.
"I have said that I write only for the reader. Beyond this I cannot consent to any publication, or to the abuse of any publication of mine to the purposes of histrionism. The applauses of an audience would give me no pleasure; their disapprobation might, however, give me pain. The wager is therefore not equal. You may, perhaps, say, 'How can this be? if their disapprobation gives pain, their praise might afford pleasure?' By no means: the kick of an ass or the sting of a wasp may be painful to those who would find nothing agreeable in the braying of the one or the buzzing of the other.
"This may not seem a courteous comparison, but I have no other ready; and it occurs naturally."
LETTER 416. TO MR. MURRAY.
"Ravenna, Marzo, 1821."Dear Moray,"In my packet of the 12th instant, in the last sheet (notthehalfsheet), last page,omitthe sentence which (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 rank have it, and few lawyers,' &c. &c. I say, omit the whole of that sentence, because, like the 'cosmogony, or 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, orparle euphuism; but there is anobilityof 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 thevulgarpoets, and insert only as far as the end of the sentence on Pope's Homer, where I prefer it to Cowper's, and quote Dr. Clarke in favour of its accuracy."Upon all these points, take an opinion; take the sense (or nonsense) of your learned visitants, and act thereby. I 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 beenzealous in the attempt. If it comes to the proofs we shall beat the blackguards. I will show moreimageryin 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 onSporus,—now, do justreadthem over—the subject is of no consequence (whether it besatireor epic)—we are talking ofpoetryandimageryfromnatureandart. Now, mark the images separately and arithmetically:—"'1. The thing ofsilk.2.Curdofass's milk.3. Thebutterfly.4. Thewheel.5. Bug with gilded wings.6.Paintedchild of dirt.7. Whosebuzz.8. Well-bredspaniels.9.Shallow streams run dimpling.10. Florid impotence.11.Prompter. Puppet squeaks.12.The ear of Eve.13.Familiar toad.14.Half froth, half venom, splitshimself abroad.15.Fopat thetoilet.16.Flattererat theboard.17.Amphibious thing.18. Nowtrips a lady.19. Nowstruts a lord.20. Acherub's face.21. Areptileall the rest.22. TheRabbins.23. Pride thatlicks the dust."'Beauty that shocks you, parts that none will trust.Wit that can creep, andpridethatlicks the dust.'"Now, is there a line of all the passage without the mostforcibleimagery (for his purpose)? Look at thevariety—at thepoetryof the passage—at theimagination: there is hardly a line from which a painting might not be made, andis. 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 theVeilis 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,And hides, or seems to hide, these lineaments,Shall draw more gazers than the thousand portraitsWhich glitter round it in their painted trappings,Your delegated slaves—the people's tyrants.[33]"Yours, truly, &c."P.S. Uponpublicmatters here I say little: you will all hear soon enough of a general row throughout Italy. There never was a more foolish step than the expedition to Naples by these fellows."I wish to propose toHolmes, 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 completepeasantface, but anItalianpeasant'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 it is quite in a different style—completely blonde and fair—very uncommon in Italy; yet not anEnglishfairness, but more like a Swede or a Norwegian. Her figure, too, particularly the bust, is uncommonly good. It must beHolmes; I like him because he takes such inveterate likenesses. 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."
"Ravenna, Marzo, 1821.
"Dear Moray,
"In my packet of the 12th instant, in the last sheet (notthehalfsheet), last page,omitthe sentence which (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 rank have it, and few lawyers,' &c. &c. I say, omit the whole of that sentence, because, like the 'cosmogony, or 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, orparle euphuism; but there is anobilityof 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 thevulgarpoets, and insert only as far as the end of the sentence on Pope's Homer, where I prefer it to Cowper's, and quote Dr. Clarke in favour of its accuracy.
