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diff --git a/41809-0.txt b/41809-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ed87374 --- /dev/null +++ b/41809-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,14426 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41809 *** + +BYRON: THE LAST PHASE + + + + + BYRON: THE LAST PHASE + + + BY RICHARD EDGCUMBE + + + NEW YORK + CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS + 153-157 FIFTH AVENUE + 1909 + + + + + TO + MRS. CHARLES CALL, + DAUGHTER OF EDWARD TRELAWNY, BYRON'S + COMPANION IN GREECE, + I DEDICATE THIS WORK AS A MARK OF AFFECTION + AND ESTEEM + + + + +PREFACE + + +This book has no pretensions; it is merely a record of events and +impressions which nearly forty years of close study have accumulated. +There seems to be a general agreement that the closing scenes of Byron's +short life have not been adequately depicted by his biographers. From the +time of Byron's departure from Ravenna, in the autumn of 1821, his +disposition and conduct underwent a transformation so complete that it +would have been difficult to recognize, in the genial, unselfish +personality who played so effective a rôle at Missolonghi, the gloomy +misanthrope of 1811, or the reckless libertine of the following decade. + +The conduct of Byron in Greece seems to have come as a revelation to his +contemporaries, and his direction of complex affairs, in peculiarly trying +circumstances, certainly deserves more attention than it has received. +Records made on the spot by men whose works are now, for the most part, +out of print have greatly simplified my task, and I hope that the +following pages may be acceptable to those who have not had an opportunity +of studying that picturesque phase of Byron's career. I should have much +preferred to preserve silence on the subject of his separation from his +wife. Unfortunately, the late Lord Lovelace, in giving his sanction to the +baseless and forgotten slanders of a bygone age, has recently assailed +the memory of Byron's half-sister, and has set a mark of infamy upon her +which cannot be erased without referring to matters which ought never to +have been mentioned. + +In order to traverse statements made in 'Astarte,' it was necessary to +reveal an incident which, during Byron's lifetime, was known only by those +who were pledged to silence. With fuller knowledge of things hidden from +Byron's contemporaries, we may realize the cruelty of those futile +persecutions to which Mrs. Leigh was subjected by Lady Byron and her +advisers, under the impression that they could extract the confession of a +crime which existed only in their prurient imaginations. Mrs. Leigh, in +one of her letters to Hobhouse, says, 'I have made it a rule to be +silent--that is to say, AS LONG AS I CAN.' Although the strain must have +been almost insupportable she died with her secret unrevealed, and the +mystery which Byron declared 'too simple to be easily found out' has +hitherto remained unsolved. I regret being unable more precisely to +indicate the source of information embodied in the concluding portions of +this work. The reader may test the value of my statements by the light of +citations which seem amply to confirm them. At all events, I claim to have +shown by analogy that Lord Lovelace's accusation against Mrs. Leigh is +groundless, and therefore his contention, that Byron's memoirs were +destroyed _because they implicated Mrs. Leigh_, is absolutely untenable. +Those memoirs were destroyed, as we now know, because both Hobhouse and +Mrs. Leigh feared possible revelations concerning another person, whose +feelings and interests formed the paramount consideration of those who +were parties to the deed. Lord John Russell, who had read the memoirs, +stated in 1869 that Mrs. Leigh was _not_ implicated in them, a fact which +proves that they were not burned for the purpose of shielding _her_. + +Lord Lovelace tells us that Sir Walter Scott, who had heard full +particulars from Thomas Moore, remarked, 'It is a pity, but there _was_ a +reason--_premat nox alta_.' Facts which they hoped deep oblivion would +hide have come to the surface at last, and I deeply regret that +circumstances should have imposed upon me a duty which is repugnant both +to my inclination and instincts. After all is said, the blame rightly +belongs to Lady Byron's grandson, who, heedless of consequences, stirred +the depths of a muddy pool. He tells us, in 'Astarte,' (1) that the papers +concerning Byron's marriage have been carefully preserved; (2) that they +form _a complete record of all the causes of separation_; and (3) that +they contain _full information on every part of the subject_. + +In those circumstances it is strange that, with the whole of Lady Byron's +papers before him, Lord Lovelace should have published only documents of +secondary importance which do not prove his case. After saying, 'It should +be distinctly understood that no misfortunes, blunders, or malpractices, +have swept away Lady Byron's papers, or those belonging to the executors +of Lord Byron,' he leaves the essential records to the imagination of his +readers, and feeds us on hints and suggestions which are not borne out by +extracts provided as samples of the rest. It is impossible not to suspect +that Lord Lovelace, in arranging the papers committed to his charge, +discarded some that would have told in favour of Mrs. Leigh, and selected +others which colourably supported his peculiar views. + +In matters of this kind everything depends upon the qualifications of the +accuser and the reliability of the witness. Lord Lovelace in a dual +capacity certainly evinced an active imagination. + +As an example, 'Astarte,' which was designed to blast the fair fame of +Mrs. Leigh, was used by him to insult the memory of the late Mr. Murray +(who he admits showed him many acts of kindness), and to repudiate +promises which he undoubtedly made, to edit his grandfather's works. +Rambling statements are made with design to discredit both Mr. Gifford, +the editor of the _Quarterly_, and Mr. Murray, the friend of Lord Byron. +Even personal defects are dragged in to prejudice the reader and embitter +the venom of irrelevant abuse. It was as if Plutarch, in order to enhance +the glory of Antony, had named 'the Last of the Romans' Cassius the +Short-sighted. Fortunately, written proofs were in existence to controvert +Lord Lovelace's assertions--proofs which were used with crushing +effect--otherwise Mr. Murray might have found himself in a position quite +as helpless as that of poor Mrs. Leigh herself. So unscrupulous a use of +documents in that case suggests the possibility that a similar process may +have been adopted in reference to Mrs. Leigh. It is indeed unfortunate +that Lady Byron's papers cannot be inspected by some unprejudiced person, +for we have nothing at present beyond Lord Lovelace's vague assertions. +Were those papers thoroughly sifted they would surely acquit Mrs. Leigh of +the crime that has been so cruelly laid to her charge. Meanwhile I venture +to think that the following pages help to clear the air of much of that +mystery which surrounds the lives of Lord Byron and his sister. + +In conclusion, I desire to record my personal obligation to the latest +edition of the 'Poems,' edited by Mr. Ernest Hartley Coleridge; and of the +'Letters and Journals,' edited by Mr. Rowland Prothero, volumes which +together form the most comprehensive and scholarly record of Byron's life +and poetry that has ever been issued. + +R. E. + +_August, 1909._ + + + + +BYRON: THE LAST PHASE + + + + +PART I + + '... Le cose ti fien conte, + Quando noi fermerem li nostri passi + Sulla trista riviera d' Acheronte.' + _Inferno_, Canto III., 76-78. + + + + +CHAPTER I + + +'A large disagreeable city, almost without inhabitants'--such was the poet +Shelley's description of Pisa in 1821. The Arno was yellow and muddy, the +streets were empty, and there was altogether an air of poverty and +wretchedness in the town. The convicts, who were very numerous, worked in +the streets in gangs, cleaning and sweeping them. They were dressed in +red, and were chained together by the leg in pairs. All day long one heard +the slow clanking of their chains, and the rumbling of the carts they were +forced to drag from place to place like so many beasts of burden. A +spectator could not but be struck by the appearance of helpless misery +stamped on their yellow cheeks and emaciated forms. + +On the Lung' Arno Mediceo, east of the Ponte di Mezzo, stands the Palazzo +Lanfranchi, which is supposed to have been built by Michael Angelo. Here, +on November 2, 1821, Lord Byron arrived, with his servants, his horses, +his monkey, bulldog, mastiff, cats, peafowl, hens, and other live stock, +which he had brought with him from Ravenna. In another quarter of the city +resided Count Rugiero Gamba, his son Pietro, and his daughter Countess +Teresa Guiccioli. On the other side of the Arno, nearly opposite to +Byron's residence, lived the poet Shelley, with his wife and their friends +Edward and Jane Williams. + +In the middle of November, Captain Thomas Medwin, a relative of Shelley's, +arrived at Pisa; and on January 14, 1822, came Edward John Trelawny, who +was destined to play so important a part in the last scenes of the lives +of both Shelley and Byron. + +Byron was at this time in his thirty-third year. Medwin thus describes his +personal appearance: + + 'I saw a man of about five feet seven or eight, apparently forty years + of age. As was said of Milton, Lord Byron 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 + that 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 criticizing 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. I expected to discover that + he had a club-foot; but it would have been difficult to have + distinguished 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. The familiar ease of his + conversation soon made me perfectly at home in his society.' + +Trelawny's description is as follows: + + 'In external appearance Byron realized that ideal standard with which + imagination adorns genius. He was in the prime of life, thirty-four; + of middle height, five feet eight and a half inches; regular features, + without a stain or furrow on his pallid skin; his shoulders broad, + chest open, body and limbs finely proportioned. His small + highly-finished head and curly hair had an airy and graceful + appearance from the massiveness and length of his throat; you saw his + genius in his eyes and lips.' + +Trelawny could find no peculiarity in his dress, which was adapted to the +climate. Byron wore: + + 'a tartan jacket braided--he said it was the Gordon pattern, and that + his mother was of that race--a blue velvet cap with a gold band, and + very loose nankin trousers, strapped down so as to cover his feet. His + throat was not bare, as represented in drawings.' + +Lady Blessington, who first saw Byron in April of the following year, thus +describes him: + + 'The impression of the first few minutes disappointed me, as I had, + both from the portraits and descriptions given, conceived a different + idea of him. I had fancied him taller, with a more dignified and + commanding air; and I looked in vain for the hero-looking sort of + person, with whom I had so long identified him in imagination. His + appearance is, however, highly prepossessing. His head is finely + shaped, and his forehead open, high, and noble; his eyes are grey and + full of expression, but one is visibly larger than the other. The nose + is large and well shaped, but, from being a little _too thick_, it + looks better in profile than in front-face; his mouth is the most + remarkable feature in his face, the upper lip of Grecian shortness, + and the corners descending; the lips full, and finely cut. + + 'In speaking, he shows his teeth very much, and they are white and + even; but I observed that even in his smile--and he smiles + frequently--there is something of a scornful expression in his mouth, + that is evidently natural, and not, as many suppose, affected. This + particularly struck me. His chin is large and well shaped, and + finishes well the oval of his face. He is extremely thin--indeed, so + much so that his figure has almost a boyish air. His face is + peculiarly pale, but not the paleness of ill-health, as its character + is that of fairness, the fairness of a dark-haired person; and his + hair (which is getting rapidly grey) is of a very dark brown, and + curls naturally: he uses a good deal of oil in it, which makes it look + still darker. His countenance is full of expression, and changes with + the subject of conversation; it gains on the beholder the more it is + seen, and leaves an agreeable impression.... His whole appearance is + remarkably gentlemanlike, and he owes nothing of this to his toilet, + as his coat appears to have been many years made, is much too + large--and all his garments convey the idea of having been purchased + ready-made, so ill do they fit him. There is a _gaucherie_ in his + movements, which evidently proceeds from the perpetual consciousness + of his lameness, that appears to haunt him; for he tries to conceal + his foot when seated, and when walking has a nervous rapidity in his + manner. He is very slightly lame, and the deformity of his foot is so + little remarkable, that I am not now aware which foot it is. + + 'His voice and accent are peculiarly agreeable, but effeminate--clear, + harmonious, and so distinct, that though his general tone in speaking + is rather low than high, not a word is lost. His manners are as unlike + my preconceived notions of them as is his appearance. I had expected + to find him a dignified, cold, reserved, and haughty person, but + nothing can be more different; for were I to point out the prominent + defect of Lord Byron, I should say it was flippancy, and a total want + of that natural self-possession and dignity, which ought to + characterize a man of birth and education.' + +Medwin tells us, in his 'Journal of the Conversations of Lord Byron,' that +Byron's voice had a flexibility, a variety in its tones, a power and +pathos, beyond any he ever heard; and his countenance was capable of +expressing the tenderest as well as the strongest emotions, which would +perhaps have made him the finest actor in the world. + +The Countess Guiccioli, who had a longer acquaintance with Byron than any +of those who have attempted to portray him, says: + + 'Lord Byron's eyes, though of a light grey, were capable of all + extremes of expression, from the most joyous hilarity to the deepest + sadness, from the very sunshine of benevolence to the most + concentrated scorn or rage. But it was in the mouth and chin that the + great beauty as well as expression of his fine countenance lay. His + head was remarkably small, so much so as to be rather out of + proportion to his face. The forehead, though a little too narrow, was + high, and appeared more so from his having his hair (to preserve it, + as he said) shaved over the temples. Still, the glossy dark brown + curls, clustering over his head, gave the finish to its beauty. When + to this is added that his nose, though handsomely, was rather thickly + shaped, that his teeth were white and regular, and his complexion + colourless, as good an idea, perhaps, as it is in the power of mere + words to convey may be conceived of his features. In height he was + five feet eight inches and a half. His hands were very white, and, + according to his own notions of the size of hands as indicating birth, + aristocratically small.... No defect existed in the formation of his + limbs; his slight infirmity was nothing but the result of weakness of + one of his ankles. His habit of ever being on horseback had brought on + the emaciation of his legs, as evinced by the post-mortem examination; + the best proof of this is the testimony of William Swift, bootmaker at + Southwell, who had the honour of working for Lord Byron from 1805 to + 1807.' + +It appears that Mrs. Wildman (the widow of the Colonel who had bought +Newstead from Byron) not long before her death presented to the Naturalist +Society of Nottingham several objects which had belonged to Lord Byron, +and amongst others his boot and shoe trees. These trees are about nine +inches long, narrow, and generally of a symmetrical form. They were +accompanied by the following statement: + + 'William Swift, bootmaker at Southwell, Nottinghamshire, having had + the honour of working for Lord Byron when residing at Southwell from + 1805 to 1807, asserts that these were the trees upon which his + lordship's boots and shoes were made, and that the last pair delivered + was on the 10th May, 1807. He moreover affirms that his lordship had + not a club foot, as has been said, but that both his feet were equally + well formed, one, however, being an inch and a half shorter than the + other.[1] The defect was not in the foot, but in the ankle, which, + being weak, caused the foot to turn out too much. To remedy this, his + lordship wore a very light and thin boot, which was tightly laced just + under the sole, and, when a boy, he was made to wear a piece of iron + with a joint at the ankle, which passed behind the leg and was tied + behind the shoe. The calf of this leg was weaker than the other, and + it was the left leg. + + '(Signed) WILLIAM SWIFT.' + + 'This, then,' says Countess Guiccioli, 'is the extent of the defect of + which so much has been said, and which has been called a deformity. As + to its being visible, all those who knew him assert that it was so + little evident, that it was even impossible to discover in which of + the legs or feet the fault existed.' + +Byron's alleged sensitiveness on the subject of his lameness seems to have +been exaggerated. + + 'When he did show it,' continues Countess Guiccioli, 'which was never + but to a very modest extent, it was only because, physically speaking, + he suffered from it. Under the sole of the weak foot he at times + experienced a painful sensation, especially after long walks. Once, + at Genoa, Byron walked down the hill from Albaro to the seashore with + me by a rugged and rough path. When we had reached the shore he was + very well and lively. But it was an exceedingly hot day, and the + return home fatigued him greatly. When home, I told him that I thought + he looked ill. "Yes," said he, "I suffer greatly from my foot; it can + hardly be conceived how much I suffer at times from that pain;" and he + continued to speak to me about this defect with great simplicity and + indifference.' + +We have been particular to set before the reader the impression which +Byron's personal appearance made upon those who saw him at this time, +because none of the busts or portraits seem to convey anything like an +accurate semblance of this extraordinary personality. Had the reader seen +Byron in his various moods, he would doubtless have exclaimed, with Sir +Walter Scott, that 'no picture is like him.' + +The portrait by Saunders represents Byron with thick lips, whereas 'his +lips were harmoniously perfect,' says Countess Guiccioli. Holmes almost +gives him a large instead of his well-proportioned head. In Phillips's +picture the expression is one of haughtiness and affected dignity, which +Countess Guiccioli assures us was never visible to those who saw him in +life. The worst portrait of Lord Byron, according to Countess Guiccioli, +and which surpasses all others in ugliness, was done by Mr. West, an +American, 'an excellent man, but a very bad painter.' This portrait, which +some of Byron's American admirers requested to have taken, and which Byron +consented to sit for, was begun at Montenero, near Leghorn. Byron seems +only to have sat two or three times for it, and it was finished from +memory. Countess Guiccioli describes it as 'a frightful caricature, which +his family or friends ought to destroy.' As regards busts, she says: + + 'Thorwaldsen alone has, in his marble bust of Byron, been able to + blend the regular beauty of his features with the sublime expression + of his countenance.' + +On January 22, 1822, Byron's mother-in-law, Lady Noel, died at the age of +seventy. + + 'I am distressed for poor Lady Byron,' said the poet to Medwin: 'she + must be in great affliction, for she adored her mother! The world will + think that I am pleased at this event, but they are much mistaken. I + never wished for an accession of fortune; I have enough without the + Wentworth property. I have written a letter of condolence to Lady + Byron--you may suppose in the kindest terms. If we are not reconciled, + it is not my fault.' + +There is no trace of this letter, and it is ignored by Lord Lovelace in +'Astarte.' It may be well here to point out how erroneous was the belief +that Miss Milbanke was an heiress. Byron on his marriage settled £60,000 +on his wife, and Miss Milbanke was to have brought £20,000 into +settlement; but the money was not paid. Sir Ralph Milbanke's property was +at that time heavily encumbered. Miss Milbanke had some expectations +through her mother and her uncle, Lord Wentworth; but those prospects were +not mentioned in the settlements. Both Lord Wentworth and Sir Ralph +Milbanke were free to leave their money as they chose. When Lord Wentworth +died, in April 1815, he left his property to Lady Milbanke for her life, +and at her death to her daughter, Lady Byron. Therefore, at Lady Noel's +death Byron inherited the whole property by right of his wife. But one of +the terms of the separation provided that this property should be divided +by arbitrators. Lord Dacre was arbitrator for Lady Byron, and Sir F. +Burdett for Byron. Under this arrangement half the income was allotted to +the wife and half to the husband. In the _London Gazette_ dated +'Whitehall, March 2, 1822,' royal licence is given to Lord Byron and his +wife that they may 'take and use the surname of Noel only, and also bear +the arms of Noel only; and that the said George Gordon, Baron Byron, may +subscribe the said surname of Noel before all titles of honour.' +Henceforward the poet signed all his letters either with the initials N. +B. or with 'Noel Byron' in full. + +Byron was at this time in excellent health and spirits, and the society of +the Shelleys made life unusually pleasant to him. Ravenna, with its gloomy +forebodings, its limited social intercourse, to say nothing of its +proscriptions--for nearly all Byron's friends had been exiled--was a thing +of the past. The last phase had dawned, and Byron was about to show +another side of his character. Medwin tells us that Byron's disposition +was eminently sociable, however great the pains which he took to hide it +from the world. On Wednesdays there was always a dinner at the Palazzo +Lanfranchi, to which the _convives_ were cordially welcomed. When alone +Byron's table was frugal, not to say abstemious. But on these occasions +every sort of wine, every luxury of the season, and every English +delicacy, were displayed. Medwin says he never knew any man do the honours +of his house with greater kindness and hospitality. On one occasion, after +dinner, the conversation turned on the lyrical poetry of the day, and a +question arose as to which was the most perfect ode that had been +produced. Shelley contended for Coleridge's on Switzerland beginning, 'Ye +clouds,' etc.; others named some of Moore's 'Irish Melodies' and +Campbell's 'Hohenlinden'; and, had Lord Byron not been present, his own +Invocation to Manfred, or Ode to Napoleon, or on Prometheus, might have +been cited. 'Like Gray,' said Byron, 'Campbell smells too much of the oil: +he is never satisfied with what he does; his finest things have been +spoiled by over-polish--the sharpness of the outline is worn off. Like +paintings, poems may be too highly finished. The great art is effect, no +matter how produced.' + +And then, rising from the table, he left the room, and presently returned +with a magazine, from which he read 'The Burial of Sir John Moore' with +the deepest feeling. It was at that time generally believed that Byron was +the author of these admirable stanzas; and Medwin says: 'I am corroborated +in this opinion lately (1824) by a lady, whose brother received them many +years ago from Lord Byron, in his lordship's own handwriting.' + +These festive gatherings were not pleasing to Shelley, who, with his +abstemious tastes and modest, retiring disposition, disliked the glare and +surfeit of it all. But Shelley's unselfish nature overcame his antipathy, +and for the sake of others he sacrificed himself. In writing to his friend +Horace Smith, he marks his repugnance for these dinners, 'when my nerves +are generally shaken to pieces by sitting up, contemplating the rest of +the company making themselves vats of claret, etc., till three o'clock in +the morning.' Nevertheless, companionship with Byron seemed for a time, to +Shelley and Mary, to be like 'companionship with a demiurge who could +create rolling worlds at pleasure in the void of space.' Shelley's +admiration for the poetic achievements of Byron is well known: + + 'Space wondered less at the swift and fair creations of God when he + grew weary of vacancy, than I at the late works of this spirit of an + angel in the mortal paradise of a decaying body. So I think--let the + world envy, while it admires as it may.'[2] + + And again: 'What think you of Lord Byron's last volume? In my opinion + it contains finer poetry than has appeared in England since the + publication of "Paradise Regained." "Cain" is apocalyptic; it is a + revelation not before communicated to man.' + +Byron recognized Shelley's frankness, courage, and hardihood of opinion, +but was not influenced by him so much as was at that time supposed by his +friends in England. In writing to Horace Smith (April 11, 1822), Shelley +begs him to assure Moore that he had not the smallest influence over +Byron's religious opinions. + + 'If I had, I certainly should employ it to eradicate from his great + mind the delusions of Christianity, which, in spite of his reason, + seem perpetually to recur, and to lay in ambush for the hours of + sickness and distress. "Cain" was _conceived_ many years ago, and + begun before I saw him last year at Ravenna. How happy should I not be + to attribute to myself, however indirectly, any participation in that + immortal work!' + +'Byron,' says Professor Dowden in his 'Life of Shelley,' 'on his own part +protested that his _dramatis personæ_ uttered their own opinions and +sentiments, not his.' + +Byron undoubtedly had a deep-seated reverence for religion, and had a +strong leaning towards the Roman Catholic doctrines. Writing to Moore +(March 4, 1822), he says: + + 'I am no enemy to religion, but the contrary. As a proof, I am + educating my natural daughter a strict Catholic in a convent of + Romagna; for I think people can never have _enough_ of religion, if + they are to have any.... As to poor Shelley, who is another bug-bear + to you and the world, he is, to my knowledge, the _least_ selfish and + the mildest of men--a man who has made more sacrifices of his fortune + and feelings for others than any I ever heard of. With his speculative + opinions I have nothing in common, nor desire to have.' + +Countess Guiccioli, a woman of no ordinary intuitive perceptions, with +ample opportunities for judging the characters of both Shelley and Byron, +makes a clear statement on this point: + + 'In Shelley's heart the dominant wish was to see society entirely + reorganized. The sight of human miseries and infirmities distressed + him to the greatest degree; but, too modest himself to believe that he + was called upon to take the initiative, and inaugurate a new era of + good government and fresh laws for the benefit of humanity, he would + have been pleased to see such a genius as Byron take the initiative in + this undertaking. Shelley therefore did his best to influence Byron. + But the latter hated discussions. He could not bear entering into + philosophical speculation at times when his soul craved the + consolations of friendship, and his mind a little rest. He was quite + insensible to reasonings, which often appear sublime because they are + clothed in words incomprehensible to those who have not sought to + understand their meaning. But he made an exception in favour of + Shelley. He knew that he could not shake his faith in a doctrine + founded upon illusions, by his incredulity; but he listened to him + with pleasure, not only on account of Shelley's good faith and + sincerity, but also because he argued upon false data, with such + talent and originality, that he was both interested and amused. Lord + Byron had examined every form of philosophy by the light of common + sense, and by the instinct of his genius. Pantheism in particular was + odious to him. He drew no distinction between absolute Pantheism which + mixes up that which is infinite with that which is finite, and that + form of Pantheism which struggles in vain to keep clear of Atheism. + Shelley's views, clothed in a veil of spiritualism, were the most + likely to interest Byron, but they did not fix him. Byron could never + consent to lose his individuality, deny his own freedom of will, or + abandon the hope of a future existence. As a matter of fact, Byron + attributed all Shelley's views to the aberrations of a mind which is + happier when it dreams than when it denies.' + +'Shelley appears to me to be mad with his metaphysics,' said Byron on one +occasion to Count Gamba. 'What trash in all these systems! say what they +will, mystery for mystery, I still find that of the Creation the most +reasonable of any.' + +Thus it will be seen that the opinions of Lord Byron on matters of +religion were far more catholic than those of his friend Shelley, who +could not have influenced Byron in the manner generally supposed. That a +change came over the spirit of Byron's poetry after meeting Shelley on the +Lake of Geneva is unquestionable; but the surface of the waters may be +roughened by a breeze without disturbing the depths below. Like all true +poets, Byron was highly susceptible to passing influences, and there can +be no doubt that Shelley impressed him deeply. + +The evident sincerity in the life and doctrines of Shelley--his +unworldliness; the manner in which he had been treated by the world, and +even by his own family, aroused the sympathy of Byron, at a time when he +himself was for a different cause smarting under somewhat similar +treatment. Although Byron and Shelley differed fundamentally on some +subjects they concurred in the principles of others. Byron had no fixed +religious opinions--that was the string upon which Shelley played--but +there is a wide difference between doubt and denial. Gamba, after Byron's +death, wrote thus to Dr. Kennedy: + + 'My belief is that Byron's religious opinions were not fixed. I mean + that he was not more inclined towards one than towards another of the + Christian sects; but that his feelings were thoroughly religious, and + that he entertained the highest respect for the doctrines of Christ, + which he considered to be the source of virtue and of goodness. As for + the incomprehensible mysteries of religion, his mind floated in doubts + which he wished most earnestly to dispel, as they oppressed him, and + that is why he never avoided a conversation on the subject, as you are + well aware. I have often had an opportunity of observing him at times + when the soul involuntarily expresses its most sincere convictions; in + the midst of dangers, both at sea and on land; in the quiet + contemplation of a calm and beautiful night, in the deepest solitude. + On these occasions I remarked that Lord Byron's thoughts were always + imbued with a religious sentiment. The first time I ever had a + conversation with him on that subject was at Ravenna, my native place, + a little more than four years ago. We were riding together in the + Pineta on a beautiful spring day. "How," said Byron, "when we raise + our eyes to heaven, or direct them to the earth, can we doubt of the + existence of God? or how, turning them inwards, can we doubt that + there is something within us, more noble and more durable than the + clay of which we are formed? Those who do not hear, or are unwilling + to listen to these feelings, must necessarily be of a vile nature." I + answered him with all those reasons which the superficial philosophy + of Helvetius, his disciples and his masters, have taught. Byron + replied with very strong arguments and profound eloquence, and I + perceived that obstinate contradiction on this subject, which forced + him to reason upon it, gave him pain. This incident made a deep + impression upon me.... Last year, at Genoa, when we were preparing for + our journey to Greece, Byron used to converse with me alone for two or + three hours every evening, seated on the terrace of his residence at + Albaro in the fine evenings of spring, whence there opened a + magnificent view of the superb city and the adjoining sea. Our + conversation turned almost always on Greece, for which we were so soon + to depart, or on religious subjects. In various ways I heard him + confirm the sentiments which I have already mentioned to you. "Why, + then," said I to him, "have you earned for yourself the name of + impious, and enemy of all religious belief, from your writings?" He + answered, "They are not understood, and are wrongly interpreted by the + malevolent. My object is only to combat hypocrisy, which I abhor in + everything, and particularly in religion, and which now unfortunately + appears to me to be prevalent, and for this alone do those to whom you + allude wish to render me odious, and make me out worse than I am.'" + +We have quoted only a portion of Pietro Gamba's letter, but sufficient to +show that Byron has been, like his friend Shelley, 'brutally +misunderstood.' There was no one better qualified than Count Gamba to +express an opinion on the subject, for he was in the closest intimacy with +Byron up to the time of the latter's death. There was no attempt on +Byron's part to mystify his young friend, who had no epistolary +intercourse with those credulous people in England whom Byron so loved to +'gull.' The desire to blacken his own character was reserved for those +occasions when, as he well knew, there would be most publicity. Trelawny +says: + + 'Byron's intimates smiled at his vaunting of his vices, but + comparative strangers stared, and noted his sayings to retail to their + friends, and that is the way many scandals got abroad.' + +According to the same authority, George IV. made the sport known as +'equivocation' the fashion; the men about town were ashamed of being +thought virtuous, and bragged of their profligacy. 'In company,' says +Trelawny, 'Byron talked in Don Juan's vein; with a companion with whom he +was familiar, he thought aloud.' + +Among the accusations made against Byron by those who knew him least was +that of intemperance--intemperance not in meat and drink only, but in +everything. It must be admitted that Byron was to blame for this; he +vaunted his propensity for the bottle, and even attributed his poetic +inspirations to its aid. Trelawny, who had observed him closely, says: + + 'Of all his vauntings, it was, luckily for him, the emptiest. From all + that I heard or witnessed of his habits abroad, he was and had been + exceedingly abstemious in eating and drinking. When alone, he drank a + glass or two of small claret or hock, and when utterly exhausted at + night, a single glass of grog; which, when I mixed it for him, I + lowered to what sailors call "water bewitched," and he never made any + remark. I once, to try him, omitted the alcohol; he then said, "Tre, + have you not forgotten the creature comfort?" I then put in two + spoonfuls, and he was satisfied. This does not look like an habitual + toper. Byron had not damaged his body by strong drinks, but his terror + of getting fat was so great that he reduced his diet to the point of + absolute starvation. He was the only human being I ever met with who + had sufficient self-restraint and resolution to resist this proneness + to fatten. He did so; and at Genoa, where he was last weighed, he was + ten stone and nine pounds, and looked much less. This was not from + vanity of his personal appearance, but from a better motive, and, as + he was always hungry, his merit was the greater. Whenever he relaxed + his vigilance he swelled apace. He would exist on biscuits and + soda-water for days together; then, to allay the eternal hunger + gnawing at his vitals, he would make up a horrid mess of cold + potatoes, rice, fish, or greens, deluged in vinegar, and swallow it + like a famished dog. Either of these unsavoury dishes, with a biscuit + and a glass or two of Rhine wine, he cared not how sour, he called + feasting sumptuously. Byron was of that soft, lymphatic temperament + which it is almost impossible to keep within a moderate compass, + particularly as in his case his lameness prevented his taking + exercise. When he added to his weight, even standing was painful, so + he resolved to keep down to eleven stone.' + +While on this subject, it is not uninteresting to contrast the effects of +Byron's regimen of abstinence by the light of a record kept by the +celebrated wine-merchants, Messrs. Berry, of St. James's Street. This +register of weights has been kept on their premises for the convenience of +their customers since 1765, and contains over twenty thousand names. The +following extract was made by the present writer on November 2, 1897:[3] + + Date. Stone. lbs. Age. + January 4, 1806 (boots, no hat) 13 12 18 + July 8, 1807 (shoes) 10 13 19 + July 23, 1807 (shoes, no hat) 11 0 19 + August 13, 1807 (shoes, no hat) 10 11-1/2 19 + January 13, 1808 (see Moore's 'Life') 10 7 20 + May 27, 1808 (Messrs. Berry) 11 1 -- + June 10, 1809 (Messrs. Berry) 11 5-3/4 21 + July 15, 1811 (Messrs. Berry) 9 11-1/2 23 + (_Circa_) June, 1823 (see Trelawny) 10 9 35 + +It will be seen at a glance that between the ages of eighteen and +thirty-five Byron had reduced his weight by three stone and three pounds. +The fluctuations between the ages of nineteen and thirty-five are not +remarkable. This record marks the consistency of a heroic self-denial +under what must often have been a strong temptation to appease the pangs +of hunger. + + + + +CHAPTER II + + +Byron's life at Pisa, as afterwards at Genoa, was what most people would +call a humdrum, dull existence. He rose late. + + 'Billiards, conversation, or reading, filled up the intervals,' says + Medwin, 'till it was time to take our evening drive, ride, and + pistol-practice. On our return, which was always in the same + direction, we frequently met the Countess Guiccioli, with whom he + stopped to converse a few minutes. He dined at half an hour after + sunset, then drove to Count Gamba's, the Countess Guiccioli's father, + passed several hours in their society, returned to his palace, and + either read or wrote till two or three in the morning; occasionally + drinking spirits diluted with water as a medicine, from a dread of a + nephritic complaint, to which he was, or fancied himself, subject.' + +On Sunday, March 24, 1822, while Byron, Shelley, Trelawny, Captain Hay, +Count Pietro Gamba, and an Irish gentleman named Taaffe, were returning +from their evening ride, and had nearly reached the Porta alle Piagge at +the eastern end of the Lung' Arno, Sergeant-Major Masi, belonging to a +dragoon regiment, being apparently in a great hurry to get back to +barracks, pushed his way unceremoniously through the group of riders in +front of him, and somewhat severely jostled Mr. Taaffe. This gentleman +appealed to Byron, and the latter demanded an apology from the sergeant, +whom he at first mistook for an officer. The sergeant lost his temper, and +called out the guard at the gateway. Byron and Gamba dashed through, +however, and before the others could follow there was some 'dom'd cutting +and slashing'; Shelley was knocked off his horse, and Captain Hay received +a wound in his face. Masi in alarm fled, and on the Lung' Arno met Byron +returning to the scene of the fray: an altercation took place, and one of +Byron's servants, who thought that Masi had wounded his master, struck at +him with a pitchfork, and tumbled the poor fellow off his horse. There was +a tremendous hubbub about this, and the legal proceedings which followed +occupied two months, with much bluster, false swearing, and injustice, as +a natural consequence. The court eventually came to the conclusion that +there was no evidence for criminal proceedings against any of Byron's +domestics, but, in consideration of Giovanni Battista Falcieri--one of +Byron's servants--having a black beard, he was condemned to be escorted by +the police to the frontier and banished from the grand-duchy of Tuscany. + +At the same time the Gambas (who had nothing whatever to do with the +affair) were told that their presence at Pisa was disagreeable to the +Government. In consequence of the hint, Byron and the Gambas hired the +Villa Dupuy, at Montenero, near Leghorn. Here, on June 28, 1822, a scuffle +took place in the gardens of the villa between the servants of Count Gamba +and of Byron, in which Byron's coachman and his cook took part. Knives +were drawn as usual. Byron appeared on the balcony with his pistols, and +threatened to shoot the whole party if they did not drop their knives, +and the police had to be called in to quell the disturbance. The +Government, who were anxious to be rid of Byron, took advantage of this +riot at the Villa Dupuy. Byron's courier and Gamba's valet were sent over +the frontier of the grand-duchy under police escort, and the Gambas were +warned that, unless they left the country within three days, formal +sentence of banishment would be passed upon them. As soon as Byron heard +the news, he wrote a letter to the Governor of Leghorn, and asked for a +respite for his friends. A few days grace were granted to the Gambas, and +on July 8 they took passports for Genoa, intending to go first to the +Baths of Lucca, where they hoped to obtain permission to return to Pisa. +While negotiations were proceeding Byron returned to the Palazzo +Lanfranchi.[4] + +On April 20, 1822, there died at Bagnacavallo, not far from Ravenna, +Byron's natural daughter Allegra, whose mother, Claire Clairmont, had +joined the Shelleys at Pisa five days previously. The whole story is a sad +one, and shall be impartially given in these pages. + +When Shelley left Ravenna in August, 1821, he understood that Byron had +determined that Allegra should not be left behind, alone and friendless, +in the Convent of Bagnacavallo, and Shelley hoped that an arrangement +would be made by which Claire might have the happiness of seeing her child +once more. When Byron arrived at Pisa in November, and Allegra was not +with him, Claire Clairmont's anxiety was so great that she wrote twice to +Byron, protesting against leaving her child in so unhealthy a place, and +entreated him to place Allegra with some respectable family in Pisa, or +Florance, or Lucca. She promised not to go near the child, if such was his +wish, nor should Mary or Shelley do so without Byron's consent. Byron, it +appears, took no notice of these letters. The Shelleys, while strongly of +opinion that Allegra should in some way be taken out of Byron's hands, +thought it prudent to temporize and watch for a favourable opportunity. +Claire held wild schemes for carrying off the child, schemes which were +under the circumstances impolitic, even if practicable. Both Mary and +Shelley did their utmost to dissuade Claire from any violent attempts, and +Mary, in a letter written at this time, assures Claire that her anxiety +for Allegra's health was to a great degree unfounded. After carefully +considering the affair she had come to the conclusion that Allegra was +well taken care of by the nuns in the convent, that she was in good +health, and would in all probability continue so. + +On April 15 Claire Clairmont arrived at Pisa on a visit to the Shelleys, +and a few days later started with the Williamses for Spezzia, to search +for houses on the bay. Professor Dowden says:[5] + + 'They cannot have been many hours on their journey, when Shelley and + Mary received tidings of sorrowful import, which Mary chronicles in + her journal with the words "Evil news." Allegra was dead. Typhus fever + had raged in the Romagna, but no one wrote to inform her parents with + the fact.' + +Lord Byron felt the loss bitterly at first. + + 'His conduct towards this child,' says Countess Guiccioli, 'was always + that of a fond father. He was dreadfully agitated by the first + intelligence of her illness; and when afterwards that of her death + arrived, I was obliged to fulfil the melancholy task of communicating + it to him. The memory of that frightful moment is stamped indelibly on + my mind. A mortal paleness spread itself over his face, his strength + failed him, and he sank into a seat. His look was fixed, and the + expression such that I began to fear for his reason; he did not shed a + tear; and his countenance manifested so hopeless, so profound, so + sublime a sorrow, that at the moment he appeared a being of a nature + superior to humanity. He remained immovable in the same attitude for + an hour, and no consolation which I endeavoured to afford him seemed + to reach his ears, far less his heart.' + +Writing to Shelley on April 23, 1822, Byron says: + + 'I do not know that I have anything to reproach in my conduct, and + certainly nothing in my feelings and intentions towards the dead. But + it is a moment when we are apt to think that, if this or that had been + done, such events might have been prevented, though every day and hour + shows us that they are the most natural and inevitable. I suppose that + Time will do his usual work. Death has done his.' + +Whatever may be thought of Byron's conduct in the matter of Miss Claire +Clairmont--conduct which Allegra's mother invariably painted in the +darkest colours--the fact remains as clear as day, that Byron always +behaved well and kindly towards the poor little child whose death gave him +such intense pain. The evidence of the Hoppners at Venice, of Countess +Guiccioli at Ravenna, and of the Shelleys, all point in the same +direction; and if any doubt existed, a close study of the wild and wayward +character of Claire Clairmont would show where the truth in the matter +lay. Byron was pestered by appeals from Allegra's mother, indirectly on +her own behalf, and directly on behalf of the child. Claire never +understood that, by reason of Byron's antipathy to her, the surest way of +not getting what she wanted was to ask for it; and, with appalling +persistency, she even persuaded Shelley to risk his undoubted influence +over Byron by intercessions on her behalf, until Byron's opinion of +Shelley's judgment was shaken. After making full allowance for the +maternal feeling, so strong in all women, it was exceedingly foolish of +Claire not to perceive that Byron, by taking upon himself the adoption of +the child, had shielded her from scandal; and that, having surrendered +Allegra to his care, Claire could not pretend to any claim or +responsibility in the matter. It should also be pointed out that, in +sending Allegra to the convent at Bagnacavallo, Byron had no intention of +leaving her there for any length of time. It was merely a provisional +step, and, at Hoppner's suggestion, Byron thought of sending the child to +a good institution in Switzerland. In his will he had bequeathed to the +child the sum of £5,000, which was to be paid to her either on her +marriage or on her attaining the age of twenty-one years (according as the +one or the other should happen first), with the proviso that she should +not marry with a native of Great Britain. Byron was anxious to keep her +out of England, because he thought that his natural daughter would be +under great disadvantage in that country, and would have a far better +chance abroad. + + + + +CHAPTER III + + +On April 26, 1822, the Shelleys left Pisa for Lerici, and on May 1 they +took up their abode in the Casa Magni, situated near the fishing-village +of San Terenzo. Towards the close of May, Byron moved to his new residence +at Montenero, near Leghorn. + +Leigh Hunt's arrival, at the end of June, added considerably to Byron's +perplexities. The poet had not seen Hunt since they parted in England six +years before, and many things had happened to both of them since then. +Byron, never satisfied that his promise to contribute poetry to a joint +stock literary periodical was wise, disliked the idea more and more as +time went on, and Shelley foresaw considerable difficulties in the way of +keeping Byron up to the mark in this respect. Hunt had brought over by sea +a sick wife and several children, and opened the ball by asking Byron for +a loan of money to meet current expenses. Byron now discovered that Leigh +Hunt had ceased to be editor of the _Examiner_, and, being absolutely +without any source of income, had no prospect save the money he hoped to +get from a journal not yet in existence. He ought, of course, to have told +both Byron and Shelley that in coming to Italy with his family--a wife and +six children--he would naturally expect one or both of his friends to +provide the necessary funds. This information Hunt withheld, and although +both Byron and Shelley knew him to be in pecuniary embarrassment, and had +every wish to assist him, they were both under the impression that Hunt +had some small income from the _Examiner_. Byron was astonished to hear +that his proposed coadjutor in a literary venture had not enough money in +his pockets even for one month's current expenses. He was not inclined to +submit tamely to Hunt's arrangements for sucking money out of him. + +Beginning as he meant to go on, Byron from the first showed Hunt that he +had no intention of being imposed upon, and the social intercourse between +them was, to say the least of it, somewhat strained. Byron and Shelley +between them had furnished the ground-floor of the Palazzo Lanfranchi for +the Hunt family, and had Shelley lived he would, presumably, have +impoverished himself by disbursements in their favour; but his death +placed the Hunts in a false position. Had Shelley lived, his influence +over Byron would have diminished the friction between Byron and his +tactless guest. The amount of money spent by Byron on the Hunt family was +not great, but, considering the comparative cheapness of living in Italy +at that time, and the difference in the value of money, Byron's +contribution was not niggardly. After paying for the furniture of their +rooms in his palace, and sending £200 for the cost of their voyage to +Italy, Byron gave Leigh Hunt £70 while he was at Pisa, defrayed the cost +of their journey from Pisa to Genoa, and supplied them with another £30 to +enable them to travel to Florence. There was really no occasion for Byron +to make Hunt a present of £500, which he seems to have done, except Hunt's +absolute incapacity to make both ends meet, which was his perpetual +weakness. From the manner in which Hunt treats his pecuniary transactions +with the wide-awake Byron, it is evident that the sum would have risen to +thousands if Byron had not turned a deaf ear to the 'insatiable applicant' +at his elbow. + +On the first visit which Trelawny paid to Byron at the Palazzo Lanfranchi +after Hunt's arrival, he found Mrs. Hunt was confined to her room, as she +generally was, from bad health. Trelawny says: + + 'Hunt, too, was in delicate health--a hypochondriac; and the seven + children, untamed, the eldest a little more than ten, and the youngest + a yearling, were scattered about playing on the large marble staircase + and in the hall. Hunt's theory and practice were that children should + be unrestrained until they were of an age to be reasoned with. If they + kept out of his way he was satisfied. On my entering the poet's study, + I said to him, "The Hunts have effected a lodgment in your palace;" + and I was thinking how different must have been his emotion on the + arrival of the Hunts from that triumphant morning after the + publication of "Childe Harold" when he "awoke and found himself + famous."' + +Truth told, the Hunts' lodgment in his palace must have been a terrible +infliction to the sensitive Byron. His letters to friends in England at +this time are full of allusions to the prevailing discomfort. Trelawny +tells us that + + 'Byron could not realize, till the actual experiment was tried, the + nuisance of having a man with a sick wife and seven disorderly + children interrupting his solitude and his ordinary + customs--especially as Hunt did not conceal that his estimate of + Byron's poetry was not exalted. At that time Hunt thought highly of + his own poetry and underestimated all other. Leigh Hunt thought that + Shelley would have made a great poet if he had written on intelligible + subjects. Shelley soared too high for him, and Byron flew too near the + ground. There was not a single subject on which Byron and Hunt could + agree.' + +After Shelley and his friend Williams had established the Hunts in Lord +Byron's palace at Pisa, they returned to Leghorn, Shelley 'in a mournful +mood, depressed by a recent interview with Byron,' says Trelawny. + +It was evident to all who knew Byron that he bitterly repented having +pledged himself to embark on the literary venture which, unfortunately, he +himself had initiated. At their last interview Shelley found Byron +irritable whilst talking with him on the fulfilment of his promises with +regard to Leigh Hunt. Byron, like a lion caught in a trap, could only +grind his teeth and bear it. Unfortunately, it was not in Byron's nature +to bear things becomingly; he could not restrain the exhibition of his +inner mind. On these occasions he was not at his best, and forgot the +courtesy due even to the most unwelcome guest. Williams appears to have +been much impressed by Byron's reception of Mrs. Hunt, and, writing to his +wife from Leghorn, says: + + 'Lord Byron's reception of Mrs. Hunt was most shameful. She came into + his house sick and exhausted, and he scarcely deigned to notice her; + was silent, and scarcely bowed. This conduct cut Hunt to the soul. But + the way in which he received our friend Roberts, at Dunn's door,[6] + shall be described when we meet: it must be acted.' + +Shelley and Edward Williams, two days after that letter had been +written--on Monday, July 8, 1822, at three o'clock in the afternoon--set +sail on the _Ariel_ for their home on the Gulf of Spezzia. The story is +well known, thanks to the graphic pen of Edward Trelawny, and we need only +allude to the deaths of Shelley and Williams, and the sailor lad Charles +Vivian, in so far as it comes into our picture of Byron at this period. + +Byron attended the cremation of the bodies of Shelley and Williams, and +showed his deep sympathy with Mary Shelley and Jane Williams in various +ways. + +Writing to John Murray from Pisa on August 3, 1822, he says: + + 'I presume you have heard that Mr. Shelley and Captain Williams were + lost on the 7th ultimo in their passage from Leghorn to Spezzia, in + their own open boat. You may imagine the state of their families: I + never saw such a scene, nor wish to see another. You were all brutally + mistaken about Shelley, who was, without exception, the _best_ and + least selfish man I ever knew. I never knew one who was not a beast in + comparison.'[7] + +Writing August 8, 1822, to Thomas Moore, Byron says in allusion to +Shelley's death: + + 'There is thus another man gone, about whom the world was + ill-naturedly, and ignorantly, and brutally mistaken. It will, + perhaps, do him justice _now_, when he can be no better for it.' + +In another letter, written December 25, 1822, Byron says: + + 'You are all mistaken about Shelley. You do not know how mild, how + tolerant, how good he was in society; and as perfect a gentleman as + ever crossed a drawing-room, when he liked, and where he liked.' + +Byron's opinion of Leigh Hunt, and his own connection with that ill-fated +venture known as _The Liberal_, is concisely given by Byron himself in a +letter to Murray. _The Liberal_, published October 15, 1822, was fiercely +attacked in the _Literary Gazette_ and other periodicals. The _Courier_ +for October 26, 1822, calls it a 'scoundrel-like publication.' Byron +writes: + + 'I am afraid the journal is a _bad_ business, and won't do; but in it + I am sacrificing _myself_ for others--I can have no advantage in it. I + believe the brothers Hunt to be honest men; I am sure they are poor + ones. They have not a rap: they pressed me to engage in this work, and + in an evil hour I consented; still, I shall not repent, if I can do + them the least service. I have done all I can for Leigh Hunt since he + came here; but it is almost useless. His wife is ill, his six children + not very tractable, and in the affairs of the world he himself is a + child. The death of Shelley left them totally aground; and I could not + see them in such a state without using the common feelings of + humanity, and what means were in my power to set them afloat again.' + +In another letter to Murray (December 25, 1822) Byron says: + + 'Had their [the Hunts'] journal gone on well, and I could have aided + to make it better for them, I should then have left them, after my + safe pilotage off a lee-shore, to make a prosperous voyage by + themselves. As it is, I can't, and would not if I could, leave them + amidst the breakers. As to any community of feeling, thought, or + opinion between Leigh Hunt and me, there is little or none. We meet + rarely, hardly ever; but I think him a good-principled and able man, + and must do as I would be done by. I do not know what world he has + lived in, but I have lived in three or four; and none of them like his + Keats and Kangaroo _terra incognita_. Alas! poor Shelley! how he would + have laughed had he lived, and how we used to laugh now and then, at + various things, which are grave in the Suburbs!' + +It is perhaps not generally known that Shelley bequeathed a legacy of +£2,000 to Byron. Byron's renunciation of this token of friendship is +ignored by Professor Dowden in his life of Shelley. Writing to Leigh Hunt +on June 28, 1823, Byron says: + + 'There was something about a legacy of two thousand pounds which he + [Shelley] has left me. This, of course, I declined, and the more so + that I hear that his will is admitted valid; and I state this + distinctly that, in case of anything happening to me, my heirs may be + instructed not to claim it.' + +Towards the end of September, 1822, Byron and the Countess Guiccioli left +the Palazzo Lanfranchi, and moved from Pisa to Albaro, a suburb of Genoa. +At the Villa Saluzzo, where the poet resided until his departure for +Greece, dwelt also Count Gamba and his son Pietro, who occupied one part +of that large house, while Byron occupied another part, and their +establishments were quite separate. The first number of _The Liberal_ +which had been printed in London, reached Byron's hands at this time. The +birth of that unlucky publication was soon followed by its death, as +anyone knowing the circumstances attending its conception might have +foreseen. Shelley's death may be said to have destroyed the enterprise and +energy of the survivors of that small coterie, who, in the absence of that +vital force, the fine spirit that had animated and held them together, +'degenerated apace,' as Trelawny tells us. Byron 'exhausted himself in +planning, projecting, beginning, wishing, intending, postponing, +regretting, and doing nothing. The unready are fertile in excuses, and his +were inexhaustible.' + +In December, 1822, Trelawny laid up Byron's yacht, _The Bolivar_, paid off +the crew, and started on horseback for Rome. _The Bolivar_ was eventually +sold by Byron to Lord Blessington for 400 guineas. Four or five years +after Byron's death this excellent little sea-boat, with Captain Roberts +(who planned her for Byron) on board, struck on the iron-bound coast of +the Adriatic and foundered. Not a plank of her was saved. + + 'Never,' said Captain Roberts in narrating the circumstance many years + afterwards, 'was there a better sea-boat, or one that made less + lee-way than the dear little _Bolivar_, but she could not walk in the + wind's eye. I dared not venture to put her about in that gale for fear + of getting into the trough of the sea and being swamped. To take in + sail was impossible, so all we had left for it was to luff her up in + the lulls, and trust to Providence for the rest. Night came on dark + and cold, for it was November, and as the sea boiled and foamed in her + wake, it shone through the pitchy darkness with a phosphoric + efflorescence. The last thing I heard was my companion's exclamation, + "Breakers ahead!" and almost at the same instant _The Bolivar_ struck: + the crash was awful; a watery column fell upon her bodily like an + avalanche, and all that I remember was, that I was struggling with the + waves. I am a strong swimmer, and have often contested with Byron in + his own element, so after battling long with the billows, covered with + bruises, and more dead than alive, I succeeded in scrambling up the + rocks, and found myself in the evergreen pine-forest of Ravenna, some + miles from any house. But at last I sheltered myself in a forester's + hut. Death and I had a hard struggle that bout.'[8] + +On April 1, 1823, Lord and Lady Blessington called on Byron at the Casa +Saluzzo. Lady Blessington assures us that, in speaking of his wife, Byron +declared that he was totally unconscious of the cause of her leaving him. +He said that he left no means untried to effect a reconciliation, and +added with bitterness: 'A day will arrive when I shall be avenged. I feel +that I shall not live long, and when the grave has closed over me, what +must she feel!' + +In speaking of his sister, Byron always spoke with strong affection, and +said that she was the most faultless person he had ever known, and that +she was his only source of consolation in his troubles during the +separation business. + + 'Byron,' says Lady Blessington, 'has remarkable penetration in + discovering the characters of those around him, and piques himself on + it. He also thinks that he has fathomed the recesses of his own mind; + but he is mistaken. With much that is _little_ (which he suspects) in + his character, there is much that is _great_ that he does not give + himself credit for. His first impulses are always good, but his + temper, which is impatient, prevents his acting on the cool dictates + of reason. He mistakes temper for character, and takes the ebullitions + of the first for the indications of the nature of the second.' + +Lady Blessington seems to have made a most searching examination of +Byron's character, and very little escaped her vigilance during the two +months of their intimate intercourse. She tells us that Byron talked for +effect, and liked to excite astonishment. It was difficult to know when he +was serious, or when he was merely 'bamming' his aquaintances. He admitted +that he liked to _hoax_ people, in order that they might give +contradictory accounts of him and of his opinions. He spoke very highly of +Countess Guiccioli, whom he had passionately loved and deeply respected. +Lady Blessington says: 'In his praises of Madame Guiccioli it is quite +evident that he is sincere.' + +Byron confessed that he was not happy, but admitted that it was his own +fault, as the Countess Guiccioli, the only object of his love, had all the +qualities to render a reasonable being happy. In speaking of Allegra, +Byron said that while she lived her existence never seemed necessary to +his happiness; but no sooner did he lose her than it appeared to him as +though he could not exist without her. It is noteworthy that, one evening, +while Byron was speaking to Lady Blessington at her hotel at Genoa, he +pointed out to her a boat at anchor in the harbour, and said: 'That is the +boat in which my friend Shelley went down--the sight of it makes me ill. +You should have known Shelley to feel how much I must regret him. He was +the most gentle, most amiable, and _least_ worldly-minded person I ever +met; full of delicacy, disinterested beyond all other men, and possessing +a degree of genius, joined to a simplicity, as rare as it is admirable. He +had formed to himself a _beau-idéal_ of all that is fine, high-minded, and +noble, and he acted up to this ideal even to the very letter. He had a +most brilliant imagination, but a total want of worldly wisdom. I have +seen nothing like him, and never shall again, I am certain.' + +We may, upon the evidence before us, take it for certain that Byron only +admired two of his contemporaries--Sir Walter Scott and Shelley. He liked +Hobhouse, and they had travelled together without a serious quarrel, which +is a proof of friendship; but he felt that Hobhouse undervalued him, and, +as Byron had a good deal of the spoiled child about him, he resented the +friendly admonitions which, it seems, Hobhouse unsparingly administered +whenever they were together. Tom Moore was a 'croney'--a man to laugh and +sit through the night with--but there was nothing, either in his genius or +his conduct, which Byron could fall down and worship, as he seemed capable +of doing in the case of Shelley and Scott. + +It is evident that Lady Byron occupied his thoughts continually; he +constantly mentioned her in conversation, and often spoke of the brief +period during which they lived together. He told Lady Blessington that, +though not regularly handsome, he liked her looks. He said that when he +reflected on the whole tenor of her conduct--the refusing any explanation, +never answering his letters, or holding out any hopes that in future years +their child might form a bond of union between them--he felt exasperated +against her, and vented this feeling in his writings. The mystery of Lady +Byron's silence piqued him and kept alive his interest in her. It was +evident to those who knew Byron during the last year of his life that he +anxiously desired a reconciliation with her. He seemed to think that, had +his pecuniary affairs been in a less ruinous state, his temper would not +have been excited as it constantly was, during the brief period of their +union, by demands of insolent creditors whom he was unable to satisfy, and +who drove him nearly out of his senses, until he lost all command of +himself, and so forfeited his wife's affection. Byron felt himself to +blame for such conduct, and bitterly repented of it. But he never could +divest himself of the idea that his wife still took a deep interest in +him, and said that Ada must always be a bond of union between them, though +perchance they were parted for ever. + + 'I am sure,' said Lady Blessington, 'that if ten individuals undertook + the task of describing Byron, no two of the ten would agree in their + verdict respecting him, or convey any portrait that resembled the + other, and yet the description of each might be correct, according to + individual opinion. The truth is, that the chameleon-like character or + manner of Byron renders it difficult to portray him; and the pleasure + he seems to take in misleading his associates in their estimation of + him increases the difficulty of the task.' + +On one occasion Byron lifted the veil, and showed his inmost thoughts by +words which were carefully noted at the time. He spoke on this occasion +from the depth of his heart as follows: + + 'Can I reflect on my present position without bitter feelings? Exiled + from my country by a species of ostracism--the most humiliating to a + proud mind, when _daggers_ and not shells were used to ballot, + inflicting mental wounds more deadly and difficult to be healed than + all that the body could suffer. Then the notoriety that follows me + precludes the privacy I desire, and renders me an object of curiosity, + which is a continual source of irritation to my feelings. I am bound + by the indissoluble ties of marriage to _one_ who will _not_ live with + me, and live with one to whom I cannot give a legal right to be my + companion, and who, wanting that right, is placed in a position + humiliating to her and most painful to me. Were the Countess Guiccioli + and I married, we should, I am sure, be cited as an example of + conjugal happiness, and the domestic and retired life we lead would + entitle us to respect. But our union, wanting the legal and religious + part of the ceremony of marriage, draws on us both censure and blame. + She is formed to make a good wife to any man to whom she attaches + herself. She is fond of retirement, is of a most affectionate + disposition, and noble-minded and disinterested to the highest degree. + Judge then how mortifying it must be to me to be the cause of placing + her in a false position. All this is not thought of when people are + blinded by passion, but when passion is replaced by better + feelings--those of affection, friendship, and confidence--when, in + short, the _liaison_ has all of marriage but its forms, then it is + that we wish to give it the respectability of wedlock. I feel this + keenly, reckless as I appear, though there are few to whom I would + avow it, and certainly not to a man.' + +There is much in this statement which it is necessary for those who wish +to understand Byron's position at the close of his life to bear in mind. +We may accept it unreservedly, for it coincides in every particular with +conclusions independently arrived at by the present writer, after a long +and patient study of all circumstances relating to the life of this +extraordinary man. At the period of which we write--the last phase in +Byron's brief career--the poet was, morally, ascending. + +His character, through the fire of suffering, had been purified. Even his +pride--so assertive in public--had been humbled, and he was gradually and +insensibly preparing himself for a higher destiny, unconscious of the fact +that the hand of Death was upon him. 'Wait,' he said, 'and you will see me +one day become all that I ought to be. I have reflected seriously on all +my faults, and that is the first step towards amendment.' + + + + +CHAPTER IV + + +Certain it is, that in proportion to the admiration which Byron's poetic +genius excited, was the severity of the censure which his +fellow-countrymen bestowed on his defects as a man. The humour of the +situation no doubt appealed to Byron's acute sense of proportion, and +induced him to feed the calumnies against himself, by painting his own +portrait in the darkest colours. Unfortunately, the effects of such +conduct long survived him; for the world is prone to take a man at his own +valuation, and 'hypocrisy reversed' does not enter into human +calculations. It is unfortunate for the fame of Byron that his whole +conduct after the separation was a glaring blunder, for which no +subsequent act of his, no proof of his genius, could by any possibility +atone. + +Truth told, the obloquy which Byron had to endure, after Lady Byron left +him, was such as might well have changed his whole nature. It must indeed +have been galling to that proud spirit, after having been humbly asked +everywhere, to be ostentatiously asked nowhere. The injustice he suffered +at the hands of those who were fed on baseless calumnies raised in his +breast a feeling of profound contempt for his fellow-creatures--a contempt +which led him into many follies; thus, instead of standing up against the +storm and meeting his detractors face to face, as he was both capable of +and justified in doing, he chose to leave England under a cloud, and, by a +system of mystification, to encourage the belief that he thoroughly +deserved the humiliation which had been cast upon him. As a consequence, +to employ the words of Macaulay, + + 'all those creeping things that riot in the decay of nobler natures + hastened to their repast; and they were right; they did after their + kind. It is not every day that the savage envy of aspiring dunces is + gratified by the agonies of such a spirit, and the degradation of such + a name.' + +Lady Blessington tells us that Byron had an excellent heart, but that it +was running to waste for want of being allowed to expend itself on his +fellow-creatures. His heart teemed with affection, but his past +experiences had checked its course, and left it to prey on the aching void +in his breast. He could never forget his sorrows, which in a certain sense +had unhinged his mind, and caused him to deny to others the justice that +had been denied to himself. He affected to disbelieve in either love or +friendship, and yet was capable of making great sacrifices for both. + + 'He has an unaccountable passion for misrepresenting his own feelings + and motives, and exaggerates his defects more than an enemy could do; + and is often angry because we do not believe all he says against + himself. If Byron were not a great poet, the charlatanism of affecting + to be a Satanic character, in this our matter-of-fact nineteenth + century, would be very amusing: but when the genius of the man is + taken into account, it appears too ridiculous, and one feels mortified + that he should attempt to pass for something that all who know him + rejoice that he is not. If Byron knew his own power, he would disdain + such unworthy means of attracting attention, and trust to his merit + for commanding it.' + +As Lady Blessington remarks in her 'Conversations of Lord Byron,' from +which we have largely quoted, Byron's pre-eminence as a poet gives an +interest to details which otherwise would not be worth mentioning. She +tells us, for instance, that one of the strongest anomalies in Byron was +the exquisite taste displayed in his descriptive poetry, and the total +want of it that was so apparent in his modes of life. + + 'Fine scenery seemed to have no effect upon him, though his + descriptions are so glowing, and the elegancies and comforts of + refined life Byron appeared to as little understand as value.' + +Byron appeared to be wholly ignorant of what in his class of life +constituted its ordinary luxuries. + + 'I have seen him,' says Lady Blessington, 'apparently delighted with + the luxurious inventions in furniture, equipages, plate, etc., common + to all persons of a certain station or fortune, and yet after an + inquiry as to their prices--an inquiry so seldom made by persons of + his rank--shrink back alarmed at the thought of the expense, though + there was nothing alarming in it, and congratulate himself that he had + no such luxuries, or did not require them. I should say that a bad and + vulgar taste predominated in all Byron's equipments, whether in dress + or in furniture. I saw his bed at Genoa, when I passed through in + 1826, and it certainly was the most vulgarly gaudy thing I ever saw; + the curtains in the worst taste, and the cornice having his family + motto of "Crede Byron" surmounted by baronial coronets. His carriages + and his liveries were in the same bad taste, having an affectation of + finery, but _mesquin_ in the details, and tawdry in the _ensemble_. It + was evident that he piqued himself on them, by the complacency with + which they were referred to.' + +In one of Byron's expansive moods--and these were rare with men, though +frequent in the society of Lady Blessington--Byron, speaking of his wife, +said: + + 'I am certain that Lady Byron's first idea is, what is due to herself; + I mean that it is the undeviating rule of her conduct. I wish she had + thought a little more of what is due to others. Now, my besetting sin + is a want of that self-respect which she has in _excess_; and that + want has produced much unhappiness to us both. But though I accuse + Lady Byron of an excess of self-respect, I must in candour admit, that + if any person ever had an excuse for an extraordinary portion of it, + she has; as in all her thoughts, words, and deeds, she is the most + decorous woman that ever existed, and must appear a perfect and + refined gentlewoman even to her _femme-de-chambre_. This extraordinary + degree of self-command in Lady Byron produced an opposite effect on + me. When I have broken out, on slight provocations, into one of my + ungovernable fits of rage, her calmness piqued, and seemed to reproach + me; it gave her an air of superiority, that vexed and increased my + wrath. I am now older and wiser, and should know how to appreciate her + conduct as it deserved, as I look on self-command as a positive + virtue, though it is one I have not the courage to adopt.' + +In speaking of his sister, shortly before his departure for Greece, Byron +maintained that he owed the little good which he could boast, to her +influence over his wayward nature. He regretted that he had not known her +earlier, as it might have influenced his destiny. + + 'To me she was, in the hour of need, as a tower of strength. Her + affection was my last rallying point, and is now the only bright spot + that the horizon of England offers to my view.' 'Augusta,' said Byron, + 'knew all my weaknesses, but she had love enough to bear with them. + She has given me such good advice, and yet, finding me incapable of + following it, loved and pitied me the more, because I was erring. + This is true affection, and, above all, true Christian feeling.' + +But we should not be writing about Byron and his foibles eighty-four years +after his death, if he had not been wholly different to other men in his +views of life. Shortly after his marriage, for no sufficient, or at least +for no apparent reason, Byron chose to immolate himself, and took a sort +of Tarpeian leap, passing the remainder of his existence in bemoaning his +bruises, and reviling the spectators who were not responsible for his +fall. One of the main results of this conduct was his separation from his +child, for whom he seems to have felt the deepest affection. We find him, +at the close of his life, constantly speaking of Ada, 'sole daughter of +his heart and house,' and prophesying the advent of a love whose +consolations he could never feel. + + 'I often, in imagination, pass over a long lapse of years,' said + Byron, 'and console myself for present privations, in anticipating the + time when my daughter will know me by reading my works; for, though + the hand of prejudice may conceal my portrait from her eyes,[9] it + cannot hereafter conceal my thoughts and feelings, which will talk to + her when he to whom they belonged has ceased to exist. The triumph + will then be mine; and the tears that my child will drop over + expressions wrung from me by mental agony--the certainty that she will + enter into the sentiments which dictated the various allusions to her + and to myself in my works--consoles me in many a gloomy hour.' + +This prophecy was amply fulfilled. It appears that, after Ada's marriage +to Lord King, Colonel Wildman met her in London, and invited her to pay +him a visit at Newstead Abbey. One morning, while Ada was in the library, +Colonel Wildman took down a book of poems. Ada asked the name of the +author of these poems, and when shown the portrait of her +father--Phillips's well-known portrait--which hung upon the wall, Ada +remained for a moment spell-bound, and then remarked ingenuously: 'Please +do not think that it is affectation on my part when I declare to you that +I have been brought up in complete ignorance of all that concerns my +father.' Never until that moment had Ada seen the handwriting of her +father, and, as we know, even his portrait had been hidden from her. When +Byron's genius was revealed to his daughter, an enthusiasm for his memory +filled her soul. She shut herself up for hours in the rooms which Byron +had used, absorbed in all the glory of one whose tenderness for her had +been so sedulously concealed by her mother. On her death-bed she dictated +a letter to Colonel Wildman, begging that she might be buried at +Hucknall-Torkard, in the same vault as her illustrious father. And there +they sleep the long sleep side by side--separated during life, united in +death--the prophecy of 1816 fulfilled in 1852: + + 'Yet, though dull Hate as duty should be taught, + I know that thou wilt love me; though my name + Should be shut from thee, as a spell still fraught + With desolation, and a broken claim: + Though the grave closed between us,--'twere the same, + I know that thou wilt love me; though to drain + _My_ blood from out thy being were an aim + And an attainment,--all would be in vain,-- + Still thou wouldst love me, still that more than life retain.' + + + + +CHAPTER V + + +There is no doubt that Byron had a craving for celebrity in one form or +another. In the last year of his life his thoughts turned with something +like apathy from the fame which his pen had brought him[10] towards that +wider and nobler fame which might be attained by the sword. In the spirit +of an exalted poet who has lately passed from us, if such prescience were +possible, Byron might have applied these stirring lines to himself: + + 'Up, then, and act! Rise up and undertake + The duties of to-day. Thy courage wake! + Spend not life's strength in idleness, for life + Should not be wasted in Care's useless strife. + No slothful doubt let work's place occupy, + But labour! Labour for posterity! + + 'Up, then, and sing! Rise up and bare the sword + With which to combat suffering and wrong. + Console all those that suffer with thy word, + Defend Man's heritage with sword and song! + Combat intrigue, injustice, tyranny, + And in thine efforts God will be with thee.' + + 'I have made as many sacrifices to liberty,' said Byron, 'as most + people of my age; and the one I am about to undertake is not the + least, though probably it will be the last; for with my broken + health, and the chances of war, Greece will most likely terminate my + career. I like Italy, its climate, its customs, and, above all, its + freedom from cant of every kind; therefore it is no slight sacrifice + of comfort to give up the tranquil life I lead here, and break through + the ties I have formed, to engage in a cause, for the successful + result of which I have no very sanguine hopes. I have a presentiment + that I shall die in Greece. I hope it may be in action, for that would + be a good finish to a very _triste_ existence, and I have a horror of + death-bed scenes; but as I have not been famous for my luck in life, + most probably I shall not have more in the manner of my death.' + +It was towards the close of May, 1823, that Byron received a letter +telling him that he had been elected a member of the Committee which sat +in London to further the Greek cause. Byron willingly accepted the +appointment, and from that moment turned his thoughts towards Greece, +without exactly knowing in what manner he could best serve her cause. He +experienced alternations of confidence and despondency certainly, but he +never abandoned the notion that he might be of use, if only he could see +his way clearly through the conflicting opinions and advice which reached +him from all sides. + +The presentiment that he would end his days in Greece, weighed so heavily +on his mind, that he felt a most intense desire to revisit his native +country before finally throwing in his lot with the Greeks. He seems to +have vaguely felt that all chances of reconciliation with Lady Byron were +not dead. He would have liked to say farewell to her without bitterness, +and he longed to embrace his child. But the objections to a return to +England were so formidable that he was compelled to abandon the idea. His +proud nature could not face the chance of a cold reception, and a revival +of that roar of calumny which had driven him from our shores. He told Lady +Blessington that he could laugh at those attacks with the sea between him +and his traducers; but that on the spot, and feeling the effect which each +libel produced upon the minds of his too sensitive friends, he could not +stand the strain. Byron felt sure that his enemies would misinterpret his +motives, and that no good would come of it. + +After Byron had made up his mind to visit Greece in person, he does not +appear ever to have seriously thought of drawing back. On June 15, 1823, +he informed Trelawny, who was at Rome, that he was determined to go to +Greece, and asked him to join the expedition. Seven days later Byron had +hired a vessel to transport himself, his companions, his servants, and his +horses, to Cephalonia. + +On July 13, Byron, with Edward Trelawny, Count Pietro Gamba, and a young +medical student,[11] with eight servants, embarked at Genoa on the English +brig _Hercules_, commanded by Captain Scott. At the last moment a passage +was offered to a Greek named Schilitzy, and to Mr. Hamilton Browne. Gamba +tells us that five horses were shipped, besides arms, ammunition, and two +one-pounder guns which had belonged to _The Bolivar_. Byron carried with +him 10,000 Spanish dollars in ready-money, with bills of exchange for +40,000 more. + +Passing within sight of Elba, Corsica, the Lipari Islands (including +Stromboli,) Sicily, Italy, etc., on August 2, the _Hercules_ lay between +Zante and Cephalonia; and the next day she cast anchor in Argostoli, the +principal port of Cephalonia. The Resident, Colonel Napier, was at that +time absent from the island. Shortly after Byron's arrival, Captain +Kennedy, Colonel Napier's secretary, came on board, and informed him that +little was known of the internal affairs of Greece. The Turks appeared to +have been in force at sea, while the Greeks remained inactive at Hydra, +Spezia, and Ipsara. It was supposed that Mr. Blaquière had gone to Corfu, +while the famous Marco Botzari, to whom Byron had been especially +recommended, was at Missolonghi. Before taking any definite step, Byron +judged it best to send messengers to Corfu and Missolonghi, to collect +information as to the state of affairs in the Morea. To pass the time, +Byron and some of his companions made an excursion to Ithaca. The first +opportunity of showing his sympathy towards the victims of barbarism and +tyranny occurred at this period. Many poor families had taken refuge at +Ithaca, from Scio, Patras, and other parts of Greece. Byron handed 3,000 +piastres to the Commandant for their relief, and transported a family, in +absolute poverty, to Cephalonia, where he provided them with a house and +gave them a monthly allowance. + +The following narrative, written by a gentleman who was travelling in +Ithaca at that time, seems to be worthy of reproduction in these pages: + + 'It was in the island of Ithaca, in the month of August, 1823, that I + was shown into the dining-room of the Resident Governor, where Lord + Byron, Count Gamba, Dr. Bruno, Mr. Trelawny, and Mr. Hamilton Browne, + were seated after dinner, with some of the English officers and + principal inhabitants of the place. I had been informed of Lord + Byron's presence, but had no means of finding him out, except by + recollection of his portraits; and I am not ashamed to confess that I + was puzzled, in my examination of the various countenances before me, + where to fix upon "the man." I at one time almost settled upon + Trelawny, from the interest which he seemed to take in the schooner in + which I had just arrived; but on ascending to the drawing-room I was + most agreeably undeceived by finding myself close to the side of the + great object of my curiosity, and engaged in easy conversation with + him, without presentation or introduction of any kind. + + 'He was handling and remarking upon the books in some small open + shelves, and fairly spoke to me in such a manner that not to have + replied would have been boorish. "'Pope's Homer's Odyssey'--hum!--that + is well placed here, undoubtedly; 'Hume's Essays,'--'Tales of my + Landlord;' there you are, Watty! Are you recently from England, sir?" + I answered that I had not been there for two years. "Then you can + bring us no news of the Greek Committee? Here we are all waiting + orders, and no orders seem likely to come. Ha! ha!" "I have not + changed my opinion of the Greeks," he said. "I know them as well as + most people" (a favourite phrase), "but we must not look always too + closely at the men who are to benefit by our exertions in a good + cause, or God knows we shall seldom do much good in this world. There + is Trelawny thinks he has fallen in with an angel in Prince + Mavrocordato, and little Bruno would willingly sacrifice his life for + the _cause_, as he calls it. I must say he has shown some sincerity in + his devotion, in consenting to join it for the little matter he makes + of me." I ventured to say that, in all probability, the being joined + with him in any cause was inducement enough for any man of moderate + pretensions. He noticed the compliment only by an indifferent smile. + "I find but one opinion," he continued, "among all people whom I have + met since I came here, that no good is to be done for these rascally + Greeks; that I am sure to be deceived, disgusted, and all the rest of + it. It may be so; but it is chiefly to satisfy myself upon these very + points that I am going. I go prepared for anything, expecting a deal + of roguery and imposition, but hoping to do some good." + + '"Have you read any of the late publications on Greece?" I asked. + + '"I never read any accounts of a country to which I can myself go," + said he. "The Committee have sent me some of their 'Crown and Anchor' + reports, but I can make nothing of them." + + 'The conversation continued in the same familiar flow. To my increased + amazement, he led it to his works, to Lady Byron, and to his daughter. + The former was suggested by a volume of "Childe Harold" which was on + the table; it was the ugly square little German edition, and I made + free to characterize it as execrable. He turned over the leaves, and + said: + + 'Yes, it was very bad; but it was better than one that he had seen in + French prose in Switzerland. "I know not what my friend Mr. Murray + will say to it all. Kinnaird writes to me that he is wroth about many + things; let them do what they like with the book--they have been + abusive enough of the author. The _Quarterly_ is trying to make + amends, however, and _Blackwood's_ people will suffer none to attack + me but themselves. Milman was, I believe, at the bottom of the + personalities, but they all sink before an American reviewer, who + describes me as a kind of fiend, and says that the deformities of my + mind are only to be equalled by those of my body; it is well that + anyone can see them, at least." Our hostess, Mrs. Knox, advanced to us + about this moment, and his lordship continued, smiling: "Does not your + Gordon blood rise at such abuse of a clansman? The gallant Gordons + 'bruik nae slight.' Are you true to your name, Mrs. Knox?" The lady + was loud in her reprobation of the atrocious abuse that had recently + been heaped upon the noble lord, and joined in his assumed clannish + regard for their mutual name. "Lady Byron and you would agree," he + said, laughing, "though I could not, you are thinking; you may say so, + I assure you. I dare say it will turn out that I have been terribly in + the wrong, _but I always want to know what I did_." I had not courage + to touch upon this delicate topic, and Mrs. Knox seemed to wish it + passed over till a less public occasion. He spoke of Ada exactly as + any parent might have done of a beloved absent child, and betrayed not + the slightest confusion, or consciousness of a sore subject, + throughout the whole conversation. + + 'I now learnt from him that he had arrived in the island from + Cephalonia only that morning, and that it was his purpose (as it was + mine) to visit its antiquities and localities. A ride to the Fountain + of Arethusa had been planned for the next day, and I had the happiness + of being invited to join it. Pope's "Homer" was taken up for a + description of the place, and it led to the following remarks: + + "Yes, the very best translation that ever was, or ever will be; there + is nothing like it in the world, be assured. It is quite delightful to + find Pope's character coming round again; I forgive Gifford everything + for that. Puritan as he is, he has too much good sense not to know + that, even if all the lies about Pope were truths, his character is + one of the best among literary men. There is nobody now like him, + except Watty,[12] and he is as nearly faultless as ever human being + was." + + 'The remainder of the evening was passed in arranging the plan of + proceeding on the morrow's excursion, in the course of which his + lordship occasionally interjected a facetious remark of some general + nature; but in such fascinating tones, and with such a degree of + amiability and familiarity, that, of all the libels of which I well + knew the public press to be guilty, that of describing Lord Byron as + inaccessible, morose, and repulsive in manner and language, seemed to + me the most false and atrocious. I found I was to be accommodated for + the night under the same roof with his lordship, and I retired, + satisfied in my own mind that favouring chance had that day made me + the intimate (almost confidential) friend of the greatest literary man + of modern times. + + 'The next morning, about nine o'clock, the party for the Fountain of + Arethusa assembled in the parlour of Captain Knox; but Lord Byron was + missing. Trelawny, who had slept in the room adjoining his lordship's, + told us that he feared he had been ill during the night, but that he + had gone out in a boat very early in the morning. At this moment I + happened to be standing at the window, and saw the object of our + anxiety in the act of landing on the beach, about ten or a dozen + yards from the house, to which he walked slowly up. I never saw and + could not conceive the possibility of such a change in the appearance + of a human being as had taken place since the previous night. He + looked like a man under sentence of death, or returning from the + funeral of all that he held dear on earth. His person seemed shrunk, + his face was pale, and his eyes languid and fixed on the ground. He + was leaning upon a stick, and had changed his dark camlet-caped + surtout of the preceding evening for a nankeen jacket embroidered like + a hussar's--an attempt at dandyism, or dash, to which the look and + demeanour of the wearer formed a sad contrast. On entering the room, + his lordship made the usual salutations; and, after some preliminary + arrangements, the party moved off, on horses and mules, to the place + of destination for the day. + + 'I was so struck with the difference of appearance in Lord Byron that + the determination to which I had come, to try to monopolize him, if + possible, to myself, without regard to appearances or _bienséance_, + almost entirely gave way under the terror of a freezing repulse. I + advanced to him under the influence of this feeling, but I had + scarcely received his answer when all uneasiness about my reception + vanished, and I stuck as close to him as the road permitted our + animals to go. His voice sounded timidly and quiveringly at first; but + as the conversation proceeded, it became steady and firm. The + beautiful country in which we were travelling naturally formed a + prominent topic, as well as the character of the people and of the + Government. Of the latter, I found him (to my amazement) an admirer. + "There is a deal of fine stuff about that old Maitland," he said; "he + knows the Greeks well. Do you know if it be true that he ordered one + of their brigs to be blown out of the water if she stayed ten minutes + longer in Corfu Roads?" I happened to know, and told him that it was + true. "Well, of all follies, that of daring to say what one cannot + dare to do is the least to be pitied. Do you think Sir Tom would have + really executed his threat?" I told his lordship that I believed he + certainly would, and that this knowledge of his being in earnest in + everything he said was the cause, not only of the quiet termination of + that affair, but of the order and subordination in the whole of the + countries under his government. + + 'The conversation again insensibly reverted to Sir Walter Scott, and + Lord Byron repeated to me the anecdote of the interview in Murray's + shop, as conclusive evidence of his being the author of the "Waverley + Novels." He was a little but not durably staggered by the equally + well-known anecdote of Sir Walter having, with some solemnity, denied + the authorship to Mr. Wilson Croker, in the presence of George IV., + the Duke of York, and the late Lord Canterbury. He agreed that an + author wishing to conceal his authorship had a right to give _any + answer whatever_ that succeeded in convincing an inquirer that he was + wrong in his suppositions. + + 'When we came within sight of the object of our excursion, there + happened to be an old shepherd in the act of coming down from the + fountain. His lordship at once fixed upon him for Eumæus, and invited + him back with us to "fill up the picture." Having drunk of the + fountain, and eaten of our less classical repast of cold fowls, etc., + his lordship again became lively, and full of pleasant conceits. To + detail the conversation (which was general and varied as the + individuals that partook of it) is now impossible, and certainly not + desirable if it were possible. I wish to observe, however, that on + this and one very similar occasion, it was very unlike the kind of + conversation which Lord Byron is described as holding with various + individuals who have written about him. Still more unlike was it to + what one would have _supposed_ his conversation to be; it was exactly + that of nine-tenths of the cultivated class of English gentlemen, + careless and unconscious of everything but the present moment. Lord + Byron ceased to be more than one of the party, and stood some sharp + jokes, practical and verbal, with more good nature than would have + done many of the ciphers whom one is doomed to tolerate in society. + + 'We returned as we went, but no opportunity presented itself of + introducing any subject of interest beyond that of the place and time. + His lordship seemed quite restored by the excursion, and in the + evening came to the Resident's, bearing himself towards everybody in + the same easy, gentlemanly way that rendered him the delight and + ornament of every society in which he chose to unbend himself. + + 'The Resident was as absolute a monarch as Ulysses, and I dare say + much more hospitable and obliging. He found quarters for the whole + Anglo-Italian party, in the best houses of the town, and received them + on the following morning at the most luxurious of breakfasts, + consisting, among other native productions, of fresh-gathered grapes, + just ripened, but which were pronounced of some danger to be eaten, as + not having had the "first rain." This is worthy of note, as having + been apparently a ground of their being taken by Lord Byron in + preference to the riper and safer figs and nectarines; but he deemed + it a fair reason for an apology to the worthy doctor of the 8th + Regiment (Dr. Scott), who had cautioned the company against the fruit. + + '"I take them, doctor," said his lordship, "as I take other prohibited + things--in order to accustom myself to any and all things that a man + may be compelled to take where I am going--in the same way that I + abstain from all superfluities, even salt to my eggs or butter to my + bread; and I take tea, Mrs. Knox, without sugar or cream. But tea + itself is, really, the most superfluous of superfluities, though I am + never without it." + + 'I heard these observations as they were made to Dr. Scott, next to + whom I was sitting, towards the end of the table; but I could not hear + the animated conversation that was going on between his lordship and + Mrs. Knox, beyond the occasional mention of "Penelope," and, when one + of her children came in to her, "Telemachus"--names too obviously _à + propos_ of the place and persons to be omitted in any incidental + conversation in Ithaca. + + 'The excursion to the "School of Homer" (why so called nobody seemed + to know) was to be made by water; and the party of the preceding day, + except the lady, embarked in an elegant country boat with four rowers, + and sundry packages and jars of eatables and drinkables. As soon as we + were seated under the awning--Lord Byron in the centre seat, with his + face to the stern--Trelawny took charge of the tiller. The other + passengers being seated on the side, the usual small flying general + conversation began. Lord Byron seemed in a mood calculated to make the + company think he meant something more formal than ordinary talk. Of + course there could not be anything said in the nature of a dialogue, + which, to be honest, was the kind of conversation that I had at heart. + He began by informing us that he had just been reading, with renewed + pleasure, David Hume's Essays. He considered Hume to be by far the + most profound thinker and clearest reasoner of the many philosophers + and metaphysicians of the last century. "There is," said he, "no + refuting him, and for simplicity and clearness of style he is + unmatched, and is utterly unanswerable." He referred particularly to + the Essay on Miracles. It was remarked to him, that it had + nevertheless been specifically answered, and, some people thought, + refuted, by a Presbyterian divine, Dr. Campbell of Aberdeen. I could + not hear whether his lordship knew of the author, but the remark did + not affect his opinion; it merely turned the conversation to Aberdeen + and "poor John Scott," the most promising and most unfortunate + literary man of the day, whom he knew well, and who, said he, knew him + (Lord Byron) as a schoolboy. Scotland, Walter Scott (or, as his + lordship always called him, "Watty"), the "Waverley Novels," the + "Rejected Addresses," and the English aristocracy (which he reviled + most bitterly), were the prominent objects of nearly an hour's + conversation. It was varied, towards the end of the voyage, in this + original fashion: "But come, gentlemen, we must have some inspiration. + Here, Tita, l'Hippocrena!" + + 'This brought from the bows of the boat a huge Venetian gondolier, + with a musket slung diagonally across his back, a stone jar of two + gallons of what turned out to be English gin, another porous one of + water, and a quart pitcher, into which the gondolier poured the + spirit, and laid the whole, with two or three large tumblers, at the + feet of his expectant lord, who quickly uncorked the jar, and began to + pour its contents into the smaller vessel. + + '"Now, gentlemen, drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring; it is + the true poetic source. I'm a rogue if I have drunk to-day. Come" + (handing tumblers round to us), "this is the way;" and he nearly half + filled a tumbler, and then poured from the height of his arm out of + the water-jar, till the tumbler sparkled in the sun like soda-water, + and drunk it off while effervescing, glorious gin-swizzle, a most + tempting beverage, of which everyone on board took his share, munching + after it a biscuit out of a huge tin case of them. This certainly + exhilarated us, till we landed within some fifty or sixty yards of the + house to which we were directed. + + 'On our way we learned that the Regent of the island--that is, the + native Governor, as Captain Knox was the protecting Power's Governor + (Viceroy over the King!)--had forwarded the materials of a substantial + feast to the occupant (his brother); for the _nobili Inglesi_, who + were to honour his premises. In mentioning this act of the Regent to + Lord Byron, his remark was a repetition of the satirical line in the + imitation address of the poet Fitzgerald, "God bless the Regent!" and + as I mentioned the relationship to our approaching host, he added, + with a laugh, "and the Duke of York!" + + 'On entering the mansion, we were received by the whole family, + commencing with the mother of the Princes--a venerable lady of at + least seventy, dressed in pure Greek costume, to whom Lord Byron went + up with some formality, and, with a slight bend of the knee, took her + hand, and kissed it reverently. We then moved into the adjoining + _sala_, or saloon, where there was a profusion of English comestibles, + in the shape of cold sirloin of beef, fowls, ham, etc., to which we + did such honour as a sea appetite generally produces. It was rather + distressing that not one of the entertainers touched any of these + luxuries, it being the Greek Second or Panagia Lent, but fed entirely + on some cold fish fried in oil, and green salad, of which last Lord + Byron, in adherence to his rule of accustoming himself to eat anything + eatable, partook, though with an obvious effort--as well as of the + various wines that were on the table, particularly Ithaca, which is + exactly port as made and drunk in the country of its growth. + + 'I was not antiquary enough to know to what object of antiquity our + visit was made, but I saw Lord Byron in earnest conversation with a + very antique old Greek monk in full clerical habit. He was a Bishop, + sitting oil a stone of the ruined wall close by, and he turned out to + be the _Esprit fort_ mentioned in a note at the end of the second + canto of "Childe Harold"--a freethinker, at least a freespeaker, when + he called the sacrifice of the Maso _una Coglioneria_. + + 'When we embarked on our return to Vathi, Lord Byron seemed moody and + sullen, but brightened up as he saw a ripple on the water, a mast and + sail raised in the cutter, and Trelawny seated in the stern with the + tiller in hand. In a few minutes we were scudding, gunwale under, in a + position infinitely more beautiful than agreeable to landsmen, and + Lord Byron obviously enjoying the not improbable idea of a swim for + life. His motions, as he sat, tended to increase the impulse of the + breeze, and tended also to sway the boat to leeward. "I don't know," + he said, "if you all swim, gentlemen; but if you do, you will have + fifty fathoms of blue water to support you; and if you do not, you + will have it over you. But as you may not all be prepared, starboard, + Trelawny--bring her up. There! she is trim; and now let us have a + glass of grog after the gale. _Tita, i fiaschi!_" This was followed by + a reproduction of the gin-and-water jars, and a round of the immortal + swizzle. To my very great surprise, it was new to the company that the + liquor which they were enjoying was the product of Scotland, in the + shape of what is called "low-wines," or semi-distilled whisky--chiefly + from the distillery of mine ancient friend, James Haig of Lochrin; but + the communication seemed to gratify the noble drinker, and led to the + recitation by one of the company, in pure lowland Scotch, of Burns's + Petition to the House of Commons in behalf of the national liquor. The + last stanza, beginning + + '"Scotland, my auld respeckit mither," + + very much pleased Lord Byron, who said that he too was more than half + a Scotchman. + + 'The conversation again turned on the "Waverley Novels," and on this + occasion Lord Byron spoke of "The Bride of Lammermoor," and cited the + passage where the mother of the cooper's wife tells her husband (the + cooper) that she "kent naething aboot what he might do to his wife; + but the deil a finger shall ye lay on my dochter, and _that ye may + foond upon_." Shortly afterwards, the conversation having turned upon + poetry, his lordship mentioned the famous ode on the death of Sir John + Moore as the finest piece of poetry in any language. He recited some + lines of it. One of the company, with more presumption than wisdom, + took him up, as his memory seemed to lag, by filling in the line: + + '"And he looked like a warrior taking his rest, + With his martial cloak around him." + + 'Lord Byron, with a look at the interloper that spoke as if death were + in it, and no death was sufficiently cruel for him, shouted, "He + _lay_--he _lay_ like a warrior, not he _looked_." The pretender was + struck dumb, but, with reference to his lordship's laudation of the + piece, he ventured half to whisper that the "Gladiator" was superior + to it, as it is to any poetical picture ever painted in words. The + reply was a benign look, and a flattering recognition, by a little + applausive tapping of his tobacco-box on the board on which he sat. + + 'On arriving at Vathi, we repaired to our several rooms in the worthy + citizens' houses where we were billeted, to read and meditate, and + write and converse, as we might meet, indoors or out; and much + profound lucubration took place among us, on the characteristics and + disposition of the very eminent personage with whom we were for the + time associated. Dr. Scott, the assistant-surgeon of the 8th Foot, who + had heard of, though he may not have witnessed, any of the + peculiarities of the great poet, accounted for them, and even for the + sublimities of his poetry, by an abnormal construction or chronic + derangement of the digestive organs--a theory which experience and + observation of other people than poets afford many reasons to support: + + '"Is it not strange now--ten times strange--to think, + And is it not enough one's faith to shatter, + That right or wrong direction of a drink, + A _plus_ or _minus_ of a yellow matter, + One half the world should elevate or sink + To bliss or woe (most commonly the latter)-- + That human happiness is well-formed chyle, + And human misery redundant bile!" + + 'The next morning the accounts we heard of Lord Byron were + contradictory: Trelawny, who slept in the next room to him, stating + that he had been writing the greater part of the night, and he alleged + it was the sixteenth canto of "Don Juan"; and Dr. Bruno, who visited + him at intervals, and was many hours in personal attendance at his + bedside, asserting that he had been seriously ill, and had been saved + only by those _benedette pillule_ which so often had had that effect. + His lordship again appeared rowing in from his bath at the Lazzaretto, + a course of proceeding (bathing and boating) which caused Dr. Bruno to + wring his hands and tear his hair with alarm and vexation. + + 'It was, however, the day fixed for our return to Cephalonia, and, + having gladly assented to the proposition to join the suite, we all + mounted ponies to cross the island to a small harbour on the south + side, where a boat was waiting to bear us to Santa Eufemia, a + Custom-house station on the coast of Cephalonia, about half an hour's + passage from Ithaca, which we accordingly passed, and arrived at the + collector's mansion about two o'clock. + + 'During the journey across the smaller island, I made a bold push, and + succeeded in securing, with my small pony, the side-berth of Lord + Byron's large brown steed, and held by him in the narrow path, to the + exclusion of companions better entitled to the post. His conversation + was not merely free--it was familiar and intimate, as if we were + schoolboys meeting after a long separation. I happened to be "up" in + the "Waverley Novels," had seen several letters of Sir Walter Scott's + about his pedigree for his baronetage, could repeat almost every one + of the "Rejected Addresses," and knew something of the _London + Magazine_ contributors, who were then in the zenith of their + reputation--Hazlitt, Charles Lamb, Talfourd, Browning, Allan + Cunningham, Reynolds, Darley, etc. But his lordship pointed at the + higher game of Southey, Gifford (whom he all but worshipped), Jeffrey + of the _Edinburgh Review_, John Wilson, and other Blackwoodites. He + said they were all infidels, as every man has a right to be; that + Edinburgh was understood to be the seat of all infidelity, and he + mentioned names (Dr. Chalmers and Andrew Thomson, for examples) among + the clergy as being of the category. This I never could admit. He was + particularly bitter against Southey, sneered at Wordsworth, admired + Thomas Campbell, classing his "Battle of the Baltic" with the very + highest of lyric productions. "Nothing finer," he said, "was ever + written than-- + + '"There was silence deep as death, + And the boldest held his breath + For a time." + + 'We arrived at one of the beautiful bays that encircle the island, + like a wavy wreath of silver sand studded with gold and emerald in a + field of liquid pearl, and embarked in the collector's boat for the + opposite shore of Santa Eufemia, where, on arrival, we were received + by its courteous chief, Mr. Toole, in a sort of state--with his whole + establishment, French and English, uncovered and bowing. He had had + notice of the illustrious poet's expected arrival, and had prepared + one of the usual luxurious feasts in his honour--feasts which Lord + Byron said "played the devil" with him, for he could not abstain when + good eating was within his reach. The apartment assigned to us was + small, and the table could not accommodate the whole party. There + were, accordingly, small side or "children's tables," for such guests + as might choose to be willing to take seats at them. "Ha!" said Lord + Byron, "England all over--places for Tommy and Billy, and Lizzie and + Molly, if there were any. Mr. ----" (addressing me), "will you be my + Tommy?"--pointing to the two vacant seats at a small side-table, close + to the chair of our host. Down I sat, delighted, opposite to my + companion, and had a _tête-à-tête_ dinner apart from the head-table, + from which, as usual, we were profusely helped to the most recherché + portions. "Verily," said his lordship, "I cannot abstain." His + conversation, however, was directed chiefly to his host, from whom he + received much local information, and had his admiration of Sir Thomas + Maitland increased by some particulars of his system of government. + There were no vacant apartments within the station, but we learned + that quarters had been provided for us at a monastery on the hill of + Samos, across the bay. Thither we were all transported at twilight, + and ascended to the large venerable abode of some dozen of friars, who + were prepared for our arrival and accommodation. Outside the walls of + the building there were some open sarcophagi and some pieces of carved + frieze and fragments of pottery. + + 'I walked with his lordship and Count Gamba to examine them, + speculating philosophically on their quondam contents. Something to + our surprise, Lord Byron clambered over into the deepest, and lay in + the bottom at full length on his back, muttering some English lines. I + may have been wrong, or idly and unjustifiably curious, but I leaned + over to hear what the lines might be. I found they were unconnected + fragments of the scene in "Hamlet," where he moralizes with Horatio on + the skull: + + '"Imperious Cæsar, dead and turned to clay, + Might stop a hole to keep the wind away; + O, that that earth, which held the world in awe, + Should patch a wall to expel the winter's flaw!" + + 'As he sprang out and rejoined us, he said: "Hamlet, as a whole, is + original; but I do not admire him to the extent of the common opinion. + More than all, he requires the very best acting. Kean did not + understand the part, and one could not look at him after having seen + John Kemble, whose squeaking voice was lost in his noble carriage and + thorough right conception of the character. Rogers told me that Kemble + used to be almost always hissed in the beginning of his career. 'The + best actor on the stage,' he said, 'is Charles Young. His Pierre was + never equalled, and never will be.'" Amid such flying desultory + conversation we entered the monastery, and took coffee for lack of + anything else, while our servants were preparing our beds. Lord Byron + retired almost immediately from the _sala_. Shortly afterwards we + were astonished and alarmed by the entry of Dr. Bruno, wringing his + hands and tearing his hair--a practice much too frequent with him--and + ejaculating: "_O Maria, santissima Maria, se non è già morto--cielo, + perchè non son morto io!_" It appeared that Lord Byron was seized with + violent spasms in the stomach and liver, and his brain was excited to + dangerous excess, so that he would not tolerate the presence of any + person in his room. He refused all medicine, and stamped and tore all + his clothes and bedding like a maniac. We could hear him rattling and + ejaculating. Poor Dr. Bruno stood lamenting in agony of mind, in + anticipation of the most dire results if immediate relief were not + obtained by powerful cathartics, but Lord Byron had expelled him from + the room by main force. He now implored one or more of the company to + go to his lordship and induce him, if possible, to save his life by + taking the necessary medicine. Trelawny at once proceeded to the room, + but soon returned, saying that it would require ten such as he to hold + his lordship for a minute, adding that Lord Byron would not leave an + unbroken article in the room. The doctor again essayed an entrance, + but without success. The monks were becoming alarmed, and so, in + truth, were all present. The doctor asked me to try to bring his + lordship to reason; "he will thank you when he is well," he said, "but + get him to take this one pill, and he will be safe." It seemed a very + easy undertaking, and I went. There being no lock on the door, entry + was obtained in spite of a barricade of chairs and a table within. His + lordship was half undressed, standing in a far corner like a hunted + animal at bay. As I looked determined to advance in spite of his + imprecations of "Back! out, out of my sight! fiends, can I have no + peace, no relief from this hell! Leave me, I say!" and he lifted the + chair nearest to him, and hurled it direct at my head; I escaped as I + best could, and returned to the _sala_. The matter was obviously + serious, and we all counselled force and such coercive measures as + might be necessary to make him swallow the curative medicine. Mr. + Hamilton Browne, one of our party, now volunteered an attempt, and the + silence that succeeded his entrance augured well for his success. He + returned much sooner than expected, telling the doctor that he might + go to sleep; Lord Byron had taken both the pills, and had lain down on + my mattress and bedding, prepared for him by my servant, the only + regular bed in the company, the others being trunks and portable + tressels, with such softening as might be procured for the occasion. + Lord Byron's beautiful and most commodious patent portmanteau bed, + with every appliance that profusion of money could provide, was mine + for the night. + + 'On the following morning Lord Byron was all dejection and penitence, + not expressed in words, but amply in looks and movements, till + something tending to the jocular occurred to enliven him and us. + Wandering from room to room, from porch to balcony, it so happened + that Lord Byron stumbled upon their occupants in the act of writing + accounts, journals, private letters, or memoranda. He thus came upon + me on an outer roof of a part of the building, while writing, as far + as I recollect, these very notes of his conversation and conduct. What + occurred, however, was not of much consequence--or none--and turned + upon the fact that so many people were writing, when he, the great + voluminous writer, so supposed, was not writing at all. The journey of + the day was to be over the Black Mountain to Argostoli, the capital of + Cephalonia. We set out about noon, struggling as we best could over + moor, marsh ground, and water wastes. Lord Byron revived; and, lively + on horseback, sang, at the pitch of his voice, many of Moore's + melodies and stray snatches of popular songs of the time in the common + style of the streets. There was nothing remarkable in the + conversation. On arrival at Argostoli, the party separated--Lord Byron + and Trelawny to the brig of the former, lying in the offing, the rest + to their several quarters in the town.' + + + + +CHAPTER VI + + +After an absence of eight days the party returned to Argostoli, and went +on board the _Hercules_. The messenger whom Byron had sent to Corfu +brought the unwelcome intelligence that Mr. Blaquière had sailed for +England, without leaving any letters for Byron's guidance. News also +reached him that the Greeks were split up into factions, and more intent +on persecuting and calumniating each other than on securing the +independence of their country. This was depressing news for a man who had +sacrificed so much, and would have damped the enthusiasm of most people in +Byron's position; but it neither deceived nor disheartened him. He was, +and had always been, prepared for the worst. He made up his mind not to +enter personally into the arena of contending factions, but to await +further developments at Cephalonia, hoping to acquire an influence which +might eventually be employed in settling their internal discords. As he +himself remarked, 'I came not here to join a faction, but a nation. I must +be circumspect.' Trelawny, in his valuable record of events at this time, +is hard on Byron. He mistook Byron's motives, and thought that he was +'shilly-shallying and doing nothing.' But Trelawny, though mistaken, was +sincere. He was in every sense of the word a man of action, and full of a +wild enthusiasm for the Greek cause. It was not in his nature to await +events, but rather to create them, and Byron's wise decision made him +restive. He determined to proceed to the Morea, and induced Hamilton +Browne to go with him. Byron gave them letters to the Greek Government, if +they could find any such authority, expressing his readiness to serve them +when they had satisfied him how he could do so. + +Gamba takes a calmer view of Byron's hesitation. He says that Byron well +knew that prudence had never been in the catalogue of his virtues; that he +knew the necessity of such a virtue in his present situation, and was +determined to attain it. He carefully avoided every appearance of +ostentation, and dreaded being suspected of being a mere hunter after +adventures. + + 'By perseverance and discernment,' says Gamba, 'Byron hoped to assist + in the liberation of Greece. To know and to be known was consequently, + from the outset, his principal object.' + +How far he succeeded we shall see later. From the time of Byron's arrival +at Argostoli until September 6 he lived on board the _Hercules_. Colonel +Napier had frequently begged him to take up his quarters with him, but +Byron declined the hospitality; mainly because he feared that he might +thereby embroil the British authorities on the island with their own +Government, whose dispositions were yet unknown. Early in September Byron +removed with Gamba to a village named Metaxata, in a healthy situation and +amidst magnificent scenery. A month later letters arrived from Edward +Trelawny, saying that things were not so bad as had been reported. It was +evident that great apathy and total disorganization prevailed among those +who had got the upper hand, but that the mass of the people--well disposed +towards the revolution--was beginning to take an interest in the war. A +general determination of never again submitting to the Turkish yoke had +taken deep root. The existing Greek Government sent pressing letters to +Byron inviting him to set out immediately, but Byron still thought it +wiser not to move; for the reasons which had governed his conduct hitherto +still prevailed. He was determined neither to waste his services nor his +money on furthering the greed of some particular chieftain, or at best of +some faction. Letters arrived from the Greek Committee in London, +informing Byron that arrangements had been made for the floating of a +Greek loan. Meanwhile Mavrocordato wrote to Byron from Hydra, whither he +had fled, inviting him to that island. Lord Byron replied that so long as +the dissensions between the factions continued he would remain a mere +spectator, as he was resolved not to be mixed up in quarrels whose effects +were so disastrous to the cause. He at the same time begged Mavrocordato +to expedite the departure of the fleet, and to send the Greek deputies to +London. The Turkish fleet meanwhile had sailed for the Dardanelles, +leaving a squadron of fourteen vessels for the blockade of Missolonghi, +and for the protection of a fortress in the gulf, which was still in the +hands of the Turks. + +The gallant Marco Botzari had been killed in action, and Missolonghi was +in a state of siege. Its Governor wrote and implored Byron to come there; +but as the place was in no danger, either from famine or from assault, he +declined the proposal. + +In the middle of November, 1823, Mr. Hamilton Browne and the deputies +arrived at Cephalonia. They brought letters from the Greek Government +asking Byron to advance £6,000 (30,000 dollars) for the payment of the +Greek fleet. An assurance was offered by the legislative body that, upon +payment of this money, a Greek squadron would immediately put to sea. +Byron consented to advance £4,000, and gave the deputies letters for +London. In allusion to the loan about to be raised in England, he thus +addressed them: + + 'Everyone believes that a loan will be the salvation of Greece, both + as to its internal disunion and external enemies. But I shall refrain + from insisting much on this point, for fear that I should be suspected + of interested views, and of wishing to repay myself the loan of money + which I have advanced to your Government.' + +On December 17, 1823, while Byron was at Metaxata, awaiting definite +information as to the progress of events, he resumed his journal, which +had been abruptly discontinued in consequence of news having reached him +that his daughter was ill. + + 'I know not,' he wrote, 'why I resume it even now, except that, + standing at the window of my apartment in this beautiful village, the + calm though cool serenity of a beautiful and transparent moonlight, + showing the islands, the mountains, the sea, with a distant outline of + the Morea traced between the double azure of the waves and skies, has + quieted me enough to be able to write, which (however difficult it may + seem for one who has written so much publicly to refrain) is, and + always has been, to me a task, and a painful one. I could summon + testimonies were it necessary; but my handwriting is sufficient. It is + that of one who thinks much, rapidly, perhaps deeply, but rarely with + pleasure.' + +The Greeks were still quarrelling among themselves, and Byron almost +despaired of being able to unite the factions in one common interest. +Mavrocordato and the squadron from Hydra, for whose coming Byron had +bargained when he advanced £4,000, had at length arrived after the +inglorious capture of a small Turkish vessel with 50,000 dollars on board. +This prize having been captured within the bounds of neutrality, on the +coast of Ithaca, Byron naturally foresaw that it would bring the Greeks +into trouble with the British authorities. Meanwhile, news from London +confirmed the accounts of an increasing interest in the Greek cause, and +gave good promise of a successful floating of the loan. + +In the middle of November Colonel Leicester Stanhope arrived at +Cephalonia. He had been deputed by the London Committee to act with Lord +Byron. News also came from Greece that the Pasha of Scutari had abandoned +Anatolico, and that the Turkish army had been put to flight. But the Greek +factions, whose jealous dissensions promised to wreck the cause of Greek +independence, had come to blows in the Morea. + +As Byron had been recognized as a representative of the English and German +Committees interested in the Greek cause, he was advised to write a public +remonstrance to the general Government of Greece, pointing out that their +dissensions would be fatal to the cause which it was presumed they all had +at heart. Byron disliked to take so prominent a step, but he was +eventually persuaded that such a letter might do a great deal of good. +Gamba cites the following extract from Byron's appeal to the executive and +legislative bodies of the Greek nation: + + 'CEPHALONIA, + '_November 30, 1823_. + + 'The affair of the loan, the expectation so long and vainly indulged + of the arrival of the Greek fleet, and the danger to which Missolonghi + is still exposed, have detained me here, and will still detain me till + some of them are removed. But when the money shall be advanced for the + fleet, I will start for the Morea, not knowing, however, of what use + my presence can be in the present state of things. We have heard some + rumours of new dissensions--nay, of the existence of a civil war. With + all my heart, I pray that these reports may be false or exaggerated, + for I can imagine no calamity more serious than this; and I must + frankly confess, that unless union and order are established, all + hopes of a loan will be vain. All the assistance which the Greeks + could expect from abroad--an assistance neither trifling nor + worthless--will be suspended or destroyed. And, what is worse, the + Great Powers of Europe, of whom no one is an enemy to Greece, but + seems to favour her establishment of an independent power, will be + persuaded that the Greeks are unable to govern themselves, and will, + perhaps, themselves undertake to settle your disorders in such a way + as to blast the hopes of yourselves and of your friends. + + 'And allow me to add once for all--I desire the well-being of Greece, + and nothing else, I will do all I can to secure it. But I cannot + consent, I never will consent, that the English public or English + individuals should be deceived as to the real state of Greek affairs. + The rest, gentlemen, depends on you. You have fought gloriously; act + honourably towards your fellow-citizens and towards the world. Then it + will no more be said, as it has been said for two thousand years, with + the Roman historian, that Philopoemen was the last of the Grecians. + Let not calumny itself (and it is difficult, I own, to guard against + it in so arduous a struggle) compare the patriot Greek, when resting + from his labours, to the Turkish Pacha, whom his victories have + exterminated. + + 'I pray you to accept these my sentiments as a sincere proof of my + attachment to your real interests; and to believe that I am, and + always shall be, + + 'Your, etc., + 'NOEL BYRON.' + +Byron at the same time wrote to Prince Mavrocordato, and sent the letter +by Colonel Leicester Stanhope. He tells the Prince that he is very uneasy +at the news about the dissensions among the Greek chieftains, and warns +him that Greece must prepare herself for three alternatives. She must +either reconquer her liberty by united action, or become a Dependence of +the Sovereigns of Europe; or, failing in either direction, she would +revert to her position as a mere province of Turkey. There was no other +choice open to her. Civil war was nothing short of ruin. + + 'If Greece desires the fate of Walachia and the Crimea,' says Byron, + 'she may obtain it to-morrow; if that of Italy, the day after; but if + she wishes to become truly Greece, free and independent, she must + resolve to-day, or she will never again have the opportunity.' + +Byron, in his journal dated December 17, 1823, says: + + 'The Turks have retired from before Missolonghi--nobody knows + why--since they left provisions and ammunition behind them in + quantities, and the garrison made no sallies, or none to any purpose. + They never invested Missolonghi this year, but bombarded Anatoliko, + near the Achelous.' + +Finlay, in his 'History of Greece,' states that the Turks made no effort +to capture the place, and after a harmless bombardment the siege was +raised, and the Turkish forces retired into Epirus. + +The following extract from a letter, which Byron wrote to his sister[13] +conveys an unimpeachable record of his feelings and motives in coming to +Greece: + + 'You ask me why I came up amongst the Greeks. It was stated to me that + my doing so might tend to their advantage in some measure, in their + present struggle for independence, both as an individual and as a + member for the Committee now in England. How far this may be realized + I cannot pretend to anticipate, but I am willing to do what I can. + They have at length found leisure to quarrel amongst themselves, after + repelling their other enemies, and it is no very easy part that I may + have to play to avoid appearing partial to one or other of their + factions.... I have written to their Government at Tripolizza and + Salamis, and am waiting for instructions _where_ to proceed, for + things are in such a state amongst them, that it is difficult to + conjecture where one could be useful to them, if at all. However, I + have some hopes that they will see their own interest sufficiently not + to quarrel till they have received their national independence, and + then they can fight it out among them in a domestic manner--and + welcome. You may suppose that I have something to _think_ of at least, + for you can have no idea what an intriguing, cunning, unquiet + generation they are; and as emissaries of all parties come to me at + present, and I must act impartially, it makes me exclaim, as Julian + did at his military exercises, "Oh! Plato, what a task for a + Philosopher!'" + + + + +CHAPTER VII + + +It was during the time that Byron was in the neighbourhood of Cephalonia +that Dr. Kennedy, a Scottish medical man, methodistically inclined, +undertook the so-called 'conversion' of the poet. Gamba tells us that +their disputes on religious matters sometimes lasted five or six hours. +'The Bible was so familiar to Byron that he frequently corrected the +citations of the theological doctor.' + +Byron, in the letter from which we have quoted, says: + + 'There is a clever but eccentric man here, a Dr. Kennedy, who is very + pious and tries in good earnest to make converts; but his Christianity + is a queer one, for he says that the priesthood of the Church of + England are no more Christians than "Mahound or Termagant" are.... I + like what I have seen of him. He says that the dozen shocks of an + earthquake we had the other day are a sign of his doctrine, or a + judgment on his audience, but this opinion has not acquired + proselytes.' + +As disputants, Byron and Kennedy stood far as the poles asunder. The +former, while believing firmly in the existence and supreme attributes of +God, doubted, but never denied, manifestations that could not be tested or +demonstrated by positive proof. The latter, through blind unquestioning +faith, believed in everything which an inspired Bible had revealed to +mankind. Thus both were believers up to a certain point, and both were +equally well-meaning and sincere. The intensity of their faith had its +limitations. They did not agree, and never could have agreed, in their +views of religion. They moved on parallel lines that might have been +extended indefinitely, but could never meet. Kennedy discouraged the +unlimited use of reason, and preferred an absolute reliance on the +traditional teaching of his Church. To Byron the exercise of reason was an +absolute necessity. He would not admit that God had given us minds, and +had denied us the right to use them intelligently; or that the Almighty +desired us to sacrifice reason to faith. 'It is useless,' said Byron, 'to +tell me that I am to believe, and not to reason; you might as well say to +a man: "Wake not, but sleep."' While Byron profoundly disbelieved in +eternal punishments, Kennedy would have mankind kept straight by fear of +them. Kennedy, though versed in the Bible, was, as events proved, hardly a +match for Byron. + +Hodgson, an old friend of Byron's, has left a record that a Bible +presented to him 'by that better angel of his life,' his beloved sister, +was among the books which Byron always kept near him. The following lines, +taken from Scott, were inserted by Byron on the fly-leaf: + + 'Within this awful volume lies + The Mystery of Mysteries. + Oh! happiest they of human race + To whom our God has given grace + To hear, to read, to fear, to pray, + To lift the latch, and force the way; + But better had he ne'er been born + Who reads to doubt, or reads to scorn!'[14] + +During the discussions which took place, Kennedy was forced to admit that +Byron was well versed in the Bible; but he maintained that prayer was +necessary in order to understand its message. Byron said that, in his +opinion, prayer does not consist in the act of kneeling, or of repeating +certain words in a solemn manner, as devotion is the affection of the +heart. + +'When I look at the marvels of the creation,' said he, 'I bow before the +Majesty of Heaven; and when I experience the delights of life, health, and +happiness, then my heart dilates in gratitude towards God for all His +blessings.' + +Kennedy maintained that this was not sufficient; it must be an earnest +supplication for grace and humility. In Kennedy's opinion Byron had not +sufficient humility to understand the truths of the Gospel. At this time, +certainly, Byron was not prepared to believe implicitly in the Divinity of +Christ. He lacked the necessary faith to do so, but he did not reject the +doctrine. + +'I have not the slightest desire,' he said, 'to reject a doctrine without +having investigated it. Quite the contrary; I wish to believe, because I +feel extremely unhappy in a state of uncertainty as to what I am to +believe.' + +He wanted proofs--as so many others have before and since--and without it +conviction was impossible. + + 'Byron,' said Countess Guiccioli, 'would never have contested + absolutely the truth of any mystery, but have merely stated that, so + long as the testimony of its truth was hidden in obscurity, such a + mystery must be liable to be questioned.' + +Byron had been brought up by his mother in very strict religious +principles, and in his youth had read many theological works. He told Dr. +Kennedy that he was in no sense an unbeliever who denied the Scriptures, +or was content to grope in atheism, but, on the contrary, that it was his +earnest wish to increase his belief, as half-convictions made him +wretched. He declared that, with the best will in the world, he could not +understand the Scriptures. Kennedy, on the other hand, took the Bible to +be the salvation of mankind, and was strong in his condemnation of the +Catholic Church. He objected to the Roman Communion as strongly as he +repudiated and despised Deism and Socinianism. + +Byron had at this time a decided leaning towards the Roman Communion, and, +while deploring hypocrisies and superstitions, deeply respected those who +believed conscientiously, whatever that belief might be. He loathed +hypocrites of all kinds, and especially hypocrites in religion. + +'I do not reject the doctrines of Christianity,' he said; 'I only ask a +few more proofs to profess them sincerely. I do not believe myself to be +the vile Christian which so many assert that I am.' + +Kennedy advised Byron to put aside all difficult subjects--such as the +origin of sin, the fall of man, the nature of the Trinity, the doctrine of +predestination, and kindred mysteries--and to study Christianity by the +light of the Bible alone, which contains the only means of salvation. We +give Byron's answer in full on Dr. Kennedy's authority: + + 'You recommend what is very difficult; for how is it possible for one + who is acquainted with ecclesiastical history, as well as with the + writings of the most renowned theologians, with all the difficult + questions which have agitated the minds of the most learned, and who + sees the divisions and sects which abound in Christianity, and the + bitter language which is often used by the one against the other; how + is it possible, I ask, for such a one not to inquire into the nature + of the doctrines which have given rise to so much discussion? One + Council has pronounced against another; Popes have belied their + predecessors, books have been written against other books, and sects + have risen to replace other sects. The Pope has opposed the + Protestants, and the Protestants the Pope. We have heard of Arianism, + Socinianism, Methodism, Quakerism, and numberless other sects. Why + have these existed? It is a puzzle for the brain; and does it not, + after all, seem safer to say: "Let us be neutral: let those fight who + will, and when they have settled which is the best religion, then + shall we also begin to study it." I like your way of thinking, in many + respects; you make short work of decrees and Councils, you reject all + which is not in harmony with the Scriptures. You do not admit of + theological works filled with Latin and Greek, of both High and Low + Church; you would even suppress many abuses which have crept into the + Church, and you are right; but I question whether the Archbishop of + Canterbury or the Scotch Presbyterians would consider you their ally.' + +Kennedy, in reply, alluded to the differences which existed in religious +opinions, and expressed regret at this, but pleaded indulgence for those +sects which do not attack the fundamental doctrines of Christianity. He +strongly condemned Arianism, Socinianism, and Swedenborgianism, which were +anathema to him. + +'You seem to hate the Socinians greatly,' said Byron, 'but is this +charitable? Why exclude a Socinian, who believes honestly, from any hope +of salvation? Does he not also found his belief upon the Bible? It is a +religion which gains ground daily. Lady Byron is much in favour with its +followers. We were wont to discuss religious matters together, and many of +our misunderstandings have arisen from that. Yet, on the whole, I think +her religion and mine were much alike.' + +Whether Byron was justified in this opinion or not may be seen from a +letter which Lady Byron wrote to Mr. Crabb Robinson[15] in reference to +Dr. Kennedy's book: + + 'Strange as it may seem, Dr. Kennedy is most faithful where you doubt + his being so. Not merely from casual expressions, but from the whole + tenor of Lord Byron's feelings, I could not but conclude he was a + believer in the inspiration of the Bible, and had the gloomiest + Calvinistic tenets. To that unhappy view of the relation of the + creature to the Creator, I have always ascribed the misery of his + life.... It is enough for me to remember, that he who thinks his + transgressions beyond _forgiveness_ (and such was his own deepest + feeling) _has_ righteousness beyond that of the self-satisfied sinner; + or, perhaps, of the half awakened. It was impossible for me to doubt, + that, could he have been at once assured of pardon, his living faith + in a moral duty and love of virtue ("I love the virtues which I cannot + claim") would have conquered every temptation. Judge, then, how I must + hate the Creed which made him see God as an Avenger, not a Father. My + own impressions were just the reverse, but could have little weight, + and it was in vain to seek to turn his thoughts for long from that + _idée fixe_, with which he connected his physical peculiarity as a + stamp. Instead of being made happier by any apparent good, he felt + convinced that every blessing would be "turned into a curse" for him. + Who, possessed of such ideas, could lead a life of love and service to + God or man? They must in a measure realize themselves. "The worst of + it is I _do_ believe," he said. I, like all connected with him, was + broken against the rock of Predestination.' + +Lady Byron writes from her own personal experience of a time when tender +affection or sympathy formed no part of Byron's nature; of a time when he +had no regard for the interests or the happiness of others; when he lived +according to his own humours, and when his will was his law. Byron's +earlier poetry amply supports Lady Byron's view of so miserable a state of +mind. But there is reason to hope--nay, we might say to believe--that, in +the last years of his life, Byron began to realize that a merciful God +would be wholly incapable of such manifest injustice as to condemn His +creatures to suffer for crimes which they were powerless to resist and +predestined to commit. He believed in God and in the immortality of the +soul, and has publicly declared that all punishment which is to revenge, +rather than to correct, must be morally wrong. 'Human passions,' wrote +Byron, 'have probably disfigured the Divine doctrines here: but the whole +thing is inscrutable.' + +Countess Guiccioli tells us that, whatever may have been Byron's opinions +with regard to certain points of religious doctrine, sects, and modes of +worship, in essential matters his mind never seriously doubted. Matthews +in his Cambridge days, and Shelley towards the close of life, moved him +not at all. Between the commencement of Byron's career and its close, his +mind passed successively through different phases before arriving at the +last result. Leicester Stanhope, who was at Missolonghi with Byron, and +who knew him well latterly, says: + + 'Most persons assume a virtuous character. Lord Byron's ambition, on + the contrary, was to make the world imagine that he was a sort of + Satan, though occasionally influenced by lofty sentiments to the + performance of great actions. Fortunately for his fame, he possessed + another quality, by which he stood completely unmasked. He was the + most ingenuous of men, and his nature, in the main good, always + triumphed over his acting.' + +Parry, who stood at Byron's bedside when he died at Missolonghi, tells us +that Byron died fearless and resigned. Could there be a better proof than +these words, spoken by Byron a few hours before he passed away?-- + + 'Eternity and space are before me; but on this subject, thank God, I + am happy and at ease. The thought of living eternally, of again + reviving, is a great pleasure. Christianity is the purest and most + liberal religion in the world; but the numerous teachers who are + eternally worrying mankind with their denunciations and their + doctrines are the greatest enemies of religion. I have read, with more + attention than half of them, the Book of Christianity, and I admire + the liberal and truly charitable principles which Christ has laid + down. There are questions connected with this subject which none but + Almighty God can solve. Time and Space, who can conceive? None but + God: on Him I rely.' + +During the time that Byron lived at Metaxata, in Cephalonia, he seldom saw +anyone in the evening except Dr. Stravolemo, one of the most estimable men +in the island, who lived in that village. He had been first physician to +Ali Pacha. He was an entertaining man, and afforded Byron much amusement +by disputing with Dr. Bruno on medical questions. + + 'Lord Byron,' says Gamba, 'had generally three or four books lying + before him, of which he read first one, then the other, and used to + contrive to foment those friendly contentions, which, however, never + exceeded the proper bounds. Lord Byron's favourite reading consisted + of Greek history, of memoirs, and of romances. Never a day passed + without his reading some pages of Scott's novels. His admiration of + Walter Scott, both as a writer and as a companion, was unbounded. + Speaking of him to his English friends, he used to say: "You should + know Scott; you would like him so much; he is the most delightful man + in a room; no affectation, no nonsense; and, what I like above all + things, nothing of the author about him."' + +One evening Colonel Napier, the British Resident, arrived at Byron's house +at a gallop, and asked for Drs. Bruno and Stravolemo. He said that a party +of peasants who were road-making had, in excavating a high bank, fallen +under a landslide and were in danger of their lives. There were at least a +dozen persons entombed. Colonel Napier happened to be passing at the +moment when the catastrophe occurred; help was urgently needed. Byron sent +Dr. Bruno to their assistance, while he and Gamba followed as soon as +their horses could be saddled. + + 'When we came to the place,' says Gamba, 'we saw a lamentable + spectacle indeed. A crowd of women and children were assembled round + the ruins, and filled the air with their cries. Three or four of the + peasants who had been extricated were carried before us half dead to + the neighbouring cottages; and we found Mr. Hill, a friend of Lord + Byron, and the superintendent of the works, in a state of the utmost + consternation. Although an immense crowd continued flocking to the + place, and it was thought that there were still some other workmen + under the fallen mass of earth, no one would make any further efforts. + The Greeks stood looking on without moving, as if totally indifferent + to the catastrophe, and despaired of doing any good. This enraged Lord + Byron; he seized a spade, and began to work as hard as he could; but + it was not until the peasants had been threatened with the horsewhip + that they followed his example. Some shoes and hats were found, but no + human beings. Lord Byron never could be an idle spectator of any + calamity. He was peculiarly alive to the distress of others, and was + perhaps a little too easily imposed upon by every tale of woe, however + clumsily contrived. The slightest appearance of injustice or cruelty, + not only to his own species, but to animals, roused his indignation + and compelled his interference, and personal consequences never for + one moment entered into his calculations.' + +In the month of December the Greek squadron anchored off Missolonghi, +where Prince Mavrocordato was received with enthusiasm. He was given full +powers to organize Western Greece. The Turkish squadron was at this time +shut up in the Gulf of Lepanto. + +Byron sent to inform Mavrocordato that the loan which he had promised to +the Government was ready, and that he was prepared either to go on board +some vessel belonging to the Greek fleet, or to come to Missolonghi and +confer with him. Mavrocordato and Colonel Leicester Stanhope wrote to beg +Byron to come as soon as possible to Missolonghi, where his presence would +be of great service to the cause. In the first place money to pay the +fleet was much wanted; the sailors were on the verge of mutiny. +Mavrocordato was in a state of anxiety, the Greek Admiral looked gloomy, +and the sailors grumbled aloud. + + 'It is right and necessary to tell you,' wrote Stanhope, 'that a great + deal is expected of you, both in the way of counsel and money. If the + money does not arrive soon, I expect that the remaining five ships + (the others are off) will soon make sail for Spezia. All are eager to + see you. They calculate on your aiding them with resources for their + expedition against Lepanto, and hope that you will take about 1,500 + Suliotes into your pay for two or three months. Missolonghi is + swarming with soldiers, and the Government has neither quarters nor + provisions for them. I walked along the street this evening, and the + people asked me after Lord Byron. Your further delay in coming will be + attended with serious consequences.' + +Byron at the same time received a letter from the Legislative Council, +begging him to co-operate with Mavrocordato in the organization of +Western Greece. It was now December 26, 1823. Byron chartered a vessel for +part of the baggage; a mistico, or light fast-sailing vessel, for himself +and his suite; and a larger vessel for the horses, baggage, and munitions +of war. The weather was unfavourable and squally, the vessels could not +get under-weigh, and the whole party were detained for two days, during +which time Byron lodged with his banker, Mr. Charles Hancock, and passed +the greater part of the day in the society of the British authorities of +the island. + +We are able, through the courtesy of General Skey Muir, the son of Byron's +friend at Cephalonia, to give extracts from a letter which Mr. Charles +Hancock wrote to Dr. Muir on June 1, 1824. During Byron's residence at +Metaxata, Dr. Muir was the principal medical officer at Cephalonia, and it +was in his house that some of the conversations on religion between Dr. +Kennedy and Byron were held. Mr. Charles Hancock writes: + + 'The day before Byron left the island I happened to receive a copy of + "Quentin Durward," which I put into his hands, knowing that he had not + seen it, and that he wished to obtain the perusal of it. Lord Byron + was very fond of Scott's novels--you will have observed they were + always scattered about his rooms at Metaxata. He immediately shut + himself in his room, and, in his eagerness to indulge in it, refused + to dine with the officers of the 8th Regiment at their mess, or even + to join us at table, but merely came out once or twice to say how much + he was entertained, returning to his chamber with a plate of figs in + his hand. He was exceedingly delighted with "Quentin Durward"--said it + was excellent, especially the first volume and part of the second, but + that it fell off towards the conclusion, like all the more recent of + these novels: it might be, he added, owing to the extreme rapidity + with which they were written--admirably conceived, and as well + executed at the outset, but hastily finished off.... + + 'I will close these remarks with the mention of the period when we + took our final leave of him. It was on the 29th December last that, + after a slight repast, you and I accompanied him in a boat, gay and + animated at finding himself embarked once more on the element he + loved; and we put him on board the little vessel that conveyed him to + Zante and Missolonghi. He mentioned the poetic feeling with which the + sea always inspired him, rallied you on your grave and thoughtful + looks, me on my bad steering; quizzed Dr. Bruno, but added in English + (which the doctor did not understand), "He is the most sincere Italian + I ever met with"; and laughed at Fletcher, who was getting well ducked + by the spray that broke over the bows of the boat. The vessel was + lying sheltered from the wind in the little creek that is surmounted + by the Convent of San Constantino, but it was not till she had stood + out and caught the breeze that we parted from him, to see him no + more.' + +The wind becoming fair, on December 28, at 3 p.m., the vessels got under +way, Byron in the mistico, Pietro Gamba in the larger vessel. On the +morning of the 29th they were at Zante, and spent the day in transacting +business with Mr. Barff and shipping a considerable sum of money. Byron +declined the Commandant's invitation to his residence, as his time was +fully occupied with the business in hand. At about six in the evening they +sailed for Missolonghi, without the slightest suspicion that the Turkish +fleet was on the lookout for prizes. They knew that the Greek fleet was +lying before Missolonghi, and they expected to sight a convoy sent out to +meet them. Gamba says: + + 'We sailed together till after ten at night, with a fair wind and a + clear sky; the air was fresh but not sharp. Our sailors sang patriotic + songs, monotonous indeed, but to persons in our situation extremely + touching. We were all, Lord Byron particularly, in excellent spirits. + His vessel sailed the fastest. Then the waves parted us, and our + voices could no longer reach each other. We made signals by firing + pistols and carabines, and shouted, "To morrow we meet at + Missolonghi--to morrow!" + + 'Thus, full of confidence and spirit, we sailed along. At midnight we + were out of sight.' + +At 6.30 a.m. the vessel which bore Gamba along gaily approached the rocks +which border the shallows of Missolonghi. They saw a large vessel bearing +down upon them, which they at first took for one of the Greek fleet; in +appearance it seemed superior to a Turkish man-of-war. But as Gamba's +vessel hoisted the Ionian flag, to their dismay the stranger hoisted the +Ottoman ensign. The Turkish commander ordered Gamba's captain to come on +board, and the poor fellow gave himself up for lost. They could think of +no excuse which would have any weight with their captors, and were in some +trepidation as to Byron's fate, he having money, arms, and some Greeks, +with him. + +Writing from Missolonghi on January 5, 1824, Colonel Stanhope says: + + 'Count Gamba has just arrived here, with all the articles belonging to + the Committee. He was taken early in the morning by a Turkish ship. + The captain thereof ordered the master on board. The moment he came on + deck, the captain drew his dazzling sabre and placed himself in an + attitude as if to cut his head off, and at the same time asked him + where he was bound. The frightened Greek said, to Missolonghi. They + gazed at each other, and all at once the Turk recognized in his + prisoner one who, on a former occasion, had saved his life. They + embraced. Next came Count Gamba's turn. He declared--swore that he was + bound to Calamata, and that the master had told a lie through fear, + and that his bill of lading would bear him out. They were both taken + to the castle of the Morea, were well treated, and after three days + released.' + +On January 5, 1824, Byron arrived at Missolonghi. He was received with +military honours and popular applause. + + 'He landed,' says Gamba, 'in a Speziot boat, dressed in a red uniform. + He was in excellent health, and appeared moved by the scene. I met him + as he disembarked, and in a few minutes we entered the house prepared + for him--the same in which Colonel Stanhope resided. The Colonel and + Prince Mavrocordato, with a long suite of Greek and European officers, + received him at the door. I cannot describe the emotions which such a + scene excited. Crowds of soldiery and citizens of every rank, sex, and + age, were assembled to testify their delight. Hope and content were + pictured on every countenance.' + +Byron seems to have escaped from perils quite as great, though differing +in nature, from those through which Gamba had passed. His vessel passed +close to the Turkish frigate, but under favour of the night, and by +preserving complete silence, the master ran her close under the rocks of +the Scrofes, whither the Turk dared not follow her. Byron saw Gamba's +vessel taken and conducted to Patras. Byron, thinking it wiser not to make +straight for Missolonghi steered for Petala; but finding that port open +and unsafe, his vessel was taken to Dragomestri, a small town on the coast +of Acarnania. On his arrival there, Byron was visited by the Primates and +officers of the place, who offered him their good offices. From this place +Byron sent messengers both to Zante and Missolonghi. On receipt of Byron's +letter, Mavrocordato sent five gunboats and a brig-of-war to escort him to +Missolonghi. On January 4, the flotilla was caught in a violent storm, +which threw Byron's vessel in dangerous proximity to the rocks on that +inhospitable coast. The sailors at first behaved remarkably well, and got +the vessel off the rocks; but a second squall burst upon them with great +violence, and drove the Mistico into dangerous waters, causing the sailors +to lose all hope of saving her. They abandoned the vessel to her fate, and +thought only of their own safety. But Byron persuaded them to remain; and +by his firmness, and no small share of nautical skill, not only got the +crew out of danger, but also saved the vessel, several lives, and 25,000 +dollars, the greater part of which was in hard cash. Byron does not seem +to have pulled off his clothes since leaving Cephalonia. + +It was an adventurous voyage--appropriately so--for it was his last +journey in this world. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + + +At the beginning of the war, Missolonghi consisted of about 800 scattered +houses, built close to the seaside on a muddy and most unhealthy site, +scarcely above the level of the waters, 'which a few centuries ago must +have covered the spot, as may be judged from the nature of the soil, +consisting of decomposed seaweed and dried mud.' The population was +exceedingly poor, and amounted to nearly 3,000 souls. The town had a most +uninviting appearance; the streets were narrow and badly paved. But, says +Millingen, what most revolted a stranger was the practice of having the +buildings so constructed that the most loathsome substances were emptied +into the streets. The inhabitants were so accustomed to this abominable +state of things that they ridiculed the complaints of strangers, and even +swore at people who ventured to suggest reform. Missolonghi must indeed +have been a wretched place even for a strong man in his full powers and +vitality--for Byron it was nothing short of Death! Trelawny tells us that +this place is situated on the verge of a dismal swamp. The marvel to him +was that Byron, who was always liable to fevers, should have consented to +live three months on this mud-bank, shut in by a circle of stagnant pools +'which might be called the belt of death.' When Trelawny arrived in the +early spring, he found most of the strangers suffering from gastric +fevers. He waded through the streets, 'between wind and water,' to the +house where Byron had lived--a detached building on the margin of the +shallow, slimy sea-waters. + +Such, then, was the residence which was destined to be the last home of +the author of 'Childe Harold!' + +Byron had scarcely reached the modest apartment which had been assigned to +him, when he was greeted by the tumultuous visits of the Primates and +chiefs. All the chieftains of Western Greece--that is to say, the +mountainous districts occupied by the Greeks--were now collected at +Missolonghi in a general assembly, together with many of the Primates of +the same districts. Mavrocordato, at that time Governor-General of the +province, was President of the Assembly, with a bodyguard of 5,000 armed +men. The first object of this assembly, says Gamba, was to organize the +military forces, the assignment of the soldiers' pay, and the +establishment of the national constitution and some regular form of +government for Western Greece. The chieftains were not all of them well +disposed towards Mavrocordato; the soldiers were badly paid--in fact, +hardly paid at all; and so great was the fear of disturbances, quarrels, +and even of a civil war, that without the influence of Prince +Mavrocordato, and the presence of Byron with his money, there could have +been no harmony. + +After the departure of the Turks, who had blockaded Missolonghi, there was +a general feeling of security, and no one expected them to return before +the spring. The Peloponnesus, with exception of the castles of the Morea +and of Patras, of Modon and of Covon, was in the hands of the Greeks. The +northern shore of the Gulf of Lepanto, with the exception of the two +castles, were also in Greek hands. They swayed Boeotia and Attica, +together with the whole isthmus of Corinth. + +Such was the state of affairs when Byron arrived on that dismal swamp. The +position in which he found himself required much skill and tact; for the +dissension among the various leaders in other parts of Greece was in its +bitterest phase, and public opinion everywhere was dead against the +executive body. It would have been fatal to the prestige of Byron if, in a +moment of impetuosity, he had cast in his lot with some particular +faction. It was his fixed intention, as it was clearly his best policy, to +reconcile differences, and to bring the contending factions closer +together. His influence amongst all parties was daily increasing, and +everyone believed that Byron would eventually be able to bring discordant +voices into harmony, and pave the way for the formation of a strong, +patriotic Government. He faced the situation bravely, and closed his ears +to the unworthy squabbles of ambitious cliques. He made arrangements, with +the best assistance at hand, to turn the expected loan from England to the +best account, in order to insure the freedom and independence of Greece. + +The first day of his arrival at Missolonghi was signalized by an act of +grace. A Turk, who had fallen into the hands of some Greek sailors, was +released by Byron's orders, and, having been clothed and fed at his own +expense, was given quarters at Byron's house until an opportunity occurred +of sending him in freedom to Patras. About a fortnight later, hearing +that four Turkish prisoners were at Missolonghi in a state of destitution, +Byron caused them to be set at liberty, and sent them to Usouff Pacha at +Patras, with a letter which, though it has been often printed, deserves a +place in this narrative: + + 'HIGHNESS! + + 'A vessel, in which a friend and some domestics of mine were embarked, + was detained a few days ago, and released by order of your Highness. I + have now to thank you, not for liberating the vessel, which as + carrying a neutral flag, and being under British protection, no one + had a right to detain, but for having treated my friends with so much + kindness while they were in your hands. + + 'In the hope that it may not be altogether displeasing to your + Highness, I have requested the Governor of this place to release four + Turkish prisoners, and he has humanely consented to do so. I lose no + time, therefore, in sending them back, in order to make as early a + return as I could, for your courtesy on the late occasion. These + prisoners are liberated without any conditions; but should the + circumstance find a place in your recollection, I venture to beg that + your Highness will treat such Greeks as may henceforth fall into your + hands, with humanity; more especially as the horrors of war are + sufficiently great in themselves, without being aggravated by wanton + cruelties on either side. + + 'NOEL BYRON. + + 'MISSOLONGHI, + '_January 23, 1824_.' + +This letter was the keynote of Byron's policy during the remainder of his +life. The horrors of war were sufficient in themselves without that +unnecessary cruelty so often exhibited by Eastern nations in their +treatment of prisoners of war. + +The following account of an incident connected with Byron's clemency to a +prisoner pictures the state of things at Missolonghi. + + 'This evening,' says Gamba, 'whilst Mavrocordato was with Lord Byron, + two sailors belonging to the privateer which had taken the Turk came + into the room, demanding in an insolent tone that their prisoner + should be delivered up to them. Lord Byron refused; their importunity + became more violent, and they refused to leave the room without their + Turk (such was their expression) on which Lord Byron, presenting a + pistol at the intruders, threatened to proceed to extremities unless + they instantly retired. The sailors withdrew, but Byron complained to + Mavrocordato of his want of authority, and said to him: "If your + Government cannot protect me in my own house, I will find means to + protect myself." From that time Lord Byron retained a Suliote guard in + his house.' + +During the winter preparations were being made for an expedition against +Lepanto, a fortress which, if captured by the Greeks, would facilitate the +siege of Patras. Its fortifications were constructed on the slope of a +hill, forming a triangle, the base of which was close to the sea. Its +walls were of Venetian construction, but without ditches. As portions of +its walls were commanded by a neighbouring hill, its siege would have +proved a very arduous undertaking even with regular troops; but with raw +Greek levies its reduction, except by famine, would have been almost +impossible. On January 14, 1824, Colonel Stanhope writes to Mr. Bowring in +the following terms: 'Lord Byron has taken 500 Suliotes into pay. He burns +with military ardour and chivalry, and will proceed with the expedition to +Lepanto.' Circumstances were, however, against this expedition from the +very beginning. Great hopes had been entertained by Lord Byron and by +Colonel Stanhope that the Suliotes would conform to discipline, and that +Mr. Parry, who had been sent out by the Greek Committee with stores and +ammunition, would on his arrival organize the artillery, and manufacture +Congreve rockets--a projectile of which the Turks were said to be in great +awe. + +Parry arrived at Missolonghi early in February, on board the brig _Anna_, +which had been chartered by the London Greek Committee. He brought +cannons, ammunition, printing-presses, medicines, and all the apparatus +necessary for the establishment of a military laboratory. Several English +mechanics came with him, and some English, German, and Swedish gentlemen, +who wished to serve the Greek cause. + +Mr. (or, as he was afterwards called) Major, Parry was a peculiar person +in every way. He had at one time served as a shipwright, then as +Firemaster in the King's service, and won favour with Byron through his +buffoonery and plain speaking--two very useful qualifications in +environments of stress and duplicity. When Byron appointed him Major in +the Artillery Brigade, the best officers in the brigade tendered their +resignations, stating that, while they would be proud to serve under Lord +Byron, neither their honour nor the interests of the service would allow +them to serve under a man who had no practical experience of military +evolutions. The German officers also, who had previously served in the +Prussian army, appealed against Parry's appointment, and offered proofs of +his ignorance of artillery. But Byron would not listen to complaints, +which he attributed partly to jealousy and partly to German notions of +etiquette, which seemed to him to be wholly out of place in a country +where merit rather than former titles should regulate such appointments. + +In supporting Parry against these officers, Byron was in a measure +influenced by the recommendations of both the Greek Committee who sent him +out, and of Colonel Leicester Stanhope, who at that time considered Parry +to be an exceedingly capable officer. Perhaps, if Parry had not appeared +on parade in an apron, brandishing a hammer, and if he had not asserted +himself so extravagantly, he might possibly have passed muster. But tact +and modesty were not in Parry's line; and having boasted to the London +Committee that he was acquainted with almost every branch of military +mechanics, he bullied its members into a belief that his pretentions were +well founded. As a matter of fact, Parry proved to be unsuited for high +command, although it must be admitted that he worked indefatigably. He +made plans for the erection of a laboratory, and presided over the works. +He paved the yard of the Seraglio, repaired the batteries, instructed the +troops in musketry and gunnery; he gave lessons with the broadsword, +inspected the fortifications, and directed the operations of Cocchini, the +chief engineer. He repaired gun-carriages, and put his hand to anything +wanted, so that it appeared as if really nothing could be done without +him. In one thing only did Parry seem to fall short of general +expectation. He had boasted that he knew the composition of 'Congreve +rockets.' With this mighty instrument of mischief he prophesied that the +Greeks would be able to paralyze all the efforts of their enemy, both by +land and sea. The Turkish cavalry, the only arm against which the Greeks +were impotent, would be rendered useless, and the Turkish vessels, by the +same means, would be easily destroyed. + +Unfortunately, the manufacture of these rockets was impossible without the +assistance of the English mechanics whom he had brought with him, and +these men were unable to work without materials, which were not +obtainable. Thus the principal part of Parry's 'stock-in-trade'--his +rockets, incendiary kites, and improved Grecian fires--were not +forthcoming. + +For a long time the roads in the neighbourhood of Missolonghi were so +broken up by incessant rain that Byron could not ride or take any outdoor +exercise. This affected his health. His only means of getting a little +fresh air was by paddling through the murky waters in a sort of canoe. +During these expeditions, says Gamba, who always accompanied him, he spoke +often of his anxiety to begin the campaign. He had not much hope of +success, but felt that something must be done during these tedious months, +if only to employ the troops and keep them from creating disturbances in +the town. + + 'I am not come here in search of adventures,' said Byron, 'but to + assist the regeneration of a nation, whose very debasement makes it + more honourable to become their friend. Regular troops are certainly + necessary, but not in great numbers: regular troops alone would not + succeed in a country like Greece; and irregular troops alone are only + just better than nothing. Only let the loan be raised; and in the + meantime let us try to form a strong national Government, ready to + apply our pecuniary resources, when they arrive, to the organization + of troops, the establishment of internal civilization, and the + preparations for acting defensively now, and on the offensive next + winter. Nothing is so insupportable to me as all these minute details + and these repeated delays. But patience is indispensable, and that I + find the most difficult of all attainments.' + +It was Byron's custom to spend his evenings in Colonel Stanhope's room, +with his English comrades. Sometimes the Germans would join the party, +play on their flutes, and sing their national airs to the accompaniment +of a guitar. Byron was fond of music in general, and was especially +partial to German music, particularly to their national songs. + +Millingen tells us that in the evening all the English who had not, with +Colonel Stanhope, turned Odysseans assembled at Byron's house, and enjoyed +the charm of his conversation till late at night. Byron's character, says +Millingen, + + 'differed so much from what I had been induced to imagine from the + relations of travellers, that either their reports must have been + inaccurate, or his character must have totally changed after his + departure from Genoa. It would be difficult, indeed impossible, to + convey an idea of the pleasure his conversation afforded. Among his + works, that which may perhaps be more particularly regarded as + exhibiting the mirror of his conversation, and the spirit which + animated it, is "Don Juan." He was indeed too open, and too indiscreet + in respect to the reminiscences of his early days. Sometimes, when his + vein of humour flowed more copiously than usual, he would play tricks + on individuals. Fletcher's boundless credulity afforded him an + ever-ready fund of amusement, and he one evening planned a farce, + which was as well executed and as laughable as any ever exhibited on + the stage. Having observed how nervous Parry had been, a few days + before, during an earthquake, he felt desirous of renewing the + ludicrous sight which the fat, horror-struck figure of the Major had + exhibited on that occasion. He placed, therefore, fifty of his + Suliotes in the room above that where Parry slept, and towards + midnight ordered them to shake the house, so as to imitate that + phenomenon. He himself at the same time banged the doors, and rushed + downstairs, delighted to see the almost distracted Major imploring + tremblingly the mercy of heaven.' + +Lord Byron was very much taken with Parry, whose drolleries relieved the +tedium and constant vexations incidental to the situation at Missolonghi. +The Major appears to have been an excellent mimic, and possessed a fund of +quaint expressions that made up for the deficiency of real wit. Millingen +says that he could tell, in his coarse language, a good story, and could +play Falstaff's, or the part of a clown very naturally. He ranted Richard +III.'s or Hamlet's soliloquies in a mock-tragic manner like a player at +Bartholomew Fair, which made everyone laugh, and beguiled the length of +many a rainy evening. + +On January 21, 1824, Missolonghi was blockaded by the Turkish fleet. There +were neither guns nor even sailors fit to man the gunboats; the only +chance was to make a night attack upon the Turks in boats manned by the +European volunteers then residing at Missolonghi. Byron took the matter in +hand, and insisted on joining personally in the expedition. He was so +determined on this project that Mavrocordato and others, realizing the +folly of exposing so valuable a life on so desperate an enterprise, +dissuaded Byron from risking his valuable life in a business for which +there were already sufficient volunteers. As things turned out, it did not +much matter, for the Turkish fleet suddenly abandoned the blockade and +returned to the gulf. + +On January 22, while Colonel Stanhope and some friends were assembled, +Byron came from his bedroom and said, with a smile: 'You were complaining +the other day that I never write any poetry now: this is my birthday, and +I have just finished something, which, I think, is better than what I +usually write.' He then produced those affecting verses on his own +birthday which were afterwards found written in his journal, with the +following introduction: 'January 22: on this day I complete my +thirty-sixth year.' + + 'We perceived from these lines,' says Gamba, 'as well as from his + daily conversations, that his ambition and his hope were irrevocably + fixed upon the glorious objects of his expedition to Greece, and that + he had made up his mind to "return victorious, or return no more." + Indeed, he often said to me, "Others may do as they please--they may + go--but I stay here, _that is certain_."' + +This resolution was accompanied with the natural presentiment that he +should never leave Greece alive. He one day asked his faithful servant +Tita whether he thought of returning to Italy. 'Yes,' said Tita; 'if your +lordship goes, I go.' Lord Byron smiled, and said: 'No, Tita, I shall +never go back from Greece; either the Turks, or the Greeks, or the +climate, will prevent that.' + +Parry tells us that Byron's mind on this point was irrevocably fixed. + + 'My future intentions,' he said, 'may be explained in a few words. I + will remain here in Greece till she is secure against the Turks, or + till she has fallen under her power. All my income shall be spent in + her service; but, unless driven by some great necessity, I will not + touch a farthing of the sum intended for my sister's children. + Whatever I can accomplish with my income, and my personal exertions, + shall be cheerfully done. When Greece is secure against external + enemies, I will leave the Greeks to settle their government as they + like. One service more, and an eminent service it will be, I think I + may perform for them. You shall have a schooner built for me, or I + will buy a vessel; the Greeks shall invest me with the character of + their Ambassador or agent; I will go to the United States, and procure + that free and enlightened Government, to set the example of + recognizing the Federation of Greece, as an independent State. This + done, England must follow the example, and then the fate of Greece + will be permanently fixed, and she will enter into all her rights, as + a member of the great commonwealth of Christian Europe.... + + 'The cause of Greece naturally excites our sympathy. Her people are + Christians contending against Turks, and slaves struggling to be free. + There never was a cause which had such strong claims on the sympathy + of the people of Europe, and particularly of the people of + England.'[16] + +The following extract from a letter written by Mr. George Finlay in June, +1824, seems worthy of production in this place: + + 'I arrived at Missolonghi at the latter end of February. During my + stay there, in the forenoon I rode out with Lord Byron; and generally + Mr. Fowke and myself spent the evenings in his room. + + 'In our rides, the state of Greece was the usual subject of our + conversation; and at times he expressed a strong wish to revisit + Athens. I mentioned the great cheapness of property in Attica, and the + possibility of my purchasing some of the villas near the city. He said + that, if I could find any eligible property, he would have no + objections to purchase likewise, as he wished to have some real + property in Greece; and he authorized me to treat for him. I always + urged him to make Corinth his headquarters. Sometimes he appeared + inclined to do so, and remarked, that it would be a strange + coincidence if, after writing an unsuccessful defence of Corinth, he + should himself make a successful one. An event so fortunate, I said, + would leave him no more to ask from fortune, and reminded him how very + much of fame depends on mere accident. Cæsar's conquests and his works + would not have raised his fame so high, but for the manner of his + death. + + 'In the evenings Lord Byron was generally extremely communicative, and + talked much of his youthful scenes at Cambridge, Brighton, and London; + spoke very often of his friends, Mr. Hobhouse and Mr. Scrope B. + Davies--told many anecdotes of himself which are well known, and many + which were amusing from his narration, but which would lose their + interest from another; but what astonished me the most was the ease + with which he spoke of all those reports which were spread by his + enemies--he gave his denials and explanations with the frankness of an + unconcerned person. + + 'I often spoke to him about Newstead Abbey, which I had visited in + 1821, a few months before leaving England. On informing him of the + repairs and improvements which were then going on, he said, if he had + been rich enough, he should have liked to have kept it as the old + abbey; but he enjoyed the excellent bargain he had made at the sale. A + solicitor sent him a very long bill, and, on his grumbling at the + amount, he said he was silenced by a letter, reminding him that he had + received £20,000 forfeit-money from the first purchaser. I mentioned + the picture of his bear in the cottage near the lodge--the + Newfoundland dog and the verses on its tomb. He said, Newfoundland + dogs had twice saved his life, and that he could not live without one. + + 'He spoke frequently of the time he lived at Aberdeen. Their house was + near the college. He described the place, but I have forgotten it. He + said his mother's "lassack" used to put him to bed at a very early + hour, and then go to converse with her lover; he had heard the house + was haunted, and sometimes used to get out of bed and run along the + lobby in his shirt, till he saw a light, and there remain standing + till he was so cold he was forced to go to bed again. One night the + servant returning, he grew frightened and ran towards his room; the + maid saw him, and fled more frightened than he; she declared she had + seen a ghost. Lord Byron said, he was so frightened at the maid, he + kept the secret till she was turned away; and, he added, he never + since kept a secret half so long. The first passion he ever felt was + for a young lady who was on a visit to his mother while they lived in + Scotland; he was at the time about six years old, and the young lady + about nine, yet he was almost ill on her leaving his mother's house to + return home. He told me, if I should ever meet the lady (giving me her + address), to ask her if she remembers him. On some conversation about + the "English Bards and Scotch Reviewers," he gave as a reason for his + attacking many of the persons included, that he was informed, some + time before the publication of the review, that the next number was to + contain an article on his poems which had been read at Holland House. + "Judge of my fever; was it not a pleasant situation for a young + author?" + + 'In conversation he used to deliver very different opinions on many + authors from those contained in his works; in the one case he might be + guided more by his judgment, and in the other submit entirely to his + own particular taste. I have quoted his writings in opposition to his + words, and he replied, "Never mind what I print; that is not what I + think." He certainly did not consider much of the poetry of the + present day as "possessing buoyancy enough to float down the stream of + time." I remarked, he ought really to alter the passage in the preface + of "Marino Faliero," on living dramatic talent; he exclaimed, + laughing, "Do you mean me to erase the name of _moral me_?" In this + manner he constantly distinguished Milman, alluding to some nonsense + in the _Quarterly Review_. He was extremely amused with _Blackwood's + Magazine_, and read it whenever he could get a number; he has + frequently repeated to me passages of Ensign O'Doherty's poetry, which + I had not read, and expressed great astonishment at the ability + displayed by the author. + + 'On a gentleman present once asking his opinion of the works of a + female author of some note, he said, "A bad imitation of me--all pause + and start." + + 'On my borrowing Mitford's "History of Greece" from him, and saying I + had read it once, and intended commencing it again in Greece, he said, + "I hate the book; it makes you too well acquainted with the ancient + Greeks, and robs antiquity of all its charms. History in his hands, + has no poetry." + + 'I was in the habit of praising Sir William Gell's Itineraries to Lord + B., and he, on the other hand, took every opportunity of attacking his + Argolis though his attacks were chiefly directed against the drawings, + and particularly the view of the bay. He told me he was the author of + the article on Sir W. Gell's Argolis in the _Monthly Review_, and said + he had written two other articles in this work; but I have forgotten + them.[17] + + 'Whenever the drama was mentioned, he defended the unities most + eagerly, and usually attacked Shakspeare. A gentleman present, on + hearing his anti-Shakspearean opinions, rushed out of the room, and + afterwards entered his protest most anxiously against such doctrines. + Lord B. was quite delighted with this, and redoubled the severity of + his criticism. I had heard that Shelley once said to Lord B. in his + extraordinary way, "B., you are a most wonderful man." "How?" "You are + envious of Shakspeare." I, therefore, never expressed the smallest + astonishment at hearing Shakspeare abused; but remarked, it was + curious that Lord B. was so strangely conversant in an author of such + inferior merit, and that he should so continually have the most + melodious lines of Shakspeare in his mouth as examples of blank verse. + He said once, when we were alone, "I like to astonish Englishmen: they + come abroad full of Shakspeare, and contempt for the dramatic + literature of other nations; they think it blasphemy to find a fault + in his writings, which are full of them. People talk of the tendency + of my writings, and yet read the sonnets to Master Hughes." Lord B. + certainly did not admire the French tragedians enthusiastically. I + said to him, "There is a subject for the Drama which, I believe, has + never been touched, and which, I think, affords the greatest possible + scope for the representation of all that is sublime in human + character--but then it would require an abandonment of the + unities--the attack of Maurice of Saxony on Charles V., which saved + the Protestant religion; it is a subject of more than national + interest." He said it was certainly a fine subject; but he held that + the drama could not exist without a strict adherence to the unities; + and besides, he knew well he had failed in his dramatic attempts, and + that he intended to make no more. He said he thought "Sardanapalus" + his best tragedy. + + 'The memory of Lord B. was very extraordinary; it was not the mere + mechanical memory which can repeat the advertisements of a newspaper + and such nonsense; but of all the innumerable novels which he had + read, he seemed to recollect perfectly the story and every scene of + merit. + + 'Once I had a bet with Mr. Fowke that Maurice of Orange was not the + grandson of Maurice of Saxony, as it ran in my head that Maurice was a + son of Count Horn's sister. On applying for a decision of our bet to + Lord B., he immediately told me I was wrong, that William of Orange + was thrice married, and that he had Maurice by a daughter of Maurice + of Saxony: he repeated the names of all the children. I said, "This is + the most extraordinary instance of your memory I ever heard." He + replied, "It's not very extraordinary--I read it all a few days ago in + Watson's "Philip II.," and you will find it in a note at the bottom of + the last page but one" (I think he said) "of the second volume." He + went to his bedroom and brought the book, in which we found the note + he had repeated. It seemed to me wonderful enough that such a man + could recollect the names of William of Orange's children and their + families even for ten minutes. + + 'Once, on receiving some newspapers, in reading the advertisements of + new publications aloud, I read the name of Sir Aubrey de Vere Hunt; + Lord B. instantly said, "Sir Aubrey was at Harrow, I remember, but he + was younger than me. He was an excellent swimmer, and once saved a + boy's life; nobody would venture in, and the boy was nearly drowned, + when Sir Aubrey was called. The boy's name was M'Kinnon, and he went + afterwards to India." I think B. said he died there. + + '"It is strange," I replied; "I heard this very circumstance from Sir + Aubrey de Vere Hunt, who inquired if I knew the boy, who must now be a + man, but said, I think, that his name was Mackenzie." "Depend upon it, + I am right," said Byron. + + 'Lord B. said he had kept a very exact journal of every circumstance + of his life, and many of his thoughts while young, that he had let Mr. + Hobhouse see it in Albania, and that he at last persuaded him to burn + it. He said Hobhouse had robbed the world of a treat. He used to say + that many of his acquaintances, particularly his female ones, while + he was in London, did not like Mr. Hobhouse, "for they thought he + kept me within bounds." + + 'When he was asked for a motto for the _Greek Telegraph_, by Gamba, + during the time he felt averse to the publication of a European + newspaper in Greece, he gave, "To the Greeks foolishness"--in allusion + to the publication in languages which the natives generally do not + understand. + + 'On a discussion in his presence concerning the resemblance of + character between the ancient and modern Greeks, he said: "At least we + have St. Paul's authority that they had their present character in his + time; for he says there is no difference between the Jew and the + Greek." + + 'A few days before I left Missolonghi, riding out together, he told me + that he had received a letter from his sister, in which she mentioned + that one of the family had displayed some poetical talent, but that + she would not tell him who, as she hoped she should hear no more of + it. I said "That is a strange wish from the sister of such a poet." He + replied that he believed the poetical talent was always a source of + pain, and that he certainly would have been happier had he never + written a line. + + 'Those only who were personally acquainted with him can be aware of + the influence which every passing event had over his mind, or know the + innumerable modifications under which his character was daily + presenting itself; even his writings took a shade of colouring from + those around him. His passions and feelings were so lively that each + occurrence made a strong impression, and his conduct became so + entirely governed by impulse that he immediately and vehemently + declared his sentiments. It is not wonderful, therefore, that + instances of his inconsistency should be found; though in the most + important actions of his life he has acted with no common consistency, + and his death attests his sincerity. To attempt by scattered facts to + illustrate his character is really useless. A hundred could be + immediately told to prove him a miser; as many to prove him the most + generous of men; an equal number, perhaps, to show he was nervously + alive to the distresses of others, or heartlessly unfeeling; at times + that he indulged in every desire; at others, that he pursued the most + determined system of self-denial; that he ridiculed his friends, or + defended them with the greatest anxiety. At one time he was all + enthusiasm; at another perfect indifference on the very same subject. + All this would be true, and yet our inference most probably incorrect. + Such hearts as Lord B.'s must become old at an early age, from the + continual excitement to which they are exposed, and those only can + judge fairly of him, even from his personal acquaintance, who knew him + from his youth, when his feelings were warmer than they could be + latterly. From some of those who have seen the whole course of his + wonderful existence, we may, indeed, expect information; and it is + information, not scandal, that will be sought for.' + + + + +CHAPTER IX + + +Millingen tells us that Byron, even before his arrival in Greece, was a +favourite among the people and soldiers. Popular imagination had been +kindled by reports of his genius, his wealth, and his rank. Everything +that a man could perform was expected of him; and many a hardship and +grievance was borne patiently, in hope that on Byron's arrival everything +would be set right. The people were not disappointed; his conduct towards +them after he had landed soon made him a popular idol. It was perceived +that Byron was not a theoretical, but a practical, friend to Greece; and +his repeated acts of kindness and charity in relieving the poor and +distressed, the heavy expenses he daily incurred for the furtherance of +every plan, and every institution which he deemed worthy of support, +showed the people of Missolonghi that Byron was not less alive to their +private than he was to their public interests. But there were some people, +of course, who felt a slight attack of that pernicious malady known +euphuistically as 'the green-eyed monster'. Mavrocordato, the +Governor-General of Western Greece, was, according to Millingen, slightly +afflicted with envy. He had imagined, when using every means during +Byron's stay at Cephalonia to induce him to come to Missolonghi, that he +was preparing for himself a powerful instrument to execute his own +designs, and that, by placing Byron in a prominent position which would +require far more knowledge of the state of things than Byron could +possibly possess, he would helplessly drift, and eventually fall entirely +under his own guidance. But in this Mavrocordato was entirely mistaken, +for Byron had long made up his mind as to the course which he meant to +steer, and by sheer honesty of purpose and by the glamour of his fame his +authority daily increased, while that of Mavrocordato fell in proportion, +until his high-sounding title was little better than an empty phrase. The +people of Missolonghi were fascinated by the personality of a man who had +practically thrown his whole fortune at their feet. They openly spoke of +the advantages that would be derived by Western Greece were Byron to be +appointed its Governor-General. + + 'Ambitious and suspicious by nature,' says Millingen, 'Mavrocordato + felt his authority aimed at. He began by seconding his supposed + rival's measures in a luke-warm manner, whilst he endeavoured in + secret to thwart them. He was looked upon as the cause of the rupture + between the Suliotes and Lord Byron, fearing that the latter might, + with such soldiers, become too powerful.' + +Byron perceived the change in Mavrocordato's conduct, and from that moment +lost much of the confidence which he had at first felt in him. + + 'The plain, undisguised manner in which Byron expressed himself on + this subject, and the haughty manner in which he received + Mavrocordato, tended to confirm the latter's opinion that Byron sought + to supplant him.' + +Mavrocordato thus laboured under a delusion. Far from having ambitious +views, Byron would, in Millingen's opinion, have refused, if the offer had +been made to him, ever to take a part in civil administration. He knew too +well how little his impetuous character fitted him for the tedious and +intricate details of Greek affairs. 'He had come to Greece to assist her +sacred cause with his wealth, his talents, his courage; and the only +reward he sought was a soldier's grave.' + +Had Lord Byron lived, says Millingen, the misunderstanding between these +two distinguished individuals would have been merely temporary. Their +principles and love of order were the same, as also the ends they proposed +to attain. However different were the roads upon which they marched, they +would have been sure to meet at last. + + 'Lord Byron,' wrote Colonel Stanhope, 'possesses all the means of + playing a great part in the glorious revolution of Greece. He has + talent; he professes liberal principles; he has money; and is inspired + with fervent and chivalrous feelings.' + +Colonel Leicester Stanhope was himself deserving of the praise which he +thus bestows on Byron, the item 'money' being equally discarded. Colonel +Stanhope was a chivalrous gentleman, and devoted himself heart and soul to +the regeneration of Greece. But his views were not those of Byron. He was +all for printing-presses, freedom of the press, and schools. Byron was all +for fighting and organization in a military sense. Their aims were the +same, but their methods entirely different. Byron recognized the virtues +of Stanhope, and never seriously opposed any of his schemes. Stanhope was +absolutely boiling over with enthusiasm regarding the advantages of +publishing a newspaper. His paramount policy, as he states himself in a +letter to Mr. Bowring, was 'to strive to offend no one, but, on the +contrary, to make all friendly to the press.' He contended for the +absolute liberty of the press, and for publicity in every shape! It would +be difficult to match such a contention applied to such a period and such +a people. In forwarding the third number of the _Greek Chronicle_ to Mr. +Bowring, Stanhope writes: 'The last article in the _Chronicle_ is on Mr. +Bentham. Its object is to dispose the people to read and contemplate his +works. Conviction follows.' + +Byron had a peculiar antipathy to Mr. Bentham and all his works, but he +provided money to support the _Chronicle_. On January 24 Colonel Stanhope +wrote to Mr. Bowring a letter which explains the position exactly; and a +very peculiar position it was. After asking Byron whether he will +subscribe £50 for the support of the _Greek Chronicle_, which Byron +cheerfully agreed to do, Colonel Stanhope proceeds to 'heckle' him. The +conversation is well worth transcribing: + + 'Stanhope (_loquitur_): "Your lordship stated yesterday evening that + you had said to Prince Mavrocordato that, 'were you in his place (as + Governor-General of Western Greece), you would have placed the press + under a censor,' and that he replied, 'No; the liberty of the press is + guaranteed by the Constitution.' Now, I wish to know whether your + lordship was serious when you made the observation, or whether you + only said so to provoke me? If your lordship was serious, I shall + consider it my duty to communicate this affair to the Committee in + England, in order to show them how difficult a task I have to fulfil + in promoting the liberties of Greece, if your lordship is to throw the + weight of your vast talents into the opposite scale on a question of + such vital importance." + + 'Byron, in reply, said that he was an ardent friend of publicity and + the press; but he feared that it was not applicable to this society in + its present combustible state. Stanhope replied that he thought it + applicable to all countries, and essential in Greece, in order to put + an end to the state of anarchy which then prevailed. Byron said that + he was afraid of libels and licentiousness. Stanhope maintained that + the object of a free press was to check public licentiousness and to + expose libellers to odium.' + +In a subsequent letter to Mr. Bowring, Colonel Stanhope repeats a +conversation with Byron on the subject of Mr. Bentham. One does not know +whether to laugh or cry; there is both humour and pathos in the incident. + + 'His lordship,' writes Stanhope, 'began, according to custom, to + attack Mr. Bentham. I said that it was highly illiberal to make + personal attacks on Mr. Bentham before a friend who held him in high + estimation. He said that he only attacked his public principles, which + were mere theories, but dangerous--injurious to Spain and calculated + to do great mischief in Greece. I did not object to his lordship's + attacking Mr. Bentham's principles; what I objected to were his + personalities. His lordship never reasoned on any of Mr. Bentham's + writings, but merely made sport of them. I therefore asked him what it + was that he objected to. Lord Byron mentioned his "Panopticon" as + visionary. I said that experience in Pennsylvania, at Milbank, etc., + had proved it otherwise. I said that Bentham had a truly British + heart; but that Lord Byron, after professing liberal principles from + his boyhood, had, when called upon to act, proved himself a Turk. + + 'Lord Byron asked what proofs I had of this. + + 'I replied: "Your conduct in endeavouring to crush the press, by + declaiming against it to Mavrocordato, and your general abuse of + Liberal principles." Lord Byron said that if he had held up his finger + he could have crushed the press. I replied: "With all this power, + which, by the way, you never possessed, you went to the Prince and + poisoned his ear." + + 'Lord Byron declaimed against the Liberals whom he knew. + + '"But what Liberals?" I asked. Did he borrow his notions of free men + from the Italians? Lord Byron said: "No; from the Hunts, Cartwrights, + etc." "And still," said I, "you presented Cartwright's Reform Bill, + and aided Hunt by praising his poetry and giving him the sale of your + works." + + 'Lord Byron exclaimed: "You are worse than Wilson,[18] and should quit + the army." I replied that I was a mere soldier, but never would + abandon my principles. Our principles,' continues Stanhope, 'are + diametrically opposite. If Lord Byron acts up to his professions, he + will be the greatest--if not, the meanest--of mankind. He said he + hoped his character did not depend on my assertions. "No," said I, + "your genius has immortalized you. The worst could not deprive you of + fame." + + 'Lord Byron replied: "Well, you shall see; judge me by my acts." + + 'When he wished me good-night, I took up the light to conduct him to + the passage, but he said: "What! hold up a light to a Turk!"' + +It would be difficult indeed to find anything in the wide range of +literature dealing with that period which would throw a stronger light +upon both these men. Imagine the agent appointed by the London Committee +wasting his precious time in writing such a letter as this for the +information of its chairman. Stanhope meant no harm, we feel sure of that; +but such a letter was little calculated to advance either his own +reputation or Byron's, and it was above all things necessary for the +London Committee to have a good opinion of both. But Stanhope was +decidedly impetuous, and lacked all sense of humour. + +Millingen tells us that it soon became evident that little co-operation +could be expected between Byron and Colonel Stanhope. Byron was fully +persuaded that, in the degraded state of the Greek nation, a republican +form of Government was totally unsuited, as well as incompatible with her +situation, in respect to the neighbouring States of Europe. Colonel +Stanhope, whose enthusiasm for the cause was extreme, supposed the Greeks +to be endowed with the same virtue which their ancestors displayed. We, +who live in the twentieth century, are able by the light of subsequent +events to decide which of these two men held the sounder view; and we can +honestly deplore that a mere matter of opinion should have caused any +disagreements between two men who had sacrificed so much in a common +cause. + +Gamba, who seems to have been present during the altercation above alluded +to, says that Colonel Stanhope, in accusing Lord Byron of being an enemy +to the press, laid himself open to a rejoinder which is not recorded in +the report of these proceedings. Byron's reply was to the point: 'And yet, +without my money, where would your Greek newspaper be?' And he concluded +the sentence, 'Judge me by my actions,' cited by Stanhope, with, '_not by +my words_.' + +Colonel Stanhope could not understand Byron's bantering moods. They seemed +to him to be entirely out of place. The more Byron laughed and joked, the +more serious Stanhope became, and their discussions seldom ended without a +strong reproof, which irritated Byron for the moment. But so far from +leaving any unfavourable impression on Byron's mind, it increased his +regard for an antagonist of such evident sincerity: + + 'When parting from him one evening, after a discussion of this nature, + Lord Byron went up to him, and exclaimed: "Give me that honest right + hand." Two such men were worthy of being friends, and it is to be + regretted that an injudicious champion of the one should, by a partial + detail of their trifling differences, try to raise him at the expense + of the other.' + +With the money provided by Byron, Colonel Stanhope's pet scheme, the +_Greek Chronicle_, printed in Greek type, came into being. Its editor, 'a +hot-headed republican' named Jean Jacques Meyer, who had been a Swiss +doctor, was particularly unfitted for the post, and soon came to +loggerheads with Byron for publishing a violent attack on the Austrian +Government. In a letter to Samuel Barff, Byron says: + + 'From the very first I foretold to Colonel Stanhope and to Prince + Mavrocordato that a Greek newspaper (as indeed any other), in _the + present state_ of Greece, might and probably _would_ lead to much + mischief and misconstruction, unless under _some_ restrictions; nor + have I ever had anything to do with it, as a writer or otherwise, + except as a pecuniary contributor to its support in the outset, which + I could not refuse to the earnest request of the projectors. Colonel + Stanhope and myself had considerable differences of opinion on this + subject, and (what will appear laughable enough) to such a degree that + he charged me with _despotic_ principles, and I _him_ with + _ultra-radicalism_. Dr. Meyer, the Editor, with his unrestrained + freedom of the press, and who has the freedom to exercise an unlimited + discretion--not allowing any articles but his own and those like them + to appear--and in declaiming against restrictions, cuts, carves, and + restricts, at his own will and pleasure. He is the author of an + article against Monarchy, of which he may have the advantage and + fame--but they (the Editors) will get themselves into a scrape, if + they do not take care. Of all petty tyrants, he (Meyer) is one of the + pettiest, as are most demagogues that ever I knew. He is a Swiss by + birth, and a Greek by assumption, having married a wife and changed + his religion.' + +On the appearance of Meyer's stupid attack on monarchy, Byron immediately +suppressed the whole edition. + +Early in March the prospectus of a polyglot newspaper, entitled the _Greek +Telegraph_, was published at Missolonghi. Millingen says: + + 'The sentiments imprudently advocated in this prospectus induced the + British authorities in the Ionian Islands to entertain so unfavourable + an impression of the spirit which would guide its conductors, that its + admission into the heptarchy was interdicted under severe penalties. + The same took place in the Austrian States, where they began to look + upon Greece as "the city of refuge," as it were, for the Carbonari and + discontented English reformers. The first number appeared on 20th + March; but it was written in a tone so opposite to what had been + expected, that it might, in some degree, be considered as a protest + against its prospectus. Lord Byron was the cause of this change. More + than ever convinced that nothing could be more useless, and even more + dangerous, to the interests of Greece, both at home and abroad, than + an unlimited freedom of the press, he insisted on Count Gamba becoming + Editor. Byron cautioned him to restrict the paper to a simple + narrative of events as they occurred, and an unprejudiced statement of + opinions in respect to political relations and wants, so as to make + them subjects of interest to the friends of Greece in the western + parts of Europe.' + +Gamba says: + + 'Lord Byron's view of the politics of Greece was, that this revolution + had little or nothing in common with the great struggles with which + Europe had been for thirty years distracted, and that it would be most + foolish for the friends of Greece to mix up their cause with that of + other nations, who had attempted to change their form of government, + and by so doing to draw down the hatred and opposition of one of the + two great parties that at present divide the civilized world. Lord + Byron's wish was to show that the contest was simply one between + barbarism and civilization--between Christianity and Islamism--and + that the struggle was on behalf of the descendants of those to whom we + are indebted for the first principles of science and the most perfect + models of literature and art. For such a cause he hoped that all + politicians of all parties, in every European State, might fairly be + expected to unite.' + +Byron believed that the moment had arrived for uniting the Greeks; the +approach of danger and the chance of succour seemed favourable to his +designs. + + 'To be in time to defend ourselves,' said Byron, 'we have only to put + in action and unite all the means the Greeks possess; with money we + have experienced the facility of raising troops. I cannot calculate to + what a height Greece may rise. + + 'Hitherto it has been a subject for the hymns and elegies of fanatics + and enthusiasts; but now it will draw the attention of the + politician.' + +Early in February, 1824, Colonel Stanhope proposed to go into the Morea, +in order to co-operate in the great work of appeasing the discords of that +country. Prince Mavrocordato wrote privately to Sir Thomas Maitland[19] in +the hope of averting trouble consequent upon the infraction of the +neutrality of the Ionian territory at Ithaca. Lord Byron forwarded his +letter to Lord Sidney Osborne.[20] with the following explanation: + + 'Enclosed is a private communication from Prince Mavrocordato to Sir + Thomas Maitland, which you will oblige me much by delivering. Sir + Thomas can take as much or as little of it as he pleases; but I hope + and believe that it is rather calculated to conciliate than to + irritate on the subject of the late event near Ithaca and Sta Mauro, + which there is every disposition on the part of the Government here to + disavow; and they are also disposed to give every satisfaction in + their power. You must all be persuaded how difficult it is, under + existing circumstances, for the Greeks to keep up discipline, however + they may all be disposed to do so. I am doing all I can to convince + them of the necessity of the strictest observance of the regulations + of the island, and, I trust, with some effect. I was received here + with every possible public and private mark of respect. If you write + to any of our friends, you can say that I am in good health and + spirits; and that I shall _stick_ by the cause as long as a man of + honour can, without sparing purse, and (I hope, if need be) _person_.' + +This letter is dated from Missolonghi, February 9, 1824. On February 11 +Byron heard the news of the death of Sir Thomas Maitland. Parry says: + + 'The news certainly caused considerable satisfaction among the Greeks, + and among some of the English. He was generally looked on by them as + the great enemy of their cause; but there is no proof of this. I know + that his government has been very much censured in England, and far be + it from me to approve of the arbitrary or despotic measures of any + man; but those who know anything of the people he had to deal with + will find, in their character, an excuse for his conduct. I believe, + in general, his government was well calculated for his subjects.' + +Parry throws light upon Byron's attitude towards Mavrocordato, to which we +alluded in a previous chapter. + + 'I took an opportunity, one evening, of asking Lord Byron what he + thought of Prince Mavrocordato. He replied he considered him an honest + man and a man of talent. He had shown his devotion to his country's + service by expending his private fortune in its cause, and was + probably the most capable and trustworthy of all the Greek chieftains. + Lord Byron said that he agreed with Mavrocordato, that Missolonghi and + its dependencies were of the greatest importance to Greece; and as + long as the Prince acted as he had done, he would give him all the + support in his power. Lord Byron seemed, at the same time, to suppose + that a little more energy and industry in the Prince, with a + disposition to make fewer promises, would tend much to his advantage.' + +The following incident, related by Parry, seems to fall naturally into +this part of our narrative: + + 'When the Turkish fleet was blockading Missolonghi, I was one day + ordered by Lord Byron to accompany him to the mouth of the harbour to + inspect the fortifications, in order to make a report of the state + they were in. He and I were in his own punt, a little boat which he + had, rowed by a boy; and in a large boat, accompanying us, were Prince + Mavrocordato and his attendants. As I was viewing, on one hand, the + Turkish fleet attentively, and reflecting on its powers, and our means + of defence; and looking, on the other, at Prince Mavrocordato and his + attendants, perfectly unconcerned, smoking their pipes and gossiping, + as if Greece were liberated and at peace, and Missolonghi in a state + of perfect security, I could not help giving vent to a feeling of + contempt and indignation. + + '"What is the matter?" said Lord Byron, appearing to be very serious; + "what makes you so angry, Parry?" + + '"I am not angry, my lord," I replied, "but somewhat indignant. The + Turks, if they were not the most stupid wretches breathing, might take + the fort of Vasaladi, by means of two pinnaces, any night they + pleased; they have only to approach it with muffled oars, they would + not be heard, I will answer for their not being seen, and they may + storm it in a few minutes. With eight gunboats properly armed with + 24-pounders, they might batter both Missolonghi and Anatolica to the + ground. And there sits the old gentlewoman, Prince Mavrocordato and + his troop, to whom I applied an epithet I will not here repeat, as if + they were all perfectly safe. They know that their means of defence + are inadequate, and they have no means of improving them. If I were in + their place, I should be in a fever at the thought of my own + incapacity and ignorance, and I should burn with impatience to attempt + the destruction of those stupid Turkish rascals. The Greeks and the + Turks are opponents, worthy by their imbecility of each other." + + 'I had scarcely explained myself fully, when Lord Byron ordered our + boat to be placed alongside the other, and actually related our whole + conversation to the Prince. In doing it, however, he took upon himself + the task of pacifying both the Prince and me, and though I was at + first very angry, and the Prince, I believe, very much annoyed, he + succeeded. It was, in fact, only Lord Byron's manner of reproving us + both. It taught me to be prudent and discreet. To the Prince and the + Greeks it probably conveyed a lesson, which Lord Byron could have + found no better means of giving them.' + +Byron was remarkably sincere and frank in all his words and actions. Parry +says that he never harboured a thought concerning another man that he did +not express to his face; neither could he bear duplicity in others. If one +person were to speak against a third party, in Byron's presence, he would +be sure to repeat it the first time the two opponents were in presence of +one another. This was a habit, says Parry, of which his acquaintance were +well aware, and it spared Byron the trouble of listening to many idle and +degrading calumnies. He probably expected thereby to teach others a +sincerity which he so highly prized; but it must be added that he derived +pleasure from witnessing the confusion of the person thus exposed. We +recognize Byron in this trait, as none of his biographers have omitted to +mention the extraordinary indiscretion of his confidences; but never +before was his habit of 'blabbing' turned to a better use. + +It is generally admitted that the Greeks were supine to the last degree. +Little or nothing had been done to repair the losses resulting from the +late campaign, nor had adequate preparations been made for the struggle in +prospect. Through their improvidence, the Greeks had neither money nor +materials. Neither in the Morea nor in Western Greece had any steps been +taken to meet an assault by the enemy. The fortifications, that had +suffered in the previous campaign, were left _in statu quo_. The Greek +fleet was practically non-existent, owing to the insufficiency of money +wherewith to pay the crews. In addition to internal dissensions, which +might at any moment give rise to a civil war, the French and English +Governments were continually demanding satisfaction for breaches of +neutrality, or for acts of piracy committed by vessels of the Greek fleet, +under a singular misapprehension of the game of war. In the midst of all +these depressing conditions Byron kept his intense enthusiasm for the +cause, and whatever may have been the errors in his policy, everyone +acknowledged the purity of his motives and the intensity of his zeal. + +Prince Mavrocordato and Colonel Stanhope were not on very good terms. The +Colonel had no confidence in the Prince, and, indeed, openly defied and +opposed him. His hostility to Mavrocordato became so marked that both +Greeks and English were persuaded that he was endeavouring to break up the +establishment at Missolonghi, and to remove all the stores, belonging to +the Committee, to Athens. + + 'This report,' says Parry, 'was conveyed to Lord Byron, who had not + parted with Colonel Stanhope on very good terms, and caused him much + annoyance. He had before attributed both neglect and deceit to the + Greek Committee or some of its agents; and this report of the + proceedings of their special and chosen messenger made him, in the + irritation of the moment, regard them as acting even treacherously + towards himself. "By the cant of religious pretenders," he said, "I + have already deeply suffered, and now I know what the cant of + pretended reformers and philanthropists amounts to."' + +Byron was much displeased by the neglect which he had experienced at the +hands of the London Committee, who, instead of sending supplies that would +have been of some use, sent printing-presses, maps, and bugles. Books and +Bibles were sent to a people who wanted guns, and when they asked for a +sword they sent the lever of a printing-press. The only wonder was that +they did not send out a pack of beagles. Colonel Stanhope, who might +perhaps have been of some use in a military capacity, began organizing the +whole country in accordance with Mr. Bentham's views of morality and +justice. In this he acted entirely on his own responsibility, and rarely +consulted Byron or Mavrocordato before carrying his wild schemes into +execution. Byron said of him, in a moment of exasperation: + + 'He is a mere schemer and talker, more of a saint than a soldier; and, + with a great deal of pretended plainness, a mere politician, and no + patriot. I thought Colonel Stanhope, being a soldier, would have shown + himself differently. He ought to know what a nation like Greece needs + for its defence; and should have told the Committee that arms, and the + materials for carrying on war, were what the Greeks required.' + +Byron placed practice before precept, and was content to wait until the +Turks had been driven out of Greece before entering upon any scheme for +the cultivation of the soil and the development of commerce. He always +maintained that Colonel Stanhope began at the wrong end, and was foolish +to expect, by introducing some signs of wealth and knowledge, to make the +people of Greece both rich and intelligent. + + 'I hear,' said Byron, in a conversation with Parry, 'that missionaries + are to be introduced before the country is cleared of the enemy, and + religious disputes are to be added to the other sources of discord. + How very improper are such proceedings! nothing could be more + impolitic; it will cause ill blood throughout the country, and very + possibly be the means of again bringing Greece under the Turkish yoke. + Can it be supposed that the Greek Priesthood, who have great + influence, and even power, will tamely submit to see interested + self-opinionated foreigners interfere with their flocks? I say again, + clear the country, teach the people to read and write, and the + labouring people will judge for themselves.' + +The vexations to which Byron was daily subjected during his stay at +Missolonghi, and the insufficiency of the diet which he prescribed for +himself against the advice of his medical attendant, so affected his +nervous system, which by nature was highly irritable, that at last he +broke down. Count Gamba says: + + 'Lord Byron was exceedingly vexed at the necessary abandonment of his + project against Lepanto, at a time when success seemed so probable. He + had not been able to ride that day, nor for some days, on account of + the rain. He had been extremely annoyed at the vexations caused by the + Suliotes, as also with the various other interruptions from petitions, + demands, and remonstrances, which never left him a moment's peace at + any hour of the day. At seven in the evening I went into his room on + some business, and found him lying on the sofa: he was not asleep, + and, seeing me enter, called out, "I am not asleep--come in--I am not + well." At eight o'clock he went downstairs to visit Colonel Stanhope. + The conversation turned upon our newspaper. We agreed that it was not + calculated to give foreigners the necessary intelligence of what was + passing in Greece; because, being written in Romaic, it was not + intelligible, except to a few strangers. We resolved to publish + another, in several languages, and Lord Byron promised to furnish some + articles himself. When I left the room, he was laughing and joking + with Parry and the Colonel; he was drinking some cider.' + +As Gamba is no longer a witness of what actually happened, we refer the +reader to the statement of Parry himself: + + 'Lord Byron's quarters were on the second-floor of the house, and + Colonel Stanhope lived on the first-floor. In the evening, about eight + o'clock, Lord Byron came downstairs into the Colonel's room where I + was. He seated himself on a cane settee, and began talking with me on + various subjects. Colonel Stanhope, who was employed in a neighbouring + apartment, fitting up printing-presses, and Count Gamba, both came + into the room for a short time, and some conversation ensued about the + newspaper, which was never to Lord Byron a pleasant topic, as he + disagreed with his friends about it. After a little time they went + their several ways, and more agreeable subjects were introduced. Lord + Byron began joking with me about Colonel Stanhope's occupations, and + said he thought the author would have his brigade of artillery ready + before the soldier got his printing-press fixed. There was then nobody + in the room but his lordship, Mr. Hesketh, and myself. There was + evidently a constrained manner about Lord Byron, and he complained of + thirst. He ordered his servant to bring him some cider, which I + entreated him not to drink in that state. There was a flush in his + countenance, which seemed to indicate great nervous agitation; and as + I thought Lord Byron had been much agitated and harassed for several + days past, I recommended him, at least, to qualify his cider with some + brandy. He said he had frequently drunk cider, and felt no bad + consequences from it, and he accordingly drank it off. He had scarcely + drunk the cider, when he complained of a very strange sensation, and I + noticed a great change in his countenance. He rose from his seat, but + could not walk, staggered a step or two, and fell into my arms. + + 'I had no other stimulant than brandy at hand, and having before seen + it administered in similar cases with considerable benefit, I + succeeded in making him swallow a small quantity. In another minute + his teeth were closed, his speech and senses gone, and he was in + strong convulsions. I laid him down on the settee, and with the + assistance of his servant kept him quiet. + + 'When he fell into my arms, his countenance was very much distorted, + his mouth being drawn on one side. After a short time his medical + attendant came, and he speedily recovered his senses and his speech. + He asked for Colonel Stanhope, as he had something particular to say + to him, should there be a probability of his not recovering. Colonel + Stanhope came from the next room. On recovering his senses, Lord + Byron's countenance assumed its ordinary appearance, except that it + was pale and haggard. No other effect remained visible except great + weakness.' + +According to Gamba: + + 'Lord Byron was carried upstairs to his own bed, and complained only + of weakness. He asked whether his attack was likely to prove fatal. + "Let me know," he said. "Do not think I am afraid to die--I am not." + He told me that when he lost his speech he did not lose his senses; + that he had suffered great pain, and that he believed, if the + convulsion had lasted a minute longer, he must have died.' + +The attack had been brought on by the vexations which he had long suffered +in silence, and borne heroically. But his mode of living was a +contributory cause. He ate nothing but fish, cheese, and +vegetables--having regulated his table, says Gamba, so as not to cost more +than 45 paras. This he did to show that he could live on fare as simple as +that of the Greek soldiers. + +Byron had scarcely recovered consciousness, when a false alarm was brought +to him that the Suliotes had risen, and were about to attack the building +where the arms were stored. + + 'We ran to our arsenal,' says Gamba, 'Parry ordered the artillerymen + under arms: our cannon were loaded and pointed on the approaches to + the gates; the sentries were doubled. This alarm had originated with + two Germans, who, having taken too much wine, and seeing a body of + soldiers with their guns in their hands proceeding towards the + Seraglio, thought that a revolution had broken out, and spread an + alarm over the whole town. As a matter of fact, these troops were + merely changing their quarters. These Germans were so inconsiderate, + that during our absence at the arsenal they forced their way into + Byron's bedroom, swearing that they had come to defend him and his + house. Fortunately, we were not present, for, as this was only half an + hour after Byron's attack, we should have been tempted to fling the + intruders out of the window. On the following day Byron was better, + and got up at noon; but he was very pale and weak, and complained of a + sensation of weight in his head. The doctor applied eight leeches to + his temples, and the blood flowed copiously; it was stopped with + difficulty, and he fainted.' + +Dr. Millingen says that Dr. Bruno had at first proposed opening a vein; +but finding it impossible to obtain Byron's consent, he applied leeches to +the temples, which bled so copiously as almost to bring on syncope. Byron, +alarmed to see the difficulty Dr. Bruno had in stopping the hæmorrhage, +sent for Millingen, who, by the application of lunar caustic, succeeded in +stopping the flow of blood. + +In Millingen's opinion, Byron was never the same man after this; a change +took place in his mental and bodily functions. + + 'That wonderful elasticity of disposition, that continual flow of wit, + that facility of jest by which his conversation had been so + distinguished, returned only at distant intervals,' says Millingen: + 'from this time Byron fell into a state of melancholy from which none + of our arguments could relieve him. He felt certain that his + constitution had been ruined; that he was a worn-out man; and that his + muscular power was gone. Flashes before his eyes, palpitations and + anxieties, hourly afflicted him; and at times such a sense of + faintness would overpower him, that, fearing to be attacked by similar + convulsions, he would send in great haste for medical assistance. His + nervous system was, in fact, in a continual state of erethism, which + was certainly augmented by the low, debilitating diet which Dr. Bruno + had recommended.' + +On one occasion Byron said to Dr. Millingen that he did not wish for life; +it had ceased to have any attraction for him. + + 'But,' said Byron, 'the fear of two things now haunt me. I picture + myself slowly expiring on a bed of torture, or ending my days like + Swift--a grinning idiot! Would to Heaven the day were arrived in + which, rushing, sword in hand, on a body of Turks, and fighting like + one weary of existence, I shall meet immediate, painless death--the + object of my wishes.' + +Two days after this seizure Byron made the following entry in his journal: + + 'With regard to the presumed causes of this attack, so far as I know, + there might be several. The state of the place and the weather permit + little exercise at present. I have been violently agitated with more + than one passion recently, and amidst conflicting parties, politics, + and (as far as regards public matters) circumstances. I have also been + in an anxious state with regard to things which may be only + interesting to my own private feelings, and, perhaps, not uniformly so + temperate as I may generally affirm that I was wont to be. How far any + or all of these may have acted on the mind or body of one who had + already undergone many previous changes of place and passion during a + life of thirty-six years, I cannot tell.' + +The following note, which is entered by Mr. Rowland Prothero in the new +edition of Lord Byron's 'Letters and Journals,'[21] was dashed off by +Byron in pencil, on the day of his seizure, February 15, 1824: + + 'Having tried in vain at great expense, considerable trouble, and some + danger, to unite the Suliotes for the good of Greece--and their own--I + have come to the following resolution: + + 'I will have nothing more to do with the Suliotes. They may go to the + Turks, or the Devil,--they may cut me into more pieces than they have + dissensions among themselves,--sooner than change my resolution. + + 'For the rest, I hold my means and person at the disposal of the Greek + nation and Government the same as before.' + +No better proof could be given of the perplexities which worried him at +that particular time. But the surrounding gloom was lightened now and then +by some of Parry's stories. The following anecdote about Jeremy Bentham +was an especial favourite with Byron; Parry's sea-terms and drollery +doubtless heightened its effect: + + 'Shortly before I left London for Greece, Mr. Bowring, the honorary + secretary to the Greek Committee, informed me that Mr. Jeremy Bentham + wished to see the stores and materials, preparing for the Greeks, and + that he had done me the honour of asking me to breakfast with him some + day, that I might afterwards conduct him to see the guns, etc. + + '"Who the devil is Mr. Bentham?" was my rough reply; "I never heard of + him before." Many of my readers may still be in the same state of + ignorance, and it will be acceptable to them, I hope, to hear of the + philosopher. + + '"Mr. Bentham," said Mr. Bowring, "is one of the greatest men of the + age, and for the honour now offered to you, I waited impatiently many + a long day--I believe for more than two years." + + '"Great or little, I never heard of him before; but if he wants to see + me, why I'll go." + + 'It was accordingly arranged that I should visit Mr. Bentham, and that + Mr. Bowring should see him to fix the time, and then inform me. In a + day or two afterwards, I received a note from the honorary secretary + to say I was to breakfast with Mr. Bentham on Saturday. It happened + that I lived at a distance from town, and having heard something of + the primitive manner of living and early hours of philosophers, I + arranged with my wife overnight that I would get up very early on the + Saturday morning, that I might not keep Mr. Bentham waiting. + Accordingly, I rose with the dawn, dressed myself in haste, and + brushed off for Queen's Square, Westminster, as hard as my legs could + carry me. On reaching the Strand, fearing I might be late, being + rather corpulent, and not being willing to go into the presence of so + very great a man, as I understood Mr. Jeremy Bentham to be, puffing + and blowing, I took a hackney-coach and drove up to his door about + eight o'clock. I found a servant girl afoot, and told her I came to + breakfast with Mr. Bentham by appointment. + + 'She ushered me in, and introduced me to two young men, who looked no + more like philosophers, however, than my own children. I thought they + might be Mr. Bentham's sons, but this, I understood, was a mistake. I + showed them the note I had received from Mr. Bowring, and they told me + Mr. Bentham did not breakfast till three o'clock. This surprised me + much, but they told me I might breakfast with them, which I did, + though I was not much flattered by the honour of sitting down with Mr. + Bentham's clerks, when I was invited by their master. Poor Mr. + Bowring! thought I, he must be a meek-spirited young man if it was for + this he waited so impatiently. I supposed the philosopher himself did + not get up till noon, as he did not breakfast till so late, but in + this I was also mistaken. About ten o'clock I was summoned to his + presence, and mustered up all my courage and all my ideas for the + meeting. His appearance struck me forcibly. His thin white locks, cut + straight in the fashion of the Quakers, and hanging, or rather + floating, on his shoulders; his garments something of Quaker colour + and cut, and his frame rather square and muscular, with no exuberance + of flesh, made up a singular-looking and not an inelegant old man. He + welcomed me with a few hurried words, but without any ceremony, and + then conducted me into several rooms to show me _his_ ammunition and + materials of war. One very large room was nearly filled with books, + and another with unbound works, which, I understood, were the + philosopher's own composition. The former, he said, furnished him his + supplies; and there was a great deal of labour required to read so + many volumes. I said inadvertently, "I suppose you have quite + forgotten what is said in the first before you read the last." Mr. + Bentham, however, took this in good part, and, taking hold of my arm, + said we would proceed on our journey. Accordingly, off we set, + accompanied by one of his young men carrying a portfolio, to keep, I + suppose, a log of our proceedings. + + 'We went through a small garden, and, passing out of a gate, I found + we were in St. James's Park. Here I noticed that Mr. Bentham had a + very snug dwelling, with many accommodations, and such a garden as + belongs in London only to the first nobility. But for his neighbours, + I thought--for he has a barrack of soldiers on one side of his + premises--I should envy him his garden more than his great + reputation. On looking at him, I could but admire his hale, and even + venerable, appearance. I understood he was seventy-three years of age, + and therefore I concluded we should have a quiet, comfortable walk. + Very much to my surprise, however, we had scarcely got into the Park, + when he let go my arm, and set off trotting like a Highland messenger. + The Park was crowded, and the people one and all seemed to stare at + the old man; but, heedless of all this, he trotted on, his white locks + floating in the wind, as if he were not seen by a single human being. + + 'As soon as I could recover from my surprise, I asked the young man, + "Is Mr. Bentham flighty?" pointing to my head. "Oh no, it's his way," + was the hurried answer; "he thinks it good for his health. But I must + run after him;" and off set the youth in chase of the philosopher. I + must not lose my companions, thought I, and off I set also. Of course + the eyes of every human being in the Park were fixed on the running + veteran and his pursuers. There was Jerry ahead, then came his clerk + and his portfolio, and I, being a heavier sailer than either, was + bringing up the rear. + + 'What the people might think, I don't know; but it seemed to me a very + strange scene, and I was not much delighted at being made such an + object of attraction. Mr. Bentham's activity surprised me, and I never + overtook him or came near him till we reached the Horse Guards, where + his speed was checked by the Blues drawn up in array. Here we threaded + in amongst horses and men till we escaped at the other gate into + Whitehall. I now thought the crowded streets would prevent any more + racing; but several times he escaped from us, and trotted off, + compelling us to trot after him till we reached Mr. Galloway's + manufactory in Smithfield. Here he exulted in his activity, and + inquired particularly if I had ever seen a man at his time of life so + active. I could not possibly answer no, while I was almost breathless + with the exertion of following him through the crowded streets. After + seeing at Mr. Galloway's manufactory, not only the things which had + been prepared for the Greeks, but his other engines and machines, we + proceeded to another manufactory at the foot of Southwark Bridge, + where our brigade of guns stood ready mounted. When Mr. Bentham had + satisfied his curiosity here also, and I had given him every + information in my power, we set off to return to his house, that he + might breakfast; I endeavoured to persuade him to take a + hackney-coach, but in vain. We got on tolerably well, and without any + adventures, tragical or comical, till we arrived at Fleet Street. We + crossed from Fleet Market over towards Mr. Waithman's shop, and here, + letting go my arm, he quitted the foot pavement, and set off again in + one of his vagaries up Fleet Street. His clerk again set off after + him, and I again followed. The race here excited universal attention. + The perambulating ladies, who are always in great numbers about that + part of the town, and ready to laugh at any kind of oddity, and catch + hold of every simpleton, stood and stared at or followed the venerable + philosopher. One of them, well known to all the neighbourhood by the + appellation of the _City Barge_, given to her on account of her + extraordinary bulk, was coming with a consort full sail down Fleet + Street, but whenever they saw the flight of Mr. Jeremy Bentham they + hove to, tacked, and followed to witness the fun or share the prize. I + was heartily ashamed of participating in this scene, and supposed that + everybody would take me for a mad doctor, the young man for my + assistant, and Mr. Bentham for my patient, just broke adrift from his + keepers. + + 'Fortunately the chase did not continue long. Mr. Bentham hove to + abreast of Carlisle's shop, and stood for a little time to admire the + books and portraits hanging in the window. At length one of them + arrested his attention more particularly. "Ah, ah," said he, in a + hurried indistinct tone, "there it is, there it is!" pointing to a + portrait which I afterwards found was that of the illustrious Jeremy + himself. + + 'Soon after this, I invented an excuse to quit Mr. Bentham and his + man, promising to go to Queen's Square to dine. I was not, however, to + be again taken in by the philosopher's meal hours; so, laying in a + stock of provisions, I went at his dining hour, half-past ten o'clock, + and supped with him. We had a great deal of conversation, particularly + about mechanical subjects and the art of war. I found the old + gentleman as lively with his tongue as with his feet, and passed a + very pleasant evening; which ended by my pointing out, at his request, + a plan for playing his organ by the steam of his tea-kettle. + + 'This little story,' says Parry, 'gave Byron a great deal of pleasure. + He very often laughed as I told it; he laughed much at its conclusion. + He declared, when he had fished out every little circumstance, that he + would not have lost it for 1,000 guineas. Lord Byron frequently asked + me to repeat what he called: _Jerry Bentham's Cruise_.' + +Parry tells us that Byron took a great interest in all that concerned the +welfare of the working classes, and particularly of the artisans. + + 'I have lately read,' said Byron on one occasion, 'of an institution + lately established in London for the instruction of mechanics. I + highly approve of this, and intend to subscribe £50 to it; but I shall + at the same time write and give my opinion on the subject. I am always + afraid that schemes of this kind are intended to deceive people; and, + unless all the offices in such an institution are filled with real + practical mechanics, the working classes will soon find themselves + deceived. If they permit any but mechanics to have the direction of + their affairs, they will only become the tools of others. The real + working man will soon be ousted, and his more cunning pretended + friends will take possession and reap all the benefits. It gives me + pleasure to think what a mass of natural intellect this will call into + action. If the plan succeeds, and I hope it may, the ancient + aristocracy of England will be secure for ages to come. The most + useful and numerous body of people in the nation will then judge for + themselves, and, when properly informed, will judge correctly. There + is not on earth a more honourable body of men than the English + nobility; and there is no system of government under which life and + property are better secured than under the British constitution. + + 'The mechanics and working classes who can maintain their families + are, in my opinion, the happiest body of men. Poverty is + wretchedness; but it is perhaps to be preferred to the heartless, + unmeaning dissipation of the higher orders. I am thankful that I am + now entirely clear of this, and my resolution to remain clear of it + for the rest of my life is immutable.' + +Parry remarks that it would be folly to attribute to Byron any love for +democracy, as the term was then understood. Although the bent of his mind +was more Liberal than Conservative, he was not a party man in its narrow +sense. He was a sworn foe to injustice, cruelty, and oppression; such was +the alpha and omega of his political prejudices. He would be an inveterate +enemy to any Government which oppressed one class for the benefit of +another class, and which did not allow its subjects to be free and happy. + +In speaking of America, Byron said: + + 'I have always thought the mode in which the Americans separated from + Great Britain was unfortunate for them. It made them despise or regret + everything English. They disinherited themselves of all the historical + glory of England; there was nothing left for them to admire or + venerate but their own immediate success, and they became egotists, + like savages, from wanting a history. The spirit of jealousy and + animosity excited by the contests between England and America is now + subsiding. Should peace continue, prejudices on both sides will + gradually decrease. Already the Americans are beginning, I think, to + cultivate the antiquities of England, and, as they extend their + inquiries, they will find other objects of admiration besides + themselves. It was of some importance, both for them and for us, that + they did not reject our language with our government. Time, I should + hope, will approximate the institutions of both countries to one + another; and the use of the same language will do more to unite the + two nations than if they both had only one King.' + + + + +CHAPTER X + + +According to Gamba's journal, on the day following the seizure to which we +have referred, Byron followed up his former efforts to inculcate the +principles and practice of humanity into both the nations engaged in the +war. There were twenty-four Turks, including women and children, who had +suffered all the rigours of captivity at Missolonghi since the beginning +of the revolution. Byron caused them to be released, and sent at his own +cost to Prevesa. The following letter, which he addressed to the English +Consul at that port, deserves a place in this record: + + 'SIR, + + 'Coming to Greece, one of my principal objects was to alleviate as + much as possible the miseries incident to a warfare so cruel as the + present. When the dictates of humanity are in question, I know no + difference between Turks and Greeks. It is enough that those who want + assistance are men, in order to claim the pity and protection of the + meanest pretender to humane feelings. I have found here twenty-four + Turks, including women and children, who have long pined in distress, + far from the means of support and the consolations of their home. The + Government has consigned them to me: I transmit them to Prevesa, + whither they desire to be sent. I hope you will not object to take + care that they may be restored to a place of safety, and that the + Governor of your town may accept of my present. The best recompense I + can hope for would be to find that I had inspired the Ottoman + commanders with the same sentiments towards those unhappy Greeks who + may hereafter fall into their hands. + + 'I beg you to believe me, etc., + 'NOEL BYRON.' + +The details of this incident have hitherto passed almost unnoticed. The +whole story is full of pathos, and affords a view of Byron's real +character. + +In June, 1821, when Missolonghi and Anatolico proclaimed themselves parts +of independent Greece, all Turkish residents were arrested. The males were +cruelly put to death, and their wives and families were handed over to the +Greek householders as slaves. The miseries these defenceless people +endured while Death stared them daily in the face are indescribable. +Millingen says: + + 'One day, as I entered the dispensary, I found the wife of one of the + Turkish inhabitants of Missolonghi who had fled to Patras. The poor + woman came to implore my pity, and begged me to allow her to take + shelter under my roof from the brutality and cruelty of the Greeks. + They had murdered all her relations, and two of her boys; and the + marks remained on the angle of the wall against which, a few weeks + previously, they had dashed the brains of the youngest, only five + years of age. A little girl, nine years old, remained to be the only + companion of her misery. Like a timid lamb, she stood by her mother, + naked and shivering, drawing closer and closer to her side. Her little + hands were folded like a suppliant's, and her large, beautiful + eyes--so accustomed to see acts of horror and cruelty--looked at me + now and then, hardly daring to implore pity. "Take us," said the + mother; "we will serve you and be your slaves; or you will be + responsible before God for whatever may happen to us." + + 'I could not see so eloquent a picture of distress unmoved, and from + that day I treated them as relatives. Some weeks after, I happened to + mention before Lord Byron some circumstances relative to these + individuals, and spoke with so much admiration of the noble fortitude + displayed by the mother in the midst of her calamities; of the courage + with which maternal love inspired her on several occasions; of the + dignified manner in which she replied to the insults of her + persecutors, that he expressed a wish to see the mother and child. On + doing so, he became so struck by Hatajè's beauty, the naïveté of her + answers, and the spiritedness of her observations on the murderers of + her brethren, that he decided on adopting her. "Banish fear for ever + from your mind," said he to the mother; "your child shall henceforth + be mine. I have a daughter in England. To her I will send the child. + They are both of the same age; and as she is alone, she will, no + doubt, like a companion who may, at times, talk to her of her father. + Do not shudder at the idea of changing your religion, for I insist on + your professing none other but the Musulman." + + 'She seized his hand, kissed it with energy, and raising her eyes to + heaven, eyes now filled with tears, she repeated the familiar words: + "Allah is great!" Byron ordered costly dresses to be made for them, + and sent to Hatajè a necklace of sequins. He desired me to send them + twice a week to his house. He would then take the little child on his + knees, and caress her with all the fondness of a father. + + 'From the moment I received the mother and child into my house, the + other unfortunate Turkish women, who had miraculously escaped the + general slaughter, seeing how different were the feelings and + treatment of the English towards their nation and sex from those of + the Greeks, began to feel more hopeful of their lot in life. They + daily called at my lodgings, and by means of my servant, a Suliote who + spoke Turkish fluently, narrated their misfortunes, and the numberless + horrors of which they had been spectators. One woman said: "Our fears + are not yet over; we are kept as victims for future sacrifices, hourly + expecting our doom. An unpleasant piece of news, a drunken party, a + fit of ill-humour or of caprice, may decide our fate. We are then + hunted down the streets like wild beasts, till some one of us, or of + our children, is immolated to their insatiable cruelty. Our only hope + centres in you. One word of yours to Lord Byron can save many lives. + Can you refuse to speak for us. Let Lord Byron send us to any part of + Turkey. We are women and children; can the Greeks fear us?" + + 'I hastened to give Lord Byron a faithful picture of the position of + these wretched people. Knowing and relieving the distressed were, with + him, simultaneous actions. A few days later notice was given to every + Turkish woman to prepare for departure. All, a few excepted, embarked + and were conveyed at Byron's expense to Prevesa. They amounted to + twenty-two. A few days previously four Turkish prisoners had been sent + by him to Patras. Repeated examples of humanity like these were for + the Greeks more useful and appropriate lessons than the finest + compositions which all the printing-presses could have spread amongst + them.' + +Hatajè! and what became of little Hatajè? On February 23 Byron wrote to +his sister: + + 'I have been obtaining the release of about nine-and-twenty Turkish + prisoners--men, women, and children--and have sent them home to their + friends; but one, a pretty little girl of nine years of age named Hato + or Hatagèe, has expressed a strong wish to remain with me, or under my + care, and I have nearly determined to adopt her. If I thought that + Lady B. would let her come to England as a companion to Ada (they are + about the same age), and we could easily provide for her; if not, I + can send her to Italy for education. She is very lively and quick, and + with great black Oriental eyes and Asiatic features. All her brothers + were killed in the Revolution; her mother wishes to return to her + husband, but says that she would rather entrust the child to me, in + the present state of the country. Her extreme youth and sex have + hitherto saved her life, but there is no saying what might occur in + the course of the war (and of _such_ a war), and I shall probably + commit her to the charge of some English lady in the islands for the + present. The child herself has the same wish, and seems to have a + decided character for her age. You can mention this matter if you + think it worth while. I merely wish her to be respectably educated and + treated, and, if my years and all things be considered, I presume it + would be difficult to conceive me to have any other views.' + +Meanwhile, Byron, wishing to remove the child from Missolonghi, seems to +have proposed to Dr. Kennedy at Cephalonia that Mrs. Kennedy should take +temporary charge of her. Writing to Kennedy on March 4, 1824, Byron says: + + 'Your future convert Hato, or Hatagèe, appears to me lively, + intelligent, and promising; she possesses an interesting countenance. + With regard to her disposition I can say little, but Millingen speaks + well of both mother and daughter, and he is to be relied on. As far as + I know, I have only seen the child a few times with her mother, and + what I have seen is favourable, or I should not take so much interest + in her behalf. If she turns out well, my idea would be to send her to + my daughter in England (if not to respectable persons in Italy), and + so to provide for her as to enable her to live with reputation either + singly or in marriage, if she arrive at maturity. I will make proper + arrangements about her expenses through Messrs. Barff and Hancock, and + the rest I leave to your discretion, and to Mrs. K.'s, with a great + sense of obligation for your kindness in undertaking her temporary + superintendence.' + +This arrangement fell through, and was never carried out. The child +remained at Missolonghi with her mother until Byron's death. Then, by the +irony of fate, they departed in the _Florida_--the vessel that bore the +dead body of their protector to the inhospitable lazaretto at Zante. With +wonderful prophetic instinct, Byron, long before his voyage to Greece, +gave to the world the vision of another Hatajè, rescued from death on the +field of battle: + + 'The Moslem orphan went with her protector, + For she was homeless, houseless, helpless; all + Her friends, like the sad family of Hector, + Had perished in the field or by the wall: + Her very place of birth was but a spectre + Of what it had been: there the Muezzin's call + To prayer was heard no more--and Juan wept, + And made a vow to shield her, which he kept.' + +Blaquière, who was at Zante when the _Florida_ was placed in quarantine, +says: + + 'The child, whom I have frequently seen in the lazaretto, is extremely + interesting, and about eight years of age. She came over with Byron's + body, under her mother's care. They had not been here many days, + before an application came from Usouff Pacha, to give them up. It + being customary, whenever claims of this kind are made, to consult the + parties themselves, both the mother and her child were questioned as + to their wishes on the subject. The latter, with tears in her eyes, + said that, had his lordship lived, she would always have considered + him as a father; but as he was no more, she preferred going back to + her own country. The mother having expressed the same wish, they were + sent to Patras.' + +According to Millingen, when Hatajè and her mother arrived at Patras, the +child's father received them in a transport of joy. 'I thought you +slaves,' said the father in embracing them, 'and, lo! you return to me +decked like brides.' + +And that is all that we know--all, we suppose, that _can_ be known--of +little Hatajè! She may still be alive, the last survivor of those who had +spoken to Byron! If, in her ninety-third year, she still recalls the +events of 1824, she will hold up the torch with modest pride, while the +present writer commemorates one, out of many, of the noble actions +performed by the poet Byron. + + 'This special honour was conferred, because + He had behaved with courage and humanity-- + Which _last_ men like, when they have time to pause + From their ferocities produced by vanity. + His little captive gained him some applause + For saving her amidst the wild insanity + Of carnage--and I think he was more glad in her + Safety, than his new order of St. Vladimir.' + _Don Juan_, Canto VIII., CXL. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + + +On February 17 there was great excitement at Missolonghi on account of a +Turkish brig-of-war, which had run ashore on a sand-bank about seven miles +from the city. + +Byron sent for Parry, and accosted him in his liveliest manner: + +'Now's the day, Parry, and now's the hour; now for your rockets, your +fire-kites, and red-hot shots; now, Parry, for your Grecian fires. Onward, +death or victory!' + +Byron was still so weak that he could not rise from the sofa; but all the +available soldiers manned the Greek boats, and set off in the hope of +plunder. Parry and some other European officers went out to reconnoitre +the brig, and discovered a broad and long neck of land, which separated +the shallows from the sea, upon which it would be easy to plant a couple +of guns and make an attack upon the brig. Parry says that he had only two +guns fit for immediate service--a long three-pounder and a howitzer. The +attack was to be made on the following day, and Byron gave orders that, in +the event of any prisoners being taken, their lives were, if possible, to +be spared. He offered to pay two dollars a head for each prisoner saved, +to pay something more for officers, and have them cared for at Missolonghi +at his own expense. He also gave strict orders that the artillery brigade +should be kept in reserve, so as to relieve and protect the Turkish +prisoners. Early on the following day the guns were shipped, but, +unfortunately, the boats ran aground, and much valuable time was lost. +Meanwhile three Turkish brigs came to the rescue, and got into position so +as to enfilade the beach. They manned their boats and tried to haul the +brig into deep water, but without success; and seeing the Greeks preparing +to attack, they thought it better to sheer off. But before doing so they +managed to remove all the men, and as many of the brig's stores as they +could save, and then set the vessel on fire. Although Byron was +disappointed in not having captured a prize, he was glad to hear that the +brig had been burnt to the water's edge. It was estimated that the loss of +that vessel to the enemy would amount to nearly 20,000 dollars, and the +little garrison of Missolonghi was highly elated at so important an +achievement. + +On February 19 a serious event occurred, which caused something like a +revolution at Missolonghi, and might have been attended with more serious +consequences if Byron had not shown a firm hand. It is thus related by +Millingen: + + 'A sentry had been placed at the gate of the Seraglio to prevent + anyone who did not belong to the laboratory from entering. A Suliote + named Toti, presented himself, and, without paying the slightest + attention to the prohibition, boldly walked in. Lieutenant Sass, a + Swede, informed of this, came up to the Suliote, and, pushing him + roughly, ordered him to go out. On his refusal the officer drew his + sword and struck him with its flat side. Incensed at this, the + Suliote, who was of Herculean strength, cut the Swede's left arm + almost entirely off with one stroke of his yataghan, and immediately + after shot him through the head. The soldiers belonging to the + artillery brigade shut the gate, and after inflicting several wounds + on Toti, who continued to defend himself, succeeded in securing him. + His countrymen, with whom he was a favourite, being informed of the + accident, hastened to the Seraglio, and would have proceeded to acts + of violence, had not their comrade been delivered into their hands. + The next morning Lieutenant Sass was buried with military honours. The + Suliotes attended the funeral; and thus terminated the temporary + misunderstanding between them and the Franks.' + +It appears, from Gamba's account of this unfortunate affair, that +Lieutenant Sass was universally esteemed as one of the best and bravest of +the foreigners in the service of Greece. The Suliote chiefs laid all the +blame of this affray on Sass himself, whose imprudence in striking one of +the proud and warlike race cannot be justified. + +The Suliotes had already given many proofs of lawless insubordination, and +several skirmishes had previously taken place between them and the people +of Missolonghi. This last affair brought matters to a head, and Byron +agreed, with the Primates and Mavrocordato, that these lawless troops +must, at any cost, be got rid of. + +Not only did their presence at Missolonghi alarm its inhabitants, but +their fighting value had diminished, owing to their determination not to +take any part in the projected siege of Lepanto, alleging as a reason that +they were not disposed to fight against stone walls. Their dismissal was, +however, not an easy matter, for they were practically masters of the +city, and claimed 3,000 dollars as arrears of pay. The Primates, being +applied to by Byron, declared that they had no money. Under these +circumstances it became absolutely necessary for Byron to find the money +himself, which he did on the understanding that the Primates bound +themselves to clear the town of this turbulent band. Upon payment of this +money the Suliotes packed up their effects, and departed for Arta, thus +putting an end to all Byron's hopes of capturing the fortress of Lepanto. +A report was at this time circulated in Missolonghi that the Turkish +authorities had set a price on the lives of all Europeans engaged in the +Greek service. This rumour added enormously to the difficulties of the +situation; for the artificers, whom Parry had brought out from England to +work in the arsenal, struck work, and applied to Byron for permission to +return home. They said that they had bargained to be conducted into a +place of safety. Byron tried, says Gamba, to persuade them that the affray +had been accidental, that, after the departure of the Suliotes, nothing of +the kind would happen again, and so long as he himself remained there +could not be any serious danger. But all arguments were useless; the men +were thoroughly demoralized, and went from Byron's presence unshaken in +their resolve to return to their native land. + +Byron, writing to Kennedy on March 10, says with his usual good-nature: + + 'The mechanics were all pretty much of the same mind. Perhaps they are + less to blame than is imagined, since Colonel Stanhope is said to have + told them _that he could not positively say their lives were safe_. I + should like to know _where_ our life _is_ safe, either here or + anywhere else? With regard to a place of safety, at least such + hermetically sealed safety as these persons appeared to desiderate, it + is not to be found in Greece, at any rate; but Missolonghi was + supposed to be the place where they would be useful, and their risk + was no greater than that of others.' + +In a letter to Barff, some days later, Byron once more alludes to these +artificers, whose absence began to be seriously felt at the arsenal: + + 'Captain Parry will write to you himself on the subject of the + artificers' wages, but, with all due allowance for their situation, I + cannot see a great deal to pity in their circumstances. They were well + paid, housed and fed, expenses granted of every kind, and they marched + off at the first alarm. Were _they_ more exposed than the rest? or _so + much_? Neither are they very much embarrassed, for Captain Parry says + that _he knows_ all of them have money, and one in particular a + considerable sum.' + +These are the men in whose interests Byron had written to Barff: + + 'Six Englishmen will soon be in quarantine at Zante; they are + artificers, and have had enough of Greece in fourteen days; if you + could recommend them to a passage home, I would thank you; they are + good men enough, but do not quite understand the little discrepancies + in these countries, and are not used to see shooting and slashing in a + domestic quiet way, or (as it forms here) a part of housekeeping. If + they should want anything during their quarantine, you can advance + them _not more_ than a dollar a day (amongst them) for that period, to + purchase them some little extras as comforts (as they are quite out of + their element). I cannot afford them more at present. The Committee + pays their passage.' + +Byron was exceedingly vexed by these proceedings, and began to lose all +hope of being of any real service to the Greeks. He told Gamba that he had +lost time, money, patience, and even health, only to meet with deception, +calumny, and ingratitude. Gamba begged Byron to visit Athens, partly for +the benefit of his health, and partly to be quit for a time from the daily +annoyances to which he was subjected. But he refused, and determined to +remain in that dismal swamp until he saw what turn things would take in +the Morea, and until he received news of the success of the loan from +London. He resolved meanwhile to fortify Missolonghi and Anatolico, and to +drill the Greek troops into something like discipline. + +In order to reorganize the artillery brigade, Byron agreed to furnish +money which would encourage the Greeks to enlist. Artillery was the only +arm that it was possible to form, as there were no muskets with bayonets +suitable for infantry regiments, and the artillery was deficient both in +officers and men. With great difficulty Parry succeeded in collecting some +Greek artificers, and made some slight progress with his laboratory. + +The weather improved, and Byron was able to take long rides, which had an +excellent effect on his health and spirits. Artillery recruits came in +faster than was expected, and were regularly trained for efficient +service. It seemed as though the tide had turned. At about this time Byron +received a letter from Mr. Barff, strongly urging his return to Zante for +the purpose of regaining his usual health, which it was feared he would +not attain at Missolonghi. Byron was touched by this mark of friendship, +but would not grasp the hand that might have saved his life. + + 'I am extremely obliged by your offer of your country house (as for + all other kindness), in case that my health should require any + removal; but I cannot quit Greece while there is a chance of my being + of (even _supposed_) utility. There is a stake worth millions such as + I am, and while I can stand at all, I must stand by the cause. While + I say this, I am aware of the difficulties, dissensions, and defects + of the Greeks themselves; but allowances must be made for them by all + reasonable people.' + +It may seem strange, but it is nevertheless certain, that Byron found more +pleasure in the society of Parry, that 'rough, burly fellow,' than he did +in the companionship of anyone else at Missolonghi. He thoroughly trusted +the man, and even confided in him without reserve. Parry appreciated the +honour of Byron's intimacy, and his evidence of what passed during the +last few weeks of Byron's life is, so far as we are able to judge, quite +reliable. He tells us that Byron had taken a small body of Suliotes into +his own pay, and kept them about his person as a bodyguard. They consisted +altogether of fifty-six men, and of these a certain number were always on +duty. A large outer room in Byron's house was used by them, and their +carbines were hung upon its walls. + + 'In this room,' says Parry, 'and among these rude soldiers, Lord Byron + was accustomed to walk a great deal, especially in wet weather. On + these occasions he was almost always accompanied by his favourite dog, + Lion, who was perhaps his dearest and most affectionate friend. They + were, indeed, very seldom separated. Riding or walking, sitting or + standing, Lion was his constant attendant. He can scarcely be said to + have forsaken him even in sleep. Every evening Lion went to see that + his master was safe before he lay down himself, and then he took his + station close to his door, a guard certainly as faithful as Lord + Byron's Suliotes. + + 'With Lion Lord Byron was accustomed, not only to associate, but to + commune very much. His most usual phrase was, "Lion, you are no rogue, + Lion"; or, "Lion, thou art an honest fellow, Lion." The dog's eyes + sparkled, and his tail swept the floor, as he sat with haunches on the + ground. "Thou art more faithful than men, Lion; I trust thee more." + Lion sprang up, and barked, and bounded round his master, as much as + to say, "You may trust me; I will watch actively on every side." Then + Byron would fondle the dog, and say, "Lion, I love thee; thou art my + faithful dog!" and Lion jumped and kissed his master's hand, by way of + acknowledgment. In this manner, when in the dog's company, Byron + passed a good deal of time, and seemed more contented and happy than + at any other hour during the day. This valuable and affectionate + animal was, after Byron's death, brought to England and placed under + the care of Mrs. Leigh, his lordship's sister.' + +Parry gives a graphic description of the state of Missolonghi during this +period, which compelled Byron to take a circuitous route whenever the +state of the weather permitted him to ride. The pavements and condition of +the streets were so bad that it was impossible to ride through them +without the risk of breaking one's neck. + + 'Lord Byron's horses were therefore generally led to the gate of the + town, while his lordship, in a small punt, was rowed along the + harbour, and up what is called the Military Canal. This terminates not + far from the gate; here he would land, and mount his horse.' + +The Suliote guard always attended Byron during his rides; and, though on +foot, it was surprising to see their swiftness, says Parry. With carbines +carried at the trail in their right hands, these agile mountaineers kept +pace with the horses, even when Byron went at a gallop. It was a matter of +honour with these Suliotes never to desert their chief; for they +considered themselves responsible both to Greece and to England for his +safety. Parry says: + + 'They were tall men, and remarkably well formed. Perhaps, taken all + together, no Sovereign in Europe could boast of having a finer set of + men for his bodyguard.' + +Byron while in Greece abandoned his habit of spending the whole morning in +bed, as was his custom in Italy. He rose at nine o'clock, and breakfasted +at ten. This meal consisted of tea without either milk or sugar, dry +toast, and water-cresses. + + 'During his breakfast,' says Parry, 'I generally waited on him to make + the necessary reports, and to take his orders for the work of the day. + When this business was settled, I retired to give the orders which I + had received, and returned to Lord Byron by eleven o'clock at latest. + His lordship would then inspect the accounts, and, with the assistance + of his secretary, checked every item in a business-like manner. If the + weather permitted, he afterwards rode out; if it did not, he used to + amuse himself by shooting at a mark with pistols. Though his hand + trembled much, his aim was sure, and he could hit an egg four times + out of five at a distance of ten or twelve yards.' + +After an early dinner, composed of dried toast, vegetables, and cheese, +with a very small quantity of wine or cider (Parry assures us that he +never drank any spirituous liquors during any part of the day or night), +Byron would attend the drilling of the officers of his corps, in an outer +apartment of his own dwelling, and went through all the exercises which it +was proper for them to learn. When this was finished he very often played +a bout of singlestick, or underwent some other severe muscular exertion. +He then retired for the evening, to spin yarns with his friends or to +study military tactics. Parry says: + + 'At eleven o'clock I left him, and I was generally the last person he + saw, except his servants. He then retired, not to sleep, but to study. + Till nearly four o'clock every morning Byron was continually engaged + reading or writing, and rarely slept more than five hours. In this + manner did he pass nearly every day of the time I had the pleasure of + knowing him.' + +It was at the end of February that Mr. George Finlay, who afterwards wrote +a 'History of Greece,' arrived at Missolonghi. He brought a message from +Odysseus, and also from Edward Trelawny, inviting both Byron and +Mavrocordato to a Conference at Salona. Gamba, writing on February 28, +1824, says: + + 'We had news from the Morea that their discords were almost at an end. + The Government was daily acquiring credit.... On the whole, Greek + affairs appeared to take as favourable an aspect as we could well + desire.... My Lord and Prince Mavrocordato have settled to go to + Salona in a fortnight.' + +On the following day Gamba wrote in his journal these ominous words: + + 'Lord Byron is indisposed. He complained to me that he was often + attacked by vertigoes, which made him feel as if intoxicated. He had + also very disagreeable nervous sensations, which he said resembled the + feeling of fear, although he knew there was no cause for alarm. The + weather got worse, and he could not ride on horseback.' + +On March 13 all the shops in the town of Missolonghi were shut, owing to a +report that there was a case of the plague there. It seems that a Greek +merchant who came from Gastuni was attacked with violent sickness and died +within a few hours. After death several black pustules appeared on his +face, arms, and back. The doctors were undecided as to whether it was a +case of poisoning or of plague. It was ascertained that great mortality +prevailed at Gastuni, but whether the plague or a fever was not known. +Every possible precaution was taken to prevent infection, and the greatest +alarm prevailed in the town. Everyone walked with a stick, to keep off the +passer-by. It was realized by the doctors that, in a country so devoid of +cleanliness, the plague would make alarming strides. Byron sent an express +to Zante to communicate the intelligence to the Resident, and began to +make plans for going into the mountains if the plague broke out. On the +following day news arrived from Gastuni that there were no cases of the +plague there. This intelligence restored a general confidence, and +business was resumed as usual. Meanwhile, says Gamba, + + 'the drilling of our company made great progress, and in three or four + weeks we should have been ready to take the field. We exercised the + brigade in all sorts of movements. Lord Byron joined us, and practised + with us at the sabre and foil: notwithstanding his lameness, he was + very adroit.' + +The following anecdote, which is given on the authority of Parry, will +show the respect in which Byron was held by the peasants in Greece: + + 'Byron one day returned from his ride more than usually pleased. An + interesting country-woman, with a fine family, had come out of her + cottage and presented him with a curd cheese and some honey, and could + not be persuaded to accept payment for it. + + '"I have felt," he said, "more pleasure this day, and at this + circumstance, than for a long time past." Then, describing to me where + he had seen her, he ordered me to find her out, and make her a present + in return. "The peasantry," he said, "are by far the most kind, + humane, and honest part of the population; they redeem the character + of their countrymen. The other classes are so debased by + slavery--accustomed, like all slaves, never to speak truth, but only + what will please their masters--that they cannot be trusted. Greece + would not be worth saving but for the peasantry." + + 'Lord Byron then sat down to his cheese, and insisted on our partaking + of his fare. A bottle of porter was sent for and broached, that we + might join Byron in drinking health and happiness to the kind family, + which had procured him so great a pleasure.' + + + + +CHAPTER XII + + +It has been suggested by Byron's enemies that he flattered himself with +the notion of some day becoming King of Greece, and that his conduct +during the latter part of his life was influenced by ambition. The idea +is, of course, absurd. No one knew better than Byron that the Greek +_leaders_ were not disposed to accept a King at that time. He also knew +that, in order to attain that position, it would have been necessary to +have recourse to measures which were utterly repugnant to his deep sense +of humanity and justice. That Byron may have been sounded by some of the +intriguing chieftains with some such suggestion is more than probable, but +he was far too honest to walk into the snare. One day he said to Parry: + + 'I have experienced, since my arrival at Missolonghi, offers that + would surprise you, were I to tell you of them, and which would turn + the head of any man less satiated than I am, and more desirous of + possessing power than of contributing to freedom and happiness. To all + these offers, and to every application made to me, which had a + tendency to provoke disputes or increase discord, I have always + replied: "I came here to serve Greece; agree among yourselves for the + good of your country, and whatever is your _united_ resolve, and + whatever the Government commands, I shall be ready to support with my + fortune and my sword." We who came here to fight for Greece have no + right to meddle with its internal affairs, or dictate to the people or + Government.' + +That Byron, if he had lived, and if he had chosen to _usurp_ power, could +have made himself a Dictator admits of no doubt. In the then state of that +distracted country, and the well-known mercenary disposition of the +Greeks, he might with his dollars have raised an army which would have +made him supreme in Greece. + + 'No single chieftain,' Parry says, '_could_ have resisted; and all of + them would have been compelled--because they would not trust one + another--to join their forces with Byron's. The whole of the Suliotes + were at his beck and call. He could have procured the assassination of + any man in Greece for a sum too trifling to mention.' + +But Byron had no such views; he never wished to possess political power in +Greece. He had come to serve the Greeks on their own conditions, and +nothing could have made him swerve from that intention. + +Byron's talk with Trelawny at Cephalonia on this subject was not serious, +and it took place before he had mastered all the perplexing problems +connected with Greece. + +It is to Byron's lasting credit that, with so many opportunities for +self-aggrandizement, he should have proved himself so unselfish and +high-minded. + +What might have happened if he had been able to attend the Congress at +Salona we shall never know. But we feel confident, from a long and close +study of Byron's character, that, even if the Government and the +chieftains had offered him the throne of Greece, he would have refused it. +Not only would such a throne have been, figuratively, poised in air, +swayed by every breath which the rival chieftains would have blown upon +it, but Byron himself would have been accused, throughout the length and +breadth of Europe, of exploiting the sufferings of Greece for his own +personal aggrandizement. While we are discussing this question, it is well +to understand the position of affairs at the time when the proposal to +hold a Congress at Salona was made. + +The ostensible object of the Congress was to shake hands all round, to let +bygones be bygones, and to unite all available forces in a spirit of +amity. It was high time. The Morea was troubled by the hostilities between +Colocotroni's men and Government factions. Colocotroni[22] himself was +shut up in Tripolitza, and his son Pano in Napoli di Romagna. Eastern +Greece was more or less tranquil. Odysseus[23] was at Negropont, from +whence seven hundred Albanians had lately absconded. The passes of +Thermopylæ were insecure. Although Western Greece was for the moment +tranquil, life in Missolonghi was not worth an hour's purchase; and there +was a serious split between the so-called Odysseans and the party of +Mavrocordato, skilfully fostered by both Colonel Stanhope and Odysseus. +Though Candia was subdued, the peasantry threatened a rising in the +mountains; the Albanians were discontented; and, finally, the Government +itself was not sleeping on a bed of roses, for it had most of the great +military chiefs dead against it. + +There were, in fact, at that time two Governments--one at Argos and one at +Tripolitza--and both hostile to each other. The Primates were in favour +of a Turkish form of government, and they had great influence in the +Morea. The chiefs, on the contrary, while professing democratic +principles, were really in favour of frank terrorism and plunder. Some of +them were personally brave; others were the offspring of heroes, whom the +Turks had never been able to subdue, and who held a sort of feudal tenure +over lands which they had kept by the sword. The people of the +Peloponnesus were under the influence of the civil and military oligarchs; +those of Eastern and Western Greece were chiefly under the captains. Of +these, Odysseus and Mavrocordato were the most influential. The islands +Hydra and Spezzia were under the influence of some rich oligarchs; while +Ipsara was purely democratic. The only virtue to be found in Greece was +monopolized by the peasantry, who had passed through a long period of +Turkish oppression without being tainted by that corruption which was so +prevalent in the towns. Indeed, the peasants and some of the islanders +were the finest examples of the 'national' party, which had never been +subdued by military or civil tyrants. When we consider the mercenary +character of the Greeks, their real or assumed poverty, their insatiable +demands for Byron's money; when one realizes the hopeless tangle into +which greed and ambition had thrown the affairs of Greece (the open +hostility of the capitanis to any settled form of government), it is +evident that the supreme management of such a circus would have been no +sinecure. No one believed that Greece, under the conditions then +prevailing, would have found repose under a foreign King. Nothing short of +a cruel, unflinching despotism would have quieted the country. + +It is, of course, possible that the chiefs assembled at Salona would have +offered to Byron the general direction of affairs in the western +continent. Gamba says that he had heard rumours to the effect that in a +short time the general government of Greece would have been placed in +Byron's hands. 'Considering,' he says, 'the vast addition to his authority +which the arrival of the moneys from England would have insured to Byron, +such an idea is by no means chimerical.' + +Writing to Barff on March 22, Byron says: + + 'In a few days Prince Mavrocordato and myself intend to proceed to + Salona at the request of Odysseus and the chiefs of Eastern Greece, to + concert, if possible, a plan of union between Western and Eastern + Greece, and to take measures, offensive and defensive, for the ensuing + campaign. Mavrocordato is _almost_ recalled by the _new_ Government to + the Morea (to take the lead, I rather think), and they have written to + propose to me to go either to the Morea with him, or to take the + general direction of affairs in this quarter with General Londos, and + any other I may choose, to form a Council. Andrea Londos is my old + friend and acquaintance, since we were lads in Greece together. It + would be difficult to give a positive answer till the Salona meeting + is over; but I am willing to serve them in any capacity they please, + either commanding or commanded--it is much the same to me, as long as + I can be of any presumed use to them.' + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + + +On March 22 news reached Missolonghi that the Greek loan had been +successfully raised in London. Byron sent this welcome intelligence to the +Greek Government, with a request that no time should be lost in fitting +out the fleet at the different islands. The artillery corps at Missolonghi +was augmented by one hundred regular troops under the command of Lambro, a +brave Suliote chief, for the better protection of the guns stationed in +the mountains. Unfortunately, the weather, upon which Byron so much +depended for exercise, could not possibly have been worse. Incessant rain +and impassable roads confined him to the house until his health was +seriously affected. He constantly complained of oppression on his chest, +and was altogether in a depressed condition of mind. + +On the day fixed for his departure for Salona, the River Phidari was so +swollen as not to be fordable, and the roads in every direction were +impassable. For many days the rain poured down in torrents, until, to +employ Byron's quaint phrase, 'The dykes of Holland, when broken down, +would be the deserts of Arabia for dryness, in comparison.' + +On March 28 an event occurred to which Byron has alluded in his published +correspondence. It was a trifling matter enough, but might have had +serious consequences if Byron had not shown great firmness. One of the +artillerymen, an Italian, had robbed a poor peasant in the market-place of +25 piastres. The man was in due course arrested, tried by court-martial, +and convicted. There was no doubt as to his guilt, but a serious dispute +arose among the officers as to his punishment. The Germans were for the +bastinado; but that was contrary to the French military code, under which +the man was tried, and Byron strongly opposed its infliction. He declared +that, so far as he was concerned, no barbarous usages should be introduced +into Greece, especially as such a mode of punishment would disgust rather +than reform. He proposed that, instead of corporal punishment, the +offender should have his uniform stripped off his back, and be marched +through the streets, bearing a label describing the nature of his offence. +He was then to be handed over to the regular police and imprisoned for a +time. This example of severity, tempered by humanity, produced an +excellent effect upon the soldiers and the citizens of Missolonghi. In the +course of the evening some high words passed on the subject between three +Englishmen, two of them being officers of the brigade, cards were +exchanged, and two duels were to be fought the next morning. Byron did not +hear of this until late at night. He then ordered Gamba to arrest the +whole party. When they were afterwards brought before Byron, he with some +difficulty prevailed upon them to shake hands, and thus averted a serious +scandal. Gamba, writing on March 30, says that the Primates of Missolonghi +on that day presented Byron with the freedom of their town. + + 'This new honour,' he says, 'did but entail upon Lord Byron the + necessity for greater sacrifices. The poverty of the Government and + the town became daily more apparent. They could not furnish the + soldiers' rations nor pay their arrears; nor was there forthcoming a + single piastre of the 1,500 dollars which the Primates had agreed to + furnish for the fortifications. Thus the whole charge fell upon Lord + Byron.' + +On the following night a Greek came with tears rolling down his cheeks, +and complained that one of Byron's soldiers had, in a drunken frenzy, +broken open his door and with drawn sword alarmed his whole family. He +appealed to Byron for protection. Without a moment's hesitation Byron sent +an officer with a file of men to arrest the delinquent. He was a Russian +who had lately arrived and enlisted in the artillery brigade. The man +vowed that the charge was false; that he had lodged in that house for +several days, and that he only broke the door open because the Greek would +not admit him, and kept him outside in the rain. He moreover complained of +the time and manner of his arrest, and sent a letter to Byron accusing the +officer who had arrested him. Byron's reply was as follows: + + '_April 1, 1824._ + + 'SIR, + + 'I have the honour to reply to your letter of this day. In consequence + of an urgent and, to all appearances, a well-founded complaint, made + to me yesterday evening, I gave orders to Mr. Hesketh to proceed to + your quarters with the soldiers of his guard, and to remove you from + your house to the Seraglio, because the owner of your house declared + himself and his family to be in immediate danger from your conduct; + and added that that was not the first time that you had placed them in + similar circumstances. Neither Mr. Hesketh nor myself could imagine + that you were in bed, as we had been assured to the contrary; and + certainly such a situation was not contemplated. But Mr. Hesketh had + positive orders to conduct you from your quarters to those of the + artillery brigade; at the same time being desired to use no violence; + nor does it appear that any was had recourse to. This measure was + adopted because your landlord assured me, when I proposed to put off + the inquiry until the next day, that he could not return to his house + without a guard for his protection, and that he had left his wife and + daughter, and family, in the greatest alarm; on that account putting + them under our immediate protection; the case admitted of no delay. As + I am not aware that Mr. Hesketh exceeded his orders, I cannot take any + measures to punish him; but I have no objection to examine minutely + into his conduct. You ought to recollect that entering into the + auxiliary Greek Corps, now under my orders, at your own sole request + and positive desire, you incurred the obligation of obeying the laws + of the country, as well as those of the service. + + 'I have the honour to be, etc., + 'N. B.' + +It is doubtful whether any other commanding officer would, in similar +circumstances, have taken the trouble to write such a letter to a private +in his regiment. We merely allude to the incident in order to show that +even in trivial matters Byron performed his duty towards those under his +command, taking especial interest in each case, so that breaches of +discipline might not be too harshly treated by his subordinates. + +On April 3 the whole town of Missolonghi was thrown into a panic of alarm. +A rumour quickly spread that a body of troops had disembarked at Chioneri, +a village on the southern shore of the city. At two o'clock in the +afternoon about one hundred and fifty men, belonging to the chief +Cariascachi, landed, and demanded reparation for an injury which had been +inflicted on his nephew by some boatmen belonging to Missolonghi. +Meanwhile the man who wounded the young man had absconded; and the +soldiers, unable to wreak their vengeance upon them, arrested two of the +Primates, and sent them to Cariascachi as hostages. They then seized the +fort at Vasiladi, a small mud island commanding the flats, which on the +sea side afford an impenetrable defence to the town. Cariascachi further +declared that he would neither give up the Primates nor Vasiladi until the +men who had wounded his nephew were delivered into his hands. On the same +day seven Turkish vessels anchored off Vasiladi. Cariascachi had long been +suspected of a treasonable correspondence with the Turks, and Mavrocordato +was quick to perceive that his conduct on this occasion, coinciding as it +did with the movements of the enemy, was part of a conspiracy against his +authority in Western Greece. He expected every moment to hear that the +Turks had taken possession of Vasiladi, and guessed that the soldiers sent +by Cariascachi, ostensibly to avenge a private injury, had really come to +open the gates to the Turks. It was a critical moment indeed. All the +disposable troops were in the provinces; the Suliotes were marching to +Arta, and some of them had already accepted service under Cariascachi +himself. + +Byron, with wonderful self-command, concealed his indignation at such +evidence of treason, and urged Mavrocordato to dismiss his fears, and to +display all possible energy in order to defeat Cariascachi's designs. He +offered his own services, that of the artillery brigade, and of the three +hundred Suliotes who formed his guard. Gunboats were sent to Vasiladi with +orders to dislodge the rebels, and Byron resolved that the suspected +treason of this Greek chieftain should be severely punished. The batteries +of Missolonghi were immediately secured by the artillerymen, and several +of their guns were pointed towards the town, so as to prevent a surprise. + +At the approach of the gunboats the rebels precipitately fled, and, +perceiving the resolute bearing assumed by Byron's troops, they +immediately surrendered the Primates, and humbly asked permission to +retire unmolested. This was of course granted, but Cariascachi was +subsequently tried by court-martial, and found guilty of holding +treasonable communications with the enemy. + +According to Millingen, who was at Missolonghi at that time, it was not +proved against Cariascachi that he had ever proposed to deliver up +Vasiladi and Missolonghi to the Turks; but appearances were certainly +against him, and his subsequent flight to Agraffa seems to have given +evidence of a guilty conscience. Byron was deeply mortified by this +example of treason on the part of a Greek chieftain. He had not been +prepared to meet with black-hearted treachery, or to see Greeks conspiring +against their own country, courting the chains of their former masters, +and bargaining the liberties and very existence of their own +fellow-countrymen. + + 'Ignorant at first,' says Millingen, 'how far the ramifications of + this conspiracy might extend, he trembled to think of the + consequences. Personal fear never entered his mind, although most of + the Suliotes who composed his guard, as soon as they heard that their + compatriots at Anatolico sided with Cariascachi, declared openly that + they would not act against their countrymen. The hopes that Byron had + formed for the future of Greece were for a moment obscured. He feared + lest the news of a civil war in the Peloponnesus, and of a conspiracy + to introduce the Turks into Western Greece, would, on reaching + England, ruin the Greek credit, and preclude all hope of obtaining a + loan, which to him appeared indispensable to the salvation of her + liberty.' + +While absorbed by the gloomy reflections to which this incident gave rise, +a spy was discovered under Byron's own roof. A man named Constantine +Volpiotti, it was asserted, had had several conferences with Cariascachi +at Anatolico. Letters found upon him confirmed the worst suspicions, and +he was handed over by Byron's orders to the tender mercies of the town +guard. A military commission subsequently examined minutely into the whole +affair. It appears that the incriminating letters found in Volpiotti's +clothes were those written by Mavrocordato and other patriots to +Cariascachi, reproaching him for his treachery and connivance with the +enemy. These Volpiotti was to show to Omer Pacha as certificates to prove +how faithful Cariascachi had ever been to his engagements with him. + + 'It resulted, from the examination which Volpiotti underwent, that he + had been charged to ask Omer Pacha for a _Bouyourtè_, appointing + Cariascachi Capitano of the province of Agraffa. Cariascachi engaged + in return to co-operate with Vernakiotti in the reduction of Western + Greece, and to draw over to his party several of the chiefs who had + hitherto most faithfully adhered to the Greek Government.' + +Under these circumstances it was not wise, even if it were politic, to +allow Cariascachi to escape. Byron felt this keenly, and foresaw what +actually happened. Cariascachi was no sooner clear of Anatolico than he +placed himself at the head of his followers, and, assisted by Andrea Isco, +of Macrinoro, he again made Agraffa and its adjoining provinces the scene +of his depredations and daily sanguinary encounters. + + 'At no time in his life,' says Millingen, 'did Lord Byron find himself + in circumstances more calculated to render him unhappy. The cup of + health had dropped from his lips, and constant anxiety and suffering + operated powerfully on his mind, already a prey to melancholy + apprehensions, and disappointment, increased by disgust. Continually + haunted by a dread of epilepsy or palsy, he fell into the lowest state + of hypochondriasis, and vented his sorrows in language which, though + sometimes sublime, was at others as peevish and capricious as that of + an unruly and quarrelsome child.' + +Gamba tells us that Byron, after the events above mentioned, became +nervous and irritable. He had not been on horseback for some days on +account of the weather, but on April 9, though the weather was +threatening, he determined to ride. Three miles from the town he and Gamba +were caught in a heavy downpour of rain, and they returned to the town +walls wet through and in a violent perspiration. Gamba says: + + 'I have before mentioned that it was our practice to dismount at the + walls, and return to our house in a boat. This day, however, I + entreated Byron to return home on horseback the whole way, as it would + be dangerous, hot as he was, to remain exposed to the rain in a boat + for half an hour. But he would not listen to me, and said: "I should + make a pretty soldier indeed, if I were to care for such a trifle." + Accordingly we dismounted, and got into the boat as usual. Two hours + after his return home, he was seized with a shuddering: he complained + of fever and rheumatic pains. At eight in the evening I entered his + rooms; he was lying on a sofa, restless and melancholy.' + +Byron said that he suffered a great deal of pain, and in consequence Dr. +Bruno proposed to bleed him. Bruno seems to have considered the lancet as +a sovereign remedy for all the ills of life. + +'Have you no other remedy than bleeding? There are many more die of the +lancet than the lance,' said Byron, as he declined his doctor's proposal. +On the following day he was perpetually shuddering, but he got up at his +usual hour and transacted business. He did not, however, leave the house. +On April 11 Byron resolved to ride out an hour before his usual time, +fearing that, if he waited, he would be prevented by the rain. + + 'We rode for a long time in the olive woods,' says Gamba. 'Lambro, a + Suliote officer, accompanied by a numerous suite, attended Byron, who + spoke much and appeared to be in good spirits. + + 'The next day he kept his bed with an attack of rheumatic fever. It + was thought that his saddle was wet; but it is more probable that he + was really suffering from his previous exposure to the rain, which + perhaps affected him the more readily on account of his + over-abstemious mode of life.' + +The dates to which Gamba refers in the statement we have quoted were April +11 and 12. It is important to remark that in Fletcher's account, published +in the _Westminster Review_, it is stated that the last time Byron rode +out was on April 10. According to Parry, who supports Fletcher's opinion, +Byron was very unwell on April 11, and did not leave his house. He had +shivering fits, and complained of pains, particularly in his bones and +head. + + 'He talked a great deal,' says Parry, 'and I thought in rather a + wandering manner. I became alarmed for his safety, and earnestly + begged him to try a change of air and scene at Zante.' + +Gamba, in his journal, says that Byron rose from his bed on April 13, but +did not leave the house. The fever appeared to be diminished, but the +pains in his head and bones continued. He was melancholy and irritable. He +had not slept since his attack, and could take no other nourishment than a +little broth and a spoonful or two of arrowroot. On the 14th he got out +of bed at noon; he was calmer. The fever had apparently diminished, but he +was very weak, and still complained of pains in his head. It was with the +greatest difficulty, says Gamba, that the physicians dissuaded him from +going out riding, which, in spite of the threatening weather, he desired +to do. There seems at that time to have been no suspicion of danger, and +it was even supposed by his doctors that the malady was under control. +Byron himself said that he was rather glad of his fever, as it might cure +him of his tendency to epilepsy. He attended to his correspondence as +usual. Gamba says: + + 'I think it was on this day that, as I was sitting near him on his + sofa, he said to me, "I was afraid I was losing my memory, and, in + order to try, I attempted to repeat some Latin verses with the English + translation, which I have not tried to recollect since I was at + school. I remembered them all except the last word of one of the + hexameters."' + +On April 15 the fever was still upon him, says Gamba, but all pain had +ceased. He was easier, and expressed a wish to ride out, but the weather +would not permit. He transacted business, and received, among others, a +letter from the Turkish Governor to whom he had sent the prisoners he had +liberated. The Turk thanked Byron for his courtesy, and asked for a +repetition of this favour. 'The letter pleased him much,' says Gamba. + +According to Fletcher, it appears that both on that day and the day +previous Byron had a suspicion that his complaint was not understood by +his doctors. + +Parry says that on April 15 the doctors thought there was no danger, and +said so, openly. He paid Byron a visit, and remained at his bedside from +7 p.m. until 10 o'clock. + + 'Lord Byron spoke of death with great composure,' says Parry; 'and + though he did not think that his end was so very near, there was + something about him so serious and so firm, so resigned and composed, + so different from anything I had ever before seen in him, that my mind + misgave me.' + +Byron then spoke of the sadness of being ill in such a place as +Missolonghi, and seemed to have imagined the possibility of a +reconciliation with his wife. + + 'When I left Italy,' said Byron, 'I had time on board the brig to give + full scope to memory and reflection. I am convinced of the happiness + of domestic life. No man on earth respects a virtuous woman more than + I do, and the prospect of retirement in England with my wife and + daughter gives me an idea of happiness I have never before + experienced. Retirement will be everything for me, for heretofore my + life has been like the ocean in a storm.' + +Byron then spoke of Tita (and Fletcher also, doubtless, though Parry does +not mention that honest and faithful servant), and said that Bruno was an +excellent young man and very skilful, but too much agitated. He hoped that +Parry would come to him as often as possible, as he was jaded to death by +the worrying of his doctors, and the evident anxiety of all those who +wished him well. On a wretched fever-stricken swamp, in a house barely +weather-tight, in a miserable room, far from all those whom he loved on +earth, lay the 'pilgrim of eternity,' his life, so full of promise, slowly +flickering out. The pestilent sirocco was blowing a hurricane, and the +rain was falling with almost tropical violence. Gamba had met with an +accident which confined him to his quarters in another part of the town, +a circumstance which deprived Byron of a loyal friend in the hour of his +direst need. Under these circumstances, Parry was a godsend to Byron, and +he seems to have done everything possible to cheer him in his moments of +depression. + +On April 16 Byron was alarmingly ill, and, according to Parry, almost +constantly delirious. He spoke alternately in English and Italian, and his +thoughts wandered. The doctors were not alarmed, and told Parry that Byron +would certainly recover. According to Millingen's account, Dr. Bruno +called him in for a consultation on the 15th, and we shall see what +Millingen thought of his patient's condition when we lay his narrative +before the reader. + +When Parry visited Byron on the morning of the 17th, he was at times +delirious. He appeared to be much worse than on the day before. The +doctors succeeded in bleeding him twice, and both times he fainted. + + 'His debility was excessive. He complained bitterly of the want of + sleep, as delirious patients do complain, in a wild, rambling manner. + He said he had not slept for more than a week, when, in fact, he had + repeatedly slept at short intervals, disturbedly indeed, but still it + was sleep. He had now ceased to think or talk of death; he had + probably no idea that death was so near at hand, for his senses were + in such a state that they rarely allowed him to form a correct idea of + anything.' + +On the 17th Gamba managed to get to Byron's room, and was struck by the +change in his appearance. + + 'He was very calm,' says Gamba, 'and talked to me in the kindest + manner about my having sprained my ankle. In a hollow, sepulchral + tone, he said: "Take care of your foot. I know by experience how + painful it must be." I could not stay near his bed: a flood of tears + rushed into my eyes, and I was obliged to withdraw. This was the + first day that the medical men seemed to entertain serious + apprehensions.' + +On this day Gamba heard that Dr. Thomas, of Zante, had been sent for. It +is unfortunate that this was not done sooner; but Byron had forbidden +Fletcher to send for that excellent medical man, when he proposed it two +days previously. During the night of the 17th Byron became delirious, and +wandered in his speech; he fancied himself at the head of his Suliotes, +assailing the walls of Lepanto--a wish that had lain very close to his +heart for many and many a day. It was his dream of a soldier's glory, to +die fighting, sword in hand. On the morning of the 18th Drs. Millingen and +Bruno were alarmed by symptoms of an inflammation of the brain, and +proposed another bleeding, to which Byron consented, but soon ordered the +vein to be closed. + + 'At noon,' says Gamba, 'I came to his bedside. He asked me if there + were any letters for him. There was one from the Archbishop Ignatius + to him, which told Byron that the Sultan had proclaimed him, in full + divan, an enemy of the Porte. I thought it best not to let him know of + the arrival of that letter. A few hours afterwards other letters + arrived from England from his most intimate friends, full of good + news, and most consolatory in every way, particularly one from Mr. + Hobhouse, and another from Douglas Kinnaird; but he had then become + unconscious--it was too late!' + +April 18, 1824, was Easter Day, a holiday throughout the length and +breadth of Greece, and a noisy one, too. It is the day on which the Greeks +at Missolonghi were accustomed to discharge their firearms and great guns. +Prince Mavrocordato gave orders that Parry should march his artillery +brigade and Suliotes to some distance from the town, in order to attract +the populace from the vicinity of Byron's house. At the same time the town +guard patrolled the streets, and informed people of Byron's danger, +begging them to make as little noise as possible. The plan succeeded +admirably; Byron was not disturbed, and at three o'clock in the afternoon +he rose, and, leaning on the arm of Tita, went into the next room. When +seated, he told Tita to bring him a book, mentioning it by name. About +this time Dr. Bruno entreated him, with tears in his eyes, to be again +bled. + +'No,' said Byron; 'if my hour is come, I shall die whether I lose my blood +or keep it.' + +After reading a few minutes he became faint, and, leaning on Tita's arm, +he tottered into the next room and returned to bed. + +At half-past three, Dr. Bruno and Dr. Millingen, becoming more alarmed, +wished to call in two other physicians, a Dr. Freiber, a German, and a +Greek named Luca Vaya, the most distinguished of his profession in the +town, and physician to Mavrocordato. Lord Byron at first refused to see +them; but being told that Mavrocordato advised it, he said: 'Very well, +let them come; but let them look at me and say nothing.' They promised +this, and were admitted. When about him and feeling his pulse, one of them +wished to speak. 'Recollect your promise,' said Byron, 'and go away.' + +In order to form some idea of the state of things while Byron's life was +slowly ebbing away, we will quote a passage from Parry's book, which was +published soon after the poet's death: + + 'Dr. Bruno I believe to be a very good young man, but he was certainly + inadequate to his situation. I do not allude to his medical knowledge, + of which I cannot pretend to be a judge; but he lacked firmness, and + was so much agitated that he was incapable of bringing whatever + knowledge he might possess into use. Tita was kind and attentive, and + by far the most teachable and useful of all the persons about Lord + Byron. As there was nobody invested with any authority over his + household after he fell ill, there was neither method, order, nor + quiet, in his apartments. A clever, skilful English surgeon, + possessing the confidence of his patient, would have put all this in + train; but Dr. Bruno had no idea of doing any such thing. There was + also a want of many comforts which, to the sick, may be called + necessaries, and there was a dreadful confusion of tongues. In his + agitation Dr. Bruno's English, and he spoke but imperfectly, was + unintellegible; Fletcher's Italian was equally bad. I speak nothing + but English; Tita then spoke nothing but Italian; and the ordinary + Greek domestics were incomprehensible to us all. In all the attendants + there was the officiousness of zeal; but, owing to their ignorance of + each other's language, their zeal only added to the confusion. This + circumstance, and the absence of common necessaries, made Lord Byron's + apartment such a picture of distress, and even anguish, during the two + or three last days of his life, as I never before beheld, and wish + never again to witness.' + +At four o'clock on April 18, according to Gamba, Byron seemed to be aware +of his approaching end. Dr. Millingen, Fletcher, and Tita, were at his +bedside. Strange though it may seem to us in these far-off days, with our +experience of medical men, Dr. Millingen, unable to restrain his tears, +walked out of the room. Tita also wept profusely, and would have retired +if Byron had not held his hand. Byron looked at him steadily, and said, +half smiling, in Italian: 'Oh, questa è una bella scena.' He then seemed +to reflect a moment, and exclaimed, 'Call Parry.' + + 'Almost immediately afterwards,' says Gamba, 'a fit of delirium + ensued, and he began to talk wildly, as if he were mounting a breach + in an assault. He called out, half in English, half in Italian: + "Forwards--forwards--courage--follow my example--don't be afraid!"' + +When he came to himself Fletcher was with him. He then knew that he was +dying, and seemed very anxious to make his servant understand his wishes. +He was very considerate about his servants, and said that he was afraid +they would suffer from sitting up so long in attendance upon him. Byron +said, 'I wish to do something for Tita and Luca.' 'My lord,' said +Fletcher, 'for God's sake never mind that now, but talk of something of +more importance.' But he returned to the same topic, and, taking Fletcher +by the hand, continued: 'You will be provided for--and now hear my last +wishes.' + +Fletcher begged that he might bring pen and paper to take down his words. +'No,' replied Lord Byron, 'there is no time--mind you execute my orders. +Go to my sister--tell her--go to Lady Byron--you will see her, and +say----' Here his voice faltered, and gradually became indistinct; but +still he continued muttering something in a very earnest manner for nearly +twenty minutes, though in such a tone that only a few words could be +distinguished. These were only names: 'Augusta,' 'Ada,' 'Hobhouse,' +'Kinnaird.' He then said: 'Now I have told you all.' + +'My lord,' replied Fletcher, 'I have not understood a word your lordship +has been saying.' Byron looked most distressed at this, and said, 'Not +understand me? What a pity! Then it is too late--all is over.' 'I hope +not,' answered Fletcher; 'but the Lord's will be done.' Byron continued, +'Yes, not mine.' He then tried to utter a few words, of which none were +intelligible except, 'My sister--my child.' The doctors began to concur +in an opinion which one might have thought sufficiently obvious from the +first, namely, that the principal danger to the patient was his extreme +weakness, and now agreed to administer restoratives. Dr. Bruno, however, +thought otherwise, but agreed to administer a dose of claret, bark, and +opium, and to apply blisters to the soles of Byron's feet. He took the +draught readily, but for some time refused the blisters. At last they were +applied, and Byron fell asleep. + +Gamba says: 'He awoke in half an hour. I wished to go to him, but I had +not the heart. Parry went; Byron knew him, and squeezed his hand.' + +Parry says: + + 'When Lord Byron took my hand, I found his hands were deadly cold. + With Tita's assistance, I endeavoured gently to create a little warmth + in them, and I also loosened the bandage which was tied round his + head. Till this was done, he seemed in great pain--clenched his hands + at times, and gnashed his teeth. He bore the loosening of the band + passively; and after it was loosened, he shed tears. I encouraged him + to weep, and said: "My lord, I thank God, I hope you will now be + better; shed as many tears as you can; you will sleep and find ease." + He replied faintly, "Yes, the pain is gone; I shall sleep now." He + took my hand, uttered a faint "Good-night," and dropped to sleep. My + heart ached, but I thought then his sufferings were over, and that he + would wake no more. He did wake again, however, and I went to him; he + knew me, though scarcely. He was less distracted than I had seen him + for some time before; there was the calmness of resignation, but there + was also the stupor of death. He tried to utter his wishes, but he was + not able to do so. He said something about rewarding Tita, and uttered + several incoherent words. There was either no meaning in what he said, + or it was such a meaning as we could not expect at that moment. His + eyes continued open only a short time, and then, at about six o'clock + in the evening of the 18th April, he sank into a slumber, or rather, I + should say, a stupor, and woke and knew no more.' + +It must be borne in mind that the details given above were written by a +man who asserts that he was present during the period of which he gives an +account. Gamba, as we have seen, was not present, and the details which he +gives are avowedly gathered from those who happened to be in the room. + + 'From those about him,' says Gamba, 'I collected that, either at this + time or in his former interval of reason, Byron could be understood to + say, "Poor Greece! Poor town! My poor servants!" Also, "Why was I not + aware of this sooner?" and, "My hour is come! I do not care for death. + But why did I not go home before I came here?" At another time he + said: "There are things which make the world dear to me."' + +He said this in Italian, and Parry may of course not have understood him. +'Io lascio qualche cosa di caro nel mondo.' He also said: 'I am content to +die.' In speaking of Greece, he said: 'I have given her my time, my means, +my health, and now I give her my life! What could I do more?' + +Byron remained insensible, immovable, for twenty-four hours. There were +occasional symptoms of suffocation, and a rattling in the throat, which +induced his servants occasionally to raise his head. Gamba says: + + 'Means were taken to rouse him from his lethargy, but in vain. A great + many leeches were applied to his temples, and the blood flowed + copiously all night. It was exactly a quarter past six on the next + day, the 19th April, that he was seen to open his eyes, and + immediately close them again. The doctors felt his pulse--he was + gone!' + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + + +It matters little what we now think of Byron as a man. After eighty-four +years, his personality is of less public interest than his achievements, +while our capacity for forming an adequate judgment of his character is +necessarily dependent on second-hand evidence, some of which is false, and +much tainted by prejudice. But what did those hard men of action who stood +at his side in those terrible days in Greece--Stanhope, Parry, Finlay, +Blaquière, Millingen, Trelawny--what did they think of Byron? + +Stanhope, who was at Salona, wrote to Bowring on April 30: + + 'A courier has just arrived from the chief Scalza. Alas! all our fears + are realized. The soul of Byron has taken its last flight. England has + lost her brightest genius--Greece her noblest friend. To console them + for the loss, he has left behind the emanations of his splendid mind. + If Byron had faults, he had redeeming virtues too--he sacrificed his + comfort, fortune, health, and life, to the cause of an oppressed + nation. Honoured be his memory! Had I the disposal of his ashes, I + would place them in the Temple of Theseus, or in the Parthenon at + Athens.' + +Three days later Stanhope wrote again to Bowring: + + 'Byron would not refuse to an entire people the benefit of his + virtues; he condescended to display them wherever Humanity beckoned + him to her aid. This single object of devotion to the well-being of a + people has raised him to a distinguished pitch of glory among + characters dignified by their virtues, of which the illustrious + British nation can make so ample a display, and of whom Greece hopes + to behold many co-operating in her regeneration. Having here paid the + tribute of admiration due to the virtues of Lord Byron, eternal may + his memory remain with the world!' + +Parry says: + + 'Thus died the truest and greatest poet England has lately given birth + to, the warmest-hearted of her philanthropists, the least selfish of + her patriots. That the disappointment of his ardent hopes was the + primary cause of his illness and death cannot, I think, be doubted. + The weight of that disappointment was augmented by the numerous + difficulties he met with. He was fretted and annoyed, but he disdained + to complain. As soon as it was known that Lord Byron was dead, sorrow + and grief were generally felt in Greece. They spread from his own + apartments over the town of Missolonghi, through the whole of Greece, + and over every part of civilized Europe. No persons, perhaps, after + his domestics and personal friends, felt his loss more acutely than + the poor citizens of Missolonghi. His residence among them procured + them food, and insured their protection. But for him they would have + been first plundered by the unpaid Suliotes, and then left a prey to + the Turks. Not only were the Primates and Mavrocordato affected on the + occasion, but the poorest citizen felt that he had lost a friend. + Mavrocordato spoke of Lord Byron as the best friend of Greece, and + said that his conduct was admirable. "Nobody knows," he was heard to + say, "except perhaps myself, the loss Greece has suffered. Her safety + even depended on his life. His presence at Missolonghi has checked + intrigues which will now have uncontrolled sway. By his aid alone have + I been able to preserve this city; and now I know that every + assistance I derived from and through him will be withdrawn." + + 'At other cities and places of Greece--at Salona, where the Congress + had just assembled; at Athens--the grief was equally sincere. Lord + Byron was mourned as the best benefactor to Greece. Orations were + pronounced by the priests, and the same honours were paid to his + memory as to the memory of one of their own revered chiefs.' + +After Byron's death Finlay wrote these words: + + 'Lord Byron's death has shed a lustre on both his writings and his + actions; they are in accordance. His life was sacrificed in the cause + for which he had early written, and which he constantly supported. His + merit would not have been greater had he breathed his last on the + isthmus of Corinth at the conclusion of a baffled siege. Yet such a + death would certainly have been more fortunate; for it would have + recalled his name oftener to the memory, at least, of those who have + no souls. Time will put an end to all undue admiration and malicious + cant, and the world will ultimately form an estimate of Byron's + character from his writings and his public conduct. It will then be + possible to form a just estimate of the greatness of his genius and + his mind, and the real extent of his faults. The ridiculous calumnies + which have found a moment's credit will then be utterly forgotten. Nor + will it be from the cursory memoirs or anecdotes of his contemporaries + that his character can be drawn.' + +Blaquière, who had brought out the first instalment of the Greek loan, +arrived at Zante on April 24, and was there informed of Byron's death. He +had been among the first to urge Byron to hasten his projected visit to +Greece, and had held a long conversation with him at Genoa on the state of +affairs in the Morea. The following extract is taken from a letter which +he wrote to a friend in England: + + 'Thus terminated the life of Lord Byron, at a moment the most glorious + for his own fame, but the most unfortunate for Greece; since there is + no doubt but, had he lived, many calamities would have been avoided, + while his personal credit and guarantee would have prevented the + ruinous delay which has taken place with regard to transferring the + loan. In thus devoting his life and fortune to the cause of religion + and humanity, when he might have continued to enjoy the enthusiastic + praises of his contemporaries, he has raised the best monument to his + own fame, and has furnished the most conclusive reply to calumny and + detraction. When all he had done, and was about to do for the cause, + is considered, no wonder that Lord Byron's death should have produced + such an effect. It was, in fact, regarded not only as a national + calamity, but as an irreparable loss to every individual in the town + of Missolonghi, and the English volunteers state that hundreds of the + Greeks were seen to shed tears when the event was announced. + + 'With respect to Prince Mavrocordato, to whom Lord Byron had rendered + the most important services, both as a personal friend and in his + capacity of Governor-General of Western Greece, it is unnecessary to + say that he could not have received a severer blow. When I saw Lord + Byron at Genoa last year, I well remember with what enthusiasm he + spoke of his intended visit, and how much he regretted not having + joined the standard of freedom long before. When once in Greece, he + espoused her most sacred cause with zeal. Up to the time of his fatal + illness he had not advanced less than fifty thousand dollars, and + there is no doubt but he intended to devote the whole of his private + income to the service of the confederation.' + +Millingen says: + + 'The most dreadful public calamity could not have spread more general + consternation, or more profound and sincere grief, than the unexpected + news of Lord Byron's death. During the few months he had lived among + the people of Missolonghi, he had given so many proofs of the + sincerity and extent of his zeal for the advancement of their best + interests. He had, with so much generosity, sacrificed considerable + sums to that purpose; he had relieved the distress of so many + unfortunate persons, that everyone looked upon him as a father and + public benefactor. These titles were not, as they mostly are, the + incense of adulation, but the spontaneous tribute of overflowing + gratitude. He had succeeded in inspiring the soldiers with the + brightest and most sanguine expectations. Full of confidence in a + chief they loved, they would have followed him in the boldest + enterprises. To-day they must follow the corpse of him whom they + received but yesterday with the liveliest acclamations.' + +Trelawny, who arrived at Missolonghi four days after Byron's death, thus +writes to Stanhope at Salona: + + 'Lord Byron is dead. With all his faults, I loved him truly; he is + connected with every event of the most interesting years of my + wandering life. His everyday companion, we lived in ships, boats, and + in houses, together; we had no secrets, no reserve, and though we + often differed in opinion, we never quarrelled. It gave me pain + witnessing his frailties; he only wanted a little excitement to awaken + and put forth virtues that redeemed them all.... This is no private + grief; the world has lost its greatest man, I my best friend.' + +On April 28 Trelawny wrote again to Stanhope: + + 'I think Byron's name was the great means of getting the loan. A Mr. + Marshall with £8,000 per annum was as far as Corfu, and turned back on + hearing of Byron's death.... The greatest man in the world has + resigned his mortality in favour of this sublime cause; for had he + remained in Italy he had lived!' + +Such was Trelawny's opinion of Byron in April, 1824. From all that the +present writer has been able to gather, both from Trelawny's lips and from +his 'Recollections,' published thirty-four years after Byron's death, such +was his real opinion to the last. + +Mrs. Julian Marshall, having called attention[24] to the fact that, four +months after Byron's death, Trelawny, in a letter to Mary Shelley, spoke +in contemptuous terms of Byron, we feel bound to refer to it here. It +must be remembered that the letter in question was of a strictly private +nature. In making it public, Mrs. Marshall _unintentionally_ dealt a +severe blow at Trelawny, which, in justice to his memory, we will +endeavour to soften. + +To anyone acquainted with the character of this remarkable man--the +fearless soul of honour--such a _volte-face_ seems absurd, except on the +hypothesis that something had transpired, since Byron's death, sufficient +to destroy a long-tried friendship. The fact is that during those four +months the whole situation had changed. Trelawny, no longer a free-lance, +was practically a prisoner in a cave on Mount Parnassus. His friend +Odysseus went about in daily fear of assassination, and was persecuted by +the active hostility of a Government which both Odysseus and Trelawny +thought was inspired by Mavrocordato. Trelawny's opinion of the latter, +whose cause Byron had espoused, may be gathered from his letter to Mary +Shelley: + + 'A word as to your wooden god Mavrocordato. He is a miserable Jew, and + I hope ere long to see his head removed from his worthless and + heartless body. He is a mere shuffling soldier, an aristocratic + brute--wants Kings and Congresses--a poor, weak, shuffling, + intriguing, cowardly fellow; so no more about him.' + +It will be seen that Trelawny, when fairly warmed up, did not mince his +words. It is indeed a pity that these heated adjectives were served up to +the public. It was only because Byron had consistently supported +Mavrocordato as the Governor of Western Greece that Trelawny, in his +indiscriminative manner, assailed his memory. But his letter was evidently +only the peevish outburst of an angry man, and closed with these words: + +'I would do much to see and talk to you, but, as I am now too much +irritated to disclose the real state of things, I will not mislead you by +false statements.' + +The state of things at the time may be gathered from a letter addressed to +Colonel Stanhope by Captain Humphreys, who was then serving the Greek +cause as a volunteer. + + 'I write, not from a land of liberty and freedom, but from a country + at present a prey to anarchy and confusion, with the dismal prospect + of future tyranny.... Odysseus is at his fortress of Parnassus; + bribery, assassination, and every provocation, have been employed + against him. An English officer, Captain Fenton, who is with Odysseus, + as well as Trelawny, has been twice attempted to be assassinated, + after refusing to accept a bribe of 10,000 dollars, to deliver up the + fortress. _Mavrocordato's agents principally influence the Government; + the executive body remains stationary; and part of the loan has been + employed to secure their re-election._' + +There is enough in this letter to account for Trelawny's irritation; but +he was entirely wrong in thinking that Byron was in any sense subservient +to the man whom he then regarded as the real author of his misfortunes. +Trelawny had made the mistake of joining the faction of Odysseus, but +Byron was never connected with any faction whatever. Odysseus seems to +have persuaded Trelawny that Byron had become a mere tool of Mavrocordato, +and it was under that erroneous impression that his letter to Mary Shelley +was written. + +If, as Mrs. Julian Marshall says, 'Trelawny's mercurial and impulsive +temperament--ever in extremes--was liable to the most sudden revulsion of +feeling,' it would surely have been wiser, and certainly fairer, to have +withheld the publication of opinions which were not intended for +publication, and which he had, in later life, openly disavowed. In his +estimate of the character and policy of Mavrocordato, he was also +mistaken. It would be quite easy to show that Mavrocordato was perhaps the +only man of his nation, then in Greece, who united in an eminent degree +unadulterated patriotism with the talents which form a statesman. +Millingen, who knew him well, tells us that it was fortunate for Greece +that Mavrocordato was so well acquainted with the character of those with +whom he had to deal. That knowledge preserved Missolonghi, until the +arrival of reinforcements enabled it to hold out against Omer Pacha's +assault. Mavrocordato, he tells us, never pursued any other object than +the good of his country, and never sacrificed her interests to his own +ambition. He alone was capable of organizing a civil administration; in +fact, he created a stable form of government from the ashes of chaos. So +far from his having been a coward, as Trelawny asserts, Mavrocordato, in +his intense desire to serve his country, often placed himself at the head +of troops and fought bravely. Having held the position of Governor-General +of Western Greece in very trying times, he relinquished his command in +1825, in compliance with the orders of his Government, which recalled him +to Anapli, there to fill the post of Secretary of State. He sacrificed the +whole of his fortune in the service of Greece. According to Millingen, he +was occasionally so distressed for money as to be unable to provide for +his daily expenses. + +Enough has been said to show that Trelawny's abuse of Byron must not be +taken too seriously, and that his opinion of Mavrocordato was not +endorsed by those whose opportunities for judging the Prince's conduct +were far greater than Trelawny's. + +Let us dismiss from our minds the recollection of hasty words written in +anger, and let us remember those truer and deeper sentiments which +Trelawny expressed in his old age: + + 'I withdrew the black pall and the white shroud, and beheld the body + of the Pilgrim--more beautiful in death than in life. The contraction + of the muscles and skin had effaced every line that Time or Passion + had ever traced upon it. Few marble busts would have matched its + stainless white, the harmony of its proportions, and perfect finish. + And yet he had been dissatisfied with that body, and longed to cast + its slough! He was jealous of the genius of Shakespeare--that might + well be--but where had he seen the face or the form worthy to excite + his envy?' + + + + +CHAPTER XV + + +The news of Byron's death spread like wildfire through the streets and +bazaars of Missolonghi. The whole city seemed stunned by the unexpected +blow. Byron's illness had been known, but no one dreamed that it would end +so fatally. As Gamba has well said: 'He died in a strange land, and +amongst strangers; but more loved, more sincerely wept, he could never +have been wherever he had breathed his last.' + +On the day of Byron's death, Mavrocordato issued the following +proclamation, which forms a real and enduring tribute to the memory of one +who, in the prime of life, died in a great cause: + + PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT OF WESTERN GREECE. + + The present day of festivity and rejoicing is turned into one of + sorrow and mourning. + + The Lord Noel Byron departed this life at eleven o'clock last night, + after an illness of ten days, his death being caused by an + inflammatory fever. Such was the effect of his lordship's illness on + the public mind, that all classes had forgotten their usual + recreations of Easter, even before the afflicting end was apprehended. + + The loss of this illustrious individual is undoubtedly to be deplored + by all Greece; but it must be more especially a subject of lamentation + at Missolonghi, where his generosity has been so conspicuously + displayed, and of which he had even become a citizen, with the + ulterior determination of participating in all the dangers of the + war. + + Everybody is acquainted with the beneficent acts of his lordship, and + none can cease to hail his name as that of a real benefactor. + + Until, therefore, the final determination of the National Government + be known, and by virtue of the powers with which it has been pleased + to invest me, I hereby decree: + + 1st. To-morrow morning at daylight, 37 minute-guns shall be fired from + the grand battery, being the number which corresponds with the age of + the illustrious deceased. + + 2nd. All the public offices, even to the tribunals, are to remain + closed for three successive days. + + 3rd. All the shops, except those in which provisions or medicines are + sold, will also be shut; and it is strictly enjoined, that every + species of public amusement and other demonstrations of festivity at + Easter may be suspended. + + 4th. A general mourning will be observed for twenty-one days. + + 5th. Prayers and a funeral service are to be offered up in all the + churches. + + (_Signed_) A. MAVROCORDATO. + GIORGIUS PRAIDIS, + _Secretary_. + + Given at Missolonghi, + this 19th day of April, 1824. + +At sunrise, on the day following Byron's death, thirty-seven minute-guns +were fired from the principal battery; and one of the batteries belonging +to the corps immediately under his orders fired a gun every half-hour +during the day. We take the following from Gamba's journal: + + '_April 21._--For the remainder of this day and the next, a silence, + like that of the grave, prevailed over the city. We had intended to + perform the funeral ceremony on the 21st, but the continued rain + prevented us. On the 22nd, however, we acquitted ourselves of that sad + duty, so far as our humble means would permit. In the midst of his own + brigade, of the Government troops, and of the whole population, on + the shoulders of his own officers, the most precious portion of his + honoured remains was carried to the church, where lie the bodies of + Marco Bozzari and of General Normann. There we laid them down. The + coffin was a rude, ill-constructed chest of wood; a black mantle + served for a pall; and over it we placed a helmet and sword, with a + crown of laurels. No funeral pomp could have left the impression, nor + spoken the feelings, of this simple ceremony. The wretchedness and + desolation of the place itself; the wild, half-civilized warriors + around us; their deep, unaffected grief; the fond recollections and + disappointed hopes; the anxieties and sad presentiments depicted on + every countenance, contributed to form a scene more moving, more truly + affecting, than perhaps was ever before witnessed round the coffin of + a great man.' + +Spiridion Tricoupi, a son of one of the Primates of Missolonghi, +pronounced the funeral oration in the following words, translated from the +modern Greek by an inhabitant of Missolonghi: + + 'Unlooked-for event! Deplorable misfortune! But a short time has + elapsed since the people of this deeply suffering country welcomed, + with unfeigned joy and open arms, this celebrated individual to their + bosoms. To-day, overwhelmed with grief and despair, they bathe his + funeral couch with tears of bitterness, and mourn over it with + inconsolable affliction. On Easter Sunday, the happy salutation of the + day, "Christ is risen," remained but half spoken on the lips of every + Greek; and as they met, before even congratulating one another on the + return of that joyous day, the universal question was, "How is Lord + Byron?" Thousands assembled in the spacious plain outside the city, to + commemorate the sacred day, appeared as if they had assembled for the + sole purpose of imploring the Saviour of the world to restore to + health him who was a partaker with us in our present struggle for the + deliverance of our native land. And how is it possible that any heart + should remain unmoved, any lip closed, upon the present occasion? Was + ever Greece in greater want of assistance than when Lord Byron, at + the peril of his life, crossed over to Missolonghi? Then, and ever + since he has been with us, his liberal hand has been opened to our + necessities--necessities which our own poverty would have otherwise + rendered irremediable. How many and much greater benefits did we not + expect from him! And to-day, alas! to-day, the unrelenting grave + closes over him and all our hopes. + + 'Residing out of Greece, and enjoying all the pleasures and luxuries + of Europe, he might have contributed materially to the success of our + cause without coming personally amongst us; and this would have been + sufficient for us, for the well-proved ability and profound judgment + of our Governor, the President of the Senate, would have insured our + safety with the means so supplied. But if this was sufficient for us, + it was not so for Lord Byron. Destined by Nature to uphold the rights + of man whenever he saw them trampled upon; born in a free and + enlightened country; early taught, by reading the works of our + ancestors, which teach all who can read them, not only what man is, + but what he ought to be, and what he may be, he saw the persecuted and + enslaved Greek determined to break the heavy chains with which he was + bound, and to convert the iron into sharp-edged swords, that he might + regain by force what force had torn from him. He came to share our + sufferings; assisting us, not only with his wealth, of which he was + profuse; not only with his judgment, of which he has given us so many + salutary examples; but with his sword, which he was preparing to + unsheath against our barbarous and tyrannical oppressors. He + came--according to the testimony of those who were intimate with + him--with a determination to die in Greece and for Greece. How, + therefore, can we do otherwise than lament with deep sorrow the loss + of such a man! How can we do otherwise than bewail it as the loss of + the whole Greek nation! Thus far, my friends, you have seen him + liberal, generous, courageous, a true Philhellenist; and you have seen + him as your benefactor. This is indeed a sufficient cause for your + tears, but it is not sufficient for his honour. It is not sufficient + for the greatness of the undertaking in which he had engaged. He, + whose death we are now so deeply deploring, was a man who, in one + great branch of literature, gave his name to the age in which we live: + the vastness of his genius and the richness of his fancy did not + permit him to follow the splendid though beaten track of the literary + fame of the ancients; he chose a new road--a road which ancient + prejudice had endeavoured, and was still endeavouring, to shut against + the learned of Europe: but as long as his writings live, and they must + live as long as the world exists, this road will remain always open; + for it is, as well as the other, a sure road to true knowledge. I will + not detain you at the present time by expressing all the respect and + enthusiasm with which the perusal of his writings has always inspired + me, and which, indeed, I feel much more powerfully now than at any + other period. The learned men of all Europe celebrate him, and have + celebrated him; and all ages will celebrate the poet of our age, for + he was born for all Europe and for all ages. + + 'One consideration occurs to me, as striking and true as it is + applicable to the present state of our country: listen to it, my + friends, with attention, that you may make it your own, and that it + may become a generally acknowledged truth. There have been many great + and splendid nations in the world, but few have been the epochs of + their true glory: one phenomenon, I am inclined to believe, is wanting + in the history of these nations, and one the possibility of the + appearance of which the all-considering mind of the philosopher has + much doubted. Almost all the nations of the world have fallen from the + hands of one master into those of another; some have been benefited, + others have been injured by the change; but the eye of the historian + has not yet seen a nation enslaved by barbarians, and more + particularly by barbarians rooted for ages in their soil--has not yet + seen, I say, such a people throw off their slavery unassisted and + alone. This is the phenomenon; and now, for the first time in the + history of the world, we witness it in Greece--yes, in Greece alone! + The philosopher beholds it from afar, and his doubts are dissipated; + the historian sees it, and prepares his citation of it as a new event + in the fortunes of nations; the statesman sees it, and becomes more + observant and more on his guard. Such is the extraordinary time in + which we live. My friends, the insurrection of Greece is not an epoch + of our nation alone; it is an epoch of all nations: for, as I before + observed, it is a phenomenon which stands alone in the political + history of nations. + + 'The great mind of the highly gifted and much lamented Byron observed + this phenomenon, and he wished to unite his name with our glory. Other + revolutions have happened in his time, but he did not enter into any + of them--he did not assist any of them; for their character and nature + were totally different: the cause of Greece alone was a cause worthy + of him whom all the learned men of Europe celebrate. Consider then, my + friends, consider the time in which you live--in what a struggle you + are engaged; consider that the glory of past ages admits not of + comparison with yours: the friends of liberty, the philanthropists, + the philosophers of all nations, and especially of the enlightened and + generous English nation, congratulate you, and from afar rejoice with + you; all animate you; and the poet of our age, already crowned with + immortality, emulous of your glory, came personally to your shores, + that he might, together with yourselves, wash out with his blood the + marks of tyranny from our polluted soil. + + 'Born in the great capital of England, his descent noble on the side + of both his father and his mother, what unfeigned joy did his + Philhellenic heart feel when our poor city, in token of our gratitude, + inscribed his name among the number of her citizens! In the agonies of + death--yes, at the moment when eternity appeared before him; as he was + lingering on the brink of mortal and immortal life; when all the + material world appeared but as a speck in the great works of the + Divine Omnipotence; in that awful hour, but two names dwelt upon the + lips of this illustrious individual, leaving all the world + besides--the names of his only and much-beloved daughter, and of + Greece: these two names, deeply engraven on his heart, even the moment + of death could not efface. "My daughter!" he said; "Greece!" he + exclaimed; and his spirit passed away. What Grecian heart will not be + deeply affected as often as it recalls this moment? + + 'Our tears, my friends, will be grateful, very grateful, to his shade, + for they are the tears of sincere affection; but much more grateful + will be our deeds in the cause of our country, which, though removed + from us, he will observe from the heavens, of which his virtues have + doubtless opened to him the gates. This return alone does he require + from us for all his munificence; this reward for his love towards us; + this consolation for his sufferings in our cause; and this inheritance + for the loss of his invaluable life. When your exertions, my friends, + shall have liberated us from the hands which have so long held us down + in chains; from the hands which have torn from our arms, our property, + our brothers, our children--then will his spirit rejoice, then will + his shade be satisfied. Yes, in that blessed hour of our freedom the + Archbishop will extend his sacred and free hand, and pronounce a + blessing over his venerated tomb; the young warrior sheathing his + sword, red with the blood of his tyrannical oppressors, will strew it + with laurel; the statesman will consecrate it with his oratory; and + the poet, resting upon the marble, will become doubly inspired; the + virgins of Greece (whose beauty our illustrious fellow-citizen Byron + has celebrated in many of his poems), without any longer fearing + contamination from the rapacious hands of our oppressors, crowning + their heads with garlands, will dance round it, and sing of the beauty + of our land, which the poet of our age has already commemorated with + such grace and truth. But what sorrowful thought now presses upon my + mind! My fancy has carried me away; I had pictured to myself all that + my heart could have desired; I had imagined the blessing of our + Bishops, the hymns, and laurel crowns, and the dance of the virgins of + Greece round the tomb of the benefactor of Greece;--but this tomb will + not contain his precious remains; the tomb will remain void; but a few + days more will his body remain on the face of our land--of his new + chosen country; it cannot be given over to our arms; it must be borne + to his own native land, which is honoured by his birth. + + 'Oh daughter! most dearly beloved by him, your arms will receive him; + your tears will bathe the tomb which shall contain his body; and the + tears of the orphans of Greece will be shed over the urn containing + his precious heart, and over all the land of Greece, for all the land + of Greece is his tomb. As in the last moments of his life you and + Greece were alone in his heart and upon his lips, it was but just that + she (Greece) should retain a share of the precious remains. + Missolonghi, his country, will ever watch over and protect with all + her strength the urn containing his venerated heart, as a symbol of + his love towards us. All Greece, clothed in mourning and inconsolable, + accompanies the procession in which it is borne; all ecclesiastical, + civil, and military honours attend it; all his fellow-citizens of + Missolonghi and fellow-countrymen of Greece follow it, crowning it + with their gratitude and bedewing it with their tears; it is blessed + by the pious benedictions and prayers of our Archbishop, Bishop, and + all our clergy. Learn, noble lady, learn that chieftains bore it on + their shoulders, and carried it to the church; thousands of Greek + soldiers lined the way through which it passed, with the muzzles of + their muskets, which had destroyed so many tyrants, pointed towards + the ground, as though they would war against that earth which was to + deprive them for ever of the sight of their benefactor;--all this + crowd of soldiers, ready at a moment to march against the implacable + enemy of Christ and man, surrounded the funeral couch, and swore never + to forget the sacrifices made by your father for us, and never to + allow the spot where his heart is placed to be trampled upon by + barbarous and tyrannical feet. Thousands of Christian voices were in a + moment heard, and the temple of the Almighty resounded with + supplications and prayers that his venerated remains might be safely + conveyed to his native land, and that his soul might repose where the + righteous alone find rest.' + + * * * * * + + 'When the funeral service was over,' says Gamba, 'we left the bier in + the middle of the church, where it remained until the evening of the + next day, guarded by a detachment of his own brigade. The church was + crowded without cessation by those who came to honour and to regret + the benefactor of Greece. + + 'On the evening of the 23rd the bier was privately carried back by + Byron's officers to his own house. The coffin was not closed until the + 29th April. + + 'Immediately after death Byron's countenance had an air of calmness, + mingled with a severity that seemed gradually to soften. When I took a + last look at him, the expression, at least to my eyes, was truly + sublime.' + +Soon after death, Byron's body was embalmed, and a report of the autopsy +will be found in the Appendix. + +Millingen says: + + 'Before we proceeded to embalm the body, we could not refrain from + pausing to contemplate the lifeless clay of one who, but a few days + before, was the hope of a whole nation, and the admiration of the + civilized world. We could not but admire the perfect symmetry of his + body. Nothing could surpass the beauty of his forehead; its height was + extraordinary, and the protuberances under which the nobler + intellectual faculties are supposed to reside were strongly + pronounced. His hair, which curled naturally, was quite grey; the + mustachios light-coloured. His physiognomy had suffered little + alteration, and still preserved the sarcastic, haughty expression + which habitually characterized it. The chest was broad, high-vaulted; + the waist very small; the muscular system well pronounced; the skin + delicate and white; and the habit of the body plump. The only blemish + of his body, which might otherwise have vied with that of Apollo + himself, was the congenital malconformation of his _left_ foot and + leg. The foot was deformed and turned inwards, and the leg was smaller + and shorter than the sound one.'[25] + +Trelawny arrived at Missolonghi on April 24, after the body had been +embalmed. He states that Byron's right leg was shorter than the other, and +the _right_ foot was the most distorted, being twisted inwards, so that +only the edge could have touched the ground. The discrepancy between +Trelawny's statement and that of Millingen is probably due to the fact +that nearly thirty-four years had passed before Trelawny's book was +written. + +Trelawny wrote, from Fletcher's dictation, full particulars of Byron's +last illness and death. It is presumably from these notes that Trelawny +drafted his letter to Colonel Stanhope, dated April 28, 1814. In reference +to that letter, Gamba says: + + 'The details there given of Lord Byron's last illness and death are + not quite correct. But where Mr. Trelawny speaks of the general + impression produced by that lamentable event, he pathetically + describes what is recognized for truth by all those who were witnesses + of the melancholy scene.' + +As Trelawny was not present during the illness and death of Byron, he +cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies that may appear in his +'Records.' He merely wrote from Fletcher's dictation, without adding one +word of his own. + +On Fletcher's return to England, he gave the following evidence: + + 'My master continued his usual custom of riding daily, when the + weather would permit, until the 9th of April. But on that ill-fated + day he got very wet, and on his return home his lordship changed the + whole of his dress; but he had been too long in his wet clothes, and + the cold, of which he had complained more or less ever since we left + Cephalonia, made this attack be more severely felt. Though rather + feverish during the night, his lordship slept pretty well, but + complained in the morning of a pain in his bones and a headache: this + did not, however, prevent him from taking a ride in the afternoon, + which, I grieve to say, was his last. On his return, my master said + that the saddle was not perfectly dry, from being so wet the day + before, and observed that he thought it had made him worse. His + lordship was again visited by the same slow fever, and I was sorry to + perceive, on the next morning, that his illness appeared to be + increasing. He was very low, and complained of not having had any + sleep during the night. His lordship's appetite was also quite gone. I + prepared a little arrowroot, of which he took three or four spoonfuls, + saying it was very good, but could take no more. It was not till the + third day, the 12th, that I began to be alarmed for my master. In all + his former colds he always slept well, and was never affected by this + slow fever. I therefore went to Dr. Bruno and Mr. Millingen, the two + medical attendants, and inquired minutely into every circumstance + connected with my master's present illness: both replied that there + was no danger, and I might make myself perfectly easy on the subject, + for all would be well in a few days. This was on the 13th. On the + following day I found my master in such a state, that I could not feel + happy without supplicating that he would send to Zante for Dr. Thomas. + After expressing my fears lest his lordship should get worse, he + desired me to consult the doctors; which I did, and was told there was + no occasion for calling in any person, as they hoped all would be well + in a few days. Here I should remark that his lordship repeatedly said, + in the course of the day, he was sure the doctors did not understand + his disease; to which I answered, "Then, my lord, have other advice, + by all means." "They tell me," said his lordship, "that it is only a + common cold, which, you know, I have had a thousand times." "I am + sure, my lord," said I, "that you never had one of so serious a + nature." "I think I never had," was his lordship's answer. I repeated + my supplications that Dr. Thomas should be sent for on the 15th, and + was again assured that my master would be better in two or three days. + After these confident assurances, I did not renew my entreaties until + it was too late. + + 'With respect to the medicines that were given to my master, I could + not persuade myself that those of a strong purgative nature were the + best adapted for his complaint, concluding that, as he had nothing on + his stomach, the only effect would be to create pain: indeed, this + must have been the case with a person in perfect health. The whole + nourishment taken by my master, for the last eight days, consisted of + a small quantity of broth at two or three different times, and two + spoonfuls of arrowroot on the 18th, the day before his death. The + first time I heard of there being any intention of bleeding his + lordship was on the 15th, when it was proposed by Dr. Bruno, but + objected to at first by my master, who asked Mr. Millingen if there + was any very great reason for taking blood. The latter replied that it + might be of service, but added that it could be deferred till the next + day; and accordingly my master was bled in the right arm on the + evening of the 16th, and a pound of blood was taken. I observed at the + time that it had a most inflamed appearance. Dr. Bruno now began to + say he had frequently urged my master to be bled, but that he always + refused. A long dispute now arose about the time that had been lost, + and the necessity of sending for medical assistance to Zante; upon + which I was informed, for the first time, that it would be of no use, + as my master would be better, or no more, before the arrival of Dr. + Thomas. His lordship continued to get worse: but Dr. Bruno said he + thought letting blood again would save his life; and I lost no time in + telling my master how necessary it was to comply with the doctor's + wishes. To this he replied by saying he feared they knew nothing about + his disorder; and then, stretching out his arm, said, "Here, take my + arm, and do whatever you like." His lordship continued to get weaker; + and on the 17th he was bled twice in the morning, and at two o'clock + in the afternoon. The bleeding at both times was followed by fainting + fits, and he would have fallen down more than once had I not caught + him in my arms. In order to prevent such an accident, I took care not + to let his lordship stir without supporting him. On this day my master + said to me twice, "I cannot sleep, and you well know I have not been + able to sleep for more than a week: I know," added his lordship, "that + a man can only be a certain time without sleep, and then he must go + mad, without anyone being able to save him; and I would ten times + sooner shoot myself than be mad, for I am not afraid of dying--I am + more fit to die than people think." I do not, however, believe that + his lordship had any apprehension of his fate till the day after, the + 18th, when he said, "I fear you and Tita will be ill by sitting up + constantly night and day." I answered, "We shall never leave your + lordship till you are better." As my master had a slight fit of + delirium on the 16th, I took care to remove the pistols and stiletto + which had hitherto been kept at his bedside in the night. On the 18th + his lordship addressed me frequently, and seemed to be very much + dissatisfied with his medical treatment. I then said, "Do allow me to + send for Dr. Thomas," to which he answered, "Do so, but be quick. I am + sorry I did not let you do so before, as I am sure they have mistaken + my disease. Write yourself, for I know they would not like to see + other doctors here." + + 'I did not lose a moment in obeying my master's orders; and on + informing Dr. Bruno and Mr. Millingen of it, they said it was very + right, as they now began to be afraid themselves. On returning to my + master's room, his first words were, "Have you sent?" "I have, my + lord," was my answer; upon which he said, "You have done right, for I + should like to know what is the matter with me." Although his lordship + did not appear to think his dissolution was so near, I could perceive + he was getting weaker every hour, and he even began to have occasional + fits of delirium. He afterwards said, "I now begin to think I am + seriously ill; and, in case I should be taken off suddenly, I wish to + give you several directions, which I hope you will be particular in + seeing executed." I answered I would, in case such an event came to + pass, but expressed a hope that he would live many years to execute + them much better himself than I could. To this my master replied, "No, + it is now nearly over," and then added, "I must tell you all without + losing a moment." I then said, "Shall I go, my lord, and fetch pen, + ink, and paper?" "Oh, my God! no, you will lose too much time; and I + have it not to spare, for my time is now short," said his Lordship; + and immediately after, "Now, pay attention." His lordship commenced by + saying, "You will be provided for." I begged him, however, to proceed + with things of more consequence. He then continued, "Oh, my poor dear + child!--my dear Ada! My God! could I but have seen her! Give her my + blessing--and my dear sister Augusta and her children;--and you will + go to Lady Byron, and say--tell her everything;--you are friends with + her." His lordship appeared to be greatly affected at this moment. + Here my master's voice failed him, so that I could only catch a word + at intervals; but he kept muttering something very seriously for some + time, and would often raise his voice and say, "Fletcher, now, if you + do not execute every order which I have given you, I will torment you + hereafter if possible." Here I told his lordship, in a state of the + greatest perplexity, that I had not understood a word of what he said; + to which he replied, "Oh, my God! then all is lost, for it is now too + late! Can it be possible you have not understood me?" "No, my lord," + said I, "but I pray you to try and inform me once more." "How can I?" + rejoined my master; "it is now too late, and all is over!" I said, + "Not our will, but God's be done!" and he answered, "Yes, not mine be + done--but I will try." His lordship did indeed make several efforts to + speak, but could only repeat two or three words at a time, such as "My + wife! my child! my sister! You know all--you must say all--you know my + wishes." The rest was quite unintelligible. + + 'A consultation was now held about noon, when it was determined to + administer some Peruvian bark and wine. My master had now been nine + days without any sustenance whatever, except what I have already + mentioned. With the exception of a few words which can only interest + those to whom they were addressed, and which, if required, I shall + communicate to themselves, it was impossible to understand anything + his lordship said after taking the bark. He expressed a wish to sleep. + I at one time asked whether I should call Mr. Parry; to which he + replied, "Yes, you may call him." Mr. Parry desired him to compose + himself. He shed tears, and apparently sunk into a slumber. Mr. Parry + went away, expecting to find him refreshed on his return; but it was + the commencement of the lethargy preceding his death. The last words I + heard my master utter were at six o'clock on the evening of the 18th, + when he said, "I must sleep now"; upon which he laid down never to + rise again!--for he did not move hand or foot during the following + twenty-four hours. His lordship appeared, however, to be in a state of + suffocation at intervals, and had a frequent rattling in the throat. + On these occasions I called Tita to assist me in raising his head, + and I thought he seemed to get quite stiff. The rattling and choking + in the throat took place every half-hour; and we continued to raise + his head whenever the fit came on, till six o'clock in the evening of + the 19th, when I saw my master open his eyes and then shut them, but + without showing any symptom of pain, or moving hand or foot. "Oh, my + God!" I exclaimed, "I fear his lordship is gone." The doctors then + felt his pulse, and said, "You are right--he is gone."' + +Dr. Bruno's answer to the above statement will be found in the Appendix. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + + +Several days passed after the requiem service held in the Church of S. +Spiridion. Meanwhile the necessary preparations were made for transporting +the body to Zante. On May 2 the coffin was carried down to the seaside on +the shoulders of four military chiefs, and attended in the same order as +before. The guns of the fortress saluted until the moment of embarkation. +The vessel which bore the body reached the island of Zante on the third +day after leaving Missolonghi, having, as Gamba says, taken the same +course exactly as on the voyage out. The vessel, owing to head-winds, was +brought to anchor close to the same rocks where Byron had sought shelter +from the Turkish frigate. + + 'On the evening of the 4th May,' says Gamba, 'we made the port of + Zante, and heard that Lord Sidney Osborne had arrived, but, not + finding us in that island, had sailed for Missolonghi.' + +Blaquière, who was at Zante at the time, says: + + 'The vessel was recognized at a considerable distance, owing to her + flag being at half-mast. She entered the mole towards sunset. The body + was accompanied by the whole of his lordship's attendants, who + conveyed it to the lazaretto on the following morning.' + +During the time that the body of Lord Byron was detained at the lazaretto, +a discussion arose as to the final disposal of the remains, Colonel +Stanhope and others being of opinion that they should be interred in the +Parthenon at Athens. It would seem that such a course would have met with +Byron's approval; but, in deference to what were then supposed to have +been the wishes of the poet's family, it was finally arranged to charter +the brig _Florida_, which had lately arrived at Zante with the first +instalment of the Greek loan. In this connection, the last entry in +Gamba's journal may be quoted in full: + + 'A few days after our arrival at Zante, Colonel Stanhope came from the + Morea. He had already written to inform us that the Greek chieftains + of Athens had expressed their desire that Lord Byron should be buried + in the Temple of Theseus. The citizens of Missolonghi had made a + similar request for their town; and we thought it advisable to accede + to their wishes so far as to leave with them, for interment, one of + the vessels containing a portion of the honoured remains. As he had + not expressed any wishes on the subject,[26] we thought the most + becoming course was to convey him to his native country. Accordingly, + the ship that had brought us the specie was engaged for that purpose. + Colonel Stanhope kindly took charge; and on the 25th May the + _Florida_, having on board the remains of Lord Byron, set sail for + England from the port of Zante.' + +The following tribute to Byron from the pen of Blaquière, written on May +24, 1824, must here be given: + + 'Every letter of Byron's, in which any allusion was made to the Greek + cause, proved how judiciously he viewed that great question, while it + displayed a thorough knowledge of the people he had come to assist. + This latter circumstance, which made him more cautious in avoiding + every interference calculated to wound the self-love of the Greeks, + who, though fallen, are still remarkable for their pride, accounts for + the great popularity he had acquired. + + 'It may be truly said that no foreigner who has hitherto espoused the + cause made greater allowance for the errors inseparable from it than + did Lord Byron. + + 'With respect to his opinion as to the best mode of bringing the + contest to a triumphant close, and healing those differences which + have been created by party spirit or faction, there is reason to + believe that the subject occupied his particular attention, and he was + even more than once heard to say that "no person had as yet hit upon + the right plan for securing the independence of Greece." + + 'While sedulously employed in reconciling jarring interests and + promoting a spirit of union, the grand maxim which he laboured to + instil into the Greeks was that of making every other object secondary + and subservient to the paramount one of driving out the Turks.' + +At six o'clock on the evening of that day, Blaquière added the following +words: + + 'I have this instant returned on shore, after having performed the + melancholy duty of towing the remains of Lord Byron alongside the + _Florida_. + + 'I should add that, in consequence of there being no means of + procuring lead for the coffin at Zante, it was arranged that the tin + case prepared at Missolonghi should be enclosed in wood; so that there + is now no fear that the body will not reach England in perfect + preservation. The only mark of respect shown to-day was displayed by + the merchant vessels in the bay and mole. The whole of these, whether + English or foreign, had their flags at half-mast, and many of them + fired guns. The _Florida_ fired minute-guns from the time of our + leaving the lazaretto until we got alongside, when the body was taken + on board, and placed in a space prepared for that purpose. The whole + is painted black, and, thanks to the foresight of my friend Robinson, + an escutcheon very well executed designates the mournful receptacle. + Although no honours have been paid to the remains of our immortal + poet here, we look forward with melancholy satisfaction to those which + await him in the land of his birth. + + 'However bitterly his pen may have lashed the vices and follies of his + day, it is not the least honourable trait in our national character + that neither personal dislike nor those prejudices which arise from + literary jealousy and political animosity prevent us from duly + appreciating departed worth, and even forgetting those aberrations to + which all are more or less liable in this state of imperfection and + fallibility.' + +The following extracts are taken from Lord Broughton's 'Recollections of a +Long Life,' a work that was printed, but not published, in 1865. As the +opinions of Byron's life-long friend, John Cam Hobhouse, they cannot fail +to interest the reader:[27] + + 'How much soever the Greeks of that day may have differed on other + topics, there was no difference of opinion in regard to the loss they + had sustained by the death of Byron. Those who have read Colonel + Leicester Stanhope's interesting volume, "Greece in 1823 and 1824," + and more particularly Colonel Stanhope's "Sketch" and Mr. Finlay's + "Reminiscences" of Byron, will have seen him just as he appeared to me + during our long intimacy. I liked him a great deal too well to be an + impartial judge of his character; but I can confidently appeal to the + impressions he made upon the two above-mentioned witnesses of his + conduct, under very trying circumstances, for a justification of my + strong affection for him--an affection not weakened by the forty years + of a busy and chequered life that have passed over me since I saw him + laid in his grave. + + 'The influence he had acquired in Greece was unbounded, and he had + exerted it in a manner most useful to her cause. Lord Sidney Osborne, + writing to Mrs. Leigh, said that, if Byron had never written a line in + his life, he had done enough, during the last six months in Greece, to + immortalize his name. He added that no one unacquainted with the + circumstances of the case could have any idea of the difficulties he + had overcome. He had reconciled the contending parties, and had given + a character of humanity and civilization to the warfare in which they + were engaged, besides contriving to prevent them from offending their + powerful neighbours in the Ionian Islands. + + 'I heard that Sir F. Adam,[28] in a despatch to Lord Bathurst, bore + testimony to his great qualities, and lamented his death as depriving + the Ionian Government of the only man with whom they could act with + safety. Mavrocordato, in his letter to Dr. Bowring, called him "a + great man," and confessed that he was almost ignorant how to act when + deprived of such a coadjutor.... On Thursday, July 1, I heard that the + _Florida_, with the remains of Byron, had arrived in the Downs, and I + went the same evening to Rochester. The next morning I went to + Standgate Creek, and, taking a boat, went on board the vessel. There I + found Colonel Leicester Stanhope, Dr. Bruno, Fletcher, Byron's valet, + with three others of his servants. Three dogs that had belonged to my + friend were playing about the deck. I could hardly bring myself to + look at them. The vessel had got under-weigh, and we beat up the river + to Gravesend. I cannot describe what I felt during the five or six + hours of our passage. I was the last person who shook hands with Byron + when he left England in 1816. I recollected his waving his cap to me + as the packet bounded off on a curling wave from the pier-head at + Dover, and here I was now coming back to England with his corpse. + + 'Poor Fletcher burst into tears when he first saw me, and wept + bitterly when he told me the particulars of my friend's last illness. + These have been frequently made public, and need not be repeated here. + I heard, however, on undoubted authority, that until he became + delirious he was perfectly calm; and I called to mind how often I had + heard him say that he was not apprehensive as to death itself, but as + to how, from physical infirmity, he might behave at that inevitable + hour. On one occasion he said to me, "Let no one come near me when I + am dying, if you can help it, and we happen to be together at the + time." + + 'The _Florida_ anchored at Gravesend, and I returned to London; + Colonel Stanhope accompanied me. This was on Friday, July 2. On the + following Monday I went to Doctors' Commons and proved Byron's will. + Mr. Hanson did so likewise. Thence I went to London Bridge, got into a + boat, and went to London Docks Buoy, where the _Florida_ was anchored. + I found Mr. Woodeson, the undertaker, on board, employed in emptying + the spirit from the large barrel containing the box that held the + corpse. This box was removed, and placed on deck by the side of a + leaden coffin. I stayed whilst the iron hoops were knocked off the + box; but I could not bear to see the remainder of the operation, and + went into the cabin. Whilst there I looked over the sealed packet of + papers belonging to Byron, which he had deposited at Cephalonia, and + which had not been opened since he left them there. Captain Hodgson of + the _Florida_, the captain's father, and Fletcher, were with me; we + examined every paper, and did not find any will. Those present signed + a document to that effect. + + 'After the removal of the corpse into the coffin, and the arrival of + the order from the Custom-house, I accompanied the undertaker in the + barge with the coffin. There were many boats round the ship at the + time, and the shore was crowded with spectators. We passed quietly up + the river, and landed at Palace Yard stairs. Thence the coffin and the + small chest containing the heart were carried to the house in George + Street, and deposited in the room prepared for their reception. The + room was decently hung with black, but there was no other decoration + than an escutcheon of the Byron arms, roughly daubed on a deal board. + + 'On reaching my rooms at the Albany, I found a note from Mr. Murray, + telling me that he had received a letter from Dr. Ireland, politely + declining to allow the burial of Byron in Westminster Abbey; but it + was not until the next day that, to my great surprise, I learnt, on + reading the doctor's note, that Mr. Murray had made the request to the + Dean in my name. I thought that it had been settled that Mr. Gifford + should sound the Dean of Westminster previously to any formal request + being made. I wrote to Mr. Murray, asking him to inform the Dean that + I had not made the request. Whether he did so, I never inquired. + + 'I ascertained from Mrs. Leigh that it was wished the interment should + take place at the family vault at Hucknall in Nottinghamshire. The + utmost eagerness was shown, both publicly and privately, to get sight + of anything connected with Byron. Lafayette was at that time on his + way to America, and a young Frenchman came over from the General at + Havre, and wrote me a note requesting a sight of the deceased poet. + The coffin had been closed, and his wishes could not be complied with. + A young man came on board the _Florida_, and in very moving terms + besought me to allow him to take one look at him. I was sorry to be + obliged to refuse, as I did not know the young man, and there were + many round the vessel who would have made the same request. He was + bitterly disappointed; and when I gave him a piece of the cotton in + which the corpse had been wrapped, he took it with much devotion, and + placed it in his pocket-book. Mr. Phillips, the Academician, applied + for permission to take a likeness, but I heard from Mrs. Leigh that + the features of her brother had been so disfigured by the means used + to preserve his remains, that she scarcely recognized them. This was + the fact; for I had summoned courage enough to look at my dead friend; + so completely was he altered, that the sight did not affect me so much + as looking at his handwriting, or anything that I knew had belonged to + him.' + +The following account by Colonel Leicester Stanhope, probably outlined +during his voyage home with Byron's body, is well worth reading. It +unveils the personality of Byron as he appeared during those trying times +at Missolonghi, when, tortured by illness and worried by dissensions among +his coadjutors, he gave his life to Greece. Stanhope's sketch conveys the +honest opinion of a man whose political views, differing fundamentally +from those of Byron, brought them often in collision. But for this reason, +perhaps, this record is the more valuable. It is written without +prejudice, with considerable perspicuity, and with unquestionable +sincerity. Its peculiar value lies in the approval which, as we have seen, +it received from Mr. Hobhouse, who undoubtedly was better acquainted with +the character of Byron than any of his contemporaries. + + 'In much of what certain authors have lately said in praise of Lord + Byron I concur. The public are indebted to them for useful information + concerning that extraordinary man's biography. I do not, however, + think that any of them have given of him a full and masterly + description. It would require a person of his own wonderful capacity + to draw his character, and even he could not perform this task + otherwise than by continuing the history of what passed in his mind; + for his character was as versatile as his genius. From his writings, + therefore, he must be judged, and from them can he alone be + understood. His character was, indeed, poetic, like his works, and he + partook of the virtues and vices of the heroes of his imagination. + Lord Byron was original and eccentric in all things, and his conduct + and his writings were unlike those of other men. He might have said + with Rousseau: "Moi seul. Je sens mon coeur et je connois les hommes. + Je ne suis fait comme aucun de ceux qui existent. Si je ne vaux pas + mieux, au moins, je suis autre. Si la nature a bien ou mal fait de + briser le moule dans lequel elle m'a jetté, c'est dont on ne peut + juger qu'après m'avoir lu." All that can be hoped is, that, after a + number of the ephemeral sketches of Lord Byron have been published, + and ample information concerning him obtained, some master-hand will + undertake the task of drawing his portrait. If anything like justice + be done to Lord Byron, his character will appear far more + extraordinary than any his imagination has produced, and not less + wonderful than those sublime and inimitable sketches created and + painted by the fanciful pen of Shakespeare. + + 'There were two circumstances which appear to me to have had a + powerful influence on Byron's conduct. I allude to his lameness and + his marriage. The deformity of his foot constantly preyed on his + spirits and soured his temper. It is extraordinary, however, and + contrary, I believe, to the conduct of the generality of lame persons, + that he pitied, sympathized, and befriended, those who laboured under + similar defects. + + 'With respect to Lady Byron, her image appeared to be rooted in his + mind. She had wounded Lord Byron's pride by having refused his first + offer of marriage; by having separated herself from him whom others + assiduously courted; and by having resisted all the efforts of his + genius to compel her again to yield to his dominion. Had Lady Byron + been submissive, could she have stooped to become a caressing slave, + like other ingenious slaves, she might have governed her lord and + master. But no, she had a mind too great, and was too much of an + Englishwoman to bow so low. These contrarieties set Lord Byron's heart + on fire, roused all his passions, gave birth, no doubt, to many of his + sublimest thoughts, and impelled him impetuously forward in his zigzag + career. When angry or humorous, she became the subject of his wild + sport; at other times she seemed, though he loved her not, to be the + mistress of his feelings, and one whom he in vain attempted to cast + from his thoughts. Thus, in a frolicsome tone, I have heard him sketch + characters, and, speaking of a certain acquaintance, say, "With the + exception of Southey and Lady Byron, there is no one I hate so much." + This was a noisy shot--a sort of a _feu de joie_, that inflicted no + wound, and left no scar behind. Lord Byron was in reality a + good-natured man, and it was a violence to his nature, which he seldom + practised, either to conceal what he thought or to harbour revenge. In + one conversation which I had with Lord Byron, he dwelt much upon the + acquirements and virtues of Lady Byron, and even said she had + committed no fault but that of having married him. The truth is, that + he was not formed for marriage. His riotous genius could not bear + restraint. No woman could have lived with him but one devoid of, or of + subdued, feelings--an Asiatic slave. Lord Byron, it is well known, was + passionately fond of his child; of this he gave me the following + proof. He showed me a miniature of Ada, as also a clever description + of her character, drawn by her mother, and forwarded to him by the + person he most esteemed, his amiable sister. After I had examined the + letter, while reflecting on its contents, I gazed intently on the + picture; Lord Byron, observing me in deep meditation, impatiently + said, "Well, well, what do you think of Ada?" I replied, "If these are + true representations of Ada, and are not drawn to flatter your vanity, + you have engrafted on her your virtues and your failings. She is in + mind and feature the very image of her father." Never did I see man + feel more pleasure than Lord Byron felt at this remark; his eyes + lightened with ecstasy. + + 'Lord Byron's mental and personal courage was unlike that of other + men. To the superficial observer his conduct seemed to be quite + unsettled; this was really the case to a certain extent. His genius + was boundless and excursive, and in conversation his tongue went + rioting on + + '"From grave to gay, from lively to severe." + + 'Still, upon the whole, no man was more constant, and, I may almost + say, more obstinate in the pursuit of some great objects. For example, + in religion and politics he seemed firm as a rock, though like a rock + he was subjected to occasional rude shocks, the convulsions of + agitated nature. + + 'The assertions I have ventured to make of Lord Byron having fixed + opinions on certain material questions are not according to his own + judgment. From what fell from his own lips, I could draw no such + conclusions, for, in conversing with me on government and religion, + and after going wildly over these subjects, sometimes in a grave and + philosophical, and sometimes in a laughing and humorous strain, he + would say: "The more I think, the more I doubt; I am a perfect + sceptic." In contradiction to this assertion, I set Lord Byron's + recorded sentiments, and his actions from the period of his boyhood to + that of his death; and I contend that although he occasionally veered + about, yet he always returned to certain fixed opinions; and that he + felt a constant attachment to liberty, according to our notions of + liberty, and that, although no Christian, he was a firm believer in + the existence of a God. It is, therefore, equally remote from truth to + represent him as either an atheist or a Christian: he was, as he has + often told me, a confirmed deist. + + 'Lord Byron was no party politician. Lord Clare was the person whom he + liked best, because he was his old school acquaintance. Mr. John Cam + Hobhouse was his long-tried, his esteemed, and valued literary and + personal friend. Death has severed these, but there is a soul in + friendship that can never die. No man ever chose a nobler friend. Mr. + Hobhouse has given many proofs of this, and among others, I saw him, + from motives of high honour, destroy a beautiful poem of Lord Byron's, + and, perhaps, the last he ever composed. The same reason that induced + Mr. H. to tear this fine manuscript will, of course, prevent him or me + from ever divulging its contents. Mr. Douglas Kinnaird was another for + whom Lord Byron entertained the sincerest esteem: no less on account + of his high social qualities, than as a clear-sighted man of business, + on whose discretion he could implicitly rely. Sir Francis Burdett was + the politician whom he most admired. He used to say, "Burdett is an + Englishman of the old school." He compared the Baronet to the + statesmen of Charles I.'s time, whom he considered the sternest and + loftiest spirits that Britain had produced. Lord Byron entertained + high aristocratic notions, and had much family pride. He admired, + notwithstanding, the American institutions, but did not consider them + of so democratic a nature as is generally imagined. He found, he said, + many Englishmen and English writers more imbued with liberal notions + than those Americans and American authors with whom he was acquainted. + + 'Lord Byron was chivalrous even to Quixotism. This might have lowered + him in the estimation of the wise, had he not given some extraordinary + proofs of the noblest courage. For example, the moment he recovered + from that alarming fit which took place in my room, he inquired again + and again, with the utmost composure, whether he was in danger. If in + danger, he desired the physician honestly to apprise him of it, for he + feared not death. Soon after this dreadful paroxysm, when Lord Byron, + faint with overbleeding, was lying on his sick-bed, with his whole + nervous system completely shaken, the mutinous Suliotes, covered with + dirt and splendid attires, broke into his apartment, brandishing their + costly arms, and loudly demanding their wild rights. Lord Byron, + electrified by this unexpected act, seemed to recover from his + sickness; and the more the Suliotes raged, the more his calm courage + triumphed. The scene was truly sublime. + + 'At times Lord Byron would become disgusted with the Greeks, on + account of their horrid cruelties, their delays, their importuning him + for money, and their not fulfilling their promises. That he should + feel thus was very natural, although all this is just what might be + anticipated from a people breaking loose from ages of bondage. We are + too apt to expect the same conduct from men educated as slaves (and + here be it remembered that the Greeks were the Helots of slaves) that + we find in those who have, from their infancy, breathed the wholesome + atmosphere of liberty. + + 'Most persons assume a virtuous character. Lord Byron's ambition, on + the contrary, was to make the world imagine that he was a sort of + "Satan," though occasionally influenced by lofty sentiments to the + performance of great actions. Fortunately for his fame, he possessed + another quality, by which he stood completely unmasked. He was the + most ingenuous of men, and his nature, in the main good, always + triumphed over his acting. + + 'There was nothing that he detested more than to be thought merely a + great poet, though he did not wish to be esteemed inferior as a + dramatist to Shakspeare. Like Voltaire, he was unconsciously jealous + of, and for that reason abused, our immortal bard. His mind was + absorbed in detecting Shakspeare's glaring defects, instead of being + overpowered by his wonderful creative and redeeming genius. He assured + me that he was so far from being a "heaven-born poet" that he was not + conscious of possessing any talent in that way when a boy. This gift + had burst upon his mind unexpectedly, as if by inspiration, and had + excited his wonder. He also declared that he had no love or enthusiasm + for poetry. I shook my head doubtingly, and said to him that, although + he had displayed a piercing sagacity in reading and developing the + characters of others, he knew but little of his own. He replied: + "Often have I told you that I am a perfect sceptic. I have no fixed + opinions; that is my character. Like others, I am not in love with + what I possess, but with that which I do not possess, and which is + difficult to obtain." Lord Byron was for shining as a hero of the + first order. He wished to take an active part in the civil and + military government of Greece.