“I am sorry you don’t like Lord Orford’s new work.  My aristocracy, which is very fierce, makes him a favourite of mine.  Recollect that those ‘little factions’ comprised Lord Chatham and Fox, the father, and that we live in gigantic and exaggerated times, which make all under Gog and Magog appear pigmean.  After having seen Napoleon begin like Tamerlane and end like Bajazet in our own time, we have not the same interest in what would otherwise have appeared important history.  But I must conclude.

     “Believe me ever and most truly yours,

     “NOEL BYRON.”

* * * * *

LETTER 492.  TO MR. MURRAY.

     “Pisa, May 17. 1822.

“I hear that the Edinburgh has attacked the three dramas, which is a bad business for you; and I don’t wonder that it discourages you.  However, that volume may be trusted to time,—­depend upon it.  I read it over with some attention since it was published, and I think the time will come when it will be preferred to my other writings, though not immediately.  I say this without irritation against the critics or criticism, whatever they may be (for I have not seen them); and nothing that has or may appear in Jeffrey’s Review can make me forget that he stood by me for ten good years without any motive to do so but his own good-will.

     “I hear Moore is in town; remember me to him, and believe me

     “Yours truly, N.B.

“P.S.  If you think it necessary, you may send me the Edinburgh.  Should there be any thing that requires an answer, I will reply, but temperately and technically; that is to say, merely with respect to the principles of the criticism, and not personally or offensively as to its literary merits.”

* * * * *

LETTER 493.  TO MR. MOORE.

     “Pisa, May 17. 1822.

“I hear you are in London.  You will have heard from Douglas Kinnaird (who tells me you have dined with him) as much as you desire to know of my affairs at home and abroad.  I have lately lost my little girl Allegra by a fever, which has been a serious blow to me.

     “I did not write to you lately (except one letter to Murray’s), not
     knowing exactly your ‘where-abouts.’  Douglas K. refused to forward
     my message to Mr. Southey—­why, he himself can explain.

     “You will have seen the statement of a squabble, &c.&c.[79] What
     are you about?  Let me hear from you at your leisure, and believe me
     ever yours,

     “N.B.”

[Footnote 79:  Here follows a repetition of the details given on this subject to Sir Walter Scott and others.]