to regale a person with an English punch in the guts, which sent him as far back as the squeeze and the passage would admit. He did not ask for another, but, with great signs of disapprobation and dismay, appealed to his compatriots, who laughed at him. "I am going on with my Armenian studies in a morning, and assisting and stimulating in the English portion of an English and Armenian grammar, now publishing at the convent of St. Lazarus. "The superior of the friars is a bishop, and a fine old fellow, with the beard of a meteor. Father Paschal is also a learned and pious soul. He was two years in England. "I am still dreadfully in love with the Adriatic lady whom I spake of in a former letter, (and _not_ in _this_--I add, for fear of mistakes, for the only one mentioned in the first part of this epistle is elderly and bookish, two things which I have ceased to admire,) and love in this part of the world is no sinecure. This is also the season when every body make up their intrigues for the ensuing year, and cut for partners for the next deal. "And now, if you don't write, I don't know what I won't say or do, nor what I will. Send me some news--good news. Yours very truly, &c. &c. &c. "B. "P.S. Remember me to Mr. Gifford, with all duty. "I hear that the Edinburgh Review has cut up Coleridge's Christabel, and me for praising it, which omen, I think, bodes no great good to your forthcome or coming Canto and Castle (of Chillon). My run of luck within the last year seems to have taken a turn every way; but never mind, I will bring myself through in the end--if not, I can be but where I began. In the mean time, I am not displeased to be where I am--I mean, at Venice. My Adriatic nymph is this moment here, and I must therefore repose from this letter." * * * * * LETTER 258. TO MR. MURRAY. "Venice, Jan. 2. 1817. "Your letter has arrived. Pray, in publishing the third Canto, have you _omitted_ any passages? I hope _not_; and indeed wrote to you on my way over the Alps to prevent such an incident. Say in your next whether or not the _whole_ of the Canto (as sent to you) has been published. I wrote to you again the other day, (_twice_, I think,) and shall be glad to hear of the reception of those letters.