Chapter XVIII: Letter 410: To Mr. Murray

"Ravenna, January 27. 1821.

"I differ from you about the _Dante_, which I think should be
published with the tragedy. But do as you please: you must be the
best judge of your own craft. I agree with you about the _title_.
The play may be good or bad, but I flatter myself that it is
original as a picture of _that_ kind of passion, which to my mind
is so natural, that I am convinced that I should have done
precisely what the Doge did on those provocations.

"I am glad of Foscolo's approbation.

"Excuse haste. I believe I mentioned to you that--I forget what it
was; but no matter.

"Thanks for your compliments of the year. I hope that it will be
pleasanter than the last. I speak with reference to _England_ only,
as far as regards myself, _where_ I had every kind of
disappointment--lost an important law-suit--and the trustees of
Lady Byron refusing to allow of an advantageous loan to be made
from my property to Lord Blessington, &c. &c. by way of closing the
four seasons. These, and a hundred other such things, made a year
of bitter business for me in England. Luckily, things were a little
pleasanter for me _here_, else I should have taken the liberty of
Hannibal's ring.

"Pray thank Gifford for all his goodnesses. The winter is as cold
here as Parry's polarities. I must now take a canter in the forest;
my horses are waiting.

"Yours ever and truly."

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