housekeeper these forty years * * * *; but is reckoned a pious man,
and a moral liver.

"I am not quite sure that I won't be among you this autumn, for I
find that business don't go on--what with trustees and lawyers--as
it should do, 'with all deliberate speed.' They differ about
investments in Ireland.

"Between the devil and deep sea,
Between the lawyer and trustee,

I am puzzled; and so much time is lost by my not being upon the
spot, what with answers, demurs, rejoinders, that it may be I must
come and look to it; for one says do, and t'other don't, so that I
know not which way to turn: but perhaps they can manage without
me.

"Yours, &c.

"P.S. I have begun a tragedy on the subject of Marino Faliero, the
Doge of Venice; but you sha'n't see it these six years, if you
don't acknowledge my packets with more quickness and precision.
_Always write, if but a line_, by return of post, when any thing
arrives, which is not a mere letter.

"Address direct to Ravenna; it saves a week's time, and much
postage."

* * * * *

LETTER 368. TO MR. MURRAY.

"Ravenna, April 16. 1820.

"Post after post arrives without bringing any acknowledgment from
you of the different packets (excepting the first) which I sent
within the last two months, all of which ought to be arrived long
ere now; and as they were announced in other letters, you ought at
least to say whether they are come or not. You are not expected to
write frequent, or long letters, as your time is much occupied; but
when parcels that have cost some pains in the composition, and
great trouble in the copying, are sent to you, I should at least be
put out of suspense, by the immediate acknowledgment, per return of
post, addressed _directly_ to _Ravenna_. I am naturally--knowing
what continental posts are--anxious to hear that they are arrived;
especially as I loathe the task of copying so much, that if there
was a human being that could copy my blotted MSS. he should have
all they can ever bring for his trouble. All I desire is two lines,
to say, such a day I received such a packet. There are at least six
unacknowledged. This is neither kind nor courteous.

"I have, besides, another reason for desiring you to be speedy,
which is, t