Life of Lord Byron, Vol. IV | Page 9

and
perfectly understand now why my sister and aunt are so very positive in
the very erroneous persuasion that they must have been written by me.
If you knew me as well as they do, you would have fallen, perhaps, into
the same mistake. Some day or other, I will explain to you
_why_--when I have time; at present, it does not much matter; but you
must have thought this blunder of theirs very odd, and so did I, till I
had read the book. Croker's letter to you is a very great compliment; I
shall return it to you in my next.
"I perceive you are publishing a Life of Raffael d'Urbino: it may
perhaps interest you to hear that a set of German artists here allow their
hair to grow, and trim it into his fashion, thereby drinking the cummin
of the disciples of the old philosopher; if they would cut their hair,
convert it into brushes, and paint like him, it would be more 'German to
the matter.'
"I'll tell you a story: the other day, a man here--an English--mistaking
the statues of Charlemagne and Constantine, which are equestrian, for
those of Peter and Paul, asked another which was Paul of these same
horsemen?--to which the reply was,--'I thought, sir, that St. Paul had
never got on horseback since his _accident_?'
"I'll tell you another: Henry Fox, writing to some one from Naples the
other day, after an illness, adds--'and I am so changed, that my oldest
creditors would hardly know me.'
"I am delighted with Rome--as I would be with a bandbox, that is, it is
a fine thing to see, finer than Greece; but I have not been here long
enough to affect it as a residence, and I must go back to Lombardy,
because I am wretched at being away from Marianna. I have been
riding my saddle-horses every day, and been to Albano, its Lakes, and
to the top of the Alban Mount, and to Frescati, Aricia, &c. &c. with an

&c. &c. &c. about the city, and in the city: for all which--vide
Guide-book. As a whole, ancient and modern, it beats Greece,
Constantinople, every thing--at least that I have ever seen. But I can't
describe, because my first impressions are always strong and confused,
and my memory selects and reduces them to order, like distance in the
landscape, and blends them better, although they may be less distinct.
There must be a sense or two more than we have, us mortals; for * * *
* * where there is much to be grasped we are always at a loss, and yet
feel that we ought to have a higher and more extended comprehension.
"I have had a letter from Moore, who is in some alarm about his poem.
I don't see why.
"I have had another from my poor dear Augusta, who is in a sad fuss
about my late illness; do, pray, tell her (the truth) that I am better than
ever, and in importunate health, growing (if not grown) large and ruddy,
and congratulated by impertinent persons on my robustious appearance,
when I ought to be pale and interesting.
"You tell me that George Byron has got a son, and Augusta says, a
daughter; which is it?--it is no great matter: the father is a good man, an
excellent officer, and has married a very nice little woman, who will
bring him more babes than income; howbeit she had a handsome dowry,
and is a very charming girl;--but he may as well get a ship.
"I have no thoughts of coming amongst you yet awhile, so that I can
fight off business. If I could but make a tolerable sale of Newstead,
there would be no occasion for my return; and I can assure you very
sincerely, that I am much happier (or, at least, have been so) out of your
island than in it.
"Yours ever.
"P.S. There are few English here, but several of my acquaintance;
amongst others, the Marquis of Lansdowne, with whom I dine
to-morrow. I met the Jerseys on the road at Foligno--all well.
"Oh--I forgot--the Italians have printed Chillon, &c. a piracy,--a pretty

little edition, prettier than yours--and published, as I found to my great
astonishment on arriving here; and what is odd, is, that the English is
quite correctly printed. Why they did it, or who did it, I know not; but
so it is;--I suppose, for the English people. I will send you a copy."
* * * * *
LETTER 279. TO MR. MOORE.
"Rome, May 12. 1817.
"I have received your letter here, where I have taken a cruise lately; but
I shall return back to Venice in a few days, so that if you write again,
address there, as