"Ravenna, July 22. 1821. "The printer has done wonders;--he has read what I cannot--my own handwriting. "I _oppose_ the 'delay till winter:' I am particularly anxious to print while the _winter theatres_ are _closed_, to gain time, in case they try their former piece of politeness. Any _loss_ shall be considered in our contract, whether occasioned by the season or other causes; but print away, and publish. "I think they must own that I have more _styles_ than one. 'Sardanapalus' is, however, almost a comic character: but, for that matter, so is Richard the Third. Mind the _unities_, which are my great object of research. I am glad that Gifford likes it: as for 'the million,' you see I have carefully consulted any thing but the _taste_ of the day for extravagant 'coups de théâtre.' Any probable loss, as I said before, will be allowed for in our accompts. The reviews (except one or two--Blackwood's, for instance) are cold enough; but never mind those fellows: I shall send them to the right about, if I take it into my head. I always found the English _baser_ in some things than any other nation. You stare, but it's true as to gratitude,--perhaps because they are prouder, and proud people hate obligations. "The tyranny of the Government here is breaking out. They have exiled about a thousand people of the best families all over the Roman states. As many of my friends are amongst them, I think of moving too, but not till I have had your answers. Continue _your address_ to me _here_, as usual, and quickly. What you will _not_ be sorry to hear is, that the _poor_ of the place, hearing that I meant to go, got together a petition to the Cardinal to request that _he_ would request me to _remain_. I only heard of it a day or two ago, and it is no dishonour to them nor to me; but it will have displeased the higher powers, who look upon me as a Chief of the Coalheavers. They arrested a servant of mine for a street quarrel with an officer (they drew upon one another knives and pistols), but as _the officer_ was out of uniform, and in the _wrong_ besides, on my protesting stoutly, he was released. I was not present at the affray, which happened by night near my stables. My man (an Italian), a very stout and not over-patient personage, would have taken a fatal revenge afterwards, if I had not prevented him. As it was, he drew his stiletto, and, but for passengers, would have carbonadoed the captain, who, I understand, made but a poor figure in the quarrel, except by beginning it. He applied to me, and I offered him any satisfaction, either by turning away the man, or otherwise, because he had drawn a knife. He answered that a reproof would be sufficient. I reproved him; and yet, after