"Between my own property in the funds, and my wife's in land, I do not know which _side_ to cry out on in politics. "There is nothing against the immortality of the soul in 'Cain' that I recollect. I hold no such opinions;--but, in a drama, the first rebel and the first murderer must be made to talk according to their characters. However, the parsons are all preaching at it, from Kentish Town and Oxford to Pisa;--the scoundrels of priests, who do more harm to religion than all the infidels that ever forgot their catechisms! "I have not seen Lady Noel's death announced in Galignani.--How is that?" [Footnote 74: The preceding letter came enclosed in this.] * * * * * LETTER 480. TO MR. MOORE. "Pisa, February 28. 1822. "I begin to think that the packet (a heavy one) of five acts of 'Werner,' &c. can hardly have reached you, for your letter of last week (which I answered) did not allude to it, and yet I insured it at the post-office here. "I have no direct news from England, except on the Noel business, which is proceeding quietly, as I have appointed a gentleman (Sir F. Burdett) for my arbitrator. They, too, have said that they will recall the _lawyer_ whom _they_ had chosen, and will name a gentleman too. This is better, as the arrangement of the estates and of Lady B.'s allowance will thus be settled without quibbling. My lawyers are taking out a licence for the name and arms, which it seems I am to endue. "By another, and indirect, quarter, I hear that 'Cain' has been pirated, and that the Chancellor has refused to give Murray any redress. Also, that G.R. (_your_ friend 'Ben') has expressed great personal indignation at the said poem. All this is curious enough, I think,--after allowing Priestley, Hume, and Gibbon, and Bolingbroke, and Voltaire to be published, without depriving the booksellers of their rights. I heard from Rome a day or two ago, and, with what truth I know not, that * * *. "Yours," &c. * * * * * LETTER 481. TO MR. MOORE. "Pisa, March 1. 1822. "As I still have no news of my 'Werner,' &c. packet, sent to you on the 29th of January, I continue to bore you (for the fifth time, I believe) to know whether it has not miscarried. As it was fairly copied out, it will be vexatious if it be lost. Indeed, I insured it at the post-office to make them take more care, and directed it regularly to you at Paris.