[29] On this subject he consulted me; I + condemned the direct assumption of command by a foreigner, fearing + that it would expose him to envy and danger without promoting the + cause. I wished him, by a career of perfect disinterestedness, to + preserve a commanding influence over the Greeks, and to act as their + great mediator. Lord Byron listened to me with unusual and courteous + politeness, for he suspected my motives--he thought me + envious--jealous of his increasing power; and though he did not + disregard, did not altogether follow my advice. I was not, however, to + be disarmed either by politeness or suspicions; they touched me not, + for my mind was occupied with loftier thoughts. The attack was renewed + the next day in a mild tone. The collision, however, of Lord Byron's + arguments, sparkling with jests, and mine, regardless of his + brilliancy and satire, all earnestness, ended as usual in a storm. + Though most anxious to assume high power, Lord Byron was still modest. + He said to me, laughing, that if Napier came, he would _supersede + himself_, as Governor and Commander of Western Greece, in favour of + that distinguished officer. I laughed at this whimsical expression + till I made Lord Byron laugh, too, and repeat over again that he would + "supersede himself." + + 'The mind of Lord Byron was like a volcano, full of fire and wealth, + sometimes calm, often dazzling and playful, but ever threatening. It + ran swift as the lightning from one subject to another, and + occasionally burst forth in passionate throes of intellect, nearly + allied to madness. A striking instance of this sort of eruption I + shall mention. Lord Byron's apartments were immediately over mine at + Missolonghi. In the dead of the night I was frequently startled from + my sleep by the thunders of his lordship's voice, either raging with + anger or roaring with laughter, and rousing friends, servants, and, + indeed, all the inmates of the dwelling, from their repose. Even when + in the utmost danger, Lord Byron contemplated death with calm + philosophy. He was, however, superstitious, and dreadfully alarmed at + the idea of going mad, which he predicted would be his sad destiny. + + 'As a companion, no one could be more amusing; he had neither pedantry + nor affectation about him, but was natural and playful as a boy. His + conversation resembled a stream, sometimes smooth, sometimes rapid, + and sometimes rushing down in cataracts; it was a mixture of + philosophy and slang--of everything--like his "Don Juan." He was a + patient and, in general, a very attentive listener. When, however, he + did engage with earnestness in conversation, his ideas succeeded each + other with such uncommon rapidity that he could not control them. They + burst from him impetuously; and although he both attended to and + noticed the remarks of others, yet he did not allow these to check his + discourse for an instant. + + 'Lord Byron professed a deep-rooted antipathy to the English, though + he was always surrounded by Englishmen, and, in reality, preferred + them (as he did Italian women) to all others. I one day accused him of + ingratitude to his countrymen. For many years, I observed, he had + been, in spite of his faults, and although he had shocked all her + prejudices, the pride, and I might almost say the idol, of Britain. He + said they must be a stupid race to worship such an idol, but he had at + last cured their superstition, as far as his divinity was concerned, + by the publication of his "Cain." It was true, I replied, that he had + now lost their favour. This remark stung him to the soul, for he + wished not only to occupy the public mind, but to command, by his + genius, public esteem. + + 'This extraordinary person, whom everybody was as anxious to see, and + to know, as if he had been a Napoleon, the conqueror of the world, had + a notion that he was hated, and avoided like one who had broken + quarantine. He used often to mention to me the kindness of this or + that insignificant individual, for having given him a good and + friendly reception. In this particular Lord Byron was capricious, for + at Genoa he would scarcely see anyone but those who lived in his own + family; whereas at Cephalonia he was to everyone and at all times + accessible. At Genoa he acted the misanthropist; at Cephalonia he + appeared in his genuine character, doing good, and rather courting + than shunning society. + + 'Lord Byron conceived that he possessed a profound knowledge of + mankind, and of the working of their passions. In this he judged + right. He could fathom every mind and heart but his own, the extreme + depths of which none ever reached. On my arrival from England at + Cephalonia, his lordship asked me what new publications I had brought + out. Among others I mentioned "The Springs of Action." "Springs of + Action!" said Lord Byron, stamping with rage with his lame foot, and + then turning sharply on his heel, "I don't require to be taught on + this head. I know well what are the springs of action." Some time + afterwards, while speaking on another subject, he desired me to lend + him "The Springs of Action." He then suddenly changed the conversation + to some humorous remarks for the purpose of diverting my attention. I + could not, however, forbear reminding him of his former observations + and his furious stamp. + + 'Avarice and great generosity were among Lord Byron's qualities; these + contrarieties are said not unfrequently to be united in the same + person. As an instance of Lord Byron's parsimony, he was constantly + attacking Count Gamba, sometimes, indeed, playfully, but more often + with the bitterest satire, for having purchased for the use of his + family, while in Greece, 500 dollars' worth of cloth. This he used to + mention as an instance of the Count's imprudence and extravagance. + Lord Byron told me one day, with a tone of great gravity, that this + 500 dollars would have been most serviceable in promoting the siege of + Lepanto; and that he never would, to the last moment of his existence, + forgive Gamba for having squandered away his money in the purchase of + cloth. No one will suppose that Lord Byron could be serious in such a + denunciation; he entertained, in reality, the highest opinion of Count + Gamba, who both on account of his talents and devotedness to his + friend merited his lordship's esteem. + + 'Lord Byron's generosity is before the world; he promised to devote + his large income to the cause of Greece, and he honestly acted up to + his pledge. It was impossible for Lord Byron to have made a more + useful, and therefore a more noble, sacrifice of his wealth, than by + devoting it, _with discretion_, to the Greek cause. He set a bright + example to the millionaires of his own country, who certainly show but + little public spirit. Most of them expend their fortunes in acts of + ostentation or selfishness. Few there are of this class who will + devote, perchance, the hundredth part of their large incomes to acts + of benevolence or bettering the condition of their fellow-men. None of + our millionaires, with all their pride and their boasting have had the + public virtue, like Lord Byron, to sacrifice their incomes or their + lives in aid of a people struggling for liberty. + + 'Lord Byron's reading was desultory, but extensive; his memory was + retentive to an extraordinary extent. He was partial to the Italian + poets, and is said to have borrowed from them. Their fine thoughts he + certainly associated with his own, but with such skill that he could + not be accused of plagiarism. Lord Byron possessed, indeed, a genius + absolutely boundless, and could create with such facility that it + would have been irksome to him to have become a servile imitator. He + was original in all things, but especially as a poet. + + 'The study of voyages and travels was that in which he most delighted; + their details he seemed actually to devour. He would sit up all night + reading them. His whole soul was absorbed in these adventures, and he + appeared to personify the traveller. Lord Byron had a particular + aversion to business; his familiar letters were scrawled out at a + great rate, and resembled his conversations. Rapid as were his tongue + and his pen, neither could keep pace with the quick succession of + ideas that flashed across his mind. He hated nothing more than writing + formal official letters; this drudgery he would generally put off from + day to day, and finish by desiring Count Gamba, or some other friend, + to perform the task. No wonder that Lord Byron should dislike this + dry antipoetic work, and which he, in reality, performed with so much + difficulty. Lord Byron's arduous yet unsuccessful labours in this + barren field put me in mind of the difficulty which one of the + biographers of Addison describes this politician to have experienced, + when attempting to compose an official paragraph for the _Gazette_ + announcing the death of the Queen. This duty, after a long and + ineffectual attempt, the Minister, in despair, handed over to a clerk, + who (not being a genius, but a man of business) performed it in an + instant. + + 'Not less was Lord Byron's aversion to reading than to writing + official documents; these he used to hand over to me, pretending, + spite of all my protestations to the contrary, that I had a passion + for documents. When once Lord Byron had taken any whim into his head, + he listened not to contradiction, but went on laughing and satirizing + till his joke had triumphed over argument and fact. Thus I, for the + sake of peace, was sometimes silent, and suffered him to + good-naturedly bully me into reading over, or, rather, yawning over, a + mass of documents dull and uninteresting. + + 'Lord Byron once told me, in a humorous tone, but apparently quite in + earnest, that he never could acquire a competent knowledge of + arithmetic. Addition and subtraction he said he could, though with + some difficulty, accomplish. The mechanism of the rule of three + pleased him, but then division was a puzzle he could not muster up + sufficient courage to unravel. I mention this to show of how low a + cast Lord Byron's capacity was in some commonplace matters, where he + could not command attention. The reverse was the case on subjects of a + higher order, and in those trifling ones, too, that pleased his fancy. + Moved by such themes, the impulses of his genius shot forth, by day + and night, from his troubled brain, electric sparks or streams of + light, like blazing meteors. + + 'Lord Byron loved Greece. Her climate and her scenery, her history, + her struggles, her great men and her antiquities, he admired. He + declared that he had no mastery over his own thoughts. In early youth + he was no poet, nor was he now, except when the fit was upon him, and + he felt his mind agitated and feverish. These attacks, he continued, + scarcely ever visited him anywhere but in Greece; there he felt + himself exhilarated--metamorphosed into another person, and with + another soul--in short, never had he, but in Greece, written one good + line of poetry. This is a fact exaggerated, as facts often are, by the + impulses of strong feelings. It is not on that account less calculated + to convey to others the character of Lord Byron's mind, or to impress + it the less upon their recollections. + + 'Once established at Missolonghi, it required some great impetus to + move Lord Byron from that unhealthy swamp. On one occasion, when + irritated by the Suliotes and the constant applications for money, he + intimated his intention to depart. The citizens of Missolonghi and the + soldiers grumbled, and communicated to me, through Dr. Meyer, their + discontent. I repeated what I had heard to Lord Byron. He replied, + calmly, that he would rather be cut to pieces than imprisoned, for he + came to aid the Greeks in their struggle for liberty, and not to be + their slave. No wonder that the "Hellenists" endeavoured to impede + Lord Byron's departure, for even I, a mere soldier, could not escape + from Missolonghi, Athens, Corinth, or Salona, without considerable + difficulty. Some time previous to Lord Byron's death, he began to feel + a restlessness and a wish to remove to Athens or to Zante.' + +On Monday, July 12, at eleven o'clock in the morning, the funeral +procession, attended by a great number of carriages and by crowds of +people, left No. 20, Great George Street, Westminster, and, passing the +Abbey, moved slowly to St. Pancras Gate. Here a halt was made; the +carriages returned, and the hearse proceeded by slow stages to Nottingham. + +The Mayor and Corporation of Nottingham now joined the funeral procession. +Mr. Hobhouse, who attended, tells us that the cortège extended about a +quarter of a mile, and, moving very slowly, was five hours on the road to +Hucknall-Torkard. + + 'The view of it as it wound through the villages of Papplewick and + Lindlay excited sensations in me which will never be forgotten. As we + passed under the Hill of Annesley, "crowned with the peculiar diadem + of trees" immortalized by Byron, I called to mind a thousand + particulars of my first visit to Newstead. It was dining at Annesley + Park that I saw the first interview of Byron, after a long interval, + with his early love, Mary Anne Chaworth. + + 'The churchyard and the little church of Hucknall were so crowded that + it was with difficulty we could follow the coffin up the aisle. The + contrast between the gorgeous decorations of the coffin and the urn, + and the humble village church, was very striking. I was told + afterwards that the place was crowded until a late hour in the + evening, and that the vault was not closed until the next morning. + + 'I should mention that I thought Lady Byron ought to be consulted + respecting the funeral of her husband; and I advised Mrs. Leigh to + write to her, and ask what her wishes might be. Her answer was, if the + deceased had left no instructions, she thought the matter might be + left to the judgment of Mr. Hobhouse. There was a postscript, saying, + "If you like you may show this."' + +Hobhouse concludes his account with these words: + + 'I was present at the marriage of this lady with my friend, and handed + her into the carriage which took the bride and bridegroom away. + Shaking hands with Lady Byron, I wished her all happiness. Her answer + was: "If I am _not_ happy, it will be my own fault."' + + + + +PART II + +WHAT THE POEMS REVEAL + + 'Intesi, che a cosi fatto tormento + Enno dannati i peccator carnali + Che la ragion sommettono al talento.' + _Inferno_, Canto V., 37-39. + + + + +WHAT THE POEMS REVEAL + + 'Every author in some degree portrays himself in his works, even be it + against his will.'--GOETHE. + + +Lady Byron has expressed her opinion that almost every incident in Byron's +poems was drawn from his personal experience. In a letter to Lady Anne +Barnard, written two years after the separation, she says: + + 'In regard to [Byron's] poetry, egotism is the vital principle of his + imagination, which it is difficult for him to kindle on any subject + with which his own character and interests are not identified; but by + the introduction of fictitious incidents, by change of scene or time, + he has enveloped his poetical disclosures in a system impenetrable + except to a very few.' + +Byron himself has told us in 'Don Juan' that his music 'has some mystic +diapasons, with much which could not be appreciated in any manner by the +_uninitiated_.' In a letter to John Murray (August 23, 1821), he says: +'Almost all "Don Juan" is _real_ life, either my own or from people I +knew.' + +It is no exaggeration to say that in Byron's poems some of the mysterious +incidents in his life are plainly revealed. For example, 'Childe Harold,' +'The Giaour,' 'The Bride of Abydos,' 'The Corsair,' 'Lara,' 'The Dream,' +'Manfred,' 'Don Juan,' and several of the smaller pieces, all disclose +episodes connected with his own personal experience. In the so-called +'Fugitive Pieces' we get a glimpse of his school life and friendships; +his pursuits during the time that he resided with his mother at Southwell; +and his introduction to Cambridge. In the 'Hours of Idleness' we are +introduced to Mary Chaworth, after her marriage and the ruin of his hopes. + +In the verse 'Remembrance' we realize that the dawn of his life is +overcast. We see, from some verses written in 1808, how, three years after +that marriage, he was still the victim of a fatal infatuation: + + 'I deem'd that Time, I deem'd that Pride, + Had quench'd at length my boyish flame; + Nor knew, till seated by thy side, + My heart in all--save hope--the same.' + +After lingering for three months in the neighbourhood of the woman whom he +so unwisely loved, he finally resolved to break the chain: + + 'In flight I shall be surely wise, + Escaping from temptation's snare; + I cannot view my Paradise + Without the wish of dwelling there.' + +When about to leave England, in vain pursuit of the happiness he had lost, +he addresses passionate verses to Mary Chaworth: + + 'And I must from this land be gone, + Because I cannot love but one.' + +He tells her that he has had love passages with another woman, in the vain +hope of destroying the love of his life: + + 'But some unconquerable spell + Forbade my bleeding breast to own + A kindred care for aught but one.' + +He wished to say farewell, but dared not trust himself. In the cantos of +'Childe Harold,' written during his absence, he recurs to the subject +nearest to his heart. He says that before leaving Newstead-- + + 'Oft-times in his maddest mirthful mood + Strange pangs would flash along Childe Harold's brow, + As if the memory of some _deadly feud_ + Or _disappointed passion_ lurked below: + But this none knew, nor haply cared to know.' + +He mentions his mother, from whom he dreaded to part, and his sister +Augusta, whom he loved, but had not seen for some time. After his return +to England in 1811, he wrote the 'Thyrza' poems, and added some stanzas to +'Childe Harold,' wherein he expresses a hope that the separation between +himself and Mary Chaworth may not be eternal. He then pours out the +sorrows of his heart to Francis Hodgson. We cannot doubt that the 'Lines +written beneath a Picture,' composed at Athens in January, 1811, + + 'Dear object of defeated care! + Though now of Love and thee bereft,' + +referred to Mary Chaworth, for he mentions the deathblow of his hope. In +the 'Epistle to a Friend,' Byron mentions the effect which a chance +meeting with Mary had upon him, causing him to realize that 'Time had not +made him love the less.' + +The poems that have puzzled the commentator most were those which Byron +addressed to 'Thyrza'--a mysterious personage, whose identity has not +hitherto been discovered. The present writer proposes to enter fully, and, +he hopes, impartially, into the subject, trusting that the conclusions at +which he has arrived may ultimately be endorsed by others who have given +their serious attention to the question at issue. + +In any attempt to unravel the mystery of the 'Thyrza' poems, it will be +necessary to consider, not only the circumstances in which they were +written, but also those associations of Byron's youth which inspired a +love that endured throughout his life. + +Byron's attachment to his distant cousin, Mary Anne Chaworth, is well +known. We know that his boyish love was not returned, and that the young +heiress of Annesley married, in 1805, Mr. John Musters, of Colwick, in the +neighbourhood of Nottingham. In order to account for these love-poems, it +has been suggested that, subsequent to this marriage, Byron fell in love +with some incognita, whose identity has never been established, and who +died soon after his return to England in 1811. + +We are unable to concur with so simple a solution of the mystery, for the +following reasons: It will be remembered that shortly after Mary +Chaworth's marriage Byron entered Trinity College, Cambridge, where he +formed a romantic attachment to a young chorister, named Edleston, whose +life he had saved from drowning. Writing to Miss Elizabeth Pigot on June +30, 1807, Byron says: + + 'I quit Cambridge with very little regret, because our _set_ are + vanished, and my musical _protégé_ (Edleston), before mentioned, has + left the choir, and is stationed in a mercantile house of considerable + eminence in the Metropolis. You may have heard me observe he is, + exactly to an hour, two years younger than myself. I found him grown + considerably, and, as you may suppose, very glad to see his former + _Patron_.[30] He is nearly my height, very _thin_, very fair + complexion, dark eyes, and light locks. + + 'My opinion of his mind you already know; I hope I shall never have + occasion to change it.' + +On July 5, 1807, Byron again wrote to Miss Pigot: + + 'At this moment I write with a bottle of claret in my _head_ and + _tears_ in my _eyes_; for I have just parted with my "Cornelian,"[31] + who spent the evening with me. As it was our last interview, I + postponed my engagement to devote the hours of the _Sabbath_ to + friendship: Edleston and I have separated for the present, and my mind + is a chaos of hope and sorrow.... I rejoice to hear you are interested + in my _protégé_; he has been my _almost constant_ associate since + October, 1805, when I entered Trinity College. His _voice_ first + attracted my attention, his _countenance_ fixed it, and his _manner_ + attached me to him for ever. He departs for a mercantile house in Town + in October, and we shall probably not meet till the expiration of my + minority, when I shall leave to his decision, either entering as a + _partner_ through my interest, or residing with me altogether. Of + course he would, in his present frame of mind, prefer the latter, but + he may alter his opinion previous to that period; however, he shall + have his choice. I certainly love him more than any human being, and + neither time nor distance have had the least effect on my (in general) + changeable disposition. In short, we shall put Lady E. Butler and Miss + Ponsonby (the "Ladies of Llangollen," as they were called) to the + blush, Pylades and Orestes out of countenance, and want nothing but a + catastrophe like Nisus and Euryalus, to give Jonathan and David the + "go by." He certainly is perhaps more attached to me than even I am in + return. During the whole of my residence at Cambridge we met every + day, summer and winter, without passing one tiresome moment, and + separated each time with increasing reluctance. I hope you will one + day see us together. He is the only being I esteem, though I _like_ + many.' + +This letter shows the depth of the boyish affection that had sprung up +between two lads with little experience of life. The attachment on both +sides was sincere, but not more so than many similar boy friendships, +which, alas! fade away under the chilling influences of time and +circumstance. In this case the 'Cornelian Heart' that had sparkled with +the tears of Edleston, and which, in the fervour of his feelings, Byron +had suspended round his neck, was, not long afterwards, transferred to +Miss Elizabeth Pigot. + +A vague notion seems to prevail that the inspiration of these 'Thyrza' +poems is in some way connected with Edleston. This idea seems to have +arisen from Byron's allusion to a pledge of affection given in better +days: + + 'Thou bitter pledge! thou mournful token!' + +We cannot accept this theory, being of opinion, not lightly formed, that +the 'bitter pledge' referred to had a far deeper and a more lasting +significance than ever could have belonged to 'the Cornelian heart that +was broken.' + +In later years, it will be remembered, Byron told Medwin that, shortly +after his arrival at Cambridge, he fell into habits of dissipation, in +order to drown the remembrance of a hopeless passion for Mary Chaworth. +That Mary Chaworth held his affections at that time is beyond question. +She also had given Byron 'a token,' which was still in his possession when +the 'Thyrza' poems were written; whereas Edleston's gift had passed to +other hands. The following anecdote, related by the Countess Guiccioli, +may be accepted on Byron's authority: + + 'One day (while Byron and Musters were bathing in the Trent--a river + that runs through the grounds of Colwick) Mr. Musters perceived a ring + among Lord Byron's clothes, left on the bank. To see and take + possession of it was the affair of a moment. Musters had recognized it + as having belonged to Miss Chaworth. Lord Byron claimed it, but + Musters would not restore the ring. High words were exchanged. On + returning to the house, Musters jumped on a horse, and galloped off + to ask an explanation from Miss Chaworth, who, being forced to confess + that Lord Byron wore the ring with her consent, felt obliged to make + amends to Musters, by promising to declare immediately her engagement + with him.' + +It is therefore probable that the 'dear simple gift,' of the first draft, +was the ring which Mary Chaworth had given to her boy lover in 1804, and +that the words we have quoted had no connection whatever with young +Edleston. + +Assuming that the 'Thyrza' poems were addressed to a woman--and there is +abundant proof of this--it is remarkable that, neither in the whole course +of his correspondence with his friends, nor from any source whatever, can +any traces be found of any other serious attachment which would account +for the poems in question. Between the date of the marriage, in 1805, and +the autumn of 1808, Byron and Mary Chaworth had not met. It will be +remembered that in the autumn--only eight months before he left England +with Hobhouse--Byron met Mary Chaworth at dinner in her own home. The +effect of that meeting, which he has himself described, shows the depth of +his feelings, and precludes the idea that he could at that time have been +deeply interested in anyone else. After that meeting Byron remained three +months in the neighbourhood of Annesley; and it may be inferred that an +intimacy sprang up between them, which was broken off somewhat abruptly by +Mary's husband. There are traces of this in 'Lara.' + +At the end of November, 1808, Byron writes from Newstead to his sister: + + 'I am living here alone, which suits my inclination better than + society of any kind.... I am a very unlucky fellow, for I think I had + naturally not a bad heart; but it has been so bent, twisted, and + trampled on, that it has now become as hard as a Highlander's + heelpiece.' + +A fortnight later he writes to Hanson, his agent, and talks of either +marrying for money or blowing his brains out. It was then that he wrote +those verses addressed to Mary Chaworth: + + 'When man, expell'd from Eden's bowers, + A moment linger'd near the gate, + Each scene recall'd the vanish'd hours, + And bade him curse his future fate. + + 'In flight I shall be surely wise, + Escaping from temptation's snare; + I cannot view my Paradise + Without the wish of dwelling there.' + +On January 25, 1809, Byron returned to London. It is hard to believe that +during those three months Byron did not often meet the lady of his love. +It is more than probable that the old friendship between them had been +renewed, since there is evidence to prove that, after Byron had taken his +seat in the House of Lords on March 13, 1809, he confided his +Parliamentary robes to Mary Chaworth's safe-keeping, a circumstance which +suggests a certain amount of neighbourly friendship. + +In May, Byron again visited Newstead, where he entertained Matthews and +some of his college friends. That _sérénade indiscrète_, + + ''Tis done--and shivering in the gale,' + +which was addressed to Mary Chaworth from Falmouth on, or about, June 22, +shows the state of his feelings towards her; but she does not seem to have +given him any encouragement, and there was no correspondence between them +during Byron's absence from England. Between July 2, 1809, and July 15, +1811, Byron's thoughts were fully occupied in other directions. His +distractions, which may be traced in his writings, were, however, not +sufficient to crush out the remembrance of that fatal infatuation. When, +in 1811, he returned to England, it was without pleasure, and without the +faintest hope of any renewal of an intimacy which Mary Chaworth had broken +off for both their sakes. He was in no hurry to visit Newstead, where his +mother anxiously awaited him, and dawdled about town, under various +pretexts, until the first week in August, when he heard of his mother's +serious illness. Before Byron reached Newstead his mother had died. He +seems to have heard of her illness one day, and of her death on the day +following. Although there had long been a certain estrangement between +them, all was now forgotten, and Byron felt his mother's death acutely. + +It was at this time that he wrote to his friend Scrope Davies: + + 'Some curse hangs over me and mine. My mother lies a corpse in this + house; one of my best friends (Charles Skinner Matthews) is drowned in + a ditch. What can I say, or think, or do? I received a letter from him + the day before yesterday.... Come to me, Scrope; I am almost + desolate--left almost alone in the world.' + +In that gloomy frame of mind, in the solitude of a ruin--for Newstead at +that time was but little better than a ruin--Byron, on August 12, drew up +some directions for his will, in which he desired to be buried in the +garden at Newstead, by the side of his favourite dog Boatswain. + +On the same day he wrote to Dallas, who was superintending the printing +of the first and second cantos of 'Childe Harold': + + 'Peace be with the dead! Regret cannot wake them. With a sigh to the + departed, let us resume the dull business of life, in the certainty + that we also shall have our repose. Besides her who gave me being, I + have lost more than one who made that being tolerable. Matthews, a man + of the first talents, and also not the worst of my narrow circle, has + perished miserably in the muddy waves of the Cam, always fatal to + genius; my poor schoolfellow, Wingfield, at Coimbra--within a month; + and whilst I had heard from _all three_, but not seen _one_.... But + let this pass; we shall all one day pass along with the rest. The + world is too full of such things, and our very sorrow is selfish.... I + am already too familiar with the dead. It is strange that I look on + the skulls which stand beside me (I have always had _four_ in my + study) without emotion, but I cannot strip the features of those I + have known of their fleshy covering, even in idea, without a hideous + sensation; but the worms are less ceremonious. Surely, the Romans did + well when they burned the dead.' + +The writer of this letter was in his twenty-fourth year! + +Ten days later Byron writes to Hodgson: + + 'Indeed the blows followed each other so rapidly that I am yet stupid + from the shock; and though I do eat, and drink, and talk, and even + laugh at times, yet I can hardly persuade myself that I am awake, did + not every morning convince me mournfully to the contrary. I shall now + waive the subject, the dead are at rest, and none but the dead can be + so.... I am solitary, and I never felt solitude irksome before.' + +At about the same date, in a letter to Dallas, Byron writes: + + 'At three-and-twenty I am left alone, and what more can we be at + seventy? It is true I am young enough to begin again, but with whom + can I retrace the laughing part of my life? It is odd how few of my + friends have died a quiet death--I mean, in their beds! + + 'I cannot settle to anything, and my days pass, with the exception of + bodily exercise to some extent, with uniform indolence and idle + insipidity.' + +The verses, 'Oh! banish care,' etc., were written at this time. + +In the following lines we see that his grief at the losses he had +sustained was deepened by the haunting memory of Mary Chaworth: + + 'I've seen my bride another's bride-- + Have seen her seated by his side-- + Have seen the infant which she bore + Wear the sweet smile the mother wore, + When she and I in youth have smiled + As fond and faultless as her child; + Have seen her eyes, in cold disdain, + Ask if I felt no secret pain. + And I have acted well my part, + And made my cheek belie my heart, + Returned the freezing glance she gave, + Yet felt the while _that_ woman's slave; + Have kissed, as if without design, + The babe which ought to have been mine, + And showed, alas! in each caress + Time had not made me love the less.' + +Moore, who knew more of the inner workings of Byron's mind in later years +than anyone else, has told us that the poems addressed to 'Thyrza' were +merely 'the abstract spirit of many griefs,' and that the pseudonym was +given to an 'object of affection' to whom he poured out the sorrows of his +heart. + + 'All these recollections,' says Moore, 'of the young and dead now came + to mingle themselves in his mind with the image of her who, _though + living_, was for him as much lost as they, and diffused that general + feeling of sadness and fondness through his soul, which found a vent + in these poems. No friendship, however warm, could have inspired + sorrow so passionate; as no love, however pure, could have kept + passion so chastened. + + 'It was the blending of the two affections in his memory and + imagination that thus gave birth to an ideal object combining the best + features of both, and drew from him these saddest and tenderest of + love-poems, in which we find all the depth and intensity of real + feeling, touched over with such a light as no reality ever wore.' + +Moore here expresses himself guardedly. He was one of the very few who +knew the whole story of Mary Chaworth's associations with Byron. He could +not, of course, betray his full knowledge; but he has made it sufficiently +clear that Byron, in writing the 'Thyrza' group of poems, was merely +strewing the flowers of poetry on the grave of his love for Mary Chaworth. + +The first of these poems was written on the day on which he heard of the +death of Edleston. In a letter to Dallas he says: + + 'I have been again shocked by a _death_, and have lost one very dear + to me in happier times. I have become callous, nor have I a tear left + for an event which, five years ago, would have bowed down my head to + the earth. It seems as though I were to experience in my youth the + greatest misery of age. My friends fall around me, and I shall be left + a lonely tree before I am withered. Other men can always take refuge + in their families; I have no resource but my own reflections, and they + present no prospect here or hereafter, except the selfish satisfaction + of surviving my betters. I am indeed very wretched, and you will + excuse my saying so, as you know I am not apt to cant of + sensibility.'[32] + +Shortly after this letter was written Byron visited Cambridge, where, +among the many memories which that place awakened, a remembrance of the +young chorister and their ardent friendship was most vivid. Byron +recollected the Cornelian that Edleston gave him as a token of friendship, +and, now that the giver had passed away for ever, he regretted that he had +parted with it. The following letter to Mrs. Pigot explains itself: + + 'CAMBRIDGE, + '_October 28, 1811_. + + 'DEAR MADAM, + + 'I am about to write to you on a silly subject, and yet I cannot well + do otherwise. You may remember a _cornelian_ which some years ago I + consigned to Miss Pigot--indeed I _gave_ to her--and now I am going to + make the most selfish and rude of requests. The person who gave it to + me, when I was very young, is _dead_, and though a long time has + elapsed since we met, as it was the only memorial I possessed of that + person (in whom I was very much interested), it has acquired a value + by this event I could have wished it never to have borne in my eyes. + If, therefore, Miss Pigot should have preserved it, I must, under + these circumstances, beg her to excuse my requesting it to be + transmitted to me at No. 8, St. James' Street, London, and I will + replace it by something she may remember me by equally well. As she + was always so kind as to feel interested in the fate of him that + formed the subject of our conversation, you may tell her that the + giver of that cornelian died in May last of a consumption at the age + of twenty-one, making the sixth, within four months, of friends and + relatives that I have lost between May and the end of August. + + 'Believe me, dear madam, + 'Yours very sincerely, + 'BYRON.' + +The cornelian when found, was returned to Byron, but apparently in a +broken condition. + + 'Ill-fated Heart! and can it be, + That thou shouldst thus be rent in twain?' + +It was through the depressing influence of solitude that the idea entered +Byron's mind to depict his (possibly eternal) separation from Mary +Chaworth in terms synonymous with death. With a deep feeling of desolation +he recalled every incident of his boyish love. We have seen how the image +of his lost Mary, now the wife of his rival, deepened the gloom caused by +the sudden death of his mother, and of some of his college friends. It was +to Mary, whom he dared not name, that he cried in his agony: + + 'By many a shore and many a sea + Divided, yet beloved in vain; + The Past, the Future fled to thee, + To bid us meet--no, ne'er again!' + +Her absence from Annesley, where he had hoped to find her on his return +home, was a great disappointment to him. + + 'Thou too art gone, thou loved and lovely one! + Whom Youth and Youth's affections bound to me; + Who did for me what none beside have done, + Nor shrank from one albeit unworthy thee. + What is my Being! thou hast ceased to be! + Nor staid to welcome here thy wanderer home, + Who mourns o'er hours which we no more shall see-- + Would they had never been, or were to come! + Would he had ne'er returned to find fresh cause to roam! + + 'Oh I ever loving, lovely, and beloved! + How selfish Sorrow ponders on the past, + And clings to thoughts now better far removed! + But Time shall tear thy shadow from me last. + All thou couldst have of mine, stern Death! thou hast; + The Parent, Friend, and now the more than Friend: + Ne'er yet for one thine arrows flew so fast, + And grief with grief continuing still to blend, + Hath snatch'd the little joy that Life hath yet to lend. + + * * * * * + + 'What is the worst of woes that wait on Age? + What stamps the wrinkle deeper on the brow? + To view each loved one blotted from Life's page, + And be alone on earth, as I am now. + Before the Chastener humbly let me bow, + O'er Hearts divided and o'er Hopes destroyed: + Roll on, vain days! full reckless may ye flow, + Since Time hath reft whate'er my soul enjoyed, + And with the ills of Eld mine earlier years alloyed.' + +These stanzas were attached to the second canto of 'Childe Harold,' after +that poem was in the press. Mr. Ernest Hartley Coleridge, who so ably +edited the latest edition of the poetry of Byron, states that they were +sent to Dallas on the same day that Byron composed the poem 'To Thyrza.' +This is significant, as also his attempt to mystify Dallas by telling him +that he had again (October 11, 1811) been shocked by a death. This was +true enough, for he had on that day heard of the death of Edleston; but it +was _not_ true that the stanzas we have quoted had any connection with +that event. Mr. Coleridge in a note says: + + 'In connection with this subject, it may be noted that the lines 6 and + 7 of Stanza XCV., + + '"Nor staid to welcome here thy wanderer home, + Who mourns o'er hours which we no more shall see," + + do not bear out Byron's contention to Dallas (Letters, October 14 and + 31, 1811) that in these three _in memoriam_ stanzas (IX., XCV., XCVI.) + he is bewailing an event which took place _after_ he returned to + Newstead.[33] The "more than friend" had "ceased to be" before the + "wanderer" returned. It is evident that Byron did not take Dallas into + his confidence.' + +Assuredly he did not. The 'more than friend' was not _dead_; she had +merely absented herself, and did not stay to welcome the 'wanderer' on +his return from his travels. She was, however, _dead to him_ in a sense +far deeper than mere absence at such a time. + + 'The absent are the dead--for they are cold, + And ne'er can be what once we did behold.'[34] + +Mary Chaworth's presence would have consoled him at a time when he felt +alone in the world. He feared that she was lost to him for ever. He knew +her too well to suppose that she could ever be more to him than a friend; +and yet it was just that female sympathy and friendship for which he so +ardently yearned. In his unreasonableness, he was both hurt and +disappointed that this companion of his earlier days should have kept away +from her home at that particular time, and of course misconstrued the +cause. With the feeling that this parting must be eternal, he wished that +they could have met once more. + + 'Could this have been--a word, a look, + That softly said, "We part in peace," + Had taught my bosom how to brook, + With fainter sighs, thy soul's release.' + +In the bitterness of his desolation he recalled the days when they were at +Newstead together--probably stolen interviews, which find no place in +history--when + + 'many a day + In these, to me, deserted towers, + Ere called but for a time away, + Affection's mingling tears were ours? + Ours, too, the glance none saw beside; + The smile none else might understand; + The whispered thought: the walks aside; + The pressure of the thrilling hand; + The kiss so guiltless and relined, + That Love each warmer wish forbore; + Those eyes proclaimed so pure a mind, + Ev'n Passion blushed to plead for more. + The tone that taught me to rejoice, + When prone, unlike thee, to repine; + _The song, celestial from thy voice, + But sweet to me from none but thine_; + The pledge we wore--_I_ wear it still, + But where is thine? Ah! where art thou? + Oft have I borne the weight of ill, + But never bent beneath till now!' + +Six days after these lines were written Byron left Newstead. Writing to +Hodgson from his lodgings in St. James's Street, he enclosed some stanzas +which he had written a day or two before, 'on hearing a song of former +days.' The lady, whose singing now so deeply impressed Byron, was the Hon. +Mrs. George Lamb, whom he had met at Melbourne House. + +In this, the second of the 'Thyrza' poems, the allusions to Mary Chaworth +are even more marked. Byron says the songs of Mrs. George Lamb 'speak to +him of brighter days,' and that he hopes to hear those strains no more: + + 'For now, alas! + I must not think, I may not gaze, + On what I _am_--on what I _was_. + + The voice that made those sounds more sweet + Is hush'd, and all their charms are fled. + + * * * * * + + 'On my ear + The well-remembered echoes thrill; + I hear a voice I would not hear, + A voice that now might well be still. + + * * * * * + + 'Sweet Thyrza! waking as in sleep, + Thou art but now a lovely dream; + _A Star_ that trembled o'er the deep, + Then turned from earth its tender beam. + But he who through Life's dreary way + Must pass, when Heaven is veiled in wrath, + Will long lament the vanished ray + That scattered gladness o'er his path.' + +In Byron's imagination Mary Chaworth was always hovering over him like a +star. She was the 'starlight of his boyhood,' the 'star of his destiny,' +and three years later the poet, in his unpublished fragment 'Harmodia,' +speaks of Mary as his + + 'melancholy star + Whose tearful beam shoots trembling from afar.' + +The third and last of the 'Thyrza' poems must have been written at about +the same time as the other two. It appeared with 'Childe Harold' in 1812. +Byron, weary of the gloom of solitude, and tortured by 'pangs that rent +his heart in twain,' now determined to break away and seek inspiration for +that mental energy which formed part of his nature. Man, he says, was not +made to live alone. + + 'I'll be that light unmeaning thing + That smiles with all, and weeps with none. + It was not thus in days more dear, + It never would have been, _but thou + Hast fled, and left me lonely here_.' + +Byron's thoughts went back to the days when he was sailing over the bright +waters of the blue Ægean, in the _Salsette_ frigate, commanded by 'good +old Bathurst'[35]--those halcyon days when he was weaving his visions into +stanzas for 'Childe Harold.' + + 'On many a lone and lovely night + It soothed to gaze upon the sky; + For then I deemed the heavenly light + Shone sweetly on thy pensive eye: + And oft I thought at Cynthia's noon, + When sailing o'er the Ægean wave, + "Now Thyrza gazes on that moon"-- + Alas! it gleamed upon her grave! + + 'When stretched on Fever's sleepless bed, + And sickness shrunk my throbbing veins, + "'Tis comfort still," I faintly said, + "That Thyrza cannot know my pains." + Like freedom to the timeworn slave-- + A boon 'tis idle then to give-- + Relenting Nature vainly gave + My life, when Thyrza ceased to live! + + 'My Thyrza's pledge in better days, + _When Love and Life alike were new_! + How different now thou meet'st my gaze! + How tinged by time with Sorrow's hue! + The heart that gave itself with thee + Is silent--ah, were mine as still! + Though cold as e'en the dead can be, + It feels, it sickens with the chill.' + +Byron here suggests that the pledge in question was given with the giver's +heart. Lovers are apt to interpret such gifts as 'love-tokens,' without +suspicion that they may possibly have been due to a feeling far less +flattering to their hopes. + + 'Thou bitter pledge! thou mournful token! + Though painful, welcome to my breast! + Still, still, preserve that love unbroken, + Or break the heart to which thou'rt pressed. + Time tempers Love, but not removes, + More hallowed when its Hope is fled.' + +These three pieces comprise the so-called 'Thyrza' poems, and, in the +absence of proof to the contrary, we may reasonably suppose that their +subject was Mary Chaworth. This is the more likely because the original +manuscripts were the property of Byron's sister, to whom they were +probably given by Mary Chaworth, when, in later years, she destroyed or +parted with all the letters and documents which she had received from +Byron since the days of their childhood. + +Byron did not give up the hope of winning Mary Chaworth's love until her +marriage in 1805. Two months later he entered Trinity College, Cambridge, +and from that time, until his departure with Hobhouse on his first foreign +tour, those who were in constant intercourse with him never mentioned any +other object of adoration who might fit in with the Thyrza of the poems. +If such a person had really existed, Byron would certainly, either in +conversation or in writing, have disclosed her identity. Moore makes it +clear that the one passion of Byron's life was Mary Chaworth. He tells us +that there were many fleeting love-episodes, but only one passion strong +enough to have inspired the poems in question. If Byron's heart, during +the two years that he passed abroad, had been overflowing with love for +some incognita, it was not in his nature to have kept silence. From his +well-known effusiveness, reticence under such circumstances is +inconceivable. + +Finally, as there were no poems, no letters, and no allusion to any such +person in the _first_ draft of 'Childe Harold,' we may confidently assume +that the poet, in the loneliness of his heart, appealed to the only woman +whom he ever really loved, and that the legendary Thyrza was a myth. + +It will be remembered that the ninth stanza in the second canto of 'Childe +Harold' was interpolated long after the manuscript had been given to +Dallas. It was forwarded for that purpose, three days after the date of +the poem 'To Thyrza,' and essentially belongs to that period of desolation +which inspired those poems: + + 'There, Thou! _whose Love and Life, together fled, + Have left me here to love and live in vain_-- + Twined with my heart, and can I deem thee dead, + When busy Memory flashes on my brain? + Well--_I will dream that we may meet again_, + And woo the vision to my vacant breast: + If aught of young Remembrance then remain, + Be as it may Futurity's behest, + _Or seeing thee no more, to sink to sullen rest_.'[36] + +It is difficult to believe that this stanza was inspired by a memory of +the dead. Are we not told that 'Love and Life _together_ fled'--in other +words, when Mary withdrew her love, she was dead to him? + +He tells her that in abandoning him she has left him to love and live in +vain. And yet he will not give up the hope of meeting her again some day; +this is now his sole consolation. Memory of the past (possibly those +meetings which took place by stealth, shortly before his departure from +England in 1809) feeds the hope that now sustains him. But he will leave +everything to chance, and if fate decides that they shall be parted for +ever, then will he sink to sullen apathy. + +We may remind the reader that at this period (1811) Byron had no belief in +any existence after death. + + 'I will have nothing to do with your immortality,' he writes to + Hodgson in September; 'we are miserable enough in this life, without + the absurdity of speculating upon another. If men are to live, why die + at all? and if they die, why disturb the sweet and sound sleep that + "knows no waking"? + + '"Post mortem nihil est, ipsaque Mors nihil ... quæris quo jaceas post + obitum loco? Quo _non_ Nata jacent."' + +Even when, in later years, Byron somewhat modified the views of his youth, +he expressed an opinion that + + 'A material resurrection seems strange, and even absurd, except for + purposes of punishment, and all punishment which is to _revenge_ + rather than _correct_ must be _morally wrong_.' + +It is therefore tolerably certain that, on the day when he expressed a +hope that he might meet his lady-love again, the meeting was to have been +in _this_ world, and not in that 'land of souls beyond the sable shore.' +It must also be remembered that the eighth stanza in the second canto of +'Childe Harold' was substituted for one in which Byron deliberately stated +that he did not look for Life, where life may never be. The revise was +written to please Dallas, and does not pretend to be a confession of +belief in immortality, but merely an admission that, on a subject where +'nothing can be known,' no final decision is possible. + +In the summer of 1813 Byron underwent grave vicissitudes, mental, moral, +and financial. His letters and journals teem with allusions to some +catastrophe. It seemed as though he were threatened with impending ruin. +In his depressed state of mind he found relief only, as he tells us, in +the composition of poetry. It was at this time that he wrote in swift +succession 'The Giaour,' 'The Bride of Abydos,' and 'The Corsair.' It is +clear that Byron's dejection was the result of a hopeless attachment. Mr. +Hartley Coleridge assumes that Byron's _innamorata_ was Lady Frances +Wedderburn Webster. But that bright star did not long shine in Byron's +orbit--certainly not after October, 1813--and it is doubtful whether they +were ever on terms of close intimacy. Her husband had long been Byron's +friend. Byron had lent him money, and had given him advice, which he +seems to have sorely needed. It is difficult to understand why Lady +Frances Webster should have been especially regarded as Byron's Calypso. +There is nothing to show that she ever seriously occupied his thoughts. +Writing to Moore on September 27, 1813, Byron says: + + 'I stayed a week with the Websters, and behaved very well, though the + lady of the house is young, religious, and pretty, and the master is + my particular friend. I felt no wish for anything but a poodle dog, + which they kindly gave me.' + +So little does Byron seem to have been attracted by Lady Frances, that he +only once more visited the Websters, and then only for a few days, on his +way to Newstead, between October 3 and 10, 1813. + +On June 3 of that year Byron wrote to Mr. John Hanson, his solicitor, a +letter which shows the state of his mind at that time. He tells Hanson +that he is about to visit Salt Hill, near Maidenhead, and that he will be +absent for one week. He is determined to go abroad. The prospective +lawsuit with Mr. Claughton (about the sale of Newstead) is to be dropped, +if it cannot be carried on in Byron's absence. At all hazards, at all +losses, he is determined that nothing shall prevent him from leaving the +country. + +'If utter ruin _were_ or _is_ before me on the one hand, and wealth at +home on the other, I have made my choice, and go I will.' + +The pictures, and every movable that could be converted into cash, were, +by Byron's orders, to be sold. 'All I want is a few thousand pounds, and +then, Adieu. You shan't be troubled with me these ten years, if ever.' +Clearly, there must have been something more than a passing fancy which +could have induced Byron to sacrifice his chances of selling Newstead, +for the sake of a few thousand pounds of ready-money. It _had been_ his +intention to accompany Lord and Lady Oxford on their travels, but this +project was abandoned. After three weeks--spent in running backwards and +forwards between Salt Hill and London--Byron confided his troubles to +Augusta. She was always his rock of refuge in all his deeper troubles. +Augusta Leigh thought that absence might mend matters, and tried hard to +keep her brother up to his resolve of going abroad; she even volunteered +to accompany him. But Lady Melbourne--who must have had a prurient +mind--persuaded Byron that the gossips about town would not consider it +'proper' for him and his sister to travel alone! As Byron was at that time +under the influence of an irresistible infatuation, Lady Melbourne's +warning turned the scale, and the project fell through. Meanwhile the plot +thickened. Something--he told Moore--had ruined all his prospects of +matrimony. His financial circumstances, he said, were mending; 'and were +not my other prospects blackening, I would take a wife.' + +In July he still wishes to get out of England. 'They had better let me +go,' he says; 'one can die anywhere.' + +On August 22, after another visit to Salt Hill, Byron writes to Moore: + + 'I have said nothing of the brilliant sex; but the fact is, I am at + this moment in a far more serious, and entirely new, scrape, than any + of the last twelve months, and that is saying a good deal. It is + unlucky we can neither live with nor without these women.' + +A week later he wrote again to Moore: + + 'I would incorporate with any woman of decent demeanour + to-morrow--that is, I would a month ago, but at present....' + +Moore suggested that Byron's case was similar to that of the youth +apostrophized by Horace in his twenty-seventh ode, and invited his +confidence: + + 'Come, whisper it--the tender truth-- + To safe and friendly ears! + What! Her? O miserable youth! + Oh! doomed to grief and tears! + In what a whirlpool are you tost, + Your rudder broke, your pilot lost!' + +Recent research has convinced the present writer that the incident which +affected Byron so profoundly at this time--about eighteen months before +his marriage--indirectly brought about the separation between Lord and +Lady Byron in 1816. A careful student of Byron's character could not fail +to notice, among all the contradictions and inconsistencies of his life, +one point upon which he was resolute--namely, a consistent reticence on +the subject of the intimacy which sprang up between himself and Mary +Chaworth in the summer of 1813. The strongest impulse of his life--even to +the last--was a steadfast, unwavering, hopeless attachment to that lady. +Throughout his turbulent youth, in his early as in his later days, the +same theme floats through the chords of his melodious verse, a deathless +love and a deep remorse. Even at the last, when the shadow of Death was +creeping slowly over the flats at Missolonghi, the same wild, despairing +note found involuntary expression, and the last words that Byron ever +wrote tell the sad story with a distinctness which might well open the +eyes even of the blind. + +When he first met his fate, he was a schoolboy of sixteen--precocious, +pugnacious, probably a prig, and by no means handsome. He must have +appeared to Mary much as we see him in his portrait by Sanders. Mary was +two years older, and already in love with a fox-hunting squire of good +family. 'Love dwells not in our will,' and a nature like Byron's, once +under its spell, was sure to feel its force acutely. There was romance, +too, in the situation; and the poetic temperament--always +precocious--responded to an impulse on the gossamer chance of achieving +the impossible. Mary was probably half amused and half flattered by the +adoration of a boy of whose destiny she divined nothing. + +There is no reason to suppose that there was any meeting between Byron and +Mary Chaworth after the spring of 1809, until the summer of 1813. Their +separation seemed destined to be final. Although Byron, in after-years, +wished it to be believed that they had not met since 1808, it is certain +that a meeting took place in the summer of 1813. Although Byron took, as +we shall see presently, great pains to conceal that fact from the public, +he did not attempt to deceive either Moore, Hobhouse, or Hodgson. In his +letter to Monsieur Coulmann, written in July, 1823, we have the version +which Byron wished the public to believe. + + 'I had not seen her [Mary Chaworth] for many years. When an occasion + offered, I was upon the point, with her consent, of paying her a + visit, when my sister, who has always had more influence over me than + anyone else, persuaded me not to do it. "For," said she, "if you go, + you will fall in love again, and then there will be a scene; one step + will lead to another, _et cela fera un éclat_," etc. I was guided by + these reasons, and shortly after I married.... Mrs. Chaworth some time + after, being separated from her husband, became insane; but she has + since recovered her reason, and is, I believe, reconciled to her + husband.' + +At about the same time Byron told Medwin that, _after_ Mary's separation +from her husband, she proposed an interview with him--a suggestion which +Byron, by the advice of Mrs. Leigh, declined. He also said to Medwin: + + 'She [Mary Chaworth] was the _beau-idéal_ of all that my youthful + fancy could paint of beautiful; and I have taken all my fables about + the celestial nature of women from the perfection my imagination + created in her--I say _created_, for I found her, _like the rest of + her sex, anything but angelic_.' + +It is difficult to see how Byron could have arrived at so unflattering an +estimate of a woman whom he had only _once_ seen since her marriage--at a +dinner-party, when, as he has told us, he was overcome by shyness and a +feeling of awkwardness! But let that pass. Byron wished the world to +believe (1) that Mary Chaworth, after the separation from her husband in +1813, proposed a meeting with Byron; (2) that he declined to meet her; (3) +that, after his unfortunate marriage, Mary became insane; and (4) that he +found her, 'like the rest of her sex, anything but angelic.' + +It is quite possible, of course, that Byron may have _at first_ refused to +meet the only woman on earth whom he sincerely loved, and more than likely +that Mrs. Leigh did her utmost to dissuade him from so rash a proceeding. +But it is on record that Byron incautiously admitted to Medwin that he +_did_ meet Mary Chaworth _after his return from Greece_.[37] It will be +remembered that he returned from Greece in 1811. Their intimacy had long +before been broken off by Mr. John Musters; and, as we have seen, Mary, +faithful to a promise which she had made to her husband, kept away from +Annesley during the period (1811) when the 'Thyrza' poems were written. It +is doubtful whether they would ever again have met if her husband had +shown any consideration for her feelings. But he showed her none. When, +nearly forty years ago, the present writer visited Annesley, there were +several people living who remembered both Mary Chaworth and her husband. +These people stated that their married life, so full of grief and +bitterness, was a constant source of comment both at Annesley and +Newstead. The trouble was attributed to the harsh and capricious conduct, +and the well-known infidelities, of one to whose kindness and affection +Mary had a sacred claim. She seems to have been left for long periods at +Annesley with only one companion, Miss Anne Radford, who had been brought +up with her from childhood. This state of things eventually broke down, +and when, in the early part of 1813, Mary could stand the strain no +longer, a separation took place by mutual consent. + +In the summer of that year Byron and this unhappy woman were thrown +together by the merest accident, and, unfortunately for both, renewed +their dangerous friendship. + +Byron's friend and biographer, Thomas Moore, took great pains to suppress +every allusion to Mary Chaworth in Byron's memoranda and letters. He +faithfully kept the secret. There is nothing in Byron's letters or +journals, as revised by Moore, to show that they ever met after 1808, and +yet they undoubtedly did meet in 1813, _after_ Mary's estrangement from +her husband. That they were in constant correspondence in November of that +year may be gathered from Byron's journal, where Mary's name is veiled by +asterisks. + +On November 24 he writes: + + 'I am tremendously in arrear with my letters, except to * * * *, and + to her my thoughts overpower me: my words never compass them.' + + 'I have been pondering,' he writes on the 26th, 'on the miseries of + separation, that--oh! how seldom we see those we love! Yet we live + ages in moments _when met_.' + +Then follows, on the 27th, a clue: + + 'I believe, with Clym o' the Clow, or Robin Hood, + + '"By our Mary (dear name!) thou art both Mother and May, + I think it never was a man's lot to die before his day."' + +It is attested, by all those who were acquainted with Mary Chaworth, that +she always bore an exemplary character. It was well known that her +marriage was an unhappy one, and that she had been for some time deserted +by her husband. In June, 1813, when she fell under the fatal spell of +Byron, then the most fascinating man in society,[38] she was living in +deep dejection, parted from her lawful protector, with whom she had a +serious disagreement. He had neglected her, and she well knew that she had +a rival in his affections at that time. + +It was in these distressing circumstances that Byron, with the world at +his feet, came to worship her in great humility. As he looked back upon +the past, he realized that this neglected woman had always been the light +of his life, the lodestar of his destiny. And now that he beheld his +'Morning Star of Annesley' shedding ineffectual rays upon the dead embers +of a lost love, the old feeling returned to him with resistless force. + + 'We met--we gazed--I saw, and sighed; + She did not speak, and yet replied; + There are ten thousand tones and signs + We hear and see, but none defines-- + Involuntary sparks of thought, + Which strike from out the heart o'erwrought, + And form a strange intelligence, + Alike mysterious and intense, + Which link the burning chain that binds, + Without their will, young hearts and minds. + I saw, and sighed--in silence wept, + And still reluctant distance kept, + Until I was made known to her, + And we might then and there confer + Without suspicion--then, even then, + I longed, and was resolved to speak; + But on my lips they died again, + The accents tremulous and weak, + Until one hour... + + * * * * * + + 'I would have given + My life but to have called her mine + In the full view of Earth and Heaven; + For I did oft and long repine + That we could only meet by stealth.' + +In the remorseful words of Manfred, + + 'Her faults were mine--her virtues were her own-- + I loved her, and destroyed her!... + Not with my hand, but heart--which broke _her_ heart-- + It gazed on mine and withered.' + +Without attempting to excuse Byron's conduct--indeed, that were +useless--it must be remembered that he was only twenty-five years of age, +and Mary was very unhappy. After all hope of meeting her again had been +abandoned, the force of destiny, so to speak, had unexpectedly restored +his lost Thyrza--the _Theresa_ of 'Mazeppa.' + + 'I loved her then, I love her still; + And such as I am, love indeed + In fierce extremes--in good and ill-- + But still we love... + Haunted to our very age + With the vain shadow of the past.' + +Byron's punishment was in this world. The remorse which followed endured +throughout the remaining portion of his life. It wrecked what might have +proved a happy marriage, and drove him, from stone to stone, along life's +causeway, to that 'Sea Sodom' where, for many months, he tried to destroy +the memory of his crime by reckless profligacy. + +Mary Chaworth no sooner realized her awful danger--the madness of an +impulse which not even love could excuse--than she recoiled from the +precipice which yawned before her. She had been momentarily blinded by the +irresistible fascination of one who, after all, really and truly loved +her. But she was a good woman in spite of this one episode, and to the +last hour of her existence she never swerved from that narrow path which +led to an honoured grave. + +Although it was too late for happiness, too late to evade the consequences +of her weakness, there was still time for repentance. The secret was kept +inviolate by the very few to whom it was confided, and the present writer +deeply regrets that circumstances have compelled him to break the seal. + +If 'Astarte' had not been written, there would have been no need to lift +the veil. Lord Lovelace has besmirched the good name of Mrs. Leigh, and it +is but an act of simple justice to defend her. + +When Mary Chaworth escaped from Byron's fatal influence, he reproached her +for leaving him, and tried to shake her resolution with heart-rending +appeals. Happily for both, they fell upon deaf ears. + + 'Astarte! my beloved! speak to me; + Say that thou loath'st me not--that I do bear + This punishment for both.' + +The depth and sincerity of Byron's love for Mary Chaworth cannot be +questioned. Moore, who knew him well, says: + + 'The all-absorbing and unsuccessful (unsatisfied) love for Mary + Chaworth was the agony, without being the death, of an unsated desire + which lived on through life, filled his poetry with the very soul of + tenderness, lent the colouring of its light to even those unworthy + ties which vanity or passion led him afterwards to form, and was the + last aspiration of his fervid spirit, in those stanzas written but a + few months before his death.' + +It was, in fact, a love of such unreasonableness and persistence as might +be termed, without exaggeration, a madness of the heart. + +Although Mary escaped for ever from that baneful infatuation, which in an +unguarded moment had destroyed her peace of mind, her separation from +Byron was not complete until he married. Not only did they correspond +frequently, but they also met occasionally. In the following January +(1814) Byron introduced Mary to Augusta Leigh. From that eventful meeting, +_when probable contingencies were provided for_, until Mary's death in +1832, these two women, who had suffered so much through Byron, continued +in the closest intimacy; and in November, 1819, Augusta stood sponsor for +Mary's youngest daughter. + +In a poem which must have been written in 1813, an apostrophe 'To Time,' +Byron refers to Mary's resolutions. + + 'In Joy I've sighed to think thy flight + Would soon subside from swift to slow; + Thy cloud could overcast the light, + But could not add a night to Woe; + For then, however drear and dark, + My soul was suited to thy sky; + _One star alone_ shot forth a spark + To prove thee--not Eternity. + _That beam hath sunk._' + +It is of course true that matters were not, and could never again be, on +the same footing as in July of that year; but Mary Chaworth was constancy +itself, in a higher and a nobler sense than Byron attached to it, when he +reproached her for broken vows. + + 'Thy vows are all broken, + And light is thy fame: + I hear thy name spoken, + And share in its shame.' + +During the remainder of Byron's life, Mary took a deep interest in +everything that affected him. In 1814, believing that marriage would be +his salvation, she used her influence in that direction. We know that she +did not approve of the choice which Byron so recklessly made, and she +certainly had ample cause to deplore its results. Through her close +intimacy with Augusta Leigh--an intimacy which has not hitherto been +suspected--she became acquainted with every phase in Byron's subsequent +career. She could read 'between the lines,' and solve the mysteries to be +found in such poems as 'Lara,' 'Mazeppa,' 'Manfred,' and 'Don Juan.' + +We believe that Byron's love for Mary was the main cause of the +indifference he felt towards his wife. In order to shield Mary from the +possible consequences of a public investigation into conduct prior to his +marriage, Byron, in 1816, consented to a separation from his wife. + +After Byron had left England Mary broke down under the strain she had +borne so bravely, and her mind gave way. When at last, in April, 1817, a +reconciliation took place between Mary and her husband, it was apparent to +everyone that she had, during those four anxious years, become a changed +woman. She never entirely regained either health or spirits. Her mind +'had acquired a tinge of religious melancholy, which never afterwards left +it.' Sorrow and disappointment had subdued a naturally buoyant nature, and +'melancholy marked her for its own.' Shortly before her death, in 1832, +she destroyed every letter she had received from Byron since those distant +fateful years when, as boy and girl, they had wandered on the Hills of +Annesley. For eight sad years Mary Chaworth survived the lover of her +youth. Shortly before her death, in a letter to one of her daughters, she +drew her own character which might fitly form her epitaph: 'Soon led, +easily pleased, very hasty, and very relenting, with a heart moulded in a +warm and affectionate fashion.' + +Such was the woman who, though parted by fate, maintained through sunshine +and storm an ascendancy over the heart of Byron which neither time nor +absence could impair, and which endured to the end of his earthly +existence. We may well believe that those inarticulate words which the +dying poet murmured to the bewildered Fletcher--those broken sentences +which ended with, 'Tell her everything; you are friends with her'--may +have referred, not to Lady Byron, as policy suggested, but to Mary +Chaworth, with whom Fletcher had been acquainted since his youth. + +We have incontestable proof that, only two months before he died, Byron's +thoughts were occupied with one whom he had named 'the starlight of his +boyhood.' How deeply Byron thought about Mary Chaworth at the last is +proved by the poem which was found among his papers at Missolonghi. In six +stanzas the poet revealed the story that he would fain have hidden. A +note in his handwriting states that they were addressed 'to no one in +particular,' and that they were merely 'a poetical scherzo.' There is, +however, no room for doubt that the poem bears a deep significance. + + I. + + 'I watched thee when the foe was at our side, + Ready to strike at him--or thee and me + Were safety hopeless--rather than divide + Aught with one loved, save love and liberty.' + +We have here a glimpse of that turbulent scene when Mary's husband, in a +fit of jealousy, put an end to their dangerous intimacy. + + II. + + 'I watched thee on the breakers, when the rock + Received our prow, and all was storm and fear, + And bade thee cling to me through every shock; + This arm would be thy bark, or breast thy bier.' + +This brings us to that period of suspense and fear, in 1814, which +preceded the birth of Medora. In a letter which Byron at that time wrote +to Miss Milbanke, we find these words: + + 'I am at present a little feverish--I mean mentally--and, as usual, + _on the brink of something or other, which will probably crush me at + last, and cut our correspondence short, with everything else_.' + +Twelve days later (March 3, 1814), Byron tells Moore that he is +'uncomfortable,' and that he has 'no lack of argument to ponder upon of +the most gloomy description.' + + 'Some day or other,' he writes, 'when we are _veterans_, I may tell + you a tale of present and past times; and it is not from want of + confidence that I do not now.... _All this would be very well if I had + no heart_; but, unluckily, I have found that there is such a thing + still about me, though in no very good repair, and also that it has a + habit of attaching itself to _one_, whether I will or no. _Divide et + impera_, I begin to think, will only do for politics.' + +When Moore, who was puzzled, asked Byron to explain himself more clearly, +he replied: 'Guess darkly, and you will seldom err.' + +Thirty-four days later Medora was born, April 15, 1814. + + III. + + 'I watched thee when the fever glazed thine eyes, + Yielding my couch, and stretched me on the ground, + When overworn with watching, ne'er to rise + From thence if thou an early grave had found.' + +Here we see Byron's agony of remorse. Like Herod, he lamented for +Mariamne: + + 'And mine's the guilt, and mine the hell, + This bosom's desolation dooming; + And I have earned those tortures well + Which unconsumed are still consuming!' + +In 'Manfred' we find a note of remembrance in the deprecating words: + + 'Oh! no, no, no! + My injuries came down on those who loved me-- + On those whom I best loved: I never quelled + An enemy, save in my just defence-- + But my embrace was fatal.' + + IV. + + 'The earthquake came, and rocked the quivering wall, + And men and Nature reeled as if with wine: + Whom did I seek around the tottering hall? + For thee. Whose safety first provide for? Thine.' + +We now see Byron, at the supreme crisis of his life, standing in solitude +on his hearth, with all his household gods shivered around him. We +perceive that not least among his troubles at that time was the +ever-haunting fear lest the secret of Medora's birth should be disclosed. +His greatest anxiety was for Mary's safety, and this could only be secured +by keeping his matrimonial squabbles out of a court of law. It was, in +fact, by agreeing to sign the deed of separation that the whole situation +was saved. The loyalty of Augusta Leigh on this occasion was never +forgotten: + + 'There was soft Remembrance and sweet Trust + In one fond breast.' + + '_That_ love was pure--and, far above disguise, + Had stood the test of mortal enmities + Still undivided, and cemented more + By peril, dreaded most in female eyes, + But this was firm.' + +In the fifth stanza we see Byron, eight years later, at Missolonghi, +struck down by that attack of epilepsy which preceded his death by only +two months: + + V. + + 'And when convulsive throes denied my breath + The faintest utterance to my fading thought, + To thee--to thee--e'en in the gasp of death + My spirit turned, oh! oftener than it ought.' + +In the sixth and final stanza, probably the last lines that Byron ever +wrote, we find him reiterating, with all a lover's persistency, a belief +that Mary could never have loved him, otherwise she would not have left +him. + + VI. + + 'Thus much and more; and yet thou lov'st me not, + And never will! Love dwells not in our will. + Nor can I blame thee, though it be my lot + To strongly, wrongly, vainly love thee still.' + +The reproaches of lovers are often unjust. Byron either could not, or +perhaps _would not_, see that in abandoning him Mary had been actuated by +the highest, the purest motives, and that the renunciation must have +afforded her deep pain--a sacrifice, not lightly made, for Byron's sake +quite as much as for her own. That Byron for a time resented her conduct +in this respect is evident from a remark made in a letter to Miss +Milbanke, dated November 29, 1813. After saying that he once thought that +Mary Chaworth could have made him happy, he added, 'but _subsequent events +have proved_ that my expectations might not have been fulfilled had I ever +proposed to and received my idol.'[39] + +What those 'subsequent events' were may be guessed from reproaches which +at this period appear among his poems: + + 'The wholly false the _heart_ despises, + And spurns deceiver and deceit; + But she who not a thought disguises, + Whose love is as sincere as sweet-- + When _she_ can change, who loved so truly, + It _feels_ what mine has _felt_ so newly.' + +In the letter written five years after their final separation, Byron again +reproaches Mary Chaworth, but this time without a tinge of bitterness: + + 'My own, we may have been very wrong, but I repent of nothing except + that cursed marriage, and your refusing to continue to love me as you + had loved me. I can neither forget nor _quite forgive_ you for that + precious piece of reformation. But I can never be other than I have + been, and whenever I love anything, it is because it reminds me in + some way or other of yourself.' + +'The Giaour' was begun in May and finished in November, 1813. Those parts +which relate to Mary Chaworth were added to that poem in July and August: + + 'She was a form of Life and Light, + That, seen, became a part of sight; + And rose, where'er I turned mine eye, + The Morning-Star of Memory!' + +Byron says that, like the bird that sings within the brake, like the swan +that swims upon the waters, he can only have one mate. He despises those +who sneer at constancy. He does not envy them their fickleness, and +regards such heartless men as lower in the scale of creation than the +solitary swan. + + 'Such shame at least was never mine-- + Leila! each thought was only thine! + My good, _my guilt_, my weal, my woe, + My hope on high--my all below. + Earth holds no other like to thee, + Or, if it doth, in vain for me: + ... Thou wert, thou art, + The cherished madness of my heart!' + + 'Yes, Love indeed is light from heaven; + A spark of that immortal fire + With angels shared, by Alla given, + To lift from earth our low desire. + I grant _my_ love imperfect, all + That mortals by the name miscall; + Then deem it evil, what thou wilt; + But say, oh say, _hers_ was not Guilt! + And she was lost--and yet I breathed, + But not the breath of human life: + A serpent round my heart was wreathed, + And stung my every thought to strife.' + +Who can doubt that the friend 'of earlier days,' whose memory the Giaour +wishes to bless before he dies, but whom he dares not bless lest Heaven +should 'mark the vain attempt' of guilt praying for the guiltless, was +Mary Chaworth. He bids the friar tell that friend + + 'What thou didst behold: + The withered frame--the ruined mind, + The wreck that Passion leaves behind-- + The shrivelled and discoloured leaf, + Seared by the Autumn blast of Grief.' + +He wonders whether that friend is still his friend, as in those earlier +days, when hearts were blended in that sweet land where bloom his native +valley's bowers. To that friend he sends a ring, which was the memorial of +a youthful vow: + + 'Tell him--unheeding as I was, + Through many a busy bitter scene + Of all our golden youth hath been, + In pain, my faltering tongue had tried + To bless his memory--ere I died; + I do not ask him not to blame, + Too gentle he to wound my name; + I do not ask him not to mourn, + Such cold request might sound like scorn. + But bear this ring, his own of old, + And tell him what thou dost behold!' + +The motto chosen by Byron for 'The Giaour' is in itself suggestive: + + 'One fatal remembrance--one sorrow that throws + Its bleak shade alike o'er our Joys and our Woes-- + To which Life nothing darker nor brighter can bring, + For which Joy hath no balm--and affliction no sting.' + +On October 10, 1813, Byron arrived at Newstead, where he stayed for a +month. Mary Chaworth was at Annesley during that time. On his return to +town he wrote (November 8) to his sister: + + 'MY DEAREST AUGUSTA, + + 'I have only time to say that my long silence has been occasioned by a + thousand things (with which _you_ are not concerned). It is not Lady + Caroline, nor Lady Oxford; _but perhaps you may guess_, and if you do, + do not tell. You do not know what mischief your being with me might + have prevented. You shall hear from me to-morrow; in the meantime + don't be alarmed. I am in _no immediate_ peril. + + 'Believe me, ever yours, + 'B.' + +On November 30 Byron wrote to Moore: + + 'We were once very near neighbours this autumn;[40] and a good and + bad neighbourhood it has proved to me. Suffice it to say that your + French quotation (Si je récommençais ma carrière, je ferais tout ce + que j'ai fait) was confoundedly to the purpose,--though very + _unexpectedly_ pertinent, as you may imagine by what I _said_ before, + and my silence since. However, "Richard's himself again," and, except + all night and some part of the morning, I don't think very much about + the matter. All convulsions end with me in rhyme; and to solace my + midnights I have scribbled another Turkish story ['The Bride of + Abydos'] which you will receive soon after this.... I have written + this, and published it, for the sake of _employment_--to wring my + thoughts from reality, and take refuge in "imaginings," however + "horrible."... This is the work of a week....' + +In order the more effectually to dispose of the theory that Lady Frances +Wedderburn Webster was the cause of Byron's disquietude, we insert an +extract from his journal, dated a fortnight earlier (November 14, 1813): + + 'Last night I finished "Zuleika" [the name was afterwards changed to + 'The Bride of Abydos'], my second Turkish tale. I believe the + composition of it kept me alive--for it was written to drive my + thoughts from the recollection of * * * * "Dear sacred name, rest ever + unrevealed." At least, even here, my hand would tremble to write + it.... I have some idea of expectorating a romance, but what romance + could equal the events + + '"... quæque ipse ... vidi, + Et quorum pars magna fui"?' + +Surely the name that Byron dared not write, even in his own journal, was +not that of Lady Frances Webster, whose name appears often in his +correspondence. The 'sacred name' was that of one of whom he afterwards +wrote, 'Thou art both Mother and May.' + +During October, November, and December, 1813, Byron's mind was in a +perturbed condition. We gather, from a letter which he wrote to Moore on +November 30, that his thoughts were centred on a lady living in +Nottinghamshire[41], and that the scrape, which he mentions in his letter +to Augusta on November 8, referred to that lady and the dreaded prospects +of maternity. + +Mr. Coleridge believes that the verses, 'Remember him, whom Passion's +power,' were addressed to Lady Frances Wedderburn Webster. There is +nothing, so far as the present writer knows, to support that opinion. +There is no evidence to show the month in which they were written; and, in +view of the statement that the lady in question had lived in comparative +retirement, 'Thy soul from long seclusion pure,' and that she had, because +of his presumption, banished the poet in 1813, it could not well have been +Lady Frances Webster, who in September of that year had asked Byron to be +godfather to her child, and in October had invited him to her house. It is +noteworthy that Byron expressly forbade Murray to publish those verses +with 'The Corsair,' where, it must be owned, they would have been sadly +out of place. 'Farewell, if ever fondest prayer,' was decidedly more +appropriate to the state of things existing at that time. + +The motto chosen for his 'Bride of Abydos' is taken from Burns: + + 'Had we never loved sae kindly, + Had we never loved sae blindly, + Never met--or never parted, + We had ne'er been broken-hearted.' + +The poem was written early in November, 1813. + +Byron has told us that it was written to divert his mind,[42] 'to wring +his thoughts from reality to imagination, from selfish regrets to vivid +recollections'; to 'distract his thoughts from the recollection of * * * * +"Dear sacred name, rest ever unrevealed,"' and in a letter to John Galt +(December 11, 1813) he says that parts of the poem were drawn 'from +existence.' He had been staying at Newstead, in close proximity to +Annesley, from October 10 to November 8, during which time, as he says, he +regretted the absence of his sister Augusta, 'who might have saved him +much trouble.' He says, 'All convulsions end with me in rhyme,' and that +'The Bride of Abydos' was 'the work of a week.' In speaking of a 'dear +sacred name, rest ever unrevealed,' he says: 'At least even here my hand +would tremble to write it'; and on November 30 he writes to Moore: 'Since +I last wrote' (October 2), 'much has happened to me.' On November 27 he +writes in his journal: 'Mary--dear name--thou art both Mother and +May.'[43] At the end of November, after he had returned to town, he writes +in his journal: + + '* * * * is distant, and will be at * * * *, still more distant, till + the spring. No one else, except Augusta, cares for me.... I am + tremendously in arrears with my letters, except to * * * *, and to her + my thoughts overpower me--my words never compass them.' + +On November 14 Byron sends a device for the seals of himself and * * * *; +the seal in question is at present in the possession of the +Chaworth-Musters family. On December 10, we find from one of Byron's +letters that he had thoughts of committing suicide, and was deterred by +the idea that 'it would annoy Augusta, and perhaps * * * *.' + +Byron seems to have put into the mouth of Zuleika words which conveyed his +own thoughts: + + 'Think'st thou that I could bear to part + With thee, and learn to halve my heart? + Ah! were I severed from thy side, + Where were thy friend--and who my guide? + Years have not seen, Time shall not see, + The hour that tears my soul from thee: + Ev'n Azrael, from his deadly quiver + When flies that shaft, and fly it must, + That parts all else, shall doom for ever + Our hearts to undivided dust! + + * * * * * + + What other can she seek to see + Than thee, companion of her bower, + The partner of her infancy? + These cherished thoughts with life begun, + Say, why must I no more avow?' + +Selim suggests that Zuleika should brave the world and fly with him: + + 'But be the Star that guides the wanderer, Thou! + Thou, my Zuleika, share and bless my bark; + The Dove of peace and promise to mine ark! + Or, since that hope denied in worlds of strife, + Be thou the rainbow to the storms of life! + The evening beam that smiles the clouds away, + And tints to-morrow with prophetic ray! + + * * * * * + + Not blind to Fate, I see, where'er I rove, + Unnumbered perils,--but one only love! + Yet well my toils shall that fond breast repay, + Though Fortune frown, or falser friends betray.' + +Zuleika, we are told, was the 'last of Giaffir's race.'[44] Selim tells +her that 'life is hazard at the best,' and there is much to fear: + + 'Yes, fear! the doubt, the dread of losing thee. + That dread shall vanish with the favouring gale; + Which Love to-night has promised to my sail. + No danger daunts the pair his smile hath blest, + Their steps still roving, but their hearts at rest. + With thee all toils are sweet, each clime hath charms; + Earth--Sea alike--our world within our arms!' + +'The Corsair' was written between December 18, 1813, and January 11, 1814. +While it was passing through the press, Byron was at Newstead. He gives a +little of his own spirit to Conrad, and all Mary's virtues to Medora--a +name which was afterwards given to his child. Conrad + + 'Knew himself a villain--but he deemed + The rest no better than the thing he seemed; + And scorned the best as hypocrites who hid + Those deeds the bolder spirit plainly did. + Lone, wild, and strange, he stood alike exempt + From all affection and from all contempt. + None are all evil--quickening round his heart, + One softer feeling would not yet depart. + Yet 'gainst that passion vainly still he strove, + And even in him it asks the name of Love! + Yes, it was Love--unchangeable--unchanged, + Felt but for one from whom he never ranged. + Yes--it was Love--if thoughts of tenderness, + Tried in temptation, strengthened by distress, + Unmoved by absence, firm in every clime, + And yet--oh! more than all! untired by Time. + If there be Love in mortals--this was Love! + He was a villain--aye, reproaches shower + On him--but not the Passion, nor its power, + Which only proved--all other virtues gone-- + Not Guilt itself could quench this _earliest_ one!' + +The following verses are full of meaning for the initiated: + + I. + + 'Deep in my soul that tender secret dwells, + Lonely and lost to light for evermore, + Save when to thine my heart responsive swells, + Then trembles into silence as before. + + II. + + 'There, in its centre, a sepulchral lamp + Burns the slow flame, eternal--but unseen; + Which not the darkness of Despair can damp, + Though vain its ray as it had never been. + + III. + + 'Remember me--oh! pass not thou my grave + Without one thought whose relics there recline: + The only pang my bosom dare not brave + Must be to find forgetfulness in thine. + + IV. + + 'My fondest--faintest--latest accents hear-- + Grief for the dead not Virtue can reprove; + Then give me all I ever asked--a tear, + The first--last--sole reward of so much love!' + +Conrad and Medora part, to meet no more in life + + 'But she is nothing--wherefore is he here?... + By the first glance on that still, marble brow-- + It was enough--she died--what recked it how? + _The love of youth, the hope of better years_, + The source of softest wishes, tenderest fears, + The only living thing he could not hate, + Was reft at once--_and he deserved his fate_, + But did not feel it less.' + +The blow he feared the most had fallen at last. The only woman whom he +loved had withdrawn her society from him, and his heart, + + 'Formed for softness--warped to wrong, + Betrayed too early, and beguiled too long,' + +was petrified at last! + + 'Yet tempests wear, and lightning cleaves the rock; + If such his heart, so shattered it the shock. + There grew one flower beneath its rugged brow, + Though dark the shade--it sheltered--saved till now. + The thunder came--that bolt hath blasted both, + The Granite's firmness, and the Lily's growth: + The gentle plant hath left no leaf to tell + Its tale, but shrunk and withered where it fell; + And of its cold protector, blacken round + But shivered fragments on the barren ground!' + +In moments of deep emotion, even the most reticent of men may sometimes +reveal themselves. 'The Giaour,' 'The Bride of Abydos,' and 'The Corsair,' +formed a trilogy, through which the tragedy of Byron's life swept like a +musical theme. Those poems acted like a recording instrument which, by +registering his transient moods, was destined ultimately to betray a +secret which he had been at so much pains to hide. In 'The Giaour' we see +remorse for a crime, which he was at first willing to expiate in sorrow +and repentance. In 'The Bride of Abydos' we find him, in an access of +madness and passion, proposing to share the fate of his victim, if she +will but consent to fly with him. Happily for both, Mary would never have +consented to an act of social suicide. In 'The Corsair' we behold his +dreams dispelled by the death of his Love and the hope of better years. + + 'He asked no question--all were answered now!' + +With the dramatic fate of Medora the curtain falls, and the poet, in whom + + 'I suoi pensieri in lui dormir non ponno,' + +crosses the threshold of a new life. He reappears later on the scene of +all his woes, a broken, friendless stranger, in the person of Lara--that +last phase, in which the poet discloses his identity with characteristic +insouciance, brings the tragedy abruptly to a close.[45] + +On January 6, 1814, Byron wrote a remarkable letter to Moore, at that time +in Nottinghamshire: + + '... I have a confidence for you--a perplexing one to me, and just at + present in a state of abeyance in itself.... [Here probably follows + the disclosure.] However, we shall see. In the meantime you may amuse + yourself with my suspense, and put all the justices of peace in + requisition, in case I come into your county [Nottinghamshire] with + hackbut bent.[46] Seriously, whether I am to hear from her or him, it + is a pause, which I can fill up with as few thoughts of my own as I + can borrow from other people. Anything is better than stagnation; and + now, in the interregnum of my autumn and a strange summer adventure, + which I don't like to think of.... Of course you will keep my secret, + and don't even talk in your sleep of it. Happen what may, your + dedication is ensured, being already written; and I shall copy it out + fair to-night, in case business or amusement--_Amant alterna + Camoenæ_.' + +Byron here refers to 'The Corsair,' which he dedicated to Thomas Moore. In +order to understand this letter, it may be inferred that one of the +letters he had written to his lady-love had remained so long unanswered +that Byron feared it might have fallen into her husband's hands. Writing +to Moore on the following day, Byron says: + + 'My last epistle would probably put you in a fidget. But the devil, + who _ought_ to be civil on such occasions, proved so, and took my + letter to the right place.... Is it not odd? the very fate I said she + had escaped from * * * * she has now undergone from the worthy * * * + *.' + +An undated letter from Mary Chaworth, preserved among the Byron letters in +Mr. Murray's possession, seems to belong to this period: + + 'Your kind letter, my dear friend, relieved me much, and came + yesterday, when I was by no means well, and was a most agreeable + remedy, for I fancied a thousand things.... I shall set great value by + your _seal_, and, if you come down to Newstead before we leave + Annesley, see no reason why you should not call on us and bring + it....[47] I have lately suffered from a pain in my side, which has + alarmed me; but I will not, in return for your charming epistle, fill + mine with complaints.... I am surprised you have not seen Mr. + Chaworth, as I hear of him going about a good deal. We [herself and + Miss Radford] are now visiting very near Nottingham, but return to + Annesley to-morrow, I _trust_, where I have left all my little dears + except the eldest, whom _you_ saw, and who is with me. We are very + anxious to see you, and yet know not how we shall feel on the + occasion--_formal_, I dare say, at the _first_; but our meeting must + be confined to our trio, and then I think we shall be more at our + ease. _Do write_ me, and make a _sacrifice_ to _friendship_, which I + shall consider your visit. You _may_ always address your letters to + Annesley perfectly safe. + + 'Your sincere friend, + 'MARY ----' + +On or about January 7, 1814, Byron writes to his sister Augusta in +reference to Mary Chaworth: + + 'I shall write to-morrow, but did _not_ go to Lady M.'s [Melbourne] + twelfth cake banquet. M. [Mary] has written again--_all + friendship_--and really very simple and pathetic--_bad + usage_--_paleness_--_ill-health_--old _friendship_--_once_--_good + motive_--virtue--and so forth.' + +Five days later Byron again writes to Augusta Leigh: + + 'On Sunday or Monday next, with leave of your lord and president, you + will be _well_ and ready to accompany me to Newstead, which you + _should_ see, and I will endeavour to render as comfortable as I can, + for both our sakes.... Claughton is, I believe, inclined to settle.... + More news from Mrs. [Chaworth], _all friendship_; you shall see her.' + +Medora was born on or about April 15, 1814. 'Lara' was written between May +4 and 14. The opening lines, which would have set every tongue wagging, +were withheld from publication until January, 1887. They were written in +London early in May, and were addressed to the mother of Medora: + + 'When thou art gone--the loved, the lost--the one + Whose smile hath gladdened, though perchance undone-- + _Whose name too dearly cherished to impart_ + Dies on the lip, but trembles in the heart; + Whose sudden mention can almost convulse, + And lightens through the ungovernable pulse-- + Till the heart leaps so keenly to the word + We fear that throb can hardly beat unheard--[48] + Then sinks at once beneath that sickly chill + That follows when we find her absent still. + When thou art gone--too far again to bless-- + Oh! God--how slowly comes Forgetfulness! + Let none complain how faithless and how brief + The brain's remembrance, or the bosom's grief, + Or ere they thus forbid us to forget + Let Mercy strip the memory of regret; + Yet--selfish still--we would not be forgot, + What lip dare say--"My Love--remember not"? + Oh! best--and dearest! Thou whose thrilling name + My heart adores too deeply to proclaim-- + My memory, almost ceasing to repine, + Would mount to Hope if once secure of thine. + Meantime the tale I weave must mournful be-- + As absence to the heart that lives on thee!' + +Lord Lovelace has told us that 'nothing is too stupid for belief.' We are +disposed to agree with him, especially as he produces these lines in +support of his accusation against Augusta Leigh. The absurdity of +supposing that they were addressed to Byron's sister appears to us to be +so evident that it seems unnecessary to waste words in disputation. There +is abundant proof that during this period Mrs. Leigh and Byron were in +constant correspondence, and that he visited her almost daily during her +simulated confinement and convalescence. When Murray sent her some books +to while away the time, Byron wrote (April 9) on her behalf to thank him. +And finally, as Augusta Leigh had no intention whatever of leaving London, +she could in no sense have been 'the lost one' whose prospective departure +filled Byron with despair. The poet and his sister--whom he was accustomed +to address as 'Goose'[49]--were then, and always, on most familiar terms. +The 'mention of her name' (which was often on his lips) would certainly +not have convulsed him, nor have caused his heart to beat so loudly that +he feared lest others should hear it! The woman to whom those lines were +addressed was Mary Chaworth, whose condition induced him, on April 18, to +begin a fragment entitled 'Magdalen'--she of whom he wrote on May 4: + + 'I speak not--I trace not--I breathe not thy name-- + There is Love in the sound--there is Guilt in the fame.' + +Lord Lovelace, in his impetuosity, and with very imperfect knowledge of +Byron's life-story, ties every doubtful scrap of his grandfather's poetry +into his bundle of proofs against Augusta Leigh, without perceiving any +discrepancy in the nature of his evidence. A moment's reflection might +have convinced him that the lines we have quoted could not, by any +possibility, have applied to one whom he subsequently addressed as: + + 'My sister! my sweet sister! if a name + Dearer and purer were, it should be thine; + + * * * * * + + Had I but sooner learnt the crowd to shun, + I had been better than I now can be; + The passions which have torn me would have slept; + _I_ had not suffered, and _thou_ hadst not wept.' + +It must be admitted that Byron, through indiscreet confidences and +reckless mystifications, was partly the cause of the suspicions which +afterwards fell upon his sister. Lady Byron has left it on record that +Byron early in 1814--before the birth of Medora--told Lady Caroline Lamb +that a woman he passionately loved was with child by him, and that if a +daughter was born it should be called Medora.[50] At about the same time +'he advanced, at Holland House, the most extraordinary theories about the +relations of brother and sister, which originated the reports about Mrs. +Leigh.' + +That, after ninety years, such nonsense should be regarded as evidence +against a woman so well known in the society of her day as was Mrs. Leigh, +justifies our concurrence with Lord Lovelace's opinion that 'nothing is +too stupid for belief.' + +It appears that one day Lady Byron was talking to her husband about +'Lara,' which seemed to her to be 'like the darkness in which one fears to +behold spectres.' This bait was evidently too tempting for Byron to +resist. He replied: '"Lara"--there's more in _that_ than in any of them.' +As he spoke he shuddered, and turned his eyes to the ground. + +Before we examine that poem to see how much it may contain of illuminating +matter, we will touch upon a remark Byron made to his wife, which Lord +Lovelace quotes without perceiving its depth and meaning. We will quote +'Astarte': + + 'He told Lady Byron that if she had married him when he first + proposed, he should not have written any of the poems which followed + [the first and second Cantos] "Childe Harold."' + +This is perfectly true. Byron proposed to Miss Milbanke in 1812. If she +had married him then, he would not have renewed his intimacy with Mary +Chaworth in June, 1813. There would have been no heart-hunger, no misery, +no remorse, and, in short, no inspiration for 'The Giaour,' 'The Bride,' +'The Corsair,' and 'Lara.' Miss Milbanke's refusal of his offer of +marriage in 1812 rankled long in Byron's mind, and provoked those +ungenerous reproaches which have been, with more or less exaggeration, +reported by persons in Lady Byron's confidence. The mischief was done +between the date of Miss Milbanke's refusal and her acceptance of his +offer, which occurred after the fury of his passion for Mary Chaworth had +burnt itself out. No blame attaches to Lady Byron for this misfortune. +When Byron first proposed, her affections were elsewhere engaged; she +could not, therefore, dispose of her heart to him. When she at last +accepted him, it was too late for happiness. + +In a letter which Byron wrote to Miss Milbanke previous to his +marriage,[51] he unconsciously prophesied the worst: + + 'The truth is that could I have foreseen that your life was to be + linked to mine--had I even possessed a distinct hope, however + distant--I would have been a different and better being. As it is, I + have sometimes doubts, even if I should not disappoint the future, nor + act hereafter unworthily of you, whether the past ought not to make + you still regret me--even that portion of it with which you are not + unacquainted. I did not believe such a woman existed--at least for + me--_and I sometimes fear I ought to wish that she had not_.' + +When Byron said that he had doubts whether the past would not eventually +reflect injuriously upon his future wife, he referred, not to Augusta +Leigh, but to his fatal intercourse with Mary Chaworth. The following +sentences taken from Mrs. Leigh's letters to Francis Hodgson, who knew the +truth, prove that the mystery only incidentally affected Augusta. The +letters were written February, 1816. + + 'From what passed [between Captain Byron and Mrs. Clermont] _now_, if + _they_ choose it, it must come into court! God alone knows the + consequences.' + + 'It strikes me that, if their pecuniary proposals are favourable, + Byron will be too happy to escape the exposure. _He must_ be anxious. + It is impossible he should not in some degree.' + +These are the expressions, not of a person connected with a tragedy, but +rather of one who was a spectator of it. Every impartial person must see +that. When, on another occasion, Byron told his wife that he wished he +had gone abroad--as he had intended--in June, 1813, he undoubtedly implied +that the fatal intimacy with Mary Chaworth would have been avoided. This +seems so clear to us that we are surprised that Byron's statement on the +subject of his poems should have made no impression on the mind of Lord +Lovelace, and should have elicited nothing from him in 'Astarte,' except +the _banale_ suggestion that Byron's literary activity _must have been +accidental_! + +Lara, like Conrad, is a portion of Byron himself, and the poem opens with +his return to Newstead after some bitter experiences, at which he darkly +hints: + + 'Short was the course his restlessness had run, + But long enough to leave him half undone.' + +He tells us that 'Another chief consoled his destined bride.' 'One is +absent that most might decorate that gloomy pile.' + + 'Why slept he not when others were at rest? + Why heard no music, and received no guest? + All was not well, they deemed--but where the wrong? + Some knew perchance.' + +In stanzas 17, 18, and 19, Byron draws a picture of himself, so like that +his sister remarked upon it in a letter to Hodgson. After telling us that +'his heart was not by nature hard,' he says that + + 'His blood in temperate seeming now would flow: + Ah! happier if it ne'er with guilt had glowed, + But ever in that icy smoothness flowed!' + +The poet tells us that after Lara's death he was mourned by one whose +quiet grief endured for long. + + 'Vain was all question asked her of the past, + And vain e'en menace--silent to the last.' + + 'Why did she love him? Curious fool!--be still-- + Is human love the growth of human will? + To her he might be gentleness; the stern + Have deeper thoughts than your dull eyes discern, + And when they love, your smilers guess not how + Beats the strong heart, though less the lips avow. + They were not common links, that formed the chain + That bound to Lara Kaled's heart and brain; + But that wild tale she brooked not to unfold, + _And sealed is now each lip that could have told_. + + * * * * * + + 'The tempest of his heart in scorn had gazed + On that the feebler Elements hath raised. + The Rapture of his Heart had looked on high, + And asked if greater dwelt beyond the sky: + Chained to excess, the slave of each extreme, + How woke he from the wildness of that dream! + Alas! he told not--_but he did awake + To curse the withered heart that would not break_.' + +On September 8, 1814, four months after Byron had finished 'Lara,' while +he was at Newstead with his sister and her children--the little Medora +among them--he wrote his fragment 'Harmodia.' The rough draft was given +after his marriage to Lady Byron, who had no idea to what it could +possibly refer. When the scandal about Augusta was at its height, this +fragment was impounded among other incriminating documents, and eventually +saw the light in 'Astarte.' Lord Lovelace was firmly convinced that it was +addressed to Augusta Leigh! + +Between September 7 and 15 Byron and Mary Chaworth were considering the +desirability of marriage for Byron, and letters were passing between the +distracted poet and two young ladies--Miss Milbanke and another--with that +object in view. Although Byron was still in love with Mary Chaworth, he +had come to understand that her determination to break the dangerous +intimacy was irrevocable, so he resolved to follow her advice and marry. +The tone of his letter to Moore, written on September 15, shows that he +was not very keen about wedlock. He was making plans for a journey to +Italy in the event of his proposal being rejected. + +It is possible that, in a conversation between Mary and himself, the +former may have spoken of the risks they had incurred in the past, and of +her resolve never to transgress again. To which Byron replied: + + HARMODIA. + + 'The things that were--and what and whence are they? + Those clouds and rainbows of thy yesterday? + Their path has vanish'd from th' eternal sky, + And now its hues are of a different dye. + Thus speeds from day to day, and Pole to Pole, + The change of parts, the sameness of the whole; + And all we snatch, amidst the breathing strife, + But gives to Memory what it takes from Life: + Despoils a substance to adorn a shade-- + And that frail shadow lengthens but to fade. + Sun of the sleepless! Melancholy Star! + Whose tearful beam shoots trembling from afar-- + _That chang'st_ the darkness thou canst not dispel-- + How like art thou to Joy, remembered well! + Such is the past--the light of other days + That shines, but warms not with its powerless rays-- + A moonbeam _Sorrow_ watcheth to behold, + Distinct, but distant--clear, but _death-like_ cold. + + 'Oh! as full thought comes rushing o'er the Mind + Of all we saw before--to leave behind-- + Of all!--but words, what are they? Can they give + A trace of truth to thoughts while yet they live? + No--Passion--Feeling speak not--or in vain-- + The tear for Grief--the Groan must speak for Pain-- + Joy hath its smile--and Love its blush and sigh-- + Despair her silence--Hate her lip and eye-- + These their interpreters, where deeply lurk-- + The Soul's despoilers warring as they work-- + The strife once o'er--then words may find their way, + Yet how enfeebled from the forced delay! + + 'But who could paint the progress of the wreck-- + Himself still clinging to the dangerous deck? + Safe on the shore the artist first must stand, + And then the pencil trembles in his hand.' + +When, four years later, Byron was writing the first canto of 'Don Juan,' +with feelings chastened by suffering and time, he recurred to that +period--never effaced from his memory--the time when he wrote: + + 'When thou art gone--the loved--the lost--the one + Whose smile hath gladdened--though, perchance, undone!' + +Time could not change the feelings of his youth, nor keep his thoughts for +long from the object of his early love. + + 'They tell me 'tis decided you depart: + 'Tis wise--'tis well, but not the less a pain; + I have no further claim on your young heart, + Mine is the victim, and would be again: + To love too much has been the only art + I used.' + + 'I loved, I love you, for this love have lost + State, station, Heaven, Mankind's, my own esteem, + And yet can not regret what it hath cost, + _So dear is still the memory of that dream_; + Yet, if I name my guilt, 'tis not to boast, + None can deem harshlier of me than I deem.' + + 'All is o'er + For me on earth, except some years to hide + My shame and sorrow deep in my heart's core: + These I could bear, but cannot cast aside + The passion which still rages as before-- + And so farewell--forgive me, love me--No, + That word is idle now--but let it go.' + + * * * * * + + 'My heart is feminine, nor can forget-- + To all, except one image, madly blind; + So shakes the needle, and so stands the pole, + As vibrates my fond heart to my fixed soul.' + +It was early in 1814 that Byron also wrote his farewell verses to Mary +Chaworth, which appeared in the second edition of 'The Corsair': + + I. + + 'Farewell! if ever fondest prayer + For other's weal availed on high, + Mine will not all be lost in air, + But waft thy name beyond the sky. + 'Twere vain to speak--to weep--to sigh: + Oh! more than tears of blood can tell, + _When wrung from Guilt's expiring eye_, + Are in that word--Farewell! Farewell! + + II. + + 'These lips are mute, these eyes are dry; + But in my breast, and in my brain, + Awake the pangs that pass not by, + _The thought that ne'er shall sleep again_. + My soul nor deigns nor dares complain, + Though Grief and Passion there rebel: + I only know we loved in vain-- + I only feel--Farewell! Farewell!' + +Even in the 'Hebrew Melodies,' which were probably begun in the autumn of +1814, and finished after Byron's marriage in January, 1815, there are +traces of that deathless remorse and love, whose expression could not be +altogether repressed. We select some examples at random. In the poem 'Oh, +snatched away in Beauty's bloom,' the poet had added two verses which were +subsequently suppressed: + + 'Nor need I write to tell the tale, + My pen were doubly weak. + Oh! what can idle words avail, + Unless my heart could speak? + + 'By day or night, in weal or woe, + That heart, no longer free, + Must bear the love it cannot show, + And silent turn for thee.' + +In 'Herod's Lament for Mariamne' we find: + + 'She's gone, who shared my diadem; + She sunk, with her my joys entombing; + I swept that flower from Judah's stem, + Whose leaves for me alone were blooming; + And mine's the guilt, and mine the Hell, + This bosom's desolation dooming; + And I have earned those tortures well, + Which unconsumed are still consuming!' + +While admitting that Byron's avowed object was to portray the remorse of +Herod, we suspect that the haunting image of one so dear to him--one who +had suffered through guilt which he so frequently deplored in verse--must +have been in the poet's mind when these lines were written. + +On January 17, 1814, Byron went to Newstead with Augusta Leigh, and stayed +there one month. + + 'A busy month and pleasant, at least three weeks of it.... "The + Corsair" has been conceived, written, published, etc., since I took up + this journal. They tell me it has great success; it was written _con + amore_, and much from _existence_.' + +On the following day Byron wrote to his friend Wedderburn Webster: + + 'I am on my way to the country on rather a melancholy expedition. A + very old and early connexion [Mary Chaworth], or rather friend of + mine, has desired to see me; and, as now we can never be more than + friends, I have no objection. She is certainly unhappy and, I fear, + ill; and the length and circumstances attending our acquaintance + render her request and my visit neither singular nor improper.' + +This strange apology for what might have been considered a very natural +act of neighbourly friendship, inevitably reminds us of a French proverb, +_Qui s'excuse s'accuse_. It is worthy of note that, after Byron had been +ten days at Newstead with his sister, he wrote to his lawyer--who must +have been surprised at the irrelevant information--to say that Augusta +Leigh was 'in the family way.' The significance of this communication has +hitherto passed unnoticed. We gather from Byron's letters that he was much +depressed by Mary Chaworth's state of health, involving all the risks of +discovery. + + 'My rhyming propensity is quite gone,' he writes, 'and I feel much as + I did at Patras on recovering from my fever--weak, but in health, and + only afraid of a relapse.' + +Soon after his return to London Byron wrote to Moore: 'Seriously, I am in +what the learned call a dilemma, and the vulgar, a scrape....' + +Moore took care, with his asterisks, that we should not know the nature of +that scrape, which certainly had nothing to do with his 'Lines to a Lady +Weeping' which appeared in the first edition of 'The Corsair.' If the +reader has any doubts on this point, let him refer to Byron's letters to +Murray, notably to that one in which the angry poet protests against the +suppression of those lines in the second edition of 'The Corsair': + + 'You have played the devil by that injudicious _suppression_, which + you did totally without my consent.... Now, I _do not_, and _will_ not + be supposed to shrink, although myself and everything belonging to me + were to perish with my memory.' + +Moore's asterisks veiled the record of a deeper scrape, as Byron's letter +to him, written three weeks later, plainly show. + +On April 10, 1814, Byron wrote in his journal: + + 'I do not know that I am happiest when alone; but this I am sure of, + that I am never long in the society even of _her_ I love (God knows + too well, and the Devil probably too), without a yearning for the + company of my lamp, and my utterly confused and tumbled-over library.' + +The latter portion of the journal at this period is much mutilated. There +is a gap between April 10 and 19, when, four days after the birth of +Medora, he writes in deep dejection: + + 'There is ice at both poles, north and south--all extremes are the + same--misery belongs to the highest and the lowest, only.... I will + keep no further journal ... and, to prevent me from returning, like a + dog, to the vomit of memory, I tear out the remaining leaves of this + volume.... "O! fool! I shall go mad."' + +It was at this time that Byron wrote the following lines, in which he +tells Mary Chaworth that all danger of the discovery of their secret is +over: + + 'There is no more for _me_ to hope, + _There is no more for thee to fear_; + And, if I give my sorrow scope, + That sorrow _thou_ shalt never hear. + Why did I hold thy love so dear? + Why shed for such a heart one tear? + Let deep and dreary silence be + My only memory of thee! + When all are fled who flatter now, + Save thoughts which will not flatter then; + And thou recall'st the broken vow + To him who must not love again-- + _Each hour of now forgotten years_ + Thou, then, shalt number with thy tears; + And every drop of grief shall be + A vain remembrancer of me!' + +On May 4, 1814, Byron sent to Moore the following verses. We quote from +Lady Byron's manuscript: + + 'I speak not--I trace not--I breathe not thy name-- + There is love in the sound--there is Guilt in the fame-- + But the tear which now burns on my cheek may impart + The deep thoughts that dwell in that silence of heart. + + 'Too brief for our passion--too long for our peace-- + Was that hour--can its hope--can its memory cease? + We repent--we abjure--we will break from our chain: + We must part--we must fly to--unite it again! + + 'Oh! thine be the gladness--and mine be the Guilt! + Forgive me--adored one--forsake if thou wilt-- + But the heart which is thine shall expire undebased, + And Man shall not break it whatever _thou_ mayst. + + 'Oh! proud to the mighty--but humble to thee + This soul in its bitterest moment shall be, + And our days glide as swift--and our moments more sweet + With thee at my side--than the world at my feet. + + 'One tear of thy sorrow--one smile of thy love-- + Shall turn me or fix--shall reward or reprove-- + And the heartless may wonder at all I resign: + Thy lip shall reply--not to them--but to mine.' + +These verses were not published until Byron had been five years in his +grave. They tell the story plainly, and the manuscript in Mr. Murray's +possession speaks plainer still. Before Byron gave the manuscript to his +wife, he erased the following lines: + + 'We have loved--and oh! still, my adored one, we love!' + + 'Oh! the moment is past when that passion might cease.' + + 'But I cannot repent what we ne'er can recall.' + +After Medora's birth Byron became more and more dejected, and on April 29 +he wrote a remarkable letter to Murray, enclosing a draft to redeem the +copyrights of his poems, and releasing Murray from his engagement to pay +£1,000, agreed on for 'The Giaour' and 'The Bride of Abydos.' Byron was +evidently afraid that Mr. Chaworth Musters would discover the truth, and +that a duel and disgrace would be the inevitable consequence. + + '_If any accident occurs to me_, you may do then as you please; but, + with the exception of two copies of each for _yourself_ only, I expect + and request that the advertisements be withdrawn, and the remaining + copies of _all_ destroyed; and any expense so incurred I will be glad + to defray. For all this it may be well to assign some reason. I have + none to give except my own caprice, and I do not consider the + circumstance of consequence enough to require explanation. Of course, + I need hardly assure you that they never shall be published with my + consent, directly or indirectly, by any other person whatsoever, and + that I am perfectly satisfied, and have every reason so to be, with + your conduct in all transactions between us, as publisher and author. + It will give me great pleasure to preserve your acquaintance, and to + consider you as my friend.' + +Two days later Byron seems to have conquered his immediate apprehensions, +and, in reply to an appeal from Murray, writes: + + 'If your present note is serious, and it really would be inconvenient, + there is an end of the matter; tear my draft, and go on as usual: in + that case we will recur to our former basis. That _I_ was perfectly + _serious_ in wishing to suppress all future publication is true; but + certainly not to interfere with the convenience of others, and more + particularly your own. _Some day I will tell you the reason of this + apparently strange resolution._' + +It had evidently dawned on Byron's mind that a sudden suppression of his +poems would have aroused public curiosity, and that a motive for his +action would either have been found or invented. This would have been +fatal to all concerned. If trouble were to come, it would be wiser not to +meet it halfway. Happily, the birth of Medora passed unnoticed. + +As time wore on, Byron's hopes that Mary would relent grew apace. But he +was doomed to disappointment. Mary Chaworth had the courage and the +wisdom to crush a love so disastrous to both. Byron in his blindness +reproached her: + + 'Thou art not false, but thou art fickle.' + +He tells her that he would despise her if she were false; but he knows +that her love is sincere: + + 'When _she_ can change who loved so truly!' + + 'Ah! sure such grief is _Fancy's_ scheming, + And all the Change can be but dreaming!' + +He could not believe that her resolve was serious. Time taught him better. +Love died, and friendship took its place. The same love that tempted her +to sin was that true love that works out its redemption. + +Between April 15 and 21, 1816, before signing the deed of separation, +Byron went into the country to take leave of Mary Chaworth. It was their +last meeting, and the parting must have been a sad one. The hopes that +Mary had formed for his peace and happiness in marriage had suddenly been +dashed to the ground. And now he was about to leave England under a cloud, +which threatened for a time to overwhelm them both. A terrible anxiety as +to the issue of investigations, which were being made into his conduct +previous to and during his marriage, oppressed her with the gravest +apprehension. Everything seemed to depend upon the silence both of Byron +and Augusta. Under this awful strain the mind of Mary Chaworth was +flickering towards collapse. By the following verses, which must have been +written soon after their final meeting, we find Byron, + + 'Seared in heart--and lone--and blighted,' + +reproaching, with a lover's injustice, the woman he adored, for that act +of renunciation which, under happier auspices, might have proved his own +salvation: + + I. + + 'When we two parted + In silence and tears, + Half broken-hearted + To sever for years, + Pale grew thy cheek and cold, + Colder thy kiss; + Truly that hour foretold + Sorrow to this. + + II. + + 'The dew of the morning + Sunk chill on my brow-- + It felt like the warning + Of what I feel now. + Thy vows are all broken, + And light is thy fame: + I hear thy name spoken, + And share in its shame. + + III. + + 'They name thee before me, + A knell to mine ear; + A shudder comes o'er me-- + Why wert thou so dear? + They know not I knew thee, + Who knew thee too well: + Long, long shall I rue thee, + Too deeply to tell. + + IV. + + 'In secret we met-- + In silence I grieve, + _That thy heart could forget, + Thy spirit deceive_. + If I should meet thee + After long years, + How should I greet thee? + With silence and tears.' + +In the first draft Byron had written, after the second verse, the +following words: + + '_Our secret lies hidden, + But never forgot._' + +In 'Fare Thee Well,' written on March 17, 1816, there are only four lines +which have any bearing on the point under consideration. + +Byron tells his wife that if she really knew the truth, if every inmost +thought of his breast were bared before her, she would _not_ have forsaken +him. + +That is true. Lady Byron might, in time, have forgiven everything if the +doctors had been able to declare that her husband was not wholly +accountable for his actions. But when they pronounced him to be of sound +mind, and, as will be seen presently, she subsequently convinced herself +that he had committed, and might even then be committing adultery with his +sister under her own roof, she resolved never again to place herself in +his power. If, in the early stages of disagreement, without betraying Mary +Chaworth, it could have been avowed that Mrs. Leigh _was not the mother of +Medora_, Lady Byron might not have seen in her husband's strange conduct +towards herself 'signs of a deep remorse.' She would certainly have been +far more patient under suffering, and the separation might have been +avoided. But this avowal was impracticable. Augusta had committed herself +too far for that, and the idle gossip of her servants _subsequently_ +convinced Lady Byron that Byron was the father of Augusta's child. It is +clear that neither Augusta nor Byron made any attempts to remove those +suspicions; in fact, they acted in a manner most certain to confirm them. +Whether the secret, which they had pledged themselves to keep, could long +have been withheld from Lady Byron, if matters had been patched up, is +doubtful. Meanwhile, as everything depended on _premat nox alta_, they +dared not risk even a partial avowal of the truth. + +The separation was inevitable, and in this case it was eternal. It is hard +to believe that there had ever been any real love on either side. Under +these circumstances we feel sure that any attempts at reconciliation would +have ended disastrously for both. Byron's love for Mary Chaworth was +strong as death. Many waters could not have quenched it, 'neither could +the floods drown it.' + +The last verses written by Byron before he left England for ever were +addressed to his sister. The deed of separation had been signed, and +Augusta Leigh, who had stood at his side in those dark hours when all the +world had forsaken him, was about to leave London. + + 'When all around grew drear and dark, + And Reason half withheld her ray-- + And Hope but shed a dying spark + Which more misled my lonely way; + When Fortune changed, and Love fled far, + And Hatred's shafts flew thick and fast, + Thou wert the solitary star + Which rose, and set not to the last. + And when the cloud upon us came + _Which strove to blacken o'er thy ray_-- + Then purer spread its gentle flame + And dashed the darkness all away. + Still may thy Spirit dwell on mine, + _And teach it what to brave or brook_-- + There's more in one soft word of thine + Than in the world's defied rebuke. + + * * * * * + + _Then let the ties of baffled love + Be broken_--thine will never break; + Thy heart can feel.' + +These ingenuous words show that Byron's affection for his sister, and his +gratitude for her loyalty, were both deep and sincere. If, as Lord +Lovelace asserts, Byron had been her lover, we know enough of his +character to be certain that he would never have written these lines. He +was not a hypocrite--far from it--and it was foreign to his naturally +combative nature to attempt to conciliate public opinion. These lines were +written _currente calamo_, and are only interesting to us on account of +the light they cast upon the situation at the time of the separation. +Evidently Byron had heard a rumour of the baseless charge that was +afterwards openly made. He reminds Augusta that a cloud threatened to +darken her existence, but the bright rays of her purity dispelled it. He +hopes that even in absence she will guide and direct him as in the past; +and he compliments her by saying that one word from her had more influence +over him than the whole world's censure. Although his love-episode with +Mary was over, yet so long as Augusta loves him he will still have +something to live for, as she alone can feel for him and understand his +position. + +In speaking of his sister, in the third canto of 'Childe Harold,' he says: + + 'For there was soft Remembrance, _and sweet Trust_ + In one fond breast, to which his own would melt.' + + '_And he had learned to love_--I know not why, + For this in such as him seems strange of mood-- + _The helpless looks of blooming Infancy_, + Even in its earliest nurture; what subdued, + To change like this, a mind so far imbued + With scorn of man, it little boots to know; + But thus it was; and though in solitude + Small power the nipped affections have to grow, + In him this glowed when all beside had ceased to glow.' + +If these words bear any significance, Byron must mean that, since the +preceding canto of 'Childe Harold' was written, he had formed (learned to +love) a strong attachment to some child, and, in spite of absence, this +affection still glowed. That child may possibly have been Ada, as the +opening lines seem to suggest. But this is not quite certain. According to +Lord Lovelace, Byron never saw his child after January 3, 1816, when the +babe was only twenty-four days old. Byron himself states that it was not +granted to him 'to watch her dawn of little joys, or hold her lightly on +his knee, and print on her soft cheek a parent's kiss.' All this, he tells +us, 'was in his nature,' but was denied to him. His sole consolation was +the hope that some day Ada would learn to love him. On the other hand, the +child mentioned in 'Childe Harold' had won his love by means which 'it +little boots to know.' If Byron had alluded to his daughter Ada, there +need have been no ambiguity. Possibly the child here indicated may have +been little Medora, then three years old, with whom he had often played, +and who was then living with that sister of 'Soft Remembrance and sweet +Trust.' + +If that conjecture be correct, this is the only allusion to Medora in +Byron's poetry. But she is indicated in prose. In reference to the death +of one of Moore's children, Byron wrote (February 2, 1818): + + 'I know how to feel with you, because I am quite wrapped up in my own + children. Besides my little legitimate, I have made unto myself an + illegitimate since, _to say nothing of one before_; and I look forward + to one of them as the pillar of my old age, supposing that I ever + reach, as I hope I never shall, that desolating period.' + +In the _one before_ Moore will have recognized Medora. In spite of the +'scarlet cloak and double figure,' Moore had no belief in the story that +Byron became a father while at Harrow School! + +'The Dream,' which was written in July, 1816, is perhaps more widely known +than any of Byron's poems. Its theme is the remembrance of a hopeless +passion, which neither Time nor Reason could extinguish. Similar notes of +lamentation permeate most of his poems, but in 'The Dream' Byron, for the +first time, takes the world into his confidence, and tells his tale of woe +with such distinctness that we realize its truth, its passion, and its +calamity. The publication of that poem was an indiscretion which must have +been very disconcerting to his sister. Fortunately, it had no disastrous +consequences. It apparently awakened no suspicions, and its sole effect +was to incense Mary Chaworth's husband, who, in order to stop all prattle, +caused the 'peculiar diadem of trees' to be cut down. In Byron's early +poems we see how deeply Mary Chaworth's marriage affected him; but this +was known only to a small circle of Southwell friends. In 'The Dream' we +realize that she was in fact a portion of his life, and that his own +marriage had not in the least affected his feelings towards her. He had +tried hard to forget her, but in vain; she was his destiny. Whether Byron, +when he wrote this poem, had any idea of publishing it to the world is not +known. It may possibly have been written to relieve his overburdened mind, +and would not have seen the light but for Lady Byron's treatment of Mrs. +Leigh on the memorable occasion when she extracted, under promise of +secrecy, the so-called 'Confession,' to which we shall allude presently. +In any case, Byron became aware of what had happened in September, 1816. +In some lines addressed to his wife, he tells her that she bought others' +grief at any price, adding: + + 'The means were worthy, and the end is won; + I would not do by thee as _thou_ hast done.' + +Possibly, Byron may have thought that the publication of this poem would +act as a barb, and would wound Lady Byron's stubborn pride. Its appearance +in the circumstances was certainly _contra bonos mores_, but we must +remember that 'men in rage often strike those who wish them best.' +Whatever may have been Byron's intention, 'The Dream' affords a proof that +Mary Chaworth was never long absent from his thoughts. At this time, when +he felt a deep remorse for his conduct towards Mary Chaworth, he asks +himself: + + 'What is this Death? a quiet of the heart? + The whole of that of which we are a part? + For Life is but a vision--what I see + Of all which lives alone is Life to me, + And being so--the absent are the dead + Who haunt us from tranquillity, and spread + A dreary shroud around us, and invest + With sad remembrancers our hours of rest. + The absent are the dead--for they are cold, + And ne'er can be what once we did behold; + And they are changed, and cheerless,--or if yet + _The unforgotten do not all forget, + Since thus divided_--equal must it be + _If the deep barrier be of earth, or sea_; + _It may be both_--but one day end it must + In the dark union of insensate dust.' + +It was at this time also that Byron wrote his 'Stanzas to Augusta,' which +show his complete confidence in her loyalty: + + 'Though human, thou didst not deceive me, + Though woman, thou didst not forsake, + Though loved, thou forborest to grieve me, + Though tempted, thou never couldst shake; + _Though trusted, thou didst not betray me_, + Though parted, it was not to fly, + Though watchful, 'twas not to defame me, + _Nor, mute, that the world might belie_.' + +Byron's remorse also found expression in 'Manfred,' where contrition is +but slightly veiled by words of mysterious import, breathed in an +atmosphere of mountains, magic, and ghost-lore. People in society, whose +ears had been poisoned by insinuations against Mrs. Leigh, and who knew +nothing of Byron's intercourse with Mary Chaworth, came to the conclusion +that 'Manfred' revealed a criminal attachment between Byron and his +sister. Byron was aware of this, and, conscious of his innocence, held his +head in proud defiance, and laughed his enemies to scorn. He did not deign +to defend himself; and the public--forgetful of the maxim that where there +is a sense of guilt there is a jealousy of drawing attention to +it--believed the worst. When a critique of 'Manfred,' giving an account of +the supposed origin of the story, was sent to Byron, he wrote to Murray: + +'The conjecturer is out, and knows nothing of the matter. I had a better +origin than he can devise or divine for the soul of him.' + +That was the simple truth. The cruel allegation against Mrs. Leigh seemed +to be beneath contempt. As Sir Egerton Brydges pointed out at the time, +Byron, being of a strong temperament, did not reply to the injuries heaped +upon him by whining complaints and cowardly protestations of innocence; he +became desperate, and broke out into indignation, sarcasm, and exposure of +his opponents, in a manner so severe as to seem inexcusably cruel to those +who did not realize the provocation. It was 'war to the knife,' and Byron +had the best of it. + +We propose to examine 'Manfred' closely, to see whether Astarte in any +degree resembles the description which Lord Lovelace has given of Augusta +Leigh. + +Manfred tells us that his slumbers are 'a continuance of enduring +thought,' since that 'all-nameless hour' when he committed the crime for +which he suffers. He asks 'Forgetfulness of that which is within him--a +crime which he cannot utter.' When told by the Seven Spirits that he +cannot have self-oblivion, Manfred asks if Death would give it to him; and +receives the sad reply that, being immortal, the spirit after death cannot +forget the past. + +Eventually the Seventh Spirit--typifying, possibly, a Magdalen--appears +before Manfred, in the shape of a beautiful woman. + + 'MANFRED. Oh God! if it be thus, and _thou_ + Art not a madness and a mockery, + I yet might be most happy.' + +When the figure vanishes, Manfred falls senseless. In the second act, +Manfred, in reply to the chamois-hunter, who offers him a cup of wine, +says: + + 'Away, away! there's blood upon the brim! + Will it then never--never sink in the earth? + 'Tis blood--my blood! the pure warm stream + Which ran in the veins of my fathers, and in ours + When we were in our youth, and had one heart, + And loved each other as we should not love, + And _this_ was shed: but still it rises up. + Colouring the clouds that shut me out from Heaven.' + +One may well wonder what all this has to do with Augusta. The blood that +ran in Byron's veins also ran in the veins of Mary Chaworth, and that +blood, shed by Byron's kinsman, had caused a feud, which was not broken +until Byron came upon the scene, and fell hopelessly in love with 'the +last of a time-honoured race.' Byron from his boyhood always believed +that there was a blood-curse upon him. + +When, two years later, he wrote 'The Duel' (December, 1818), he again +alludes to the subject: + + 'I loved thee--I will not say _how_, + Since things like these are best forgot: + Perhaps thou mayst imagine now + Who loved thee and who loved thee not. + And thou wert wedded to another, + And I at last another wedded: + I am a father, thou a mother, + To strangers vowed, with strangers bedded. + + * * * * * + + 'Many a bar, and many a feud, + Though never told, well understood, + Rolled like a river wide between-- + _And then there was the curse of blood_, + Which even my Heart's can not remove. + + * * * * * + + 'I've seen the sword that slew him; he, + The slain, stood in a like degree + To thee, as he, the Slayer stood + (Oh, had it been but other blood!) + In Kin and Chieftainship to me. + Thus came the Heritage to thee.' + +Clearly, then, the Spirit, which appeared to Manfred in the form of a +beautiful female figure, was Mary Chaworth; the crime for which he +suffered was his conduct towards her; and the blood, which his fancy +beheld on the cup's brim, was the blood of William Chaworth, which his +predecessor, Lord Byron, had shed. When asked by the chamois-hunter +whether he had wreaked revenge upon his enemies, Manfred replies: + + 'No, no, no! + My injuries came down on those who loved me-- + On those whom I best loved: I never quelled + An enemy, save in my just defence-- + But my embrace was fatal.' + +In speaking of the 'core of his heart's grief,' Manfred says: + + 'Yet there was One-- + She was like me in lineaments--her eyes-- + Her hair--her features--all, to the very tone + Even of her voice, they said were like to mine; + But softened all, and tempered into beauty: + She had the same lone thoughts and wanderings,[52] + The quest of hidden knowledge, and a mind + To comprehend the Universe: nor these + Alone, but with them gentler powers than mine, + Pity, and smiles, and tears--which I had not; + And tenderness--but that I had for her; + Humility--and that I never had. + Her faults were mine--her virtues were her own-- + I loved her, and destroyed her! + Not with my hand, but heart, _which broke her heart_; + _It gazed on mine, and withered_.' + +In order to appreciate the absurdity of connecting this description with +Augusta, we will quote her noble accuser, Lord Lovelace: + + 'The character of Augusta is seen in her letters and actions. She was + a woman of that great family which is vague about facts, unconscious + of duties, impulsive in conduct. The course of her life could not be + otherwise explained, by those who had looked into it with close + intimacy, than by a kind of moral idiotcy from birth. She was of a + sanguine and buoyant disposition, childishly fond and playful, ready + to laugh at anything, loving to talk nonsense.' + +In fact, + + '_She had the same lone thoughts and wanderings, + The quest of hidden knowledge, and a mind + To comprehend the Universe._' + +Lord Lovelace further tells us that Augusta Leigh 'had a refined species +of comic talent'; that she was 'strangely insensible to the nature and +magnitude of the offence in question [incest] even as an imputation;' and +that 'there was apparently an absence of all deep feeling in her mind, of +everything on which a strong impression could be made.' We are also told +that 'Byron, after his marriage, generally spoke of Augusta as "a fool," +with equal contempt of her understanding and principles.' + +In short, Byron's description of the woman, whom he had 'destroyed,' +resembles Augusta Leigh about as much as a mountain resembles a haystack. +How closely Manfred's description resembles Mary Chaworth will be seen +presently. Augusta Leigh had told Byron that, in consequence of his +conduct, Mary Chaworth was out of her mind. + +Manfred says that if he had never lived, that which he loved had still +been living: + + '... Had I never loved, + That which I love would still be beautiful, + Happy, and giving happiness. What is she? + What is she now? _A sufferer for my sins_-- + _A thing I dare not think upon_--or nothing.' + +When Nemesis asks Manfred whom he would 'uncharnel,' he replies: + + 'One without a tomb-- + Call up Astarte.' + +The name, of course, suggests a star. As we have seen, Byron often +employed that metaphor in allusion to Mary Chaworth. + +When the phantom of Astarte rises, Manfred exclaims: + + 'Can this be death? there's bloom upon her cheek; + But now I see it is no living hue, + But a strange hectic.' + +He is afraid to look upon her; he cannot speak to her, and implores +Nemesis to intercede: + + 'Bid her speak-- + Forgive me, or condemn me.' + +Nemesis tells him that she has no authority over Astarte: + + 'She is not of our order, but belongs + To the other powers.'[53] + +The fine appeal of Manfred cannot have been addressed by Byron to his +sister: + + 'Hear me, hear me-- + Astarte! my belovéd! speak to me: + I have so much endured--so much endure-- + Look on me! the grave hath not changed thee more + Than I am changed for thee. Thou lovedst me + Too much, as I loved thee: we were not made + To torture thus each other--though it were + The deadliest sin to love as we have loved. + Say that thou loath'st me not--that I do bear + This punishment for both--that thou wilt be + One of the blesséd--and that I shall die. + + * * * * * + + 'I cannot rest. + I know not what I ask, nor what I seek: + _I feel but what thou art_, and what I am; + And I would hear yet once before I perish + The voice which was my music[54]--speak to me! + + * * * * * + + Speak to me! I have wandered o'er the earth, + And never found thy likeness.' + +When Manfred implores Astarte to forgive him, she is silent. It is not a +matter for forgiveness. He entreats her to speak to him, so that he may +once more hear that sweet voice, even though it be for the last time. The +silence is broken by the word 'Farewell!' Manfred, whose doom is sealed, +cries in agony: + + 'What I have done is done; I bear within + A torture which could nothing gain (from others). + The Mind, which is immortal, makes itself + Requital for its good or evil thoughts,-- + Is its own origin of ill and end-- + And its own place and time: + I was my own destroyer, and will be + My own hereafter... + The hand of Death is on me... + All things swim around me, and the Earth + Heaves, as it were, beneath me. Fare thee well!' + +So far as we know, there is nothing in the whole length of this poem to +suggest anything abnormal; and it is hard to understand what resemblance +Byron's contemporaries could have discovered between the Astarte of +'Manfred' and Augusta Leigh! Enough has been quoted to show that Byron was +not thinking of his sister when he wrote 'Manfred,' but of her whose life +he had blasted, and whose 'sacred name' he trembled to reveal. + +In April, 1817, Byron was informed by Mrs. Leigh that Mary Chaworth and +her husband had made up their differences. The 'Lament of Tasso' was +written in that month, and Byron's thoughts were occupied, as usual, with +the theme of all his misery. + + 'That thou wert beautiful, and I not blind, + Hath been the sin that shuts me from mankind; + But let them go, or torture as they will, + My heart can multiply thine image still; + Successful Love may sate itself away; + The wretched are the faithful; 'tis their fate + To have all feeling, save the one, decay, + And every passion into one dilate, + As rapid rivers into Ocean pour; + But ours is fathomless, and hath no shore.' + +In 'Mazeppa' Byron tells how he met 'Theresa' in that month of June, and +how 'through his brain the thought did pass that there was something in +her air which would not doom him to despair.' This incident is again +referred to in 'Don Juan.' The Count Palatine is, probably, intended as a +sketch of Mary's husband. + +'The Duel,' which was written in December, 1818, is addressed to Mary +Chaworth: + + 'I loved thee--I will not say _how_, + Since things like these are best forgot.' + +Byron alludes to 'the curse of blood,' with, 'many a bar and many a feud,' +which 'rolled like a wide river between them': + + 'Alas! how many things have been + Since we were friends; for I alone + Feel more for thee than can be shown.' + +In the so-called 'Stanzas to the Po,' we find the same prolonged note of +suffering. Writing to Murray (May 8, 1820), Byron says: + + 'I sent a copy of verses to Mr. Kinnaird (they were written last year + on crossing the Po) which must _not_ be published. Pray recollect + this, as they were mere verses of society, and written from private + feelings and passions.' + +In view of the secrecy which Byron consistently observed, respecting his +later intimacy with Mary Chaworth, the publication of these verses would +have been highly indiscreet. They were written in June, 1819, after Mary +had for some time been reconciled to her husband. She was then living with +him at Colwick Hall, near Nottingham. + +Ostensibly these stanzas form an apostrophe to the River Po, and the 'lady +of the land' was, of course, the Guiccioli. Medwin, to whom Byron gave the +poem, believed that the river apostrophized by the poet was the River Po, +whose 'deep and ample stream' was 'the mirror of his heart.' But it seems +perfectly clear that, if this poem referred only to the Countess +Guiccioli, there could have been no objection to its publication in +England. The reading public in those days knew nothing of Byron's liaisons +abroad, and his mystic allusion to foreign rivers and foreign ladies would +have left the British public cold. + +A scrutiny of these perplexing stanzas suggests that they were adapted, +from a fragment written in early life, to meet the conditions of 1819. +Evidently Mary Chaworth was once more 'the ocean to the river of his +thoughts,' and the stream indicated in the opening stanza was not the Po, +but the River Trent, which flows close to the ancient walls of Colwick, +where 'the lady of his love' was then residing. To assist the reader, we +insert the poem, having merely transposed three stanzas to make its +purport clearer + + I. + + 'River, that rollest by the ancient walls, + Where dwells the Lady of my love, when she + Walks by the brink, _and there perchance recalls + A faint and fleeting memory of me_: + + II. + + 'She will look on thee--I have looked on thee, + Full of that thought: and from that moment ne'er + Thy waters could I dream of, name, or see + Without the inseparable sigh for her! + + III. + + 'But that which keepeth us apart is not + Distance, nor depth of wave, nor space of earth, + But the distraction of a various lot, + As various the climates of our birth. + + IV. + + 'What if thy deep and ample stream should be + A mirror of my heart, where she may read + The thousand thoughts _I now betray to thee_, + Wild as thy wave, and headlong as thy speed! + + V. + + 'What do I say--a mirror of my heart? + Are not thy waters sweeping, dark, and strong? + Such as my feelings were and are, thou art; + And such as thou art were my passions long. + + VI. + + 'Time may have somewhat tamed them--not for ever; + Thou overflowest thy banks, and not for aye + Thy bosom overboils, congenial river! + Thy floods subside, and mine have sunk away: + + VII. + + 'But left long wrecks behind, and now again, + Borne on our old unchanged career, we move: + Thou tendest wildly onwards to the main, + And I,--to loving _one_ I should not love. + + VIII. + + 'My blood is all meridian; were it not, + I had not left my clime, nor should I be, + In spite of tortures, ne'er to be forgot, + A slave again to Love--at least of thee. + + IX. + + 'The current I behold will sweep beneath + Her native walls,[55] and murmur at her feet; + Her eyes will look on thee, when she shall breathe + The twilight air, unharmed by summer's heat. + + X. + + 'Her bright eyes will be imaged in thy stream. + Yes, they will meet the wave I gaze on now: + Mine cannot witness, even in a dream, + That happy wave repass me in its flow! + + XI. + + 'The wave that bears my tears returns no more: + Will she return by whom that wave shall sweep? + Both tread thy banks, both wander on thy shore, + I near thy source, she by the dark-blue deep.[56] + + XII. + + 'A stranger loves the Lady of the land, + Born far beyond the mountains, but his blood + Is all meridian, as if never fanned + By the bleak wind that chills the polar flood. + + XIII. + + ''Tis vain to struggle--let me perish young-- + Live as I lived, and love as I have loved; + To dust if I return, from dust I sprung, + And then, at least, my heart can ne'er be moved.' + +In the first stanza, Byron says that when his lady-love walks by the +river's brink 'she may perchance recall a faint and fleeting memory' of +him. Those words, which might have been applicable to Mary Chaworth, whom +he had not seen for at least three years, could not possibly refer to a +woman from whom he had been parted but two short months, and with whom he +had since been in constant correspondence. Only a few days before these +verses were written, Countess Guiccioli had told him by letter that she +had prepared all her relatives and friends to expect him at Ravenna. There +must surely have been something more than 'a faint and fleeting' memory of +Byron in the mind of the ardent Guiccioli. In the second stanza, Byron, +in allusion to the river he had in his thoughts, says: + + 'She will look on thee--_I have looked on thee_, full of that thought: + _and from that moment_ ne'er thy waters could I dream of, _name, or + see_, without the inseparable sigh for her.' + +Now, while there was nothing whatever to connect the River Po with tender +recollections, there was Byron's association in childhood with the River +Trent, a memory inseparable from his boyish love for Mary Chaworth. + + 'But in his native stream, the Guadalquivir, + Juan to lave his youthful limbs was wont; + And having learnt to swim in that sweet river + Had often turned the art to some account.' + +In the fourth stanza we perceive that the poet, while thinking of the +Trent, 'betrays his thoughts' to the Po, a river as wild and as swift as +his native stream. + +The ninth stanza has puzzled commentators exceedingly. It has been pointed +out that the River Po does not sweep beneath the walls of Ravenna. That +is, of course, indisputable. But Byron, in all probability, did not then +know the exact course of that river, and blindly followed Dante's +geographical description, and almost used his very words: + + 'Siede la terra, _dove nata fui, + Su la marina dove il Po discende_, + Per aver pace co' seguaci sui.' + +It is, of course, well known that the Po branches off into two streams to +the north-west of Ferrara, and flows both northward and southward of that +city. The southern portion--the Po di Primaro--is fed by four +affluents--the Rheno, the Savena, the Santerno, and the Lamone--and flows +into the Adriatic south of Comachio, about midway between that place and +Ravenna. It was obviously to the _Po di Primaro_ that Dante referred when +he wrote _seguaci sui_. + +Unless Francesca was born close to the mouth of the Po, which is not +impossible, Byron erred in good company. In any case, we may fairly plead +poetic licence. That Byron crossed the Po di Primaro as well as the main +river admits of no doubt. + +In the eleventh stanza Byron is wondering what will be the result of his +journey? Will the Guiccioli return to him? Will all be well with the +lovers, or will he return to Venice alone? In his fancy they are both +wandering on the banks of that river. He is near its source, where the Po +di Primaro branches off near Pontelagascuro, while she was on the shore of +the Adriatic. + +The twelfth stanza would perhaps have been clearer if the first and second +lines had been, + + 'A stranger, born far beyond the mountains, + Loves the Lady of the land,' + +which was Byron's meaning. The poet excuses himself for his fickleness on +the plea that 'his blood is all meridian'--in short, that he cannot help +loving someone. But we plainly see that his love for Mary Chaworth was +still paramount. 'In spite of tortures ne'er to be forgot'--tortures of +which we had a glimpse in 'Manfred'--he was still her slave. Finally, +Byron tells us that it was useless to struggle against the misery his +heart endured, and that all his hopes were centred on an early death. + +The episode of Francesca and Paolo had made a deep impression on Byron. He +likened it to his unfortunate adventure with Mary Chaworth in June and +July, 1813. In 'The Corsair'--written after their intimacy had been +broken off--Byron prefixes to each canto a motto from 'The Inferno' which +seemed to be appropriate to his own case. In the first canto we find: + + 'Nessun maggior dolore, + Che ricordarsi del tempo felice + Nella miseria.' + +In the second canto: + + 'Conoscesti i dubbiosi desire?' + +In the third canto: + + 'Come vedi--ancor non m' abbandona.' + +That Byron had Francesca in his mind when he wrote the stanzas to the Po +seems likely; and in the letter which he wrote to Mary from Venice, in the +previous month, he compares their misfortunes with those of Paolo and +Francesca in plain words.[57] + +'Don Juan' was begun in the autumn of 1818. That poem, Byron tells us, was +inspired almost entirely by his own personal experience. Perhaps he drew a +portrait of Mary Chaworth when he described Julia: + + 'And she + Was married, charming, chaste, and twenty-three.' + +When they parted in 1809, that was exactly Mary's age. + + 'Her eye was large and dark, suppressing half its fire until she + spoke. Her glossy hair was clustered over a brow bright with + intelligence. Her cheek was purple with the beam of youth, mounting at + times to a transparent glow; and she had an uncommon grace of manner. + She was tall of stature. Her husband was a good-looking man, neither + much loved nor disliked. He was of a jealous nature, though he did not + show it. They lived together, as most people do, suffering each + other's foibles.' + +On a summer's eve in the month of June, Juan and Julia met: + + 'How beautiful she looked! her conscious heart + Glowed in her cheek, and yet she felt no wrong.' + +For her husband she had honour, virtue, truth, and love. The sun had set, +and the yellow moon arose high in the heavens: + + 'There is a dangerous silence in that hour, + A stillness which leaves room for the full soul.' + +Several weeks had passed away: + + 'Julia, in fact, had tolerable grounds,-- + Alfonso's loves with Inez were well known.' + +Then came the parting note: + + 'They tell me 'tis decided you depart: + 'Tis wise--'tis well, but not the less a pain; + I have no further claim on your young heart, + Mine is the victim, and would be again: + To love too much has been the only art + I used.' + +Julia tells Juan that she loved him, and still loves him tenderly: + + 'I loved, I love you, for this love have lost + State, station, Heaven, mankind's, my own esteem, + And yet cannot regret what it hath cost, + So dear is still the memory of that dream.' + + 'All is o'er + For me on earth, except some years to hide + My shame and sorrow deep in my heart's core.' + +The seal to this letter was a sunflower--_Elle vous suit partout_. It may +be mentioned here that Byron had a seal bearing this motto. + +When Juan realized that the parting was final, he exclaims: + + 'No more--no more--oh! never more, my heart, + Canst thou be my sole world, my universe! + Once all in all, but now a thing apart, + Thou canst not be my blessing or my curse: + The illusion's gone for ever.' + +In the third canto we have a hint of Byron's feelings after his wife had +left him: + + 'He entered in the house no more his home, + A thing to human feelings the most trying, + And harder for the heart to overcome, + Perhaps, than even the mental pangs of dying; + To find our hearthstone turned into a tomb, + And round its once warm precincts palely lying + The ashes of our hopes.' + + 'But whatsoe'er he had of love reposed + On that beloved daughter; she had been + The only thing which kept his heart unclosed + Amidst the savage deeds he had done and seen, + A lonely pure affection unopposed: + There wanted but the loss of this to wean + His feelings from all milk of human kindness, + And turn him like the Cyclops mad with blindness.' + +In the fourth canto we are introduced to Haidée, who resembled Lambro in +features and stature, even to the delicacy of their hands. We are told +that owing to the violence of emotion and the agitation of her mind she +broke a bloodvessel, and lay unconscious on her couch for days. Like +Astarte in 'Manfred,' 'her blood was shed: I saw, but could not stanch +it': + + 'She looked on many a face with vacant eye, + On many a token without knowing what: + She saw them watch her without asking why, + And recked not who around her pillow sat. + + * * * * * + + 'Anon her thin wan fingers beat the wall + In time to the harper's tune: he changed the theme + And sang of Love; the fierce name struck through all + Her recollection; on her flashed the dream + Of what she was, and is, if ye could call + To be so being; in a gushing stream + The tears rushed forth from her o'erclouded brain, + Like mountain mists at length dissolved in rain.' + + 'Short solace, vain relief! Thought came too quick, + And whirled her brain to madness.' + + 'She died, but not alone; she held within, + A second principle of Life, which might + Have dawned a fair and sinless child of sin; + But closed its little being without light.' + + 'Thus lived--thus died she; never more on her + Shall Sorrow light, or Shame.' + +In the fifth canto, written in 1820, after the 'Stanzas to the Po,' we +find Byron once more in a confidential mood: + + 'I have a passion for the name of "Mary," + For once it was a magic sound to me; + And still it half calls up the realms of Fairy, + Where I beheld what never was to be; + All feelings changed, but this was last to vary + A spell from which even yet I am not quite free.' + +And there is a sigh for Mary Chaworth in the following lines: + + 'To pay my court, I + Gave what I had--a heart; as the world went, I + Gave what was worth a world; for worlds could never + Restore me those pure feelings, gone for ever. + 'Twas the boy's mite, and like the widow's may + Perhaps be weighed hereafter, if not now; + But whether such things do or do not weigh, + All who have loved, or love, will still allow + Life has naught like it.' + +Early in 1823, little more than a year before his death, Byron refers to +'the fair most fatal Juan ever met.' Under the name of the Lady Adeline, +this most fatal fair one is introduced to the reader: + + 'Although she was not evil nor meant ill, + Both Destiny and Passion spread the net + And caught them.' + + 'Chaste she was, to Detraction's desperation, + And wedded unto one she had loved well.' + + 'The World could tell + Nought against either, and both seemed secure-- + She in her virtue, he in his hauteur.' + +Here we have a minute description of Newstead Abbey, the home of the +'noble pair,' where Juan came as a visitor: + + 'What I throw off is ideal-- + Lowered, leavened, like a history of Freemasons, + Which bears the same relation to the real + As Captain Parry's Voyage may do to Jason's. + The grand _Arcanum's_ not for men to see all; + My music has some mystic diapasons; + And there is much which could not be appreciated + In any manner by the uninitiated.' + +Adeline, we are told, came out at sixteen: + + 'At eighteen, though below her feet still panted + A Hecatomb of suitors with devotion, + She had consented to create again + That Adam called "The happiest of Men."' + +It will be remembered that when Mary Chaworth married she was exactly +eighteen. Her husband was: + + 'Tall, stately, formed to lead the courtly van + On birthdays. The model of a chamberlain.' + + 'But there was something wanting on the whole-- + don't know what, and therefore cannot tell-- + Which pretty women--the sweet souls!--call _Soul_. + _Certes_ it was not body; he was well + Proportioned, as a poplar or a pole, + A handsome man.' + +This description would answer equally well for 'handsome Jack Musters,' +who married Mary Chaworth. Adeline, we are told, took Juan in hand when +she was about seven-and-twenty. That was Mary's age in 1813. But this may +have been a mere coincidence. + + 'She had one defect,' says Byron, in speaking of Adeline: 'her heart + was vacant. Her conduct had been perfectly correct. She loved her + lord, or thought so; but _that_ love cost her an effort. She had + nothing to complain of--no bickerings, no connubial turmoil. Their + union was a model to behold--serene and noble, conjugal, but cold. + There was no great disparity in years, though much in temper. But they + never clashed. They moved, so to speak, apart.' + +Now, when once Adeline had taken an interest in anything, her impressions +grew, and gathered as they ran, like growing water, upon her mind. The +more so, perhaps, because she was not at first too readily impressed. She +did not know her own heart: + + 'I think not she was _then_ in love with Juan: + If so, she would have had the strength to fly + The wild sensation, unto her a new one: + She merely felt a common sympathy + In him.' + + 'She was, or thought she was, his friend--and this + Without the farce of Friendship, or romance + Of Platonism.' + +'Few of the soft sex,' says Byron, 'are very stable in their resolves.' +She had heard some parts of Juan's history; 'but women hear with more good +humour such aberrations than we men of rigour': + + 'Adeline, in all her growing sense + Of Juan's merits and his situation, + Felt on the whole an interest intense-- + Partly perhaps because a fresh sensation, + Or that he had an air of innocence, + Which is for Innocence a sad temptation-- + As Women hate half-measures, on the whole, + She 'gan to ponder how to save his soul.' + +After a deal of thought, 'she seriously advised him to get married.' + + 'There was Miss Millpond, smooth as summer's sea, + That usual paragon, an only daughter, + Who seemed the cream of Equanimity, + Till skimmed--and then there was some milk and water, + With a slight shade of blue too, it might be + Beneath the surface.' + +The mention of Aurora Raby, to whom Juan in the first instance proposed, +and by whom he was refused, suggests an incident in his life which is well +known. Aurora was very young, and knew but little of the world's ways. In +her indifference she confounded him with the crowd of flatterers by whom +she was surrounded. Her mind appears to have been of a serious caste; with +poetic vision she 'saw worlds beyond this world's perplexing waste,' and + + 'those worlds + Had more of her existence; for in her + There was a depth of feeling to embrace + Thoughts, boundless, deep, but silent too as Space.' + +She had 'a pure and placid mien'; her colour was 'never high,' + + 'Though sometimes faintly flushed--and always clear + As deep seas in a sunny atmosphere.' + +We cannot be positive, but perhaps Byron had Aurora Raby in his mind when +he wrote: + + 'I've seen some balls and revels in my time, + And stayed them over for some silly reason, + And then I looked (I hope it was no crime) + To see what lady best stood out the season; + And though I've seen some thousands in their prime + Lovely and pleasing, and who still may please on, + I never saw but one (the stars withdrawn) + Whose bloom could after dancing dare the Dawn.'[58] + +Perhaps Aurora Raby may have been drawn from his recollection of Miss +Mercer Elphinstone, who afterwards married Auguste Charles Joseph, Comte +de Flahaut de la Billarderie, one of Napoleon's Aides-de-Camp, then an +exile in England. This young lady was particularly gracious to Byron at +Lady Jersey's party, when others gave him a cold reception. We wonder how +matters would have shaped themselves if she had accepted the proposal of +marriage which Byron made to her in 1814! But it was not to be. That +charming woman passed out of his orbit, and as he waited upon the shore, +gazing at the dim outline of the coast of France, the curtain fell upon +the first phase of Byron's existence. The Pilgrim of Eternity stood on the +threshold of a new life: + + 'Between two worlds life hovers like a star, + 'Twixt Night and Morn, upon the horizon's verge. + How little do we know that which we are! + How less what we may be! The eternal surge + Of Time and Tide rolls on and bears afar + Our bubbles; as the old burst, new emerge, + Lashed from the foam of Ages.' + +And after eight years of exile, in his 'Last Words on Greece,' written in +those closing days at Missolonghi, with the shadow of Death upon him, his +mind reverts to one whom, in 1816, he had called 'Soul of my thought': + + 'What are to me those honours or renown + Past or to come, a new-born people's cry? + Albeit for such I could despise a crown + Of aught save laurel, or for such could die. + I am a fool of passion, and a frown + Of thine to me is as an adder's eye-- + To the poor bird whose pinion fluttering down + Wafts unto death the breast it bore so high-- + Such is this maddening fascination grown, + So strong thy magic or so weak am I.' + + 'The flowers and fruits of Love are gone; the worm, + The canker, and the grief, are mine alone!' + + + + +PART III + +'ASTARTE' + + 'The evil that men do lives after them; + The good is oft interred with their bones.' + SHAKESPEARE: _Julius Cæsar_. + + + + +CHAPTER I + + +From the moment when Lord Byron left England until the hour of his death, +the question of his separation from his wife was never long out of his +thoughts. He was remarkably communicative on the subject, and spoke of it +constantly, not only to Madame de Staël, Hobhouse, Lady Blessington, and +Trelawny, but, as we have seen, even in casual conversation with +comparative strangers. There is no doubt that he felt himself aggrieved, +and bitterly resented a verdict which he knew to be unjust. In a pamphlet +which was subsequently suppressed, written while he was at Ravenna, Byron +sums up his own case. In justice to one who can no longer plead his own +cause, we feel bound to transcribe a portion of his reply to strictures on +his matrimonial conduct, which appeared in _Blackwood's Magazine_: + + 'The man who is exiled by a faction has the consolation of thinking + that he is a martyr; he is upheld by hope and the dignity of his + cause, real or imaginary: he who withdraws from the pressure of debt + may indulge in the thought that time and prudence will retrieve his + circumstances: he who is condemned by the law has a term to his + banishment, or a dream of its abbreviation; or, it may be, the + knowledge or the belief of some injustice of the law, or of its + administration in his own particular: but he who is outlawed by + general opinion, without the intervention of hostile politics, + illegal judgment, or embarrassed circumstances, whether he be innocent + or guilty, must undergo all the bitterness of exile, without hope, + without pride, without alleviation. This case was mine. Upon what + grounds the public founded their opinion, I am not aware; but it was + general, and it was decisive. Of me or of mine they knew little, + except that I had written what is called poetry, was a nobleman, had + married, become a father, and was involved in differences with my wife + and her relatives, no one knew why, because the persons complaining + refused to state their grievances. The fashionable world was divided + into parties, mine consisting of a very small minority: the reasonable + world was naturally on the stronger side, which happened to be the + lady's, as was most proper and polite. The press was active and + scurrilous; and such was the rage of the day, that the unfortunate + publication of two copies of verses, rather complimentary than + otherwise to the subjects of both, was tortured into a species of + crime, or constructive petty treason. I was accused of every monstrous + vice by public rumour and private rancour; my name, which had been a + knightly or a noble one since my fathers helped to conquer the kingdom + for William the Norman, was tainted. I felt that, if what was + whispered, and muttered, and murmured, was true, I was unfit for + England; if false, England was unfit for me. I withdrew; but this was + not enough. In other countries, in Switzerland, in the shadow of the + Alps, and by the blue depths of the lakes, I was pursued and breathed + upon by the same blight. I crossed the mountains, but it was the same: + so I went a little farther, and settled myself by the waves of the + Adriatic, like the stag at bay, who betakes him to the waters.... I + have heard of, and believe, that there are human beings so constituted + as to be insensible to injuries; but I believe that the best mode to + avoid taking vengeance is to get out of the way of temptation. I do + not in this allude to the party, who might be right or wrong; but to + many who made her cause the pretext of their own bitterness. She, + indeed, must have long avenged me in her own feelings, for whatever + her reasons may have been (and she never adduced them, to me at + least), she probably neither contemplated nor conceived to what she + became the means of conducting the father of her child, and the + husband of her choice.' + +Byron knew of the charge that had been whispered against his sister and +himself, and, knowing it to be false, it stung him to the heart. And yet +he dared not speak, because a solution of the mystery that surrounded the +separation from his wife would have involved the betrayal of one whom he +designated as the soul of his thought: + + 'Invisible but gazing, as I glow + Mixed with thy spirit, blended with thy birth, + And feeling still with thee in my crush'd feelings dearth.' + +Augusta Leigh, the selfless martyr, the most loyal friend that Byron ever +possessed, his 'tower of strength in the hour of need,' assisted her +brother, so to speak, to place the pack on a false scent, and the whole +field blindly followed. There never was a nobler example of +self-immolation than that of the sister who bravely endured the odium of a +scandal in which she had no part. For Byron's sake she was content to +suffer intensely during her lifetime; and after she had ceased to feel, +her name was branded by Lady Byron and her descendants with the mark of +infamy. + +A curious feature in the case is that, with few exceptions, those who knew +Byron and Mrs. Leigh intimately came gradually to accept the story which +Lady Caroline Lamb had insidiously whispered, a libel which flourished +exceedingly in the noxious vapours of a scandal-loving age. As Nature is +said to abhor a vacuum, so falsehood rushed in to fill the void which +silence caused. + +It is with a deep searching of heart and with great reluctance that we +re-open this painful subject. + +The entire responsibility must rest with the late Lord Lovelace, whose +loud accusation against Byron's devoted sister deprives us of any choice +in the matter. + +In order to understand the full absurdity of the accusation brought +against Augusta Leigh, we have but to contrast the evidence brought +against her in 'Astarte' with allusions to her in Byron's poems, and with +the esteem in which she was held by men and women well known in society at +the time of the separation. + +Lord Stanhope, the historian, in a private letter written at the time of +the Beecher Stowe scandals, says: + + 'I was very well acquainted with Mrs. Leigh about forty years ago, and + used to call upon her at St. James's Palace to hear her speak about + Lord Byron, as she was very fond of doing. That fact itself is a + presumption against what is alleged, since, on such a supposition, the + subject would surely be felt as painful and avoided. She was extremely + unprepossessing in her person and appearance--more like a nun than + anything--and never can have had the least pretension to beauty. I + thought her shy and sensitive to a fault in her mind and character, + and, from what I saw and knew of her, I hold her to have been utterly + incapable of such a crime as Mrs. Beecher Stowe is so unwarrantably + seeking to cast upon her memory.' + +Frances, Lady Shelley, a woman of large experience, penetration, and +sagacity, whose husband was a personal friend of the Prince Regent, stated +in a letter to the _Times_ that Mrs. Leigh was like a mother to Byron, and +when she knew her intimately--at the time of the separation--was 'not at +all an attractive person.' Her husband was very fond of her, and had a +high opinion of her. + +These impressions are confirmed by all those friends and acquaintances of +Mrs. Leigh who were still living in 1869. + +In 1816 Augusta Leigh was a married woman of thirty-two years of age, and +the mother of four children. She had long been attached to the Court, +moved in good society, and was much liked by those who knew her +intimately. Since her marriage in 1807 she had been more of a mother than +a sister to Byron, and her affection for him was deep and sincere. She +made allowances for his frailties, bore his uncertain temper with +patience, and was never afraid of giving him good advice. In June, 1813, +she tried to save him from the catastrophe which she foresaw; and having +failed, she made the supreme sacrifice of her life, by adopting his +natural child, thus saving the reputation of a woman whom her brother +sincerely loved. Henceforward, under suspicions which must have been +galling to her pride, she faced the world's 'speechless obloquy,' heedless +of consequences. In the after-years, when great trouble fell upon her +through the misconduct of that adopted child, she bore her sorrows in +silence. Among those who were connected with Byron's life, Hobhouse, +Hodgson, and Harness--three men of unimpeachable character--respected and +admired her to the last. + +Such, then, was the woman who was persecuted during her lifetime and +slandered in her grave. Her traducers at first whispered, and afterwards +openly stated, not only that she had committed incest with her brother, +but that she had employed her influence over him to make a reconciliation +with his wife impossible. + +If that were so, it is simply inconceivable that Hobhouse should have +remained her lifelong friend. His character is well known. Not only his +public but much of his private life is an open book. As a gentleman and a +man of honour he was above suspicion. From his long and close intimacy +with Byron, there were but few secrets between them; and Hobhouse +undoubtedly knew the whole truth of the matter between Byron and his +sister. He was Byron's most trusted friend during life, and executor at +his death. + +It has never been disputed that, at the time of the separation, Hobhouse +demanded from Lady Byron's representative a formal disavowal of that +monstrous charge; otherwise the whole matter would be taken into a court +of law. He would allow no equivocation. The charge must either be +withdrawn, then and there, or substantiated in open court. When Lady +Byron, through her representative, _unreservedly_ disavowed the +imputation, Byron was satisfied, and consented to sign the deed of +separation. + +Six months after Byron left England, Hobhouse visited him in Switzerland; +and on September 9, 1816, he wrote as follows to Augusta Leigh: + + 'It would be a great injustice to suppose that [Byron] has dismissed + the subject from his thoughts, or indeed from his conversation, _upon + any other motive than that which the most bitter of his enemies would + commend_. The uniformly tranquil and guarded manner shows the effect + which it is meant to hide.... I trust the news from your Lowestoft + correspondent [Lady Byron] will not be so bad as it was when I last + saw you. Pardon me, dear Mrs. Leigh, if I venture to advise the + strictest confinement to very _common_ topics in all you say in that + quarter. _Repay kindness in any other way than by confidence._ I say + this, not in reference to the lady's character, but as a maxim to + serve for all cases. + + 'Ever most faithfully yours, + 'J. C. HOBHOUSE.' + +This letter shows, not only that the writer was firmly convinced of Mrs. +Leigh's innocence, but that he was afraid lest Lady Byron would worm the +real secret out of Byron's sister, by appealing, through acts of kindness, +to her sense of gratitude. He knew that Mrs. Leigh had a very difficult +part to perform. Her loyalty to Byron and Mary Chaworth had already borne +a severe test, and he wished her to realize how much depended on her +discretion. + +The task of keeping in touch with Lady Byron, without dispelling her +illusions, was so trying to Augusta Leigh's naturally frank nature as +almost to drive her to despair. Lady Byron, knowing that Byron was in +constant correspondence with his sister, asked permission to read his +letters, and it was difficult, without plausible excuse, to withhold them. +Byron's correspondence was never characterized by reticence. He invariably +unburdened his mind, heedless of the effect which his words might have +upon those to whom his letters were shown. In these circumstances Mrs. +Leigh was kept in a fever of apprehension as to what Lady Byron might +glean, even from the winnowed portions which, from time to time, were +submitted for her perusal. + +It has since transpired that, without Augusta's knowledge, Lady Byron kept +a copy of everything that was shown to her. + +It appears from 'Astarte' that, in the early part of September, 1816, +Augusta Leigh underwent a rigorous cross-examination--not only from Lady +Byron, but from inquisitive acquaintances, who were determined to extract +from her replies proofs of her guilt. + +Lord Lovelace, on Lady Byron's authority, states that between August 31 +and September 14 (the precise date is not given) Augusta confessed to +Lady Byron that she had committed incest with her brother _previous to his +marriage_. This strange admission, which we are told had been long +expected, seems to have completely satisfied Lady Byron. _After having +promised to keep her secret inviolate_, she wrote to several of her +friends, and told them that Augusta had made 'a full confession of her +guilt.' There had been no witnesses at the meeting between these two +ladies, and the incriminating letters, which Lord Lovelace says Mrs. Leigh +wrote to Lady Byron, are not given in 'Astarte'! But in 1817 Lady Byron, +referring to these meetings, says: 'She acknowledged that the verses, "I +speak not, I trace not, I breathe not thy name,"' were addressed to her.' + +Augusta was certainly in an awkward predicament. By adopting Medora she +had, at considerable personal risk, saved the reputation of Mary Chaworth. +If she had now told the whole truth--namely, that Medora was merely her +daughter by adoption--she would have been pressed to prove it by divulging +the identity of that child's mother. This was of course impossible. Not +only would she have mortally offended Byron, and have betrayed his trust +in her, but the fortune which by his will would devolve upon her children +must have passed into other hands. For those reasons it was indispensable +that the truth should be veiled. As to Mrs. Leigh's alleged statement that +the lines, 'I speak not, I trace not, I breathe not thy name,'--were +addressed to her, we say nothing. By that portion of her so-called +'confession' we may gauge the value of the rest. That Lady Byron should +have been thus deceived affords a strong proof of her gullibility. There +is nothing to show exactly what passed at these remarkable interviews. We +know that Augusta's statements, made orally, were subsequently written +down from memory; because Lady Byron told one of her friends that she had +sent the said 'confession' to the Lord Chancellor (Eldon), 'as a bar to +any future proceedings that might be taken by Lord Byron to obtain the +custody of Ada.' + +It is clear that Mrs. Leigh's communication would never have been made +except under a promise of secrecy. She did not suspect the treachery which +Lady Byron contemplated, and thought that she might safely encourage her +delusions. Perhaps she divined that Lady Byron had already convinced +herself that Medora was Byron's child. At any rate, she knew enough of +Lady Byron to be certain that there would be no peace until that lady had +satisfied herself that her suspicions were well founded. Unhappily for +Mrs. Leigh, Hobhouse's warning arrived too late; her ruse failed, and her +reputation suffered during life. Although she was destined to bear the +stigma of a crime of which she was innocent, she never wavered, and died +with her secret unrevealed. Lady Byron, with all her ingenuity, never +divined the truth. Towards the close of her life she became uneasy in her +mind, and died under the impression that 'Augusta had made a fool of her.' + +Immediately after Mrs. Leigh's interviews with Lady Byron she wrote to +Byron, and revealed the state of affairs. That, at the same time, she +reproached him for the troubles he had brought upon her is evident from +Byron's journal of September 29: + + 'I am past reproaches, and there is a time for all things. I am past + the wish of vengeance, and I know of none like what I have suffered; + but the hour will come when what I feel must be felt, and the [truth + will out?]--but enough.' + +It was at this time, also, that Byron thought that the 'Epistle to +Augusta'--sent to Murray on August 28--had better not be published. It did +not, in fact, see the light until 1830. Lady Byron's conduct in this +business affected him profoundly, and his feelings towards her changed +completely. He was also angry with Augusta for a time, and told her that +it was + + 'on her account principally that he had given way at all and signed + the separation, for he thought they would endeavour to drag her into + it, although they had no business with anything previous to his + marriage with that infernal fiend, whose destruction he should yet + see.'[59] + +In spite of Lady Byron's prejudice against Mrs. Leigh, as time went on she +gradually realized that her sister-in-law's so-called 'confession' was not +consistent either with her known disposition, her reputation in society, +or with her general conduct. In order to satisfy her conscience, Lady +Byron, in April, 1851, arranged a meeting with Mrs. Leigh at Reigate. +Clearly, it was Lady Byron's purpose to obtain a full confession from Mrs. +Leigh of the crime which she had long suspected. Lady Byron came to +Reigate accompanied by the Rev. Frederick Robertson of Brighton, who +happened then to be her spiritual adviser. This time Augusta Leigh's +'confession' was to be made before an unimpeachable witness, who would +keep a record of what passed. It deeply mortified Lady Byron to find that +Mrs. Leigh--far from making any 'confession'--appeared before her in 'all +the pride of innocence,' and, after saying that she had always been loyal +to Byron and his wife, and had never tried to keep them apart, told Lady +Byron that Hobhouse--who was still living--had expressed his opinion that +Lady Byron had every reason to be grateful to Mrs. Leigh; for she not only +risked the loss of property, but what was much dearer to her, Byron's +affection.