"Ravenna, May 28. 1821.
"Since my last of the 26th or 25th, I have dashed off my fifth act
of the tragedy called 'Sardanapalus.' But now comes the copying
over, which may prove heavy work--heavy to the writer as to the
reader. I have written to you at least six times sans answer, which
proves you to be a--bookseller. I pray you to send me a copy of Mr.
_Wrangham_'s reformation of '_Langhorne_'s Plutarch.' I have the
Greek, which is somewhat small of print, and the Italian, which is
too heavy in style, and as false as a Neapolitan patriot
proclamation. I pray you also to send me a Life, published some
years ago, of the _Magician Apollonius_ of Tyana. It is in English,
and I think edited or written by what Martin Marprelate calls '_a
bouncing priest_.' I shall trouble you no farther with this sheet
than with the postage. Yours, &c. N.
"P.S. Since I wrote this, I determined to enclose it (as a half
sheet) to Mr. Kinnaird, who will have the goodness to forward it.
Besides, it saves sealing-wax."
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