e told him my name and residence, and defied him to the
death, if he were a gentleman, or not a gentleman, and had the
inclination to be genteel in the way of combat. He went to the
police, but there having been bystanders in the
road,--particularly a soldier, who had seen the business,--as well
as my servant, notwithstanding the oaths of the coachman and five
insides besides the plaintiff, and a good deal of paying on all
sides, his complaint was dismissed, he having been the
aggressor;--and I was subsequently informed that, had I not given
him a blow, he might have been had into durance.

"So set down this,--'that in Aleppo once' I 'beat a Venetian;' but
I assure you that he deserved it, for I am a quiet man, like
Candide, though with somewhat of his fortune in being forced to
forego my natural meekness every now and then.

"Yours, &c. B."

* * * * *

LETTER 288. TO MR. MURRAY.

"Venice, July 9, 1817.

"I have got the sketch and extracts from Lalla Rookh. The plan, as
well as the extracts, I have seen, please me very much indeed, and
I feel impatient for the whole.

"With regard to the critique on 'Manfred,' you have been in such a
devil of a hurry, that you have only sent me the half: it breaks
off at page 294. Send me the rest; and also page 270., where there
is 'an account of the supposed origin of this dreadful story,'--in
which, by the way, whatever it may be, the conjecturer is out, and
knows nothing of the matter. I had a better origin than he can
devise or divine, for the soul of him.

"You say nothing of Manfred's luck in the world; and I care not.
He is one of the best of my misbegotten, say what they will.

"I got at last an extract, but _no parcels_. They will come, I
suppose, some time or other. I am come up to Venice for a day or
two to bathe, and am just going to take a swim in the Adriatic; so,
good evening--the post waits. Yours, &c.

"B.

"P.S. Pray, was Manfred's speech to _the Sun_ still retained in Act
third? I hope so: it was one of the best in the thing, and better
than the Colosseum. I have done _fifty-six_ of Canto fourth, Childe
Harold; so down with your ducats."

* * * * *

LETTER 289. TO MR. MOORE.

"La Mira, Venice, July 10. 1817