And the stage-directions—­’Staggers among the bodies;’—­the slain are too numerous, as well as the blackamoor knights-penitent being one too many:  and De Zelos is such a shabby Monmouth Street villain, without any redeeming quality—­Stap my vitals!  Maturin seems to be declining into Nat.  Lee.  But let him try again; he has talent, but not much taste.  I ’gin to fear, or to hope, that Sotheby, after all, is to be the Eschylus of the age, unless Mr. Shiel be really worthy his success.  The more I see of the stage, the less I would wish to have any thing to do with it; as a proof of which, I hope you have received the third Act of Manfred, which will at least prove that I wish to steer very clear of the possibility of being put into scenery.  I sent it from Rome.

     “I returned the proof of Tasso.  By the way, have you never received
     a translation of St. Paul which I sent you, not for publication,
     before I went to Rome?

“I am at present on the Brenta.  Opposite is a Spanish marquis, ninety years old; next his casino is a Frenchman’s,—­besides the natives; so that, as somebody said the other day, we are exactly one of Goldoni’s comedies (La Vedova Scaltra), where a Spaniard, English, and Frenchman are introduced:  but we are all very good neighbours, Venetians, &c. &c. &c.

“I am just getting on horseback for my evening ride, and a visit to a physician, who has an agreeable family, of a wife and four unmarried daughters, all under eighteen, who are friends of Signora S * *, and enemies to nobody.  There are, and are to be, besides, conversaziones and I know not what, a Countess Labbia’s and I know not whom.  The weather is mild; the thermometer 110 in the sun this day, and 80 odd in the shade.  Yours, &c.

     “N.”

* * * * *

LETTER 284.  TO MR. MURRAY.

     “La Mira, near Venice, June 17. 1817.

“It gives me great pleasure to hear of Moore’s success, and the more so that I never doubted that it would be complete.  Whatever good you can tell me of him and his poem will be most acceptable:  I feel very anxious indeed to receive it.  I hope that he is as happy in his fame and reward as I wish him to be; for I know no one who deserves both more—­if any so much.

“Now to business; * * * * * * I say unto you, verily, it is not so; or, as the foreigner said to the waiter, after asking him to bring a glass of water, to which the man answered, ’I will, sir,’—­’You will!—­G——­d d——­n,—­I say, you mush!’ And I will submit this to the decision of any person or persons to be appointed by both, on a fair examination of the circumstances of this as compared with the preceding publications.  So there’s for you.  There is always some row or other previously to all our publications: