ventism. In England, the
only homage which they pay to virtue is hypocrisy. I speak of
course of the _tone_ of high life,--the middle ranks may be very
virtuous.

"I have not got any copy (nor have yet had) of the letter on
Bowles; of course I should be delighted to send it to you. How is
Mrs. H.? well again, I hope. Let me know when you set out. I regret
that I cannot meet you in the Bernese Alps this summer, as I once
hoped and intended. With my best respects to madam, I am ever, &c.

"P.S. I gave to a musician_er_ a letter for you some time ago--has
he presented himself? Perhaps you could introduce him to the
Ingrains and other dilettanti. He is simple and unassuming--two
strange things in his profession--and he fiddles like Orpheus
himself or Amphion: 'tis a pity that he can't make Venice dance
away from the brutal tyrant who tramples upon it."

* * * * *

LETTER 425. TO MR. MURRAY.

"May 14. 1821.

"A Milan paper states that the play has been represented and
universally condemned. As remonstrance has been vain, complaint
would be useless. I presume, however, for your own sake (if not for
mine), that you and my other friends will have at least published
my different protests against its being brought upon the stage at
all; and have shown that Elliston (in spite of the writer) _forced_
it upon the theatre. It would be nonsense to say that this has not
vexed me a good deal, but I am not dejected, and I shall not take
the usual resource of blaming the public (which was in the right),
or my friends for not preventing--what they could not help, nor I
neither--a _forced_ representation by a speculating manager. It is
a pity that you did not show them its _unfitness_ for the stage
before the play was _published_, and exact a promise from the
managers not to act it. In case of their refusal, we would not have
published it at all. But this is too late.

"Yours.

"P.S. I enclose Mr. Bowles's letters: thank him in my name for
their candour and kindness.--Also a letter for Hodgson, which pray
forward. The Milan paper states that I '_brought forward the
play!!!_' This is pleasanter still. But don't let yourself be
worried about it; and if (as is likely) the folly of Elliston
checks the sale, I am ready to m