of the Greek plays we read thrice a year at Harrow);—­indeed that and the ‘Medea’ were the only ones, except the ‘Seven before Thebes,’ which ever much pleased me.  As to the ‘Faustus of Marlow,’ I never read, never saw, nor heard of it—­at least, thought of it, except that I think Mr. Gifford mentioned, in a note of his which you sent me, something about the catastrophe; but not as having any thing to do with mine, which may or may not resemble it, for any thing I know.

“The Prometheus, if not exactly in my plan, has always been so much in my head, that I can easily conceive its influence over all or any thing that I have written;—­but I deny Marlow and his progeny, and beg that you will do the same.

“If you can send me the paper in question[10], which the Edinburgh Review mentions, _do_.  The review in the magazine you say was written by Wilson? it had all the air of being a poet’s, and was a very good one.  The Edinburgh Review I take to be Jeffrey’s own by its friendliness.  I wonder they thought it worth while to do so, so soon after the former; but it was evidently with a good motive.

     “I saw Hoppner the other day, whose country-house at Este I have
     taken for two years.  If you come out next summer, let me know in
     time.  Love to Gifford.

     “Yours ever truly.

        “Crabbe, Malcolm, Hamilton, and Chantrey,
        Are all partakers of my pantry.

     These two lines are omitted in your letter to the doctor, after—­

        “All clever men who make their way.”

[Footnote 10:  A paper in the Edinburgh Magazine, in which it was suggested that the general conception of Manfred, and much of what is excellent in the manner of its execution, had been borrowed from “The Tragical History of Dr. Faustus,” of Marlow.]

* * * * *

LETTER 300.  TO MR. MURRAY.

     “Venice, October 23. 1817.

“Your two letters are before me, and our bargain is so far concluded.  How sorry I am to hear that Gifford is unwell!  Pray tell me he is better:  I hope it is nothing but cold.  As you say his illness originates in cold, I trust it will get no further.

“Mr. Whistlecraft has no greater admirer than myself:  I have written a story in 89 stanzas, in imitation of him, called Beppo, (the short name for Giuseppe, that is, the Joe of the Italian Joseph,) which I shall throw you into the balance of the fourth Canto, to help you round to your money; but you perhaps had better publish it anonymously; but this we will see to by and by.

     “In the Notes to Canto fourth, Mr. Hobhouse has pointed out
     several errors of Gibbon.  You may depend upon H.’s research and
     accuracy.  You may print it in what shape you please.