to me to desire that I would
take the name directly, so that I am yours very truly and
affectionately,

"NOEL BYRON.

"P.S. I have had no news from England, except on business; and
merely know, from some abuse in that faithful _ex_ and _de_-tractor
Galignani, that the clergy are up against 'Cain.' There is (if I am
not mistaken) some good church preferment on the Wentworth estates;
and I will show them what a good Christian I am, by patronising and
preferring the most pious of their order, should opportunity occur.

"M. and I are but little in correspondence, and I know nothing of
literary matters at present. I have been writing on business only
lately. What are _you_ about? Be assured that there is no such
coalition as you apprehend."

* * * * *

LETTER 479. TO MR. MOORE.

"Pisa, February 20. 1822.[74]

"Your letter arrived since I wrote the enclosed. It is not likely,
as I have appointed agents and arbitrators for the Noel estates,
that I should proceed to England on that account,--though I may
upon another, within stated. At any rate, _continue_ you to address
here till you hear further from me. I could wish _you_ still to
arrange for me, either with a London or Paris publisher, for the
things, &c. I shall not quarrel with any arrangement you may please
to make.

"I have appointed Sir Francis Burdett my arbitrator to decide on
Lady Byron's allowance out of the Noel estates, which are estimated
at seven thousand a year, and _rents_ very well paid,--a rare thing
at this time. It is, however, owing to their _consisting_ chiefly
in pasture lands, and therefore less affected by corn bills, &c.
than properties in tillage.

"Believe me yours ever most affectionately,

"NOEL BYRON.

"Between my own property in the funds, and my wife's in land, I do
not know which _side_ to cry out on in politics.

"There is nothing against the immortality of the soul in 'Cain'
that I recollect. I hold no such opinions;--but, in a drama, the
first rebel and the first murderer must be made to talk according
to their characters. However, the parsons are all preaching at it,
from Kentish Town and Oxford to Pisa;--the scoundrels of priests,
who do more harm to religion than all the infidels that ever forgot
t