[Footnote 20:  “I have hunted out a precedent for this unceremonious address.”]

* * * * *

LETTER 315.  TO MR. MURRAY.

     “Venice, April 17. 1818.

“A few days ago, I wrote to you a letter, requesting you to desire Hanson to desire his messenger to come on from Geneva to Venice, because I won’t go from Venice to Geneva; and if this is not done, the messenger may be damned, with him who mis-sent him.  Pray reiterate my request.

     “With the proofs returned, I sent two additional stanzas for Canto
     fourth:  did they arrive?

“Your Monthly reviewer has made a mistake:  Cavaliere, alone, is well enough; but ‘Cavalier’ servente’ has always the e mute in conversation, and omitted in writing; so that it is not for the sake of metre; and pray let Griffiths know this, with my compliments.  I humbly conjecture that I know as much of Italian society and language as any of his people; but, to make assurance doubly sure, I asked, at the Countess Benzona’s last night, the question of more than one person in the office, and of these ‘cavalieri serventi’ (in the plural, recollect) I found that they all accorded in pronouncing for ‘cavalier’ servente’ in the singular number.  I wish Mr. * * * * (or whoever Griffiths’ scribbler may be) would not talk of what he don’t understand.  Such fellows are not fit to be intrusted with Italian, even in a quotation.

     “Did you receive two additional stanzas, to be inserted towards the
     close of Canto fourth?  Respond, that (if not) they may be sent.

“Tell Mr. * * and Mr. Hanson that they may as well expect Geneva to come to me, as that I should go to Geneva.  The messenger may go on or return, as he pleases; I won’t stir:  and I look upon it as a piece of singular absurdity in those who know me imagining that I should;—­not to say malice, in attempting unnecessary torture.  If, on the occasion, my interests should suffer, it is their neglect that is to blame; and they may all be d——­d together.

     “It is ten o’clock and time to dress.

     “Yours,” &c.

* * * * *

LETTER 316.  TO MR. MURRAY.

     “April 23. 1818.

“The time is past in which I could feel for the dead,—­or I should feel for the death of Lady Melbourne, the best, and kindest, and ablest female I ever knew, old or young.  But ’I have supped full of horrors,’ and events of this kind have only a kind of numbness worse than pain,—­like a violent blow on the elbow or the head.  There is one link less between England and myself.

“Now to business.  I presented you with Beppo, as part of the contract for Canto fourth,—­considering the price you are to