nothing is more common than for the early sceptic to end in a firm
belief, like Maupertuis, and Henry Kirke White.

"But my business is to acknowledge your letter, and not to make a
dissertation. I am obliged to you for your good wishes, and more
than obliged by the extract from the papers of the beloved object
whose qualities you have so well described in a few words. I can
assure you that all the fame which ever cheated humanity into
higher notions of its own importance would never weigh in my mind
against the pure and pious interest which a virtuous being may be
pleased to take in my welfare. In this point of view, I would not
exchange the prayer of the deceased in my behalf for the united
glory of Homer, Caesar, and Napoleon, could such be accumulated upon
a living head. Do me at least the justice to suppose, that

"'Video meliora proboque,'

however the 'deteriora sequor' may have been applied to my conduct.

"I have the honour to be

"Your obliged and obedient servant,

"BYRON.

"P.S. I do not know that I am addressing a clergyman; but I presume
that you will not be affronted by the mistake (if it is one) on the
address of this letter. One who has so well explained, and deeply
felt, the doctrines of religion, will excuse the error which led me
to believe him its minister."

* * * * *

LETTER 470. TO MR. MURRAY.

"Pisa, December 4. 1821.

"By extracts in the English papers,--in your holy ally, Galignani's
'Messenger,'--I perceive that 'the two greatest examples of human
vanity in the present age' are, firstly, 'the ex-Emperor Napoleon,'
and, secondly, 'his Lordship, &c. the noble poet,'meaning your
humble servant, 'poor guiltless I.'

"Poor Napoleon! he little dreamed to what vile comparisons the turn
of the wheel would reduce him!

"I have got here into a famous old feudal palazzo, on the Arno,
large enough for a garrison, with dungeons below and cells in the
walls, and so full of ghosts, that the learned Fletcher (my valet)
has begged leave to change his room, and then refused to occupy his
_new_ room, because there were more ghosts there than in the other.
It is quite true that there are most extraordinary noises (as in
all old buildings), which have terrified the servants so a