"Upon all these points, take an opinion; take the sense (or nonsense) of your learned visitants, and act thereby. I 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 beenzealous in the attempt. If it comes to the proofs we shall beat the blackguards. I will show moreimageryin 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 onSporus,—now, do justreadthem over—the subject is of no consequence (whether it besatireor epic)—we are talking ofpoetryandimageryfromnatureandart. Now, mark the images separately and arithmetically:—
"'1. The thing ofsilk.2.Curdofass's milk.3. Thebutterfly.4. Thewheel.5. Bug with gilded wings.6.Paintedchild of dirt.7. Whosebuzz.8. Well-bredspaniels.9.Shallow streams run dimpling.10. Florid impotence.11.Prompter. Puppet squeaks.12.The ear of Eve.13.Familiar toad.14.Half froth, half venom, splitshimself abroad.15.Fopat thetoilet.16.Flattererat theboard.17.Amphibious thing.18. Nowtrips a lady.19. Nowstruts a lord.20. Acherub's face.21. Areptileall the rest.22. TheRabbins.23. Pride thatlicks the dust.
"'Beauty that shocks you, parts that none will trust.Wit that can creep, andpridethatlicks the dust.'
"'Beauty that shocks you, parts that none will trust.Wit that can creep, andpridethatlicks the dust.'
"Now, is there a line of all the passage without the mostforcibleimagery (for his purpose)? Look at thevariety—at thepoetryof the passage—at theimagination: there is hardly a line from which a painting might not be made, andis. 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 theVeilis 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,And hides, or seems to hide, these lineaments,Shall draw more gazers than the thousand portraitsWhich glitter round it in their painted trappings,Your delegated slaves—the people's tyrants.[33]
"But let it be so. It will be in vain:The veil which blackens o'er this blighted name,And hides, or seems to hide, these lineaments,Shall draw more gazers than the thousand portraitsWhich glitter round it in their painted trappings,Your delegated slaves—the people's tyrants.[33]
"Yours, truly, &c.
"P.S. Uponpublicmatters here I say little: you will all hear soon enough of a general row throughout Italy. There never was a more foolish step than the expedition to Naples by these fellows.
"I wish to propose toHolmes, 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 completepeasantface, but anItalianpeasant'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 it is quite in a different style—completely blonde and fair—very uncommon in Italy; yet not anEnglishfairness, but more like a Swede or a Norwegian. Her figure, too, particularly the bust, is uncommonly good. It must beHolmes; I like him because he takes such inveterate likenesses. 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."
LETTER 417. TO MR. HOPPNER.
"Ravenna, April 3. 1821;"Thanks for the translation. I have sent you some books, which I do not know whether you have read or no—you need not return them, in any case. I enclose you 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 amanliving without any woman at the head of his house cannot much attend to a nursery—I had no resource but to place her for a time (at a high pension too) in the convent of Bagna-Cavalli (twelvemiles off), where the air is good, and where she will, at least, have her learning advanced, and her morals and religion inculcated.[34]I had also another reason;—things were and are in such a state here, that I had no reason to look upon my own personal safety as particularly insurable; 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 anaturalchild anEnglisheducation, 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 upon as the best religion, as it is assuredly the oldest of the various branches of Christianity. I have now explained my notions as to theplacewhere 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 areto 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. Ihavethe 'best 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, agoodopinion is the only rational one which a man should entertain of the whole sex—up tothirty, the worst possible opinion a man can have of them ingeneral, the better for himself. Afterwards, it is a matter of no importance to them, nor to him either, what opinion he entertains—his day is over, or, at least, should be."You see how sober I am become."
"Ravenna, April 3. 1821;
"Thanks for the translation. I have sent you some books, which I do not know whether you have read or no—you need not return them, in any case. I enclose you 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 amanliving without any woman at the head of his house cannot much attend to a nursery—I had no resource but to place her for a time (at a high pension too) in the convent of Bagna-Cavalli (twelvemiles off), where the air is good, and where she will, at least, have her learning advanced, and her morals and religion inculcated.[34]I had also another reason;—things were and are in such a state here, that I had no reason to look upon my own personal safety as particularly insurable; 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 anaturalchild anEnglisheducation, 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 upon as the best religion, as it is assuredly the oldest of the various branches of Christianity. I have now explained my notions as to theplacewhere 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 areto 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. Ihavethe 'best 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, agoodopinion is the only rational one which a man should entertain of the whole sex—up tothirty, the worst possible opinion a man can have of them ingeneral, the better for himself. Afterwards, it is a matter of no importance to them, nor to him either, what opinion he entertains—his day is over, or, at least, should be.
