ed, in
despite of publisher, author, Lord Chancellor, and (for aught I
know to the contrary) of audience, up to the first of May, at
least--the latest date of my letters. You will oblige me, then, by
causing Mr. Gazette of France to contradict himself, which, I
suppose, he is used to. I never answer a foreign _criticism_; but
this is a mere matter of fact, and not of _opinions_. I presume
that you have English and French interest enough to do this for
me--though, to be sure, as it is nothing but the _truth_ which we
wish to state, the insertion may be more difficult.

"As I have written to you often lately at some length, I won't bore
you further now, than by begging you to comply with my request; and
I presume the 'esprit du corps' (is it 'du' or 'de?' for this is
more than I know) will sufficiently urge you, as one of '_ours_,'
to set this affair in its real aspect. Believe me always yours ever
and most affectionately,

"BYRON."

* * * * *

LETTER 429. TO MR. HOPPNER.

"Ravenna, May 25. 1821.

"I am very much pleased with what you say of Switzerland, and will
ponder upon it. I would rather she married there than here for that
matter. For fortune, I shall make all that I can spare (if I live
and she is correct in her conduct); and if I die before she is
settled, I have left her by will five thousand pounds, which is a
fair provision _out_ of England for a natural child. I shall
increase it all I can, if circumstances permit me; but, of course
(like all other human things), this is very uncertain.

"You will oblige me very much by interfering to have the FACTS of
the play-acting stated, as these scoundrels appear to be organising
a system of abuse against me, because I am in their '_list_.' I
care nothing for _their criticism_, but the matter of fact. I have
written _four_ acts of another tragedy, so you see they _can't_
bully me.

"You know, I suppose, that they actually keep a _list_ of all
individuals in Italy who dislike them--it must be numerous. Their
suspicions and actual alarms, about my conduct and presumed
intentions in the late row, were truly ludicrous--though, not to
bore you, I touched upon them lightly. They believed, and still
believe here, or affect to believe it, that the whole pl