“I have had another from my poor dear Augusta, who is in a sad fuss about my late illness; do, pray, tell her (the truth) that I am better than ever, and in importunate health, growing (if not grown) large and ruddy, and congratulated by impertinent persons on my robustious appearance, when I ought to be pale and interesting.

“You tell me that George Byron has got a son, and Augusta says, a daughter; which is it?—­it is no great matter:  the father is a good man, an excellent officer, and has married a very nice little woman, who will bring him more babes than income; howbeit she had a handsome dowry, and is a very charming girl;—­but he may as well get a ship.

“I have no thoughts of coming amongst you yet awhile, so that I can fight off business.  If I could but make a tolerable sale of Newstead, there would be no occasion for my return; and I can assure you very sincerely, that I am much happier (or, at least, have been so) out of your island than in it.

     “Yours ever.

     “P.S.  There are few English here, but several of my acquaintance;
     amongst others, the Marquis of Lansdowne, with whom I dine
     to-morrow.  I met the Jerseys on the road at Foligno—­all well.

“Oh—­I forgot—­the Italians have printed Chillon, &c. a piracy,—­a pretty little edition, prettier than yours—­and published, as I found to my great astonishment on arriving here; and what is odd, is, that the English is quite correctly printed.  Why they did it, or who did it, I know not; but so it is;—­I suppose, for the English people.  I will send you a copy.”

* * * * *

LETTER 279.  TO MR. MOORE.

     “Rome, May 12. 1817.

“I have received your letter here, where I have taken a cruise lately; but I shall return back to Venice in a few days, so that if you write again, address there, as usual.  I am not for returning to England so soon as you imagine; and by no means at all as a residence.  If you cross the Alps in your projected expedition, you will find me somewhere in Lombardy, and very glad to see you.  Only give me a word or two beforehand, for I would readily diverge some leagues to meet you.

“Of Rome I say nothing; it is quite indescribable, and the Guide-book is as good as any other.  I dined yesterday with Lord Lansdowne, who is on his return.  But there are few English here at present; the winter is their time.  I have been on horseback most of the day, all days since my arrival, and have taken it as I did Constantinople.  But Rome is the elder sister, and the finer.  I went some days ago to the top of the Alban Mount, which is superb.  As for the Coliseum, Pantheon, St. Peter’s, the Vatican, Palatine, &c. &c.—­as I said, vide Guide-book.  They are quite inconceivable, and must be seen.  The Apollo Belvidere