no degree offend me by 'declining the article,' to use a technical
phrase. The _prose_ observations on John Wilson's attack, I do not
intend for publication at this time; and I send a copy of verses to
Mr. Kinnaird (they were written last year on crossing the Po) which
must _not_ be published either. I mention this, because it is
probable he may give you a copy. Pray recollect this, as they are
mere verses of society, and written upon private feelings and
passions. And, moreover, I can't consent to any mutilations or
omissions of _Pulci_: the original has been ever free from such in
Italy, the capital of Christianity, and the translation may be so
in England; though you will think it strange that they should have
allowed such _freedom_ for many centuries to the Morgante, while
the other day they confiscated the whole translation of the fourth
Canto of Childe Harold, and have persecuted Leoni, the
translator--so he writes me, and so I could have told him, had he
consulted me before his publication. This shows how much more
politics interest men in these parts than religion. Half a dozen
invectives against tyranny confiscate Childe Harold in a month; and
eight and twenty cantos of quizzing monks and knights, and church
government, are let loose for centuries. I copy Leoni's account.

"'Non ignorera forse che la mia versione del 4 deg. Canto del Childe
Harold fu confiscata in ogni parte: ed io stesso ho dovuto soffrir
vessazioni altrettanto ridicole quanto illiberaii, ad arte che
alcuni versi fossero esclusi dalla censura. Ma siccome il divieto
non fa d'ordinario che accrescere la curiosita cos! quel carme
sull' Italia e ricercato piu che mai, e penso di farlo ristampare
in Inghil-terra senza nulla escludere. Sciagurata condizione di
questa mia patria! se patria si puo chiamare una terra cosi
avvilita dalla fortuna, dagli uomini, da se medesima.'

"Rose will translate this to you. Has he had his letter? I enclosed
it to you months ago.

"This intended piece of publication I shall dissuade him from, or
he may chance to see the inside of St. Angelo's. The last sentence
of his letter is the common and pathetic sentiment of all his
countrymen.

"Sir Humphry Davy was here last fortnight, and I was in his company
in the house of a very pretty It