Byron’s half-formed intention was soon abandoned, and the Countess Guiccioli’s serious illness recalled him to Ravenna, where he remained for the next year and a half.

Hobhouse’s next letter to Murray (January 1820), in which he reported “Bad news from Ravenna—­a great pity indeed,” is dated Newgate, where he had been lodged in consequence of his pamphlet entitled “A Trifling Mistake in Thomas Lord Erskine’s Recent Pamphlet,” containing several very strong reflections on the House of Commons as then constituted.

During his imprisonment, Mr. Hobhouse was visited by Mr. Murray and Ugo Foscolo, as well as by many of his political friends.

Lady Caroline Lamb also wrote to Mr. Murray from Brockett Hall, asking for information about Byron and Hobhouse.

Lady Caroline Lamb to John Murray.

You have never written to tell me about him.  Now, did you know the pain and agony this has given me, you had not been so remiss.  If you could come here on Wednesday for one night, I have a few people and a supper.  You could come by the Mail in two hours, much swifter than even in your swift carriage; and I have one million of things to say and ask also.  Do tell me how that dear Radical Hob is, and pray remember me to him.  I really hope you will be here at dinner or supper on Wednesday.  Your bedroom shall be ready, and you can be back in Town before most people are up, though I rise here at seven.

Yours quite disturbed my mind, for want of your telling me how he [Byron] looks, what he says, if he is grown fat, if he is no uglier than he used to be, if he is good-humoured or cross-grained, putting his brows down—­if his hair curls or is straight as somebody said, if he has seen Hobhouse, if he is going to stay long, if you went to Dover as you intended, and a great deal more, which, if you had the smallest tact or aught else, you would have written long ago; for as to me, I shall certainly not see him, neither do I care he should know that I ever asked after him.  It is from mere curiosity I should like to hear all you can tell me about him.  Pray come here immediately.

Yours,

C.L.

Notwithstanding the remarkable sale of “Don Juan,” Murray hesitated about publishing any more of the cantos.  After the fifth canto was published, Lord Byron informed Murray that it was “hardly the beginning of the work,” that he intended to take Don Juan through the tour of Europe, put him through the Divorce Court, and make him finish as Anacharsis Clootz in the French Revolution.  Besides being influenced by his own feelings, it is possible that the following letter of Mr. Croker may have induced Mr. Murray to have nothing further to do with the work: 

Mr. Croker to John Murray.

MUNSTER HOUSE, March 26, 1820.

A rainy Sunday.

DEAR MURRAY,