ludicrous, that might keep
those fools in their own dear belief that a man is a _loup garou_.

"I suppose I told you that the Giaour story had actually some
foundation on facts; or, if I did not, you will one day find it in
a letter of Lord Sligo's, written to me _after_ the publication of
the poem. I should not like marvels to rest upon any account of my
own, and shall say nothing about it. However, the _real_ incident
is still remote enough from the poetical one, being just such as,
happening to a man of any imagination, might suggest such a
composition. The worst of any _real_ adventures is that they
involve living people--else Mrs. ----'s, ----'s, &c. are as 'german
to the matter' as Mr. Maturin could desire for his novels. * * * *

"The consummation you mentioned for poor * * was near taking place
yesterday. Riding pretty sharply after Mr. Medwin and myself, in
turning the corner of a lane between Pisa and the hills, he was
spilt,--and, besides losing some claret on the spot, bruised
himself a good deal, but is in no danger. He was bled, and keeps
his room. As I was a-head of him some hundred yards, I did not see
the accident; but my servant, who was behind, did, and says the
horse did not fall--the usual excuse of floored equestrians. As * *
piques himself upon his horsemanship, and his horse is really a
pretty horse enough, I long for his personal narrative,--as I never
yet met the man who would _fairly claim a tumble_ as his own
property.

"Could not you send me a printed copy of the 'Irish Avatar?'--I do
not know what has become of Rogers since we parted at Florence.

"Don't let the Angles keep you from writing. Sam told me that you
were somewhat dissipated in Paris, which I can easily believe. Let
me hear from you at your best leisure.

"Ever and truly, &c.

"P.S. December 13.

"I enclose you some lines written not long ago, which you may do
what you like with, as they are very harmless.[72] Only, if copied,
or printed, or set, I could wish it more correctly than in the
usual way, in which one's 'nothings are monstered,' as Coriolanus
says.

"You must really get * * published--he never will rest till he is
so. He is just gone with his broken head to Lucca, at my desire, to
try to save a _man_ from being _burnt_. Th