'pliments, that, as I only read French, I have not answered her letter; but would have done so in Italian, ' if I had not thought it would look like an affecta'tion. I have just been scolding my monkey for tearWing the seal of her letter, and spoiling a mock book, in which I put rose leaves. I had a civet-cat the other day, too; but it ran away, after scratching my 'monkey's cheek, and I am in search of it still. It 'was the fiercest beast I ever saw, and like ** in the 6 face and manner.

I have a world of things to say; but, as they are 'not come to a dénouement, I don't care to begin their history till it is wound up. After you went, I had a 'fever, but got well again without bark. Sir Humphry Davy was here the other day, and liked Ravenna very much. He will tell you anything you may 'wish to know about the place and your humble ⚫ servitor.

Your apprehensions (arising from Scott's) were 'unfounded. There are no damages in this country, 'but there will probably be a separation between them, as her family, which is a principal one by its 'connexions, are very much against him, for the whole ' of his conduct;-and he is old and obstinate, and she is young and a woman determined to sacrifice every thing to her affections. I have given her the best 'advice, viz., to stay with him,-pointing out the 'state of a separated woman (for the priests won't let 'lovers live openly together, unless the husband sanctions it), and making the most exquisite moral reflections, but to no purpose. She says, "I will stay ' with him, if he will let you remain with me. It is hard that I should be the only woman in Romagna 'who is not to have her Amico; but, if not, I will not

live with him; and as for the consequences, love,

&c. &c. &c."-you know how females reason on such 'occasions.

'He says he has let it go on till he can do so no 'longer. But he wants her to stay, and dismiss me; 'for he doesn't like to pay back her dowry and to make 'an alimony. Her relations are rather for the separation, as they detest him,-indeed, so does everybody. 'The populace and the women are, as usual, all for 'those who are in the wrong, viz., the lady and her 'lover. I should have retreated, but honour, and an erysipelas which has attacked her, prevent me,-to say nothing of love, for I love her most entirely, though not enough to persuade her to sacrifice everything to a frenzy. "I see how it will end; she will 'be the sixteenth Mrs. Shuffleton."

'My paper is finished, and so must this letter. < Yours ever,

'B.

'P.S. I regret that you have not completed the Italian Fudges. Pray, how come you to be still in 'Paris? Murray has four or five things of mine in 'hand-the new Don Juan, which his back-shop 'synod don't admire;-a translation of the first Canto ' of Pulci's Morgante Maggiore, excellent ;-a short ' ditto from Dante, not so much approved ;—the Prophecy of Dante, very grand and worthy, &c. &c. &c.; -a furious prose answer to Blackwood's Observations on Don Juan, with a savage Defence of Popelikely to make a row. The opinions above I quote from Murray and his Utican senate;-you will form your own, when you see the things.

6

You will have no great chance of seeing me, for I begin to think I must finish in Italy. But, if you

612

NOTICES OF THE LIFE OF LORD BYRON.

[1820.

' come my way, you shall have a tureen of macaroni. Pray tell me about yourself and your intents.

'My trustees are going to lend Earl Blessington 'sixty thousand pounds (at six per cent.) on a Dublin Only think of my becoming an Irish

mortgage.

' absentee!'

END OF VOLUME THE SECOND.

2

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