--but he may as well
get a ship.

"I have no thoughts of coming amongst you yet awhile, so that I can
fight off business. If I could but make a tolerable sale of
Newstead, there would be no occasion for my return; and I can
assure you very sincerely, that I am much happier (or, at least,
have been so) out of your island than in it.

"Yours ever.

"P.S. There are few English here, but several of my acquaintance;
amongst others, the Marquis of Lansdowne, with whom I dine
to-morrow. I met the Jerseys on the road at Foligno--all well.

"Oh--I forgot--the Italians have printed Chillon, &c. a
_piracy_,--a pretty little edition, prettier than yours--and
published, as I found to my great astonishment on arriving here;
and what is odd, is, that the English is quite correctly printed.
Why they did it, or who did it, I know not; but so it is;--I
suppose, for the English people. I will send you a copy."

* * * * *

LETTER 279. TO MR. MOORE.

"Rome, May 12. 1817.

"I have received your letter here, where I have taken a cruise
lately; but I shall return back to Venice in a few days, so that if
you write again, address there, as usual. I am not for returning
to England so soon as you imagine; and by no means at all as a
residence. If you cross the Alps in your projected expedition, you
will find me somewhere in Lombardy, and very glad to see you. Only
give me a word or two beforehand, for I would readily diverge some
leagues to meet you.

"Of Rome I say nothing; it is quite indescribable, and the
Guide-book is as good as any other. I dined yesterday with Lord
Lansdowne, who is on his return. But there are few English here at
present; the winter is _their_ time. I have been on horseback most
of the day, all days since my arrival, and have taken it as I did
Constantinople. But Rome is the elder sister, and the finer. I went
some days ago to the top of the Alban Mount, which is superb. As
for the Coliseum, Pantheon, St. Peter's, the Vatican, Palatine, &c.
&c.--as I said, vide Guide-book. They are quite inconceivable, and
must _be seen_. The Apollo Belvidere is the image of Lady Adelaide
Forbes--I think I never saw such a likeness.

"I have seen the Pope alive, and a cardinal dead,--both of whom
looked very w