Chapter 40

"Ravenna, May 31. 1821.

"I enclose you another letter, which will only confirm what I have said to you.

"About Allegra'--I will take some decisive step in the course of the year; at present, she is so happy where she is, that perhaps she had better have her _alphabet_ imparted in her convent.

"What you say of the _Dante_ is the first I have heard of it--all seeming to be merged in the _row_ about the tragedy. Continue it!--Alas! what could Dante himself _now_ prophesy about Italy? I am glad you like it, however, but doubt that you will be singular in your opinion. My _new_ tragedy is completed.

"The B * * is _right_,--I ought to have mentioned her _humour_ and _amiability_, but I thought at her _sixty_, beauty would be most agreeable or least likely. However, it shall be rectified in a new edition; and if any of the parties have either looks or qualities which they wish to be noticed, let me have a minute of them. I have no private nor personal dislike to _Venice_, rather the contrary, but I merely speak of what is the subject of all remarks and all writers upon her present state. Let me hear from you before you start.

"Believe me, ever, &c.

"P.S. Did you receive two letters of Douglas Kinnaird's in an endorse from me? Remember me to Mengaldo, Soranzo, and all who care that I should remember them. The letter alluded to in the enclosed, 'to the _Cardinal_,' was in answer to some queries of the government, about a poor devil of a Neapolitan, arrested at Sinigaglia on suspicion, who came to beg of me here; being without breeches, and consequently without pockets for halfpence, I relieved and forwarded him to his country, and they arrested him at Pesaro on suspicion, and have since interrogated me (civilly and politely, however,) about him. I sent them the poor man's petition, and such information as I had about him, which I trust will get him out again, that is to say, if they give him a fair hearing.

"I _am_ content with the article. Pray, did you receive, some posts ago, Moore's lines which I enclosed to you, written at Paris?"

* * * * *