I think that you will find in it a very great share of talent, and some most incomparable fun....  John Wilson, who wrote the article on Canto IV. of ‘Childe Harold’ (of which, by the way, I am anxious to know your opinion), has very much interested himself in the journal, and has communicated some most admirable papers.  Indeed, he possesses very great talents and a variety of knowledge.  I send you a very well-constructed kaleidoscope, a newly-invented toy which, if not yet seen in Venice, will I trust amuse some of your female friends.”

The following letter is inserted here, as it does not appear in Moore’s
“Biography”: 

Lord Byron to John Murray.

VENICE, November 24, 1818,

DEAR.  MR. MURRAY,

Mr. Hanson has been here a week, and went five days ago.  He brought nothing but his papers, some corn-rubbers, and a kaleidoscope.  “For what we have received the Lord make us thankful”! for without His aid I shall not be so.  He—­Hanson-left everything else in Chancery Lane whatever, except your copy-papers for the last Canto, [Footnote:  Of “Childe Harold.”] etc., which having a degree of parchment he brought with him.  You may imagine his reception; he swore the books were a “waggon-load”; if they were, he should have come in a waggon; he would in that case have come quicker than he did.

Lord Lauderdale set off from hence twelve days ago accompanied by a cargo of Poesy directed to Mr. Hobhouse, all spick and span, and in MS.; you will see what it is like.  I have given it to Master Southey, and he shall have more before I have done with him.

You may make what I say here as public as you please, more particularly to Southey, whom I look upon—­and will say so publicly-to be a dirty, lying rascal, and will prove it in ink—­or in his blood, if I did not believe him to be too much of a poet to risk it!  If he has forty reviews at his back, as he has the Quarterly, I would have at him in his scribbling capacity now that he has begun with me; but I will do nothing underhand; tell him what I say from me and every one else you please.

You will see what I have said, if the parcel arrives safe.  I understand Coleridge went about repeating Southey’s lie with pleasure.  I can believe it, for I had done him what is called a favour....  I can understand Coleridge’s abusing me—­but how or why Southey, whom I had never obliged in any sort of way, or done him the remotest service, should go about fibbing and calumniating is more than I readily comprehend.  Does he think to put me down with his Canting, not being able to do it with his poetry?  We will try the question.  I have read his review of Hunt, where he has attacked Shelley in an oblique and shabby manner.  Does he know what that review has done?  I will tell you; it has sold an edition of the “Revolt of Islam” which otherwise nobody would have thought of reading, and few who read can understand, I for one.