"You see how sober I am become."
LETTER 418. TO MR. MURRAY.
"Ravenna, April 21. 1821."I enclose you another letter on Bowles. But I premise that it is not like the former, and that I am not at all sure howmuch, ifany, of it should be published. Upon this point you can consult with Mr. Gifford, and think twice before you publish it at all.Yours truly,B."P.S. You may make my subscription for Mr. Scott's widow, &c.thirtyinstead of the proposedtenpounds; but do not put downmy 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 economical for the present."
"Ravenna, April 21. 1821.
"I enclose you another letter on Bowles. But I premise that it is not like the former, and that I am not at all sure howmuch, ifany, of it should be published. Upon this point you can consult with Mr. Gifford, and think twice before you publish it at all.
Yours truly,
B.
"P.S. You may make my subscription for Mr. Scott's widow, &c.thirtyinstead of the proposedtenpounds; but do not put downmy 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 economical for the present."
LETTER 419. 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 you and Mrs. Shelley 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 killing. 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 many 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 amiable feelings; but, in this world of bustle and broil, and especially in the career of writing, a man should calculate upon his powers ofresistancebefore 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 thatsecond-handschool of poetry. You also know my high opinion of your own poetry,—because it is ofnoschool. I read Cenci—but, besides that I think thesubjectessentiallyundramatic, I am not an admirer of our old dramatists,as models. I deny that the English have hitherto had a drama at all. Your Cenci, however, was a work of power, and poetry. As tomydrama, 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 so sensitive—I should have omitted some remarks upon his poetry, to which I was provoked by hisattackuponPope, and my disapprobation ofhis ownstyle of writing."You want me to undertake a great poem—I have not the inclination nor the power. As I grow older, the indifference—notto life, for we love it by instinct—but to the stimuli of life, increases. Besides, this late failure of the Italians has latterly disappointed me for many reasons,—some public, some personal. My respects to Mrs. S."Yours ever."P.S. Could not you and I contrive to meet this summer? Could not you take a run herealone?"
"Ravenna, April 26. 1821.
"The child continues doing well, and the accounts are regular and favourable. It is gratifying to me that you and Mrs. Shelley 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 killing. 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 many 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 amiable feelings; but, in this world of bustle and broil, and especially in the career of writing, a man should calculate upon his powers ofresistancebefore he goes into the arena.
"'Expect not life from pain nor danger free,Nor deem the doom of man reversed for thee.'
"'Expect not life from pain nor danger free,Nor deem the doom of man reversed for thee.'
"You know my opinion of thatsecond-handschool of poetry. You also know my high opinion of your own poetry,—because it is ofnoschool. I read Cenci—but, besides that I think thesubjectessentiallyundramatic, I am not an admirer of our old dramatists,as models. I deny that the English have hitherto had a drama at all. Your Cenci, however, was a work of power, and poetry. As tomydrama, 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 so sensitive—I should have omitted some remarks upon his poetry, to which I was provoked by hisattackuponPope, and my disapprobation ofhis ownstyle of writing.
"You want me to undertake a great poem—I have not the inclination nor the power. As I grow older, the indifference—notto life, for we love it by instinct—but to the stimuli of life, increases. Besides, this late failure of the Italians has latterly disappointed me for many reasons,—some public, some personal. My respects to Mrs. S.
"Yours ever.
"P.S. Could not you and I contrive to meet this summer? Could not you take a run herealone?"
LETTER 420. TO MR. MURRAY.
