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BYRON, GEORGE GORDON Lord . Autograph letter signed ("Noel Byron") to Jean Antoine Galignani in Paris, 26 March 1823. 2 pages, 4to, integral address leaf with panel in Byron's hand, recipient's docket, original postmarks and mot of original wax seal. BYRON, THE FRENCH ROMANTICS, AND The Prophecy of Dante Byron was a subscriber to Galignani's Literary Messenger which contained notices and news of new books in English and other languages, and he often requested copies of books from Galignani, who served as a bookseller. At this time, Byron, in Genoa, was still engaged in correcting the proofs of the last cantos of Don Juan. In the present letter he asks Galignani to send a very interesting selection of seven recently-published books. "Some time ago I instructed Sr. Misuaglia of Venice to write to you and settle any amount that might be outstanding for yr. paper and journal to which I am a subscriber. -- Pray let me know if this has been done - and if not - be pleased to indicate some person in Genoa - to whom I may remit the amount due. -- I am glad to see that you have managed yr. literary Gazette in the Paris Monthly, which I hope will prosper. - You will consider me as a subscriber to it - as well as to the paper. - I send you a list of books which I wish to be sent.... 1. Peveril of the Peak. 2. Reid on nervous Affections 3. La Martine's poems 4. Gratham's translation of the epistle to L. B.--ly 5. The Lyrical poems of de la Vigne 6. Madame Neckar's Life of Madame de Stael. 7. Stendahl's pamphlet on Shakespeare and Racine "I have by me an Italian translation by an Italian in America - printed at New York - of the 'Prophecy of Dante.' - The singularity of the circumstances of an Englishmans' composing a poem in the character of Dante -- in and on Italy - under the Austrian scoundrels [most of Italy was under Austrian military occupation at the time] makes me wish to have it reprinted at Paris. -- Shall I send you the copy - or can I do so safely - for I have here but one? - or do you think it worth your while to reprint it? - if you do not - I wish to have it done at my own expense...." A highly interesting reading list, which shows the poet maintained a strong interest in the developing romantic movement in France. The only novel on Byron's list of desiderata is Sir Walter Scott's Peveril of the Peak (London, l823), an historical novel in Scott's familiar style, set at the time of the Popish Plot, in l678. While Byron's identifications of some of the books he wants are sketchy, most can be identified conjecturally. One is the Poesies diverses (Paris, l823) of the early romantic poet and dramatist Casimir Delavigne (l793-l843), one of the author's earliest publications. Also on the list is the biographical Notice sur la caractère et les écrits de Mme. de Stae l820), the most important work of Albertine Neckar de Sassure (l766-l841), and apparently the Nouvelles Méditations (Paris l823) an early collection of poems by the great romantic poet Alphonse de Lamartine. In addition, the poet expresses interest in the influential essay Racine et Shakespeare (Paris, l823), by Henri Beyle (Stendahl), which is important for its discussion of the differences between classicism and romanticism. Oddly, Byron orders a copy of John Reid Essays on Hypochondriasas, and other nervous affections (Third edition, London, l823), a popular medical work. The obscure work by Gratham has not been identified. Also of great interest is Byron's reference to an Italian translation of his own Prophecy of Dante , published in New York. This can only be the translation by Lorenzo da Ponte, the Italian-born poet and dramatist who supplied the librettos for Mozart's Le nozze de Figaro (l786), Don Giovanni (l787) and Cosi fan tutte (l790). After a short sojourn in London, Da Ponte had emigrated to the United States, where he taught Italian and was active as a translator. Da Ponte published, possibly at his own expense, his translation of Byron: La Profezi