"How do you call your new project? I have sent Murray a new
tragedy, ycleped 'Sardanapalus,' writ according to Aristotle--all,
save the chorus--could not reconcile me to that. I have begun
another, and am in the second act;--so you see I saunter on as
usual.

"Bowles's answers have reached me; but I can't go on disputing for
ever,--particularly in a polite manner. I suppose he will take
being _silent_ for _silenced_. He has been so civil that I can't
find it in my liver to be facetious with him,--else I had a savage
joke or two at his service. * * *

"I can't send you the little journal, because it is in boards, and
I can't trust it per post. Don't suppose it is any thing
particular; but it will show the _intentions_ of the natives at
that time--and one or two other things, chiefly personal, like the
former one.

"So, Longman don't _bite_.--It was my wish to have made that work
of use. Could you not raise a sum upon it (however small),
reserving the power of redeeming it, on repayment?

"Are you in Paris, or a villaging? If you are in the city, you will
never resist the Anglo-invasion you speak of. I do not see an
Englishman in half a year, and, when I do, I turn my horse's head
the other way. The fact, which you will find in the last note to
the Doge, has given me a good excuse for quite dropping the least
connection with travellers.

"I do not recollect the speech you speak of, but suspect it is not
the Doge's, but one of Israel Bertuccio to Calendaro. I hope you
think that Elliston behaved shamefully--it is my only consolation.
I made the Milanese fellows contradict their lie, which they did
with the grace of people used to it.

"Yours, &c.

"B."

* * * * *

LETTER 436. TO MR. MOORE.

"Ravenna, July 5. 1821.

"How could you suppose that I ever would allow any thing that
_could_ be said on your account to weigh with _me_? I only regret
that Bowles had not _said_ that you were the writer of that note,
until afterwards, when out he comes with it, in a private letter to
Murray, which Murray sends to me. D----n the controversy!

"D----n Twizzle,
D----n the bell,
And d----n the fool who rung it--Well!
From all such plagues I'll quickly be deliver'd.