"Ravenna, April 26. 1821."I sent you by lastpostisa large packet, which willnotdo for publication (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 a wee.'"Well, have you published the Tragedy? and does the Letter take?"Is it true, what Shelley writes me, that poor John Keats died at Rome of the Quarterly Review? I am very sorry for it, though I think he took the wrong line as a poet, and was spoilt by Cockneyfying, and suburbing, and versifying Tooke's Pantheon and Lempriere's Dictionary. I know, by experience, that a savage review is hemlock to a sucking author; and the one on me (which produced the English Bards, &c.) knocked me down—but I got up again. Instead of bursting a blood-vessel, I drank three bottles of claret, and began an answer, finding that there was nothing in the article for which I could lawfully knock Jeffrey on the head, in an honourable way. However, I would not be the person who wrote the homicidal article for all the honour and glory in the world, though I by no means approve of that school of scribbling which it treats upon."You see the Italians have made a sad business of it,—all owing to treachery and disunion amongst themselves. It has given me great vexation. The execrations heaped upon the Neapolitans by theother Italians are quite in unison with those of the rest of Europe."Yours, &c."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 myproseis good, why don't you treat withMoorefor the reversion of the Memoirs?—conditionally, recollect; not to be published before decease.Hehas the permission to dispose of them, and I advised him to do so."
"Ravenna, April 26. 1821.
"I sent you by lastpostisa large packet, which willnotdo for publication (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 a wee.'
"Well, have you published the Tragedy? and does the Letter take?
"Is it true, what Shelley writes me, that poor John Keats died at Rome of the Quarterly Review? I am very sorry for it, though I think he took the wrong line as a poet, and was spoilt by Cockneyfying, and suburbing, and versifying Tooke's Pantheon and Lempriere's Dictionary. I know, by experience, that a savage review is hemlock to a sucking author; and the one on me (which produced the English Bards, &c.) knocked me down—but I got up again. Instead of bursting a blood-vessel, I drank three bottles of claret, and began an answer, finding that there was nothing in the article for which I could lawfully knock Jeffrey on the head, in an honourable way. However, I would not be the person who wrote the homicidal article for all the honour and glory in the world, though I by no means approve of that school of scribbling which it treats upon.
"You see the Italians have made a sad business of it,—all owing to treachery and disunion amongst themselves. It has given me great vexation. The execrations heaped upon the Neapolitans by theother Italians are quite in unison with those of the rest of Europe.
"Yours, &c.
"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 myproseis good, why don't you treat withMoorefor the reversion of the Memoirs?—conditionally, recollect; not to be published before decease.Hehas the permission to dispose of them, and I advised him to do so."
LETTER 421. TO MR. MOORE.
"Ravenna, April 28. 1821."You cannot have been more disappointed than myself, nor so much deceived. I have been so at some personal risk also, which is not yet done away with. However, no time nor circumstances shall alter my tone nor my feelings of indignation against tyranny triumphant. The present business has been as much a work of treachery as of cowardice,—though both may have done their part. If ever you and I meet again, I will have a talk with you upon the subject. At present, for obvious reasons, I ran write but little, as all letters are opened. Inminethey shall always findmysentiments, but nothing that can lead to the oppression of others."You will please to recollect that the Neapolitans are nowhere now more execrated than in Italy, and not blame a whole people for the vices of a province. That would 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, afterwards, 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, don't go well by such posts as exist in this Inquisition of a country."I have no news. As a very pretty woman said to me a few nights ago, with the tears in her eyes, as she sat at the harpsichord, 'Alas! the Italians must now return to making operas.' I fearthatand maccaroni are their forte, and 'motley their onlywear.' However, there are some high spirits among them still. Pray write. And believe me," &c.
"Ravenna, April 28. 1821.
"You cannot have been more disappointed than myself, nor so much deceived. I have been so at some personal risk also, which is not yet done away with. However, no time nor circumstances shall alter my tone nor my feelings of indignation against tyranny triumphant. The present business has been as much a work of treachery as of cowardice,—though both may have done their part. If ever you and I meet again, I will have a talk with you upon the subject. At present, for obvious reasons, I ran write but little, as all letters are opened. Inminethey shall always findmysentiments, but nothing that can lead to the oppression of others.
