"I am much mortified that Gifford don't take to my new dramas. To be sure, they are as opposite to the English drama as one thing can be to another; but I have a notion that, if understood, they will in time find favour (though _not_ on the stage) with the reader. The simplicity of plot is intentional, and the avoidance of _rant_ also, as also the compression of the speeches in the more severe situations. What I seek to show in 'The Foscaris' is the _suppressed_ passions, rather than the rant of the present day. For that matter-- "Nay, if thou'lt mouth, I'll rant as well as thou-- would not be difficult, as I think I have shown in my younger productions--_not dramatic_ ones, to be sure. But, as I said before, I am mortified that Gifford don't like them; but I see no remedy, our notions on that subject being so different. How is he?--well, I hope? let me know. I regret his demur the more that he has been always my grand patron, and I know no praise which would compensate me in my own mind for his censure. I do not mind _Reviews_, as I can work them at their own weapons. "Yours, &c. "Address to me at _Pisa_, whither I am going. The reason is, that all my Italian friends here have been exiled, and are met there for the present, and I go to join them, as agreed upon, for the winter." [Footnote 53: This short satire, which is wholly unworthy of his pen, appeared afterwards in the Liberal.] * * * * * LETTER 456. TO MR. MURRAY. "Ravenna, September 24. 1821. "I have been thinking over our late correspondence, and wish to propose to you the following articles for our future:-- "1stly. That you shall write to me of yourself, of the health, wealth, and welfare of all friends; but of _me_ (_quoad me_) little or nothing. "2dly. That you shall send me soda-powders, tooth-powder, tooth-brushes, or any such anti-odontalgic or chemical articles, as heretofore,'ad libitum,' upon being reimbursed for the same. "3dly. That you shall not send me any modern, or (as they are called) _new_ publications, in _English whatsoever_, save and excepting any writing, prose or verse, of (or reasonably presumed to be of) Walter Scott, Crabbe, Moore, Campbell, Rogers, Gifford, Joanna Baillie, _Irving_ (the American), Hogg, Wilson (Isle of Palms man), or _any_ especial _single_ work of fancy which is thought to be of considerable merit; _Voyages_ and _Travels_, provided that they are _neither in Greece, Spain, Asia Minor, Albania, nor Italy_, will be welcome. Having travelled the countries mentioned, I know that what is said of them can convey nothing farther which I desire to know about them.--No other English works whatsoever.