nother letter, which will only confirm what I have
said to you.

"About Allegra'--I will take some decisive step in the course of
the year; at present, she is so happy where she is, that perhaps
she had better have her _alphabet_ imparted in her convent.

"What you say of the _Dante_ is the first I have heard of it--all
seeming to be merged in the _row_ about the tragedy. Continue
it!--Alas! what could Dante himself _now_ prophesy about Italy? I
am glad you like it, however, but doubt that you will be singular
in your opinion. My _new_ tragedy is completed.

"The B * * is _right_,--I ought to have mentioned her _humour_ and
_amiability_, but I thought at her _sixty_, beauty would be most
agreeable or least likely. However, it shall be rectified in a new
edition; and if any of the parties have either looks or qualities
which they wish to be noticed, let me have a minute of them. I have
no private nor personal dislike to _Venice_, rather the contrary,
but I merely speak of what is the subject of all remarks and all
writers upon her present state. Let me hear from you before you
start.

"Believe me, ever, &c.

"P.S. Did you receive two letters of Douglas Kinnaird's in an
endorse from me? Remember me to Mengaldo, Soranzo, and all who care
that I should remember them. The letter alluded to in the
enclosed, 'to the _Cardinal_,' was in answer to some queries of
the government, about a poor devil of a Neapolitan, arrested at
Sinigaglia on suspicion, who came to beg of me here; being without
breeches, and consequently without pockets for halfpence, I
relieved and forwarded him to his country, and they arrested him at
Pesaro on suspicion, and have since interrogated me (civilly and
politely, however,) about him. I sent them the poor man's petition,
and such information as I had about him, which I trust will get him
out again, that is to say, if they give him a fair hearing.

"I _am_ content with the article. Pray, did you receive, some posts
ago, Moore's lines which I enclosed to you, written at Paris?"

* * * * *

LETTER 434. TO MR. MOORE.

"Ravenna, June 4. 1821.

"You have not written lately, as is the usual custom with literary
gentlemen, to console their friends with their observations in
cases of mag