a year: it is one of those marble piles that seem built for eternity, whilst the family whose name it bears no longer exists," said Shelley, as we entered a hall that seemed built for giants. "I remember the lines in the Inferno,'" said I: "a Lanfranchi was one of the persecutors of Ugolino."""The same," answered Shelley; 66 you will see a picture of Ugolino and his sons in his room. Fletcher, his valet, is as superstitious as his master, and says the house is haunted, so that he cannot sleep for rumbling noises overhead, which he compares to the rolling of bowls. No wonder; old Lanfranchi's ghost is unquiet, and walks at night.”

The palace was of such size, that Lord Byron only occupied the first floor; and at the top of the staircase leading to it was the English bulldog, whose chain was long enough to guard the door, and prevent the entrance of strangers; he, however, knew Shelley, growled, and let us In the anti-room we found several ser

pass.

vants in livery, and Fletcher, (whom Shelley mentioned, and of whom I shall have occasion to speak,) who had been in his service from the time he left Harrow. "Like many old servants, he is a privileged person," whispered Shelley. "Don Juan had not a better Leporello, for imitating his master. He says that he is a Laurel struck by a Metre, and when in Greece remarked upon one of the bas-reliefs of the Parthenon, La! what mantel-pieces these would make, my Lord!'" When we were

announced, we found his Lordship writing. His reception was frank and kind; he took me cordially by the hand, and said:

"You are a relation and schoolfellow of "Shelley's-we do not meet as strangers-you "must allow me to continue my letter on ac"count of the post. Here's something for

66

you to read, Shelley, (giving him part of his "MS. of Heaven and Earth;') tell me what

During the few minutes that Lord Byron was finishing his letter, I took an opportunity of narrowly observing him, and drawing his portrait in my mind.* Thorwaldsen's bust

is too thin-necked and young for Lord Byron. None of the engravings gave me the least idea of him. I saw a man about five feet seven or eight, apparently forty years of age as was

* Being with him, day after day, some time afterwards,

whilst he was sitting to Bertolini, the Florentine sculptor, for his bust, I had an opportunity of analyzing his features more critically, but found nothing to alter in my portrait. Bertolini's is an admirable likeness, at least was so in the clay model. I have not seen it since it was copied in marble, nor have I got a cast; he promised Bertolini should send me one. Lord Byron prided himself on his neck; and it must be confessed that his head was worthy of being placed on it. Bertolini destroyed his ébauches more than once before he could please himself. When he had finished, Lord Byron said,.

It is the last time I sit to sculptor or painter."

This was on the 4th of January, 1822.

said of Milton, he barely escaped being short and thick. His face was fine, and the lower part symmetrically moulded; for the lips and chin had that curved and definite outline which distinguishes Grecian beauty. His forehead was high, and his temples broad; and he had a paleness in his complexion, almost to wanness. His hair thin and fine, had almost become grey, and waved in natural and graceful curls over his head, that was assimilating itself fast to the " bald first Cæsar's." He allowed it to grow longer behind than it is accustomed to be worn, and at that time had mustachios, which were not sufficiently dark to be becoming. In criticising his features it might, perhaps, be said that his eyes were placed too near his nose, and that one was rather smaller than the other; they were of a greyish brown, but of a peculiar clearness, and when animated possessed a fire which seemed to look through and penetrate the thoughts of others, while they marked the inspirations of his own. His teeth were small,

regular, and white; these, I afterwards found, he took great pains to preserve.*

I expected to discover that he had a club, perhaps a cloven foot; but it would have been difficult to distinguish one from the other, either in size or in form.

On the whole his figure was manly, and his countenance handsome and prepossessing, and very expressive; and the familiar ease of his conversation soon made me perfectly at home in his society. Our first interview was marked with a cordiality and confidence that flattered while it delighted me; and I felt anxious for the next day, in order that I might repeat my visit.

* For this purpose he used tobacco when he first went into the open air; and he told me he was in the habit of grinding his teeth in his sleep, to prevent which he was forced to put a napkin between them.