"Ravenna, May 20. 1821.
"Since I wrote to you last week I have received English letters and
papers, by which I perceive that what I took for an Italian _truth_
is, after all, a French lie of the Gazette de France. It contains
two ultra-falsehoods in as many lines. In the first place, Lord B.
did _not_ bring forward his play, but opposed the same; and,
secondly, it was _not_ condemned, but is continued to be acted, in
despite of publisher, author, Lord Chancellor, and (for aught I
know to the contrary) of audience, up to the first of May, at
least--the latest date of my letters. You will oblige me, then, by
causing Mr. Gazette of France to contradict himself, which, I
suppose, he is used to. I never answer a foreign _criticism_; but
this is a mere matter of fact, and not of _opinions_. I presume
that you have English and French interest enough to do this for
me--though, to be sure, as it is nothing but the _truth_ which we
wish to state, the insertion may be more difficult.
"As I have written to you often lately at some length, I won't bore
you further now, than by begging you to comply with my request; and
I presume the 'esprit du corps' (is it 'du' or 'de?' for this is
more than I know) will sufficiently urge you, as one of '_ours_,'
to set this affair in its real aspect. Believe me always yours ever
and most affectionately,
"BYRON."
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