Lord Byron said, "I would not pay the price of a Thorwaldsen bust for any head and shoulders, except Napoleon's or my children's, or some 'absurd womankind's,' as Monkbarns calls them, or my sister's."] who is thought by most judges to surpass Canova in this branch of sculpture.

The likeness is perfect: the artist worked _con amore_, and told me it was the finest head he had ever under his hand.

I would have had a wreath round the brows, but the poet was afraid of being mistaken for a king or a conqueror, and his pride or modesty made him forbid the band.

However, when the marble comes to England I shall place a golden laurel round it in the ancient style, and, if it is thought good enough, suffix the following inscription, which may serve at least to tell the name of the portrait and allude to the excellence of the artist, which very few lapidary inscriptions do; 'In vain would flattery steal a wreath from fame, And Rome's best sculptor only half succeed, If England owned no share in Byron's name Nor hailed the laurel she before decreed.' Of course you are very welcome to a copy--I don't mean of the verses, but of the bust.

But, with the exception of Mr.Kinnaird, who has applied, and Mr.Davies, who may apply, no other will be granted.
Farewell, dear Sir." The fourth canto duly reached London in Mr.Hobhouse's portmanteau, and was published in the spring of 1818..