“I have appointed Sir Francis Burdett my arbitrator to decide on Lady Byron’s allowance out of the Noel estates, which are estimated at seven thousand a year, and rents very well paid,—­a rare thing at this time.  It is, however, owing to their consisting chiefly in pasture lands, and therefore less affected by corn bills, &c. than properties in tillage.

     “Believe me yours ever most affectionately,

     “NOEL BYRON.

     “Between my own property in the funds, and my wife’s in land, I do
     not know which side to cry out on in politics.

“There is nothing against the immortality of the soul in ‘Cain’ that I recollect.  I hold no such opinions;—­but, in a drama, the first rebel and the first murderer must be made to talk according to their characters.  However, the parsons are all preaching at it, from Kentish Town and Oxford to Pisa;—­the scoundrels of priests, who do more harm to religion than all the infidels that ever forgot their catechisms!

     “I have not seen Lady Noel’s death announced in Galignani.—­How is
     that?”

[Footnote 74:  The preceding letter came enclosed in this.]

* * * * *

LETTER 480.  TO MR. MOORE.

     “Pisa, February 28. 1822.

“I begin to think that the packet (a heavy one) of five acts of ‘Werner,’ &c. can hardly have reached you, for your letter of last week (which I answered) did not allude to it, and yet I insured it at the post-office here.

“I have no direct news from England, except on the Noel business, which is proceeding quietly, as I have appointed a gentleman (Sir F. Burdett) for my arbitrator.  They, too, have said that they will recall the lawyer whom they had chosen, and will name a gentleman too.  This is better, as the arrangement of the estates and of Lady B.’s allowance will thus be settled without quibbling.  My lawyers are taking out a licence for the name and arms, which it seems I am to endue.

“By another, and indirect, quarter, I hear that ‘Cain’ has been pirated, and that the Chancellor has refused to give Murray any redress.  Also, that G.R. (your friend ‘Ben’) has expressed great personal indignation at the said poem.  All this is curious enough, I think,—­after allowing Priestley, Hume, and Gibbon, and Bolingbroke, and Voltaire to be published, without depriving the booksellers of their rights.  I heard from Rome a day or two ago, and, with what truth I know not, that * * *.

     “Yours,” &c.

* * * * *

LETTER 481.  TO MR. MOORE.

     “Pisa, March 1. 1822.