Letters and Journals of Lord Byron
Lord Byron to Richard Belgrave Hoppner, 18 April 1820
“Ravenna, April 18th, 1820.
“I have caused write to Siri and
Willhalm to send with Vincenza, in a boat,
the camp-beds and swords left in their care when I quitted Venice. There are also
several pounds of Manton’s best powder in a japan
case; but unless I felt sure of getting it away from V. without seizure, I won’t
have it ventured. I can get it in here, by means of an acquaintance in the customs, who
has offered to get it ashore for me; but should like to be certiorated of its safety in
leaving Venice. I would not lose it for its weight in gold—there is none such in Italy,
as I take it to be.
“I wrote to you a week or so ago, and hope you are in good
plight and spirits. Sir Humphry Davy is here, and
was last night at the ![]()
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Cardinal’s. As I had been there last
Sunday, and yesterday was warm, I did not go, which I should have done, if I had thought
of meeting the man of chemistry. He called this morning, and I shall go in search of him
at Corso time. I believe to-day, being Monday, there is no great conversazione, and only
the family one at the Marchese Cavalli’s,
where I go as a relation sometimes, so that, unless he stays a
day or two, we should hardly meet in public.
“The theatre is to open in May for the fair, if there is not
a row in all Italy by that time,—the Spanish business has set them all a
constitutioning, and what will be the end, no one knows—it is also necessary thereunto
to have a beginning.
“Yours, &c.
“P.S. My benediction to Mrs.
Hoppner. How is your little boy? Allegra is growing, and has increased in good looks and
obstinacy.”
Allegra Byron (1817-1822)
Byron's illegitimate daughter by Claire Clairmont.
Sir Humphry Davy, baronet (1778-1829)
English chemist and physicist, inventor of the safety lamp; in Bristol he knew Cottle,
Wordsworth, Coleridge, and Southey; he was president of the Royal Society (1820).
Marie Isabelle Hoppner [née May] (d. 1870)
The daughter of Beat Lois May, seigneur d'Oron et de Brandis of Bern, Switzerland; in
1814 she married Richard Belgrave Hoppner.
Richard Belgrave Hoppner (1786-1872)
The son of John Hoppner, R.A. (1758-1810) and likewise a painter; he was English consul
at Venice (1814-25). He married Marie Isabella May, of Bern, in 1814.
Joseph Manton (1766-1835)
Renowned English gun-maker at his shop at 25 Davies Street, Berkeley Square, London. His
shooting gallery was on the same premises as John Jackson's boxing club.