"You will please to recollect that the Neapolitans are nowhere now more execrated than in Italy, and not blame a whole people for the vices of a province. That would 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, afterwards, 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, don't go well by such posts as exist in this Inquisition of a country.
"I have no news. As a very pretty woman said to me a few nights ago, with the tears in her eyes, as she sat at the harpsichord, 'Alas! the Italians must now return to making operas.' I fearthatand maccaroni are their forte, and 'motley their onlywear.' However, there are some high spirits among them still. Pray write. And believe me," &c.
LETTER 422. TO MR. MOORE.
"Ravenna, May 3. 1821."Though I wrote to you on the 28th ultimo, I must acknowledge yours of this day, with the lines[35]. They are sublime, as well as beautiful, and in your very best mood and manner. They are also but too true. However, do not confound the scoundrels at theheelof the boot with their betters at the top of it. I assure you that there are some loftier spirits."Nothing, however, can be better than your poem, or more deserved by the Lazzaroni. They are now abhorred and disclaimed nowhere more than here. We will talk over these things (if we meet) some day, and I will recount my own adventures, some of which have been a little hazardous, perhaps."So, you have got the Letter on Bowles[36]? I do not recollect to have said any thing ofyouthat 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 mustbe something of regret for your approbation of Bowles. And did younotapprove, as he says? Would I had known that before! I would have given him some more gruel.[37]My intention was to make fun of all these fellows; but how I succeeded, I don't know."As to Pope, I have always regarded him as the greatest name in our poetry. Depend upon it, the rest are barbarians. He is a Greek Temple, with a Gothic Cathedral 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 brick-work."The Murray has written to me but once, the day of its publication, when it seemed prosperous. But I have heard of late from England but rarely. OfMurray's other publications (of mine), I know nothing,—nor whether he has published. He was to have done so a month ago. I wish you would do something,—or that we were together."Ever yours and affectionately,"B."
"Ravenna, May 3. 1821.
"Though I wrote to you on the 28th ultimo, I must acknowledge yours of this day, with the lines[35]. They are sublime, as well as beautiful, and in your very best mood and manner. They are also but too true. However, do not confound the scoundrels at theheelof the boot with their betters at the top of it. I assure you that there are some loftier spirits.
"Nothing, however, can be better than your poem, or more deserved by the Lazzaroni. They are now abhorred and disclaimed nowhere more than here. We will talk over these things (if we meet) some day, and I will recount my own adventures, some of which have been a little hazardous, perhaps.
"So, you have got the Letter on Bowles[36]? I do not recollect to have said any thing ofyouthat 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 mustbe something of regret for your approbation of Bowles. And did younotapprove, as he says? Would I had known that before! I would have given him some more gruel.[37]My intention was to make fun of all these fellows; but how I succeeded, I don't know.
"As to Pope, I have always regarded him as the greatest name in our poetry. Depend upon it, the rest are barbarians. He is a Greek Temple, with a Gothic Cathedral 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 brick-work.
"The Murray has written to me but once, the day of its publication, when it seemed prosperous. But I have heard of late from England but rarely. OfMurray's other publications (of mine), I know nothing,—nor whether he has published. He was to have done so a month ago. I wish you would do something,—or that we were together.
"Ever yours and affectionately,
"B."
It was at this time that he began, under the title of "Detached Thoughts," that Book of Notices or Memorandums, from which, in the course of these pages, I have extracted so many curious illustrations of his life and opinions, and of which the opening article is as follows:—
"Amongst various Journals, Memoranda, Diaries, &c. which I have kept in the course of my living, I began one about three months ago, and carried it on till I had filled one paper-book (thinnish), and two sheets or so of another. I then left off, partly because I thought we should have some business here, and I had furbished up my arms and got my apparatus ready for taking a turn with the patriots, having my drawers full of their proclamations, oaths, and resolutions, and my lower rooms of their hidden weapons, of most calibres,—and partly because I had filled my paper-book.
"But the Neapolitans have betrayed themselves and all the world; and those who would have given their blood for Italy can now only give her their tears.