[60] + +Alas, the bubble had burst! The _confession_, upon which the peace of Lady +Byron's conscience depended, was transformed into an avowal of innocence, +which no threats could shake, no arguments could weaken, and no reproaches +divert. + + + + +CHAPTER II + + +It is because 'Astarte' is a pretentious and plausible record of fallacies +that the present writer feels bound to take note of its arguments. + +In order to avoid circumlocution and tedious excursions over debatable +ground, we will assume that the reader is tolerably well acquainted with +literature relating to the separation of Lord and Lady Byron. + +It would certainly have been better if the details of Byron's quarrel with +his wife had been ignored. Prior to the publication of Mrs. Beecher +Stowe's articles, in 1869, the greatest tenderness had been shown towards +Lady Byron by all writers upon Byron's career and poetry, and by all those +who alluded to his unhappy marriage. Everyone respected Lady Byron's +excellent qualities, and no one accused her of any breach of faith in her +conduct towards either her husband or his sister. Lady Byron was generally +regarded as a virtuous and high-minded woman, with a hard and cold +disposition, but nothing worse was said or thought of her, and the world +really sympathized with her sorrows. + +But when her self-imposed silence was broken by Mrs. Beecher Stowe, and +Byron stood publicly accused on Lady Byron's authority of an odious crime +which she had never attempted to prove during the poet's lifetime, there +arose a revulsion of feeling against her memory. It was generally felt, +after the suffering and the patience of a lifetime, that Lady Byron might +well have evinced a deeper Christian spirit at its close. + +As time went on, the memory of this untoward incident gradually faded +away, and the present generation thought little of the rights or wrongs of +a controversy which had moved their forefathers so deeply. The dead, so to +speak, had buried their dead, and all would soon have been forgotten. +Unfortunately, the late Lord Lovelace, a grandson of Lady Byron, goaded by +perusal of the attacks made upon Lady Byron's memory, after Mrs. Beecher +Stowe's revelations in 1869, was induced in 1905 to circulate among 'those +who, for special reasons, ought to have the means of acquainting +themselves with the true position of Lord and Lady Byron,' a work entitled +'Astarte,' which is mainly a compilation of letters and data, skilfully +selected for the purpose of defaming his grandfather. + +After informing the reader that 'the public of this age would do well to +pay no attention to voluminous complications and caricatures of Lord +Byron,' Lord Lovelace gaily proceeds, on the flimsiest of evidence, to +blast, not only Byron's name, but also the reputation of the poet's +half-sister, Augusta Leigh. + +After telling the world that Byron 'after his death was less honoured than +an outcast,' Lord Lovelace endeavours to justify the public neglect to +honour the remains of a great national poet by accusing Byron of incest. +Lord Lovelace's claim to have been the sole depositary of so damning a +secret is really comical, because, as a matter of fact, he never knew the +truth at all. He thought that he had only, like Pandora, to open his box +for all the evil to fly out, forgetting that Truth has an awkward habit +of lying at the bottom. He seems, however, to have had some inkling of +this, for he is careful to remind us that 'Truth comes in the last, and +very late, limping along on the arm of Time.' + +In support of a theory which is supposed to be revealed by his papers, +Lord Lovelace declares that a solution of Byron's mystery may be found in +his poems, and he fixes on 'Manfred' for the key. The haunting remorse of +Manfred is once more trotted out to prove that Byron committed incest. +There is nothing new in this 'nightmare of folly,' for Byron himself was +well aware of the interpretation placed upon that poem by his +contemporaries. + +Manfred is certainly the revelation of deep remorse, but the crime for +which he suffers had no connection with Augusta Leigh. Lord Lovelace says +that 'the germ of this nightmare in blank verse _was in the actual letters +of the living Astarte_.' The statement may be true; but he was certainly +not in a position to prove it, for he knew not, to the last hour of his +life, who the living Astarte was. + +It is a sad story that should never have been told, and the present writer +regrets that circumstances should have compelled him to save the +reputation of one good woman by revealing matters affecting the +misfortunes of another. But the blame must lie with those inconsiderate, +ignorant, and prejudiced persons who, in an attempt to justify Lady +Byron's conduct, cruelly assailed the memory of one who + + 'When fortune changed--and love fled far, + And hatred's shafts flew thick and fast,' + +was the solitary star which rose, and set not to the last. + +On January 2, 1815, Lord and Lady Byron were married at Seaham. The little +that is known of their married life may be found in letters and memoranda +of people who were in actual correspondence with them, and the details +which we now give from various sources are necessary to a better +understanding of the causes which led to a separation between husband and +wife in January, 1816. + +According to a statement made by Lady Byron to her friend Lady Anne +Barnard, shortly after a rumour of the separation spread in London, there +never was any real love on either side. The following passages are taken +from some private family memoirs written by Lady Anne herself: + + 'I heard of Lady Byron's distress, and entreated her to come and let + me see and hear her, if she conceived my sympathy or counsel could be + any comfort to her. She came, but what a tale was unfolded by this + interesting young creature, who had so fondly hoped to have made + [Byron] happy! They had not been an hour in the carriage ... when + Byron, breaking into a malignant sneer, said: "Oh, what a dupe you + have been to your imagination! How is it possible a woman of your + sense could form the wild hope of reforming _me_? Many are the tears + you will have to shed ere that plan is accomplished. It is enough for + me that you are my wife for me to hate you; if you were the wife of + any other man, I own you might have charms," etc. + + 'I listened in astonishment,' writes Lady Anne. '"How could you go on + after this, my dear!" said I. "Why did you not return to your + father's?" + + '"Because I had not a conception he was in earnest; because I reckoned + it a bad jest, and told him so--that my opinion of him was very + different from his of himself, otherwise he would not find me by his + side. He laughed it over when he saw me appear hurt, and I forgot what + had passed till forced to remember it. I believe he was pleased with + me, too, for a little while. I suppose it had escaped his memory that + I was his wife." + + 'But,' says Lady Anne, 'she described the happiness they enjoyed to + have been unequal and perturbed. Her situation in a short time might + have entitled her to some tenderness, but she made no claim on him for + any. He sometimes reproached her for the motives that had induced her + to marry him--"all was vanity, the vanity of Miss Milbanke carrying + the point of reforming Lord Byron! He always knew _her_ inducements; + her pride shut her eyes to _his_; _he_ wished to build up his + character and his fortunes; both were somewhat deranged; she had a + high name, and would have a fortune worth his attention--let her look + to that for _his_ motives!" + + '"Oh, Byron, Byron," she said, "how you desolate me!" He would then + accuse himself of being mad, and throw himself on the ground in a + frenzy, which Lady Byron believed was affected to conceal the coldness + and malignity of his heart--an affectation which at that time never + failed to meet with the tenderest commiseration.... Lady Byron saw the + precipice on which she stood, and kept his sister with her as much as + possible. He returned in the evenings from the haunts of vice, where + he made her understand he had been, with manners so profligate. + + '"Oh, wretch!" said I. "And had he no moments of remorse?" "Sometimes + he appeared to have them," replied Lady Byron. "One night, coming home + from one of his lawless parties, he saw me so indignantly collected, + bearing all with such determined calmness, that a rush of remorse + seemed to come over him; he called himself a monster, though his + sister was present, and threw himself in agony at my feet. He said + that I could not--no, I could not forgive him such injuries. He was + sure that he had lost me for ever! Astonished at the return of virtue, + my tears, I believe, flowed over his face, and I said: 'Byron, all is + forgotten; never, never shall you hear of it more!' He started up, + and, folding his arms while he looked at me, burst into laughter. + 'What do you mean?' said I. 'Only a philosophical experiment, that's + all,' said he. 'I wished to ascertain the value of your + resolutions.'" + + 'I need not say more of this prince of duplicity,' continues Lady Anne + Barnard, 'except that varied were his methods of rendering her + wretched, even to the last.' + +There is enough evidence in the above statement to show that a separation +between Lord and Lady Byron was inevitable. Byron's temper, always +capricious, became ungovernable under the vexatious exigencies of his +financial affairs. Several executions had taken place in their house +during the year, and it is said that even the beds upon which they slept +were in the possession of the bailiffs. + +It has been shown by those who knew Byron well that he was never suited to +the married state. His temperament was an obstacle to happiness in +marriage. He lacked the power of self-command, and the irritation produced +by the shattered state of his fortune drove him at times to explosions, +which were very like madness. We have an example of this in his conduct +one night in Ithaca, when his companions were afraid to enter his room. +Lady Byron could not meet these explosions in any effectual manner. The +more fiercely he vented his exasperation, the colder she became. Lady +Byron, like her husband, was a spoilt child who set her own self-will +against his. If she had possessed more tact and deeper affections, she +might possibly have managed him. We frankly admit that Byron's conduct +during this period was not calculated to win the love and respect of any +woman. During his mad moods he did his utmost to blacken his own +character, and it is not surprising that Lady Byron, who had heard much of +his conduct before marriage, implicitly believed him. His so-called +'mystifications' were all taken seriously. She was, moreover, of a +jealous nature, and Byron delighted to torment her by suggestions of +immorality which had no foundation in fact. In such a character as Lady +Byron's, a hint was enough to awaken the darkest suspicions, and when an +impression had been stamped on her mind it was impossible to remove it. +Byron, of course, fanned the flame, for he was bored to death in the bonds +of wedlock, and we are inclined to believe that he did many outrageous +things in order to drive his wife on the road to a separation. When the +moment came he was sorry, but he certainly brought matters designedly to a +crisis. His sister Augusta was much in favour of his marriage, and had +strong hopes that happiness was in store for them, as the following letter +will show: + + 'SIX MILE BOTTOM, + '_February 15, 1815_. + + 'MY DEAR MR. HODGSON, + + 'You could not have gratified me more than by giving me an opportunity + of writing on my favourite subject to one so truly worthy of it as you + are; indeed, I have repeatedly wished of late that I could communicate + with you. Most thankful do I feel that I have so much to say that will + delight you. I have every reason to think that my beloved B. is very + happy and comfortable. I hear constantly from him and _his Rib_. They + are now at Seaham, and not inclined to return to Halnaby, _because_ + all the world were preparing to visit them there, and at Seaham they + are free from this torment, no trifling one in B.'s estimation, as you + know. From my own observations on their epistles, and knowledge of + B.'s disposition and ways, I really hope _most_ confidently that all + will turn out very happily. It appears to me that Lady Byron _sets + about_ making him happy quite in the right way. It is true I judge at + a distance, and we generally _hope_ as we _wish_; but I assure you I + don't conclude hastily on this subject, and will own to you, what I + would not scarcely to any other person, that I had _many fears_ and + much anxiety _founded upon many causes and circumstances_ of which I + cannot _write_. Thank God! that they do not appear likely to be + realized. In short, there seems to me to be but one drawback to _all + our_ felicity, and that, alas! is the disposal of dear Newstead, which + I am afraid is irrevocably decreed. I received the fatal communication + from Lady Byron ten days ago, and will own to you that it was not only + grief, but disappointment; for I flattered myself such a sacrifice + would not be made. From my representations she had said and urged all + she could in favour of keeping it. Mr. Hobhouse the same, and I + _believe_ that he was deputed to make inquiries and researches, and I + knew that he wrote to B. suggesting the propriety and expediency of at + least _delaying_ the sale. This most excellent advice created so much + disturbance in Byron's mind that Lady B. wrote me word, "He had such a + fit of vexation he could not appear at dinner, or leave his room...." + B.'s spirits had improved at the prospect of a release from the + embarrassments which interfered so much with his comfort, and I + suppose I _ought_ to be satisfied with this.... May the future bring + peace and comfort to my dearest B.! that is always one of my first + wishes; and I am convinced it is my duty to _endeavour_ to be resigned + to the loss of this dear Abbey from our family, as well as all other + griefs which are sent by Him who knows what is good for us.... I do + not know what are B.'s plans. Lady Byron says nothing can be decided + upon till their affairs are in some degree arranged. They have been + anxious to procure a temporary habitation in my neighbourhood, which + would be convenient to him and delightful to me, if his presence is + required in Town upon this sad Newstead business. But I am sorry to + say I cannot hear of any likely to suit them; and our house is so + _very_ small, I could scarcely contrive to take them in. Lady B. is + extremely kind to me, for which I am most grateful, and to my dearest + B., for I am well aware how much I am indebted to his partiality and + affection for her good opinion. I will not give up the hope of seeing + them on their way to Town, whenever they do go, as for a few nights + they would, perhaps, tolerate the innumerable inconveniences attending + the best arrangements I could make for them.... My babes are all quite + well; Medora more beautiful than ever.... Lady B. writes me word she + never saw her father and mother so happy: that she believes the latter + would go to the bottom of the sea herself to find fish for B.'s + dinner, and that Byron owns at last that he is very happy and + comfortable at Seaham, though he had _predetermined_ to be very + miserable. In some of her letters she mentions his health not being + very good, though he seldom complains, but says that his spirits have + been improved by some daily walks she had prevailed on him to take; + and attributes much of his languor in the morning and _feverish feels_ + at night to his _long fasts_, succeeded by _too_ hearty meals for any + weak and empty stomach to bear at one time, waking by night and + sleeping by day. I flatter myself her influence will prevail over + these bad habits.' + +On March 18, 1815, Augusta Leigh again writes to Byron's friend, the Rev. +Francis Hodgson, from Six Mile Bottom: + + 'B. and Lady Byron arrived here last Sunday on their way from the + North to London, where they have taken a very good house of the Duke + of Devonshire in Piccadilly. I hope they will stay some days longer + with me, and I shall regret their departure, whenever it takes place, + as much as I now delight in their society. Byron is looking remarkably + well, and of Lady B. I scarcely know how to write, for I have a sad + trick of being struck dumb when I am most happy and pleased. The + expectations I had formed could not be _exceeded_, but at least they + are fully answered. + + 'I think I never saw or heard or read of a more perfect being in + mortal mould than she appears to be, and scarcely dared flatter myself + such a one would fall to the lot of my dear B. He seems quite sensible + of her value, and as happy as the present alarming state of _public_ + and the tormenting uncertainties of his own private affairs will admit + of. Colonel Leigh is in the North.' + +On March 31, 1815, Mrs. Leigh again writes to Hodgson: + + 'Byron and Lady B. left me on Tuesday for London. B. will probably + write to you immediately. He talked of it while here after I received + your last letter, which was the cause of _my_ being silent.... I am + sorry to say his nerves and spirits are very far from what I wish + them, but don't speak of this to him on any account. + + 'I think the uncomfortable state of his affairs is the cause; at + least, I can discern no other. He has every outward blessing this + world can bestow. I trust that the Almighty will be graciously pleased + to grant him those _inward_ feelings of peace and calm which are now + unfortunately wanting. This is a subject which I cannot dwell upon, + but in which I feel and have felt all you express. I think Lady Byron + very judiciously abstains from pressing the consideration of it upon + him at the present moment. In short, the more I see of her the more I + love and esteem her, and feel how grateful I am, and ought to be, for + the blessing of such a wife for my dear, darling Byron.' + +Augusta's next letter is written from 13, Piccadilly Terrace, on April 29, +1815, about three weeks after her arrival there on a visit to the Byrons. +It also is addressed to Hodgson, and conveys the following message from +Byron: + + 'I am desired to add: Lady B. is ----, and that Lord Wentworth has + left all to her mother, and then to Lady Byron and children; but Byron + is, _he says_, "a very miserable dog for all that."' + +At the end of June, 1815, Augusta Leigh ended her visit, and returned to +Six Mile Bottom. There seems to have been some unpleasantness between +Augusta and Lady Byron during those ten weeks. + +Two months later, on September 4, 1815, Augusta Leigh writes again to +Hodgson: + + 'Your letter reached me at a time of much hurry and confusion, which + has been succeeded by many events of an afflicting nature, and + compelled me often to neglect those to whom I feel most pleasure in + writing.... My brother has just left me, having been here since last + Wednesday, when he arrived very unexpectedly. I never saw him _so_ + well, and he is in the best spirits, and desired me to add his + congratulations to mine upon your marriage.' + +On November 15, 1815, Augusta Leigh arrived at 13, Piccadilly Terrace, on +a long visit. + +It cannot have been a pleasant experience for Augusta Leigh, this wretched +period which culminated in a dire catastrophe for all concerned. Lord +Lovelace tells us that, when Mrs. Leigh came to stay with them in +November, Byron 'seemed much alienated from his sister, and was entirely +occupied with women at the theatre.' And yet + + '_the impressions of Mrs. Leigh's guilt had been forced into Lady + Byron's mind chiefly by incidents and conversations which occurred + while they were all under one roof._' + +What may have given rise to these suspicions is not recorded--probably +Byron's mystifications, which were all taken seriously. But there is no +attempt to deny the fact that, during this painful time, Lady Byron owed +deep gratitude to Mrs. Leigh, who had faithfully striven to protect her +when ill and in need of sympathy. It was during this period that Lady +Byron wrote the following cryptic note to Byron's sister: + + 'You will think me very foolish, but I have tried two or three times, + and cannot _talk_ to you of your departure with a decent visage; so + let me say one word in this way to spare my philosophy. With the + expectations which I have, I never will nor can ask you to stay one + moment longer than you are inclined to do. It would be the worst + return for all I ever received from you. But, in this at least, I _am_ + "truth itself" when I say that, whatever the situation may be, there + is no one whose society is dearer to me, or can contribute more to my + happiness. These feelings will not change under any circumstances, and + I should be grieved it you did not understand them. + + 'Should you hereafter condemn me, I shall not love you less. I will + say no more. Judge for yourself about going or staying. I wish you to + consider _yourself_, if you could be wise enough to do that for the + first time in your life.' + +On December 10, 1815, Lady Byron gave birth to a daughter. Lord Lovelace +says: + + 'About three weeks after Lady Byron's confinement, the aversion Byron + had already at times displayed towards her struck everyone in the + house as more formidable than ever. Augusta, George Byron, and Mrs. + Clermont, were then all staying in the house, and were very uneasy at + his unaccountable manner and talk. He assumed a more threatening + aspect towards Lady Byron. There were paroxysms of frenzy, but a still + stronger impression was created by the frequent hints he gave of some + suppressed and bitter determination. He often spoke of his conduct and + intentions about women of the theatre, particularly on January 3, + 1816, when he came to Lady Byron's room and talked on that subject + with considerable violence. After that he did not go any more to see + her or the child, but three days later sent her the following note: + + + '"_January 6, 1816._ + + '"When you are disposed to leave London, it would be convenient that a + day should be fixed--and (if possible) not a very remote one for that + purpose. Of my opinion upon that subject you are sufficiently in + possession, and of the circumstances which have led to it, as also to + my plans--or, rather, intentions--for the future. When in the country + I will write to you more fully--as Lady Noel has asked you to Kirkby; + there you can be for the present, unless you prefer Seaham. + + '"As the dismissal of the present establishment is of importance to + me, the sooner you can fix on the day the better--though, of course, + your convenience and inclination shall be first consulted. + + '"The child will, of course, accompany you: there is a more easy and + safer carriage than the chariot (unless you prefer it) which I + mentioned before--on that you can do as you please."' + +The next day Lady Byron replied in writing as follows: 'I shall obey your +wishes, and fix the earliest day that circumstances will admit for leaving +London.' + +Consequently she quitted London on January 15, 1816. Soon after Lady +Byron's arrival at Kirkby, her mother drew from her some of the +circumstances of her misery. Lady Byron then told her mother that she +believed her life would be endangered by a return to her husband. She +expressed an opinion that Byron was out of his mind, although he seemed +competent to transact matters connected with his business affairs. Lady +Noel, naturally, took her daughter's part entirely, and went to London to +seek legal advice. During her stay in London, Lady Noel saw Augusta Leigh +and George Byron, who agreed with her that every endeavour should be made +to induce Byron to agree to a separation. She also consulted Sir Samuel +Romilly, Sergeant Heywood, Dr. Lushington, and Colonel Francis Doyle, an +old friend of the Milbanke family. They all agreed that a separation was +necessary. It was perhaps a very natural view to take of a marriage which +had run its short course so tempestuously, but there were no grounds other +than incompatibility of temperament upon which to base that conclusion. + + 'Nothing had been said at this time,' says Lord Lovelace, 'by Lady + Byron of her suspicions about Augusta, except, apparently, a few + incoherent words to Lady Noel, when telling her that Lord Byron had + threatened to take the child away from her and commit it to Augusta's + charge.' + +Byron, says Lord Lovelace,[61] 'was very changeable at this time, +sometimes speaking kindly of his wife--though never appearing to wish her +to return--and the next hour he would say that the sooner Lady Byron's +friends arranged a separation, the better.' + +This statement is a fair example of the manner in which Lord Lovelace +handles his facts and documents. Mr. Hobhouse, who was in a position to +know the truth, has recently shown that Byron was very anxious for his +wife's return, was indeed prepared to make great sacrifices to attain that +object, and resolutely opposed the wishes of those persons who tried to +arrange a legal separation. It was not until Lady Byron herself reminded +him of a promise which he had once made to her that, 'when convinced her +conduct had not been influenced by others, he should not oppose her +wishes,' that he consented to sign the deed of separation. He had done +enough to show that he was not afraid of any exposure which might have +affected his honour, and was willing, if necessary, to go into a court of +law, but he could not resist the petition of his wife.[62] It is also +extremely improbable that Byron should, 'towards the end of January, have +spoken of proposing a separation himself,' in view of the letters which he +wrote to his wife on February 5, and February 8 following.[63] + +On February 2 Sir Ralph Noel, under legal advice, wrote a stiff letter +requiring a separation. Byron at that time positively refused to accept +these terms. The whole affair then became publicly known. Every kind of +report was spread about him, and especially the scandal about Augusta was +noised abroad by Lady Caroline Lamb and Mr. Brougham. There can be no +doubt whatever that Byron heard of this report, and paid very little +attention to it. He found out then, or soon afterwards, how the scandal +arose. + +Lady Byron's relations were bent on arranging an amicable separation. +Should Byron persist in his refusal, it was intended to institute a suit +in the Ecclesiastical Court to obtain a divorce on the plea of adultery +and cruelty. There is reason to believe that a charge of adultery could +_not_ have been substantiated at that time. + +Meanwhile, Lady Byron, who had lately acquired some documents, which were +unknown to her when she left her husband on January 15,[64] came to London +on February 22, and had a long private conversation with Dr. Lushington. +She then showed him two packets of letters which Mrs. Clermont had +abstracted from Byron's writing-desk. Lady Byron received those letters +some time between February 14 and 22, 1816. One packet contained missives +from a married lady, with whom Byron had been intimate previous to his +marriage. It appears that Lady Byron--whose notions of the ordinary code +of honour were peculiar--sent those letters to that lady's husband, who, +like a sensible man, threw them into the fire. Of the other packet we +cannot speak so positively. It probably comprised letters from Augusta +Leigh, referring to the child Medora.[65] Such expressions as 'our child' +or 'your child' would have fallen quite naturally from her pen under the +circumstances. It is easy to imagine the effect of some such words upon +the suspicious mind of Lady Byron. By Mrs. Clermont's masterful stroke of +treachery, strong presumptive evidence was thus brought against Augusta +Leigh. The letters undoubtedly convinced Dr. Lushington that incest had +taken place, and he warned Lady Byron against any personal intercourse +with Mrs. Leigh. He at the same time advised her to keep her lips closed +until Augusta had of her own free will confessed; and pointed out to Lady +Byron that, 'while proofs and impressions were such as left no doubt on +_her_ mind, _they were decidedly not such as could have been brought +forward to establish a charge of incest, in the event of Lady Byron being +challenged to bring forward the grounds of her imputation_.'[66] + +From that moment all Lady Byron's wiles were employed to extract a +confession from Augusta Leigh, which would have gone far to justify Lady +Byron's conduct in leaving her husband. Soon after this momentous +interview with Dr. Lushington, an ugly rumour was spread about town +affecting Mrs. Leigh's character. + +Lord Lovelace says: + + 'When Augusta's friends vehemently and indignantly resented such a + calumny, they were met with the argument that _Lady Byron's refusal to + assign a reason for her separation confirmed the report_, and that no + one but Augusta could deny it with any effect.' + +This, by the nature of her agreement with Byron, was impossible, and Mrs. +Clermont's treachery held her in a vice. + +During January and February, 1816, Lady Byron, who strongly suspected Mrs. +Leigh's conduct to have been disloyal to herself, wrote the most +affectionate letters to that lady. + + 'KIRKBY MALLORY. + + 'MY DEAREST A., + + 'It is my great comfort that you are in Piccadilly.' + + + 'KIRKBY MALLORY, + '_January 23, 1816_. + + 'DEAREST A., + + 'I know you feel for me as I do for you, and perhaps I am better + understood than I think. You have been, ever since I knew you, my best + comforter, and will so remain, unless you grow tired of the office, + which may well be.' + + + '_January 25, 1816._ + + 'MY DEAREST AUGUSTA, + + 'Shall I still be your sister? I must resign my rights to be so + considered; but I don't think that will make any difference in the + kindness I have so uniformly experienced from you.' + + + 'KIRKBY MALLORY, + '_February 3, 1816_. + + 'MY DEAREST AUGUSTA, + + 'You are desired by your brother to ask if my father has acted with my + concurrence in proposing a separation. He has. It cannot be supposed + that, in my present distressing situation, I am capable of stating, in + a detailed manner, the reasons which will not only justify this + measure, but compel me to take it; and it never can be my wish to + remember unnecessarily those injuries for which, however deep, I feel + no resentment. I will now only recall to Lord Byron's mind his avowed + and insurmountable aversion to the married state, and the desire and + determination he has expressed ever since its commencement to free + himself from that bondage, as finding it quite insupportable, though + candidly acknowledging that no effort of duty or affection has been + wanting on my part. He has too painfully convinced me that all these + attempts to contribute towards his happiness were wholly useless, and + most unwelcome to him. I enclose this letter to my father, wishing it + to receive his sanction. + + 'Ever yours most affectionately, + 'A. I. BYRON.' + + + '_February 4, 1816._ + + 'I hope, my dear A., that you would on no account withhold from your + brother the letter which I sent yesterday, in answer to yours written + by his desire; particularly as one which I have received from himself + to-day renders it still more important that he should know the + contents of that addressed to you. I am, in haste and not very well, + + 'Yours most affectionately, + 'A. I. BYRON.' + + + 'KIRKBY MALLORY, + '_February 14, 1816_. + + 'The present sufferings of all may yet be repaid in blessings. Do not + despair absolutely, dearest; and leave me but enough of your interest + to afford you any consolation, by partaking of that sorrow which I am + most unhappy to cause thus unintentionally. + + '_You will_ be of my opinion hereafter, and at present your bitterest + reproach would be forgiven; though Heaven knows you have considered me + more than a thousand would have done--more than anything but my + affection for B., one most dear to you, could deserve. I must not + remember these feelings. Farewell! God bless you, from the bottom of + my heart. + + 'A. I. B.' + +It is only fair to remind the reader that, when these letters were +written, Lady Byron had not consulted Dr. Lushington. We are inclined to +think that the last letter was written on the day when she received Mrs. +Clermont's 'proofs.' Meanwhile, Augusta, unconscious that an avalanche of +scandal threatened to sweep her reputation into an abyss, was catching at +every straw that might avert a catastrophe. Her thoughts turned to +Hodgson, whose noble character, sound common-sense, and affection for +Byron, were undoubted. It was possible, she thought, that the ruin and +destruction which she dreaded for her brother might be averted through the +advice and assistance of an honourable man of the world. In that wild hope +the following letters were written: + + '13, PICCADILLY TERRACE, + '_Wednesday, February 7, 1816_. + + 'DEAR MR. HODGSON, + + 'Can you by _any means_ contrive to come up to Town? Were it only for + _a day_, it might be of the most essential service to a friend I know + you love and value. There is too much fear of a separation between him + and his wife. No time is to be lost, but even if you are _too late_ to + prevent that happening _decidedly_, yet it would be the greatest + comfort and relief to me to confide other circumstances to you, and + consult you; and so if _possible_ oblige me, if only for _twenty-four_ + hours. Say not _a word_ of my summons, but attribute your coming, if + you come, to business of your own or chance. Excuse brevity; I am so + perfectly wretched I can only say, + + 'Ever yours most truly, + 'AUGUSTA LEIGH. + + 'It is probable I may be obliged to go home next week. If my scheme + appears wild, pray attribute it to the state of mind I am in. Alas! I + see only _ruin_ and _destruction_ in _every_ shape to one most dear to + me.' + +Hodgson at once responded to this appeal by taking the first stage-coach +to London, where the next letter was addressed to him at his lodgings near +Piccadilly: + + 'How very good of you, dear Mr. Hodgson! I intend showing the letter + to B., as I _think_ he will jump at seeing you just now, but I _must_ + see you first; and how? I am now going to Mr. Hanson's from B. I'm + afraid of your meeting people here who _do no good_, and would + counteract yours; but will you call about two, or after that, and ask + for _me_ first? I shall be home, I hope, and _must_ see you. If I'm + out ask for Capt. B. + + 'Yours sincerely, + 'A. L.' + + + '_Friday evening, 9 o'clock._ + + 'DEAR MR. HODGSON, + + 'I've been unable to write to you till this moment. Mr. H.[67] stayed + till a late hour, and is now here again. B. dined with me, and after I + left the room I sent your note in, thinking him in better spirits and + more free from irritations. He has only just mentioned it to me: "Oh, + by-the-by, I've had a note from H., Augusta, whom you must write to, + and say I'm so full of domestic calamities that I can't see anybody." + Still, I think he _will_ see you if he hears you are here, or that + even it would be better, if the worst came to the worst, to let the + servant announce you and walk in. Can you call here about eleven + to-morrow morning, when he will not be up, or scarcely awake, and + Capt. B., you, and I, can hold a council on what is best to be done? + The fact is, he is now _afraid_ of everybody who would tell him the + truth. It is a most dreadful situation, dear Mr. H.! The worst is, + that _if_ you said you have done so-and-so, etc., he would deny it; + and I see he is afraid of _your despair_, as he terms it, when you + hear of his situation, and, in short, of your telling him the truth. + He can only bear to see those who flatter him and encourage him to all + that is wrong. I've not mentioned having seen you, because I wish him + to suppose your opinions unprejudiced. You _must_ see him; and pray + see me and George B. to-morrow morning, when we will consult upon the + best means. You are the only comfort I've had this long time. I'm + quite of your opinion on all that is to be feared. + + 'Ever yours truly, + 'A. L.' + + + 'PICCADILLY TERRACE. + + 'DEAR MR. H., + + 'About three you will be sure of finding me, if not sooner. I've sent + in your letter; he said in return I was to do what I pleased about it. + I _think_ and _hope_ he will find comfort in seeing you. + + 'Yours truly, + 'A. L.' + + + '_Saturday._ + + 'DEAR MR. H., + + 'B. will see you. I saw him open your note, and said I had given his + message this morning, when I had seen you and talked generally on the + subject of his present situation, of which you had before heard. He + replied, "Oh, then, tell him I will see him, certainly; my reason for + _not_ was the fear of distressing him." You had better call towards + three, and wait if he is not yet out of his room. Mr. Hanson has sent + for me in consequence (probably) of your interview. I'm going to him + about three with Capt. B., but have said nothing to B. of this. + + 'Ever yours, + 'A. L.' + +Immediately after the interview, which took place on the day after the +last note was written, Hodgson, feeling that nothing could be lost and +that much might be gained by judicious remonstrance, resolved to hazard an +appeal to Lady Byron's feelings--with what success will be seen from her +ladyship's reply. It is impossible to over-estimate the combined tact and +zeal displayed by Hodgson in this most delicate and difficult matter. + + 'Whether I am outstepping the bounds of prudence in this address to + your ladyship I cannot feel assured; and yet there is so much at stake + in a quarter so loved and valuable that I cannot forbear running the + risk, and making one effort more to plead a cause which your + ladyship's own heart must plead with a power so superior to all other + voices. If, then, a word that is here said only adds to the pain of + this unhappy conflict between affection and views of duty, without + lending any weight of reason to the object it seeks, I would earnestly + implore that it may be forgiven; and, above all, the interference + itself, which nothing but its obvious motive and the present awful + circumstance could in any way justify. + + 'After a long and most confidential conversation with my friend (whom + I have known thoroughly, I believe, for many trying years), I am + convinced that the deep and rooted feeling in his heart is regret and + sorrow for the occurrences which have so deeply wounded you; and the + most unmixed admiration of your conduct in all its particulars, and + the warmest affection. But may I be allowed to state to Lady Byron + that Lord B., after his general acknowledgment of having frequently + been very wrong, and, from various causes, in a painful state of + irritation, yet declares himself ignorant of the specific things which + have given the principal offence, and that he wishes to hear of them; + that he may, if extenuation or atonement be possible, endeavour to + make some reply; or, at all events, may understand the fulness of + those reasons which have now, and as unexpectedly as afflictingly, + driven your ladyship to the step you have taken? + + 'It would be waste of words and idle presumption for me, however your + ladyship's goodness might be led to excuse it, to observe how very + extreme, how decidedly irreconcilable, such a case should be, before + the last measure is resorted to. But it may not be quite so improper + to urge, from my deep conviction of their truth and importance, the + following reflections. I entreat your ladyship's indulgence to them. + What can be the consequence, to a man so peculiarly constituted, of + such an event? If I may give vent to my fear, my thorough certainty, + nothing short of absolute and utter destruction. I turn from the idea; + but _no_ being except your ladyship can prevent this. _None_, I am + thoroughly convinced, ever could have done so, notwithstanding the + unhappy appearances to the contrary. Whatever, then, may be against + it, whatever restraining remembrances or anticipations, to a person + who was not already qualified by sad experience to teach this very + truth, I would say that there _is_ a claim paramount to all + others--that of attempting to save the human beings nearest and + dearest to us from the most comprehensive ruin that can be suffered by + them, at the expense of any suffering to ourselves. + + 'If I have not gone too far, I would add that so suddenly and at once + to shut every avenue to returning comfort must, when looked back upon, + appear a strong measure; and, if it proceeds (pray pardon the + suggestion) from the unfortunate notion of the very person to whom my + friend now looks for consolation being unable to administer it, that + notion I would combat with all the energy of conviction; and assert, + that whatever unguarded and unjustifiable words, and even actions, may + have inculcated this idea, it is the very rock on which the peace of + both would, as unnecessarily as wretchedly, be sacrificed. But God + Almighty forbid that there should be any sacrifice. Be all that is + right called out into action, all that is wrong suppressed (and by + your only instrumentality, Lady Byron, as by yours only it can be) in + my dear friend. May you both yet be what God intended you for: the + support, the watchful correction, and improvement, of each other! Of + yourself, Lord B. from his heart declares that he would wish nothing + altered--nothing but that sudden, surely sudden, determination which + must _for ever_ destroy one of you, and perhaps even both. God bless + both! + + 'I am, with deep regard, + 'Your ladyship's faithful servant, + 'FRANCIS HODGSON.' + +Lady Byron's answer was as follows: + + 'KIRKBY, + '_February 15, 1816_. + + 'DEAR SIR, + + 'I feel most sensibly the kindness of a remonstrance which equally + proves your friendship for Lord Byron and consideration for me. I have + declined all discussion of this subject with others, but my knowledge + of your principles induces me to justify my own; and yet I would + forbear to accuse as much as possible. + + 'I married Lord B. determined to endure everything whilst there was + _any_ chance of my contributing to his welfare. I remained with him + under trials of the severest nature. In leaving him, which, however, I + can scarcely call a _voluntary_ measure, I probably saved him from the + bitterest remorse. I may give you a general idea of what I have + experienced by saying that he married me with the deepest + determination of Revenge, avowed on the day of my marriage, and + executed ever since with systematic and increasing cruelty, which no + affection could change.... My security depended on the total + abandonment of every moral and religious principle, against which + (though I trust they were never obtruded) his hatred and endeavours + were uniformly directed.... The circumstances, which are of too + convincing a nature, shall not be generally known whilst Lord B. + allows me to spare him. It is not unkindness that can always change + affection. + + 'With you I may consider this subject in a less worldly point of view. + Is the present injury to his reputation to be put in competition with + the danger of unchecked success to this wicked pride? and may not his + actual sufferings (in which, be assured, that affection for me has + very little share) expiate a future account? I know him too well to + dread the fatal event which he so often mysteriously threatens. I have + acquired my knowledge of him bitterly indeed, and it was long before I + learned to mistrust the apparent candour by which he deceives all but + himself. He _does_ know--too well--what he affects to inquire. You + reason with me as I have reasoned with myself, and I therefore derive + from your letter an additional and melancholy confidence in the + rectitude of this determination, which has been deliberated on the + grounds that you would approve. It was not suggested, and has not been + enforced, by others; though it is sanctioned by my parents. + + 'You will continue Lord Byron's friend, and the time may yet come when + he will receive from that friendship such benefits as he now rejects. + I will even indulge the consolatory thought that the remembrance of + me, when time has softened the irritation created by my presence, may + contribute to the same end. May I hope that you will still retain any + value for the regard with which I am, + + 'Your most obliged and faithful servant, + 'A. I. BYRON.' + + 'I must add that Lord Byron had been fully, earnestly, and + affectionately warned of the unhappy consequences of his conduct.' + +It is most unfortunate that the second letter which Hodgson wrote on this +most distressing occasion is lost, but some clue to its contents may be +gathered from Lady Byron's reply: + + '_February 24, 1816._ + + 'DEAR SIR, + + 'I have received your second letter. First let me thank you for the + charity with which you consider my motives; and now of the principal + subject. + + 'I eagerly adopted the belief on insanity as a consolation; and though + such malady has been found insufficient to prevent his responsibility + with man, I will still trust that it may latently exist, so as to + acquit him towards God. This no human being can judge. It certainly + does not destroy the powers of self-control, or impair the knowledge + of moral good and evil. Considering the case upon the supposition of + derangement, you may have heard, what every medical adviser would + confirm, that it is in the nature of such malady to reverse the + affections, and to make those who would naturally be dearest, the + greatest objects of aversion, the most exposed to acts of violence, + and the least capable of alleviating the malady. Upon such grounds my + absence from Lord B. was medically advised before I left Town. But the + advisers had not then seen him, and since Mr. Le Mann has had + opportunities of personal observation, it has been found that the + supposed physical causes do not exist so as to render him not an + accountable agent. + + 'I believe the nature of Lord B.'s mind to be most benevolent. But + there may have been circumstances (I would hope the _consequences_, + not the _causes_, of mental disorder) which would render an original + tenderness of conscience the motive of desperation--even of + guilt--when self-esteem had been forfeited _too far_. No _external_ + motive can be so strong. Goodness of heart--when there are impetuous + passions and no principles--is a frail security. + + 'Every possible means have been employed to effect a private and + amicable arrangement; and I would sacrifice such advantages in terms + as, I believe, the law would insure to me, to avoid this dreadful + necessity. Yet I must have some _security_, and Lord B. refuses to + afford any. If you could persuade him to the agreement, you would save + me from what I most deprecate. I have now applied to Lord Holland for + that end. + + 'If you wish to answer--and I shall always be happy to hear from + you--I must request you to enclose your letter to my father, Sir Ralph + Noel, Mivart's Hotel, Lower Brook Street, London, as I am not sure + where I may be at that time. My considerations of duty are of a very + complicated nature; for my duty as a mother seems to point out the + same conduct as I pursue upon other principles that I have partly + explained. + + 'I must observe upon one passage of your letter that I _had_ (_sic_) + expectations of personal violence, though I was too miserable to have + _feelings_ of fear, and those expectations would now be still + stronger. + + 'In regard to any change which the future state of Lord B.'s mind + might justify in my intentions, an amicable arrangement would not + destroy the opening for reconciliation. Pray endeavour to promote the + dispositions to such an arrangement; there is every reason to desire + it. + + 'Yours very truly, + 'A. I. BYRON.' + +It is worthy of note that Lady Byron, _two days after her interview with +Lushington_, here states that, in the event of 'an amicable arrangement' +(an amicable separation) being arrived at, it would not destroy the +opening for reconciliation. This is an extraordinary statement, because, +as we have seen, Dr. Lushington absolutely declined to be a party to any +such step. On March 14 Lady Byron signed a declaration, giving her reasons +for the separation, as will be seen presently. + +On March 16 Augusta Leigh returned to her apartments in St. James's +Palace, and on the following day Byron consented to a separation from his +wife. On April 8 Lady Jersey gave a party in honour of Byron, and to show +her sympathy for him in his matrimonial troubles. Both Byron and Augusta +were present, but it was a cold and spiritless affair, and nothing came of +this attempt to stem the tide of prejudice. + +On April 14 Augusta parted for ever from her brother, and retired into the +country, her health broken down by the worry and anxiety of the past three +months. On April 21 and 22, 1816, the deed of separation was signed by +both Lord and Lady Byron. On April 23 Byron left London, and travelled to +Dover accompanied by his friends Hobhouse and Scrope-Davies. On the 25th +he embarked for Ostend, unable to face the consequences of his quarrel +with his wife. + + 'To his susceptible temperament and generous feelings,' says his + schoolfellow Harness, 'the reproach of having ill-used a woman must + have been poignant in the extreme. It was repulsive to his chivalrous + character as a gentleman; it belied all he had written of the devoted + fervour of his attachments; and rather than meet the frowns and sneers + which awaited him in the world, as many a less sensitive man might + have done, he turned his back on them and fled.' + + + + +CHAPTER III + + +The publication of 'Astarte' has had one good result; it has placed beyond +question the precise nature of Lady Byron's complaints against her +husband. On March 14, 1816, Lady Byron was induced by Dr. Lushington to +draw up and sign a statement which would be useful if her conduct should +at any future time be criticized. + +We place the entire document before the reader, just as it appears in Lord +Lovelace's book: + + 'STATEMENT.--A. L. + + 'In case of my death to be given to Colonel Doyle. + + A. I. BYRON, + Thursday, March 14, 1816.' + + 'During the year that Lady Byron lived under the same roof with Lord + B. certain circumstances occurred, and some intimations were made, + which excited a suspicion in Lady B.'s mind that an improper + connection had at one time, and might even still, subsist between Lord + B. and Mrs. L----.[68] The causes, however, of this suspicion did not + amount to proof, and Lady Byron did not consider herself justified in + acting upon these suspicions by immediately quitting Lord B.'s house, + for the following reasons: + + 'First and principally, because the causes of suspicion, though they + made a strong impression upon her mind, did not amount to positive + proof, and Lady B. considered, that whilst a possibility of innocence + existed, every principle of duty and humanity forbad her to act as if + Mrs. Leigh was actually guilty, more especially as any intimation of + so heinous a crime, even if not distinctly proved, must have seriously + affected Mrs. L.'s character and happiness. + + 'Secondly, Lady B. had it not in her power to pursue a middle course; + it was utterly impossible for her to remove Mrs. L. from the society + and roof of Lord B. except by a direct accusation. + + 'Thirdly, because Mrs. L. had from her first acquaintance with Lady B. + always manifested towards her the utmost kindness and attention, + endeavouring as far as laid in her power to mitigate the violence and + cruelty of Lord B. + + 'Fourthly, because Mrs. L. at times exhibited signs of a deep remorse; + at least so Lady B. interpreted them to be, though she does not mean + to aver that the feelings Mrs. L. then showed were signs of remorse + for the commission of the crime alluded to, or any other of so dark a + description. + + 'And, lastly, because Lady B. conceived it possible that the crime, if + committed, might not only be deeply repented of, but never have been + perpetrated since her marriage with Lord B. + + 'It was from these motives, and strongly inclining to a charitable + interpretation of all that passed, that Lady B. never during her + living with Lord B. intimated a suspicion of this nature. Since Lady + B.'s separation from Lord B. the report has become current in the + world of such a connection having subsisted. This report was not + spread nor sanctioned by Lady B. Mrs. L.'s character has, however, + been to some extent affected thereby. Lady B. cannot divest her mind + of the impressions before stated; but anxious to avoid all possibility + of doing injury to Mrs. L., and not by any conduct of her own to throw + any suspicion upon Mrs. L., and it being intimated that Mrs. L.'s + character can never be so effectually preserved as by a renewal of + intercourse with Lady B., she does for the motives and reasons before + mentioned consent to renew that intercourse. + + 'Now, this statement is made in order to justify Lady B. in the line + of conduct she has now determined to adopt, and in order to prevent + all misconstruction of her motives in case Mrs. L. should be proved + hereafter to be guilty; and, if any circumstances should compel or + render it necessary for Lady B. to prefer the charge, in order that + Lady B. may be at full liberty so to do without being prejudiced by + her present conduct. + + 'It is to be observed that this paper does not contain nor pretends to + contain any of the grounds which gave rise to the suspicion which has + existed and still continues to exist in Lady B.'s mind. + + 'We whose names are hereunto subscribed are of opinion, that under all + the circumstances above stated, and also from our knowledge of what + has passed respecting the conduct of all parties mentioned, that the + line now adopted by Lady B. is strictly right and honourable, as well + as just towards Mrs. L., and Lady B. ought not, whatever may hereafter + occur, to be prejudiced thereby. + + 'ROBT. JOHN WILMOT. + F. H. DOYLE. + STEPHEN LUSHINGTON. + (_Signed by each._) + + 'LONDON, + _March 14, 1816_.' + +One month later, on April 14, Byron writes a letter to his wife, who was +staying at an hotel in London, in which he says that he has just parted +from Augusta: + + 'Almost the last being you had left me to part with, and the only + unshattered tie of my existence.... If any accident occurs to me--be + kind to _her_,--if she is then nothing--to her children. Some time ago + I informed you that, with the knowledge that any child of ours was + already provided for by other and better means, I had made my will in + favour of her and her children--as prior to my marriage; this was not + done in prejudice to you, for we had not then differed--and even this + is useless during your life by the settlements. I say, therefore, be + kind to her and hers, for never has she acted or spoken otherwise + towards you. She has ever been your friend; this may seem valueless + to one who has now so many. Be kind to her, however, and recollect + that, though it may be an advantage to you to have lost your husband, + it is sorrow to her to have the waters now, or the earth hereafter, + between her and her brother. She is gone. I need hardly add that of + this request she knows nothing.' + +There are two points in this letter which deserve notice. In the first +place Byron intimates that he has made a will in favour of Augusta and +_her children, as prior to his marriage_. This would insure that Medora +would be amply provided for. In addition to this, Byron had already given +his sister £3,000 in May, 1814, within one month of Medora's birth. In +reply to her scruples, Byron writes: 'Consider the children, and my +Georgina in particular--in short, I need say no more.' + +In the second place, we appeal to any unprejudiced person whether it is +likely that Byron would have made to his wife an especial appeal on behalf +of Augusta, if he had not had a clear conscience as to his relations with +her? That he had a clear conscience cannot be doubted, and Augusta never +hesitated in private intercourse with Lady Byron to speak on that painful +subject. To quote Lord Lovelace: + + 'On all these occasions, one subject, uppermost in the thoughts of + both, had been virtually ignored, except that Augusta had had the + audacity to name the reports about herself "with the pride of + innocence," as it is called.' + +Augusta tried to make Lady Byron speak out, and say that she did not +believe the reports against her, but in vain. Lady Byron, having once +conceived a notion of Augusta's guilt, would not change her opinion, and +was far too honest to dissemble. She found refuge in flight, not daring +to show to Augusta the letters which had been abstracted from Byron's desk +by Mrs. Clermont. In vain Mrs. Villiers and Wilmot urged Lady Byron to +avow to Augusta the information of which they were in possession. Lady +Byron would not produce her so-called 'proofs,' and said that 'she would +experience pain in throwing off a person she had loved, and from whom she +had received kindness.' + +But Lady Byron, conscious of her false position, had recourse to her pen, +and wrote a letter to Augusta telling her all that she knew. We are told +that Augusta did not attempt to deny the accusation, and admitted +everything in her letters of June, July, and August, 1816. + +Lord Lovelace coolly says: + + 'It is unnecessary to produce these letters here, as their contents + are confirmed and made sufficiently clear by the correspondence of + 1819, given in another chapter.' + +We are further told in a footnote (p. 155) that the late Sir Leslie +Stephen said it made him quite uncomfortable to read Mrs. Leigh's letters +of humiliation dated 1816. One would have supposed, after such a flourish +of trumpets, that Lord Lovelace would have produced those letters! He does +nothing of the kind, and expects posterity to accept his _ex-parte_ +statements without reserve. Lord Lovelace bids us to believe that it was +'from the best and kindest motives, and long habit of silence, that Dr. +Lushington's influence was exerted in 1869, to prevent, or at least +postpone, revelation.' The fact is, of course, he kept silence because he +well knew that there was nothing in those letters (1813 and 1814) to fix +guilt upon Mrs. Leigh. Lady Byron herself has told us that 'the causes of +her suspicion _did not amount to proof_, and Lady Byron did not consider +herself justified in acting upon these suspicions.' She further states +that '_the possibility of innocence existed_,' but that + + 'Mrs. Leigh, at times, exhibited signs of deep remorse; _at least so + Lady Byron interpreted them to be_, though she does not mean to aver + that the feelings Mrs. Leigh then showed were signs of remorse for the + commission of the crime alluded to, or any other of so dark a + description.' + +But Lady Byron, under Lushington's skilful hand, protects herself against +the possibility of legal proceedings for defamation of character by these +words: + + 'This paper does not contain, nor pretend to contain, any of the + grounds which give rise _to the suspicion_ which has existed, and + still continues to exist, in Lady Byron's mind. Her statement is made + in order to justify Lady Byron ... _in case Mrs. Leigh should be + proved hereafter to be guilty_.' + +As this statement was made after Lady Byron's interview with Dr. +Lushington (when he decided to take no part in any attempt at +reconciliation), it is perfectly clear that the alleged incriminating +letters were not considered as conclusive evidence against Mrs. Leigh. +Although they were sufficient to detach Lushington from the party of +reconciliation, it was not considered wise to produce them as evidence in +1869, at a time when a strong revulsion of feeling had set in against Lady +Byron. + +The clear legal brain of Sir Alexander Cockburn, trained to appraise +evidence, saw through the flimsy pretext which had deceived an equally +great lawyer. Time instructs us, and much has come to light in this +so-called 'Byron mystery,' since Lady Byron beguiled Lushington. Among +other things, we now know, on Lord Lovelace's authority, that Lady Byron +was afraid that her child would be taken from her by Byron, and placed +under the care of Mrs. Leigh. We also know, on the authority of +Hobhouse,[69] that Lady Byron's representatives distinctly disavowed, on +Lady Byron's behalf, having spread any rumours injurious to Lord Byron's +character in that respect, and also stated that a charge of incest would +not have been made part of her allegations if she had come into court. +This disavowal was signed by Lady Byron herself, and was witnessed by Mr. +Wilmot. It is certain that Lord Byron would have gone into a court of law +to meet that charge, and that he refused to agree to a separation until +that assurance had been given. This grave charge was still in abeyance in +1816; it was not safe to speak of it until after Byron's death, and then +only under the seal of secrecy. + + 'Upon one contingency only,' wrote Sir Francis Doyle in 1830--'namely, + the taking from Lady Byron of her child, and placing her under the + care of Mrs. Leigh--would the disclosure have been made of Lady + Byron's grounds for _suspecting_ Mrs. Leigh's guilt.' + +It was evident that Lady Byron was clutching at straws to save her child +from Mrs. Leigh, and to prevent this it was essential to prove Mrs. +Leigh's unworthiness. In her maternal anxiety she stuck at nothing, and +for a time she triumphed. Her private correspondence was drenched with the +theme that had impressed Lushington so strongly. + +A fortnight after signing her 'statement,' Lady Byron writes to Mrs. +George Lamb, in reference to Mrs. Leigh: + + 'I am glad that you think of _her_ with the feelings of pity which + prevail in my mind, and surely if in _mine_ there must be some cause + for them. I never was, nor ever can be, so _mercilessly_ virtuous as + to admit _no_ excuse for even the worst of errors.' + +Such letters go perilously near that charge which Lady Byron's +representatives had repudiated in the presence of Hobhouse. But Lady Byron +was desperate, and her whole case depended on a general belief in that +foul accusation. What could not be done openly could be done secretly, and +she poisoned the air to save her child. + +Colonel Doyle, who seems to have been one of the few on Lady Byron's side +who kept his head, wrote to her on July 9, 1816: + + 'I see the possibility of a contingency under which the fullest + explanation of the motives and grounds of your conduct may be + necessary; I therefore implore of you to suffer no delicacy to + interfere with your endeavouring to obtain the fullest _admission_ of + the fact. If you obtain an acknowledgment of the facts and that your + motives be, as you seem to think, properly appreciated, I think on the + whole we shall have reason to rejoice that you have acted as you have + done, but I shall be very anxious to have a more detailed knowledge of + what has passed, and particularly of the state in which you leave it. + The step you have taken was attended with great risk, and I could not, + contemplating the danger to which it might have exposed you, have + originally advised it. + + 'If, however, your correspondence has produced an acknowledgment of + the fact even previous to your marriage, I shall be most happy that it + has taken place.' + +Colonel Doyle, by no means easy in his own mind, again writes to Lady +Byron on July 18, 1816: + + 'I must recommend you to act as if a time might possibly arise when it + would be necessary for you to justify yourself, though nothing short + of an absolute necessity so imperative as to be irresistible could + ever authorize your advertence to your present communications. Still, + I cannot dismiss from my mind the experience we have had, nor so far + forget the very serious embarrassment we were under from the effects + of your too confiding disposition, as not to implore you to bear in + mind the importance of securing yourself from eventual danger. + + 'This is my first object, and if that be attained, I shall approve and + applaud all the kindness you can show [to Mrs. Leigh].' + +Here, then, we have a picture of the state of affairs limned by a man who +was an accomplice of Lady Byron's, and who was fully awake to the danger +of their position in the event of Byron turning round upon them. The +husband might insist upon Lady Byron explaining the grounds of her +conduct. In order to make their position secure, it would be, above all +things, necessary to obtain a full confession from Mrs. Leigh of her +criminal intercourse with Byron. With this end in view, Lady Byron opened +a correspondence with Augusta Leigh, and tried to inveigle her into making +an admission of her guilt. It was not an easy matter to open the subject, +but Lady Byron was not abashed, and, under cover of sundry acts of +kindness, tried hard to gain her point. In this game of foils Augusta +showed remarkable skill, and seems to have eventually fooled Lady Byron to +the top of her bent. No wonder, then, that Mrs. Leigh, accused of an +abominable crime by her sister-in-law, should have written to a friend: + + 'None can know _how much_ I have suffered from this unhappy + business--and, indeed, I have never known a moment's peace, and begin + to despair for the future.' + +Lady Byron and her friends plied Mrs. Leigh with questions, hoping to gain +a confession which would justify their conduct. Lady Noel strongly and +repeatedly warned Lady Byron against Mrs. Leigh, who, like a wounded +animal, was dangerous. 'Take care of Augusta,' she wrote September 7, +1816. 'If I know anything of human nature, she _does_ and must _hate +you_.' + +As a matter of fact, Augusta, while pretending contrition for imaginary +sins, revenged herself upon Lady Byron by heightening her jealousy, and +encouraging her in the belief that Byron had not only been her lover, but +was still appealing to her from abroad. She even went so far as to pretend +that she was going to join him, which nearly frightened Mrs. Villiers out +of her wits. They lied to Augusta profusely, these immaculate people, and +had the meanness to tell her that Byron had betrayed her in writing to two +or three women. They probably wished to cause a breach between brother and +sister, but Augusta, who pretended to be alarmed by this intelligence, +laughed in her sleeve. She knew the truth, and saw through these +manoeuvres; it was part of her plan to keep Lady Byron on a false scent. +'I cannot believe my brother to have been so dishonourable,' was her meek +rejoinder, meaning, of course, that it would have been dishonourable for +Byron to have defamed one who, having taken his child under her +protection, had saved the honour of the woman whom he loved. But Lady +Byron regarded Mrs. Leigh's answer as an admission of guilt, and trumpeted +the news to all her friends. Lord Lovelace tells us that Augusta, on +August 5, 1816, wrote to Lady Byron a letter, in which she asserted most +solemnly that Byron had not been her friend, and that, though there were +difficulties in writing to him, she was determined never to see him again +in the way she had done. It is remarkable that the letter to which Lord +Lovelace refers is not given in 'Astarte,' where one would naturally +expect to find it. In order to gauge the impression made upon Augusta's +mind, the reader will do well to consult the letters which she wrote a +little later to the Rev. Francis Hodgson, in which she speaks of Byron +with the greatest affection. + + 'And now for our old subject, dear B. I wonder whether you have heard + from him? The last to me was from Geneva, sending me a short but most + interesting journal of an excursion to the Bernese Alps. He speaks of + his health as _very_ good, but, alas! his spirits appear wofully the + contrary. I believe, however, that he does not write in that strain to + others. Sometimes I venture to indulge a hope that what I wish most + earnestly for him may be working its way in his mind. Heaven grant + it!' + +In another letter to Hodgson she speaks of Ada, and says: + + 'The bulletins of the poor child's health, by Byron's desire, pass + through me, and I'm very sorry for it, and that I ever had any concern + in this most wretched business. I can't, however, explain all my + reasons at this distance, and must console myself by the consciousness + of having done my duty, and, to the best of my judgment, all I could + for the happiness of _both_.' + +At a time when Byron was accused of having 'betrayed his sister in writing +to two or three women,' he was writing that well-known stanza in 'Childe +Harold': + + 'But there was one soft breast, as hath been said, + Which unto his was bound by stronger ties + Than the Church links withal; and though unwed, + Yet it was pure--and, far above disguise, + Had stood the test of mortal enmities + Still undivided, and cemented more + By peril, dreaded most in female eyes; + But this was firm, and from a foreign shore + Well to that heart might his these absent greetings pour.' + +And it was in July, 1816, that Augusta's loyalty to him and to Mary +Chaworth moved Byron to write his celebrated 'Stanzas to Augusta': + + '_Though thy soul with my grief was acquainted_, + It shrunk not to share it with me, + And the Love which my spirit hath painted + It never hath found but in _Thee_.' + + 'Though human, thou didst not _betray_ me; + Though tempted, thou never couldst shake.' + +Lord Lovelace claims to have found the key of the Byron mystery in +'Manfred,' and employs it as a damning proof against Augusta, with what +justice we have seen. + +At the time when 'Manfred' was begun Mary Chaworth was temporarily insane. +The anxiety which she had undergone at the time of Byron's matrimonial +quarrels, when she feared that a public inquiry might disclose her own +secret, affected her health. She bore up bravely until after Byron's +departure from England; then, the strain relieved, her mind gave way, and +she lived for some time in London, under the care of a doctor. Her illness +was kept as secret as possible, but Augusta, who was constantly at her +side, informed Byron of her condition. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + + +There has of late years been a disposition on the part of Byron's +biographers unduly to disparage Moore's 'Life of Byron.' Tastes have +changed, and Moore's patronizing style of reference to 'his noble friend +the noble poet' does not appeal to the democratic sentiment now +prevailing. But, after allowance has been made for Moore's manner, it +cannot be denied that, in consequence of his personal intimacy with Byron, +his work must always have a peculiar value and authority. There are, for +instance, portions of Moore's 'Life' which are indispensable to those who +seek to fathom the depths of Byron's mind. Moore says that Byron was born +with strong affections and ardent passions, and that his life was + + 'one continued struggle between that instinct of genius, which was for + ever drawing him back into the lonely laboratory of self, and those + impulses of passion, ambition, and vanity, which again hurried him off + into the crowd, and entangled him in its interests.' + +Moore assures us that most of Byron's so-called love-affairs were as +transitory as the imaginings that gave them birth. + + 'It may be questioned,' says Moore, 'whether his heart had ever much + share in such passions. Actual objects there were, in but too great + number, who, as long as the illusion continued, kindled up his + thoughts and were the themes of his song. But they were little more + than mere dreams of the hour. _There was but one love that lived + unquenched through all_'--Byron's love for Mary Chaworth. + +Every other attachment faded away, but that endured to the end of his +stormy life. + +In speaking of Byron's affection for his sister, Moore, who knew all that +had been said against Augusta Leigh and Byron, and had read the 'Memoirs,' +remarked: + + 'In a mind sensitive and versatile as [Byron's], long habits of family + intercourse might have estranged, or at least dulled, his natural + affection for his sister; but their separation during youth left this + feeling fresh and untired. That he was himself fully aware of this + appears from a passage in one of his letters: "My sister is in Town, + which is a great comfort; for, never having been much together, we are + naturally more attached to each other." His very inexperience in such + ties made the smile of a sister no less a novelty than a charm to him; + and before the first gloss of this newly awakened sentiment had time + to wear off, they were again separated, and for ever.' + +When the parting came it was bitter indeed, for she was, says Moore, + + 'almost the only person from whom he then parted with regret. Those + beautiful and tender verses, "Though the day of my destiny's over," + were now his parting tribute to her who, through all this bitter + trial, had been his sole consolation.' + +Enough has been said to show what kind of woman Augusta was, and it is +difficult to understand by what process of reasoning Lord Lovelace +persuaded himself that she could have been guilty of the atrocious crime +which he lays to her charge. We entirely concur with Mrs. Villiers, when +she wrote to Augusta Leigh (in September, 1816): 'I consider you the +victim to the most infernal plot that has ever entered the heart of man to +conceive.' + +We must at the same time frankly admit that Augusta, in order to screen +Mary Chaworth, did all she could do to keep Lady Byron under a false +impression. She seems to have felt so secure in the knowledge of her own +innocence that she might afford to allow Lady Byron to think as ill of her +as she pleased. + +Unfortunately, Augusta, having once entered upon a course of duplicity, +was obliged to keep it up by equivocations of all kinds. She went so far +as even to show portions of letters addressed to her care, and pretended +that they had been written to herself. She seems to have felt no +compunction for the sufferings of Lady Byron. She may even have exulted in +the pain she inflicted upon that credulous lady, having herself suffered +intensely through the false suspicions, and the studied insults heaped +upon her by many of Lady Byron's adherents. + +Byron, who was informed of what had been said against his sister by Lady +Byron and others, told the world in 'Marino Faliero' that he 'had only one +fount of quiet left, and _that_ they poisoned.' But he was powerless to +interfere. + +Writing to Moore (September 19, 1818) he said: + + 'I could have forgiven the dagger or the bowl--anything but the + deliberate desolation piled upon me, when I stood alone upon my + hearth, with my household gods shivered around me. Do you suppose I + have forgotten it? It has, comparatively, swallowed up in me every + other feeling, and I am only a spectator upon earth till a tenfold + opportunity offers.' + +It may be that Augusta avenged her brother tenfold without his knowledge. +But she suffered in the process. Lord Lovelace lays great stress upon what +he calls 'the correspondence of 1819,' in order to show us that Augusta +had confessed to the crime of incest. That correspondence is very +interesting, not as showing the guilt of Augusta Leigh, but as an example +of feminine duplicity in which she was an adept. Augusta was hard pressed +indeed for some weapon of offence when she pretended, on June 25, 1819, +that she had received the following letter from her brother. She must have +been some time in making up her mind to send it, as the letter in question +had been in her hands three weeks, having arrived in London on June 4. It +may be as well to state that all letters written by Byron to Mary Chaworth +passed through Mrs. Leigh's hands, and were delivered with circumspection. + + 'VENICE, + '_May 17, 1819_.[70] + + 'MY DEAREST LOVE, + + 'I have been negligent in not writing, but what can I say? Three + years' absence--and the total change of scene and habit make such a + difference that we have never nothing in common but our affections and + our relationship. But I have never ceased nor can cease to feel for a + moment that perfect and boundless attachment which bound and binds me + to you--which renders me utterly incapable of _real_ love for any + other human being--for what could they be to me after _you_? My own + ...[71] we may have been very wrong--but I repent of nothing except + that cursed marriage--and your refusing to continue to love me as you + had loved me. I can neither forget nor _quite forgive_ you for that + precious piece of reformation, but I can never be other than I have + been--and whenever I love anything it is because it reminds me in + some way or other of yourself. For instance, I not long ago attached + myself to a Venetian for no earthly reason (although a pretty woman) + but because she was called ...[72] and she often remarked (without + knowing the reason) how fond I was of the name.[73] It is + heart-breaking to think of our long separation--and I am sure more + than punishment enough for all our sins. Dante is more humane in his + "Hell," for he places his unfortunate lovers (Francesca of Rimini and + Paolo--whose case fell a good deal short of _ours_, though + sufficiently naughty) in company; and though they suffer, it is at + least together. If ever I return to England it will be to see you; and + recollect that in all time, and place, and feelings, I have never + ceased to be the same to you in heart. Circumstances may have ruffled + my manner and hardened my spirit; you may have seen me harsh and + exasperated with all things around me; grieved and tortured with _your + new resolution_, and the soon after persecution of that infamous + fiend[74] who drove me from my country, and conspired against my + life--by endeavouring to deprive me of all that could render it + precious[75]--but remember that even then _you_ were the sole object + that cost me a tear; and _what tears_! Do you remember our parting? I + have not spirits now to write to you upon other subjects. I am well in + health, and have no cause of grief but the reflection that we are not + together. When you write to me speak to me of yourself, and say that + you love me; never mind common-place people and topics which can be in + no degree interesting to me who see nothing in England but the country + which holds _you_, or around it but the sea which divides us. They say + absence destroys weak passions, and confirms strong ones. Alas! _mine_ + for you is the union of all passions and of all affections--has + strengthened itself, but will destroy me; I do not speak of physical + destruction, for I have endured, and can endure, much; but the + annihilation of all thoughts, feelings, or hopes, which have not more + or less a reference, to you and to _our recollections_. + + 'Ever, dearest,' + [Signature erased]. + +The terms of this letter, which Lord Lovelace produces as conclusive +evidence against Augusta Leigh, deserve attention. At first sight they +seem to confirm Lady Byron's belief that a criminal intercourse had +existed between her husband and his sister. But close examination shows +that the letter was not written to Mrs. Leigh at all, but to Mary +Chaworth. + +On the day it was written Byron was at Venice, where he had recently made +the acquaintance of the Countess Guiccioli, whom, as 'Lady of the land,' +he followed to Ravenna a fortnight later. It will be noticed that the date +synchronizes with the period when the 'Stanzas to the Po' were written. +Both letter and poem dwell upon the memory of an unsatisfied passion. The +letter bears neither superscription nor signature, both having been erased +by Mrs. Leigh before the document reached Lady Byron's hands. The writer +excuses himself for not having written to his correspondent (_a_) because +three years' absence, (_b_) total change of scene, and (_c_) _because +there is nothing in common between them_, except mutual affections and +their relationship. Byron could not have excused himself in that manner to +a sister, who had much in common with him, and to whom he had written, on +an average, twice in every month since he left England. His letters to +Augusta entered minutely into all his feelings and actions, and the common +bond between them was Ada, whose disposition, appearance, and health, +occupied a considerable space in their correspondence. + +Nor would Byron have written in that amatory strain to his dear 'Goose.' +In the letter which preceded the one we have quoted, Byron begins, +'Dearest Augusta,' and ends, 'I am in health, and yours, B.' In that which +followed it there is nothing in the least effusive. It begins, 'Dearest +Augusta,' and ends, 'Yours ever, and very truly, B.' There are not many of +Byron's letters to Augusta extant. All those which mentioned Medora were +either mutilated or suppressed. + +For Byron to have given 'three years' absence, and a total change of +scene,' as reasons for not having written to his sister for a month or so +would have been absurd. But when he said that he had nothing in common +with Mary Chaworth, except 'our affections and our relationship,' his +meaning was--their mutual affections, their kinship, and their common +relationship to Medora. + +We invite any unprejudiced person to say whether Byron would have been +likely to write to a sister, who knew his mind thoroughly, 'I have never +ceased--nor can cease to feel for a moment that perfect and boundless +attachment which bound and binds me to you.' Did not Augusta know very +well that he loved and admired her, and that Byron was under the strongest +obligations to her for her loyalty at a trying time? + +Then, there was the erasure of 'a short name of three or four letters,' +which might have opened Lady Byron's eyes to the trick that was being +played upon her. Those four letters spelt the name of Mary, and the +'pretty woman' to whom Byron had 'not long ago' attached himself was the +Venetian Marianna (Anglice: Mary Anne) Segati, with whom he formed a +liaison from November, 1816, to February 1818. Augusta would certainly +not have understood the allusion. + +In this illuminating letter Byron reproaches Mary Chaworth for breaking +off her fatal intimacy with him, and for having persuaded him to +marry--'that infamous fiend who drove me from my country, and conspired +against my life--by _endeavouring to deprive me of all that could render +it precious_.' As the person here referred to was, obviously, Augusta +herself, this remark could not have been made to her. In speaking of their +long separation as a punishment for their sins, he tells Mary Chaworth +that, if he ever returns to England, it will be to see _her_, and that his +feelings have undergone no change. It will be observed that Byron begs his +correspondent _to speak to him only of herself and to say that she loves +him_! It is scarcely necessary to remind the reader that Augusta was the +intermediary between Byron and his wife--his confidential agent in purely +private affairs. It was to her that he wrote on all matters relating to +business transactions with his wife, and from whom he received +intelligence of the health and happiness of his daughter. Under those +circumstances how could Byron ask Augusta to speak to him of nothing but +her love for him? + +To show the absurdity of Lord Lovelace's contention, we insert the letter +which Byron wrote to his sister seven months later. Many letters had +passed between them during the interval, but we have not been allowed to +see them: + + 'BOLOGNA, + '_December 23, 1819_. + + 'DEAREST AUGUSTA, + + 'The health of my daughter Allegra, the cold season, and the length of + the journey, induce me to postpone for some time a purpose (never + very willing on my part) to revisit Great Britain. + + 'You can address to me at Venice as usual. Wherever I may be in Italy, + the letter will be forwarded. I enclose to you all that long hair on + account of which you would not go to see my picture. You will see that + it was not so very long. I curtailed it yesterday, my head and hair + being weakly after my tertian. + + 'I wrote to you not very long ago, and, as I do not know that I could + add anything satisfactory to that letter, I may as well finish this. + In a letter to Murray I requested him to apprise you that my journey + was postponed; but here, there, and everywhere, know me + + 'Yours ever and very truly, + 'B.' + +It is ridiculous to suppose that these two letters were addressed to the +same person. In the one we find the expression of an imperishable +attachment, in the other merely commonplace statements. In the first +letter Byron says, if ever he returns to England, it will be to see the +person to whom he is writing, and that absence has the more deeply +confirmed his passion. In the second he tells the lady that he has had his +hair cut, and that he was never very willing to revisit Great Britain! And +yet, in spite of these inconsistencies, Lady Byron walked into the snare +which Augusta had so artfully prepared. In forwarding the amatory epistle +to Lady Byron, Augusta tells her to burn it, and says that her brother +'must surely be considered a maniac' for having written it, adding, with +adroit mystification: + + '_I_ do not believe any feelings expressed are by any means + permanent--only occasioned by the passing and present reflection and + occupation of writing _to the unfortunate Being to whom they are + addressed_.' + +Augusta did not tell Lady Byron that 'the unfortunate Being' was Mary +Chaworth, now reconciled to her husband, and that she had withheld Byron's +letter from her, lest her mind should be unsettled by its perusal. + +Mrs. Leigh had two excellent reasons for this betrayal of trust. In the +first place, she wished Lady Byron to believe that her brother was still +making love to her, and that she was keeping her promise in not +encouraging his advances. In the second place, she knew that the terms of +Byron's letter would deeply wound Lady Byron's pride--and revenge is +sometimes sweet! + +Lady Byron, who was no match for her sister-in-law, had failed to realize +the wisdom of her mother's warning: 'Beware of Augusta, for she _must_ +hate you.' She received this proof of Augusta's return to virtue with +gratitude, thanked her sincerely, and acknowledged that the terms of +Byron's letter 'afforded ample testimony that she had not encouraged his +tenderness.' Poor Lady Byron! She deserves the pity of posterity. But she +was possessed of common sense, and knew how to play her own hand fairly +well. She wrote to Augusta in the following terms: + + 'This letter is a proof of the prior "reformation," which was + sufficiently evidenced to _me_ by your own assertion, and the + agreement of circumstances with it. _But, in case of a more + unequivocal disclosure on his part than has yet been made_, this + letter would confute those false accusations to which you would + undoubtedly be subjected from others.' + +In suggesting a more open disclosure on Byron's part, Lady Byron angled +for further confidences, so that her evidence against her husband might be +overwhelming. She hoped that his repentant sister might be able to show +incriminating letters, which would support the clue found in those +missives which Mrs. Clermont had 'conveyed.' How little did she understand +Augusta Leigh! Never would she have assisted Lady Byron to prejudice the +world against her brother, nor would she have furnished Lady Byron with a +weapon which might at any moment have been turned against herself. + +With the object of proving Augusta's guilt, the whole correspondence +between her and Lady Byron from June 27, 1819, to the end of the following +January has been printed in 'Astarte.' + +We have carefully examined it without finding anything that could convict +Augusta and Byron. It seems clear that Mrs. Leigh began this +correspondence with an ulterior object in view. She wished to win back +Lady Byron's confidence, and to induce her to make some arrangement by +which the Leigh children would benefit at Lady Byron's death, in the event +of Byron altering the will he had already made in their favour. She began +by asking Lady Byron's advice as to how she was to answer the 'Dearest +Love' letter. Lady Byron gave her two alternatives. Either she must tell +her brother that, so long as his idea of her was associated with the most +guilty feelings, it was her duty to break off all communication; or, if +Augusta did not approve of that plan, then it was her duty to treat +Byron's letter with the silence of contempt. To this excellent advice +Augusta humbly replied that, if she were to reprove her brother for the +warmth of his letter, he might be mortally offended, in which case her +children, otherwise unprovided for, would fare badly. But Mrs. Leigh was +too diplomatic to convey that meaning in plain language. Writing June 28, +1819, she says: + + 'I will tell you what _now_ passes in my mind. As to the _gentler_ + expedient you propose, I certainly lean to it, as the least offensive; + but, supposing he suspects the motive, and is piqued to answer: "I + wrote you such a letter of such a date: did you receive it?" What then + is to be done? I could not reply falsely--and might not that line of + conduct, acknowledged, irritate? This consideration would lead me, + perhaps preferably, to adopt the other, as most open and honest + (certainly to any other character but his), but query whether it might + not be most judicious as to its effects; _and_ at the same time + acknowledging that his victim was wholly in his power, as to temporal + good,[76] and leaving it to his generosity whether to use that power + or not. There seem so many reasons why he should for his own sake + abstain _for the present_ from _gratifying_ his revenge, that one can + scarcely think he would do so--unless _insane_. It would surely be + ruin to all his prospects, and those of a pecuniary nature are not + indifferent if others are become so. + + 'If really and truly he feels, or fancies he feels, that passion he + professes, I have constantly imagined he might suppose, from his + experience of the _weakness_ of disposition of the unfortunate object, + that, driven from every other hope or earthly prospect, she might fly + to _him_! and that as long as he was impressed with that idea he would + persevere in his projects. But, if he considered _that_ hopeless, he + might desist, for otherwise he must lose everything _but his revenge_, + and what good would _that_ do him? + + 'After all, my dearest A., if you cannot calculate the probable + consequences, how should I presume to do so! To be sure, the gentler + expedient might be the safest, with so violent and irritable a + disposition, and at least _for a time_ act as a _palliative_--and who + knows what changes a little time might produce or how Providence might + graciously interpose! With so many reasons to wish to avoid + extremities (I mean for the sake of others), one leans to what + appears the _safest_, and one is a coward. + + 'But the other at the same time has something gratifying to one's + feelings--and I think might be said and done--so that, if he showed + the letters, it would be no evidence against _the_ person; and worded + with that kindness, and appearance of real affectionate concern for + _him_ as well as the other person concerned, that it _might_ possibly + touch him. Pray think of what I have _thought_, and write me a line, + not to decide, for that I cannot expect, but to tell me if I deceived + myself in the ideas I have expressed to you. I shall not, _cannot_ + answer till the _latest_ post-day this week. + + 'I know you will forgive me for this infliction, and may God bless you + for that, and every other kindness.' + +We do not remember ever to have read a letter more frankly disingenuous +than this. The duplicity lurking in every line shows why the cause of the +separation between Lord and Lady Byron has been for so long a mystery. +Lady Byron herself was mystified by Augusta Leigh. It certainly was not +easy for Lady Byron to gauge the deep deception practised upon her by both +her husband and Mrs. Leigh; and yet it is surprising that Lady Byron +should not have suspected, in Augusta's self-depreciation, an element of +fraud. Was it likely that Augusta, who had good reason to hate Lady Byron, +would have provided her with such damning proofs against her brother and +herself, if she had not possessed a clear conscience in the matter? She +relied implicitly upon Byron's letter being destroyed, and so worded her +own that it would be extremely difficult for anyone but Lady Byron to +understand what she was writing about. It will be noticed that no names +are mentioned in any of her missives. People are referred to either as +'maniacs,' 'victims,' 'unfortunate objects,' or as 'that most detestable +woman, your relation by marriage,' which, in a confidential communication +to a sister-in-law, would be superfluous caution were she really sincere. +But, after the separation period, Mrs. Leigh was never sincere in her +intercourse with Lady Byron. Through that lady's unflattering suspicions, +Augusta had suffered 'too much to be forgiven.' Lady Byron, on the other +hand, with very imperfect understanding of her sister-in-law's character, +was entirely at her mercy. To employ a colloquialism, the whole thing was +a 'blind,' devised to support Augusta's rôle as a repentant Magdalen; to +attract compassion, perhaps even pecuniary assistance; and, above all, to +shield the mother of Medora. The _ruse_ was successful. Lady Byron saw a +chance of eventually procuring, in the handwriting of her husband, +conclusive evidence of his crime. In her letter of June 27, 1819, to Mrs. +Leigh, she conveyed a hint that Byron might be lured to make 'a more +unequivocal disclosure than has yet been made.' + +Lady Byron, it must be remembered, craved incessantly for documentary +proofs, which might be produced, if necessary, to justify her conduct. It +is significant that at the time of writing she possessed no evidence, +except the letters which Mrs. Clermont had purloined from Byron's +writing-desk, and these were pronounced by Lushington to be far from +conclusive. + +Mrs. Leigh seems to have enjoyed the wrigglings of her victim on the hook. +'Decision was never my forte,' she writes to Lady Byron: 'one ought to act +_right_, and leave the issue to Providence.' + +The whole episode would be intensely comical were it not so pathetic. As +might have been expected, Lady Byron eventually suffered far more than the +woman she had so cruelly wounded. Augusta seems coolly to suggest that +her brother might 'out of revenge' (because his sister acted virtuously?) +publish to the world his incestuous intercourse with her! Could anyone in +his senses believe such nonsense? Augusta hints that then Lady Byron would +be able to procure a divorce; and, as Lady Noel was still alive, Byron +would not be able to participate in that lady's fortune at her death. + +The words, 'There seem so many reasons why he should for his own sake +abstain _for the present_ from gratifying his revenge ... it would surely +be ruin to all his prospects,' are plain enough. Even if there had been +anything to disclose, Byron would never have wounded that sister who stood +at his side at the darkest hour of his life, who had sacrificed herself in +order to screen his love for Mary Chaworth, and who was his sole rock of +refuge in this stormy world. But it was necessary to show Lady Byron that +she was standing on the brink 'of a precipice.' + + 'On the subject of the mortgage,' writes Augusta, 'I mean to decline + that wholly; and pray do me the justice to believe that one thought of + the interests of my children, as far as _that_ channel is concerned, + never crosses my mind. I have entreated--I believe more than + once--that the will might be altered. [Oh, Augusta!] But if it is + not--as far as I understand the matter--there is not the slightest + probability of their ever deriving any benefit. Whatever my feelings, + dear A., I assure you, never in my life have I looked to advantage of + _that_ sort. I do not mean that I have any merit in not doing it--but + that I have no inclination, therefore nothing to struggle with. I + trust my babes to Providence, and, provided they are _good_, I think, + perhaps, _too little_ of the rest.' + +It is plain that Augusta was getting nervous about her brother's +attachment to the Guiccioli, a liaison which might end in trouble; and if +that lady was avaricious (which she was not) Byron might be induced to +alter his will (made in 1815), by which he left all _his_ share in the +property to Augusta's children. With a mother's keen eye to their ultimate +advantage, she tried hard to make their position secure, so that, in the +event of Byron changing his mind, Lady Byron might make suitable provision +for them. It was a prize worth playing for, and she played the game for +all it was worth. 