LETTER 282.  TO MR. MURRAY.

     “Venice, June 8. 1817.

“The present letter will be delivered to you by two Armenian friars, on their way, by England, to Madras.  They will also convey some copies of the grammar, which I think you agreed to take.  If you can be of any use to them, either amongst your naval or East Indian acquaintances, I hope you will so far oblige me, as they and their order have been remarkably attentive and friendly towards me since my arrival at Venice.  Their names are Father Sukias Somalian and Father Sarkis Theodorosian.  They speak Italian, and probably French, or a little English.  Repeating earnestly my recommendatory request, believe me, very truly, yours,

     “BYRON.

     “Perhaps you can help them to their passage, or give or get them
     letters for India.”

* * * * *

LETTER 283.  TO MR. MURRAY.

     “La Mira, near Venice, June 14. 1817.

     “I write to you from the banks of the Brenta, a few miles from
     Venice, where I have colonised for six months to come.  Address, as
     usual, to Venice.

“Three months after date (17th March),—­like the unnegotiable bill despondingly received by the reluctant tailor,—­your despatch has arrived, containing the extract from Moore’s Italy and Mr. Maturin’s bankrupt tragedy.  It is the absurd work of a clever man.  I think it might have done upon the stage, if he had made Manuel (by some trickery, in a masque or vizor) fight his own battle, instead of employing Molineux as his champion; and, after the defeat of Torismond, have made him spare the son of his enemy, by some revulsion of feeling, not incompatible with a character of extravagant and distempered emotions.  But as it is, what with the Justiza, and the ridiculous conduct of the whole dram. pers. (for they are all as mad as Manuel, who surely must have had more interest with a corrupt bench than a distant relation and heir presumptive, somewhat suspect of homicide,) I do not wonder at its failure.  As a play, it is impracticable; as a poem, no great things.  Who was the ‘Greek that grappled with glory naked?’ the Olympic wrestlers? or Alexander the Great, when he ran stark round the tomb of t’other fellow? or the Spartan who was fined by the Ephori for fighting without his armour? or who?  And as to ’flaying off life like a garment,’ helas! that’s in Tom Thumb—­see king Arthur’s soliloquy: 

        “’Life’s a mere rag, not worth a prince’s wearing;
        I’ll cast it off.’