"Some day or other, if dust holds together, I have been enough in the secret (at least in this part of the country) to cast perhaps some little light upon the atrocious treachery which has replunged Italyinto barbarism: at present, I have neither the time nor the temper. However therealItalians are not to blame; merely the scoundrels at theheel of the boot, which theHunnow wears, and will trample them to ashes with for their servility. I have risked myself with the othershere, and how far I may or may not be compromised is a problem at this moment. Some of them, like Craigengelt, would 'tell all, and more than all, to save themselves.' But, come what may, the cause was a glorious one, though it reads at present as if the Greeks had run away from Xerxes. Happy the few who have only to reproach themselves with believing that these rascals were less 'rascaille' than they proved!—Herein Romagna, the efforts were necessarily limited to preparations and good intentions, until the Germans were fairly engaged inequalwarfare—as we are upon their very frontiers, without a single fort or hill nearer than San Marino. Whether 'hell will be paved with' those 'good intentions,' I know not; but there will probably be good store of Neapolitans to walk upon the pavement, whatever may be its composition. Slabs of lava from their mountain, with the bodies of their own damned souls for cement, would be the fittest causeway for Satan's 'Corso.'"
LETTER 423. TO MR. MURRAY.
"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 towrite, and you to publish, what you please,—mottoand subject. I desire nothing but fair play for all parties. Of course, after the new tone of Mr. Bowles, you willnotpublish mydefence of Gilchrist: it would be brutal to do so after his urbanity, for it is rather too rough, like his own attack upon Gilchrist. You may tell him what I say there ofhis Missionary(it is praised, as it deserves). However, and if there are any passagesnot personalto Bowles, and yet bearing upon the question, you may add them to the reprint (if it is reprinted) of my first Letter to you. Upon this consult Gifford; and, above all, don't let any thing be added which canpersonallyaffect Mr. Bowles."In the enclosed notes, of course what I say of thedemocracyof poetry cannot apply to Mr. Bowles, but to the Cockney and water washing-tub schools."I hope and trust that Ellistonwon'tbe permitted to act the drama. Surelyhemight have the grace to wait for Kean's return before he attempted it; though,even then,Ishould be as much against the attempt as ever."I have got a small packet of books, but neither Waldegrave, Oxford, nor Scott's novels among them. Why don't you republish Hodgson's Childe Harold's Monitor and Latino-mastix? They are excellent. Think of this—they are all forPope."Yours," &c.
"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 towrite, and you to publish, what you please,—mottoand subject. I desire nothing but fair play for all parties. Of course, after the new tone of Mr. Bowles, you willnotpublish mydefence of Gilchrist: it would be brutal to do so after his urbanity, for it is rather too rough, like his own attack upon Gilchrist. You may tell him what I say there ofhis Missionary(it is praised, as it deserves). However, and if there are any passagesnot personalto Bowles, and yet bearing upon the question, you may add them to the reprint (if it is reprinted) of my first Letter to you. Upon this consult Gifford; and, above all, don't let any thing be added which canpersonallyaffect Mr. Bowles.
"In the enclosed notes, of course what I say of thedemocracyof poetry cannot apply to Mr. Bowles, but to the Cockney and water washing-tub schools.
"I hope and trust that Ellistonwon'tbe permitted to act the drama. Surelyhemight have the grace to wait for Kean's return before he attempted it; though,even then,Ishould be as much against the attempt as ever.
"I have got a small packet of books, but neither Waldegrave, Oxford, nor Scott's novels among them. Why don't you republish Hodgson's Childe Harold's Monitor and Latino-mastix? They are excellent. Think of this—they are all forPope.
"Yours," &c.
