“P.S.  I have begun a tragedy on the subject of Marino Faliero, the Doge of Venice; but you sha’n’t see it these six years, if you don’t acknowledge my packets with more quickness and precision. Always write, if but a line, by return of post, when any thing arrives, which is not a mere letter.

     “Address direct to Ravenna; it saves a week’s time, and much
     postage.”

* * * * *

LETTER 368.  TO MR. MURRAY.

     “Ravenna, April 16. 1820.

“Post after post arrives without bringing any acknowledgment from you of the different packets (excepting the first) which I sent within the last two months, all of which ought to be arrived long ere now; and as they were announced in other letters, you ought at least to say whether they are come or not.  You are not expected to write frequent, or long letters, as your time is much occupied; but when parcels that have cost some pains in the composition, and great trouble in the copying, are sent to you, I should at least be put out of suspense, by the immediate acknowledgment, per return of post, addressed directly to Ravenna.  I am naturally—­knowing what continental posts are—­anxious to hear that they are arrived; especially as I loathe the task of copying so much, that if there was a human being that could copy my blotted MSS. he should have all they can ever bring for his trouble.  All I desire is two lines, to say, such a day I received such a packet.  There are at least six unacknowledged.  This is neither kind nor courteous.

“I have, besides, another reason for desiring you to be speedy, which is, that there is THAT brewing in Italy which will speedily cut off all security of communication, and set all your Anglo-travellers flying in every direction, with their usual fortitude in foreign tumults.  The Spanish and French affairs have set the Italians in a ferment; and no wonder:  they have been too long trampled on.  This will make a sad scene for your exquisite traveller, but not for the resident, who naturally wishes a people to redress itself.  I shall, if permitted by the natives, remain to see what will come of it, and perhaps to take a turn with them, like Dugald Dalgetty and his horse, in case of business; for I shall think it by far the most interesting spectacle and moment in existence, to see the Italians send the barbarians of all nations back to their own dens.  I have lived long enough among them to feel more for them as a nation than for any other people in existence.  But they want union, and they want principle; and I doubt their success.  However, they will try, probably, and if they do, it will be a good cause.  No Italian can hate an Austrian more than I do:  unless it be the English, the Austrians seem to me the most obnoxious race under the sky.

     “But I doubt, if any thing be done, it won’t be so quietly as in
     Spain.  To be sure, revolutions are not to be made with rose-water,
     where there are foreigners as masters.