"I have caused write to Siri and Willhalm to send with Vincenza, in a boat, the camp-beds and swords left in their care when I quitted Venice. There are also several pounds of Mantons best powder in a Japan case; but unless I felt sure of getting it away from V. without seizure, I won't have it ventured. I can get it in here, by means of an acquaintance in the customs, who has offered to get it ashore for me; but should like to be certiorated of its safety in leaving Venice. I would not lose it for its weight in gold--there is none such in Italy, as I take it to be. "I wrote to you a week or so ago, and hope you are in good plight and spirits. Sir Humphry Davy is here, and was last night at the Cardinal's. As I had been there last Sunday, and yesterday was warm, I did not go, which I should have done, if I had thought of meeting the man of chemistry. He called this morning, and I shall go in search of him at Corso time. I believe to-day, being Monday, there is no great conversazione, and only the family one at the Marchese Cavalli's, where I go as a relation sometimes, so that, unless he stays a day or two, we should hardly meet in public. "The theatre is to open in May for the fair, if there is not a row in all Italy by that time,--the Spanish business has set them all a constitutioning, and what will be the end, no one knows--it is also necessary thereunto to have a beginning. "Yours, &c. "P.S. My benediction to Mrs. Hoppner. How is your little boy? Allegra is growing, and has increased in good looks and obstinacy." * * * * * LETTER 370. TO MR. MURRAY. "Ravenna, April 23. 1820. "The proofs don't contain the _last_ stanzas of Canto second, but end abruptly with the 105th stanza. "I told you long ago that the new Cantos[72] were _not_ good, and I also _told you a reason_. Recollect, I do not oblige you to publish them; you may suppress them, if you like, but I can alter nothing. I have erased the six stanzas about those two impostors * * * * (which I suppose will give you great pleasure), but I can do no more. I can neither recast, nor replace; but I give you leave to put it all into the fire, if you like, or _not_ to publish, and I think that's sufficient.