Chapter LXXI: Letter 341: To Mr. Hoppner

"October 22. 1819.

"I am glad to hear of your return, but I do not know how to
congratulate you--unless you think differently of Venice from what
I think now, and you thought always. I am, besides, about to renew
your troubles by requesting you to be judge between Mr. E * * * and
myself in a small matter of imputed peculation and irregular
accounts on the part of that phoenix of secretaries. As I knew that
you had not parted friends, at the same time that _I_ refused for
my own part any judgment but _yours_, I offered him his choice of
any person, the _least_ scoundrel native to be found in Venice, as
his own umpire; but he expressed himself so convinced of your
impartiality, that he declined any but _you_. This is in his
favour.--The paper within will explain to you the default in his
accounts. You will hear his explanation, and decide if it so please
you. I shall not appeal from the decision.

"As he complained that his salary was insufficient, I determined to
have his accounts examined, and the enclosed was the result.--It is
all in black and white with documents, and I have despatched
Fletcher to explain (or rather to perplex) the matter.

"I have had much civility and kindness from Mr. Dorville during
your journey, and I thank him accordingly.

"Your letter reached me at your departure[57], and displeased me
very much:--not that it might not be true in its statement and kind
in its intention, but you have lived long enough to know how
useless all such representations ever are and must be in cases
where the passions are concerned. To reason with men in such a
situation is like reasoning with a drunkard in his cups--the only
answer you will get from him is, that he is sober, and you are
drunk.

"Upon that subject we will (if you like) be silent. You might only
say what would distress me without answering any purpose whatever;
and I have too many obligations to you to answer you in the same
style. So that you should recollect that you have also that
advantage over me. I hope to see you soon.

"I suppose you know that they said at Venice, that I was arrested
at Bologna as a _Carbonaro_--story about as true as their usual
conversation. Moore has been here--I lodged him in my house at
Venice, and went to see him daily; but I could not at that time
quit La Mira entirely. You and I were not very far from meeting in
Switzerland. With my best respects to Mrs. Hoppner, believe me ever
and truly, &c.

"P.S. Allegra is here in good health and spirits--I shall keep her
with me till I go to England, which will perhaps be in the spring.
It has just occurred to me that you may not perhaps like to
undertake the office of judge between Mr. E. and your humble
servant.--Of course, as Mr. Liston (the comedian, not the
ambassador) says, '_it is all hoptional_;' but I have no other
resource. I do not wish to find him a rascal, if it can be avoided,
and would rather think him guilty of carelessness than cheating.
The case is this--can I, or not, give him a character for
_honesty_?--It is not my intention to continue him in my service."

[Footnote 57: Mr. Hoppner, before his departure from Venice for Switzerland, had, with all the zeal of a true friend, written a letter to Lord Byron, entreating him "to leave Ravenna while yet he had a whole skin, and urging him not to risk the safety of a person he appeared so sincerely attached to--as well as his own--for the gratification of a momentary passion, which could only be a source of regret to both parties." In the same letter Mr. Hoppner informed him of some reports he had heard lately at Venice, which, though possibly, he said, unfounded, had much increased his anxiety respecting the consequences of the connection formed by him.]

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