"I am not so sure about _mazza_, whether it don't mean _massa_, _i.e._ a great deal, a _mass_, instead of the interpretation I have given it. But of the other phrases I am sure. "Three o' th' clock--I must 'to bed, to bed, to bed,' as mother S * * (that tragical friend of the mathematical * * *) says. "Have you ever seen--I forget what or whom--no matter. They tell me Lady Melbourne is very unwell. I shall be so sorry. She was my greatest _friend_, of the feminine gender:--when I say 'friend,' I mean _not_ mistress, for that's the antipode. Tell me all about you and every body--how Sam is--how you like your neighbours, the Marquis and Marchesa, &c. &c. "Ever," &c. * * * * * LETTER 312. TO MR. MURRAY. "Venice, March 25. 1818. "I have your letter, with the account of 'Beppo,' for which I sent you four new stanzas a fortnight ago, in case you print, or reprint. "Croker's is a good guess; but the style is not English, it is Italian;--Berni is the original of _all_. Whistlecraft was _my_ immediate _model_! Rose's 'Animali' I never saw till a few days ago,--they are excellent. But (as I said above) Berni is the father of that kind of writing, which, I think, suits our language, too, very well;--we shall see by the experiment. If it does, I shall send you a volume in a year or two, for I know the Italian way of life well, and in time may know it yet better; and as for the verse and the passions, I have them still in tolerable vigour. "If you think that it will do you and the work, or works, any good, you may put my name to it; _but first consult the knowing ones_. It will, at any rate, show them that I can write cheerfully, and repel the charge of monotony and mannerism. "Yours," &c. * * * * * LETTER 313. TO MR. MURRAY. "Venice, April 11. 1818. "Will you send me by letter, packet, or parcel, half a dozen of the coloured prints from Holmes's miniature (the latter done shortly before I left your country, and the prints about a year ago); I shall be obliged to you, as some people here have asked me for the like. It is a picture of my upright self done for Scrope B. Davies, Esq.[18] "Why have you not sent me an answer, and list of subscribers to the translation of the Armenian _Eusebius_? of which I sent you printed copies of the prospectus (in French) two moons ago. Have you had the letter?--I shall send you another:--you must not neglect my Armenians. Tooth-powder, magnesia, tincture of myrrh, tooth-brushes, diachylon plaster, Peruvian bark, are my personal demands. "Strahan, Tonson, Lintot of the times, Patron and publisher of rhymes, For thee the bard up Pindus climbs, My Murray.