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bition. He is also said to be very superstitious; in exemplification of which fact, various curious anecdotes are related, worthy to have figured in the dark ages.

GENOA, December.-Once more at Genoa; and he who made our séjour so agreeable when previously here, numbered with the dead! Every object around recals poor Byron so vividly to my recollection, that I can hardly think, that he whose image is identified with all I view, is sleeping in his English grave. Mr. Barry, at whose house we spent last evening, has read me several letters and MSS. of Byron's; many of them highly characteristic, and some full of interest. Others he read, which, I hope for the sake of the living and the dead, will not be published; for whatever may be the talent they exhibit, the feeling that dictated them was not creditable. One among the number is a lampoon on a brother poet-a poet, too, for whom Byron once professed no common esteem. I remember well his repeating these identical verses to me, and offering me a copy, which I declined to accept, not only because wholly disapproving them, but because I was on habits of intimacy with the person attacked: a scrupulousness which excited the raillery of Byron.

"I do not think," said he, "that many of 's friends in England would refuse them."

Strange inconsistency in the human mind, to profess, nay, I am sure, to feel admiration and regard for an individual, and to lampoon him; yet, of this was Byron capable, as the lines I refer to, as well as some others, equally severe on his acquaintances, prove. Nevertheless, I am persuaded, had he met them, he would have evinced as much goodwill as if the obnoxious lampoons had never been written; for he was a creature of impulse, wrote these things when in a bitter mood, and in their severity got rid of the temporary feeling of dissatisfaction that gave rise to them.

We were agreeably surprised by meeting our old acquaintance, Lord John Russell, in the street yesterday. He came and dined with us, and was in better health and spirits than I remember him when in England. He is exceedingly well read, and has a quiet dash of humour that renders his observations very amusing. When the reserve peculiar to him is thawed, he can be very agreeable; and the society of his Genoese friends having had this effect, he appears here to much more advantage than in London. Good sense, a considerable power of discrimination, a highly-cultivated mind, and great equality of temper, are the characteristics of Lord

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John Russell; and these peculiarly fit him for taking a distinguished part in public life. The only obstacle to his success, seems to me to be the natural reserve of his manners, which, by leading people to think him cold and proud, may preclude him from exciting that warm sentiment of personal attachment, rarely accorded, except to those whose uniform friendly demeanour excites and strengthens it; and without this attraction, it is difficult, if not impossible, for a statesman, whatever may be the degree of esteem entertained for his character, to have devoted friends and partisans, accessories so indispensable for one who would fill a distinguished rôle in public life.

He

Lord John Russell dined with us again yesterday, and nobody could be more agreeable. should stay two or three years among his Italian friends, to wear off for ever the reserve that shrouds so many good qualities, and conceals so many agreeable ones; and he would then become as popular as he deserves to be. But he will return to England, be again thrown into the clique, which political differences keep apart from that of their opponents; become as cold and distant as formerly; and people will exclaim at his want of cordiality, and draw back from what they consider to be his haughty reserve.

To-morrow we depart for Pisa, passing by

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PISA.-Arrived here yesterday, and found the Duc and Duchesse de Guiche, with their beautiful children, established in the Casa Chiarabati, on the south side of the Lung' Arno. The Duchesse is one of the most striking-looking women I ever beheld; and though in very delicate health, her beauty is unimpaired. Tall and slight, her figure is finely proportioned, and her air is remarkably noble and graceful. Her features are regular, her complexion dazzlingly fair, her countenance full of intelligence, softened by a feminine sweetness, that gives it a peculiar attraction; and her limbs are so small and symmetrical, as to furnish an illustration of Byron's favourite hypothesis, that delicately formed hands and feet were infallible indications of noble birth. But had the Duchesse de Guiche no other charm than her hair, that would constitute an irresistible one. Never did I see such a profusion, nor of so beautiful a colour and texture. When to these exterior attractions are added, manners graceful and dignified, conversation witty and full of intelligence, joined to extreme gentleness, it cannot be wondered at that the Duchesse de Guiche is considered one of the

most lovely and fascinating women of her day. It is a pleasing picture to see this fair young creature, for she is still in the bloom of youth, surrounded by her three beautiful boys, and holding in her arms a female infant strongly resembling her. One forgets la grande dame, occupying her tabouret at court," the observed of all observers," in the interest excited by a fond young mother in the domestic circle, thinking only of the dear objects around her. The Duc de Guiche looks like the beau idéal we form to ourselves, of le Chevalier Bayard, "sans peur et sans reproche." larly handsome, there is a character of chivalrous bravery, mingled with an urbane politeness in his countenance and bearing, that strikes the beholders at first sight; and his manners are well calculated to render the impression produced by his appearance still more favourable. I never saw parents and children so highly gifted by nature as are this family; and this opinion is generally partaken, if one may judge by the attention they excited when they appeared in public.

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Spent last evening at the Duchesse de Guiche's, where we met M. de Lamartine the poet, who came from Florence to see the Duc and Duchesse. The conversation was lively and brilliant: M. de Lamartine is, I am persuaded, as amiable as he is clever;

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