'Leaving her babes to Providence' was just the kind of +sentiment most likely to appeal to Lady Byron who did, in a measure, +respond to Augusta's hints. In a letter (December 23, 1819) Lady Byron +writes: + + 'With regard to your pecuniary interests ... I am aware that the + interests of your children may _rightly_ influence your conduct when + guilt is not incurred by consulting them. However, your children + cannot, I trust, under any circumstances, be left destitute, for + reasons which I will hereafter communicate.' + +There was at this time a strong probability of Byron's return to England. +Lady Byron tried to extract from Augusta a promise that she would not see +him. Augusta fenced with the question, until, when driven into a corner, +she was compelled to admit that it would be unnatural to close the door +against her brother. Lady Byron was furious: + + 'I do not consider you bound to me in any way,' she writes. 'I told + you what I knew, because I thought that measure would enable me to + befriend you--and chiefly by representing the objections to a renewal + of personal communication between you and him.... We must, _according + to your present intentions_, act independently of each other. On my + part it will still be with every possible consideration for you and + your children, and should I, by your reception of him, be obliged to + relinquish my intercourse with you, I will do so in such manner as + shall be least prejudicial to your interests. I shall most earnestly + wish that the results of your conduct may tend to establish your + peace, instead of aggravating your remorse. But, entertaining these + views of your duty and my own, could I in honesty, or in friendship, + suppress them?' + +It might have been supposed that Lady Byron, in 1816, after Augusta's +so-called 'confession,' would have kept her secret inviolate. That had +been a condition precedent; without it Augusta would not have ventured to +deceive even Lady Byron. It appears from the following note, written by +Lady Byron to Mrs. Villiers, that Augusta's secret had been confided to +the tender mercies of that lady. On January 26, 1820, Lady Byron writes: + + 'I am reluctant to give you _my_ impression of what has passed between + Augusta and me, respecting her conduct in case of his return; but I + should like to know whether your unbiassed opinion, _formed from the + statement of facts_, coincided with it.' + +Verily, Augusta had been playing with fire! + + + + +CHAPTER V + + +On December 31, 1819, Byron wrote a letter to his wife. The following is +an extract: + + 'Augusta can tell you all about me and mine, if you think either worth + the inquiry. The object of my writing is to come. It is this: I saw + Moore three months ago, and gave to his care a long Memoir, written up + to the summer of 1816, of my life, which I had been writing since I + left England. It will not be published till after my death; and, in + fact, it is a Memoir, and not "Confessions." I have omitted the most + important and decisive events and passions of my existence, not to + compromise others. But it is not so with the part you occupy, which is + long and minute; and I could wish you to see, read, and mark any part + or parts that do not appear to coincide with the truth. The truth I + have always stated--but there are two ways of looking at it, and your + way may be not mine. I have never revised the papers since they were + written. You may read them and mark what you please. I wish you to + know what I think and say of you and yours. You will find nothing to + flatter you; nothing to lead you to the most remote supposition that + we could ever have been--or be happy together. But I do not choose to + give to another generation statements which we cannot arise from the + dust to prove or disprove, without letting you see fairly and fully + what I look upon you to have been, and what I depict you as being. If, + seeing this, you can detect what is false, or answer what is charged, + do so; _your mark_ shall not be erased. You will perhaps say, _Why_ + write my life? Alas! I say so too. But they who have traduced it, and + blasted it, and branded me, should know that it is they, and not I, + are the cause. It is no great pleasure to have lived, and less to live + over again the details of existence; but the last becomes sometimes a + necessity, and even a duty. If you choose to see this, you may; if you + do not, you have at least had the option.' + +The receipt of this letter gave Lady Byron the deepest concern, and, in +the impulse of a moment, she drafted a reply full of bitterness and +defiance. But Dr. Lushington persuaded her--not without a deal of +trouble--to send an answer the terms of which, after considerable delay, +were arranged between them. The letter in question has already appeared in +Mr. Prothero's 'Letters and Journals of Lord Byron,'[77] together with +Byron's spirited rejoinder of April 3, 1820. + +Lord Lovelace throws much light upon the inner workings of Lady Byron's +mind at this period. That she should have objected to the publication of +Byron's memoirs was natural; but, instead of saying this in a few +dignified sentences, Lady Byron parades her wrongs, and utters dark hints +as to the possible complicity of Augusta Leigh in Byron's mysterious +scheme of revenge. Dr. Lushington at first thought that it would be wiser +and more diplomatic to beg Byron's sister to dissuade him from publishing +his memoirs, but Lady Byron scented danger in that course. + + 'I foresee,' she wrote to Colonel Doyle, 'from the transmission of + such a letter ... this consequence: that an unreserved disclosure from + Mrs. Leigh to him being necessitated, they would combine together + against me, he being actuated by revenge, she by fear; whereas, from + her never having dared to inform him that she has already admitted his + guilt to me with her own, they have hitherto been prevented from + acting in concert.' + +Byron was, of course, well acquainted with what had passed between his +wife and Augusta Leigh. It could not have been kept from him, even if +there had been any reason for secrecy. He knew that his sister had been +driven to admit that Medora was his child, thus _implying_ the crime of +which she had been suspected. There was nothing, therefore, for Augusta to +fear from _him_. She dreaded a public scandal, not so much on her own +account as 'for the sake of others.' For that reason she tried to dissuade +her brother from inviting a public discussion on family matters. There was +no reason why Augusta should 'combine' with Byron against his hapless +wife! + +The weakness of Lady Byron's position is admitted by herself in a letter +dated January 29, 1820: + + 'My information previous to my separation was derived either directly + from Lord Byron, or from my observations on that part of his conduct + which he exposed to my view. The infatuation of pride may have blinded + him to the conclusions which must inevitably be established by a long + series of circumstantial evidences.' + +Oh, the pity of it all! There was something demoniacal in Byron's +treatment of this excellent woman. Perhaps it was all very natural under +the circumstances. Lady Byron seemed to invite attack at every conceivable +moment, and did not realize that a wounded tiger is always dangerous. This +is the way in which she spoke of Augusta to Colonel Doyle: + + 'Reluctant as I have ever been to bring my domestic concerns before + the public, and anxious as I have felt _to save from ruin a near + connection of his_, I shall feel myself compelled by duties of primary + importance, if he perseveres in accumulating injuries upon me, to make + a disclosure of the past in the _most_ authentic form.' + +Lady Byron's grandiloquent phrase had no deeper meaning than this: that +she was willing to accuse Augusta Leigh on the strength of 'a long series +of circumstantial evidences.' We leave it for lawyers to say whether that +charge could have been substantiated in the event of Mrs. Leigh's absolute +denial, and her disclosure of all the circumstances relating to the birth +of Medora. + +In the course of the same year (1820) Augusta, having failed to induce +Lady Byron to make a definite statement as to her intentions with regard +to the Leigh children, urged Byron to intercede with his wife in their +interests. He accordingly wrote several times to Lady Byron, asking her to +be kind to Augusta--in other words, to make some provision for her +children. It seemed, under all circumstances, a strange request to make, +but Byron's reasons were sound. In accordance with the restrictions +imposed by his marriage settlement, the available portion of the funds +would revert to Lady Byron in the event of his predeceasing her. Lady +Byron at first made no promise to befriend Augusta's children; but later +she wrote to say that the past would not prevent her from befriending +Augusta Leigh and her children 'in any future circumstances which may call +for my assistance.' + +In thanking Lady Byron for this promise, Byron writes: + + 'As to Augusta * * * *, whatever she is, or may have been, _you_ have + never had reason to complain of her; on the contrary, you are not + aware of the obligations under which you have been to her. Her life + and mine--and yours and mine--were two things perfectly distinct from + each other; when one ceased the other began, and now both are closed.' + +Lord Lovelace seeks to make much out of that statement, and says in +'Astarte': + + 'It is evident, from the allusion in this letter, that Byron had + become thoroughly aware of the extent of Lady Byron's information, and + did not wish that she should be misled. He probably may have heard + from Augusta herself that she had admitted her own guilt, together + with his, to Lady Byron.' + +What _naïveté_! Byron's meaning is perfectly clear. Whatever she was, or +may have been--whatever her virtues or her sins--she had never wronged +Lady Byron. On the contrary, she had, at considerable risk to herself, +interceded for her with her brother, when the crisis came into their +married life. Byron's intercourse with his sister had never borne any +connection with his relations towards his wife--it was a thing apart--and +at the time of writing was closed perhaps for ever. He plainly repudiates +Lady Byron's cruel suspicions of a criminal intercourse having taken place +during the brief period of their married existence. He could not have +spoken in plainer language without indelicacy, and yet, so persistent was +Lady Byron in her evil opinion of both, these simple straightforward words +were wholly misconstrued. Malignant casuistry could of course find a dark +hint in the sentence, 'When one ceased, the other began'; but the mind +must indeed be prurient that could place the worst construction upon the +expression of so palpable a fact. It was not Lady Byron's intention to +complain of things that had taken place _previous_ to her marriage; her +contention had always been that she separated from her husband in +consequence of his conduct while under her own roof. When, in 1869, all +the documentary evidence upon which she relied was shown to Lord Chief +Justice Cockburn, that great lawyer thus expressed his opinion of their +value: + + 'Lady Byron had an ill-conditioned mind, preying upon itself, till + morbid delusion was the result. If not, she was an accomplished + hypocrite, regardless of truth, and to whose statements no credit + whatever ought to be attached.' + +Lord Lovelace tells us that all the charges made against Lady Byron in +1869 (when the Beecher Stowe 'Revelations' were published) would have +collapsed 'if all her papers had then been accessible and available'; and +that Dr. Lushington, who was then alive, 'from the best and kindest +motives, and long habit of silence,' exerted his influence over the other +trustees to suppress them! Why, we may ask, was this? The answer suggests +itself. It was because he well knew that there was nothing in those papers +to fix guilt upon Mrs. Leigh. It must not be forgotten that Dr. +Lushington, in 1816, expressed his deliberate opinion that the proofs were +wholly insufficient to sustain a charge of incest. In this connection Lady +Byron's written statement, dated March 14, 1816, is most valuable. + + 'The causes of this suspicion,' she writes, 'did not amount to proof + ... and I considered that, whilst a possibility of innocence existed, + every principle of duty and humanity forbade me to act as if Mrs. + Leigh was actually guilty, more especially as any intimation of so + heinous a crime, even if not distinctly proved, must have seriously + affected Mrs. Leigh's character and happiness.' + +Exactly one month after Lady Byron had written those words, her husband +addressed her in the following terms: + + 'I have just parted from Augusta--almost the last being you had left + me to part with, and the only unshattered tie of my existence. + Wherever I may go, and I am going far, you and I can never meet again + in this world, nor in the next. Let this content or atone. If any + accident occurs to me, be kind to _her_; if she is then nothing, to + her children.' + +It was, as we have seen, five years before Lady Byron could bring herself +to make any reply to this appeal. How far she fulfilled the promise then +made, 'to befriend Augusta Leigh and her children in any future +circumstances which might call for her assistance,' may be left to the +imagination of the reader. We can find no evidence of it in 'Astarte' or +in the 'Revelations' of Mrs. Beecher Stowe. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + + +In order to meet the charges which the late Lord Lovelace brought against +Mrs. Leigh in 'Astarte,' we have been compelled to quote rather +extensively from its pages. In the chapter entitled 'Manfred' will be +found selections from a mass of correspondence which, without +qualification or comment, might go far to convince the reader. Lord +Lovelace was evidently 'a good hater,' and he detested the very name of +Augusta Leigh with all his heart and soul. There was some reason for this. +She had, in Lord Lovelace's opinion, '_substituted herself for Lord +Byron's right heirs_' ('Astarte,' p. 125). It was evidently a sore point +that Augusta should have benefited by Lord Byron's will. Lord Lovelace +forgot that Lady Byron had approved of the terms of her husband's will, +and that Lady Byron's conduct had not been such as to deserve any +pecuniary consideration at Lord Byron's death. But impartiality does not +seem to have been Lord Lovelace's forte. Having made up his mind that Mrs. +Leigh was guilty, he selected from his papers whatever might appear most +likely to convict her. But the violence of his antagonism has impaired the +value of his contention; and the effect of his arguments is very different +from that which he intended. Having satisfied himself that Mrs. Leigh +(though liked and respected by her contemporaries) was an abandoned +woman, Lord Lovelace says: + + 'A real reformation, according to Christian ideals, would not merely + have driven Byron and Augusta apart from each other, but expelled them + from the world of wickedness, consigned them for the rest of their + lives to strict expiation and holiness. But this could never be; and + in the long-run her flight to an outcast life would have been a lesser + evil than the consequences of preventing it. The fall of Mrs. Leigh + would have been a definite catastrophe, affecting a small number of + people for a time in a startling manner. The disaster would have been + obvious, but partial, immediately over and ended.... She would have + lived in open revolt against the Christian standard, not in secret + disobedience and unrepentant hypocrisy.' + +Poor Mrs. Leigh! and was it so bad as all that? Had she committed incest +with her brother after the separation of 1816? Did she follow Byron abroad +'in the dress of a page,' as stated by some lying chronicler from the +banks of the Lake of Geneva? Did Byron come to England in secret at some +period between 1816 and 1824? If not, what on earth is the meaning of this +mysterious homily? Does Lord Lovelace, in the book that survives him, wish +the world to believe that Lady Byron prevented Augusta from deserting her +husband and children, and flying into Byron's arms in a 'far countree'? If +that was the author's intention, he has signally failed. There never was a +moment, since the trip abroad was abandoned in 1813, when Augusta had the +mind to join her brother in his travels. There is not a hint of any such +wish in any document published up to the present time. Augusta, who was +undoubtedly innocent, had suffered enough from the lying reports that had +been spread about town by Lady Caroline Lamb, ever to wish for another +dose of scandal. If the Lovelace papers contain any hint of that nature, +the author of 'Astarte' would most assuredly have set it forth in Double +Pica. It is a baseless calumny. + +In Lord Lovelace's opinion, + + 'judged by the light of nature, a heroism and sincerity of united + fates and doom would have seemed, beyond all comparison, purer and + nobler than what they actually drifted into. By the social code, sin + between man and woman can never be blotted out, as assuredly it is the + most irreversible of facts. Nevertheless, societies secretly respect, + though they excommunicate, those rebel lovers who sacrifice everything + else, but observe a law of their own, and make a religion out of sin + itself, by living it through with constancy.' + +These be perilous doctrines, surely! But how do those reflections apply to +the case of Byron and his sister? The hypothesis may be something like +this: Byron and his sister commit a deadly sin. They are found out, but +their secret is kept by a select circle of their friends. They part, and +never meet again in this world. The sin might have been forgiven, or at +least condoned, if they had 'observed a law of their own'--in other words, +'gone on sinning.' Why? because 'societies secretly respect rebel lovers.' +But these wretches had not the courage of their profligacy; they parted +and sinned no more, therefore they were 'unrepentant hypocrites.' The +'heroism and sincerity of united fates and doom' was denied to them, and +no one would ever have suspected them of such a crime, if Lady Byron and +Lord Lovelace had not betrayed them. What pestilential rubbish! One +wonders how a man of Lord Lovelace's undoubted ability could have sunk to +bathos of that kind. + + 'Byron,' he tells us, 'was ready to sacrifice everything for Augusta, + and to defy the world with her. If this _had not been prevented_ [the + italics are ours], _he would have been a more poetical figure in + history_ than as the author of "Manfred."' + +It is clear, then, that in Lord Lovelace's opinion Byron and Augusta were +prevented by someone from becoming poetical figures. Who was that guardian +angel? Lady Byron, of course! + +Now, what are the facts? Byron parted from his sister on April 14, 1816, +_nine days prior to his own departure from London_. They never met again. +There was nothing to 'prevent' them from being together up to the last +moment if they had felt so disposed. Byron never disguised his deep and +lasting affection for Augusta, whom in private he called his 'Dear Goose,' +and in public his 'Sweet Sister.' There was no hypocrisy on either +side--nothing, in short, except the prurient imagination of a distracted +wife, aided and abetted by a circle of fawning gossips. + +It is a lamentable example of how public opinion may be misdirected by +evidence, which Horace would have called _Parthis mendacior_. + +Lord Lovelace comforts himself by the reflection that Augusta + + 'was not spared misery or degradation by being preserved from flagrant + acts; for nothing could be more wretched than her subsequent + existence; and far from growing virtuous, she went farther down + without end temporally and spiritually.' + +Now, that is very strange! How could Augusta have gone farther down +spiritually after Byron's departure? According to Lord Lovelace, +'Character regained was the consummation of Mrs. Leigh's ruin!' + +Mrs. Leigh must have been totally unlike anyone else, if character +regained proved her ruin. There must be some mistake. No, there it is in +black and white. 'Her return to outward respectability was an unmixed +misfortune to the third person through whose protection it was possible.' + +This cryptic utterance implies that Mrs. Leigh's respectability was +injurious to Lady Byron. Why? + + 'If Augusta had fled to Byron in exile, and was seen with him as _et + soror et conjux_, the victory remained with Lady Byron, solid and + final. _This was the solution hoped for by Lady Byron's friends_, + Lushington and Doyle, as well as Lady Noel.' + +So the cat is out of the bag at last! It having been impossible for Lady +Byron to bring any proof against Byron and his sister which would have +held water in a law-court, her friends and her legal adviser hoped that +Augusta would desert her husband and children, and thus furnish them with +evidence which would justify their conduct before the world. But Augusta +was sorry not to be able to oblige them. This was a pity, because, +according to Lord Lovelace, who was the most ingenuous of men: 'Their +triumph and Lady Byron's justification would have been complete, and great +would have been their rejoicing.' + +Well, they made up for it afterwards, when Byron and Augusta were dead; +after those memoirs had been destroyed which, in Byron's words, 'will be a +kind of guide-post in case of death, and prevent some of the lies which +would otherwise be told, and destroy some which have been told already.' + +In allusion to the meetings between Lady Byron and Augusta immediately +after the separation, we are told in 'Astarte' that + + 'on all these occasions, one subject--uppermost in the thoughts of + both--had been virtually ignored, except that Augusta _had had the + audacity_ to name the reports about herself with all the pride of + innocence. _Intercourse could not continue on that footing_, for + Augusta probably aimed at a positive guarantee of her innocence, and + at committing Lady Byron irretrievably to that.' + +This was great presumption on Mrs. Leigh's part, after all the pains they +had taken to make her uncomfortable. Lady Byron, we are told by Lord +Lovelace, could no longer bear the false position, and 'before leaving +London she went to the Hon. Mrs. Villiers--a most intimate friend of +Augusta's'--and deliberately poisoned her mind. That which she told Mrs. +Villiers is not stated; but we infer that Lady Byron retailed some of the +gossip that had reached her through one of Mrs. Leigh's servants who had +overheard part of a conversation between Augusta and Byron shortly after +Medora's birth. After the child had been taken to St. James's Palace, +Byron often went there. It is likely that Augusta had been overheard +jesting with Byron about his child. We cannot be sure of this; but, at any +rate, some such expression, if whispered in Lady Byron's ears, would be +sufficient to confirm her erroneous belief. + +Mrs. Villiers, we are told, began from this time to be slightly prejudiced +against Augusta. She believed her to be absolutely pure, but with lax +notions of morality. This sounds like a contradiction in terms, but so it +was; and through the wilful misrepresentation of Lady Byron and her +coterie, Augusta's best friend was lured from her allegiance. Mrs. +Villiers was also informed of something else by Wilmot-Horton, another +friend of Lady Byron's. The plot thickened, and, without any attempt being +made to arrive at the truth, Augusta's life became almost unbearable. No +wonder the poor woman said in her agony: 'None can know _how much_ I have +suffered from this unhappy business, and, indeed, I have never known a +moment's peace, and begin to despair for the future.' + +The 'unhappy business' was, of course, her unwise adoption of Medora. +Through that error of judgment she was doomed to plod her way to the +grave, suspected by even her dearest friend, and persecuted by the Byron +family. Mrs. Villiers was a good woman and scented treason. She boldly +urged Lady Byron to avow to Augusta the information of which she was in +possession. But Lady Byron was at first afraid to run the risk. She knew +very well the value of servants' gossip, and feared the open hostility of +Augusta if she made common cause with Byron. This much she ingenuously +avowed in a letter to Dr. Lushington. But, upon being further pressed, she +consented to _write_ to Augusta and announce what she had been told. We +have no doubt that the letter was written with great care, after +consultation with Colonel Doyle and Lushington, and that the gossip was +retailed with every outward consideration for Augusta's feelings. Whatever +was said, and there is no evidence of it in 'Astarte,' we are there told +that 'Augusta did not attempt to deny it, and, in fact, admitted +everything in subsequent letters to Lady Byron during the summer of 1816.' +Lord Lovelace ingenuously adds: 'It is unnecessary to produce them here, +as their contents are confirmed and made sufficiently clear by the +correspondence of 1819, in another chapter.' + +It is very strange that Lord Lovelace, who is not thrifty in his +selections, should have withheld the only positive proof of Augusta's +confession known to be in existence. His reference to the letters of 1819, +which he publishes, is a poor substitute for the letters themselves. The +only letter which affords any clue to the mystery is the 'Dearest Love' +letter, dated May 17, 1819, which we have quoted in a previous chapter. +The value of that letter, as evidence against Augusta, we have already +shown. When compared with the letter which Byron wrote to his sister on +June 3, 1817--a year after he had parted from her--the conclusion that the +incriminating letter is not addressed to Augusta at all, forces itself +irresistibly upon the mind. As an example of varying moods, it is worth +quoting: + + 'For the life of me I can't make out whether your disorder is a broken + heart or ear-ache--or whether it is you that have been ill or the + children--or what your melancholy and mysterious apprehensions tend + to--or refer to--whether to Caroline Lamb's novels--Mrs. Clermont's + evidence--Lady Byron's magnanimity, or any other piece of imposture.' + +It is really laughable to suppose that the writer of the above extract +could have written to the same lady two years later in the following +strain: + + 'My dearest love, I have never ceased, nor can cease, to feel for a + moment that perfect and boundless attachment which bound and binds me + to you--which renders me utterly incapable of _real_ love for any + other human being--for what could they be to me after _you_? My own + * * * * we may have been very wrong,' etc. + +But Lord Lovelace found no difficulty in believing that the letter in +question sealed the fate of Augusta Leigh. In the face of such a +document, Lord Lovelace thought that a direct confession in Augusta's +handwriting would be superfluous, and Sir Leslie Stephen had warned him +against superfluity! + +Colonel Doyle, an intimate friend of Lady Byron, seems to have been the +only man on her side of the question--not even excepting Lushington--who +showed anything approaching to common sense. He perceived that Lady Byron, +by avowing the grounds of her suspicions to Mrs. Leigh, had placed herself +in an awkward position. He foresaw that this avowal would turn Mrs. Leigh +into an enemy, who must sooner or later avenge the insults heaped upon +her. On July 9, 1816, Colonel Doyle wrote to Lady Byron: + + 'Your feelings I perfectly understand; I will even _whisper_ to you I + approve. But you must remember that your position is very + extraordinary, and though, when we have sufficiently deliberated and + _decided_, we should pursue our course without embarrassing ourselves + with the consequences; yet we should _not neglect the means of fully + justifying ourselves_ if the necessity be ever imposed upon us.' + +We have quoted enough to show that, _five months after the separation was +formally proposed to Lord Byron_, they had not sufficient evidence to +bring into a court of law. Under those depressing circumstances Lady Byron +was urged to induce Augusta to 'confess'; the conspirators would have been +grateful even for an admission of guilt as _prior to Lord Byron's +marriage_! + +Colonel Doyle, as a man of honour, did not wish Lady Byron to rely upon +'confessions' made under the seal of secrecy. They had, apparently, been +duped on a previous occasion; and, in case Mrs. Leigh were to bring an +action against Lady Byron for defamation of character, it would not be +advisable to rely, for her defence, upon letters which were strictly +private and confidential. As to Augusta's 'admissions,' made orally and +without witnesses, they were absolutely valueless--especially as the +conditions under which they were made could not in honour be broken. + +Augusta through all this worry fell into a state of deep dejection. She +had been accused of a crime which (though innocent) she had tacitly +admitted. Her friends were beginning to look coldly upon her, and +consequently her position became tenfold more difficult and +'extraordinary' than that of her accuser. Perhaps she came to realize the +truth of Dryden's lines: + + 'Smooth the descent and easy is the way; + But to return, and view the cheerful skies, + In this the task and mighty labour lies.' + +Equivocation is a dangerous game. + +Lord Lovelace tells us that all the papers concerning the marriage of Lord +and Lady Byron have been carefully preserved. 'They are a complete record +of all the causes of separation, and contain full information on every +part of the subject.' + +We can only say that it is a pity Lord Lovelace should have withheld those +which were most likely to prove his case--for example, the letters which +Mrs. Leigh wrote to Lady Byron in the summer of 1816. The public have a +right to demand from an accuser the grounds of his accusation. Lord +Lovelace gives us none. He bids us listen to what he deigns to tell us, +and to ask for nothing more. That his case is built upon Lady Byron's +surmises, and upon no more solid foundation, is shown by the following +illuminating extract from 'Astarte': + + 'When a woman is placed as Lady Byron was, her mind works + involuntarily, almost unconsciously, and conclusions force their way + into it. She has not meant to think so and so, and she has thought it; + the dreadful idea is repelled then, and to the last, with the whole + force of her will, but when once conceived it cannot be banished. The + distinctive features of a true hypothesis, when once in the mind, are + a precise conformity to facts already known, and an adaptability to + fresh developments, which allow us not to throw it aside at pleasure. + Lady Byron's agony of doubt could only end in the still greater agony + of certainty; but this was no result of ingenuity or inquiry, as she + sought not for information.' + +If Lady Byron did not seek for information when she plied Augusta with +questions, and encouraged her friends to do the same, she must have +derived pleasure from torturing her supposed rival. But that is absurd. + + 'Women,' says Lord Lovelace, 'are said to excel in piecing together + scattered insignificant fragments of conversations and circumstances, + and fitting them all into their right places amongst what they know + already, and thus reconstruct a whole that is very close to the + complete truth. But Lady Byron's whole effort was to resist the light, + or rather the darkness, that would flow into her mind.' + +In her effort to resist the light, Lady Byron seems to have admirably +succeeded. But, in spite of her grandson's statement, that she employed +any great effort to resist the darkness that flowed into her mind we +entirely disbelieve. We are rather inclined to think that, in her search +for evidence to convict Mrs. Leigh, she would have been very grateful for +a farthing rushlight. + +We now leave 'Astarte' to the judgment of posterity, for whom, in a +peculiarly cruel sense, it was originally intended. If in a court of law +counsel for the prosecution were to declaim loudly and frequently about +evidence which he does not--perhaps dares not--produce, his harangues +would make an unfavourable impression on a British jury. We have no wish +to speak ill of the dead, but, in justice to Mrs. Leigh, we feel bound to +say that the author of 'Astarte,' with all his talk about evidence against +Byron and Augusta Leigh, has not produced a scrap of evidence which would +have any weight with an impartial jury of their countrymen. + +But we will not end upon a jarring note. Let us remember that Lord +Lovelace, as Ada's son, felt an affectionate regard for the memory of Lady +Byron. It was his misfortune to imbibe a false tradition, and, while +groping his way through the darkness, his sole guide was a packet of +collected papers by which his grandmother hoped to justify her conduct in +leaving her husband. If Lady Byron had deigned to read Byron's 'Memoirs,' +she might have been spared those painful delusions by which her mind was +obsessed in later years. That she had ample grounds, in Byron's +extraordinary conduct during the brief period of their intercourse, to +separate herself from him is not disputed; but her premises were wrong, +and her vain attempt to justify herself by unsupported accusations against +Mrs. Leigh has failed. + +Her daughter Ada, the mother of Lord Lovelace, had learnt enough of the +family history to come to the conclusion (which she decidedly expressed to +Mr. Fonblanque) that the sole cause of the separation was incompatibility. +There let it rest. The Byron of the last phase was a very different man +from the poet of 'The Dream.' + +On the day that Byron was buried at Hucknall-Torkard the great Goethe, in +allusion to a letter which Byron, on the eve of his departure for Greece, +had written to him, says: + + 'What emotions of joy and hope did not that paper once excite! But now + it has become, by the premature death of its noble writer, an + inestimable relic and a source of unspeakable regret; for it + aggravates, to a peculiar degree in me, the mourning and melancholy + that pervade the moral and poetic world. In me, who looked forward + (after the success of his great efforts) to the prospect of being + blessed with the sight of this master-spirit of the age, this friend + so fortunately acquired; and of having to welcome on his return the + most humane of conquerors. + + 'But I am consoled by the conviction that his country will at once + _awake_, and shake off, like a troubled dream, the partialities, the + prejudices, the injuries, and the calumnies, with which he has been + assailed; and that these will subside and sink into oblivion; and that + she will at length acknowledge that his frailties, whether the effect + of temperament, or the defect of the times in which he lived (against + which even the best of mortals wrestle painfully), were only + momentary, fleeting, and transitory; whilst the imperishable greatness + to which he has raised her, now and for ever remains, and will remain, + illimitable in its glory and incalculable in its consequences. Certain + it is that a nation, who may well pride herself on so many great sons, + will place Byron, all radiant as he is, by the side of those who have + done most honour to her name.' + +With these just words it is fitting to draw our subject to a close. The +poetic fame of Byron has passed through several phases, and will probably +pass through another before his exact position in the poetical hierarchy +is determined. But the world's interest in the man who cheerfully gave his +life to the cause of Greek Independence has not declined. Eighty-five +years have passed, and Time has gradually fulfilled the prophecy which +inspiration wrung from the anguish of his heart: + + 'But I have lived, and have not lived in vain: + My mind may lose its force, my blood its fire, + And my frame perish even in conquering pain; + But there is that within me which shall tire + Torture and Time, and breathe when I expire; + Something unearthly, which they deem not of, + Like the remembered tone of a mute lyre, + Shall on their softened spirits sink, and move + In hearts all rocky now the late remorse of Love.' + + + + +APPENDIX + +DR. BRUNO'S REPLY TO FLETCHER'S STATEMENT + + +The following remarks appeared in the _Westminster Review_, and gave great +annoyance to Dr. Millingen, who thought that he had been accused of having +caused the death of Byron by putting off, during four successive days, the +operation of bleeding: + + Mr. Fletcher has omitted to state that on the second day of Lord + Byron's illness his physician, Dr. Bruno, seeing the sudorific + medicines had no effect, proposed blood-letting, and that his lordship + refused to allow it, and caused Mr. Millingen to be sent for in order + to consult with his physician, and see if the rheumatic fever could + not be cured without the loss of blood. + + Mr. Millingen approved of the medicines previously prescribed by Dr. + Bruno, and was not opposed to the opinion that bleeding was necessary; + but he said to his lordship that it might be deferred till the next + day. He held this language for three successive days, while the other + physician (Dr. Bruno) every day threatened Lord Byron that he would + die by his obstinacy in not allowing himself to be bled. His lordship + always answered: 'You wish to get the reputation of curing my disease, + that is why you tell me it is so serious; but I will not permit you to + bleed me.' + + After the first consultation with Mr. Millingen, the domestic Fletcher + asked Dr. Bruno how his lordship's complaint was going on. The + physician replied that, if he would allow the bleeding, he would be + cured in a few days. But the surgeon Mr. Millingen, assured Lord Byron + from day to day that it could wait till to-morrow; and thus four days + slipped away, during which the disease, for want of blood-letting, + grew much worse. At length Mr. Millingen, seeing that the + prognostications which Dr. Bruno had made respecting Lord Byron's + malady were more and more confirmed, urged the necessity of bleeding, + and of no longer delaying it a moment. This caused Lord Byron, + disgusted at finding that he could not be cured without loss of blood, + to say that it seemed to him that the doctors did not understand his + malady. He then had a man sent to Zante to fetch Dr. Thomas. Mr. + Fletcher having mentioned this to Dr. Bruno, the latter observed that, + if his lordship would consent to lose as much blood as was necessary, + he would answer for his cure; but that if he delayed any longer, or + did not entirely follow his advice, Dr. Thomas would not arrive in + time: in fact, when Dr. Thomas was ready to set out from Zante, Lord + Byron was dead. + + The pistols and stiletto were removed from his lordship's bed--not by + Fletcher, but by the servant Tita, who was the only person that + constantly waited on Lord Byron in his illness, and who had been + advised to take this precaution by Dr. Bruno, the latter having + perceived that my lord had moments of delirium. + + Two days before the death a consultation was held with three other + doctors, who appeared to think that his lordship's disease was + changing from inflammatory diathesis to languid, and they ordered + china,[78] opium, and ammonia. + + Dr. Bruno opposed this with the greatest warmth, and pointed out to + them that the symptoms were those, not of an alteration in the + disease, but of a fever flying to the brain, which was violently + attacked by it; and that the wine, the china, and the stimulants, + would kill Lord Byron more speedily than the complaint itself could; + while, on the other hand, by copious bleedings and the medicines that + had been taken before he might yet be saved. The other physicians, + however, were of a different opinion; and it was then that Dr. Bruno + declared to his colleagues that he would have no further + responsibility for the loss of Lord Byron, which he pronounced + inevitable if the china were given him. In effect, after my lord had + taken the tincture, with some grains of carbonate of ammonia, he was + seized by convulsions. Soon afterwards they gave him a cup of very + strong decoction of china, with some drops of laudanum. He instantly + fell into a deep lethargic sleep, from which he never rose. + + The opening of the body discovered the brain in a state of the highest + inflammation; and all the six physicians who were present at that + opening were convinced that my lord would have been saved by the + bleeding, which his physician, Dr. Bruno, had advised from the + beginning with the most pressing urgency and the greatest firmness. + + F. B. + + +DR. MILLINGEN'S ACCOUNT + + Mr. Finlay and myself called upon him in the evening, when we found + him lying on a sofa, complaining of a slight fever and of pains in the + articulations. He was at first more gay than usual; but on a sudden he + became pensive, and, after remaining some few minutes in silence, he + said that during the whole day he had reflected a great deal on a + prediction which had been made to him, when a boy, by a famed + fortune-teller in Scotland. His mother, who firmly believed in + cheiromancy and astrology, had sent for this person, and desired him + to inform her what would be the future destiny of her son. Having + examined attentively the palm of his hand, the man looked at him for a + while steadfastly, and then with a solemn voice exclaimed: 'Beware of + your thirty-seventh year, my young lord--beware!' + + He had entered on his thirty-seventh year on the 22nd of January; and + it was evident, from the emotion with which he related this + circumstance, that the caution of the palmist had produced a deep + impression on his mind, which in many respects was so superstitious + that we thought proper to accuse him of superstition. 'To say the + truth,' answered his lordship, 'I find it equally difficult to know + what to believe in this world and what not to believe. There are as + many plausible reasons for inducing me to die a bigot as there have + been to make me hitherto live a freethinker. You will, I know, + ridicule my belief in lucky and unlucky days; but no consideration can + now induce me to undertake anything either on a Friday or a Sunday. I + am positive it would terminate unfortunately. Every one of my + misfortunes--and God knows I have had my share--have happened to me on + one of those days.' + + Considering myself on this occasion, not a medical man, but a visitor, + and being questioned neither by his physician nor himself, I did not + even feel Lord Byron's pulse. I was informed next morning that during + the night he had taken diaphoretic infusions, and that he felt himself + better. The next day Dr. Bruno administered a purgative, and kept up + its effects by a solution of cream of tartar, which the Italians call + 'imperial lemonade.' In the evening the fever augmented, and as on the + 14th, although the pains in the articulations had diminished, the + feverish symptoms were equally strong, Dr. Bruno strongly recommended + him to be blooded; but as the patient entertained a deep-rooted + prejudice against bleeding, his physician could obtain no influence + whatever over him, and his lordship obstinately persevered in refusing + to submit to the operation. + + On the 15th, towards noon, Fletcher called upon me and informed me + that his master desired to see me, in order to consult with Dr. Bruno + on the state of his health. Dr. Bruno informed me that his patient + laboured under a rheumatic fever--that, as at first the symptoms had + been of a mild character, he had trusted chiefly to sudorifics; but + during the last two days the fever had so much increased that he had + repeatedly proposed bleeding, but that he could not overcome his + lordship's antipathy to that mode of treatment. Convinced, by an + examination of the patient, that bleeding was absolutely necessary, I + endeavoured, as mildly and as gently as possible, to persuade him; + but, in spite of all my caution, his temper was so morbidly irritable + that he refused in a manner excessively peevish. He observed that, of + all his prejudices, the strongest was against phlebotomy. 'Besides,' + said his lordship, 'does not Dr. Reid observe in his Essays that less + slaughter has been effected by the warrior's lance than by the + physician's lancet? It is, in fact, a minute instrument of mighty + mischief.' On my observing that this remark related to the treatment + of nervous disorders, not of inflammatory ones, he angrily replied: + 'Who is nervous, if I am not? Do not these words, besides, apply to my + case? Drawing blood from a nervous patient is like loosening the + chords of a musical instrument, the tones of which are already + defective for want of sufficient tension. Before I became ill, you + know yourself how weak and irritable I had become. Bleeding, by + increasing this state, will inevitably kill me. Do with me whatever + else you please, but bleed me you shall not. I have had several + inflammatory fevers during my life, and at an age when I was much more + robust and plethoric than I am now; yet I got through them without + bleeding. This time also I will take my chance.' + + After much reasoning and entreaty, however, I at length succeeded in + obtaining a promise that, should his fever increase at night, he would + allow Bruno to bleed him. Happy to inform the doctor of this partial + victory, I left the room, and, with a view of lowering the impetus of + the circulatory system, and determining to the skin, I recommended the + administration of an ounce of a solution of half a grain of tartarized + antimony and two drachms of nitre in twelve ounces of water. + + Early the next morning I called on the patient, who told me that, + having passed a better night than he had expected, he had not + requested Dr. Bruno to bleed him. Chagrined at this, I laid aside all + consideration for his feelings, and solemnly assured him how deeply I + lamented to see him trifle with his life in this manner. I told him + that his pertinacious refusal to be bled had caused a precious + opportunity to be lost; that a few hours of hope yet remained; but + that, unless he would submit immediately to be bled, neither Dr. Bruno + nor myself could answer for the consequences. He might not care for + life, it was true; but who could assure him, unless he changed his + resolution, the disease might not operate such disorganization in his + cerebral and nervous system as entirely to deprive him of his reason? + I had now touched the sensible chord, for, partly annoyed by our + unceasing importunities, and partly convinced, casting at us both the + fiercest glance of vexation, he threw out his arm, and said in the + most angry tone: 'Come; you are, I see, a d----d set of butchers. Take + away as much blood as you will, but have done with it.' + + We seized the moment, and drew about twenty ounces. On coagulating, + the blood presented a strong buffy coat. Yet the relief obtained did + not correspond to the hopes we had anticipated, and during the night + the fever became stronger than it had been hitherto. The restlessness + and agitation increased, and the patient spoke several times in an + incoherent manner. The next morning (17th) the bleeding was repeated; + for, although the rheumatic symptoms had completely disappeared, the + cerebral ones were hourly increasing, and this continuing all day, we + opened the vein for the third time in the afternoon. Cold applications + were from the beginning constantly kept on the head; blisters were + also proposed. When on the point of applying them, Lord Byron asked me + whether it would answer the same purpose to apply both on the same + leg. Guessing the motive that led him to ask this question, I told him + I would place them above the knees, on the inside of the thighs. 'Do + so,' said he; 'for as long as I live I will not allow anyone to see my + lame foot.' + + In spite of our endeavours, the danger hourly increased; the different + signs of strong nervous affection succeeded each other with surprising + rapidity; twitchings and involuntary motions of the tendons began to + manifest themselves in the night; and, more frequently than before, + the patient muttered to himself and talked incoherently. + + In the morning (18th) a consultation was proposed, to which Dr. Lucca + Vaga and Dr. Freiber, my assistant, were invited. Our opinions were + divided. Bruno and Lucca proposed having recourse to antispasmodics + and other remedies employed in the last stage of typhus. Freiber and I + maintained that such remedies could only hasten the fatal termination; + that nothing could be more empirical than flying from one extreme to + the other; that if, as we all thought, the complaint was owing to the + metastasis of rheumatic inflammation, the existing symptoms only + depended on the rapid and extensive progress it had made in an organ + previously so weakened and irritable. Antiphlogistic means could never + prove hurtful in this case; they would become useless only if + disorganization were already operated; but then, when all hopes were + fled, what means would not prove superfluous? + + We recommended the application of numerous leeches to the temples, + behind the ears, and along the course of the jugular vein, a large + blister between the shoulders, and sinapisms to the feet. These we + considered to be the only means likely to succeed. Dr. Bruno, however, + being the patient's physician, had, of course, the casting vote, and + he prepared, in consequence, the antispasmodic potion which he and Dr. + Lucca had agreed upon. It was a strong infusion of valerian with + ether, etc. After its administration the convulsive movements and the + delirium increased; yet, notwithstanding my earnest representations, a + second dose was administered half an hour after; when, after + articulating confusedly a few broken phrases, our patient sank into a + comatose sleep, which the next day terminated in death. + + Lord Byron expired on the 19th of April, at six o'clock in the + afternoon. Interesting as every circumstance relative to the death of + so celebrated a person may prove to some, I should, nevertheless, have + hesitated in obtruding so much medical detail on the patience of the + reader, had not the accounts published by Dr. Bruno in the + _Westminster Review_, and many of the newspapers, rendered it + necessary that I should disabuse the friends of the deceased; and at + the same time vindicate my own professional character, on which the + imputation has been laid of my having been the cause of Lord Byron's + death by putting off, during four successive days, the operation of + bleeding. + + I must first observe that, not knowing a syllable of English, although + present at the conversation I had with Lord Byron, Dr. Bruno could + neither understand the force of the language I employed to surmount + his lordship's deep-rooted prejudice and aversion for bleeding, nor + the positive refusals he repeatedly made before I could obtain his + promise to consent to the operation. Yet he boldly states that I spoke + to Lord Byron in a very undecided manner of the benefits of such an + operation, and that I even ventured to recommend procrastination; and + these, he says, are the reasons that induced him to consent to the + delay--as if he were himself indifferent to such treatment, or as if a + few words from me were sufficient to determine him! Conduct like this + it is not difficult to appreciate: I shall therefore forbear + abandoning myself to the indignation such a falsehood might naturally + excite; nor shall I repel his unwarrantable accusation by relating the + causes of that deep-rooted jealousy which Dr. Bruno entertained + against me from the day he perceived the preference which Lord Byron + indicated in favour of English physicians. This narrow-minded, envious + feeling, as I could prove, prevented him from insisting on immediately + calling me, or other medical men at Missolonghi, to a consultation. + Had he done so, he would have exonerated himself from every + responsibility; but his vanity made him forget the duty he owed to his + patient, and even to himself. For I did not see Lord Byron (medically) + till I was sent for by his lordship himself, without any participation + on the part of Dr. Bruno. I can refute Dr. Bruno's calumnies, not only + from the testimony of others, but even from his own. For the following + extract from the article published in the _Telegrapho Greco_, + announcing the death of Lord Byron, was at the request of Count Gamba + (himself a witness of whatever took place during the fatal illness of + his friend) composed by the doctor: + + 'Notwithstanding the most urgent entreaties and representations of the + imminent danger attending his complaint made to him from the onset of + his illness, both by his private physician and the medical man sent by + the Greek Committee, it was impossible to surmount the great aversion + and prejudice he entertained against bleeding, although he lay under + imperious want of it' (Vide _Telegrapho Greco_, il di 24 Aprile, + 1824). + + As to the assertion confidently made by Dr. Bruno, that, had his + patient submitted at the onset of his malady to phlebotomy, he would + have infallibly recovered, I believe every medical man who maturely + considers the subject will be led to esteem this assertion as being + founded rather on presumption than on reason. Positive language, which + is in general so misplaced in medical science, becomes in the present + case even ridiculous; for, if different authors be consulted, it will + appear that the very remedy which is proclaimed by some as the anchor + of salvation, is by others condemned as the instrument of ruin. + Bleeding (as many will be found to assert) favours metastasis in + rheumatic fevers; and, in confirmation of this opinion, they will + remark that in this case, as soon as the lancet was employed, the + cerebral symptoms manifested themselves on the disappearance of the + rheumatic; while those who incline to Dr. Reid's and Dr. Heberden's + opinion will observe that, after each successive phlebotomy, the + cerebral symptoms not only did not remain at the same degree, but + that they hourly went on increasing. In this dilemmatic position it is + evident that, whatever treatment might have been adopted, detractors + could not fail to have some grounds for laying the blame on the + medical attendants. The more I consider this difficult question, + however, the more I feel convinced that, whatsoever method of cure had + been adopted, there is every reason to believe that a fatal + termination was inevitable; and here I may be permitted to observe, + that it must have been the lot of every medical man to observe how + frequently the fear of death produces it, and how seldom a patient, + who persuades himself that he must die, is mistaken. The prediction of + the Scotch fortune-teller was ever present to Lord Byron, and, like an + insidious poison, destroyed that moral energy which is so useful to + keep up the patient in dangerous complaints. 'Did I not tell you,' + said he repeatedly to me, 'that I should die at thirty-seven?' + +There is an entry in Millingen's 'Memoirs of Greece' which has not +received the attention it deserves--namely, a request made by Byron on the +day before his death. It is given by Millingen in the following words: + +'One request let me make to you. Let not my body be hacked, or be sent to +England. Here let my bones moulder. Lay me in the first corner without +pomp or nonsense.' + +After Byron's death Millingen informed Gamba of this request, but it was +thought that it would be a sacrilege to leave his remains in a place +'where they might some day become the sport of insulting barbarians.' + + + + +INDEX + + + Adam, Sir F., High Commissioner of the Ionian islands: + his tribute to Byron's character, 202 + + Agraffa, the scene of Cariascachi's depredations, 162 + + Allegra, Byron's natural daughter: + her life and death, 22; + Byron's feelings for, 35 + + Americans, Byron on, 131 + + Anatoliko, Turkish abandonment of, 68 + + Argostoli, Byron arrives at, 63 + + _Astarte_, by Earl of Lovelace. See Lovelace + + _Augusta, Stanzas and Epistle to_, 290, 324, 364 + + + Barnard, Lady Anne, on Byron's married life, 329 _et seq._ + + Beecher Stowe scandals, 318, 326 + + Bentham, Jeremy, and Byron, 108 _et seq._, 119; + amusing anecdote about, 126 _et seq._ + + Berry, Messrs., Byron's wine merchants: + register of Byron's weight, 19 + + _Bible, The_, Scott's lines on, 73 + + _Blackwood's Magazine_ on Byron, 50, 100, 315, 316 + + Blaquière, Captain, 48; + sails for England, 64; + describes the return of Hatajè to her parents, 137; + eulogy on Byron, 176, 177, 199 _et seq._ + + Blessington, Lady, _Conversations of Lord Byron_: + describes Byron, 5, 6; + character and reminiscences of Byron, 34 _et seq._, 40, 41 + + _Bolivar, The_, Byron's yacht, sold to Lord Blessington, 32; + her end, 33 + + Botzari, Marco, 48; + his death, 66 + + Bowring, Mr., hon. secretary to the Greek Committee, 126 + + _Bride of Abydos, The_: + what the poem reveals, 240, 259, 260, 262, 265 + + Brougham, Mr., spreads the scandal, 340 + + Broughton, Lord (see Hobhouse, John Cam), _Recollections of a Long + Life_, 201, 247 n., 339 n., 340 n., 359 n. + + Browne, Hamilton, goes with Byron to Greece, 47, 48; + Byron's illness, 62; + arrives at Cephalonia, 67 + + Bruno, Dr., travels with Byron to Greece, 47, 48; + Byron's illness, 59, 62; + medical discussions with Dr. Stravolemo, 79; + his medical treatment of Byron, 124, 163, 166, 168, 169, 193 _et + seq._; + accompanies Byron's body to England, 202; + reply to Fletcher's statement, 403 _et seq._; + Dr. Millingen on, 405 _et seq._ + + Brydges, Sir Egerton, 291 + + Burdett, Sir Francis, 11, 208 + + Byron, George Gordon (sixth Lord): + arrival and habits of life at Pisa, 3, 11, 20-22; + personal appearance, 4-7; + evidence as to his lameness, 7, 8, 191; + portraits of, 9, 10; + inherits the Noel property on death of Lady Noel, 10, 11; + the society and influence of the Shelleys, 11 _et seq._; + discussion on the most perfect ode produced, 11, 12, 58; + religion, 13 _et seq._; + habit of vaunting his vices, 17, 18, 78; + abstinence, 18; + weight register, 19; + fracas at Pisa and Montenero, 21, 22; + his natural daughter Allegra, 22 _et seq._; + effect of Allegra's death on, 24; + dealings with Leigh Hunt, 26 _et seq._; + death of Shelley and Williams, 29, 30; + refuses Shelley's legacy of £2,000, 32; + leaves Pisa with Countess Guiccioli and goes to Albaro, 32; + sells his yacht _The Bolivar_, 33; + feelings on his own position, and desire for reconciliation with his + wife, 33 _et seq._; + admiration for Sir Walter Scott and Shelley, 35; + liaison with Countess Guiccioli, 37, 379, 380; + conduct after separation from his wife, 39 _et seq._; + Lady Blessington on, 40; + anomalies, 41; + opinion of his wife, 42; + admiration for his sister, 42; + affection for his child Ada, 43; + craving for celebrity, 45; + takes up the Greek cause, 46; + travels to Greece with money, arms, and retinue, 47; + arrives at Argostoli, 47, 65; + practical sympathy, 48, 67; + an interesting interview with, 48 _et seq._; + visits the _Fountain of Arethusa_, 51-53; + attacks of illness, 51, 52, 59, 62, 63; + excursion to the _School of Homer_, 54-57; + on the _Waverley Novels_, 57; + at Vathi, 58; + admiration for Southey, Gifford, and others, 59, 60; + reception at Santa Eufemia, 60; + on actors, 61; + journey over the Black Mountain to Argostoli, 63; + action with regard to dissensions in Greece, 64 _et seq._; + resides at Metaxata, 67; + advances £4,000 to the Greeks, 67 _et seq._; + appeal to the Greek nation, 69; + motives in coming to Greece, 70, 71, 94; + discussions with Dr. Kennedy on religion, 72 _et seq._; + favourite books, 79, 82, 100; + helps to rescue workmen, 80; + sails with money from Zante for Missolonghi to join and help the + Greek fleet, 81, 82; + adventurous voyage, 83-86; + reception at Missolonghi, 88; + releases Turkish prisoners, 89, 90, 132; + preparations against Lepanto, 91; + takes 500 Suliotes into his pay, 91; + and Major Parry, 92 _et seq._, 143; + Turks blockade Missolonghi, 96; + verses on his birthday, 96; + presentiment that he would never leave Greece, and his intentions, 97; + some reminiscences of, 98 _et seq._; + wonderful memory, 102; + a popular idol in Greece, 105; + relations with Mavrocordato, 106, 116; + and Colonel Stanhope, 107 _et seq._, 120, 121, 122; + Jeremy Bentham, 108; + dealings with the press, 112, 113; + views of the politics of Greece, 114; + effective mode of reproof, 117; + on the useless supplies sent by the London Committee, 119; + abandonment of the Lepanto project, 121; + illness and feelings as to death, 122-125; + dismisses the Suliotes, 125, 142; + anecdote of _Jerry Bentham's Cruise_, 126 _et seq._; + interest in the working classes, 130; + his politics, 131; + on America, 131; + the story of Hatajè, 133 _et seq._; + Turkish brig ashore, 139; + firmness and tact in difficulties, 140, 156 _et seq._; + desertion of the English artificers, 142, 143; + improvement in his health, 144; + favourite dogs, 145, 227; + daily life, 145, 147; + the unhealthy state of Missolonghi, 146; + bodyguard, 146; + indisposition of, 148; + peasants' respect for, 149; + no desire for self-aggrandizement in Greece, 151 _et seq._; + Greek loan raised in London, 156; + receives the freedom of Missolonghi, 157; + Cariascachi's treachery, 159 _et seq._; + detailed accounts of his last illness, and death, 163 _et seq._, 192 + _et seq._, 403 _et seq._; + eulogies on, 174 _et seq._, 201, 205; + Trelawny's opinion of, 178 _et seq._; + effect of his death on Greece, 183 _et seq._, 201; + the funeral oration, 185; + body conveyed to Zante, and thence to England, 198 _et seq._; + arrival of the body in England, 202-204; + character sketch by Colonel Stanhope, 205 _et seq._; + funeral procession and burial at Hucknall-Torkard, 215, 216; + what the poems reveal, 219 _et seq._; + infatuation for Mary Chaworth, 220 _et seq._; + mystery of the _Thyrza_ poems, 221 _et seq._; + romantic attachment to Edleston, 222, 223, 230, 231; + anecdote of Mary Chaworth's gift, 224; + his mother's death, 227; + on death of his friends, 227, 228; + _Childe Harold_, 233, 236, 238, 287, 363; + and the Hon. Mrs. George Lamb, 235; + disbelief in existence after death, 239, 240; + in great dejection writes _The Giaour_, _The Bride of Abydos_, and + _The Corsair_, 240, 256 _et seq._, 277, 278, 281, 303; + and Lady Webster, 240, 241, 259; + persuaded to give up going abroad, 241, 242; + what he wishes the world to believe about Mary Chaworth, 244, 245; + their meetings after her separation from her husband, 246, 258 _et + seq._; + remorse and parting, 249; + suspense and fear preceding the birth of Medora, 253, 260; + reason of separation from his wife, 255; + reproaches Mary Chaworth, 256, 257; + device for a seal, 261, 267; + remarkable letter to Moore, 266; + birth of Medora, 268; + _Lara_, 268, 271, 273; + partly the cause of the scandal about Mrs. Leigh, 270; + effect of Miss Milbanke's first refusal, 271 _et seq._; + _Harmodia_, 274, 275; + _Don Juan_, 276, 304 _et seq._; + _Hebrew Melodies_, 277; + _Herod's Lament for Mariamne_, 278; + his significant communication to his lawyer, 279; + verses to Mary Chaworth, 280, 281; + fear of disgrace, 281; + important correspondence with Murray, 282, 283; + last meeting with Mary Chaworth, 283; + how the secret was kept, 285; + verses to his sister, 286, 287; + _The Dream_, 289, 290; + _Stanzas to Augusta_, 290, 364; + _Manfred_, 291 _et seq._, 328, 364; + his treatment of the scandal, 291, 317, 320; + _The Duel_, 293, 298; + _The Lament of Tasso_, 297; + _Stanzas to the Po_, 298 _et seq._, 370; + _Last Words on Greece_, 311; + on his separation from his wife, 315 _et seq._; + Mrs. Leigh's so-called confession, 319 _et seq._, 356 _et seq._, 368; + _Epistle to Augusta_, 324; + story of his married life, 329 _et seq._; + Sir Ralph Noel requires a separation, 339; + Lady Jersey's party, 352; + parts for the last time from his sister, 352, 366, 392; + consents to separation from his wife, 352; + Lady Byron's written statement of complaints, 353; + letter to Lady Byron as to his will, 355; + Moore's life of, 365 _et seq._; + writes to Moore about the scandal, 367; + letter supposed to be written to Mary Chaworth, 368 _et seq._; + letter compared with one to his sister, 372; + writes to Lady Byron as to the memoir of his life, 382; + asks Lady Byron to make provision for Mrs. Leigh's children, 385, 388; + Goethe on, 400, 401 + + _Byron, Lord: Letters and Journals of_, by Rowland Prothero, 70 n., 256 + n., 260 n.; + _Life of_, by Tom Moore, 365; + _Reminiscences of_, by G. Finlay, 201; + _Sketch of_, by Colonel Stanhope, 201 + + Byron, Captain George (afterwards seventh Lord), 337, 338 + + Byron, Hon. Augusta. See Leigh, Hon. Mrs. Augusta + + Byron, Hon. Augusta Ada (afterwards Lady King and Countess of Lovelace), + Byron's daughter: + separation from her father, 43, 44, 288; + Hobhouse's opinion of, 206, 207; + her health, 363 + + Byron, Lady (formerly Miss Milbanke): + property and settlements on marriage, 10; + married life, 36, 329 _et seq._; + her husband's desire for reconciliation, 36, 46, 206; + on Byron's religion, 77, 78; + the result of first refusal of Byron, 206, 272; + _If I am not happy, it will be my own fault_, 216; + on Byron's poetry, 219; + on his indiscreet confidences, 270; + her conduct after the birth of Medora, 285, 289, 321 _et seq._; + interview with Mrs. Leigh at Reigate, 324; + Mrs. Leigh's long visit to, 336; + birth of a daughter, and her husband's treatment, 337; + steps for a separation taken, 338, 341, 351, 352, 357, 358; + her treatment of the abstracted letters, 340, 357; + attempts to extract a confession from Mrs. Leigh, 322, 324, 341, 357, + 361 _et seq._; + letters to Mrs. Leigh, 342, 343, 357; + Hodgson's appeal to, 346 _et seq._; + text of the signed statement of her conduct, 353 _et seq._; + Colonel Doyle's advice, 360; + her husband's letter to Mary Chaworth, 368 _et seq._; + and the prospects of Mrs. Leigh's children, 380, 385; + confides in Mrs. Villiers, 381; + letter from Byron, 382; + the weakness of her position, 383, 384; + Cockburn's opinion of, 387; + Lord Lovelace on, 389 _et seq._ + + + Campbell, Dr., Presbyterian divine, 55 + + Campbell, Thomas, _Battle of the Baltic_, 60 + + Cariascachi, a Greek chieftain, his treachery, 159 _et seq._ + + Chaworth, Mary (afterwards Mrs. John Musters): + Byron's infatuation for, and references in his poems to, 220 _et seq._; + unhappy married life and separation, 243 _et seq._; + weakness and repentance, 245 _et seq._; + breakdown of health, and reconciliation with her husband, 251; + describes her own character, 252; + birth of Medora, 254, 268; + how the secret was kept by Mrs. Leigh, 255, 285, 287, 317, 321, 362 + _et seq._; + letters to Byron, 267, 368 _et seq._; + last parting with Byron, 283 + + _Childe Harold_, what the poem reveals, 228, 229, 232 _et seq._, 287, 363 + + Clairmont, Claire: + her anxiety about her daughter Allegra, 22, 23; + her conduct to Byron, 24, 25 + + Clare, Lord, and Byron, 208 + + Clermont, Mrs., 337; + her abstraction of Byron's letters, 340 _et seq._, 378 + + Cockburn, Sir Alexander, Lord Chief Justice, and the Byron mystery, 358; + his opinion of Lady Byron, 387 + + Coleridge, Ernest Hartley, on identity of Byron's infatuation, 233, 240, + 260 + + Colocotroni, one of the turbulent capitani, 153 + + _Congreve rockets_, 92, 93 + + _Corsair, The_, what the poem reveals, 240, 262 _et seq._, 277, 279 + + + Dacre, Lord, 11 + + Davies, Scrope B., 98, 352; + Byron's letter to, 227 + + _Don Juan_, what the poem reveals, 219, 276, 304 _et seq._ + + Dowden, Professor, _Life of Shelley_: on Byron, 13; + the death of Allegra, 23 + + Doyle, Colonel Francis: + consulted by Lady Byron as to a separation, 338; + signs Lady Byron's statement of her conduct, 355; + advises Lady Byron to obtain a confession from Mrs. Leigh, 360, 361, + 397 + + Dragomestri, Byron's visit to, 85 + + _Dream, The_, what the poem reveals, 289, 290 + + _Duel, The_, the poem's application to Mary Chaworth, 298 + + + Edleston, a chorister at Cambridge: + Byron saves his life and forms a romantic attachment to, 222; + his death, 230, 231 + + Elphinstone, Miss Mercer, and Byron, 311 + + + Fenton, Captain, 180 + + Finlay, George, _History of Greece_: + the siege of Missolonghi, 70; + Byron's mode of life at Missolonghi, 98 _et seq._, 148; + on Byron, 176; + _Reminiscences of Byron_, 201; + Byron's last illness, 405 + + Fletcher, Byron's valet: + Byron's last ride, 164; + ignorance of the doctors, 165, 166; + Byron's last illness and death, 170, 171, 252; + his statement, 192 _et seq._; + accompanies Byron's body to England, 202; + Dr. Bruno's reply to the statement, 403 _et seq._; + Dr. Millingen's account of Byron's last illness, 405 _et seq._ + + _Florida_, the brig, brings the loan to Greece, and conveys back Byron's + body, 199 _et seq._ + + Freiber, Dr., German physician, attends Byron, 169 + + + Gamba, Count Pietro: + on Byron's religious opinions, 16, 17; + fracas at Pisa, 20; + goes to Albaro, 32; + travels with Byron to Greece, 47, 48; + on Byron's perseverance and discernment, 65; + on Byron's favourite reading, 79; + Byron's practical sympathy, 80; + accompanies Byron to Missolonghi, 83; + taken prisoner by the Turks, 84; + release and arrival at Missolonghi, 85; + the General Assembly at Missolonghi, 88; + Byron's interview with the two privateer sailors, 91; + becomes editor of the _Greek Telegraph_, 114; + Byron's illness, 121, 143, 148, 163 _et seq._; + arrest of English officers, 157; + Byron's funeral, 184; + conveys Byron's body to Zante, 198 + + Gamba, Count Ruggiero, Byron's neighbour at Pisa, 3; + leaves Pisa and goes to Montenero, 21; + ordered to leave Montenero, 22; + goes to Albaro, 32; + and Byron, 212 + + Gamba, Teresa. See Guiccioli, Countess + + Gell, Sir William, his writings, 100, 101 n. + + George IV. makes 'equivocation' the fashion, 17, 18; + and Sir Walter Scott, 53 + + _Giaour, The_, what the poem reveals, 240, 256, 257, 265 + + Gifford, William, Byron's opinion of, 51, 60 + + Greece: + Byron sails for, 47; + state of the country and army, 64, 87 _et seq._, 118, 180; + Byron advances £4,000, 67; + Byron's appeal to the nation, 69, 70; + preparations against Lepanto, 91; + honours offered to Byron, 151, 152; + Congress at Salona, 153; + Greek loan raised in London, 156; + effect of Byron's death on, 175 _et seq._ + + _Greece, History of_, by G. Finlay, 70; + by Mitford, 100 + + _Greek Chronicle_: + Byron's support, 108; + suppression of, 112, 113 + + _Greek Telegraph_, 103, 113 + + Guiccioli, Countess, daughter of Count Ruggiero Gamba: + Byron's neighbour at Pisa, 3, 4, 20; + describes Byron, 7 _et seq._; + on the characters of Shelley and Byron, 14, 15; + on Byron's conduct towards Allegra, 23; + on Byron's religion, 74, 78; + anecdote about Mary Chaworth's ring, 224; + _Lady of the Land_, 298, 301, 370; + and Mrs. Leigh, 379 + + + Hancock, Charles, Byron's banker, 82 + + Hanson, John, Byron's solicitor, 241, 345, 346 + + _Harmodia_, 274, 275 + + Hatajè, Byron's kindness to, 133 _et seq._ + + Hay, Captain, fracas at Pisa, 20, 21 + + _Hebrew Melodies_, 277 + + _Hercules_, the, an English brig: + Byron and his suite sail to Greece in it, 47; + Byron lives on board, 64, 65 + + _Herod's Lament for Mariamne_, 278 + + Hesketh, Mr., 158, 159 + + Heywood, Sergeant, consulted by Lady Byron, 338 + + Hobhouse, John Cam (afterwards Lord Broughton): + and Byron, 35; + persuades Byron to burn his journal, 102; + destroys one of Byron's poems, 208; + Byron's funeral, 215, 216; + and Lady Byron, 216, 320; + life-long friend of Mrs. Leigh, 319. + See also Broughton, Lord + + Hodgson, captain of the _Florida_, 203 + + Hodgson, Rev. Francis: + consulted by Mrs. Leigh, 344 _et seq._; + appeals to Lady Byron, 346 _et seq._ + + _Hodgson, Rev. F., Memoir of_, 73 n. + + Holmes, Mr. James, his portrait of Byron, 9 + + _Hours of Idleness_, what the poem reveals, 220 + + Hucknall-Torkard, Byron's burial place, 44 + + Humphreys, Captain, on state of Greece, 180 + + Hunt, Sir Aubrey de Vere, 102 + + Hunt, Leigh: + the story of his literary and money relations with Byron, 26 _et seq._; + Byron's opinion of, 31 + + + Ireland, Dr., Dean of Westminster, refuses burial of Byron in + Westminster Abbey, 203 + + + Jersey, Countess of, her party in honour of Byron, 352 + + + Kean, Edmund, actor, Byron's opinion of, 61 + + Kemble, John, actor, Byron's opinion of, 61 + + Kennedy, Dr., Scottish medical man: + tries to 'convert' Byron, 72 _et seq._; + and Hatajè, 136; + Lady Byron on, 77 + + King, Lady. See Byron, Hon. Augusta Ada + + Kinnaird, the Hon. Douglas, Byron's opinion of, 208 + + Knox, Captain, 51 + + Knox, Mrs., 50, 54 + + + Lamb, Hon. Mrs. George, and Byron, 235 + + Lamb, Lady Caroline, spreads the Byron scandal, 270, 317, 340, 390 + + Lambro, a Suliote chief, 156, 164 + + _Lara_, what the poem reveals, 268, 271, 273 + + Leigh, Hon. Mrs. Augusta, half-sister of Lord Byron: + influence over her brother, 42, 73, 245, 261; + and his poetry, 103; + wishes him to go abroad, 242; + first introduction to, and close intimacy with, Mary Chaworth, 250; + loyalty to her brother and Mary Chaworth, 255, 287, 317, 321; + letters from her brother about Mary Chaworth, 258, 267, 268; + simulated confinement and convalescence, 269; + her brother's conduct gives colour to the scandal, 270, 279, 285; + letters to Hodgson on the secret, 272, 344 _et seq._; + spends a month at Newstead with her brother, 279; + the difficulties of keeping the secret, 285, 317, 362 _et seq._; + lines in _Childe Harold_ referring to, 287; + the so-called confession, 289, 322, 324, 325, 341, 357, 361 _et seq._; + _Stanzas to Augusta_, 290, 364; + Lord Lovelace's opinion of her character, 294, 295; + the accusation dealt with in detail, 318 _et seq._; + Lord Stanhope and Frances, Lady Shelley on, 318; + the story of her life, 319; + Hobhouse's advice to, 320; + difficult position with Lady Byron, 321, 341, 362, 367; + her predicament owing to the adoption of Medora, 322; + _Epistle to Augusta_, 324; + letters to Hodgson on her brother's marriage, 332 _et seq._; + a long visit to her brother and Lady Byron, 336; + Lady Byron's feelings towards her, 336, 337, 342, 343, 360; + Lady Byron's confinement, 337; + Mrs. Clermont's treachery, 341; + Lady Jersey's party, 352; + parts for ever from her brother, 352; + Lady Byron's written statement, 353 _et seq._; + letters to Hodgson on her brother, 362; + her line of conduct to Lady Byron, 362 _et seq._; + Moore on Byron's feelings towards her, 366; + pretends that her brother's letter to Mary Chaworth was written to + herself, 368 _et seq._; + a genuine letter, 372; + reply to Lady Byron's advice, 375 _et seq._; + her children's prospects discussed with Lady Byron, 380, 385; + Lady Byron's request, 380; + Lord Lovelace on, 389 _et seq._ + + Lepanto, preparations against, 91 + + _Liberal, The_, its unsuccessful career, 31, 32 + + _Lion_, Byron's favourite dog, 145, 146 + + Londos, General Andrea, and Byron, 155 + + Lovelace, Earl of, _Astarte_: + Byron's _Thyrza_, 234 n.; + accusations against Mrs. Leigh, 249, 269 _et seq._, 287, 288, 318, + 321, 322, 338, 341, 362, 366 _et seq._, 368 _et seq._, 385 _et + seq._, 390; + describes Mrs. Leigh's character, 294; + _Manfred_, the key of the mystery, 326 _et seq._, 364; + Byron's mutability, 339; + Lady Byron's written statement, 353 _et seq._; + important letters from Byron, 368 _et seq._, 385, 386; + and Lady Byron, 387 + + Lushington, Dr.: + advises Lady Byron, 338, 351, 352, 357, 358, 383, 387; + his opinion on Byron's letters abstracted by Mrs. Clermont, 341; + signs Lady Byron's statement, 353 _et seq._ + + + _Magdalen_, a fragment, 269 + + Maitland, Sir Thomas, High Commissioner of the Ionian Islands, 52, 61; + character and death, 115, 116 + + _Manfred_, the supposed key to the mystery, 291 _et seq._, 328, 364 + + _Marino Faliero_, 100 + + Marshall, Mrs. Julian, _Life and Letters of Mary Wollstonecraft + Shelley_, 178, 180 + + Masi, Sergeant-Major, fracas at Pisa, 20, 21 + + Matthews, Charles Skinner, one of Byron's best friends, his death, 227 + + Mavrocordato, Prince, Governor-General of Western Greece: + and Byron, 66, 68, 70, 202; + brings the Greek fleet to Missolonghi, 81; + Byron's arrival at Missolonghi, 85; + Byron's interview with two privateer sailors, 91; + his jealousy, 105, 106; + infraction of neutrality in Ithaca, 115; + Byron's opinion of, 116; + opposition by Colonel Stanhope, 119, 153; + and Odysseus, 153 _et seq._; + Byron's last illness and death, 164 _et seq._; + effect of Byron's death on, 177, 202; + Trelawny's opinion of, 179, 180; + his efforts for Greece, 181; + issues a proclamation on Byron's death, 183, 184 + + Medora, birth of, 254, 268; + _Childe Harold_, 288; + adoption by Mrs. Leigh, 322 + + Medwin, Captain Thomas: + his description of Byron, 4, 6, 11; + on Byron's life at Pisa, 20; + _The Angler in Wales_, 33 n. + + Melbourne, Lady, persuades Byron not to go abroad, 242 + + Metaxata, Byron's residence at, 65, 79 + + Meyer, Jean Jacques, editor of the _Greek Chronicle_, 112 + + Milbanke, Miss. See Byron, Lady + + Milbanke, Sir Ralph, his property, 10 + + Millingen, Dr.: + on Byron's character, 95; + on Parry, 96; + Byron a favourite in Greece, 105, 177; + on the Greek press, 113; + Byron's illness, 124; + Byron's kind treatment of Hatajè, 133 _et seq._; + on Cariascachi's treachery, 161; + on Byron's unhappiness and anxieties, 162; + attends Byron in his last illness and death, 167 _et seq._, 190, 193 + _et seq._, 403 _et seq._; + on Mavrocordato, 181 + + Missolonghi: + blockade of, 66, 96; + Turks retire from, 70; + Greek squadron at, 81; + description of, 87; + Byron's arrival and life at, 88, 99; + release of Turkish prisoners, 133; + Turkish brig-of-war runs ashore off, 139; + effect of Byron's death, 175, 183 _et seq._ + + Mitford, William, _History of Greece_, 100 + + _Monthly Literary Recreations_, 101 n. + + _Monthly Review_, Byron's reviews in, 100, 101 n. + + Moore, Thomas: + letters from Shelley and Byron, 13, 14, 266; + and Byron, 36; + on the _Thyrza_ poems, 229; + Byron's love for Mary Chaworth, 238, 246, 266, 279; + criticism on his _Life of Byron_, 365 + + Moore, Sir John, ode on the death of, 58 + + Muir, Dr., principal medical officer at Cephalonia, 82 + + Muir, General Skey, 82 + + Murray, John, Byron's publisher: + Byron's letters to, 30, 31; + _Childe Harold_, 50; + asks for Byron to be buried in Westminster Abbey, 203; + and Mrs. Leigh, 269; + Byron's copyrights, 281; + _Epistle to Augusta_, 324 + + Musters, John, husband of Mary Chaworth: + the ring incident and engagement, 224, 225; + separation from his wife, 245; + behaviour to his wife, 246; + reconciliation, 251; + cuts down the _peculiar diadem of trees_, 289 + + + Napier, Colonel, British Resident Governor of Argostoli, 48, 80 + + Newstead Abbey: sale of, 99; + Byron's visits, 226, 227 + + Noel, Lady, Byron's mother-in-law: + Byron inherits the Noel property on her death, 10; + her bequest of Byron's portrait, 43 n.; + advice as to her daughter's separation from Byron, 338; + and Mrs. Leigh, 362 + + Noel, Sir Ralph, writes to Byron requiring a separation, 339 + + + O'Doherty, Ensign, Byron's opinion of his poetry, 100 + + Odysseus, Greek insurgent leader: + his opposition to Mavrocordato, 153; + and Trelawny, 179, 180 + + Osborne, Lord Sidney, and Sir Thomas Maitland, 115; + goes to Missolonghi, 198; + eulogy of Byron's conduct in Greece, 201 + + + Parry, Major: + his arrival at Missolonghi, 91, 92; + his peculiarities, 92 _et seq._; + practical joke on, 95; + on Byron's intentions in Greece, 97, 98; + on the relationship between Mavrocordato and Byron, 116; + on Byron's mode of reproof, 117; + account of Byron's illness, 121; + anecdote of _Jerry Bentham's Cruise_, 126; + Turkish brig-of-war ashore, 139; + artillery at Missolonghi, 144; + on Byron's mode of life, 145; + on Byron's power in Greece, 151, 152; + Byron's last illness and death, 164 _et seq._, 196; + his opinion of Byron, 175 + + Phillips, Thomas, his portrait of Byron, 9 + + Pigot, Elizabeth, Byron's letters to, 222, 223 + + Pisa: Shelley's description of, 3; + Byron's life at, 20 + + _Po, Stanzas to the_, what they reveal, 298 _et seq._, 370 + + Pope, Alexander, Homer, 51 + + Prothero, Rowland E.: + _Letters and Journals of Lord Byron_, 70 n., 125, 256 n., 260 n., 383 + + + _Quarterly Review_, the, 50, 100 + + + _Recollections of a Long Life._ See Broughton, Lord + + Roberts, Captain, describes the wreck of _The Bolivar_, 33 + + Robertson, Rev. Frederick, Lady Byron's spiritual adviser, 324 + + Robinson, Crabb, 77 + + Romilly, Sir Samuel, consulted by Lady Byron, 338 + + + Salona, Congress at, 152, 153 + + Sanders, Mr. George, painter, his portrait of Byron, 9 + + _Sardanapalus_, a tragedy, 101 + + Sass, Lieutenant, death of, 141 + + Schilitzy, a Greek, accompanies Byron to Greece, 47 + + Scott, Captain, commands the _Hercules_, in which Byron travels to + Greece, 47 + + Scott, Dr., surgeon, and Byron, 54, 58 + + Scott, Sir Walter: + Byron's opinion of, 35, 51, 55, 79; + his denial of the authorship of the _Waverley Novels_, 53 + + Segati, Marianna, Byron's liaison with, 371 + + Shakespeare, William, Byron's opinion of, 101 + + Shelley, Percy Bysshe: + describes Pisa, 3; + and Byron, 11 _et seq._; + fracas at Pisa, 20, 21; + and Allegra, 22; + leaves Pisa for Lerici, 26; + and Leigh Hunt, 26 _et seq._; + his death, 30; + Byron's opinion of, 30, 35; + his legacy to Byron, 32 + + _Shelley, Life and Letters of Mary Wollstonecraft_, by Mrs. Julian + Marshall, 178 + + Stanhope, Col. the Hon. Leicester: + arrives in Cephalonia to co-operate with Byron, 68; + on Byron's character, 78, 174; + begs Byron to come to Missolonghi, 81; + on Byron's conduct in Greece, 91, 107; + interviews and misunderstandings with Byron, 108 _et seq._; + his conduct in Greece, 119, 153; + accompanies Byron's body to England, 199, 202; + _Greece in 1823 and 1824_, and _Sketch of Byron_, 201; + character sketch of Byron, 205 _et seq._ + + Stanhope, Earl, historian, opinion of Mrs. Leigh, 318 + + Stephen, Sir Leslie, and Mrs. Leigh's letters, 357 + + Stowe. See Beecher Stowe + + Stravolemo, Dr., physician, and Dr. Bruno, 79 + + Suliotes: + Byron takes 500 into his pay, 91; + false alarm, 123; + serious fracas, 140; + their dismissal, 142 + + Swift, William, bootmaker at Southwell, his evidence of Byron's + lameness, 8 + + + Taaffe, Mr., fracas at Pisa, 20, 21 + + Thomas, Dr., invited to attend Byron in his last illness, 168, 193 _et + seq._ + + Thorwaldsen, his marble bust of Byron, 10 + + _Thyrza_ poems, what they reveal, 221, 232, 235 + + Tita, Giovanni Battista Falcieri, Byron's faithful servant, 97, 166, 169 + _et seq._ + + Toole, Mr., receives Byron at Santa Eufemia, 60 + + Trelawny, Edward John: + arrives at Pisa, 4; + describes Byron and his peculiarities, 5, 17, 18; + on Leigh Hunt and Byron, 28; + effect of Shelley's death, 32; + lays up _The Bolivar_, 32; + travels with Byron to Greece, 47, 48; + and Byron's seizure, 62; + mistaken views of Byron's motives, 64, 65; + unhealthiness of Missolonghi, 87; + his opinion of Byron, 178 _et seq._; + and Mavrocordato, 179; + on Byron's deformity, 191, 192 + + Tricoupi, Spiridion, pronounces funeral oration over Byron, 185 + + + Vaga, Dr. Lucca, Greek physician, attends Byron in his last illness, + 169, 408 + + Vathi, Byron at, 58 + + Villiers, Hon. Mrs., and Mrs. Leigh, 357, 362, 367; + Lady Byron confides the secret to, 381, 394 + + Vivian, Charles, his death, 30 + + Volpiotti, Constantine, spy under Byron's roof, 162 + + + Watson's _Philip II._, 102 + + Webster, Lady Frances Wedderburn, and Byron, 240, 241, 259 + + Wentworth, Lord, Byron inherits his property, 10 + + West, William Edward, American painter, his portrait of Byron, 9 + + Wildman, Colonel Thomas, 44 + + Wildman, Mrs., owner of Byron's boot-trees and the bootmaker's statement + as to Byron's deformity, 7, 8 + + Williams, Edward, and Leigh Hunt, 29; + on Byron's treatment of Mrs. Hunt, 29; + his death, 30 + + Wilmot, Robert John, signs Lady Byron's statement, 355, 357, 359 + + Wilson, John, 60 + + Wilson, General Sir Robert, known as 'Jaffa Wilson,' 110 + + Wordsworth, William, 60; + Byron reviews his poems, 101 n. + + + York, Duke of, and Sir Walter Scott, 53 + + Young, Charles, actor, Byron's opinion of, 61 + + + Zante, Byron at, 83, 198 + + +THE END + + +BILLING AND SONS, LTD., PRINTERS, GUILDFORD + + + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[1] Medwin, in his book 'The Angler in Wales,' vol. ii., p. 211, says: +'The _right_ foot, as everyone knows, being twisted inwards, so as to +amount to what is generally known as a club-foot.' + +[2] Letter to Mr. Gisborne, January 12, 1822. Professor Dowden's 'Life of +Shelley,' vol. ii., p. 447. + +[3] 'Lord Byron.' + +[4] 'Letters and Journals of Lord Byron,' edited by Rowland Prothero, vol. +vi., appendix iii. + +[5] 'Life of Shelley,' vol. ii., p. 494. + +[6] Henry Dunn kept a British shop at Leghorn. + +[7] For Byron's opinion of Shelley's poetry, see appendix to 'The Two +Foscari': 'I highly admire the poetry of "Queen Mab" and Shelley's other +publications.' + +[8] 'The Angler in Wales,' by Thomas Medwin, vol. ii., pp. 144-146. + +[9] Lady Noel left by her will to the trustees a portrait of Byron, with +directions that it was not to be shown to his daughter Ada till she +attained the age of twenty-one; but that if her mother were still living, +it was not to be so delivered without Lady Byron's consent. + +[10] It was at this time that Byron endeavoured to suppress the fact that +he had written 'The Age of Bronze.' + +[11] Dr. Bruno. + +[12] Byron's sobriquet for Walter Scott. + +[13] 'Letters and Journals of Lord Byron,' edited by Rowland Prothero, +vol. vi., p. 259. + +[14] 'Memoir of Rev. F. Hodgson,' vol. ii., p. 150. + +[15] 'Diary,' vol. iii., pp. 435, 436. + +[16] Parry, p. 170. + +[17] Byron wrote a review of Wordsworth's 'Poems' in _Monthly Literary +Recreations_ for July, 1807, and a review of Gell's 'Geography of Ithaca' +in the _Monthly Review_ for August, 1811. + +[18] General Sir Robert Wilson (1777-1849), commonly known as 'Jaffa +Wilson,' entered Parliament in 1818. Having held Napoleon up to horror and +execration for his cruelty at Jaffa, Wilson subsequently became one of his +strongest eulogists. Being by nature a demagogue, he posed as a champion +in the cause of freedom and civil government; he accused England of +injustice and tyranny towards other nations, and prophesied her speedy +fall. He warmly espoused the cause of Queen Caroline, and was present at +the riot in Hyde Park on the occasion of her funeral, when there was a +collision between the Horse Guards and the mob. For his conduct on that +occasion, despite a long record of gallant service in the field, Wilson +was dismissed the Army in 1821, but was reinstated on the accession of +William IV. He appears to have been both foolish and vain, and fond of +creating effect. He was constantly brooding over services which he +conceived to have been overlooked, and merits which he fancied were +neglected. He attached himself to the ultra-radicals, and puffed himself +into notoriety by swimming against the stream. A writer in the _Quarterly +Review_ (Vol. xix., July, 1818) says: 'The obliquity of his (Wilson's) +perceptions make his talents worse than useless as a politician, and form, +even in his own profession, a serious drawback to energy however great, +and to bravery however distinguished.' + +[19] High Commissioner of the Ionian Islands. + +[20] Acting as Secretary to High Commissioner. + +[21] Vol. vi., p. 326. + +[22] One of the turbulent capitani who was playing for his own hand. He +was at one time a member of the Executive Body, and was afterwards +proclaimed by the Legislative Assembly as an enemy of the State. + +[23] A leader of Greek insurgents--Byron calls him Ulysses--who broke away +from Government control to form an independent party in opposition to +Mavrocordato, with whose views Byron sympathized. Trelawny and Colonel +Stanhope believed in Odysseus, who after having acquired great influence +in Eastern Greece was proclaimed by the Government, imprisoned, and +murdered while in captivity. + +[24] 'Life and Letters of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley,' edited by Mrs. +Julian Marshall. + +[25] For further evidence on this point, see 'Letters of Lord Byron,' +edited by Rowland Prothero, vol. i., pp. 9-11. + +[26] It is difficult to reconcile this with Millingen's statement. + +[27] _Edinburgh Review_, April, 1871, pp. 294-298. + +[28] He succeeded Sir Thomas Maitland as High Commissioner of the Ionian +Islands. + +[29] This must be taken _cum grano salis_. + +[30] They appear to have met accidentally in Trinity Walks a few days +earlier. Edleston did not at first recognize Byron, who had grown so thin. + +[31] Edleston, who some time previously had given Byron a 'Cornelian' as a +parting gift on leaving Cambridge for the vacation. + +[32] Edleston had died five months before Byron heard the sad news. + +[33] 'I think it proper to state to you that this stanza alludes to an +event which has taken place since my arrival here, and not to the death of +any _male_ friend.'--Lord Byron to Mr. Dallas. + +[34] That this Thyrza was no passing fancy is proved by Lord Lovelace's +statement in 'Astarte' (p. 138): 'He had occasionally spoken of Thyrza to +Lady Byron, at Seaham and afterwards in London, _always with strong but +contained emotion_. He once showed his wife a beautiful tress of Thyrza's +hair, _but never mentioned her real name_.' + +[35] Captain (afterwards Commodore) Walter Bathurst was mortally wounded +at the Battle of Navarino, on October 20, 1827.--'Battles of the British +Navy,' Joseph Allen, vol. ii., p. 518. + +[36] The last line was in the first draft. + +[37] Medwin (edition of 1824), p. 63. + +[38] 'A power of fascination rarely, if ever, possessed by any man of his +age' ('Recollections of a Long Life,' by Lord Broughton, vol. ii., p. +196). + +[39] 'Letters and Journals of Byron,' vol. iii., p. 406, edited by Rowland +E. Prothero. + +[40] Moore had rented a cottage in Nottinghamshire, not very remote from +Newstead Abbey. + +[41] See 'Letters and Journals of Lord Byron,' edited by Rowland Prothero, +vol. ii., pp. 267, 269, 278, 292. + +[42] 'Had I not written "The Bride" (in four nights), I must have gone mad +by eating my own heart--bitter diet.'--'Journals and Letters,' vol. ii., +p. 321. + +[43] + + 'Hail be you, Mary, mother and May, + Mild, and meek, and merciable!' + _An Ancient Hymn to the Virgin._ + +[44] Mary was 'the last of a time-honoured race.' The line of the +Chaworths ended with her. + +[45] It will be remembered that Byron had announced 'The Corsair' as 'the +last production with which he should trespass on public patience for some +years.' With the loss of Mary's love his inspiration was gone. + +[46] + + 'With hackbut bent, my secret stand, + Dark as the purposed deed, I chose, + And mark'd where, mingling in his band, + Trooped Scottish pikes and English bows.' + SIR WALTER SCOTT: _Cadyow Castle_. + +[47] Mary's allusion to the seal is explained by an entry in Byron's +journal, November 14, 1813. The seal is treasured as a memento of Byron by +the Musters family. + +[48] No one, we presume, will question the identity of the person +mentioned in 'The Dream': + + 'Upon a tone, + A touch of hers, his blood would ebb and flow, + And his cheek change tempestuously--his heart + Unknowing of its cause of agony.' + +[49] 'Astarte,' p. 134. + +[50] Lady Caroline Lamb also asserted that Byron showed her some letters +which contained some such expression as this: "Oh! B----, if we loved one +another as we did in childhood--_then_ it was innocent." The reader may +judge whether such a remark would be more natural from Augusta, or from +Mary Chaworth. + +[51] October 14, 1814. + +[52] See the poem 'Remember Him': 'Thy soul from long seclusion pure.' + +[53] + + 'OPHELIA. O heavenly powers, restore him!' + _Hamlet_, Act III., Scene i. + +[54] + + 'The song, celestial from thy voice, + But sweet to me from none but thine.' + _Poetry of Byron_, vol. iv.: 'To Thyrza.' + +[55] + + 'Siede la terra, dove nata fui, + Su la marina dove il Po discende.' + _Inferno_, Canto V., 97, 98. + +[56] Although not near the source of the Po itself, Byron, at Ferrara, was +not very far from the point where the Po di Primaro breaks away from the +Po, and, becoming an independent river, flows into the dark blue Adriatic, +about midway between Comachio and Ravenna. + +[57] Shortly afterwards he translated 'The Episode of Francesca,' line for +line, into English verse. + +[58] 'Beppo,' stanza 83. + +[59] 'Astarte,' p. 166. + +[60] Lady Byron and Rev. F. Robertson drew up a memorandum of this +conversation, April 8, 1851. + +[61] 'Astarte,' p. 137. + +[62] 'Recollections of a Long Life,' by Lord Broughton, vol. ii., p. 297. + +[63] _Ibid._, vol. ii., pp. 219, 239. + +[64] 'Lady Byron said that she founded her determination [to part from her +husband] on some communication from London.'--'Recollections of a Long +Life,' vol. ii., p. 255. + +[65] 'There is reason to believe that Lord Chief Justice Cockburn +privately saw letters [in 1869] of 1813 and 1814 which proved the fact of +incest, and the overwhelming effect of the evidence therein +contained.'--'Astarte,' p. 54. + +[66] 'Astarte,' p. 77. + +[67] Hanson. + +[68] Leigh. + +[69] 'Recollections of a Long Life,' vol. ii., p. 303. + +[70] A fortnight before writing 'Stanzas to the Po.' + +[71] 'Short name of three or four letters obliterated.'--'Astarte,' p. +180. + +[72] Short name of three or four letters obliterated. + +[73] Marianna (Anglice: Mary Anne). + +[74] Lady Byron (see 'Astarte,' p. 166). + +[75] His sister's society. + +[76] In case Byron altered his will. + +[77] Vol. v., p. 1. + +[78] Tinct. chinæ corticis; tinct. cinchonæ. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Byron, by Richard Edgcumbe + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41809 *** |