"September 25. 1815.
"Dear Sir,
"I think it would be advisable for you to see the acting managers
when convenient, as there must be points on which you will want to
confer; the objection I stated was merely on the part of the
performers, and is _general_ and not _particular_ to this instance.
I thought it as well to mention it at once--and some of the
rehearsals you will doubtless see, notwithstanding.
"Rae, I rather think, has his eye on Naritzin for himself. He is a
more popular performer than Bartley, and certainly the cast will be
stronger with him in it; besides, he is one of the managers, and
will feel doubly interested if he can act in both capacities. Mrs.
Bartley will be Petrowna;--as to the Empress, I know not what to
say or think. The truth is, we are not amply furnished with tragic
women; but make the best of those we have,--you can take your
choice of them. We have all great hopes of the success--on which,
setting aside other considerations, we are particularly anxious, as
being the first tragedy to be brought out since the old Committee.
"By the way--I have a charge against you. As the great Mr. Dennis
roared out on a similar occasion--'By G----d, _that_ is _my_
thunder!' so do I exclaim, '_This_ is _my_ lightning!' I allude to
a speech of Ivan's, in the scene with Petrowna and the Empress,
where the thought and almost expression are similar to Conrad's in
the 3d Canto of 'The Corsair.' I, however, do not say this to
accuse you, but to exempt myself from suspicion[84], as there is a
priority of six months' publication, on my part, between the
appearance of that composition and of your tragedies.
"George Lambe meant to have written to you. If you don't like to
confer with the managers at present, I will attend to your
wishes--so state them. Yours very truly, BYRON."
[Footnote 84: Notwithstanding this precaution of the poet, the
coincidence in question was, but a few years after, triumphantly cited
in support of the sweeping charge of plagiarism brought against him by
some scribblers. The following are Mr. Sotheby's lines:--
"And I have leapt
In transport from my flinty couch, to welcome
The thunder as it burst upon my roof,
And beckon'd to the lightning, as it flash'd
And sparkled on these fetters."
I have since been informed by Mr. Sotheby that, though not published,
these lines had been written long before the appearance of Lord Byron's
poem.]
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