OF THE

LIFE OF LORD BYRON.




LETTER 394. TO MR. MOORE.

"Ravenna, October 17. 1820.

"You owe me two letters--pay them. I want to know what you are
about. The summer is over, and you will be back to Paris. Apropos
of Paris, it was not Sophia _Gail_, but Sophia _Gay_--the English
word _Gay_--who was my correspondent.[1] Can you tell who she is,
as you did of the defunct * *?

"Have you gone on with your Poem? I have received the French of
mine. Only think of being _traduced_ into a foreign language in
such an abominable travesty! It is useless to rail, but one can't
help it.

"Have you got my Memoir copied? I have begun a continuation. Shall
I send it you, as far as it is gone?

"I can't say any thing to you about Italy, for the Government here
look upon me with a suspicious eye, as I am well informed. Pretty
fellows!--as if I, a solitary stranger, could do any mischief. It
is because I am fond of rifle and pistol shooting, I believe; for
they took the alarm at the quantity of cartridges I consumed,--the