pretty Italian lady that very morning), because, she said, ’She was determined to send or take something which I had about me to America.’ There is a kind of Lalla Rookh incident for you!  However, all these American honours arise, perhaps, not so much from their enthusiasm for my ‘Poeshie,’ as their belief in my dislike to the English,—­in which I have the satisfaction to coincide with them.  I would rather, however, have a nod from an American, than a snuff-box from an emperor.”

* * * * *

LETTER 498.  TO MR. ELLICE.

     “Montenero, Leghorn, June 12. 1822.

     “My dear Ellice,

“It is a long time since I have written to you, but I have not forgotten your kindness, and I am now going to tax it—­I hope not too highly—­but don’t be alarmed, it is not a loan, but information which I am about to solicit.  By your extensive connections, no one can have better opportunities of hearing the real state of South America—­I mean Bolivar’s country.  I have many years had transatlantic projects of settlement, and what I could wish from you would be some information of the best course to pursue, and some letters of recommendation in case I should sail for Angostura.  I am told that land is very cheap there; but though I have no great disposable funds to vest in such purchases, yet my income, such as it is, would be sufficient in any country (except England) for all the comforts of life, and for most of its luxuries.  The war there is now over, and as I do not go there to speculate, but to settle, without any views but those of independence and the enjoyment of the common civil rights, I should presume such an arrival would not be unwelcome.

“All I request of you is, not to discourage nor encourage, but to give me such a statement as you think prudent and proper.  I do not address my other friends upon this subject, who would only throw obstacles in my way, and bore me to return to England; which I never will do, unless compelled by some insuperable cause.  I have a quantity of furniture, books, &c. &c. &c. which I could easily ship from Leghorn; but I wish to ‘look before I leap’ over the Atlantic.  Is it true that for a few thousand dollars a large tract of land may be obtained?  I speak of South America, recollect.  I have read some publications on the subject, but they seemed violent and vulgar party productions.  Please to address your answer[81] to me at this place, and believe me ever and truly yours,” &c.

[Footnote 81:  The answer which Mr. Ellice returned was, as might be expected, strongly dissuasive of this design.  The wholly disorganised state of the country and its institutions, which it would take ages, perhaps, to restore even to the degree of industry and prosperity which it had enjoyed under the Spaniards, rendered Columbia, in his opinion, one of the last places in the world to which a man desirous of peace and quiet, or of security for his person and property, should resort to as an asylum.  As long as Bolivar lived and maintained his authority, every reliance, Mr. Ellice added, might be placed on his integrity and firmness; but with his death a new aera of struggle and confusion would be sure to arise.]