ourth letter arrived--it was from Donna Josepha, in
which she informed me that her father's letter was written by her
particular desire. I requested the reason by return of post--she
replied, by express, that as reason had nothing to do with the
matter, it was unnecessary to give any--but that she was an injured
and excellent woman. I then enquired why she had written to me the
two preceding affectionate letters, requesting me to come to
Arragon. She answered, that was because she believed me out of my
senses--that, being unfit to take care of myself, I had only to set
out on this journey alone, and making my way without difficulty to
Don Jose di Cardozo's, I should there have found the tenderest of
wives and--a strait waistcoat.

"I had nothing to reply to this piece of affection but a
reiteration of my request for some lights upon the subject. I was
answered that they would only be related to the Inquisition. In the
mean time, our domestic discrepancy had become a public topic of
discussion: and the world, which always decides justly, not only in
Arragon but in Andalusia, determined that I was not only to blame,
but that all Spain could produce nobody so blamable. My case was
supposed to comprise all the crimes which could, and several which
could not, be committed, and little less than an auto-da-fe was
anticipated as the result. But let no man say that we are abandoned
by our friends in adversity--it was just the reverse. Mine thronged
around me to condemn, advise, and console me with their
disapprobation.--They told me all that was, would, or could be said
on the subject. They shook their heads--they exhorted me--deplored
me, with tears in their eyes, and--went to dinner."

* * * * *

LETTER 450. TO MR. MURRAY.

"Ravenna, September 4. 1821.

"By Saturday's post, I sent you a fierce and furibund letter upon
the subject of the printer's blunders in Don Juan. I must solicit
your attention to the topic, though my wrath hath subsided into
sullenness.

"Yesterday I received Mr. ----, a friend of yours, and because he
is a friend of _yours_; and that's more than I would do in an
_English_ case, except for those whom I honour. I was as civil as I
could be among packages even to the very chairs and tables, for I