azione, e si
conosceva che era molto commosso. Venne un punto poi della tragedia in
cui non pote piu frenare la sua emozione,--diede in un diretto pianto e
i singhiozzi gl' impedirono di piu restare nel palco; onde si levo, e
parti dal teatro. In uno stato simile lo viddi un altra volta a Ravenna
ad una rappresentazione del Filippo d'Alfieri."]

* * * * *

LETTER 338. TO MR. MURRAY.

"Bologna, August 23. 1819.

"I send you a letter to R * *ts, signed Wortley Clutterbuck, which
you may publish in what form you please, in answer to his article.
I have had many proofs of men's absurdity, but he beats all in
folly. Why, the wolf in sheep's clothing has tumbled into the very
trap! We'll strip him. The letter is written in great haste, and
amidst a thousand vexations. Your letter only came yesterday, so
that there is no time to polish: the post goes out to-morrow. The
date is 'Little Piddlington.' Let * * * * correct the press: he
knows and can read the handwriting. Continue to keep the
_anonymous_ about 'Juan;' it helps us to fight against overwhelming
numbers. I have a thousand distractions at present; so excuse
haste, and wonder I can act or write at all. Answer by post, as
usual.

"Yours.

"P.S. If I had had time, and been quieter and nearer, I would have
cut him to hash; but as it is, you can judge for yourselves."

* * * * *

The letter to the Reviewer, here mentioned, had its origin in rather an
amusing circumstance. In the first Canto of Don Juan appeared the
following passage:--

"For fear some prudish readers should grow skittish,
I've bribed My Grandmother's Review,--the British!

"I sent it in a letter to the editor,
Who thank'd me duly by return of post--
I'm for a handsome article his creditor;
Yet if my gentle Muse he please to roast,
And break a promise after having made it her,
Denying the receipt of what it cost,
And smear his page with gall instead of honey,
All I can say is--that he had the money."

On the appearance of the poem, the learned editor of the Review in
question allowed himself to be decoyed into the ineffable absurdity of
taking the charge as serious, and, in his succeeding number, came forth
with an indignant contradiction of it. To this tempting subject the
letter, written so hastily o