The controversy, in which Lord Byron, with so much grace and good-humour, thus allowed himself to be disarmed by the courtesy of his antagonist, itis not my intention to run the risk of reviving by any enquiry into its origin or merits. In all such discussions on matters of mere taste and opinion, where, on one side, it is the aim of the disputants to elevate the object of the contest, and on the other, to depreciate it, Truth will usually be found, like Shakspeare's gatherer of samphire on the cliff, "halfway down." Whatever judgment, however, may be formed respecting the controversy itself, of the urbanity and gentle feeling on both sides, which (notwithstanding some slight trials of this good understanding afterwards) led ultimately to the result anticipated in the foregoing letter, there can be but one opinion; and it is only to be wished that such honourable forbearance were as sure of imitators as it is, deservedly, of eulogists. In the lively pages thus suppressed, when ready fledged for flight, with a power of self-command rarely exercised by wit, there are some passages, of a general nature, too curious to be lost, which I shall accordingly proceed to extract for the reader.
"Pope himself 'sleeps well—nothing can touch him further;' but those who love the honour of their country, the perfection of her literature, the glory of her language, are not to be expected to permit an atom of his dust to be stirred in his tomb, or a leaf to be stripped from the laurel which grows over it. * * *
"To me it appears of no very great consequence whether Martha Blount was or was not Pope's mistress, though I could have wished him a better.She appears to have been a cold-hearted, interested, ignorant, disagreeable woman, upon whom the tenderness of Pope's heart in the desolation of his latter days was cast away, not knowing whither to turn, as he drew towards his premature old age, childless and lonely,—like the needle which, approaching within a certain distance of the pole, becomes helpless and useless, and ceasing to tremble, rusts. She seems to have been so totally unworthy of tenderness, that it is an additional proof of the kindness of Pope's heart to have been able to love such a being. But we must love something. I agree with Mr. B. thatshe'could at no time have regardedPope personallywith attachment,' because she was incapable of attachment; but I deny that Pope could not be regarded with personal attachment by a worthier woman. It is not probable, indeed, that a woman would have fallen in love with him as he walked along the Mall, or in a box at the opera, nor from a balcony, nor in a ball-room: but in society he seems to have been as amiable as unassuming, and, with the greatest disadvantages of figure, his head and face were remarkably handsome, especially his eyes. He was adored by his friends—friends of the most opposite dispositions, ages, and talents—by the old and wayward Wycherley, by the cynical Swift, the rough Atterbury, the gentle Spence, the stern attorney-bishop Warburton, the virtuous Berkeley, and the 'cankered Bolingbroke.' Bolingbroke wept over him like a child; and Spence's description of his last moments is at least as edifying as the more ostentatious account of the deathbed of Addison.The soldier Peterborough and the poet Gay, the witty Congreve and the laughing Rowe, the eccentric Cromwell and the steady Bathurst, were all his intimates. The man who could conciliate so many men of the most opposite description, not one of whom but was a remarkable or a celebrated character, might well have pretended to all the attachment which a reasonable man would desire of an amiable woman.
"Pope, in fact, wherever he got it, appears to have understood the sex well. Bolingbroke, 'a judge of the subject,' says Warton, thought his 'Epistle on the Characters of Women' his 'masterpiece.' And even with respect to the grosser passion, which takes occasionally the name of 'romantic,' accordingly as the degree of sentiment elevates it above the definition of love by Buffon, it may be remarked, that it does not always depend upon personal appearance, even in a woman. Madame Cottin was a plain woman, and might have been virtuous, it may be presumed, without much interruption. Virtuous she was, and the consequences of this inveterate virtue were that two different admirers (one an elderly gentleman) killed themselves in despair (see Lady Morgan's 'France'). I would not, however, recommend this rigour to plain women in general, in the hope of securing the glory of two suicides apiece. I believe that there are few men who, in the course of their observations on life, may not have perceived that it is not the greatest female beauty who forms the longest and the strongest passions.
"But, apropos of Pope.—Voltaire tells us that the Marechal Luxembourg (who had precisely Pope's figure) was not only somewhat too amatory for a great man, but fortunate in his attachments. La Valière, the passion of Louis XIV. had an unsightly defect. The Princess of Eboli, the mistress of Philip the Second of Spain, and Maugiron, the minion of Henry the Third of France, had each of them lost an eye; and the famous Latin epigram was written upon them, which has, I believe, been either translated or imitated by Goldsmith: