and the luck which Providence is pleased to lavish on Lord Castlereagh is only a proof of the little value the gods set upon prosperity, when they permit such * * * s as he and that drunken corporal, old Blucher, to bully their betters.  From this, however, Wellington should be excepted.  He is a man,—­and the Scipio of our Hannibal.  However, he may thank the Russian frosts, which destroyed the real elite of the French army, for the successes of Waterloo.

“La!  Moore—­how you blasphemes about ‘Parnassus’ and ‘Moses!’ I am ashamed for you.  Won’t you do any thing for the drama?  We beseech an Opera.  Kinnaird’s blunder was partly mine.  I wanted you of all things in the Committee, and so did he.  But we are now glad you were wiser; for it is, I doubt, a bitter business.

“When shall we see you in England?  Sir Ralph Noel (late Milbanke—­he don’t promise to be late Noel in a hurry), finding that one man can’t inhabit two houses, has given his place in the north to me for a habitation; and there Lady B. threatens to be brought to bed in November.  Sir R. and my Lady Mother are to quarter at Kirby—­Lord Wentworth’s that was.  Perhaps you and Mrs. Moore will pay us a visit at Seaham in the course of the autumn.  If so, you and I (without our wives) will take a lark to Edinburgh and embrace Jeffrey.  It is not much above one hundred miles from us.  But all this, and other high matters, we will discuss at meeting, which I hope will be on your return.  We don’t leave town till August.

     “Ever,” &c.

* * * * *

LETTER 224.  TO MR. SOTHEBY.

     “Sept. 15. 1815.  Piccadilly Terrace.

     “Dear Sir,

     “‘Ivan’ is accepted, and will be put in progress on Kean’s arrival.

“The theatrical gentlemen have a confident hope of its success.  I know not that any alterations for the stage will be necessary; if any, they will be trifling, and you shall be duly apprised.  I would suggest that you should not attend any except the latter rehearsals—­the managers have requested me to state this to you.  You can see them, viz.  Dibdin and Rae, whenever you please, and I will do any thing you wish to be done on your suggestion, in the mean time.

“Mrs. Mardyn is not yet out, and nothing can be determined till she has made her appearance—­I mean as to her capacity for the part you mention, which I take it for granted is not in Ivan—­as I think Ivan may be performed very well without her.  But of that hereafter.  Ever yours, very truly,

     “BYRON.

“P.S.  You will be glad to hear that the season has begun uncommonly well—­great and constant houses—­the performers in much harmony with the Committee and one another, and as much good-humour as can be preserved in such complicated and extensive interests as the Drury Lane proprietary.”

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