"The Armenian Grammar is published—that is, one; the other is still in MS. My illness has prevented me from moving this month past, and I have done nothing more with the Armenian.
"Of Italian or rather Lombard manners, I could tell you little or nothing: I went two or three times to the governor's conversazione, (and if you go once, you are free to go always,) at which, as I only saw very plain women, a formal circle, in short a worst sort of rout, I did not go again. I went to Academie and to Madame Albrizzi's, where I saw pretty much the same thing, with the addition of some literati, who are the same blue[132], by ——, all the world over. I fell in love the first week with Madame * *, and I have continued so ever since, because she is very pretty and pleasing, and talks Venetian, which amuses me, and is naïve.
"Very truly, &c.
"P.S. Pray send the red tooth-powder by a safe hand, and speedily.[133]
"To hook the reader, you, John Murray,
Have publish'd 'Anjou's Margaret,'
Which won't be sold off in a hurry
(At least, it has not been as yet);
And then, still further to bewilder 'em,
Without remorse you set up 'Ilderim;'
So mind you don't get into debt,
Because as how, if you should fail,
These books would be but baddish bail.
And mind you do not let escape
These rhymes to Morning Post or Perry,
Which would be very treacherous—very,
And get me into such a scrape!
For, firstly, I should have to sally,
All in my little boat, against a Gally;
And, should I chance to slay the Assyrian wight,
Have next to combat with the female knight.
"You may show these matters to Moore and the select, but not to the profane; and tell Moore, that I wonder he don't write to one now and then."
LETTER 269. TO MR. MOORE.
"Venice, March 31. 1817.