s have been allowed to rest in peace for seventy years,
are you to be singled out for a work of _fiction_, not of history
or argument? There must be something at the bottom of this--some
private enemy of your own: it is otherwise incredible.

"I can only say, 'Me, me; en adsum qui feci;'--that any proceedings
directed against you, I beg, may be transferred to me, who am
willing, and _ought_, to endure them all;--that if you have lost
money by the publication, I will refund any or all of the
copyright;--that I desire you will say that both _you_ and _Mr.
Gifford_ remonstrated against the publication, as also Mr.
Hobhouse;--that _I_ alone occasioned it, and I alone am the person
who, either legally or otherwise, should bear the burden. If they
prosecute, I will come to England--that is, if, by meeting it in my
own person, I can save yours. Let me know. You sha'n't suffer for
me, if I can help it. Make any use of this letter you please.

"Yours ever, &c.

"P.S. I write to you about all this row of bad passions and
absurdities with the _summer_ moon (for here our winter is clearer
than your dog-days) lighting the winding Arno, with all her
buildings and bridges,--so quiet and still!--What nothings are we
before the least of these stars!"

* * * * *

LETTER 478. TO MR. MOORE.

"Pisa, February 19. 1822.

"I am rather surprised not to have had an answer to my letter and
packets. Lady Noel is dead, and it is not impossible that I may
have to go to England to settle the division of the Wentworth
property, and what portion Lady B. is to have out of it; all which
was left undecided by the articles of separation. But I hope not,
if it can be done without,--and I have written to Sir Francis
Burdett to be my referee, as he knows the property.

"Continue to address here, as I shall not go if I can avoid it--at
least, not on that account. But I may on another; for I wrote to
Douglas Kinnaird to convey a message of invitation to Mr. Southey
to meet me, either in England, or (as less liable to interruption)
on the coast of France. This was about a fortnight ago, and I have
not yet had time to have the answer. However, you shall have due
notice; therefore continue to address to Pisa.

"My agents and trustees have written