V * * * and the Marquis L * * * told me of it directly, and also that it was a way he had, of filching money when he saw it before him; but I did not ax him for the cash, but contented myself with telling him that if he did it again, I should anticipate the law.

“There is to be a theatre in April, and a fair, and an opera, and another opera in June, besides the fine weather of nature’s giving, and the rides in the Forest of Pine.  With my best respects to Mrs. Hoppner, believe me ever, &c.  BYRON.

“P.S.  Could you give me an item of what books remain at Venice?  I don’t want them, but want to know whether the few that are not here are there, and were not lost by the way.  I hope and trust you have got all your wine safe, and that it is drinkable.  Allegra is prettier, I think, but as obstinate as a mule, and as ravenous as a vulture:  health good, to judge of the complexion—­temper tolerable, but for vanity and pertinacity.  She thinks herself handsome, and will do as she pleases.”

* * * * *

LETTER 367.  TO MR. MURRAY.

     “Ravenna, April 9. 1820.

“In the name of all the devils in the printing-office, why don’t you write to acknowledge the receipt of the second, third, and fourth packets, viz. the Pulci translation and original, the Danticles, the Observations on, &c.?  You forget that you keep me in hot water till I know whether they are arrived, or if I must have the bore of re-copying.

“Have you gotten the cream of translations, Francesca of Rimini, from the Inferno?  Why, I have sent you a warehouse of trash within the last month, and you have no sort of feeling about you:  a pastry-cook would have had twice the gratitude, and thanked me at least for the quantity.

“To make the letter heavier, I enclose you the Cardinal Legate’s (our Campeius) circular for his conversazione this evening.  It is the anniversary of the Pope’s tiara-tion, and all polite Christians, even of the Lutheran creed, must go and be civil.  And there will be a circle, and a faro-table, (for shillings, that is, they don’t allow high play,) and all the beauty, nobility, and sanctity of Ravenna present.  The Cardinal himself is a very good-natured little fellow, bishop of Muda, and legate here,—­a decent believer in all the doctrines of the church.  He has kept his housekeeper these forty years * * * *; but is reckoned a pious man, and a moral liver.

“I am not quite sure that I won’t be among you this autumn, for I find that business don’t go on—­what with trustees and lawyers—­as it should do, ‘with all deliberate speed.’  They differ about investments in Ireland.

        “Between the devil and deep sea,
        Between the lawyer and trustee,

I am puzzled; and so much time is lost by my not being upon the spot, what with answers, demurs, rejoinders, that it may be I must come and look to it; for one says do, and t’other don’t, so that I know not which way to turn:  but perhaps they can manage without me.

     “Yours, &c.