that is, professedly in the style of a bad
age."--Spence, sect. 4. 1734-36. Of Milton, too, Pope seems to have held
pretty nearly the same opinion as that professed by Lord Byron in some
of these letters. See, in Spence, sect. 5 1737-39, a passage on which
his editor remarks--"Perhaps Pope did not relish Shakspeare more than he
seems to have done Milton."]

* * * * *

LETTER 439. TO MR. MURRAY.

"Ravenna, July 22. 1821.

"The printer has done wonders;--he has read what I cannot--my own
handwriting.

"I _oppose_ the 'delay till winter:' I am particularly anxious to
print while the _winter theatres_ are _closed_, to gain time, in
case they try their former piece of politeness. Any _loss_ shall be
considered in our contract, whether occasioned by the season or
other causes; but print away, and publish.

"I think they must own that I have more _styles_ than one.
'Sardanapalus' is, however, almost a comic character: but, for that
matter, so is Richard the Third. Mind the _unities_, which are my
great object of research. I am glad that Gifford likes it: as for
'the million,' you see I have carefully consulted any thing but the
_taste_ of the day for extravagant 'coups de theatre.' Any probable
loss, as I said before, will be allowed for in our accompts. The
reviews (except one or two--Blackwood's, for instance) are cold
enough; but never mind those fellows: I shall send them to the
right about, if I take it into my head. I always found the English
_baser_ in some things than any other nation. You stare, but it's
true as to gratitude,--perhaps because they are prouder, and proud
people hate obligations.

"The tyranny of the Government here is breaking out. They have
exiled about a thousand people of the best families all over the
Roman states. As many of my friends are amongst them, I think of
moving too, but not till I have had your answers. Continue _your
address_ to me _here_, as usual, and quickly. What you will _not_
be sorry to hear is, that the _poor_ of the place, hearing that I
meant to go, got together a petition to the Cardinal to request
that _he_ would request me to _remain_. I only heard of it a day or
two ago, and it is no dishonour to them nor to me; but it will have
displeased the higher powers, who look upon me as a Ch